Sue's Pulitzers Multi-year Challenge

[Sara, New School Classics]

For several of those you have marked as expensive, they are available to read for free at archive.org . Drawback, of course, is you have to read them online, but might be worthwhile.

[Sue]

Sara wrote: "For several of those you have marked as expensive, they are available to read for free at archive.org . Drawback, of course, is you have to read them online, but might be worthwhile."

I can't read online unless it's a short, short story. Sometimes if they are available like that, they eventually make there way to a cheap Kindle version.

[Sue]

I finished two more Pulitzer's in December but just updating now

1963 prize The Reivers - 4 stars - This is probably the only Faulkner that's fun and easy to read. It was a great coming of age story.
1935 Prize Now in November - 4 stars. The prose is 5 star. It's hard to believe she was so young when she wrote it. The only thing that kept me from giving it 5 stars is it was too bleak. There were no joyful moments.

I'm going back to making it 91 since after Christmas I went back through all the books that cost more than my limit of $5-6. It was good to try again because I lucked out and found a few more in that range. Some I check on regularly.

After these two I'm at 60 of 91 or 66%

[Terry]

Sue, I remember that I also very much enjoyed The Reivers when I read it, back in the 1970s, I think. I was on a Faulkner kick back then.

[Sue]

Terry wrote: "Sue, I remember that I also very much enjoyed The Reivers when I read it, back in the 1970s, I think. I was on a Faulkner kick back then."

I've yet to be on a Faukner kick but may get there. I have to read A Fable for this challenge and my used bookstore had a boxed set of 3 in like new condition for $10. I had read one (As I Lay Dying but that is still a good deal.

[Sara, New School Classics]

I also read The Rievers back when I was in my teens. I intend to read it again, as I remember it being very good but don't have the story firmly set in my mind.

Nice that you were able to cross two more off before the year ended.

[Sue]

Thank you, Sara. I was so disappointed that I had only read 3 this year before these two. I'll never finish at that rate. I've had a goal to read 12-15 pulitzers a year. That's not happening anymore. Now my new goal is 5-6 per year.

[Sara, New School Classics]

I'm trying to pick up the pace a bit this year as well. Last year was a bust, but I have read so many of the ones I was excited about--now it is pot luck.

[Sue]

Sara wrote: "I'm trying to pick up the pace a bit this year as well. Last year was a bust, but I have read so many of the ones I was excited about--now it is pot luck."

That is so true, Sara. I'm excited about a few more now that I have the physical copies.

[Sara, New School Classics]

We do have a lot of the same books still open, and you have a few that I have read that I KNOW you are going to love. At least we know we will check off the Rabbit books this year.😁

[Sue]

Sara wrote: "We do have a lot of the same books still open, and you have a few that I have read that I KNOW you are going to love. At least we know we will check off the Rabbit books this year.😁"

That's great to hear, Sara. There are a few I'm not to excited about, but I believe they are still on both our lists.

[Sue]

This was a great year for my Pulitzer challenge. I completed 12 after only completing 3 in 2022 and 2 in 2023. I'm pretty thrilled with that!
1926 - Arrowsmith - 3 stars
1927 - Early Autumn: A Story of a Lady - 4 stars
1934 - Lamb in His Bosom 4.5 stars
1960 - Advise and Consent - 3 stars
1966 - The Collected Stories of Katherine Anne Porter - 5 stars
1967 - House Made of Dawn - 5 stars
1970 - The Collected Stories of Jean Stafford - 4 stars
1978 - Elbow Room 5 stars
1979 - The Stories of John Cheever - 4.5 stars
1982 - Rabbit Is Rich 4 stars
1991- Rabbit at Rest 5 stars
1996 - Independence Day - 4 stars


I decided to focus on the short story collections to jump start this. I figured it would be easy if I took it one story at a time and fit them in between books. I usually read 3 or so at a time. I enjoyed all of them. Elbow Room was my favorite. The first story was so sweet he could do no wrong after that. The only short story collection I have left is Tales of the South Pacific.

I have 18 total left . I'm planning on trying to get 6 a year but it that's a stretch with the ones I have left. Even still, the end appears to be in sight!

[Kathleen]

This is thrilling, Sue--congrats on your great progress! I'm excited to see you enjoyed the John Cheever stories. Looking forward to the buddy read coming up, and hope you stop in to comment.

[Sara, New School Classics]

I wish I could claim the same! My Pulitzer challenge is going slower and slower, but it is very inspirational to see how many you were able to do this year. I have both the short story collections slated for 2025 and determined to get to A Fable and Laughing Boy: A Navajo Love Story, both of which I have owned hard copies of for years.

Looking forward to seeing how you do in 2025!

[Sue]

Kathleen wrote: "This is thrilling, Sue--congrats on your great progress! I'm excited to see you enjoyed the John Cheever stories. Looking forward to the buddy read coming up, and hope you stop in to comment."

Thank you Kathleen. I do want to peak in on your buddy read. It will be nice to refresh my memories on the stories. There are so many.

[Sue]

Sara wrote: "I wish I could claim the same! My Pulitzer challenge is going slower and slower, but it is very inspirational to see how many you were able to do this year. I have both the short story collections ..."

Thank you, Sara. I loved Laughing Boy I hope you like it but at least it's pretty short if you don't.

We should do a buddy read for A Fable . Faulkner still intimidates me. Maybe we could get a group together with other Pulitzer challenge people?

I know what you mean about slower and slower with only completing 2 and 3 in the last two years.

[Sara, New School Classics]

UGH--No notifications and I just found this comment. I already had checked your box...does no good at all.

I have been pushing off A Fable and it might be just the motivation I need to have us read it together. Would June work for you? I will post a request at the buddy reads when we have decided on a month and see if we get any takers. If not, we will just have to struggle through it together.

[Sue]

June would be perfect, Sara! My work settles down then. Hopefully we can find some other Pulitzer challenge people to do it also.