Sara's 2024 Another Year of Gluttony

[Sara, New School Classics]

Yes, clinging to hope. I always hate reviewing books that I know are just not for me and that I feel others will find enchanting. Oh well, on to the next.

[Lori]

Oh no, Sara. That sounds like a tough sell and after your mention of Outlander I know it’s not for me. 😜 on to the next one!

[Sara, New School Classics]

Lori wrote: "Oh no, Sara. That sounds like a tough sell and after your mention of Outlander I know it’s not for me. 😜 on to the next one!"

It made me mad at myself when I looked at the blurbs and it was compared to Outlander--absolute tip that I should pass. Oh well, call it brain fog.

[Dave]

Sara wrote: "Another off the Old & New Challenge. In Another Life. I cannot imagine why I bought this book, at whose recommendation, or why I thought it important enough to put on this challenge..."

Thanks for the heads up Sara. Looking at the description of the book it looks like a book I too might have decided to try.

[Sara, New School Classics]

A "not for me" book, Dave. Others have loved it. I think it was an attempt to combine Outlander and The Da Vinci Code...and neither of those really worked for me. If I want time travel, I'd read The House on the Strand and for Medieval intrigue The Name of the Rose.

[Kathleen]

I'm in the Outlander=not for me camp too, so I'm sorry, but agree with Dave that the description has some tempting parts, so can understand it going on the tbr. On to the next one!

[Sara, New School Classics]

Must have been something that drew me in. At any rate, it covered my "fantasy/sci-fi" slot, which is always a hard one for me. My next read needs to be Trollope. 😃

[Dave]

Although I have been reading them for my “series“ challenges, I have been surprised at how much I am enjoying the Harry Potter books in fantasy. In sci-fi I usually stick with Robert Heinlien or Ursula K Le Guin.

Sadly, I am over grazed in 19th Century English Lit.

[Sara, New School Classics]

I enjoyed Harry Potter, but I read the entire series with my granddaughter, which added to the fun. I seldom like sci-fi, although The Sparrow would be classified that way and it is among the best books I have ever read.

I cannot imagine how one over-grazes on 19th Century Lit. LOL. I just go back for seconds.

[Dave]

Sara wrote: "I enjoyed Harry Potter, but I read the entire series with my granddaughter, which added to the fun. I seldom like sci-fi, although The Sparrow would be classified that way and it is among the best ..."

Well I do rely on over-reading in that pasture, sometime a treat comes up. I am listening to a wonderful new full cast recording of Jane Eyre and somebody, perhaps you, recommended Dombey and Son which is coming up.

I will check out the Sparrow. And I will be reading Percy Jackson series soon which my 14 yo grandson put me on to.

[Lori]

Trollope sounds perfect. I’m thinking Framely Parsonage as my next 18th century pick! Glad I have loads more for the future!

[Wobbley]

Trollope sounds like the perfect antidote for you. I hope it's another 5-star!

[Sara, New School Classics]

Dave wrote: "Sara wrote: "I enjoyed Harry Potter, but I read the entire series with my granddaughter, which added to the fun. I seldom like sci-fi, although The Sparrow would be classified that way and it is am..."

Not sure if I recommended Dombey and Son, Dave, but I'm sure you are going to love it. By all means read The Sparrow!

[Sara, New School Classics]

Lori wrote: "Trollope sounds perfect. I’m thinking Framely Parsonage as my next 18th century pick! Glad I have loads more for the future!"

I have a lot of them as well, Lori. I loved Framley Parsonage. My next Trollope is The Eustace Diamonds.

[Sara, New School Classics]

Wobbley wrote: "Trollope sounds like the perfect antidote for you. I hope it's another 5-star!"

Thanks, Wobbley. I have good luck with Trollope.

[Sara, New School Classics]

Used The Diamond Eye as my adventure novel in the Reader's Choice. It was a so-so read. Not great, not bad. At least I walked away with a knowledge of a historical figure previously unknown to me.

[Terris]

Sara wrote: "Used The Diamond Eye as my adventure novel in the Reader's Choice. It was a so-so read. Not great, not bad. At least I walked away with a knowledge of a historical figure previously..."

Well, you can't win 'em all -- on to the next one!! :)

[Wobbley]

All forward progress counts! I hope you'll enjoy the next one more.

[Lori]

I’ve been wanting to read more Kate Quinn. I’ll look at her backlist now. Isn’t Diamond Eye her new one?

[Sara, New School Classics]

Wobbley wrote: "All forward progress counts! I hope you'll enjoy the next one more."

It was a break from the intensity of Rabbit is Rich, which I hope to finish in a day or two. Then, I am going to read an author I KNOW I love so I can get back on track.

Thanks, Wobbley, as always.

[Sara, New School Classics]

Lori wrote: "I’ve been wanting to read more Kate Quinn. I’ll look at her backlist now. Isn’t Diamond Eye her new one?"

Not sure where it falls, but I am hoping The Rose Code is good because I have already bought it. I really like The Alice Network. She does base her books on actual historical people and events, so there is merit in that.

[Lori]

Her books have such high ratings! Over 4.3 stars! I loved The Alice Network too. Looks like the new one is The Briar Club out July 9. 1950’s women’s boardinghouse in Washington DC.

[Sara, New School Classics]

Lori wrote: "Her books have such high ratings! Over 4.3 stars! I loved The Alice Network too. Looks like the new one is The Briar Club out July 9. 1950’s women’s boardinghouse in Washington DC."

There is a sample of the Briar Club at the end of this one, but I was so glad to finish that I didn't even consider sampling it. Popularity is often a sign that I will not like an author (isn't that sad?) but I did like The Alice Network, so I might still try The Rose Code.

[Kathleen]

Sara wrote: "Used The Diamond Eye as my adventure novel in the Reader's Choice. It was a so-so read. Not great, not bad. At least I walked away with a knowledge of a historical figure previously..."

Glad you were able to learn something, and find a spot in your challenges for this one, Sara. :-)

[Sara, New School Classics]

Thanks, Kathleen. It gets me down to one book to finish the Reader's Choice. I'm going very slow with challenges this year--at the halfway mark and no finishes yet.

[Kathleen]

Sara wrote: "Thanks, Kathleen. It gets me down to one book to finish the Reader's Choice. I'm going very slow with challenges this year--at the halfway mark and no finishes yet."

Sara, I was just thinking about this, because I'm going very slowly this year too. At this halfway point, I'm reminding myself to not give in to reading any books just for my challenges. I may not finish any this year, but doing that would be its own success.

[Annette]

I am also making very little progress on my challenges but I am enjoying reading and that's what it's all about to me. Enjoy your reads, Sara & Kathleen!

[Sara, New School Classics]

Kathleen wrote: "Sara wrote: "Thanks, Kathleen. It gets me down to one book to finish the Reader's Choice. I'm going very slow with challenges this year--at the halfway mark and no finishes yet."

Sara, I was just ..."

I have also not been choosing my next read according to how it will fit a challenge. I have some great books on the challenge lists, though, and I really want to get back to them.

[Sara, New School Classics]

Annette wrote: "I am also making very little progress on my challenges but I am enjoying reading and that's what it's all about to me. Enjoy your reads, Sara & Kathleen!"

So true...it is about the reading and enjoyment, not the checking off!

[Sara, New School Classics]

One Completed Challenge! Member's Choice. Just nice to have one behind me.

[Annette]

Yay, Sara!

[Connie]

You picked some great books for your Member's Choice, Sara. Congratulations!

[Sara, New School Classics]

Thank you, Annette, Matt and Connie.

[Lynn, Old School Classics]

Sara wrote: "One Completed Challenge! Member's Choice. Just nice to have one behind me."

Congratulations on completing the challenge. The others will fall in line, too.

[Sara, New School Classics]

I hope so, Lynn. Slow moving this year.

[Wobbley]

Sara wrote: "One Completed Challenge! Member's Choice. Just nice to have one behind me."

Bravo! Well done Sara.

[Sara, New School Classics]

Thanks, Wobbley.

[Terris]

Great job, Sara! It feels good to complete a challenge, but it's better to think of all those good books you read! Yay!

[Sara, New School Classics]

Thanks, Terris. I cannot believe how quickly the first half of this year has gone. I'm not that far away from completion on a couple of the others--I'm just reading at random and not reading to the challenges yet. You are right, all that matters is whether we enjoy the books we do read.

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

Congrats, Sara. I took The Mayor of Casterbridge off my bookshelf two years ago and still haven't started it. I should probably be taken to the woodshed for an adjustment of what is important.

[Sara, New School Classics]

LOL. Wouldn't we hate to run out of good books we haven't read? No woodsheds for us readers.

[Sara, New School Classics]

Added For The Cold Equations to my short-story list. Recommended by Bob, and wow!

[Laurie]

Sara wrote: "Added For The Cold Equations to my short-story list. Recommended by Bob, and wow!"

Wow is right. I read it last night and it was heartbreaking.

[Sara, New School Classics]

Yes, it was Laurie! (view spoiler)[I kept hoping there was a way out--but the pilot was clear that there was not. I felt very sad for what he would have to live with for the rest of his life as well. Like so much of technological advancement, I kept wondering why they couldn't scan for stowaways before taking off and avoid this scenario--but, of course, then no story. (hide spoiler)]

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

I did give fair warning, even though it is an important story that I think people should be read.

[Sara, New School Classics]

Hurt my heart, Bob, but well worth the pain. I owe you are huge thank you, because it is not a genre that I stray into very often.

[Terris]

It was so good!!

[Sara, New School Classics]

I have officially completed the short story challenge with Chickamauga by Ambrose Bierce. Thanks, Bob! I will actually shoot for another 24, however, by year end.

[Terris]

Sara wrote: "I have officially completed the short story challenge with Chickamauga by Ambrose Bierce. Thanks, Bob! I will actually shoot for another 24, however, by year end."

Woohoo! Good for you, Sara! I am learning to love short stories because of this group :)

[Sara, New School Classics]

Thanks, Terris. I have always loved short stories, but the group has been a huge encouragement and helped me build a habit!