Renee's Can't Do Worse Than Last Year 2021 Bingo Challenge

[Renee]

Didn't do so well last year, but giving it another go because I really like this challenge!

3/25

B1: Book From Our Group’s Shelf Prior to 2021 War and Peace
B2: Book That Has Been Made Into Film Watership Down
B3: Booker Prize Winner The Testaments
B4: Classic Romance Northanger Abbey
B5: Classic of Europe

I1: Classic Adventure Journey to the Center of the Earth
I2: Book Published or Written 1700 or earlier The Winter's Tale 24/02 ***
I3: Classic Short Story Collection
I4: Book Published in the 19th Century
I5: New To Me Classic Author The Phantom of the Opera

N1: Nobel Laureate The Sun Also Rises
N2: History or Historical Fiction Frenchman's Creek
N3: Reader’s Choice TBD
N4: Classic Satire or Comedy Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
N5: Newberry Medal Winner The Graveyard Book

G1: Classic Female Author Agnes Grey 11/04 *****
G2: Book Published in the 18th Century Gulliver's Travels
G3: Nonfiction Travels with Charley: In Search of America
G4: Book Published in the 20th Century The Handmaid's Tale 04/05 *****
G5: Book From Another Book Club or Library List The Big Sleep

O1: Classic of Africa Cry, the Beloved Country
O2: Classic Mystery, Suspense, or Thriller The Mystery of Edwin Drood
O3: Pulitzer Prize Winner The Road
O4: 100 Must-Read Classics in Translation The Stranger
O5: Book From Our Group’s 2021 Bookshelf TBD

B I N G O

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[Renee]

Still a few empty slots, but I will probably fill them as I read.

[Sara]

Great list so far, Renee! I loved both Frenchman's Creek and The Phantom of the Opera. Good luck with your bingo!

[Carolien]

Very nice list. I enjoyed Agnes Grey and Northanger Abbey and The Graveyard Book. Cry, the beloved country is beautiful. Enjoy!

[Kathleen]

I like your plans, and think 2021 will be a much better year, Renee! There are a number of us who have Travels with Charley: In Search of America planned, and we may be getting up a buddy read, if you're interested.

[Sue]

Quite ambitious starting off with War and Peace Renee! I loved The Sun Also Rises, Frenchman's Creek, Travels with Charley and Agnes Grey. Agnes Grey got a little boring in the middle for me but I still loved it and it has one of my favorite opening passages.

Good luck with your BINGO's!

[Katy, Quarterly Long Reads]

I hope you have fun with this Bingo Challenge, Renee. And remember, the nice thing about Bingo is that there are several levels of Bingo -- so you don't have to get a blackout to be a winner.

[Sara, Old School Classics]

2021 is destined to be a better year, Renee. Have fun.

[Renee]

Finally got my first book finished, and went with The Winter's Tale by Shakespeare for 1700 or earlier. I enjoyed the play, but Leontes' madness and jealousy came completely out of nowhere. Similar to Othello, but at least he had Iago whispering in his ear and setting him up. The ending was a little odd, and I would have liked it to go on for a bit so we (the audience) can hear the explanations that were to be given!

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Always nice to click off the first one, Renee. I remember so little about The Winter's Tale that I cannot comment--but you have made me so curious I may have to schedule a re-read soon.

[Renee]

Just finished Agnes Grey for my Female Author square. It was also my first Anne Bronte book, and I loved it. It was short, but packed with feeling for the characters. I love the way it was written in a diary form with Anne telling us her story.

[Terry]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts about Agnes Grey, Renee. I have not read it, but it has been on my mind to read it.

[Sara, Old School Classics]

I also loved Agnes Grey. Anne was a brilliant author and got cast in the background, behind her sisters. I think she is every bit as good as either of them.

[Peter]

@Sara — I couldn’t agree more. I’ve always said The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is the best thing ANY of the Brontës wrote.

[Veronique]

Haven’t tried Agnes Grey, yet, but since I love The Tenant, I really should, soon...

[Renee]

I've had it on my challenge list for a few years, and finally got around to reading The Handmaid's Tale I loved the way it was presented with Offred telling her story. Scary situation Offred was in, and I liked her flashbacks to the before time. I really enjoyed the book, so I've just added The Testaments in the Booker Prize winner square.

[Veronique]

Renee wrote: "I've had it on my challenge list for a few years, and finally got around to reading The Handmaid's Tale I loved the way it was presented with Offred telling her story. Scary situation ..."

Very scary situation... Hope you enjoy The Testaments :O)