Catching up on Classics (and lots more!) discussion

I really thought I wanted a break from challenges this year -- but I can't not do it!! So I've decided on Level Three. I've read some already, but need to fill in a few more. I'm anxious to get started :)

✔B1: Classic of Asia - A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth, 3-31-20, 3***s
✔B2: Classic Tragedy - An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser, 5-4-20, 4****s
✔B3: A Book Published at Least 200 Years Ago - A Journal of the Plague Year by Daniel Defoe, 7-21-20, 3***s
✔B4: Memoir, Autobiography, or Biography - Save Me the Plums: My Gourmet Memoir by Ruth Reichl, 3-31-20, 4****s
✔B5: Classic of Europe - The Country Girls by Edna O'Brien, 1-18-20, 4****s

✔I1: Classic Mystery or Crime - Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie, 4-15-20, 3.5***s
✔I2: Group Bingo Participant Pick - The Glimpses of the Moon by Edith Wharton, 7-6-20, 4****s, recommended by Sara :)
✔I3: Classic Drama or Play - Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare, 7-10-20, 3***s
✔I4: Book From Group’s 2020 Bookshelf - The Country of the Blind by H.G. Wells, 5-21-20, 4****s
✔I5: Classic Gothic or Horror - The Body Snatcher by Robert Louis Stevenson, 2-1-20, 3***s

✔N1: Book From Group’s Old School Classic Shelf prior to 2020 - Villette by Charlotte Bronte, 8-10-20, 4****s
✔N2: Winner of a Foreign Literary Prize - I Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai, 7-20-20, 4****s
✔N3: Reader’s Choice - Fingersmith by Sarah Waters, 2-29-20, 4****s
✔N4: Classic Short Story - The Machine Stops by E.M. Forster, 6-30-20, 4****s
✔N5: Book From Group’s New School Classic Shelf prior to 2020 - The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, 4-23-20, 4****s

✔G1: Classic Science Fiction or Fantasy - The Midwich Cuckoos by John Wyndham, 5-19-20, 4****s
✔G2: The Bigger Read List by English Pen - The Lover by Marguerite Duras, 3-28-20
✔G3: Poetry or Essay Collection - I Miss You When I Blink: Essays by Mary Laura Philpott, 7-25-20, 4****s
✔G4: Banned Book - Annie on My Mind by Nancy Garden, 7-28-20, 4****s
✔G5: Classic Science or Philosophy - Walden by Henry David Thoreau, 1-26-20, 3.5***s

✔O1: Classic of Africa, Antarctica, Australia, or Oceania - In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson, 7-13-20, 5*****s,
✔O2: Classic Western - The Ox-Bow Incident by Walter Van Tilburg Clark, 7-27-20, 4***s
✔O3: Book Published the Year You Were Born - The Dharma Bums, 6-29-20, 3***s
✔O4: Classic Adventure - Trustee from the Toolroom by Nevil Shute, 5-3-20, 5*****s
✔O5: Classic of the Americas - The Wayward Bus by John Steinbeck, 5-25-20, 4****s
 

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Good luck, Terris!

Thank you, Rosemarie! :)

Terris wrote: "I really thought I wanted a break from challenges this year -- but I can't not do it!! So I've decided on Level Three. I've read some already, but need to fill in a few more. I'm anxious to get sta..."

Hooray! Glad you decided to join us.

Good decision. You're doing so well already!

Good luck and have fun. Glad you liked Trustee from the Toolroom by Nevil Shute, he is a real favorite of mine. Sadly his books can be hard to get

Good luck on your challenge! You are pretty far already so I think you will make it for level three ;-)

Bob wrote: "Good luck and have fun. Glad you liked Trustee from the Toolroom by Nevil Shute, he is a real favorite of mine. Sadly his books can be hard to get"

Thanks! Yes, I also enjoy Shute's writing. I've also read On the Beach and A Town Like Alice, but I enjoyed Trustee from the Toolroom the most!! But I did have to purchase the ebook to read it. Couldn't find it anywhere else.

Irphen wrote: "Good luck on your challenge! You are pretty far already so I think you will make it for level three ;-)"

Thank you, Irphen!

Kathleen wrote: "Good decision. You're doing so well already!"

Thanks, Kathleen! I thought I didn't want a challenge this year pushing me to read. Turns out I need the push!! ;)

Just realized you had joined in. Nice to see you here. Face it, we are addicts. lol.

Sara wrote: "Just realized you had joined in. Nice to see you here. Face it, we are addicts. lol."

Absolutely! And now that I look at the whole Bingo card, I think I might go for Blackout again!!! SO... do you have a "pick" for me for I2? ;)

I do! Blackwood by Michael Farris Smith. I just read it and was blown away. It is Southern Gothic. If you prefer something classic, however, I suggest The Glimpses of the Moon by Edith Wharton. I'd love to know what you think of it.

Sara wrote: "I do! Blackwood by Michael Farris Smith. I just read it and was blown away. It is Southern Gothic. If you prefer something classic, however, I suggest [book:The Gli..."

Thanks!!! I will look into both of them. And maybe read both! Since we tend to enjoy the same kind of books :)

We do seem to have the same tastes. I would be surprised if you did not like both of them.

Having read it last month I can give two thumbs up for Glimpses of the Moon.

I'm certainly going to try it -- I've never heard of it! But I'm looking forward to it :)

BREAKING NEWS! As if you couldn't guess -- I'm going for the full "Blackout Challenge"!! I just couldn't stand not to do the whole thing when I saw how many I had already read, and how many of the ones I have planned fit into the Bingo categories.
The only square I might need help with is O2 = Classic Western.
I've read True Grit and Lonesome Dove (I liked them quite a bit actually). Anyone have a suggestion? Westerns aren't my favorite genre, but if it has a good story, I'm in!
I'm excited to get started!!

Terris wrote: "BREAKING NEWS! As if you couldn't guess -- I'm going for the full "Blackout Challenge"!! I just couldn't stand not to do the whole thing when I saw how many I had already read, and how many of the ..."

If you can stand some brutality, Cormac McCarthy is excellent. Technically, the only western I've read of his is 'Blood Meridian', but he has some shorter works that have had movies made of them to boot.

Aubrey wrote: "Terris wrote: "BREAKING NEWS! As if you couldn't guess -- I'm going for the full "Blackout Challenge"!! I just couldn't stand not to do the whole thing when I saw how many I had already read, and h..."

Thanks for the suggestion. I've read his "No Country for Old Men," "All the Pretty Horses," and "The Road." But I'll look into his other books and see if any of them appeal to me -- Thanks!

We knew you would, Terris!

I've had the same problem with westerns, and was planning to read Old Yeller, but I found this--a different kind of western--and am getting it from the library today: In the Distance by Hernán Díaz. I'll let you know how it goes!

Kathleen wrote: "We knew you would, Terris!

I've had the same problem with westerns, and was planning to read Old Yeller, but I found this--a different kind of western--and am getting it from the lib..."

Oh, thanks! I'll look that one up. I'm also looking at The Sisters Brothers. It looks interesting, and I have been meaning to read something by Patrick deWitt anyway.
I'll let you know what I end up with!

Just finished O3 - "Book Published the Year You Were Born" -- so now you know how old I am! And just to let you know, my birthday was last Thursday!! ;)


The Dharma Bums by Jack Kerouac, 3***s
I didn't love it, but it was very interesting and held my attention. I had read "On the Road" years ago, so I kind of knew what to expect :)

Happy Birthday!

Happy belated birthday.

Thank you, Rosemarie and Katy! :)

N4 -
The Machine Stops by E.M. Forster, 4****s

I really enjoyed this one! It is set in the future where every answer is found in "the Book" and everyone lives according to "the Machine." Until the Machine.... stops.

I did not know that Forster ever wrote anything like this. It reminds me of Ray Bradbury's style and subject matter. It also sounds like coming predictions of the Internet and everyone looking at their phones for answers. It really makes you think!

I2 -
The Glimpses of the Moon by Edith Wharton, 4****s

Thank you, Sara, for your recommendation of this book! I would say more about what I think of it, but it might be a spoiler. So I'm just going to just say "Read it!"

🤗

Terris wrote: "N4 -
The Machine Stops by E.M. Forster, 4****s

I really enjoyed this one! It is set in the future where every answer is found in "the Book" and..."

You're making great progress. "The Machine Stops" is in an anthology I own and I keep meaning to read it. Glad you liked it.

Thanks, Lynn! I enjoy Forster and was so surprised by this one :)

I just got my 2nd Bingo! Things are starting to fall into place. I should have more coming up soon! :)

I3 -
Twelfth Night by - who else? - William Shakespeare ;)
3***s
I'm not a big Shakespeare fan, but this one was kind of funny. I'm usually glad when I'm forced to read one of his. I know it's probably good for me ;)

Congrats on the second bingo.

Thank you, Sara!

Congrats on getting another Bingo!

Thanks, Rosemarie! :)

Another Bingo!

O1 -
In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson, 5*****s

I know this might not be considered a classic, but it was educational, as well as entertaining, and I learned a lot about Australia and its history. That made it worth it for me!
I feel as if I've just returned from a trip to Australia having seen all of the most interesting sights on offer, without all the time and effort to get there! The history and descriptions were wonderful. The only thing is that the book is now about 20 years old. I would like some updates as to changes and discoveries in Australia recently. It needs a sequel! :)

I highly recommend this book -- especially if you enjoy Bill Bryson and his style of humor. It made the book for me!

Never heard of him, Terri. I do love Australia, though. It sounds like something I would love.

Terris, Bill Bryson is always on my gee-I-need-ro-read-more list. I know now that that Sunburned Country is a good boook to move up higher on my tbr 👍

I've read A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail by Bryson, a book that had me laughing out loud.
I'm going to look out for In a Sunburned Country.

You are doing great, Terris! Glad you enjoyed the Bill Bryson. Like Rosemarie, he always makes me laugh out loud. My favorite is Notes from a Small Island.

Sara wrote: "Never heard of him, Terri. I do love Australia, though. It sounds like something I would love."

Oh, Sara, you are really missing out! His books are usually very informational but with lots of dry humor thrown in. I enjoy him so much. The one I started with (I've read nine of his) was A Short History of Nearly Everything, and then I went on to ones about Shakespeare, the English language, his time growing up in rural America, moving to live in England with his English wife, moving back to America...... Anyway, he has lots and I recommend that you try something that he has written. I hope you enjoy him as much as I do (I especially enjoy listening to him read his own books!).

Cynda wrote: "Terris, Bill Bryson is always on my gee-I-need-ro-read-more list. I know now that that Sunburned Country is a good boook to move up higher on my tbr 👍"

I know! As many as I've read, there are several more that I'd like to get to :)

Rosemarie wrote: "I've read A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail by Bryson, a book that had me laughing out loud.
I'm going to look out for In a Sunburned Country."

This is crazy, but I tried to listen to "A Walk in the Woods" once, but he wasn't the reader -- so I quit!! Ha! I just love to hear him read is own books so much that it was a disappointment to me. It is still on my list, and it will probably be best for me to just read it and have his voice in my own mind ;)

Terris wrote: "Sara wrote: "Never heard of him, Terri. I do love Australia, though. It sounds like something I would love."

Oh, Sara, you are really missing out! His books are usually very informational but with..."

Thanks for giving me a starting point, Terri. I added it to the TBR and I will see if my library has it.

Sara wrote: "Terris wrote: "Sara wrote: "Never heard of him, Terri. I do love Australia, though. It sounds like something I would love."

Oh, Sara, you are really missing out! His books are usually very informa..."

Good deal! Hope you like him :)

You are quickly checking books off your list and some really goods ones too. Thanks for the lead for Australia, will have to check out Bill Bryson.

Bob wrote: "You are quickly checking books off your list and some really goods ones too. Thanks for the lead for Australia, will have to check out Bill Bryson."

Yes, you definitely should! I think you'll like him :)

Terris your list is very interesting as I haven't read any of them except Death on the Nile. The Machine Stops sounds like a very fascinating read and will join my TBR list.

Shaina wrote: "Terris your list is very interesting as I haven't read any of them except Death on the Nile. The Machine Stops sounds like a very fascinating read and will join my TBR list."

Yes, it was a very interesting story. You are welcome to any of my books! I am a willing sharer ;)