Sara's 2024 Another Year of Gluttony

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Thanks, Mia. I never get close to reading everything I plan, but I do have great reading years most of the time.

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

I see two by Nevil Shute on your lists. I look forward to your review, as I haven't read either. We both have the 1930's on or decade list. I haven't decided what to read for '30, '32, '38, or '39. The only book we have in common for those years is Johnny Got His Gun, which I read this year.

As usual you have done a great job planning. I hope your reading goes as well. Have a great year!!

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Everything is so subject to change, Bob, but I have several Shute's still on the Kindle and I would like to get to a few of them this year. I feel Johnny Got His Gun is a must read--I have had it on the TBR for so long!

Hope it is a good year for us all!

[Terry]

You have so many books on this list that I also want to read. One that stands out to me is My Name is Asher Lev, but there are so many more, some of which I own. I cannot wait to see what you get to, and then read your fabulous reviews!

[Sue]

Great lists, Sara! It looks like you are ready to start knocking out Pulitzers too! I'm determined to get 5-10 read this year since last year I didn't read any except for Demon Copperhead and I'm not even committing to the ones after I started the challenge so that doesn't count.

I'm started on the Collected Stories of Jean Stafford. My library only has audio but so far they are good that way. I'm also trying to read 1 or 2 a day from my hardcover of The Collected Stories of John Cheever and I'm liking those too. As I get busier at work I'll switch to one a week if I have to.

Good luck with all your challenges. Yours are very ambitious!

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Terry wrote: "You have so many books on this list that I also want to read. One that stands out to me is My Name is Asher Lev, but there are so many more, some of which I own. I cannot wait to see what you get t..."

Asher Lev is one of those books that makes me hang my head--I bought it in 2019 and it is still sitting unread on the bookshelf. This is the year!

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Sue wrote: "Great lists, Sara! It looks like you are ready to start knocking out Pulitzers too! I'm determined to get 5-10 read this year since last year I didn't read any except for [book:Demon Copperhead|601..."

I am so ashamed of the lack of progress on the Pulitzer challenge, Sue. I hope I do better this year. I have also decided not to include any more winners to the list. 5-10 is such a good number...I'll be watching!

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Able to use Ramona in several categories. Makes me feel like a start has been made.

[Laurie]

Sara wrote: "Able to use Ramona in several categories. Makes me feel like a start has been made."

I can relate. The first few books are the best feeling. They fit all kinds of challenges. I used Anne of Green Gables on bingo and four of my challenges.

[Terris]

Sara wrote: "Terry wrote: "You have so many books on this list that I also want to read. One that stands out to me is My Name is Asher Lev, but there are so many more, some of which I own. I cannot wait to see ..."

Sara and Terry, you are making me want to read My Name is Asher Lev! I have heard of it but haven't really looked into it. It certainly gets high marks! Maybe I'll let Sara read it first and see if she recommends it!
And I read Ramona a couple of years ago, Sara. I'll think you'll like it :)

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Laurie wrote: "Sara wrote: "Able to use Ramona in several categories. Makes me feel like a start has been made."

I can relate. The first few books are the best feeling. They fit all kinds of challe..."

There is a kind of excitement when you fill in the first few blanks, and then the long year before you fill in the last ones! I loved Anne of Green Gables! So glad she came in handy in the challenges for you.

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Terris wrote: "Sara wrote: "Terry wrote: "You have so many books on this list that I also want to read. One that stands out to me is My Name is Asher Lev, but there are so many more, some of which I own. I cannot..."

I had really mixed feelings about Ramona. I honestly loved the earlier part, but I think the Senora Moreno added a bit of flavor to those (a specific someone to hate vs. just the world itself being so evil and wicked).

I am determined to get to Asher Lev soon, Terris, so I will let you know what I think. I am expecting a good experience...so many trusted friends saying it is great. Wouldn't want to read it together would you?

[Terry]

I would also like to read Asher Lev. Schedule a buddy read?

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Absolutely, Terry. I can do February or March.

[Lori]

You guys will love Asher Lev. It was a 5 star read last year. I’ll peek in if you buddy read it.

[Sara, Old School Classics]

I remember pulling it off the shelf and putting it with the "must read" pile after reading your review, Lori. Please do come and discuss it with us...always love having your insights.

[Kathleen]

This is why we do so many challenges, for the fun of watching the books fill different categories!

Oh dear, Asher Lev is on my list too. May I join you for the buddy read?

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Somebody pick a month!!!!

[Kathleen]

I'll vote for March, but will do whatever everyone else decides!

[Sara, Old School Classics]

March is fine for me--Terris and Terry?

[Terris]

I’d love to join the Asher Lev buddy read! March is good for me :)
I’m excited!

[Terry]

March is great!

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Off to put it on the schedule.

[Sue]

Congratulations on fitting in your 1st two in multiple slots, Sara! I need to update soon and see how many I can cover with each read.

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Much easier going in the beginning when there are so many open slots...gets harder as we go along. I'll be watching for your posts, Sue.

[Rora]

Good luck on your challenge Sara, you have many interesting books on your list.

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Thank you, Rora.

[Sara, Old School Classics]

First read for my Old and New - The Children by Edith Wharton. Loved it. 5★

[Terris]

Sara wrote: "First read for my Old and New - The Children by Edith Wharton. Loved it. 5★"

I'm so glad!! It's on my list, too, and I was counting on you to read it first so you could tell me if you liked it -- I guess I got my answer! I can't wait to read this 5★ book!
And congratulations on making progress on your Old/New Challenge :)

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Thanks, Terris. I'm sure you will like it! I loved how well she explored the mixed feelings of Martin Boyne.

[Lori]

Hooray!! I’m very excited for you, Sara!! I’ve got this one on my shelf so I have extra reasons now to pick it up sooner than later!

[Lorraine]

Sara wrote: "First read for my Old and New - The Children by Edith Wharton. Loved it. 5★"

I've discovered that author last year and just loved her books. I will put this one on my TBR right away.

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Lori wrote: "Hooray!! I’m very excited for you, Sara!! I’ve got this one on my shelf so I have extra reasons now to pick it up sooner than later!"

Another winner, Lori.

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Lorraine wrote: "Sara wrote: "First read for my Old and New - The Children by Edith Wharton. Loved it. 5★"

I've discovered that author last year and just loved her books. I will put this o..."

She is one of my favorite authors, Lorraine. I am so grateful that she was a prolific writer. I won't run out of her books for a while yet.

[Kathleen]

A great start, Sara. I'd say I hope the others on your Old and New are just as good, but looking at them, I'm pretty sure they will be!

[Sara, Old School Classics]

I picked carefully this year, Kathleen--I am hopeful. Couldn't have asked for a better start.

[Wobbley]

Wow, starting out the New & Old TBR with a 5-star book! That's pretty fantastic.

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Wobbley wrote: "Wow, starting out the New & Old TBR with a 5-star book! That's pretty fantastic."

Taking it as an omen, Wobbley.

[Rora]

Sara wrote: "First read for my Old and New - The Children by Edith Wharton. Loved it. 5★"

I'll have to read that one soon, I've liked everything that I've read by her so far.

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Knowing you already like her, Rora, I can almost guarantee this one will be a winner.

[Sara, Old School Classics]

The Fighter by Michael Farris Smith. My second 5★ read and another for the Old & New Challenge. Published 2018, so not eligible for any other uses.

[Wobbley]

Wow, your New & Old TBR is going so much better than mine did last year. You've done an amazing job choosing books for it!

[Sara, Old School Classics]

I was very careful this year, Wobbley. I wasn't able to complete in 2022 because I made poor choices. This time I picked books that I have already purchased and books by authors that I am almost 100% sure to love.

[Terris]

Wow, Sara! You're going great guns with your reading! I'm glad you've found some 5★ books. They are usually pretty hard to come by. Hope you read a bunch more :)

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Terris wrote: "Wow, Sara! You're going great guns with your reading! I'm glad you've found some 5★ books. They are usually pretty hard to come by. Hope you read a bunch more :)"

Thanks, Terris. My Old and New might be all 5★--I am hoping, but I have already had to DNF one book this year, so careful as we are, it is a roll of the dice much of the time.

[Terris]

Sara wrote: "Terris wrote: "Wow, Sara! You're going great guns with your reading! I'm glad you've found some 5★ books. They are usually pretty hard to come by. Hope you read a bunch more :)"

Thanks, Terris. My..."

Can I ask which one you didn't finish? Just curious....

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Free Love by Tessa Hadley. I had read another of her books earlier and enjoyed it, but this one was definitely not for me. I felt I was forcing myself to keep reading and decided to just dnf and move on. I try to be careful in choosing my books, but you cannot always be sure, particularly when you have read and liked the author before. I will not attempt any other of her books.

[Kathleen]

Oh boy--so glad to see how well your Old and New is going, Sara!

[Ila]

You're making great progress, Sara! Edith Wharton is always a good idea. Michael Farris Smith is a new author to me but I hope I like him.

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Kathleen wrote: "Oh boy--so glad to see how well your Old and New is going, Sara!"

I think I have picked winners this year! Thank goodness.