Bob's Legendary 2015 Classics Challenge

[Sarah]

That's wonderful!

[Christine]

Bob wrote: "Stopped in a used book store last night and came across a hardback copy of Ashenden that looks like it has never been opened. For the outrageous price of $4.25 including sales tax. ..."

Good find! I love finding amazing deals in used bookstores. In the last couple of months I have picked up a couple like-new hard covers off the clearance rack for $2.

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

I have completed my sixth book for this challenge. I have read one Old School and 5 of my 6 Legendary Women Authors.

[Pink]

Well done Bob, you're doing better than me! Was this Jamaica Inn? How did you find it?

[Desertorum]

Nice! I´m six down too. Next I was thinking about starting Lolita. And then Gone with the Wind with the group read, nice that it was picked :)

[Andrea AKA Catsos Person]

Bob, I'd be interested in what you think about Jamaica Inn as well.

I read it recently for a group read with another group.

[Christine]

You are making great progress with your challenge, Bob! I'd also be interested to know what you thought of Jamaica Inn.

[Alissa]

Woohoo! Awesome job!

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

Pink and Christine here is what I thought of Jamaica Inn.

Slightly spoilerish

What did I think about Jamaica Inn? I actually have mixed feelings about this book, nothing close to hate but neither did I love it. This is my third book written by Daphne du Maurier and perhaps the weakest plot of the three. The story was entertaining however I discovered who the villain was early in the story. The idea of who was the villain was so obvious that I just knew there was going to be a wild twist at the end of the story. Sadly the twist never comes and the end of the story is as anticlimactic as Stoker’s staking of Dracula.

One aspect of the book I found interesting or rather reckless is the love theme of a girl falling in love with the bad boy. Throughout the story Mary for the most part is a strong and courageous young woman yet, she is attracted to Jem who while not as bad as his brother Joss is nothing but a bum. Mary coolly and calmly analyses his character and I felt she saw him as misogynistic, prone to violence, and a thief, and still at the end of the story she jumps on the wagon and rides off into the sunset. It’s still today’s parent’s worst nightmare, their daughter falls for the local delinquent who likes his drugs and rides a motorcycle. Everybody including the girl, at some level, knows it will end badly yet just like Mary from our story the girl throws her leg over the motorcycle and away they ride, Women?

The aspect of the story that is truly great is the writing. The descriptive nature of the book is really solid. When Mary describes of how ugly and brutal Joss Merlyn looked, I was reminded of a Neanderthal, yet she describes his hands as almost delicate. The description of the Moors, the Inn, the weather, and the other characters were all first rate and made the reading of this book most entertaining. Even by accepting the weakness of the plot up front the book is worthwhile and I can still recommend it.

[Sarah]

I also hated the Jem situation and the very end was ridiculous and an embarrassment to all women. I did love that book though because it was like it was poking fun at the gothic genre in a gleeful way.

[Pink]

Bob, I pretty much agree with your summary of Jamaica Inn, it was also my third book by Daphne du Maurier (after Rebecca and My Cousin Rachel) I really, really loved the atmosphere in this, but not so much the plot. I think I was a bit disappointed by the ending, but strong writing does make it a worthwhile read. Which other two books of hers have you read?

[Sarah]

I didn't like Rebecca. It surprised me that it's so popular. I liked Jamaica Inn better but it's because there seems to be a lot of humor to it.

[Andrea AKA Catsos Person]

What I liked best about Jamaica Inn was the description of the outdoor scenery.

Whenever Mary went walking out on the Moors, I almost felt as if I were seeing what Mary did.

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

Today I finished my 10th book of the challenge. The reads I have left are 1 Old School, War and Peace, 1 Legendary Women Authors, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, and both Alternates Catch-22 & Lolita. So far I have been pleased with my selections.

[Pink]

Well done. I still have War and Peace and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall to read as well, though I haven't been doing as well as you with my challenge list.

[Andrea AKA Catsos Person]

I'm am now reading an 820 page book from my challenge list.

I'm enjoying it, but I wish it wasn't so long!

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

Pink wrote: "Well done. I still have War and Peace and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall to read as well, though I haven't been doing as well as you with my challenge list."

Thanks Pink and it looks like your doing fine with your challenge.

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

Andrea (Catsos Person) wrote: "I'm am now reading an 820 page book from my challenge list.

I'm enjoying it, but I wish it wasn't so long!"

That's why I plan on saving War and Peace till last. Its way way way to long. If I don't have it read by Dec 1st all other reading stops till W&P is completed, it goes into the read list this year for sure.

[Andrea AKA Catsos Person]

Bob wrote: "Andrea (Catsos Person) wrote: "I'm am now reading an 820 page book from my challenge list.

I'm enjoying it, but I wish it wasn't so long!"

That's why I plan on saving War and Peace till last. It..."

I read W&P with the group last year.

[Christine]

Bob wrote: "That's why I plan on saving War and Peace till last. Its way way way to long. If I don't have it read by Dec 1st all other reading stops till W&P is completed, it goes into the read list this year for sure. "

Good strategy! I've never read War and Peace, but I still have Les Mis to finish one of these days - someday I will finish that book! ;-)

You're making great progress with your challenge!

[Desertorum]

Les Mis is one of my favourites and also the musical I went to see when I was teenager, so great!
I´m not sure if I ever get to War and Peace though..

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

Christine/Desertorum
I'm hoping that W&P is for me as smooth as it has been for some of our other members. I hope when I start it just flows from beginning to end. As for Les Mis that was a difficult read for me. Memory says it took 6-7 months and during that time I read about 18 other books. Just could not stay with it without a break.

However, when I finally finished, I found I'd read perhaps the best book ever written. I am not a person who rereads many books. Life is too short and by the time my reading time is done, all that I will have read will not amount to a thimble full when compared to all the books available. Les Mis is one of the few books that if opportunity presented I would eagerly reread again and again.

[Andrea AKA Catsos Person]

Bob wrote: "Christine/Desertorum
I'm hoping that W&P is for me as smooth as it has been for some of our other members. I hope when I start it just flows from beginning to end. As for Les Mis that was a diffi..."

Bob, W&P was smooth sailing...until The two, yes two epilogues. The second epilogue was ok. Epilogue one was just torture to read at the end of such long book. However, Renato liked it, so you might also.

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

With the completion on one of my alternates I have read 12 of my challenges. I hope to complete the other two before the end of the year, especially War & Peace.

[Sarah]

That's fantastic Bob! I see you have Catch 22 on there. The first third is confusing but if you make it through that it gets much easier and very funny. Good luck!

[Pink]

Well done on completing your challenge Bob!

I didn't notice that you had Catch 22 left as an alternate. I thoroughly recommend it and though I agree with Sarah, it's confusing at first, I advise just keep going and things click into place. It's an all-time top 5 book for me and I think you might like it too.

I still plan on reading War and Peace this Autumn/Winter as well.

[Sarah]

Catch 22 is definitely worth reading. I bought the audio at the time because it's narrated by Jay O Sanders but I didn't listen to it. I want to do that next year. It was a really great book.

[Christine]

Great job completing your challenge Bob! You've left yourself a good chunk of time to complete War and Peace before the end of the year, too. I hope to read that one someday, so I look forward to hearing what you think of it!

[Sara, Old School Classics]

I've read six of your fourteen, and several of the others are already on my TBR list. Big fan of Nevil Shute, but haven't read An Old Captivity. Congrats on finishing the twelve. Maybe War and Peace will get its turn eventually. :)

[Duane]

How is it going with War and Peace?

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

Duane I'm ashamed to say I haven't started it yet. I planned on starting it after Catch-22, which I had hoped to read in early September. I was on the library wait list for a copy of Catch-22 till September 28th. I now plan to start War and Peace early in November.

Its a scary book I keep thinking that if everything goes smooth, it'll take three weeks to read. Hope it's worth it.

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

Finished Catch-22, 13 books finished. I only have War and Peace left to read. I want to read it, plan on reading it, but its so hard to commit to such a large book. I figure 14-20 days minimum, that just about kills the rest of the year for anything else.

[Andrea AKA Catsos Person]

Bob, why didn't you read it when it was one of the BOTM?

I'm really surprised that you haven't read it yet.

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

What can I say I'm a slacker, what if this book is not worth the 4-6 books I could read during the same time period.

[Andrea AKA Catsos Person]

Yes, that is the trouble with very long books.

If one isn't enjoying the lengthy tome, one always thinks of several books that could be read instead!

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Great achievement to have all but the one. I understand exactly what you are saying...I have Daniel Deronda on my list and I know I will not read it now because it is too long. I have already decided to push it over to my 2016 list and make it read number one for the new year.

Think about the huge accomplishment of reading all these other great books and remember you are doing this for yourself, so you can be a "slacker" if you want to.

[Andrea AKA Catsos Person]

I'd like to know what you think of DD when you read it.

I read it last yr, but I don't think I reviewed it. I may go back and write comments in the review section...

[Maarit]

Bob, War and Peace ain't that bad of a book and I don't regret reading it even if I found Tolstoy's style of writing the story a bit too much informative/repeatitive at times.

But I can understand how you feel, as I also got this same feeling with Gone With the Wind and decided not to read it this year simply because I felt it was slightly too long to be enjoyable at this time. So it's OK to leave the book unread and return to it some other time when you feel you have the right feeling for starting it :).

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "I'd like to know what you think of DD when you read it.

I read it last yr, but I don't think I reviewed it. I may go back and write comments in the review section..."
I hope it won't be long before I can post a review as well. I have been putting this one off far too long.

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

Well the year is finished, no way left to read War and Peace. I guess I gave up finial hope of reading it on Dec. 15th. I only average about 60 pages of reading per day, that makes W & P a 23 day read. I was probably really doomed on Thanksgiving but I kept thinking, maybe I can, I couldn't. So War and Peace goes back on the shelf for another time, maybe someday.

Of the thirteen books I finished, I enjoyed most of them very much. I had 3-5 Star reads, 4-4 Star reads, 5-3 Star reads, and 1-2 Star read. I generally rate a book when I finish reading, that's when I think I'll be the fairest, both with the book and my feelings toward the book. Yet several times during the year I will regret the rating I gave at the time I finished reading. I think I tend to rate a little high so I usually feel I over rated a book after a few days or weeks go by and I rethink my feelings.

I gave Lolita and Gulliver's Travels 3 Stars. After thinking back on these books I feel both really deserved 2 Stars. On the other side, I gave Cranford and Jamaica Inn 3 Stars. I short changed these books, after some thought, they both deserved 4 Stars. Hindsight its always right.

Challenge Favorite - The Age of Innocence
Least Favorite Read- Mrs. Dalloway

New School
1. Ashenden by W. Somerset Maugham, 1927 5/1/15
2. Burning Daylight by Jack London, 1910 5/23/15
3. An Old Captivity by Nevil Shute, 1940 (4/27/15)
Old School
4. Gulliver's Travels byJonathan Swift, 1726 (1/28/15)
5. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy, 1869
6. Thérèse Raquin by Émile Zola, 1867 5/26/15
Six Legendary Women Authors
7. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë,1848 6/4/15
8. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, 1813 (1/13/15)
9. Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell, 1851 (1/6/15)
10. Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier, 1935 (3/21/15)
11. The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton, 1920 (3/10/15)
12. Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf, 1925 (2/22/15)

Alternates
A1. Catch-22 by Joseph Heller, 1961 10/25/15
A2. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov,, 1955 6/24/15




I have given a lot of thought about not participating in the 2016 Old and New Challenge. I think would regret that decision, so sometime in the next three days I will have to post up a 2016 Challenge.

I hope this challenge was as enjoyable to those who participated as it was for me. I had asked permission from the leader of another group to use this challenge format last year, I'm so glad she said yes. good luck in 2016

[Duane]

Well done Bob, that's a list of very good books.

[Katy, Quarterly Long Reads]

I agree with Duane -- good list, & well done.

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Excellent list and always a plus when you enjoyed most of the books you read. I know how you feel about War and Peace. It is on my list for 2016 and I MEAN to read it, along with my own personal nemesis, Daniel Deronda. Glad you will participate next year. Always a joy to see what others are reading and following along seems to help me stay on track with my own challenge.

[Laurie]

You really had a great group of books and you finished all but one, so very successful challenge. It's awesome that generally you liked your choices. I am glad you plan to participate next year. I don't think you will regret it. I look forward to seeing what you pick.

[[deleted user]]

very good books. , and great groupe , i m happy to be share it with u

[Christine]

I'm so glad you introduced this challenge to our group, Bob! It's been fun. I'm looking forward to 2016!

[Michelle]

Great job, Bob :) The only book I've read from your list is Lolita, so by my standards you did an amazing job. Glad you are participating again for 2016; the worst that can happen is it doesn't get completed. I have also been trying to catch up on past group reads (while still trying to whittle down my physical to-read shelf) so I love seeing your progress. Look forward to seeing your list for 2016!