Terry’s Not Too Sure She Can Do This 2020 Bingo Challenge

[Terry]

Okay, I am in, but not too sure about what I am doing or how successful this may be for me. I read 60+ books in 2019, but really didn’t do too well with my own personal challenges, other than exceed my number.

My problem is that I get discouraged when I read books that don’t really engage me. And then I just decide that I need to throw in something different, usually a more contemporary book. So I get unmotivated and distracted. And then there are the categories that I fear I won’t enjoy, and that may lead me astray even before starting.

But, maybe it will lead me to read some great books, so I am willing to try this and see how it goes.

There is also just the issue of finding my posted thread again. For now, I will assume I can do that.

[Terry]

New School Classics
Classics Bingo 2020

The goal is to focus your reading on literary classics.

Read a classic that fits the description of a square. You may NOT count the same book twice for different categories in this challenge. Each book can be applied to only one square, even if it fulfills the requirements of multiple squares. All books read to mark off squares must be finished in 2020.

Challenge Levels

Level One Bingo
Four Corners: Mark off the four outside corners of the Bingo board.
OR
Five-in-a-Row: Mark off five squares in a row. This can be done horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.

Level Two Bingo
Small Box: Mark off all the 9 inner squares of the board (including the free square), leaving blank the 16 outside border squares.


Level Three Bingo
Outside Box: Mark off all 16 of the outer squares, leaving blank the 9 inner squares.


Level Four Bingo
Blackout! Mark off all the squares of the board.


B1: Classic of Asia
B2: Classic Tragedy
B3: A Book Published at Least 200 Years Ago
B4: Memoir, Autobiography, or Biography
B5: Classic of Europe

I1: Classic Mystery or Crime
I2: Group Bingo Participant Pick
I3: Classic Drama or Play
I4: Book From Group’s 2020 Bookshelf
I5: Classic Gothic or Horror

N1: Book From Group’s Old School Classic Shelf prior to 2020
N2: Winner of a Foreign Literary Prize
N3: Reader’s Choice
N4: Classic Short Story
N5: Book From Group’s New School Classic Shelf prior to 2020

G1: Classic Science Fiction or Fantasy
G2: The Bigger Read List by English Pen
G3: Poetry or Essay Collection
G4: Banned Book
G5: Classic Science or Philosophy

O1: Classic of Africa, Antarctica, Australia, or Oceania
O2: Classic Western
O3: Book Published the Year You Were Born
O4: Classic Adventure
O5: Classic of the Americas
 
Classic Bingo 2020
Clarifications & Suggestions: B

★B1: Classic of Asia
Read a classic that is either set in the given geographical region, or is written by an author native to that geographical region. Countries of the World
★B2: Classic Tragedy
Works that treat in a serious and dignified style the sorrowful or terrible events encountered or caused by a heroic individual.
★B3: A Book Published at Least 200 Years Ago
Published or written in 1820 or earlier
★B4: Memoir, Autobiography, or Biography
A true account of a person’s life
★B5: Classic of Europe
Read a classic that is either set in the given geographical region, or is written by an author native to that geographical region. Countries of the World


Clarifications & Suggestions: I

★I1: Classic Mystery or Crime
Works dealing with the solution of a crime or the unraveling of secrets.
★I2: Group Bingo Participant Pick
You can either ask another Bingo Challenge Participant in the group to choose a book for you, or you can advertise on your thread for recommendations of books to read.
★I3: Classic Drama or Play
Literature that’s subject for compositions is dramatic art in the way it is represented. This genre is stories composed in verse or prose, usually for theatrical performance, where conflicts and emotion are expressed through dialogue and action.
★I4: Book From Group’s 2020 Bookshelf
Group’s Bookshelf Sorted by Date
★I5: Classic Gothic or Horror
Horror is an overwhelming and painful feeling caused by literature that is frightfully shocking, terrifying, or revolting. Fiction in which events evoke a feeling of dread in both the characters and the reader. Gothic literature can be defined as writing that employs dark and picturesque scenery, startling and melodramatic narrative devices, and an overall atmosphere of exoticism, mystery, fear, and dread.

Clarifications & Suggestions: N

★N1: Book From Group’s Old School Classic Shelf read prior to 2020
Read a book not from the current year's choices, but ones added before 2020.
Group’s Old School Classic Bookshelf Sorted by Title
★N2: Winner of a Foreign Literary Prize
Read a book that was awarded a literary prize of a country/region other than where you live. Goodreads List of Literary Prizes
Wikipedia List of Literary Prizes
★N3: Reader’s Choice
Seriously, read any book that interests you.
★N4: Classic Short Story
Work of such briefness that is not able to support any subplots. Or use the group definition of “no more than 130 pages.”
★N5: Book From Group’s New School Classic Shelf read prior to 2020
Read a book not from the current year's choices, but ones added before 2020.
Group’s New School Classic Bookshelf Sorted by Title

Clarifications & Suggestions: G

★G1: Classic Science Fiction or Fantasy
Science Fiction is a story based on impact of potential science, either actual or imagined. Science fiction is one of the genres of literature that is set in the future or on other planets.
Fantasy is the forming of mental images with strange or other worldly settings or characters; fiction which invites suspension of reality. This also includes folklore, mythology, and fairy tales.
★G2: The Bigger Read List by English Pen
The English PEN staff compiled a list of the best works not written in the English language. This list combines their list with the suggestions made by Fred Armentrout, President of Hong Kong (English-Speaking) PEN.
The Bigger Read List Alphabetically on English Pen
The Bigger Read List on Greatest Books Lists
★G3: Poetry or Essay Collection
Poetry is verse and rhythmic writing with imagery that evokes an emotional response from the reader. The art of poetry is rhythmical in composition, written or spoken. This genre of literature is for exciting pleasure by beautiful, imaginative, or elevated thoughts.
Essays are a short literary composition that reflects the author’s outlook or point. A short literary composition on a particular theme or subject, usually in prose and generally analytic, speculative, or interpretative.
★G4: Banned Book
Wikipedia: List of books banned by governments
ALA: Frequently Challenged Books
Goodreads Banned Books Lists
List of Books Banned by Governments
★G5: Classic Science or Philosophy
Science is not restricted to scientific text books. It includes all books that increase our understanding of the natural world. This includes books on commerce and society, with the unifying theme being the use of evidence to explain events.
Philosophy teaches us to understand ourselves. It could very well be called the science of human life.In addition to the classic philosophical works, this category also includes the great religious texts.

Clarifications & Suggestions: O

★O1: Classic of Africa, Antarctica, Australia, or Oceania
Read a classic that is either set in the given geographical region, or is written by an author native to that geographical region. Countries of the World
★O2: Classic Western
A genre set in the American West, usually in the period from the 1850s to the end of the 19th century. Though basically an American creation, the western had its counterparts in the gaucho literature of Argentina and in tales of the settlement of the Australian outback.
★O3: Book Published the Year You Were Born
You know what year you were born. If you don’t wish that information to be known, choose a book in the decade you were born (or if that is still too personal - go with the century).
★O4: Classic Adventure
Works that usually presents danger, or gives the reader a sense of excitement, such as world travel, difficult quests, voyages, etc. The stories are usually dominated by action; they involve danger, risk, and excitement.
★O5: Classic of the Americas
Read a classic that is either set in the given geographical region, or is written by an author native to that geographical region. Countries of the World

[Katy, Quarterly Long Reads]

Welcome to the challenge, Terry. I think you can do this!

[Terry]

Thanks, Katy! I am doing my research today as I am home sick with a cold. It is helping to keep my mind from fogging up!

[Brina]

Good luck, Terry. I’m trying to think of recommendations for you. You keep telling me to read Ramona so I’ll use that as a starting point. How about Work: A Story of Experience by Louisa May Alcott? Or a book by Isabel Allende that you haven’t read yet. I look forward to your choices.

[Terry]

Okay, here is my list, although I reserve the right to edit it:

B1 - Inn of the Sixth Happiness, Alan Burgess
B2 - An American Tragedy, Theodore Dreiser
B3 - Romancing Mr. Bridgestone, Julia Quinn
B4 - The Liar’s Club, Mary Karp
B5 - Candide, Voltaire

I1 - The Big Sleep, Raymond Chandler
I2 - The Wind in the Willows, Ronald Harwood
I3 - The Dresser, Ronald Harwood
I4 - Stoner, John Williams
I5 - We Have Always Lived in the Castle, Shirley Jackson

N1 - Silas Mariner, George Eliot
N2 - A Passage to India, E M Forster
N3 - O Pioneers, Willa Cather
N4 - The Cask of Amontillado, Poe
N5 - East of Eden, John Steinbeck

G1 - Frankenstein, Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
G2 - Death in Venice, Thomas Mann
G3 - Mystery and Manners, Flannery O’Connor
G4 - Beloved, Toni Morrison
G5 - Gaia, James Lovelock

O1 - Things Fall Apart, China Achebe
O2 - The Big Sky, B. Guthrie
O3 - Love in a Cold Climate, Nancy Mitford
O4 - Treasure Island, Robert Louis Stevenson
O5 - Their Eyes Were Watching God, Zara Neale Hurston

[Terry]

Auto-correct changed the spelling on Marner to Mariner!

[Katy, Quarterly Long Reads]

Terry wrote: "Auto-correct changed the spelling on Marner to Mariner!"

Of course!

[Shirley (stampartiste)]

You can do this, Terry! You've chosen some great books to read in 2020. I would just suggest that you alternate "difficult" books with more enjoyable reads. You have some of both in your Bingo, so this strategy might help you stay on course.

Good luck and have fun!

[Terry]

Thanks, Shirley!

[Nike]

We have some books in common on our lists! I also have "The Big Sleep", "Silas Marner" and "Things Fall Apart" as alternatives and I have decided on "Frankenstein". I remember "Candide" as a very funny book to read :)

[Terry]

Great! I will look forward to sharing thoughts about these books.

[Terry]

I just discovered that one of my books, Romancing Mr Bridgestone, did not respond to the category, a book published 200+ years ago. I am not at all sure how I got to that one! So I will change it to something else. Stay tuned...

[Luke]

Terry wrote: "I just discovered that one of my books, Romancing Mr Bridgestone, did not respond to the category, a book published 200+ years ago. I am not at all sure how I got to that one! So I will change it t..."

Northanger Abbey, perhaps?

[Terry]

Thanks for the suggestion, Aubrey, but I have read it, and just about every other Jane Austen, I think. Northanger Abbey was a fantastic experience. I have nothing but praise for Austen.

Last year, to participate in the Group reads, I re-read Pride and Prejudice, and it was definitely worthwhile, but there are so many, many books I haven’t read. In filling out the books to read, I am sticking to reading books which are new to me.

I will read Cecilia, by Frances Burney (and Fanny Burney?).

[Luke]

Terry wrote: "Thanks for the suggestion, Aubrey, but I have read it, and just about every other Jane Austen, I think. Northanger Abbey was a fantastic experience. I have nothing but praise for Austen.

Last year..."

Got it. I'll actually be reading a Burney for my 200+ old category as well (Evelina), so we'll have to compare notes at some point.

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

It's all about finding and reading books you are interested in. If it doesn't work move on to another, that is what I hope to do in the future. I hope you enjoy all of your choices, happy reading!

[Terry]

Thanks, Bob. To kick this off, I am reading Candide, B5 Classic of Europe.

[Lynn, New School Classics]

Terry wrote: "Thanks, Bob. To kick this off, I am reading Candide, B5 Classic of Europe."

I really enjoyed Candide. I saw you say in another thread that you felt it would be a quick read. It was for me. Hope you enjoy it.

[MJ]

Candide was not at all what I expected. Can’t remember the audio version I listened to, but it was very good. Silas Marner is also on my list this year. Good luck!

[Terry]

I finished Candide. It was amusing and a quick read.

[Petrichor]

Good luck, Terry!


Terry wrote: "Auto-correct changed the spelling on Marner to Mariner!"
Just in case you want to correct it, but don't know how:
you can edit your own posts. There's a link called 'edit' in the bottom right corner of your post, just above the date of the following post.

[Terry]

I have finished:

B5. Candide
I4. Stoner
N4. The Cask of Amontillado

It’s a good start! I suppose if I were being strategic I would read all the 4s to get a Bingo, but my reading whims just don’t work that way. I will just take them as I am moved to do.

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

That is a good start and i agree whim is better than strategy, at least it's more fun.

[Susie]

I choose what to read by what I'm feeling in that moment.
That's how I read 18 books for bingo in 2019 and only got my 2cd bingo on the 18th book!

[Terry]

Thanks, Bob and Susie. I am reading our group read of We Have Always Lived in the Castle. Seven pages in and the narrator cracks me up!

[Terry]

Here is my Progress as of February 4:

B5. Candide
I4. Stoner
I5. We Have Always Lived in the Castle
N4. The Cask of Amontillado
G4. Beloved

So far, so good. And I am half way through:
I1. The Big Sleep.

I have ordered G2. Death in Venice and hope to start that one soon.

[Terry]

I haven’t updated for some time. I have two Bingos.

Vertical N Bingo
N1 - Silas Marner
N2 - A Passage to India
N3 - O Pioneers
N4 - The Cask of Amontillado
N5 - East of Eden

Diagonal Bingo
O1 - Things Fall Apart
G2 - Death in Venice
N3 - O Pioneers
I4 - Stoner
B5 - Candide

I seem to be lagging behind in columns B and O, and in row 3.

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

Congrats Terry! I've read a few and Silas Marner and Stoner were for me excellent. don't worry about columns B and O they will become Bingo soon.

[Terry]

Thanks for you encouragement, Bob! I have enjoyed this, but I think I may be reading fewer group picks as a result.

[Rosemarie]

Congrats, Terry!

[Terry]

Thanks, Rosemarie. This is a big challenge for me. I have great respect for those who can finish all the squares.

[Terry]

Thanks, Matt. It is a daunting task to take them on!

[Sue]

Congratulations Terry! I love most of the books you've read so far.

Funny, I'm lacking in B's and O's also!

[Terry]

Thanks, Sue. I have taken Shirley’s advice by alternating between perceived easy and hard books, although the advance perceptions don’t always turn out to be correct. Most of what I have read has been pretty engaging, I have to say. I imagine it will get harder as I get closer to a blackout. Then I will have to pick up the ones I have been avoiding!

[Terry]

Two more books finished since last I posted my progress here.

O5 Classic of the Americas - Their Eyes Were Watching God, and
O3 Book from the Year I Was Born - Love in a Cold Climate

No more Bingos so far. I can see why this game is popular. I am having fun with it. There are definitely squares I am avoiding, though.

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

Terry since you liked Lonesome Dove, you might like something else by Larry McMurtry. The Last Picture Show is not the cowboy type western but defiantly western flavor. Another of his is Horseman, Pass By. The movie Hud was based on this book, it was also McMurtry's first book.

[Terry]

Bob, I already have a western book that I own and was planning on reading this month, The Big Sky, by A. B. Guthrie, Jr. But you are right, I do like McMurtry and I want to read more by him. Thank you for the suggestions.

[Terry]

I finished The Big Sky. O2 Classic Western. It held my interest but not a world I relate to, except geographically.

I am changing a couple of my Bingo picks.

B3 Classic from 200 + years ago. Changing from Frances Burney’s Cecelia to Journal of the Plague Year which I am currently reading.

B2 Classic Tragedy. Changing from Theodore Dreiser’s An American Tragedy (because I am not sure I am up for a 900 page read) to The Road by Cormac McCarthy.

I may make other changes later as I get to the last few I am avoiding!

[Katy, Quarterly Long Reads]

Terry wrote: "Bob, I already have a western book that I own and was planning on reading this month, The Big Sky, by A. B. Guthrie, Jr. But you are right, I do like McMurtry and I want to read more by him. Thank ..."

I would like to read The Big Sky too. It is one of my husband's favorite books.

[Terry]

Katy, I think The Big Sky is a man’s book and it is infused with mid century values, not mine. Notwithstanding, it held my interest and at some moments was a bit of a page turner.

I do want to read more McMurtry, though, so I am Rey appreciative of Bob’s advice.

[Lynn, New School Classics]

You mentioned that in order to complete Bingo you must read fewer group reads. I have found that a real challenge this year too. When we were planning I thought there would be books that could easily overlap, but it hasn't turned out quite that way. Still you have two Bingos which is more than I have at this point.

[Terry]

Lynn, you’ll get that elusive bingo soon!

It’s true that I am probably reading fewer group picks. However, I have found that some of the group picks this year are of books I have already read, and others are books that I don’t have much interest in. So I have enjoyed the Bingo Books.

For one thing, it has introduced me to books I might not have picked up. For example, right now I am reading The Liars’ Club by Mary Karr, for B4, a memoir. It is perhaps the best memoir I have ever read, and I had never heard of it until I was researching memoirs for the Bingo game.

I have tried nominating some books that are on my card, with not much success, though. I only have six or seven to go for a blackout, but they do seem like they will take the most motivation to read.

[Terry]

Since last posting, I have completed:

B3 - book published 200+ years ago: Journal of the Plague Year. (Not my original choice, but it worked.)

G3 - essay collection: Mystery and Manners.

I am currently and happily working on B4.

[Terry]

Finished B4 Classic Memoir, The Liar’s Club *****
And B1 classic of Asia, The Small Woman, or The Inn of the Sixth Happiness***

So I now have a four corner Bingo.. We shall see if I get to a blackout.

Next up is B2, Classic Tragedy, The Road by Cormac McCarthy. I am calling it classic under a liberal interpretation, since it isn’t very old.

[Shaina]

Congratulations, Terry. I'm sure you will have a blackout.

[Terry]

Thanks, Shaina. I really have to motivate for the last ones because they are the ones I have been avoiding.

[Terry]

B2 Classic Tragedy: The Road by Cormac McCarthy, done. Another Bingo! Using Matt’s XO map, here is where I stand.

XXXXX
XOXXX
XOXXX
XXXXO
XXXOX

Only four left. Of course, they are the ones requiring the most motivation. I reserve the right to change my mind about the titles.

I think next up will be Treasure Island, Robert Louis Stevenson, Classic Adventure, O4.

[Terry]

Thanks, Matt. I actually am enjoying it so far! ☠️

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

Congrats, four to go and each one yields another Bingo