Catching up on Classics (and lots more!) discussion

This Challenge Starts 1 January 2023, but the folder & discussion thread are open so that you can begin to plan your year. Bingo can be planned ahead or you can just collect squares as you read throughout the year.

This challenge can be used with your other challenges. Books and authors selected here can be used to fill other challenge needs.

NOTE: Start your own thread for your challenge in this folder.

Happy Reading!

Classics Bingo 2023

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. (You can, however, use books for more than one 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 2023.

Challenge Levels

Level One Bingo
Four Corners: Mark off the four outside corners of the Bingo board.
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 the squares of the board.

To help you keep track of your own progress

B1: Book Published 1950 - 1999
B2: Classic written in your native language
B3: Classic of Europe
B4: Classic involving art
B5: Classic from your bookshelf

I1: Book from the Group’s Bookshelf Prior to 2023
I2: Classic biography/autobiography or memoir
I3: Classic horror or gothic
I4: Classic comedy, satire, or humor
I5: Book from the group’s Favorites of 2022

N1: Classic of the Americas
N2: Classic Western
N3: Reader’s Choice
N4: Classic mystery or thriller
N5: Classic of Africa or Oceania

G1: Classic from a group poll that did not win
G2: Classic action or adventure
G3: Classic history or historical fiction
G4: Class fantasy or science fiction
G5: Book from the Group’s 2023 Bookshelf

O1: Book Published before 1900
O2: New-To-You Classic Author
O3: Classic of Asia
O4: Classic in translation
O5: Book Published 1900 - 1949

Classic Bingo 2023
Clarifications & Suggestions: B

★B1: Book Published 1950 – 1999
Read a book that was published in the years 1950 to 1999.

★B2: Classic Written in Your Native Language
Read a book that was written in your native or first language

★B3: B3: Classic of Europe
Read a classic that is either set in the given geographical area, or is written by an author native to that geographical area. Goodreads Places: Books categorized by setting

★B4: Classic Involving Art
Read a book that includes art somehow; it could have a theme that includes art, the book could be about a piece of art, a biography of an artist, or a non-fiction book about art.

★B5: A Classic On Your Bookshelf
Read a classic that is on your bookshelf, physical or electronic shelves.

Classic Bingo 2023
Clarifications & Suggestions: I

★I1: Book From the Group’s Shelf Prior to 2023
Read a book that was a group read in 2022 or before.
Group’s Bookshelf Sorted by Title

★I2: Classic Biography, Autobiography, or Memoir
Read a classic that is about someone.

★I3: Classic Horror or Gothic
Read a classic considered to be horror or gothic.

★I4: Classic Comedy, Satire, or Humor
Read a classic considered to be a comedy, satire, or humor.

★I5: Book From the Group's Favorite 2022 Reads
Read a book that was a favorite of one of our group members. These are posted in a group thread - feel free to add your own favorites from 2022.
Catching Up on Classics Favorite Reads of 2022

Classic Bingo 2023
Clarifications & Suggestions: N

★N1: Classic of the Americas
Read a classic that is either set in the given geographical area, or is written by an author native to that geographical area. Goodreads Places: Books categorized by setting

★ N2: Classic Western
Read a classic considered to be a western.

★N3: Free Space or Reader’s Choice
Read ANYTHING that interests you, or just count this one as a freebie.

★ N4: Classic Mystery or Thriller
Read a classic considered to be a mystery or thriller.

★ N5: Classic of Africa or Oceania
Read a classic that is either set in the given geographical area, or is written by an author native to that geographical area. Goodreads Places: Books categorized by setting

Classic Bingo 2023
Clarifications & Suggestions: G

★ G1: Classic From a Group Poll that Did Not Win
Read a classic that was second place or worse in one of our group polls.
Group Polls

★G2: Classic Action or Adventure
Read a classic considered to be an action or adventure story.

★ G3: Classic History or Historical Fiction
Read a classic considered to be either history or historical fiction.

★G4: Group Fantasy or Science Fiction
Read a classic considered to be fantasy or science fiction.

★G5: Book From Our Group’s 2023 Bookshelf
Read a book that is a group read in 2023.
Group’s Bookshelf Sorted by Date

Classic Bingo 2023
Clarifications & Suggestions: O

★O1: Book Published before 1900
Read a classic published before the year 1900.

★O2: New-to-You Author:
Read a book by an author whose works you have never read.

★O3: Classic of Asia
Read a classic that is either set in the given geographical area, or is written by an author native to that geographical area. Goodreads Places: Books categorized by setting

★O4: Classic in Translation
Read a book that has been translated from another language.

★O5: Book Published 1900 - 1949
Read a book that was published in the years 1900 to 1949.

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Classic western

Any recommendations for someone not really into westerns?

Cormac McCarthy and even books by John Steinbeck would qualify. Then there's Larry Mcmurtry, Louis L'Amour, Max Brand and Zane Grey.

I'm going to try to work my doorstop challenge (books over 1,000 pages) into this. Probably only 3 this year, but I'll try for 5.

Janelle, I'm not into westerns and I have just read two of them. Lonesome Dove which I loved and The Riders of the Purple Sage by Zane Grey which was also good if you don't want to commit to a long read.

Thanks Squire, I was thinking Cormac McCarthy as a possibility.
Steinbeck, I’ll look into definitely.

Katy, thanks for putting the card up so early! Lots of planning time!

Thanks Shaina, I really don’t want to read a long one!

Janelle wrote: "Classic western

Any recommendations for someone not really into westerns?"

Brokeback Mountain is a wonderful, short western.

Wow, this really took me by surprise. Can't believe it's that time already. Great board, Katy--thank you!!

My favorite is the Book from the Group's Favorite 2022 Reads. I'm going to love poring over that thread.

William W Johnstone writes good books.

Janelle wrote: "Classic western

Any recommendations for someone not really into westerns?"

Elmer Kelton is awesome.

Good luck everyone 🤞 I'll be hovering over the buffet. 😆

Squire wrote: "Cormac McCarthy and even books by John Steinbeck would qualify. Then there's Larry Mcmurtry, Louis L'Amour, Max Brand and Zane Grey."

I like that you brought up John Steinbeck. I agree. Another possibility would be the lovely, non gun-slinger, book Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather. Perhaps even some of her pioneer series could work.

I am also not really into westerns, but Lonesome Dove is great.

Brokeback Mountain has been nominated a few times. Many in 2023?

CindySR wrote: "Janelle wrote: "Classic western

Any recommendations for someone not really into westerns?"

Elmer Kelton is awesome.

Good luck everyone 🤞 I'll be hovering over the buffet. 😆"

I second Elmer Kelton. The Time It Never Rained and The Good Old Boys we’re both 5 star reads for me this year.

True Grit is really great and don’t forget there will be a buddy read of The Ox-Bow Incident in January.

Janelle wrote: "Classic western

Any recommendations for someone not really into westerns?"

"Westerns are primarily set between the late eighteenth century and late nineteenth century and tell the stories of cowboys, settlers, and outlaws exploring the western frontier."

So you can push the genre to include just some of the elements of a Western - maybe you might find a book on a family as settlers.

Kathleen wrote: "Wow, this really took me by surprise. Can't believe it's that time already. Great board, Katy--thank you!!..."

Janelle wrote: "...Katy, thanks for putting the card up so early! Lots of planning time!"

You are welcome.

Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone!
I’ve added many of them to my list of possibilities.

Thanks, Katy! Another exciting Bingo Challenge! You always do a great job :)

Katy wrote: "
Classics Bingo 2023


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 categori..."

Sorry, but I don't understand the rule that says you can use books for more than one challenge, and you cannot use one book for more than one category. Thanks :)

Janice wrote: "Katy wrote: "
Classics Bingo 2023


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 differ..."

You cannot use the same book more than once in Bingo squares.

Some people will play Bingo and also play the challenges in the Buffet Challenge.

If you wish you may use a book for a Bingo square and also use the same book in the Challenge Buffet for, as an example, a Challenge #4 Member's Choice book.

Lynn wrote: "Janice wrote: "Katy wrote: "
Classics Bingo 2023


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 t..."

Thank you so much for the explanation. It all makes sense. :)

Janice wrote: "Lynn wrote: "Janice wrote: "Katy wrote: "
Classics Bingo 2023


The goal is to focus your reading on literary classics.

Read a classic that fits the description of a square. You may NOT count th..."

Great! : )

Stupid question: how do you make placeholders for your books like a lot for the challengers have?

Squire wrote: "Stupid question: how do you make placeholders for your books like a lot for the challengers have?"

No a stupid question. You use this: [*bookcover:Placeholder 001|42963991] (but take the asterisk away)

Thanks. Makes perfect sense, I just couldn't figure it out for the life me. lol

Thank you for the answer, Angie.

Thank you for this lovely board, Katy! One question, I assume our definition of art is fairly broad and can include dance/performing arts/etc and not only painting and sculpture?

I want to find a book for a classic satire. It was an Eastern European author, maybe, Polish. The book was about a German soldier Adam and his comrades in WW2, how ridiculous deaths they died, how they didn't understand what they were fighting for. Anybody remembers that book? I read it as a part of European literature but don't remember the title or the author

Darya Silman wrote: "I want to find a book for a classic satire. It was an Eastern European author, maybe, Polish. The book was about a German soldier Adam and his comrades in WW2, how ridiculous deaths they died, how ..."

Possibly The Good Soldier Švejk by Jaroslav Hašek?

Katy, no. Śvejk is about WW1. This was a relatively short novel with much more bitterness than Švejk

Janelle wrote: "Classic western

Any recommendations for someone not really into westerns?"

Squire wrote: "Cormac McCarthy and even books by John Steinbeck would qualify. Then there's Larry Mcmurtry, Louis L'Amour, Max Brand and Zane Grey."

Lonesome Dove was hands down one of my favorite books that I've read for this challenge.

Thanks Kelly, Lonesome Dove is very popular. Nearly 1000 pages is hard for me to commit to!

Darya Silman wrote: "I want to find a book for a classic satire. It was an Eastern European author, maybe, Polish. The book was about a German soldier Adam and his comrades in WW2, how ridiculous deaths they died, how ..."

I don’t know if it’s a satire but your description makes me think of The Train Was on Time by Heinrich Böll

Thanks for a great challenge for 2023. I love some of the new categories, like "Favorites of 2022." The Classic Western prompt will definitely get me to read something fresh. Bring it on!

Darya Silman wrote: "Katy, no. Śvejk is about WW1. This was a relatively short novel with much more bitterness than Švejk"

I was going to use Śvejk for classic satire. But correct, it is not about WWII and Adam.

I have a question. For O3, can Russia be considered Asia?

Klowey wrote: "I have a question. For O3, can Russia be considered Asia?"

I guess it depends on where it is set. Something like One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich probably counts, since it's set in Siberia. The is a book called Disappearing Earth that's set on the Kamchatka Peninsula (this is a new book, so not a classic, just an example of a book set in the Asian part of Russia). I am by no means an expert, but that's how I would interpret it.

Klowey wrote: "I have a question. For O3, can Russia be considered Asia?"

Eastern Russia is usually considered Asia and Western Russia Europe, so I think you could use either.

Klowey wrote: "I have a question. For O3, can Russia be considered Asia?"

If you haven't read On the Beach (Australia) then consider waiting to see if it should become a group read later this year. I can very highly (5 star) recommend it. Right now it is a strong second in the poll.