Bob's 2019 I May Regret This Bingo Challenge

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Good luck, Bob. Press On.

[Pink]

Well you’re not inspiring me to bump it up my tbr.....South American Classic might just be my last bingo square.

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

I finished my 20th square and now have four Bingos, two horizontal and two vertical. The book just finished was O3: A Woman of No Importance by Oscar Wilde.

Book Blurb-
"A Woman of No Importance" is Oscar Wilde's classic comedic play. The woman of no importance is Mrs. Arbuthnot, a woman who has been scorned by society for having an illicit affair and conceiving a child out of wedlock. "A Woman of No Importance" is both a criticism of the shameful double standard applied to men and women in such matters and a biting satire of the hypocrisy of the upper classes in Victorian Society.

I really liked this play. Humorous, yes! Satirical, yes! An Oscar Wilde sharp stick in the eye of the hypocritical double standard society holds toward men and women concerning sex, married and unmarried, yes!

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

With about 60 days left in the year, I know I have time to complete the five books needed for a blackout. That said, I have serious doubts I’ll make it. This has not been my best year for reading, no explanation, just an off year. The biggest obstacle this year has been Love in the Time of Cholera. I started reading it at the end of July and have barely crossed the half way point. I know, I know, close it up mark it DNF, throw it away and move on. I wish I could, probably will, but not yet. Fingers crossed I’ll still finish this damn book!!

[Sue]

I have a hard time not finishing books too Bob. I'm trying to get over that, but there have been times where I changed my mind. Good luck!

[Lynn, New School Classics]

If you are planning to use Love...Cholera for the South American spot, I read one I enjoyed Chronicle of a Death Foretold. It is short and also "quick reading". Yet, it lingers with you after you finish the way a good book should. It is thought provoking. I also found myself shifting my allegiances amongst characters a few times.

It had been nominated a few times without winning, so I thought it must be good.

[Kathleen]

You can do it, Bob! (Meanwhile, I'll be letting that one fall even further down my list …)

[Shirley (stampartiste)]

I'm really enjoying The Bridge of San Luis Rey by Thornton Wilder. The setting is Peru, it was published in 1927 and won the Pulitzer Prize in 1928. My hardback copy (text without notes, etc.) is only 102 pages long. Just sayin'! 😉😁

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

Sue wrote: "I have a hard time not finishing books too Bob. I'm trying to get over that, but there have been times where I changed my mind. Good luck!"

Sue before I joined Goodreads I never gave any thought about not finishing a book. I just never considered not finishing a book. Sure there were some like the one I’m reading now that just sat so long unread it was finally put away and never picked up again. But I never made the conscious decision to quit. It was always a quiet abandonment, and even then it was very rare.

It was after I read Goodreads posts from people who were open about the fact that if a book doesn’t grab their attention in 50-100 pages, its set aside and something else is started. That is when I started to think about making a change in my reading habits. I know I need to discipline myself and come up with some sort of formula about when for me a book not worth continuing, I’m trying but it is difficult.

We all only have so many sunrises and sunsets in our lives and there is way more books in the world I want to read, than I will ever be able to get to. I hope you find a way to handle the problem.

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

Lynn wrote: "If you are planning to use Love...Cholera for the South American spot, I read one I enjoyed Chronicle of a Death Foretold. It is short and also "quick reading". Yet, it lingers with yo..."

Lynn this is my third book by Gabriel García Márquez and one of those was a collection of short stories. Based on past reading my difficulty is most likely with the author. The reading is OK, or at least the translations are, but I have just never felt comfortable with his style. If I finish Cholera or not I think I will give this guy a wide berth in the future.

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

Kathleen wrote: "You can do it, Bob! (Meanwhile, I'll be letting that one fall even further down my list …)"

I’m sorry, I hate that my problems with this book may cause you to delay or worse not read it.

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

Shirley (stampartiste) wrote: "I'm really enjoying The Bridge of San Luis Rey by Thornton Wilder. The setting is Peru, it was published in 1927 and won the Pulitzer Prize in 1928. My hardback copy (te..."

Shirley this one has been on my radar since it was first nominated on Short Stories a couple of years ago. If South America is a bingo square next year this is my choice for sure.

[Kathleen]

Bob wrote: "Kathleen wrote: "You can do it, Bob! (Meanwhile, I'll be letting that one fall even further down my list …)"

I’m sorry, I hate that my problems with this book may cause you to delay or worse not r..."

I've been delaying it for decades, Bob, thinking I'd be having the same problem. This is only making me feel better about continuing that delay. :-)

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

With a clear conscience, some clarification on the rules, a little sleight of hand rearranging my board, I now have 21 squares filled. Maybe I can complete a black out by the end of the year.

The new book is Where the Long Grass Blows, its been on my shelf for years.

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

Finished my 22nd square, O4: Classic Romance-The Professor by Charlotte Brontë This gives me 6 bingos, two vertical, three horizontal, and one diagonal. Three left for a blackout.

Still working on square #23, South American Classic- Love in the Time of Cholera, has been open on my table since July.

I also need square G1: Winner of a Foreign Literary Prize

And I need O5: 21st Century Potential Classic, this could prove harder than finishing Cholera, I don't have much other than what I call brain candy published after 2000, hardly any potential classics

[Brina]

Foreign Prize- The Ice Palace, under 200 pg.

Post 2000- I don’t read many myself except for Pulitzer and National Book Award winners. Check the lists and see if one appeals to you.

[Kathleen]

For 21st century classic Bob, two authors come to mind that I've seen discussed on and off by the group: Marilynne Robinson-- you might like Gilead and it's not too long. Also Kent Haruf. The only one of his I've read is Plainsong, which is great but written in 1999 (darn!). The one of his I want to read next would fit this category, and is not long at all: Our Souls at Night, I'd say both of these are definitely classic material!

[Laurie]

I second Our Souls at Night. Who can really tell what will be a classic but it is so worth reading.

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

Brina wrote: "Foreign Prize- The Ice Palace, under 200 pg.

Post 2000- I don’t read many myself except for Pulitzer and National Book Award winners. Check the lists and see if one appeals to you."

Brina thanks for the recommendation. I read The Ice Palace several years ago. I agree that it is excellent, a little sad, but well worth reading. An easy recommendation!

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

Kathleen wrote: "For 21st century classic Bob, two authors come to mind that I've seen discussed on and off by the group: Marilynne Robinson-- you might like Gilead and it's not too long...."

Thanks for the recommendations. It happens that I have a copy of Gilead on my bookshelf. Picked it up several months ago at the local Goodwill, a great place for low cost books, simply because it is a Pulitzer Prize winner. That along with your recommendation seems reason enough to read it as a possible future classic. Thanks!

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

Laurie wrote: "I second Our Souls at Night. Who can really tell what will be a classic but it is so worth reading."

Between you and Kathleen looks like another book for my ever growing TBR. Thanks!

[Brina]

I’ll have to add Gilead too for next year. It’s always hard to figure what’s going to be a classic but tough to argue with a Pulitzer winner.

[Sara, Old School Classics]

You've already got some terrific suggestions for the 21st Century Classic, but I'll add A Gentleman in Moscow if you have not already read it.

[Brina]

Bob did you ever read Whale Rider? It’s only 150 pgs and I think it won a foreign prize in New Zealand. Even if you don’t particularly like it, it’s a book you should finish quickly because it could technically be young adult but such a beautiful book.

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

Sara wrote: "You've already got some terrific suggestions for the 21st Century Classic, but I'll add A Gentleman in Moscow if you have not already read it."

Thank you Sara, I started reading Gilead last night. Only 20 pages into it, but it sure seems to have potential. A Gentleman in Moscow looks like a book I will enjoy. Another for the TBR.

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

Brina wrote: "Bob did you ever read Whale Rider? It’s only 150 pgs and I think it won a foreign prize in New Zealand. Even if you don’t particularly like it, it’s a book you should finish quickly because it coul..."

I've never heard of Whale Rider, maybe it will work on next year's card. I know it's currently being prepared. We will find out in a couple of weeks.

[Brina]

I’m excited for next year’s card as well. I have a lot of possibilities and after two years not doing challenges I’m excited to participate.

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

A Bingo Blackout is my only hope for a successful 2019 challenge. I’m like the high school sports star looking back on his glory days, in this case that is 2016. In 2016 I finished all three big group challenges before the end of July and both A-Z challenges by the end of October. Since then I have greatly deteriorated.

Just three years after my championship year, I should be banned from the playing field. This year I didn’t even post a Women’s Challenge. My 2019 Old & New 12 +2 challenge, is an utter loss cause, no hope of completion. The 2019 A-Z Author is at (18/26) and the Title is at (19/26), these challenges also will not see a successful completion.

Perhaps with some intensive training I can try for a comeback in 2020.

2016 Challenges also had some outstanding books, many I would never have read if not for our challenges.

2016 Group Challenges
My Catching Up with the Classics Group Challenges for 2016
A-Z Author - Completed 26/26 as of 10/26/16
A-Z Title - Completed 26/26 as of 10/16/16
Bingo 2016 - Challenge Completed 5/15/16
Old & New 12+2 - Challenge Completed 7/27/16
Women's Century Challenge 2016 - Challenge Completed 3/27/16

[Brina]

That was me in 2017 so I know how you feel. I finished Bingo, Women’s challenge, and both A-Z and then was burnt out afterward. I haven’t done any challenges in two years so next year I’m just doing bingo. I read plenty of books by women so I don’t feel compelled to do a challenge. My take, as long as you enjoyed what you read, it shouldn’t matter if you finish or not.

[Laurie]

I think challenges are awesome but they can make reading feel like a chore sometimes, for me anyway. I need to take a break as Brina has. I have ongoing challenges anyway and don't need to take on additional one year challenges for a while.

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Like so many things in life, striking a balance is the key. Maybe all that success in 2016 (and I find it awesome that you finished ALL of them) made you feel like you HAD to do it again. I intended to slide on the Women's challenges this time, but I caved and set them up. Now I am feeling a bit like a failure that I have left so many of them unread, Better revel in the ones we read, instead of lamenting the ones we didn't. :)

[Renee]

You may not have finished them all, but I think you've done amazing! The most important part I think, is enjoying the books you have read.

[Kathleen]

What a year you had in 2016! I'm rooting for your comeback, Bob, but like Renee says, it's quality, not quantity. ;-)

[Sue]

Bob wrote: "A Bingo Blackout is my only hope for a successful 2019 challenge. I’m like the high school sports star looking back on his glory days, in this case that is 2016. In 2016 I finished all three big gr..."

That 2016 year is pretty impressive Bob. You had 99 books on challenges! I'm sure there was overlap, but still, it's quite a feat!
I loved your sports comparison.

Good luck finishing the Blackout

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

Our personalities affect so much of our lives and reading is a big part of life, at least mine. When I was a young man I worked blue collar. What I made for my family was generated by physical excretion and the knowledge of how to do my job. I remember in 1991 I had a dashboard calendar in my truck. I counted 37 weeks I worked seven days per week. Took one Sunday off and worked 13 more, I ran out of calendar, it could have been a bit more.

What I’m trying to say is that like a lot of people, I’m driven to finish a task. A trait I take pride in and admire in other people. However, that single mindedness to finish something once started should not apply to reading or reading challenges.

I am working to let myself off the guilt hook when I set a book aside and say this ones not for me. I and we need to do the same with our challenges. We are not being graded, nor can we be fired from the group if a challenge once started is not finished. Fun that is what this is all about. The planning is, at least for me the best part. If life gets in the way and a challenge ends up not finished, so what! Move forward and keep reading.

[Sara, Old School Classics]

I'm sure you are exactly right, Bob. I was raised with a "you start it, you finish it" attitude and I also have a sense of failure at not finishing a challenge...HOWEVER, you have nailed it, it is not a contest and not a commitment in that sense. Reading should not be looked at in that way. I am internalizing your wise words for the future!

[Laurie]

Bob, you have hit the nail on the head that a work ethic equal to yours does not need to apply to reading for pleasure. I'm beginning to think my "challenges" need a different title since I seem to view these challenges as work tasks I must complete. I need a new word that denotes something fun like a reading adventure or expedition.

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

Kathleen, I want to thank you for your recommendation that I read Gilead. I finished it last night and it was really good. It will take a little effort for me to write a review. I don’t have the skills to do it justice, but I’ll try.

This was my 23rd square and leaves me with two left. I’ve still only read half of Love in the Time of Cholera, and I haven’t picked it up in six weeks. I’ll find a way to finish it or simply accept that I will not achieve a blackout this year. The other square I need is foreign award. I’m thinking about The English Patient.

Blackout or not this has been my most enjoyed challenge in years. Thanks for all the help and advise.

[Sara, Old School Classics]

So happy you enjoyed Gilead. I am not surprised. I hope you find time to read the two other books that follow it. Home would be on my top ten books I love.

I can sympathize with your situation with Love in the Time of Cholera. I finished it, but wished I hadn't bothered. It would go on my list of the ten worst books I have ever read.

The English Patient is marvelous. Finish or not--happy reading and congratulations!

[Kathleen]

I'm thrilled you liked Gilead, Bob! I'd like to read the other two as Sara suggests, and also get to The English Patient.

Enjoy the rest of your reading, and finish or not, as you say, congratulations on a very successful challenge!

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

I have just finished my 24th square. G1: Winner of a Foreign Literary Prize, The English Patient, winner of the Booker Prize, 1992. I enjoyed the writing very much, but undecided about how I feel about the story. Somehow I just don’t think I will remember this in the future as anything extraordinary. Still a good read.

With only one square left for a blackout, I think I will make it before years end.

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Sorry it wasn't a favorite, Bob, but glad you at least found it enjoyable. I have no doubt at all that you are going to finish well before the deadline!

[Brina]

I’m trying to think of a short South American Book for you. I know you enjoy short stories, what about something by Clarice Lispector to get this over with. Have you read Hour of the Star? It is under 100 pgs.

[Milena]

What about Blow-Up and Other Stories, since you enjoy short stories? You can just read the title story and call it done.

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

Well, I can stick a fork in this one, it’s done. BLACKOUT!

I finished N1 South American Classic, with Love in the Time of Cholera. For me this was a difficult and disliked read. I don’t know if I will take the time to review it, but I’m glad it’s done.

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

Completed 12/21/19


B1: , I1: , N1: , G1: , O1:
B2: , I2: , N2: , G2: , O2:
B3: , I3: , FS: , G3: , O3:

B4: , I4: N4: G4: , O4:

B5: , I5: , N5: G5: , O5:

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Sorry it finished on a sour note (I remember the feeling of just being glad to put that book down forever), but BRAVO on the blackout!!!!

[Kathleen]

That's a beautiful board--congrats, Bob!

[Shirley (stampartiste)]

Bob wrote: "Well, I can stick a fork in this one, it’s done. BLACKOUT!

I finished N1 South American Classic, with Love in the Time of Cholera. For me this was a difficult and disliked read. I don’..."

Many, many congratulations, Bob, on making Blackout. But even more impressive than that is your doing it with a book you really, REALLY did not enjoy reading. Now that's tenacity! On to 2020!

[Renee]

Congrats on finishing, Bob! I think we know what your least favourite is, but what are your favourites from this year?