Catching up on Classics (and lots more!) discussion

Classics Bingo 2021

The goal is to focus your reading on literary classics.

Read a classic that fits the description of a square. You may NOT count the same book twice for different categories in this challenge. Each book can be applied to only one square, even if it fulfills the requirements of multiple squares. All books read to mark off squares must be finished in 2021.

Challenge Levels:
Level One Bingo
Four Corners: Mark off the four outside corners of the Bingo board.
OR
Five-in-a-Row: Mark off five squares in a row. This can be done horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.

Level Two Bingo
Small Box: Mark off all the 9 inner squares of the board (including the free square), leaving blank the 16 outside border squares.

Level Three Bingo
Outside Box: Mark off all 16 of the outer squares, leaving blank the 9 inner squares.

Level Four Bingo
Blackout! Mark off all twenty-five squares of the board.

A tentative list of planning/ideas:

✔B1: Book From Our Group’s Shelf Prior to 2021: Breakfast at Tiffany's; Read 7/18/21
✔B2: Book That Has Been Made Into Film: Terms of Endearment; Read 4/3/21
✔B3: Booker Prize Winner: The Vegetarian; Read 3/1/21
✔B4: Classic Romance: A Town Like Alice; Read 6/30/21
✔B5: Classic of Europe: Business as Usual; Read 9/11/21

I1: Classic Adventure: Wind, Sand and Stars or The Snow Leopard or Arabian Sands or Sailing Alone around the World
I2: Book Published or Written 1700 or earlier: Macbeth or Meditations
✔I3: Classic Short Story Collection: What We Talk About When We Talk About Love; Read 1/6/21
I4: Book Published in the 19th Century: Red Pottage or A Tramp Across the Continent or The Odd Women or The Maias
✔I5: New To Me Classic Author: Lolita; Read 8/27/21

✔N1: Nobel Laureate: The Gospel According to Jesus Christ; Read 2/13/21
✔N2: History or Historical Fiction: The Land Breakers; Read 9/6/21
✔N3: Reader’s Choice - A Home at the End of the World; Read 1/23/21
N4: Classic Satire or Comedy: Buried Alive or Life with Father or The Dud Avocado
N5: Newberry Medal Winner: Invincible Louisa: The Story of the Author of Little Women

✔G1: Classic Female Author: A View of the Harbour; Read 7/6/21
G2: Book Published in the 18th Century: Dangerous Liaisons or Evelina
✔G3: Nonfiction: Jane Austen: A Life; Read 1/11/21
✔G4: Book Published in the 20th Century: The Street Kids; Read 2/21/21
✔G5: Book From Another Book Club or Library List: The Sheltering Sky; Read 4/9/21 - Modern Library 100 Best Novels

O1: Classic of Africa: The Grass Is Singing or Cry, the Beloved Country or Palace Walk
✔O2: Classic Mystery, Suspense, or Thriller: The Snow Was Dirty; Read 1/28/21
✔O3: Pulitzer Prize Winner: The Shipping News; Read 5/8/21
O4: 100 Must-Read Classics in Translation: The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea or The Book of Disquiet: The Complete Edition or Journey by Moonlight
O5: Book From Our Group’s 2021 Bookshelf: TBD

Keep track of progress Here:


B1: I1: N1: G1: O1:
B2: I2: N2: G2: O2:
B3: I3: N3: G3: O3:
B4: I4: N4: G4: O4:
B5: I5: N5: G5: O5:

I never get much more than a single bingo every year, but this challenge always gets me reading more classics, even if I'm all over the board (so to speak!)

It's fun to fill in some slots ahead of time and then adapt as I go along :)

Welcome to the Bingo Challenge, Candi. I hope you have a great year reading in 2021.

Hi Candi! I'm giving this a shot for the first time and glad to be able to follow your progress! I may only get one Bingo too, who knows?!?! But I'm definitely excited to intentionally read more classics!

I think it's a safe bet that you will read some great books in 2021, Candi! I'm looking forward to continuing to follow your reading.

Katy wrote: "Welcome to the Bingo Challenge, Candi. I hope you have a great year reading in 2021."

Thank you, Katy! I'm looking forward to it! The challenge looks fantastic :)

Lori wrote: "Hi Candi! I'm giving this a shot for the first time and glad to be able to follow your progress! I may only get one Bingo too, who knows?!?! But I'm definitely excited to intentionally read more cl..."

Lori, I'm really happy to see you here participating in the challenge too! I don't purposely work towards getting a bingo, it just kind of happens and that makes me plenty happy if I've read some good books in the process :)

Kathleen wrote: "I think it's a safe bet that you will read some great books in 2021, Candi! I'm looking forward to continuing to follow your reading."

I've been lucky with some amazing books, Kathleen, and owe it all to friends and groups and challenges that make me really consider my reading carefully! Can't wait to see what you delve into next year too :)

I'm looking forward to watching your progress. The books you've selected so far look good.

Bob wrote: "I'm looking forward to watching your progress. The books you've selected so far look good."

Thank you, Bob! Hoping for some more planning time soon - love taking a look at my list and finding some long-neglected titles :)

I've checked off I3: Classic Short Story Collection:

What We Talk About When We Talk About Love by Raymond Carver

My Review

Candi wrote: "I've checked off I3: Classic Short Story Collection:

What We Talk About When We Talk About Love by [author:Raymond C..."

Good review

Thank you, Veronique! :)

Completed G3: Nonfiction:

Jane Austen by Carol Shields

My Review

Candi, I saw that you have The Sea The Sea on your list. I listened to it read by Simon Vance. It was fantastic. Definitely recommended.

Some inspiring reading, Candi!

Terry wrote: "Candi, I saw that you have The Sea The Sea on your list. I listened to it read by Simon Vance. It was fantastic. Definitely recommended."

Oh wonderful, Terry! I appreciate the recommendation! :)

Kathleen wrote: "Some inspiring reading, Candi!"

Thank you, Kathleen! I'm enjoying my January so far :)

Completed: N3: Reader’s Choice:

A Home at the End of the World by Michael Cunningham

My Review

Completed: O2: Classic Mystery, Suspense, or Thriller:

The Snow Was Dirty by Georges Simenon

My Review

Such different books. Great reviews, the first one being especially powerful. Sometimes, as you say, it is the feeling(s) you get from reading a book that permeates everything. I experienced something similar with The Remains of the Day.

Not sure I want to try The Snow was Dirty (not in the right frame of mind), although you do make it sound very interesting. I am however even more determined to read Crime & Punishment and The Talented Mr Ripley :O)

Veronique wrote: "Such different books. Great reviews, the first one being especially powerful. Sometimes, as you say, it is the feeling(s) you get from reading a book that permeates everything. I experienced someth..."

Thanks so much, Veronique. I've been really pleased with my selections so far this year. I have yet to read The Remains of the Day, which I've been anticipating to be very affecting as well. I'm happy to hear you found it to be so.

I'd recommend both Crime and Punishment as well as the Ripley book! It all depends on whether you're in the mood for some Russian literature versus something a bit "lighter" :D

You are making some great progress already. I have a lot of catch up to do! Love C&P. Off to read your review of The Snow was Dirty.

Thank you, Sara! I'm going to work harder on getting more of this thing done this year. I say that every year though ;D You'll get back into the swing of things soon. I have no doubt you'll get yourself caught up just fine :)

Thanks for the encouragement. I have decided to give priority to my challenges this year also. I hate when it gets down to the end and I have too many unfinished.

Candi, I follow your reviews on GR and i must say so far they are simply amazing. I plan to read a few books from your list here (I'm new to classics). Good luck with your Bingo!

Shaina wrote: "Candi, I follow your reviews on GR and i must say so far they are simply amazing. I plan to read a few books from your list here (I'm new to classics). Good luck with your Bingo!"

It's very kind of you to say so, Shaina! Thank you :) I hope that you enjoy your new venture into the classics and have fun with the Bingo too!!

Candi wrote: "Completed: O2: Classic Mystery, Suspense, or Thriller:

The Snow Was Dirty by Georges Simenon

My Review"

Not sure I would like this one, but I liked your review, as usual.

Thank you, Bob!! :)

Completed N1: Nobel Laureate:

The Gospel According to Jesus Christ by José Saramago

My Review

Completed G4: Book Published in the 20th Century:

The Street Kids by Pier Paolo Pasolini

My Review

Completed B2: Book That Has Been Made Into Film:

Terms of Endearment by Larry McMurtry

My Review

Candi wrote: "Completed B2: Book That Has Been Made Into Film:

Terms of Endearment by Larry McMurtry

My Review"

I saw the film of this many, many years ago. I'll enjoy reading your review of the novel, thanks, Candi :)

Loved your review Candi. Congratulations on another square down.

Thank you both, Sid and Sue! I need to carve out a couple hours to watch the movie now :)

Candi wrote: "Thank you both, Sid and Sue! I need to carve out a couple hours to watch the movie now :)"

Hey, I'll watch with you and bring the popcorn.

I already told you that I love your review but I will repeat myself. I love your review.

Anne, wouldn't that be a blast?! I'd love that!

Thanks so much for always reading and supporting my reviews. It makes it well worth the time spent on them :)

Completed G5: Book From Another Book Club or Library List:

The Sheltering Sky by Paul Bowles

My Review

Completed: O3: Pulitzer Prize Winner:

The Shipping News by Annie Proulx

My Review

I've got my first Bingo with B3-O3!

Congrats!!

Yay! Congrats, Candi! 🎉

Fantastic!!

Super!

Thank you all!! :)

Congrats! That first one feels great.

Congrats! And another great review ;O)

Congratulations Candi.