Sara's Old and New Challenge 2019

[Sara, New School Classics]

I am falling so far behind in this challenge. I really need to concentrate on it next month!

However, I did read To The Bright Edge of the World, and found it more remarkable than I had any reason to expect. Loved it.

[Kathleen]

I'm sure your challenge will come together in it's own time, Sara. I've had high hopes for To the Bright Edge--so glad to hear how much you enjoyed it!

[Sara, New School Classics]

You will like Bright Edge when you can get to it, Kathleen. This is usually my #1 challenge, but this year it is slipping to the background. No question of not finishing, because these are the books that I have especially promised myself for this year.

[Emily]

The only one I've read on this list is Martin Chuzzlewit. Dickens is always fun to read, even if it's not one of his well-known ones.

[Sara, New School Classics]

I am really struggling with Chuzzlewit, Emily. I am reading it so slowly and have to force myself to return to it, which is so unlike how I usually feel about Dickens. I mean to finish it, but at the rate I am going it will be into the fall before I do. :(

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

Something about reading Dickens has always made me nervous. Yet, when I have finished a book I wonder why I thought it wouldn’t be good. The fact is so far I have liked all that I have so far read. I hope this one gets better for you, perhaps a strong finish.

[Sara, New School Classics]

A long time fan of Dickens, I know he will generally start slow, lay a firm base, and then capture me for life; but for some reason (maybe me more than him) I have not been able to concentrate of this one or feel in the least involved with the characters. I do hope you are right, Bob, and I end up sorry I tarried so long.

[Emily]

Sara wrote: "A long time fan of Dickens, I know he will generally start slow, lay a firm base, and then capture me for life; but for some reason (maybe me more than him) I have not been able to concentrate of t..."

If I remember correctly, I did find the middle portion slower and more boring. That might be why this is one of his lesser-known works. Once you get past that middle chunk if you can bear it, it will finish off in a satisfying and typical Dickens tradition.

[Sara, New School Classics]

Thanks for the encouragement, Emily. I will soldier on.

[Emily]

Sara wrote: "Thanks for the encouragement, Emily. I will soldier on."

Good luck! With those reads I often end up trudging through the boring parts slowly while also reading other quicker books to break it up. :)

[Sara, New School Classics]

Yes, I keep breaking and reading something else, then coming back. I know I really need to refuse myself other reads until I get it finished, but I don't think I am up for that.

[Emily]

Sara wrote: "Yes, I keep breaking and reading something else, then coming back. I know I really need to refuse myself other reads until I get it finished, but I don't think I am up for that."

Hey, I do the same thing...whatever works!

[Renee]

Sorry to hear you're having trouble with Martin Chuzzlewit. I haven't read that one yet, but it's sitting on my shelf waiting. I've been having the same problem with Bleak House. I've been in a horrible reading slump lately. It's odd, because I've never had trouble with Dickens before, and it's not that I don't like the story so far, but I've been less motivated to read anything lately. I may have to start over again with that one, and hopefully I can get into it a little better if I restart.

[Sara, New School Classics]

Mood can be everything, Renee. It might explain my difficulties and yours. I did love Bleak House, so maybe starting over will work for you. I will plod on from where I am with Chuzzlewit--couldn't face starting over. :(

[Petra]

Sara wrote: "Thank you, Petra. Highly recommend Crossing to Safety ..."

Thank you, Sara. I will have a look for it. I appreciate the recommendation.

[Sara, New School Classics]

Darn GR will not allow me to give a book more than 5-stars, and some books just deserve more. :) That is how I felt on finishing Corrag today. I am mulling over my review, but I highly recommend this beautifully constructed historical fiction.

[Lynn, Old School Classics]

Sara wrote: "Darn GR will not allow me to give a book more than 5-stars, and some books just deserve more. :) That is how I felt on finishing Corrag today. I am mulling over my review, but I high..."

LOL I love that. Yes, darn GR!!

[Sara, New School Classics]

Of course, if we rated them 1 to 10, we'd need an eleven. :)

[Kathleen]

So right onto my list it goes then! It sounds very moving--loved your review.

[Sara, New School Classics]

I believe you will love it, Kathleen!

[Candi]

Sara, I agree - deserves more than the 5 stars!!

[Laurie]

Never heard of Corrag but I will add it to my TBR. Maybe GR should allow something in addition to stars like 💖💖💖💖💖 to indicate great books.

[Terris]

I'm adding it too, if it's that good! :)

[Darren]

maybe GR should allow us one 6-Star rating per year!

[Sara, New School Classics]

Laurie wrote: "Never heard of Corrag but I will add it to my TBR. Maybe GR should allow something in addition to stars like 💖💖💖💖💖 to indicate great books."

Oooh, I could go for those! How lovely.

[Sara, New School Classics]

Terris wrote: "I'm adding it too, if it's that good! :)"

Bravo!

[Sara, New School Classics]

Darren wrote: "maybe GR should allow us one 6-Star rating per year!"

That's an idea, but then I would be sure to have at least two and not be able to choose. lol. I suspect I will always want more than GR is willing to give.

[Cynda]

Hi Sara. Just came by to say "hello" and see how things are going on your challenge. I am hoping to start back on my challenge by the end of June. Good Luck!

[Sara, New School Classics]

How lovely, Cynda. I am actually reading a book from this challenge right now, but I have not been as dedicated on this one as I would have liked. Still, we've got some time left. Good luck to you as well.

[Sara, New School Classics]

Checked Off A Sound Like Thunder, a good but not great book.

[Kathleen]

Hope the next one is great, Sara. You are doing so well on this challenge!

[Sara, New School Classics]

Thanks, Kathleen. Plodding along and leaving the harder ones to the end, which I always swear I will not do.

[Petra]

Making great progress, Sara!

[Sara, New School Classics]

Thank you, Petra.

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

Sara wrote: "Checked Off A Sound Like Thunder, a good but not great book."

It does take more that a good sounding title to great.

[Sara, New School Classics]

Plainsong was as lovely as I had been led to believe. It was truly 4.5-stars. I will definitely be wanting to finish the trilogy. I love books that have characters that seem like people you could meet right around your own street corner.

[Candi]

I'm so happy to hear Plainsong delivered, Sara! It's one of my favorites. I've owned the second in the trilogy for quite some time and still haven't read it! How silly of me...

[Sue]

I agree with you both Sara and Candi. I can't believe this sat on my shelf for so long!

[Sara, New School Classics]

I'm pretty sure you were meant to hold on to it and read it with me. lol.

[Sue]

Sara wrote: "I'm pretty sure you were meant to hold on to it and read it with me. lol."

I think so Sara! If I had read it way back with my Book club 15-20 years ago, I don't think I would have liked it as much. I have a better appreciation for quite books now.

[Sara, New School Classics]

Sue wrote: "I agree with you both Sara and Candi. I can't believe this sat on my shelf for so long!"

I always hate when that happens, but it does. I had been meaning to read it for so long, and I knew it was going to be a good one because Candi told me so!

[Sara, New School Classics]

Timing is often everything. I think different things appeal at different stages in life. I waited too long to read The Catcher in the Rye, I felt that it would have had more meaning to me at a younger age...by the same token, Haruf's Our Souls at Night might not have touched me at all in my 20's.

[April]

Sara wrote: "Timing is often everything. I think different things appeal at different stages in life. I waited too long to read The Catcher in the Rye, I felt that it would have had more meaning to ..."

I read Catcher in the Rye in my 20s and in my 50s and loved it both times, but for different reasons.

[Sara, New School Classics]

I enjoyed it, but I kept wondering what my 20 year old self would have made of it.

[Candi]

Sara, I have plenty of 'Sara told me so' books myself!! I should make a shelf with that title ;-0

[Brina]

Me too. You are my reading hero. I hope to read a variety of books like this some day when I have time.

[Sara, New School Classics]

Candi wrote: "Sara, I have plenty of 'Sara told me so' books myself!! I should make a shelf with that title ;-0"

lol. I promised myself that I was going to start just reading right behind you. Every time you gave a book 5-stars I was going to go buy it and put it next in line. Bet that would give me a 5-star only reading year!

[Sara, New School Classics]

Brina wrote: "Me too. You are my reading hero. I hope to read a variety of books like this some day when I have time."

How sweet, Brina! Just remember I am not trying to raise children or take care of grandchildren any more. Reading is my reward. Your time will come and you will be ahead of me when you get there.

[Brina]

The books that the rest of you have read I have filed away for fifteen years from now and then I’ll binge read. Needless to say I’m excited about it.

[Sara, New School Classics]

And I thought I was a planner! lol.