2025 Reading Challenge discussion

This thread is to discuss Joseph Keller's book, Catch-22.


***Please remember to mark spoilers.***

Participants:
Kadijah Michelle, Caro, Anna, Scott, Kayla, De Anna, Kelsi

Suggested break down of reading so that you can check in and let us know how you're going. The following breakdown is purely a suggestion and is therefore not set in stone.

Rather than putting dates for each section I've done it so that it takes into account that not everybody will necessarily have the book at the same time.

Week 1: Chapters 1-10
Week 2: Chapters 11-20
Week 3: Chapters 21-31
Week 4: Chapters 32-42

I'm looking forward to finally reading this book! It has been on my TBR list for 12 years. Long before Goodreads even existed. I've had a copy on my shelf, and I just haven't gotten to it. I would like to suggest a chapter breakdown instead of pages because I think there are so many different editions, I'm reading the 50th Anniversary Edition (Catch-22).

Week 1: Chapter's 1-10
Week 2: Chapter's 11-20
Week 3: Chapter's 21-31
Week 4: Chapter's 32-42

Kadijah Michelle wrote: "I'm looking forward to finally reading this book! It has been on my TBR list for 12 years. Long before Goodreads even existed. I've had a copy on my shelf, and I just haven't gotten to it. I wo..."

That's fine with me Kadijah. I'll alter it in the relevant post.

That's a great ida, Kadijah. Thanks for suggesting that.

Catch-22 has been on my list for a very long time as well.

Has anyone gotten past chapter 2 yet?

I haven't started reading yet, but once finals are over I'll tackle it.

I will start on Sunday... Hopefully will be there soon.

I'll read it later in the month

I'll start this weekend too :)

Can I join this buddy read?

Certainly! We'd love to have you.

De Anna I've added you

I'm in! I have wanted to read this forever, so please count me in :)

Thanks

The more the merrier - welcome, Kelsi!

Now that the weekend is over can we get an update on everyone's reading progress? Who has read at least 2 chapters and how many plan to continue with the book if anyone started it at all?

I have a paper due tonight at midnight and then will be freed up to start reading. Once I get going, I should get through it relatively quickly.

Oh this is funny so far not at all what I expected.

Scott since week one is already past everyone on it almost 100 pages behind. I made it to 86 pages before I read it in it's entirety the following year. It's boring with so many charters and just drags on and on.

The guidelines really don't matter. Just read at your leisure. If you haven't finished by the end of the month we can just roll it over to next month.

As Zara's initial post says, the pages are purely a guideline for people who want to spread the book out over the whole month. I like to use the guidelines as check-in points - when I finish the first chunk, I post my thoughts.

I have trouble reading more than one book at a time, so I can't spread the book out over more than one week.

Hope that clarifies a few points. Like I said, I will be starting probably tomorrow, so you'll have a buddy to discuss with in no time at all.

Patience is a virtue Scott.
Everybody reads at a different pace and probably several books a month, no need to get pushy

So far this reminds me a lot of the TV show MASH

I'm only a couple of chapters in, but I'm surprised by how funny this book is. I'm sure there will only be more hilarious contradictions as the story progresses.

I've only seen a few random episodes of MASH, but I can see the comparison.

Exculding Cassandra and Scott, sorry I got your run down already but where is everyone else who so badly wanted to read this as group and waiting so patiently to hear something about the book from the other readers of this group. I'm not being pushy but if one was so excited to read a book like as I'm about S. This disscussion should have taken off already by all. I get feeling Cassandra will reading by herself. It's the one book most will say I'll read it tomorrow then so on and so on and your like yeah I rather read something else.

Cassandra wrote: "I'm only a couple of chapters in, but I'm surprised by how funny this book is. I'm sure there will only be more hilarious contradictions as the story progresses.

I've only seen a few random episod..."

It was written before MASH. After everything humorous there is tragity. It's hard to picture all the airplane scenes at one time but it's some of the best. Major Major Major was some one of it's best and the only one I remember well and the only the Chapter. The more you read the more Characters there are and sometimes when some drop off you wish you had more from them and farless than others. The Synidicate stuff starts off funny and neat but becomes tiresome later on but then you can say to yourself I need break. This not spoiler stuff but the name you get at the Top of each Chapter don't necessary reflect ever aspect of that Chapter from that person and can very be confusing like it should belong somewhere else. That I remember also.
If you have questions fill free to ask.

Scott wrote: "Oh this is funny so far not at all what I expected."

I just your post your reading to now. I was thinking were going to read it weeks from now.

I can tell where you both all are. The stuff about the letters being forged and other made up stuff and sent to the states.

Scott wrote: "Scott wrote: "Oh this is funny so far not at all what I expected."

I just your post your reading to now. I was thinking were going to read it weeks from now.

I can tell where you both all are. Th..."
Scott I am speaking just in my name but I think is unfair to rate the interest of each of us in the book for how far we are. I am pretty sure that all of us are very interested and selected this book read because really wanted to do it. But we do not have the same flexibility of time. In my case I am still trying to finish books that I was suppose to read in May, I already gave up in a Buddy Reads of another book that I was also looking forward but I know I can't make it this month. For me the magic of these groups is to encourage each other to read and some of your comments seems to attack those of us who don't have the luxury of time to finish as many books as we want on time... I ma ynot finish the book this month I will try my best, but to judge our interest in the book based in our progress is quite unfair.

I want to something it may sound to be mean. I've gotten more complaints from my threads than any discussion from the 2 readers who are reading the book. I seem to be missing something because the feedback has been more like the fireman from . Than from a freedom of speech class like from Dead Poet's Society. It's has become read the book with your buddy but shut up about it. So why even bother having a discussion thread where anyone can ask another reader about the book they are reading. Also no-one should have to sign up to comment on a thread for buddy read even if they read the book.

On another note we have self censorship as well. I think more people are afraid to post anything about what there reading at given moment in total fear that there going to give a spoiler. Listen people the whole purpose of a buddy read to bring to life the author's story. Not to keep it in his or her book.

Here the deal people asking a reader where they are in book is ligitmate. The essence of a buddy is to discuss who good or bad that scene was? You this character or that character? You want more from him and else If someone else.

If people need an example of what a buddy read is read this the perfect buddy read. Since it's physicaly impossible to get 2 readers to read the same physical book buddy reads is perfect it your margin have blast with it. Instead shut up about where you are? I do not want to discuss page or chapter if nobody in the group read page or chapter yet. Now think you the intent of my question.

I hate say this for those of you that are going to read S. with me there are going to be page and chapter referrences. Throught out the whole thing
Those thread are going blow readers minds away.

A quick note for you all:

We had given Scott a warning about his tone in our group discussions. We are not the kind of group that allows members to be demanding or disrepectful of each other. Rather than responding in an understanding fashion, Scott decided to not play by our rules. We've removed him from the group and will only let him back in if he agrees to change.

Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

Okay, now that not-so-fun bit is over, I hope we can get our discussion rolling again at whatever pace makes sense for all of us. We can definitely run this buddy read into next month if you like - just let us know!

I finished the book and really enjoyed it. The storytelling style is really circular, which was a little confusing at first. I found myself thinking, "Okay, all of this is funny and all, but where is it going?" As it goes around in circles, though, you get a better understanding of each of the characters and major events as new information is revealed. I thought it worked quite well for this type of book and I'm curious to see what you all think of it.

Scott (F), do you see any parallels to Atlas Shrugged? The books are very different in style, but I kept thinking of the way that the characters in both books are trying really hard not to acknowledge that everything they're doing and saying is completely absurd.

I haven't thought of any parallels to atlas shruggled but I'll think about it. Finished chapter 6 so I have a ways to go but this but is really enjoyable so far. Hoping to spend more time now that I've finish the goldfinch and the shining.

Finished chapter 11. I'm having the usual difficulty that this book is so absolutely funny that I can't stop laughing which makes it almost impossible to read without disturbing others. Funnier in my opinion than Hitchhiker's guide series. Clearly the book also has a series side. And I see some parallels to Atlas Shrugged as far as incompetent characters go but Heller's approach is much funnier. I'll probably finish sometime in July. Great to read small pieces at a time and laugh out loud.

I just started reading in chapter 2...Just coming out from the hospital and people denying the war.. Seems pretty good book but is long... I think that I will not make it to the end of the month... How about to continue the tread for one more more so those of us that could not finish in June will make it in July?

I'm around chapter 23 still really great and funny so far. Hoping to do a big push and finish it up over the next few days. Did have some technical problems when I upgraded my iphone the other day and ended up having to reload catch-22 but it's working again.

I am in the story of major major major... Have so much fun!

that chapter is so funny.

I love the story of Major Major. That's probably one of my favorite parts.

This book is amazing... Does somebody plans to watch the movie later on?

Another thing this book reminds me of is the Dilbert comic strip and the office space movie. Maybe it was 50 years ahead but it almost seems like those two along with MASH are rip offs of catch 22. Such an amazing book is catch 22.

I haven't seen the movie. I read it didn't do very well. Maybe it just doesn't translate well to a movie. Perhaps the plot is just too non-linear.

I understand a bit why can be similar to Dilbert... I love Dilbert and I read it everyday. As an IT Dilbert is one of the best things to smile from my work.... And I can see how Dilbert can be seen as the IT corporation version of Catch 22. Never thought about it, but seems quite right.

Good one Scott!

I had never watched MASH but will have to take a look because I see that there was that comment before.
I did not watch the movie either, but yes I agree that there will be several parts difficult to put in the screen, but was wondering how they adapted. I may watch the movie once I finish the book...

I've heard not-so-great things about the movie, but I've never seen it.

Good connections to Dilbert and Office Space! They definitely have a similar tone. It is a great book.

Man this book was funny. Just finished. Loved every chapter.

I finally finish! Not sure why it took me so long since I was having so much fun but I enjoyed a lot. I think that I never had so much fun with a book about war. The characters were very nice develop and the story was pretty good. Some of my favorite characters are the doctor, Major, Major and Orr. Nevertheless, Yossarian is the best one showing high moral standards and seem to be the only one that realizes all the madness that has been going around the place. Not sure if later on I will like to read the second part. It may ruin the magic of Catch 22 and also I know that is set in the far future and does not really narrate the events after the end of the novel.

Congratulations for finishing. I totally agree with your comments.