Catching up on Classics (and lots more!) discussion

Fourth square. New-to-You Author-Chess Story, 1/1819

For me it's a deeply complex story that will be with me for a long time. An engaging read both troubling and entertaining.

I love books like that that won't let me go. Glad you have started the year off with such satisfying reads, Bob.

Finished my fifth square,N2: Short Story Collection-Dorothy Parker, Big Blonde and Other Stories, Finished 1/26/19.

No Bingo, it will still be awhile. This could fit several squares, but for now I leave it in N-2.

These are just three of the many stories Dorothy Parker wrote during her life. She had a unique way of writing and, at least for these three stories, she focused on the differences between men and women. In Big Blonde and Dusk Before Fireworks the women come off as weaker, while the men were more dominant. The Sexes story the woman is more in control, yet it reminded me of young adolescent love. The girl is mad and he desperately wants to know why, so he can make amends.

Before I move on from Ms. Parker I plan on read a few more of her stories. She has a meat and potatoes way of putting things, and for me at least, it is better than flowery prose.

Bob wrote: "Finished my fifth square, G2: Classic By a Female Author-Dorothy Parker, Big Blonde and Other Stories, Finished 1/26/19.

No Bingo, it will still be awhile. This could ..."

I want to try some Dorthy Parker. I became intrigued by her mentions in the film "Can You Ever Forgive me" about Lea Isreal. I hated the movie though.

Bob, I agree with you on Ms. Parker's writing style. I read Big Blonde and got the feeling that she was matter-of-fact describing the situation. She neither judged the protagonist nor felt sorry for her. I liked that a lot.

Interesting that one of things that stands out about Big Blonde is the way Parker does not insinuate herself into the story. I also liked that. It assumes that the reader is intelligent enough to draw an opinion all on their own.

Just completed my sixth book, still no Bingo.

B3: European Classic-Dead Souls, Finished 1/31/19

My two star explanation, copied from my Old & New Challenge post-

I wish I could give this more than the two star rating, indicating it was just OK. Parts of this were excellent, but not enough of it grabbed my imagination to be a four or five star read. I guess the best I can say is it was two and a half stars, rounded down. Parts of this were extremely inspirational, but far to much seemed to be rambling for the sake of putting words on the page.

I can't regret reading this and I won't discourage others from giving it a try, it just didn't work for me.

I have noticed that most of my reading can fit multiple squares, probably true for most players. While I don't plan on moving any of my books around to fit future needs, it is a strategy that could prove helpful in the future and something I my take advantage of.

I dnf'd Dead Souls, Bob, which is something I don't do often. At least you made it through to the end. Hopefully the next read will be terrific. You are doing great with the Bingo. I am lagging behind, mostly because I have not been reading enough classics lately.

Square #7 is finished, no Bingo, but I'm close. ✔️B5: 20th Century Classic-The Joy Luck Club, Finished 2/1/19

I didn't expect much out of this book, but I was pleasantly surprised. A book I never would have read if not for this group. It was a solid 4.5 stars and I should have rounded up, instead of down. Being 4 or 5 stars doesn't stop it from being a great read, an easy recommendation.

This is another book for multiple squares. The copy I got from the library has a beautiful cover and I could easily swap my current B2: cover for Joy Luck and Strangers for the B5 classic.

You are close! Telegraph 100 list book next, for your first bingo?

Great job, you're cruising along ^-^

Loved The Joy Luck Club, Bob. People mistake it for chic-lit, but it goes way deeper than that. Congrats on being so close. You will bingo very soon!

Sara wrote: "Loved The Joy Luck Club, Bob. People mistake it for chic-lit, but it goes way deeper than that. Congrats on being so close. You will bingo very soon!"

Preconceptions, judging a book by its cover, I’m guilty. I wonder how many good books I’ve not read because I the cover told me a lie. This was so so much better than I thought it was going to be.

I suspect we are all guilty of that.

Square #8 is O1: 19th Century Classic-The Black Tulip. This could have gone in square I1 Book from the Group’s Bookshelf Prior to 2019, but using square O1 gives me three of the four corners. Can't say bingo yet, but I'm close.

This is the best book of the year so far, I know, its only been a month, but I think this one has staying power. I was great! Working on my review before I officially mark it as read.

Hope you enjoyed The Black Tulip, Bob. Steady progress...you'll bingo soon.

The year started off so well, reading at a good pace. Even thought about increasing my annual goal from 52 back up to 60. I haven't started and finished a book this month. This is not good it will be hard to catch up on a lost month.

At least the month you lost was a short one. All you have to do is feed an extra book into a few of the coming months and you will be fine. At any rate, enjoying what you read is the real key.

Sara wrote: "At any rate, enjoying what you read is the real key."

So true !

Square #9 and still no Bingo. ✔️G5: Book from the Group's 2019 Bookshelf-Pygmalion

When I started reading I had no plan to use this for bingo. I already had a play and knew I couldn't use this, I was just getting ahead start on Aprils short story read. While reading I kept thinking how witty and funny the character interaction was, I smiled from start to finish. When I checked to see how Goodreads had it shelved, I was surprised to see that there was no mention of it being a comedy. It is listed as being a classic, a play, a fiction, and a drama.

So since using it as a comedy is out, my conscience is clear using it as a Book from the Group's 2019 Bookshelf.

I don't know if Pygmalion will generate a lot of discussion in April, but I thought it was great fun to read.

I'm glad you enjoyed this one, Bob, and I agree with you. I read it about a year ago, and still remember the wit. I really want to read more Shaw. I'm looking forward to the group read--you are way ahead, on bingo and group reads!

Glad to read your evaluation. I had not intended to participate in the group read, but I might see if I can squeeze it in.

I guess this post is a cleanup post. Going over my Bingo card I counted 10 squares check off but only 9 books posted as completed. I used a place keeping short story for the Free Space, making a total of 10 checked off squares.

Square #10 I used The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin for the free space square. Now my card matches my book posts.

FYI, I think this may well be one of the best short stories I’ve ever read. It takes only minutes to read and is stunning in the amount of detail described. The reader is saddened for Louise Mallard’s loss. Then heartened a little when looking at her future, and then shocked at the end. This short story by Kate Chopin is brilliant. More importantly it only takes 5-10 minutes to read. Give it a try, it won't be a waste of time.

I have it on the TBR, Bob, so I need to just take the time to read it. Thanks for the reminder.

Eleven squares filled and no bingo. I will shuffle the squares just a bit. Pygmalion will be moved from G5: Book from the Group’s 2019 Bookshelf to I5: Classic on Your Bookshelf For over a Year. A copy of Pygmalion has been on my home shelf a lot longer than a year.

Pygmalion will be replaced on square G5: Book from the Group’s 2019 Bookshelf with Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. This makes a total of 11 squares now filled.

As for Sir Gawain and the Green Knight it is full of Knights, Chivalry, Gallantry, Loyalty, and lets not forget the maidens.

lol, no, don't forget the maidens! :D

Did the shuffling give you a bingo?!!

Not yet, I'm one short for the "B" row vertical and one short for the four corners. Problem is I don't have anything planned for those squares. It is time to start seriously looking for options.

It's only February, plenty of time! :D

Yes, but that would require patience. My wife says I don’t have any.

lol'ing ~

patience? what is patience? :)

Bob wrote: "...When I started reading I had no plan to use this for bingo. I already had a play and knew I couldn't use this, I was just getting ahead start on Aprils short story read. While reading I kept thinking how witty and funny the character interaction was, I smiled from start to finish. When I checked to see how Goodreads had it shelved, I was surprised to see that there was no mention of it being a comedy. It is listed as being a classic, a play, a fiction, and a drama.

So since using it as a comedy is out, my conscience is clear using it as a Book from the Group's 2019 Bookshelf.

I don't know if Pygmalion will generate a lot of discussion in April, but I thought it was great fun to read. "


Hey, erhm, now that you already shuffled Pygmalion someplace else ;-), is it too late to point out that it has been shelved as a comedy ... 46 times? :D

And as 'humour', 48 times; 'humor', 103 times; and as 'satire', 20 times?

https://www.goodreads.com/work/shelve...

PS - it also works for "G4", Nobel laureate :)

I noticed, but the difference between the shelves for drama and any kind of mention of humor was quite large, so I decided to not use it the comedy square.

I still plan on using Steinbeck for the Nobel square, in a pinch, it is nice to know that Shaw’s Pygmalion works too. I imagine we will see several bingo cards using Pygmalion. Thanks for the info.

My reading has been a little off lately and I plan this weekend to put some serious effort into my choice for G2: Classic By a Female Author, Strange Fruit. It's a library book and I am on second of three periods and have only read a few pages, before my reading started standing still but time continued to march on.

Even the few pages I've read tells me I should enjoy the read. I just have keep my mind from wandering as its been doing.

Hope you can get things straight and will enjoy this book, Bob.

That one's on my 'to read soon' list. Hoping within the next 4 weeks or so.

Square 12, still no bingo, G2: Classic By a Female Author-Lillian E. Smith, Strange Fruit

As good as this book is, and it's fantastic, the real prize is the author, Lillian Smith. It's stunning that this great writing is almost unknown, only 463 Goodread ratings.

It's impossible since she died before I was 9 years old, but this is a woman I would have loved to have met, a true Steel Magnolia.

It will take awhile to do a review, there not my strong suit, especially when the material is so deeply meaningful.

Lillian Smith, New Georgia Encyclopedia

So glad you felt that way, as I did as well, Bob. I thought the entire time what a brave and insightful person she must have been and how marvelous it would have been to know such a woman.

You have found some great books Bob. I've added your G2 to my list!

Katy wrote: "You have found some great books Bob. I've added your G2 to my list!"

Me too!

Very eloquent comments, Bob. I'm definitely joining the party and adding this too.

I really liked the bio link you posted about her, Bob.
I have this one on my physical stack to read soon. Have to finish some library loans first ...

Sara wrote: "So glad you felt that way, as I did as well, Bob. I thought the entire time what a brave and insightful person she must have been and how marvelous it would have been to know such a woman."

From what I've read so far, Lillian Smith was a remarkable woman, way ahead of her time. I'm no scholar, but I've become curious, why have I not ever heard her name mentioned in connection with the Civil Rights movement? She traveled the south making her opinions about segregation known to both black and white early in the timeline of the movement. Yet, I haven't seen even a footnote about her efforts. What strength of will she must have had.

Katy wrote: "You have found some great books Bob. I've added your G2 to my list!"

Pink wrote: "Katy wrote: "You have found some great books Bob. I've added your G2 to my list!"

Me too!"

This is a difficult and depressing book, but what it is has to say is worth a little heartache felt while reading it. I can't hope you both will enjoy the book, but I do hope it means something to you.

Family lore says that my grandfather, when he was a young man, close to the time written about in the book, witnessed a lynching. He would never discussed it, except to say that it was the most horrible thing he ever witnessed.

Kathleen wrote: "Very eloquent comments, Bob. I'm definitely joining the party and adding this too."

MK wrote: "I really liked the bio link you posted about her, Bob.
I have this one on my physical stack to read soon. Have to finish some library loans first ..."

Thanks!

After all of the discussion with Strange Fruit, I added Smith's nonfiction book Killers of the Dream to my bingo challenge.

Bob wrote: "Katy wrote: "You have found some great books Bob. I've added your G2 to my list!"

Pink wrote: "Katy wrote: "You have found some great books Bob. I've added your G2 to my list!"

Me too!"

This is ..."

That's terrible, Bob! I do not know if I could have watched that if I were him. :( :(

I think walking away from a violent act goes against human nature. Last Sunday my wife and I were walking in the Mall, when suddenly about 150 feet away a fight broke out. Lots of yelling, plenty of punches, my wife and I start moving away from the action. I’m already looking for defensive exits, in case yelling and punching suddenly turns into gun shots.

Yet, most of the crowd, dozens and dozens of people aren’t moving away, but rather moving toward the trouble. Many had their phones out recording the incident. I don’t think it was any different 100 years ago when my grandfather was caught up in a crowd and witnessed an act of violence that troubled him for the rest of his life. Just like the incident we witnessed last Sunday it could have easily turned deadly and I would have been witness to it.

I think you are right, Bob. It is the way people are drawn to an accident on the highway. I would only stop if I were the first one to arrive and might be of help, but I see people pull over and just stand and watch when medical and police units have already arrived.

Interesting coincidence, my grandfather also witnessed a lynching, although he managed to leave before the man was hanged, he witnessed the mob seizing him. It bothered him all his life that he could do nothing to stop it. The man was not black, but Jewish.

Every time I see this thread pop up, Billie Holiday's 1939 version (and really the ultimate version, though Nina Simone's is very good) of Strange Fruit goes running through my mind. In 1999, Time Magazine called Strange Fruit the song of the Century. Based on the comments, it sounds like this book brings the haunting message of this protest anthem to life in a literary format. I'm very intrigued.