Lori's "Let's Get Reading" 2022 Bingo

[Kathleen]

Love your reviews of these two, Lori. I hope to get to the first sometime soon, and am afraid of the second for the reasons you explained so well. Your bingo board is filling up nicely!

[Lori]

Thank you Kathleen! This is my second Bingo and I've learned to let the planning go and go with the flow. I actually have enjoyed it.

[Lori]

I'm so excited to have completed my G4 - Bingo Participant pick with an amazing recommendation from Sara with The Crystal Cave (Merlin, #1) by Mary Stewart. This was an easy 5 star read and I can't thank Sara enough for leading me to this and the others in the trilogy which I will make plans for soon!

my review



Also completed B1 Book published 1950-1999 with Jeremy Poldark by Winston Graham. This was another 5 star read!

my review

[Sara, New School Classics]

Two great books and closer to Bingo. Thanks for being so sweet, Lori, but remember we traded...you gave me These is my Words.

[Kathleen]

I agree it's always wise to listen to Sara's recommendations, Lori, and you wrote a lovely review of the Stewart. I'm excited to get to that series too!

[Lori]

Yes! You're so right about that, Kathleen. I have read many of Sara's recs with wonderful results. I hope to read what you think of Stewart's version of Merlin someday soon!

[Sara, New School Classics]

You guys are so sweet! I have read some wonderful books recommended by the two of you. I think that is the charm of GR, friends who can appreciate the same books!

[Lori]

Well, it's true! Sara, what you've said is why I don't read with in person book clubs anymore. It was sometimes fun in the past because I enjoyed the company, but turned into reading too many books I just didn't love. It was more for the socialization and we often times didn't really discuss the books anyway.

[Lori]

May wrap up of reads for Bingo:

it's been a busy month for life events so I'm still working on some reviews. I've managed to get 2 bingos this month - all of the 5's and BINGO1-5 diagonally

9 more to Blackout!

B2 - Classic written in your native language Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy. 5 stars all day!

I2 - New to you classic author - The Kreutzer Sonata by Leo Tolstoy
I gave this one 4 stars but it was my first ever Tolstoy. I am having second thoughts about lowering to 3 stars but after I read The Death of Ivan Ilych. Starting with a Tolstoy written in his later years may not have been a good idea, I am hearing.

my review

I4 - Classic over 500 pages - Bleak House by Charles Dickens - 5 stars

N5 Classic by an author from a country you didn't read in 2021 - Black Narcissus by Rumer Godden - 4 stars
Although Rumer Godden wasn't born in India, she grew up there. So I am using this read loosely here.

my review

[Cynda]

Black Narcissus looks good, interesting, worthwhile. Yours 4-star shows me it's worth a try ;-)

[Anne]

" Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy. 5 stars all day! "

Lori, you are cruising along with your Bingo. I also loved Far From the Madding Crowd. Surprisingly non-tragic nor dreary.

[Lori]

Cynda wrote: "Black Narcissus looks good, interesting, worthwhile. Yours 4-star shows me it's worth a try ;-)"

Definitely, Cynda! I was pleasantly surprised by it. It has a bit of a gothic feel as well. I hope you decide to read it.

[Lori]

Anne (On semi-hiatus) wrote: "" Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy. 5 stars all day! "

Lori, you are cruising along with your Bingo. I also loved Far From the Madding Crowd. Surprisingly non-tragic nor dreary."

That's what I was thinking too, Anne. Remembering my read of Tess last year and how utterly depressing that was, I expected it to be similar. It's my favorite Hardy so far and I've only read these two.

[Cynda]

I need some gothic options for my personal challenge. I will see if one of the services I use has a copy for me to stream or borrow.

[Shaina]

Congratulations on both your Bingo's, Lori! I think Crystal Cave is on my TBR for December this year. Happy to know you loved it.

I totally agree with your choice of I, Robot as it should be on our shelf. I read it in March and enjoyed it so much that I end up reading the entire series. Your review of House of Mirth makes me pick it up again and try. Maybe Jan wasn't the right time for me to read it.

[Kathleen]

That is a lot of great reading in a busy month, Lori. Congrats on the bingos!

[Sara, New School Classics]

Cruising right along! I have Black Narcissus on my TBR. Would work well for my new-to-me authors list. :o)

I love Hardy and Far From the Madding Crowd is one of his best. Although Tess is among his more popular and well-known, it ranks down the list for me. I would put a number of his others ahead of it.

Please don't let anything make you miss Tolstoy's best works, Anna Karenina and War and Peace. The idea of W&P intimidated me and I was so afraid it would be long, long battle scenes, but it was magnificent and so readable. It flew for me and I would gladly read it again when I can make the time in the schedule.

[Lori]

I finished N1 Classic Involving Music

Sometimes a Great Notion by Ken Kesey

5 glowing stars

The music plays a huge and important part and it was an unexpected gift for my BINGO.

my review

Also finished O2 Children's Classic

Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder

5 stars for a favorite from my childhood!

my review

7 more to blackout!

[Sara, New School Classics]

Great progress, Lori. You'll knock seven out in no time!

Loved reading the Kesey with you, and so glad the trip back to your childhood wasn't a disappointment.

[Terry]

You’ve got this, Lori! By the way, I also loved The Little House in the Big Woods, which you reminded me that I read as a kid. Fond memories.

[Lori]

Completed G2 - book from a poll in your birthday month

Sophie's Choice by William Styron

5 stars

my review

And that's a Bingo on the G row.

[Terris]

You're doing great, Lori! Glad you enjoyed Sophie's Choice. I read it just a couple of years ago and enjoyed it a lot! :)

[Terry]

I loved Sophie’s Choice. Styron’s prose really got to me and such a sad, poignant story. Have you seen the film? I think Streep’s performance is amazing.

[Terris]

I have not seen it, but have heard about it. I’m sure she’s wonderful!

[Lori]

Terris wrote: "You're doing great, Lori! Glad you enjoyed Sophie's Choice. I read it just a couple of years ago and enjoyed it a lot! :)"

Thanks Terris! I keep thinking these last 5-6 books are taking forever to get to. But it will come!

[Lori]

Terry wrote: "I loved Sophie’s Choice. Styron’s prose really got to me and such a sad, poignant story. Have you seen the film? I think Streep’s performance is amazing."

I have never seen the movie so I’ll have to see which of my streaming channels has it.

[Carolien]

Congrats on your bingo, Lori!

[Lori]

Carolien wrote: "Congrats on your bingo, Lori!"

Thanks Carolien!

[Sara, New School Classics]

Another amazing book. You are having a stellar year!

[Lori]

I1 - Book from the Group Bookshelf Prior to 2022

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

5 stars for my second reading. The first time was 7 years ago and it was only 3 stars. I really blame it on bad timing or I just wasn't ready for it then. But, oh my goodness! I 100% recommend this and the audio read by Ruby Dee on Hoopla.

my review

[Lori]

B4 Banned Book complete. 4 more to go for blackout.

East of Eden by John Steinbeck was a perfect choice and turned out to be a new one on the favorites shelf!

my review

[Terris]

Lori wrote: "B4 Banned Book complete. 4 more to go for blackout.

East of Eden by John Steinbeck was a perfect choice and turned out to be a new one on the favorites shelf!

my review"

I love John Steinbeck!! Glad you enjoyed it, Lori :)

[Cynda]

Lori, you're getting close to a blackout! . . . .I have heard others make similar comments about the novel Possession. I have also been given recommendations for A. S. Byatt's short story collections, maybe even in preference over the novel. I think at yet try the short stories next year. Some write better novels and some write better short stories and others write better. . . . . Looking forward to how you will complete your blackout!

[Lori]

Thanks Terris and Cynda! Cynda I’ll be curious what you think about Byatt’s short stories.

[Lynn]

NIce job Lori. You really carried the conversation this month on East of Eden. Thank you. It was nice to revisit the book through your comments.

[Kathleen]

I also enjoyed following your comments in the thread, Lori, and your wonderful review. So glad you loved this as I did!

[Lori]

Thanks Lynn and Kathleen! It was my nomination and I was really surprised it won the poll but I'm glad!

[Lori]

Finally completed my N4 - Collection of essays with The Art of Loading Brush: New Agrarian Writings by Wendell Berry. He's one of my top 5 favorite fiction authors and this first foray into his essay collections didn't disappoint.

my review


3 more to blackout!

[Terry]

You can do it, Lori!

[Terris]

Just keep reading!! ;)

[Sara, New School Classics]

Blackout- Piece of Cake!

[Kathleen]

See you on the other side of blackout, Lori!

[Lori]

Completed 2 more!! Only one more to go to Blackout! Gotta read my book in translation. Wondering if I'm up for The Wreath by Sigrid Undset right now or not. I may push it to next year and look for something different that fits my mood.

B3 Classic Science or Philosophy
The Right Stuff by Tom Wolfe

my review


I3 Classic Play or Drama
Hamlet by William Shakespeare

my review

[Sara, New School Classics]

You will love Sigrid Undset when you get to her. Off to read your reviews.

[Lori]

Hooray! It's Bingo Blackout day!!

I finished with my O4 Classic in Translation by reading The Bridal Wreath by Sigrid Undset. 3 stars

I found this translation somewhat formal and often bogged me down. I didn't realize there was a newer one - c'est la vie!

my review

[Janelle]

Woohoo! Well done, Lori 🎉

[Lori]

Thanks Janelle! I'm so happy to be complete!

[Laurie]

Well done! Congratulations, Lori.

[Sara, New School Classics]

Congratulations, Lori. I'm sorry you didn't have the right translation. I loved this series!

[Annette]

Congratulations! And with time to spare!