Catching up on Classics (and lots more!) discussion
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Renee's "I know I said no challenges" 2018 Bingo Challenge
Ha! Already brealing your own rules! I like that.
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Tammy wrote: "Ha! Already brealing your own rules! I like that."I couldn't help it. I just really liked the Bingo challenge, and it might be easier to fit some books in :)
Katy wrote: "LOL -- love the title."Thanks, I kept saying no challenges this year, but the Bingo one is fun. I should be able to fit in some of the books I already had planned so that will help a bit.
You made laugh! Have fun with this, Renee--that's the important thing!
I'm already regretting all the challenges I did, so I'll probably feel like you next year! The BINGO is always fun. I have Remains of the Day on mine also.
I like the bingo challenge too, although I don't expect to black-out this year!Renee, even though you didn't want to participate in any challenges this year (and I know how you feel, I almost overdid it last year!), I think you will feel less pressure if you read what you want and see if it fits into any of these categories. I might try that next year if this feels like too much this year.
Happy Reading! I like your list so far :)
Filling as you go I think is the key here, especially if you have other challenges already ‘set. No need to stress. Just do what you can :0)Oh and Remains of the Day is truly beautiful! The language!!! Actually the titles on your plan are great: Oz is much more than the film (which is great in its own right), The Metamorphosis very fascinating, Treasure Island and Les Miserables very easy and compelling. Heart of Darkness is harder but totally worth it. Just give it time :0)
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Just finished my first book for the challenge, Romeo and Juliet. I haven't read this book since high school, so it was high time for a re-read. I liked it then, and I still like it. I haven't read much Shakespeare, but am trying to slowly remedy that. I'm looking forward to next month's group read of Macbeth, which is another one I remember loving in high school, but haven't read since.
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Renee wrote: "Just finished my first book for the challenge, Romeo and Juliet. I haven't read this book since high school, so it was high time for a re-read. I liked it then, and I still like it. I ..."I'll be starting Romeo and Juliet soon, and also hope to read Macbeth next month. I'm with you in trying to catch up with Shakespeare. Glad to hear you enjoyed this one!
I’m considering joining for Macbeth too. Haven’t read that one yet.
I like the title of this thread. I am feeling a little challenged-out right now, because I spent so much time in Nov-Dec planning for this year's reads. Now I am busy, and the books that are ready for me at the library are either too long or not fitting my mood! Despite that, I'm already thinking that one of my challenges for NEXT YEAR (Around the year in 52 books) will only involve non-fiction! I can't imagine NOT doing some sort of reading challenge every year for the rest of my life, despite my current blah mood at the moment. Who plans their reading a year in advance? Oh right. We do.
Thanks for making me laugh, and good luck on your challenge!
MJ wrote: "I like the title of this thread. I am feeling a little challenged-out right now, because I spent so much time in Nov-Dec planning for this year's reads. Now I am busy, and the books that are ready ..."I know what you mean. The same thing happened to me for last year's challenges. I planned them, but some of the books listed on them weren't the type of book I was in the mood for at the time. I have a few that I had planned to read this year already, and added those, plus a few group reads to my list, but I'm not focused on trying to finish them all right now. They may be changed depending on my mood. Just trying to fit them in as I go and see how I do.
I've added If on a Winter's Night a Traveler as my New to You Author. I wasn't sure what to expect from it, but ended up really enjoying it. I listened to the audiobook, which I thought was very well done. Definitely a unique book. I had to laugh a few times at the very beginning when the reader is getting ready to read their book. A lot of that sounded so familiar!
Yesterday I finished Doctor Zhivago. It was not an easy read, and I did a bit of research so I knew (basically, at least) what was going on, and what the characters were living through. I've heard it described as a love story, but there wasn't a lot to the love story. Someone in the discussion thread mentioned that it was a love story to Russia, and that I can agree with. I thought it was a beautiful translation, and I loved the way the prose flowed like poetry. It's one I'll definitely have to read again, maybe after I've read more about the Russian revolutions. It's a bit of a depressing book though, isn't it? Even the happy love story was depressing, because I kept thinking of Tonya and what she was going through while Yury was enjoying himself with Lara. So glad someone nominated this, and I finally got around to reading it.
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Sara wrote: "I agree that the love story is a minimal part of the book. I think people think of it as a love story because they have seen the movie, which was indeed a love story. Like you, I really appreciated..."I have never watched the movie, but they just showed it on TCM after I started reading the book, so I recorded it to watch later. It sounds like it may be quite a bit different than the book, if it just focuses on the love story. I'm looking forward to it though. A lot of people seem to love the movie.
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I agree with Sara completely! I'm glad you'll get to see the movie, Renee. I've seen it many times and just love it. It does focus on the love story, but there's more too. The atmosphere is fabulous and the characters of Strelnikov and Komarovsky are really interesting and well played. Let us know what you think!
I finally get to add another one to my Bingo board. Finally finished Ulysses, which is going to be my banned book. A lot of people love it, but I guess I just didn't get it. I think if it was half as long it may have been better, and without all the useless meandering about nonsense that didn't even make sense in the episodes. That's the longest day I've ever read about. I did like the last episode that Molly narrated though. It was interesting hearing her side of things, and how she's a little different than Bloom thought about her. I think it's one of those that I'll have to say I'm glad to have read it, but will probably not read it again. Not giving up on Joyce though just because of one book! I have a few more of his on my TBR so will get to them eventually!
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Kathleen wrote: "I agree with Sara completely! I'm glad you'll get to see the movie, Renee. I've seen it many times and just love it. It does focus on the love story, but there's more too. The atmosphere is fabulou..."I was able to make time for it last weekend. It's a bit of a long one, so had to find some time :) I enjoyed the movie, but I liked the book a lot better, even though the book was very depressing. It's one that I'll definitely have to read again.
Katy wrote: "Good for you Renee -- that is one book I've abandoned and don't feel bad at all about it."I had it on audiobook and kindle, so I think listening to it helped a lot. And I would try to follow along on the kindle when I could, hoping that would help me get a little more out of it, but it really didn't help.
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Huge accomplishment, Renee--congrats!
Added Double Indemnity, which I finished the other day. I didn't want to put that one down, I was really enjoying it. This was my first noir/hardboiled book I finally read from my TBR list. Many more are on there though, and I'm looking forward to them!Also just finished Heart of Darkness. I listened to the audiobook for this one, read by Kenneth Branagh. I thought he did a good job, and I did like it, though not as much as some people it seems, reading through some reviews.
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Branagh would be a super person to hear reading Heart of Darkness. I did not love it, but I could see why it was an important work.
Good to hear about those, Renee. I think Sara's right about noir, and I want to read more. I really enjoyed Cain's Mildred Pierce recently and would love to get to Double Indemnity.
Kathleen wrote: "Good to hear about those, Renee. I think Sara's right about noir, and I want to read more. I really enjoyed Cain's Mildred Pierce recently and would love to get to Double Indemnity."I have that one too, and hope to get to it soon. I'd like to read it before I watch the movie, and I have that one recorded and waiting also. Double Indemnity may just be tonight's movie night for me. I've had it waiting since they showed it on TCM a while back. Now that I've read the book, I want to watch the movie!
I love that movie, Renee--enjoy! Also love the old and the newer Mildred Pierce, so you can look forward to those after you read. :-)
Just finished Murder on the Orient Express for Mystery or Crime Classic. I'm a big fan of Agatha Christie, and have read many of her books, but this is one that for some reason, I had yet to read. I finally picked it up, and it just blew me away! I see why so many people list it as their favourite. A train full of interesting characters, a murder, and Poirot in the middle of it all to find the killer. Nobody is what they appear to be. I desperately tried to figure it out, but she stumped me again with this one. I didn't see the twist coming at all. Wonderful mystery, and beautifully played out. I really enjoyed this one, and it's now one of my favourite Christie mysteries. I can always count on her for a great mystery!
I read Murder on t he Orient Express this year also. I love this, and so far this is my favorite of the Poirot adventures/mysteries.
I'm a little late, but I finally finished the group read for March, A Tale of Two Cities. It's been a while since I've read Dickens (other than A Christmas Carol), but I absolutely loved it. Dickens always does an excellent job of pulling me into the story, and wanting to know more about the characters. I want to read all of his books eventually, but that will take some time. I recorded the movie a while back when they showed it on TCM. I think that may be next up for movie night.
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I finished White Nights a few days ago but forgot to add it to my Bingo board, so I've added it for Classic Short Story. It was an interesting read. I felt bad for the narrator really because he had so much trouble talking to people. When he finally did, he talked to a beautiful girl and fell in love with her. Bittersweet ending, but it was a great story.Just finished my first Ursula K. Le Guin, A Wizard of Earthsea and I really enjoyed it. Ged got on my nerves a little at first because he seemed to take offense at everything, but I had to remind myself that he's just a kid, and he got egged on a bit by Jasper. A very quick learner, but he doesn't seem to listen when the Masters tell him about the consequences from using magic irresponsibly. After his incident he understands a little better, and he starts to grow from there. I really liked this one, and am on still debating with myself about reading the rest of the series, but I probably will eventually anyways :)
Some great titles, Renee!Interesting about Earthsea.
Renee wrote: "I finished White Nights a few days ago but forgot to add it to my Bingo board, so I've added it for Classic Short Story. It was an interesting read. I felt bad for the narrator reall..."Me too Renee...I felt the same with Ged.
I just finished A Town Like Alice and decided to use that for my O3 square Classic from Australia, Antarctica or Oceania. I liked it, but I thought the first half about what happens to the group of women in the war was much more interesting than the second part. The second part with the rebuilding of the town was interesting, but I thought it could have been a little shorter. I liked it overall though.
I listened to the audiobook for The Odyssey narrated by Ian McKellen and really enjoyed it. I had wanted to read it last year, but kept putting it off. I loved the story of Odysseus' trials to finally get back home, and his plan to get rid of Penelope's suitors was great when it all came together. Glad I finally got around to this one.
Glad you enjoyed this, Renee. It's one of those stories it's nice to have experienced, since it's referred to so much. A relief after Ulysses, I bet. :-)You are doing so great on this challenge!
Kathleen wrote: "Glad you enjoyed this, Renee. It's one of those stories it's nice to have experienced, since it's referred to so much. A relief after Ulysses, I bet. :-)You are doing so great on this challenge!"
I definitely liked this one a lot more. I am glad to have finished Ulysses, but it's not one I'll read again :)
I'm glad you liked The Odyssey Renee. I enjoyed it too. I am still struggling through Ulysses believe it or not. I had to put it down for about 3 months. I'm determined to get through it, but it's a chore. There are parts I love but the stream of conscious stuff is not for me.
I see you just need Bleak House for a BINGO Renee. That's one of my favorites. I did it via Kindle and audio
G2 Finest Works of Fiction pick was The Metamorphosis. Maybe it just wasn't my kind of book. I liked it, but I wasn't blown away by it. It was interesting the way the family treated him when he first came out of him room though. They tried to take care of him, but after a while everything was starting to be too much for them.
It's been a while since I updated this one. I forgot to add American Gods when I finished it. Other than Coraline, and Norse Mythology this was my first actual Gaiman novel. I was really excited to start it because I really enjoyed the other two. For some reason though, I just couldn't get into this one. It felt a little disjointed at times, and I don't think I actually cared much for the characters. I enjoyed it, but it's not one of my favourites. Definitely won't stop me from reading his other books though, since I have a few of them already :)Les Misérables on the other hand, I thoroughly enjoyed. I have not been to the show, but have watched the movie, so I knew the basic story. I was surprised (in a good way) by how different the book is with a lot of the characters, and some of the story. Even the chapters that are not really related to the story are very interesting. I took my time reading this one with another group, and when I finished it last night, it felt like I had lost a friend. Good thing is, that friend is sitting on my bookshelf waiting to be read again :)
I still have 10 books to go before I can finish this whole board, so I'm hoping I'll be able to do it. I'll just have to wait and see! Still no BINGO yet though! I'm picking the wrong books to read for a bingo!
Catching up on Classics (and lots more!)
Books mentioned in this topic
Persuasion (other topics)Persuasion (other topics)
Christmas at Red Butte (other topics)
The Gift of the Magi (other topics)
The Maltese Falcon (other topics)
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25/25
B1: Written by Nobel Laureate The Remains of the Day 24/10 *****
B2: Children’s Classic The Wonderful Wizard of Oz 31/12 ****
B3 Government Banned Book All Quiet on the Western Front 19/07 *****
B4: Classic Made into a Film/TV A Christmas Carol 24/12 *****
B5: Winner of a Foreign Literary Prize A Wizard of Earthsea 17/04 *****
I1: 20th Century Classic Double Indemnity 03/04 *****
I2: New-to-You Author If on a Winter's Night a Traveler 01/03 ****
I3: Mystery or Crime Classic Murder on the Orient Express 07/04 *****
I4: Classic of More than 500 Pages Ulysses 17/03 *
I5: 18th Century or Earlier Classic The Odyssey 23/05 *****
N1: North American Classic The Catcher in the Rye 30/12 ***
N2: Classic Short Story White Nights 12/04 ****
N3: Flowers for Algernon 05/12 *****
N4: Classic Play Romeo and Juliet 12/01 *****
N5: African Classic Heart of Darkness 05/04 ***
G1: 19th Century Classic A Tale of Two Cities 11/04 *****
G2: Finest Works of Fiction (Martin Seymour-Smith & Editors) The Metamorphosis 09/06 ***
G3: Adventure or Action Classic Treasure Island 29/11 ****
G4: Group Read Doctor Zhivago 04/03 *****
G5: 21st Century Potential Classic American Gods 20/09 ***
O1: Literary Prize of Your Country/Region Alias Grace 12/12 *****
O2: Lesser known book by a famous author Christmas at Red Butte 30/12 ****
O3: Australia, Antarctica, or Oceania Classic A Town Like Alice 07/05 ***
O4: A Classic that you have put off reading Les Misérables 30/09 *****
O5: Classic written by a Female Author Persuasion 26/12 *****
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