Catching up on Classics (and lots more!) discussion

I may add buffet challenges later in 2024, but for now I want to concentrate on finally reading all of the books on my Old & New Classics TBR Challenge *in the same year*. I eventually get my books read, but I am determined *not* to roll over any of these books into 2025!

Challenge # 1: New & Old TBR
(Some of these books were on last year's challenge and did not get read; so I'm trying again!)

1899 and earlier/Old School
✅ 1. The Song of Roland (1115: 194 pp) by Unknown - Read 05/14/24: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✅ 2. Paradise Lost (1667: 453 pp) by John Milton - Read 03/30/24: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✅ 3. Little Women (1868: 536 pp) by Louisa May Alcott - Read 02/29/24: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

1900-1999/New School
✅ 4. Winnie-the-Pooh (1926: 161 pp) by A.A. Milne - Read 06/30/24: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✅ 5. The Grapes of Wrath (1939: 479 pp) by John Steinbeck - Read 07/19/24: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✅ 6. Lord of the Flies (1954: 182 pp) by William Golding - Read 03/20/24: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

My Wild Card Six
✅ 7. A Midsummer's Night Dream (1595: 240 pp) by William Shakespeare - Read 05/29/24: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✅ 8. Rip Van Winkle (1819: 61 pp) by Washington Irving - Read 03/03/24: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✅ 9. The Warden (1855: 336 pp) by Anthony Trollope - Read 04/05/24: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✅ 10. Treasure Island (1882: 352 pp) by Robert Louis Stevenson - Read 05/03/24: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✅ 11. The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890: 272 pp) by Oscar Wilde - Read 08/26/24: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✅ 12. The Crystal Cave (1970: 494 pp) by Mary Stewart - Read 02/23/24: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Alternates
✅ A-1. Tartuffe (1664: 180 pp) by Molière - Read 08/31/24: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✅ A-2. Bel-Ami (1885: 416 pp) by Guy de Maupassant - Read 07/31/24: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✅ A-3. Maigret on the Riviera (1932: 137 pp) by Georges Simenon - Read 09/04/24: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Reserved

Maybe Challenge # 7: Expand Your Horizon with New Authors

Reserved

Maybe Challenge # 15: A to Z Author

Reserved

Maybe Challenge # 16: A to Z Title

Reserved

Maybe Challenge # 3: Decade/Century/Millenium OR Challenge # 8: Most Popular Goodreads Books Listed by Year

Good luck! The New & Old TBR is a really tough one, but you've got a great list!

I have read all of your books except Winnie the Pooh, and I am positive you will enjoy them all. I am going to keep an eye on you, Shirley, and prod you every now and then. 😊

That is such a great endorsement of the books I have chosen for 2024, Sara. I know you and I share much of our reading enjoyment in common. I *am* looking forward to diving into every one of these books (including my alternatives). And yes... I would love to know you're watching over me and keeping me going. Thank you, my sweet friend!

Wobbley wrote: "Good luck! The New & Old TBR is a really tough one, but you've got a great list!"

I know, Wobbley! It would seem to be easier than Bingo (which has 25 books), but with Old & New, you're committed - like a marriage - no looking at any other books to see if you'd like to read something better. LOL. So you'd better choose wisely. Well... hopefully this year I chose right!

Good luck, Shirley. You have some really good books on your list this year. And I can vouch for Winnie the Pooh - it's full of lovely word play. It works really well if you read it aloud, or listen to a good narrator, I think.

Teri-K wrote: "Good luck, Shirley. You have some really good books on your list this year. And I can vouch for Winnie the Pooh - it's full of lovely word play. It works really well if you read it aloud, or listen..."

Thank you for the audio suggestion, Teri-K. I may try to do that. Depending on the book, I sometimes like to listen to a good audiobook while I read along with the physical book. I am really looking forward to reading Winnie the Pooh. I have a lot of associated memories with this story; I've just never read it. So, I am really looking forward to it.

Matt wrote: "Good luck with your challenges Shirley! I hope you have a great reading year in 2024!"

Thank you, Matt! And I am wishing the same for you, too! I am absolutely LOVING your "French Fried" choices! I can't wait to keep up with your reviews!

Shirley, you have a fantastic Old and New list. Paradise Lost and The Grapes of Wrath were five star reads and I hope to reread them someday. I read The Crystal Cave earlier this year it was my first by Mary Stewart, there will be more. I have read several more from your list, all were enjoyed. Have a good year.

Thank you, Bob. I'm looking forward to reading all of the books I have chosen for this year's Old and New challenge. Like you, I'm thinking I've picked some surefire five-star books! And I'm keeping my fingers crossed this is the year I complete the challenge!

I think you are going to do it this year, Shirley! Paradise Lost, Little Women and The Picture of Dorian Gray were all 5 star reads for me.

Thank you for your encouragement, Sue! I’m definitely looking forward to reading the books you mentioned and have already started Little Women.

Matt wrote: "Solid Old & New choices! Good luck!"

Thank you, Matt! My choices do seem to be some of the classic Classics, so I have high hopes for a great year.

I have been quietly reading all year, but I am super-excited that, on my fourth try, I finally finished one of Bob's annual New & Old TBR Challenge. I had made sure to pick books I thought I would love reading. With the exception of my slight disappointment with Georges Simenon's Maigret on the Riviera, I can truly say I loved all of these books I read.

Thank you, Bob, for continuing this menu item every year. It is indeed a challenge, but so rewarding when accomplished! I finally know how it feels. LOL

Shirley (stampartiste) wrote: "I have been quietly reading all year, but I am super-excited that, on my fourth try, I finally finished one of Bob's annual New & Old TBR Challenge. I had made sure to pick books I thought I would ..."

A challenge full of winners -- well done! This is a great accomplishment!

Congratulations. Such a great accomplishment with all those excellent reads.

Look at all of those stars :-) You definitely chose well, Shirley!

Congrats Shirley!

Congratulations, Shirley! All those sparkling stars show how much you enjoyed the challenge.

Thank you all so much! I definitely DID enjoy all of my selections this year and would hate to pick my "favorite child". LOL

Woo hoo!! You finished the difficult Old and New Challenge. I am glad you had a good year.

Thank you, Lynn! Yes... that challenge has been my nemesis for a while. 😄