Catching up on Classics (and lots more!) discussion

Well, I guess I'm going to try this again! I've got a Black-Out the last six years. I don't know if I can do it again, but I'm going to give it "the old college try." Wish me luck -- and Lots of Good Books! ;)

✔B1: Book Published 1950 - 199 The Graduate by Charles Webb, 2**s, 3-9-23
✔B2: Classic written in your native language Girls in Their Married Bliss by Edna O'Brien, 3***s, 2-28-23
✔B3: Classic of Europe Dr. Thorne by Anthony Trollope, 5*****s, 7-22-23
✔B4: Classic involving art Buried Alive by Arnold Bennett, 4****s, 10-10-23
✔G5B5: Classic from your bookshelf Five Children and It by E. Nesbit, 4****s, 1-24-23

✔I1: Book from the Group’s Bookshelf Prior to 2023 A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin, 4****s, 10-16-23
✔I2: Classic biography/autobiography or memoir Undaunted Courage: The Pioneering First Mission to Explore America's Wild Frontier by Stephen E. Ambrose, 4****s, 3-23-23
✔I3: Classic horror or gothic Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? by Henry Farrell, 4****s, 8-22-23
✔I4: Classic comedy, satire, or humor MASH: A Novel about Three Army Doctors by Richard Hooker, 4****s, 1-30-23
✔I5: Book from the group’s Favorites of 2022 Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead, 3***s, 9-24-23

✔N1: Classic of the Americas Laughing Boy: A Navajo Love Story by Oliver La Farge, 4****s, 2-28-23
✔N2: Classic Western The Last Picture Show by Larry McMurtry, 2**s, 2-22-23
✔N3: Reader’s Choice Wired Love: A Romance of Dots and Dashes by Ella Cheever Thayer, 4****s, 2-5-23
✔N4: Classic mystery or thriller Why Didn't They Ask Evans? by Agatha Christie, 4****s, 8-15-23
✔N5: Classic of Africa or Oceania Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee, 3***s, 10-21-23

✔G1: Classic from a group poll that did not win The Grey Woman by Elizabeth Gaskell, 4****s, 7-10-23
✔G2: Classic action or adventure Riders of the Purple Sage by Zane Grey, 4****s, 8-12-23
✔G3: Classic history or historical fiction One of Ours by Willa Cather, 4****s
✔G4: Class fantasy or science fiction The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell, 5*****s, 9-20-23
✔G5: Book from the Group’s 2023 Bookshelf Twelve Angry Men by Reginald Rose, 5*****s, 1-2-23

✔O1: Book Published before 1900 Washington Square by Henry James, 3***s, 7-26-23
✔O2: New-To-You Classic Author Lorna Doone by R.D. Blackmore, 4****s, 1-23-23
✔O3: Classic of Asia Sons by Pearl S. Buck, 3***s, 9-19-23
✔O4: Classic in translation The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi, 4****s, 11-13-23
✔O5: Book Published 1900 - 1949 The Man Who Was Thursday: A Nightmare by G.K. Chesterton, 3***s, 2-12-23

BINGO CARD
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

Matt wrote: "Good luck on your challenge Terris!"

Thanks, Matt! Lots of planning to do ;)

Terris wrote: "Well, I guess I'm going to try this again! I've got a Black-Out the last six years. I don't know if I can do it again, but I'm going to give it "the old college try." Wish me luck -- and Lots of Go..."

Hooray; you can do this again I am sure.

Piece of cake, Terris.

Thanks, Katy & Sara! I love your confidence in me! haha! ;)

All the best, Terris!

Some great choices Terris! I’m thinking about One of Ours and Dr Thorne for my bingo too.

I do wish you lots of good books, Terris, and think you already have some planned! I agree with Sara, and look forward as always to following your reading.

Terris, I look forward to following your reading progress this year. I can't keep up with you, but I always enjoy seeing your lists!

Ila wrote: "All the best, Terris!"

Thanks, Ila!

Pamela wrote: "Some great choices Terris! I’m thinking about One of Ours and Dr Thorne for my bingo too."

Those are two I've been trying to get to for awhile! I think we both have a lot to look forward to :)

Lori wrote: "Terris, I look forward to following your reading progress this year. I can't keep up with you, but I always enjoy seeing your lists!"

Thanks, Kathleen and Lori! Looking forward to a lot of good reading, and I'll be looking at what you both read for some good recommendations :)

You're off to a good start, Terris. Have you read the other John le Carré books before TTSS?

I look forward to following your progress

Good luck with your bingo, Terris :)

Sue wrote: "You're off to a good start, Terris. Have you read the other John le Carré books before TTSS?

I look forward to following your progress"

I've read the first three. I haven't read #4 & I know Tinker, Tailor is #5. Should I read #4 first? Do you think it will make a difference?

Janelle wrote: "Good luck with your bingo, Terris :)"

Thanks, Janelle. Looking forward to it!

Terris, you have some good books here, mostly books I haven't gotten to yet. I am looking forward to what you settle on and review. Enjoy your new bingo card!

Thank you, Cynda! And I'm looking forward to some inspiration and recommendations from you! ;)

Pamela wrote: "Some great choices Terris! I’m thinking about One of Ours and Dr Thorne for my bingo too."

Yes, me too! They are both by authors we love, so I figure we can't go wrong :)

Terris wrote: "Well, I guess I'm going to try this again! I've got a Black-Out the last six years. I don't know if I can do it again, but I'm going to give it "the old college try." Wish me luck -- and Lots of Go..."

Good luck, but I’m sure you won’t need it ;O)
Lots of tempting titles too!

Veronique wrote: "Terris wrote: "Well, I guess I'm going to try this again! I've got a Black-Out the last six years. I don't know if I can do it again, but I'm going to give it "the old college try." Wish me luck --..."

Thanks, Veronique! I'm looking forward to lots of good reading :)

This was a good one to start the year with!!!

G5 -
Twelve Angry Men by Reginald Rose, 5*****s, 1-2-23

Oh my! I'm so glad I finally got to this one! Interesting, compelling, and powerful. It was fascinating following the interactions of these men on the jury, with their strong personalities and definite opinions. But how definite are they?

I had always heard of this book and the popular movie versions of it, but had never watched them. Now, I will most certainly watch the movie! I think I'm going for the Henry Fonda 1957 version :)

Good Start Terris :-) Of the two movie versions I have seen, I like the Pete Fonda better. Looking forward to any comments you have about the movie.

Oh good! I’m excited to get to it soon :)

Congrats on 1 down already. :-)

Good luck with the rest!

Klowey wrote: "Congrats on 1 down already. :-)

Good luck with the rest!"

Thanks, Klowey! I'm excited about getting started with this year's reading :)

Terris wrote: "This was a good one to start the year with!!!

G5 -
Twelve Angry Men by Reginald Rose, 5*****s, 1-2-23

Oh my! I'm so glad I finally g..."

Now I'm going to have to read it. I was wavering, but your review is too tempting. Congratulations on the first book!

Carolien wrote: "Terris wrote: "This was a good one to start the year with!!!

G5 -
Twelve Angry Men by Reginald Rose, 5*****s, 1-2-23

Oh my! I'm so g..."

Oh, Carolien, you must read it!! And it's very short ;)

Congratulations, Terris! I accidentally read this in December. It's a great one!

Sue wrote: "Congratulations, Terris! I accidentally read this in December. It's a great one!"

Yes! I'm glad I was finally pushed into reading it!

O2 - New-To-You Classic Author

Lorna Doone by R.D. Blackmore, 4****s, 1-23-23

I finished!!! All 800 pages -- though I actually listened to the audio book -- All 26 hours!!!
And it was actually pretty good. It was swashbucklingly (is that a word?) exciting and was very romantic. I enjoyed it more than I expected to :)

Glad to have this one under my belt this early in the year!

Swashbuckling and all sounds very good. I'm glad you finished this one Terri. Another book checked off the list

Shaina wrote: "Swashbuckling and all sounds very good. I'm glad you finished this one Terri. Another book checked off the list"

Me too!! :)

B5 - Classic From Your Bookshelf

Five Children and It by E. Nesbit, 4****s, 1-24-23

This is an adorable children's book written in 1902 about four young children who find a "sand fairy" in their backyard. They discover that this fairy will grant them one wish a day and -- hilarity ensues!
This is definitely a "be careful what you wish for" tale, and oh, so cute!!

Terris wrote: "B5 - Classic From Your Bookshelf

Five Children and It by E. Nesbit, 4****s, 1-24-23

This is an adorable children's book written..."

I would love to see a “classic children’s book” category (Mary Poppins, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Matilda, etc) or a “classic YA book” category (The Secret Garden, Treasure Island, Lord of the Flies, etc) in the future. So many readers tend to think that the books aimed toward children or adolescents aren’t worth reading, but they really are!

Good to know that Lorna Doone still speaks to us in the 21st century. I have had the novel on my possibilities list a long time. I will move it up higher in list.

Paula W wrote: "Terris wrote: "B5 - Classic From Your Bookshelf

Five Children and It by E. Nesbit, 4****s, 1-24-23

This is an adorable children..."

Great idea, Paula! I love children's and YA books! I think any age can enjoy them. I recently finished The Trumpet of the Swan and learned lots about swans! And today, as you see, I finished another great children's classic. Even though I didn't learn a lot of facts, it was interesting to hear the language and sentiments of the 1902 era. Plus it was so funny!
I'm sure you'd enjoy it :)

Cynda wrote: "Good to know that Lorna Doone still speaks to us in the 21st century. I have had the novel on my possibilities list a long time. I will move it up higher in list."

Yes, I think it would be worth your time (a lot of time!), Cynda! But I kind of pieced it out per day so I could read other books too.

I will say that some of the sentiments, especially regarding women, were atrocious! However, remember this was written in 1869, but the setting was actually quite a bit earlier in the late 17th century!! So, a lot of things have changed in the last 340 years!!

It was a lot of fun though. And the main character and narrator, John Ridd, was a really good guy and cared a lot about Lorna Doone and the women of his family. All I can say is give it a try! :)

Paula W wrote: "Terris wrote: "B5 - Classic From Your Bookshelf

Five Children and It by E. Nesbit, 4****s, 1-24-23

This is an adorable children..."

2022 Bingo had one - O2: Children’s Classic

Oh yes! I read Good Night, Mr. Tom for that one. It was so good. Thanks for the reminder, Klowey :)

Terris wrote: "Oh yes! I read Good Night, Mr. Tom for that one. It was so good. Thanks for the reminder, Klowey :)"

You could suggest to Bingo-admin that they have one again next year. I think everyone would benefit from reading a children's book. :-)

Klowey wrote: "Paula W wrote: "Terris wrote: "B5 - Classic From Your Bookshelf

Five Children and It by E. Nesbit, 4****s, 1-24-23

This is an a..."

I guess I missed that. I didn’t participate in bingo last year; my dad had cancer and sadly passed away. I spent many months caring for him and then caring for my mom afterwards. Happy to know that this might be on the list again in the future!

Paula W wrote: "Klowey wrote: "Paula W wrote: "Terris wrote: "B5 - Classic From Your Bookshelf

Five Children and It by E. Nesbit, 4****s, 1-24-2..."

I am so sorry. I hope this is a better year for you.
I wouldn't be surprised if they included it next year.

For the Challenge Buffet this year, "Challenge #4 - Members Choice Challenge" has 12 categories, and #9. is Childrens/Young Adult.

Terris wrote: "And it was actually pretty good. It was swashbucklingly (is that a word?)..."

Totally, and I just read a 'swashbuckling tale' too :O) Putting Lorna higher in my TBR.
I love children’s books too, classics and contemporary. They are often fertile ground for interesting takes on themes, treatments, etc.

Paula W wrote: "Klowey wrote: "Paula W wrote: "Terris wrote: "B5 - Classic From Your Bookshelf

Five Children and It by E. Nesbit, 4****s, 1-24-2..."

So sorry to hear that, Paula. Hoping for better things for you this year :)

Veronique wrote: "Terris wrote: "And it was actually pretty good. It was swashbucklingly (is that a word?)..."

Totally, and I just read a 'swashbuckling tale' too :O) Putting Lorna higher in my TBR.
I love children..."

I think you'd enjoy Lorna Doone, Vero. It's fairly action-packed!
I'll be adding more children's and YA books this year, too -- reading time permitting!! :)

I4 - Classic comedy, satire, or humor

MASH: A Novel about Three Army Doctors by Richard Hooker, 4****s, 1-30-23

This was so much fun! Especially after having seen the movie (many years ago!) and watching the series for years. I liked that the movie and series seemed to stick pretty well to the book.

I enjoyed it a lot and recommend it!

Terris wrote: "I4 - Classic comedy, satire, or humor

MASH: A Novel about Three Army Doctors by Richard Hooker, 4****s, 1-30-..."

Sounds like fun Terris! :)

Greg wrote: "Terris wrote: "I4 - Classic comedy, satire, or humor

MASH: A Novel about Three Army Doctors by Richard Hooker..."

Yes, very enjoyable!! :)