Sara's 2019 Bound to Bingo Challenge

[Kathleen]

I loved this one, so I'm sorry to hear this Sara. You make excellent points in your review. (I think there is something in the style and tone that either makes up for these faults for the reader or doesn't? Who knows.)

I hope your next book is a winner!

[Sara, Old School Classics]

I went into this one with high expectations. Sometimes I think that is a bad thing. I definitely felt there was something missing for me, but I recognized that there was a lot of substance there as well. I suppose sometimes it is just a matter of taste...the way not everyone loves cheesecake and I am thinking "who are these people?"

[Sue]

Sara wrote: "I went into this one with high expectations. Sometimes I think that is a bad thing. I definitely felt there was something missing for me, but I recognized that there was a lot of substance there as..."

Expectations do make a big difference Sara. I had loved the film so much. I think I was in college when it came out in the states.

I had a bit of fear that the book could live up to my love of the film. It exceeded my expectations.

I can see how this isn't for everyone for sure. It's philosophical and meandering and can be strange the way he breaks the third wall at times.

But congratulations on finishing another one!

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Thanks, Sue. It will be interesting to see how this sits on me over time. I have been thinking about it today, so I guess I am not done with it yet. :)

[Sue]

Sara wrote: "Thanks, Sue. It will be interesting to see how this sits on me over time. I have been thinking about it today, so I guess I am not done with it yet. :)"

That happens to me all the time. I often up things a star after they stay with me and/or make me think. I do downgrade sometimes too, but not as often.

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

I've had a copy of Lightness on my shelf for years, and other than the fact it is one on our group shelf I have never been tempted to pick it up. I first felt vindication with your lack of enthusiasm, but Kathleen and Sue are two views I also pay attention too. I guess I'm still struck, it's on my shelf, maybe maybe not, time will tell.

Congrats, on another square!

[Sara, Old School Classics]

It always surprises me when readers that I respect so much, like Kathleen and Sue, love a book that I simply cannot muster any enthusiasm for. But, that is what makes us so interesting, we are no two of us exactly the same. I will be interested to see what you think, Bob, when you get to it.

Like you, I pushed it back for years, so I'm sort of happy just to have it off the shelf and not nagging at me anymore. And, it will help my percentage of books read on the group shelf maybe?

[Katy, Quarterly Long Reads]

Sara wrote: "B4: The Unbearable Lightness of Being. This book was a disappointment for me. I expected a lot, but found it only so-so. Gave it 3-stars."

Another one on our shelf that I need to read.

[Laurie]

I am with you, Sara, in my feelings for The Unbearable Lightness. I didn't get it, if you will. Too much philosophical musing which bored me. As you say, we all like different things and that's what makes our conversations interesting.

[Sara, Old School Classics]

O3: Classic Comedy or Satire. Completed The Princess Bride. Beautifully illustrated edition. Lot of fun, but not as good as the movie.

[Veronique]

Sara wrote: "O3: Classic Comedy or Satire. Completed The Princess Bride. Beautifully illustrated edition. Lot of fun, but not as good as the movie."

I also prefer the film in this instance.
Well done on your progress. You’re nearly done!

[Sue]

Congratulations on another one completed Sara!

I read The Princess Bride in college before the film came out. It was the first book to make me literally laugh out loud throughout it. I loved it with all my heart.

My unscientific analysis tells me that people who read the book first are more likely to rate it 5 stars. I loved the film too and would rate it 5 stars as well.

I'm always afraid of the book being a let down if a film is a favorite, which is why I try to read the book first.

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Veronique wrote: "Sara wrote: "O3: Classic Comedy or Satire. Completed The Princess Bride. Beautifully illustrated edition. Lot of fun, but not as good as the movie."

I also prefer the film in this ..."

Thanks, Vero. Rare for me to like the film better.

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Sue wrote: "Congratulations on another one completed Sara!

I read The Princess Bride in college before the film came out. It was the first book to make me literally laugh out loud throughout it. I loved it w..."

I think your unscientific analysis is correct. I imagine I would have love the book more if (1) I had never seen the movie, or (2) I did not know the story at all. Still, it made me smile. I remember the first time I saw the movie, having tears streaming I laughed so hard.

Like you, I try to always read the book first. Movies generally leave out much of what the book contains and I like to have a mental image of the characters to carry to the movie instead of a set of face imposed on the book.

[Lynn, New School Classics]

Sue wrote: "Congratulations on another one completed Sara!

I read The Princess Bride in college before the film came out. It was the first book to make me literally laugh out loud throughout it. I loved it w..."

I can see why people love the book so much. I also believe it is important for a book to reach our hands at the right time and place in life. If I had read The Princess Bride in the 1970s when it first came out, I am sure it would have been one of my favorites from childhood.

I reread Heidi this year which I did read in childhood. There was something special about it, just because of the way it influenced my thoughts from those years. I can see now why my dream house is an A frame cottage on a mountainside.

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Great point, Lynn, timing is often everything. I know how you feel about Heidi. I am always a little scared when I go to read something I loved as a child, though. I don't want to take away any of the magic that might have dissipated as I have aged--which has happened to me more than once.

[Sara, Old School Classics]

4 more books to go to blackout.

I3: Classic Play - Our Town Thornton Wilder's Pulitzer winning play about Grover's Corner, New Hampshire--small town America.

[Rosemarie]

You are making great progress!

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Thanks, Rosemarie. I would like to push and finish this one so that I can concentrate on the other two. The four I have left will be a little harder for me...South American and Asian classics are not automatics for me. Of course, that is why it is called a "challenge".

[Rosemarie]

The South American book was the last book I read for the challenge, so I know what you mean.

[Sara, Old School Classics]

I have pretty much decided my choice is going to be "about" South American vs. written by a South American. I really need to just choose, read and get it over with. :)

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

I have Our Town on my shelf. Glad to know it was worth 4 stars.

[Sara, Old School Classics]

I'll be excited to see what you think. Plays don't always "read" well, but I think this one does.

[Sue]

Sara wrote: "I have pretty much decided my choice is going to be "about" South American vs. written by a South American. I really need to just choose, read and get it over with. :)"

If you choose The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love for your South American, you would also tick off another Pulitzer Sara. I had that for my square but read Like Water for Chocolate instead. I still have Mambo Kings on my Old and New as my last book left so I'm determined to read it!

[Sara, Old School Classics]

The library has a copy of The Bridge of San Luis Rey, Sue, which will also tick off a Pulitzer for me, so I am probably going to go with it. Of course, I will have to get to Mambo Kings eventually, but I will need to hunt up a copy. I'll be waiting to see how you like it.

One book on the Old & New and almost finished here. Man, you are on fire this year. I have barely made a dent in my O&N, and I have some pretty hefty reads there to tackle.

[Sue]

Sara wrote: "The library has a copy of The Bridge of San Luis Rey, Sue, which will also tick off a Pulitzer for me, so I am probably going to go with it. Of course, I will have to get to Mambo King..."

ouooo, that's a good choice! I wish I would have picked it for my old and new. I am doing well on O&N and BINGO but I'm way behind on the Women's challenge. I was determined to finish O&N this year after not completing it last year. I probably won't complete the Woman's one this year, due to not being able to find free copies of books I had planned, but I will complete at least 10 classics by women authors.

[Sara, Old School Classics]

My women's challenge was worth doing just for finding High Tide at Noon. There always seems to be one great discovery on my list.

[Katy, Quarterly Long Reads]

Sara wrote: "My women's challenge was worth doing just for finding High Tide at Noon. There always seems to be one great discovery on my list."

I love when that happens. Or I just wait for good people like you to find those gems for me!

[Sara, Old School Classics]

I used The Bridge of San Luis Rey for N1: South American Classic. It is not written by a South American, so it almost feels like cheating--but it does take place in Peru and it is a classic well worth reading!

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Finished my short story collection, The Collected Stories of Katherine Anne Porter. Excellent stories. She is a very skilled writer in this medium.

One more to go to blackout and I have it standing in the wings.

[Susie]

Wow...I'm impressed! That's alot of great reading!

[Sue]

woohoo Sara!

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Thanks guys. This has been a fun challenge this year.

[Shirley (stampartiste)]

Congratulations on your blackout, Sara!!! I enjoyed seeing what you read this year.

Like you, I've been struggling with my choice for South American literature as I'm not sure I would enjoy Magic Realism, which seems to me to be the prevailing genre of post-modern South American authors. The Bridge of San Luis Rey has been on my radar for a while, so I may use that one as my choice as well.

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Thank you, Shirley. I still have one to finish, but I am halfway through it, so I will blackout in a day or two.

I have the same problem with the South American writers. I'm sure there is a lot of literature there that isn't magical realism, but that seems to be a hallmark for most of them. You will not regret reading The Bridge of San Luis Rey.

[Tammy]

Way to go, Sara. Only 1 left with over four months left in the year. I love the Bingo challenge!

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Thanks, Tammy. I love it too, but I am anxious to get it finished so I can concentrate on the Old & New and Women's challenges. Only four months to go...and way, way behind there.

[Tammy]

I know what you mean. I've got to kick it into high gear if I want to complete my challenges this year. I think I have 60 books left. Yikes!

[Sara, Old School Classics]

I'm afraid to count. lol. I do a 52 week challenge in another group, so I have 20 more book there alone. Keep telling yourself it is about enjoying the reading and not how many we read...seems to help keep me from panic.

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Ended with my worst read of the batch, Snow Country. I really chose it because it was short, but I had expected a little more from such an acclaimed writer. Just didn't connect to it on any level. 2-stars.

[Rosemarie]

Congratulations on completing your Bingo, Sara!

[Katy, Quarterly Long Reads]

Congrats on the Bingo Sara.

[Candi]

I'm dancing a victory dance for you, Sara! Congratulations!

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Thanks Rosemarie, Katy and Candi. I'd like to see that dance, Candi. :)

[Terris]

Congratulations, Sara!! Ya' done good! ;)

I'm doing decent, especially if I can finish the ones I want to finish for August. However, I still think I will be finishing in December...somewhere around the 30th or 31st...maybe about 11:59 p.m. ....... :o ;)

[Pink]

Shame about the last book, but congrats on finishing your bingo challenge 🏆

[Laurie]

Congrats on your bingo. You read several books I've never heard of. Even though your last one wasn't one you liked, I hope you had better luck with the rest.

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Terris wrote: "Congratulations, Sara!! Ya' done good! ;)

I'm doing decent, especially if I can finish the ones I want to finish for August. However, I still think I will be finishing in December...somewhere arou..."

lol. I will probably be right there with you trying to finish the Women Writers Challenge. Can you believe how fast this year is going?

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Pink wrote: "Shame about the last book, but congrats on finishing your bingo challenge 🏆"

Thanks, Pink. That might be my first trophy ever.

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Laurie wrote: "Congrats on your bingo. You read several books I've never heard of. Even though your last one wasn't one you liked, I hope you had better luck with the rest."

Overall very successful. I love that the Bingo makes me stretch and read a few things I wouldn't chose otherwise. Even the disappointments weren't complete duds and not a single book that I just couldn't bear. Next year I need to mark my ratings when I check off the book. Always something to tweek.