Classics Without All the Class discussion

What did you think of the book?
Bookshelf - LOVED IT
Library Bag - It was okay
Donation Box - It was terrible.

This is a metaphorical post. We're not actually throwing books out. It's just our way of doing a ratings system.

Tell us your thoughts.

I'm going to bookshelf it. I've always loved the story of the Phantom. I admit that I like the little tweaks they make for the broadway, but I find Erik such a compelling character.

I say bookshelf as well although I think the story could be better if someone made a modern version of it and took it a bit farther.

Somewhere between bookshelf and library bag - I quite enjoyed it, but wouldn't go so far to say as "loved" it like it'll always be a favorite. I wish the end packed a little more punch.

Nadja wrote: "Somewhere between bookshelf and library bag - I quite enjoyed it, but wouldn't go so far to say as "loved" it like it'll always be a favorite. I wish the end packed a little more punch."

I do agree with you about the end. I hate that he just resolves himself to die of a broken heart. He seemed so strong until the end.

One of my all time favorites. I couldn't put it down. I read it on kindle but will buy an illustrated copy for the bookshelf!

I choose bookshelf. This story was so fun to read. I didn't know it was written as a mystery, which made it all the more engrossing for me.

By the criteria above, somewhere between Library Bag and Bookshelf. I liked it, but not loved it.

In real life, this will go in my donation box. If I ever want to re-read I'll just go with a free e-book edition - the footnotes and illustrations/photos in the paperback were interesting, but not enough to keep a physical copy of the book.

This is a library bag for me. It wasn't painful, but I'm probably never going to want to touch it again in my life.

I love it. So, I'll keep it.:-)

Donation box. Read it as a kid. Read it again now. Still not my thing.

may I ask the difference between library bag and donation box? are both not donations? if so why not give any book you don't want to keep to the public library? they can raise $$ thru their book sales and we all have different taste in reading....budgets are low in these much needed institutions.

Here's how Karena originally defined them:
Bookshelf: Book you loved and would buy and keep
Library Bag: Book you would liked, but would just borrow
Donation Box: you hated it, get rid of it now.

Not sure I agree with the idea that donating a book means I hated it, though. I very rarely re-read books these days and I donate most everything I finish reading. I've got to make room for new books, after all!

Jean/Melanti,

You make some Good points.

Bookshelf, library, donation are just names or metaphors we use to represent how we actually feel about the book. We don't mean to literally put it on your bookshelf, borrow it, or donate it.

Due to space issues, I may have to donate a lot of physical books that are dear to me, but in my heart it will always be on my "bookshelf".

For example, I borrowed "Dracula" from the library. But it is one of my favorite books. Although technically borrowed from the library, for purposes of this thread, I would definitely say "Bookshelf."

Again, good point, ladies. Hope I cleared it up.

Hey ladies,

Like Laura explained, this is just a rating system we were using instead of the 5 star system. Nothing is real, just a metaphor. You don't actually have to get rid of books. Another book site uses the system; Buy, Borrow or Bypass and still another, uses, Savor, Skim or Skip.

We were trying to find a fun way of doing the ratings. I hope I've explained well enough.

Thanks Laura as well!

do you all rate your reads with the goodreads star system?

thanks for the explanations---
..and I see that doing it for the specific book we just read together allows us to see the ratings all in one place.

I am not sure what you mean by using the goodreads star system. On my individual books I do use the star system. And when people post in this thread, next to everyone's name, we can see how you rated the book using that system.

We have a podcast for the book group where we talk about the book selections and it sort of stemmed from there, to tie the podcast to the book group in a fun way. It really wasn't supposed to be anything controversial. Just a way to get people talking as well as it allows for a quick glance for the podcast so we can see how many people liked the book or didn't like the book. I mean when someone asks about a book most people don't say I give it (blank) stars. We say we liked it or hated it. And while people also don't say I put it on my bookshelf, it's really short hand for, "well, I really liked this book so I bought a copy" or "That book was so-so, I'm glad I just borrowed it."

Thanks for the conversation, Jean!

I don't want to seem overwhelmingly negative here, but to be honest I was not impressed. The novel reads more like a pulp mystery than classic literature: not a single believable character and incredibly simplistic writing (especially dialogue). In fact I doubt that this would be regarded as a classic at all if it weren't for the success of the musical adaptations. That said, the underlying plot is interesting enough and it was a breezy read. I can see why others rated this highly. Perhaps I would have responded more positively if I had picked this up expecting to read pulp.

My "rule" is that I give a 2-star rating when I feel that reading a book was a waste of my time. This is a 2-star read for me--I'll translate that as "donation box".

Yeah, for E:)!!! I agree completely, as I said in the thread for Ch. 21-Epilogue. I was nervous to voice this since this book seems to be such a huge fave of so many. I also rated it 2 star (on this site) and only kept reading it for this group + to fairly say it's not my thing.

Anyhow, this book can't get into the donation box fast enough!!

I just wanted to say, I LOVE your "bookshelf/library bag/donation box" rating system - that's exactly how I've always rated books in my head!

Also, The Phantom of the Opera is one of my favourite books of all time. It's definitely on the bookshelf for me. :)

Library bag. I liked it, probably won't re-read it, don't care to own it. But I certainly don't hate it.