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Wow! Most years I don't have any 5-star reads by the end of January. That's amazing!

Bob wrote: "Wobbley wrote: "There's nothing wrong with bragging about your reading -- well done!! What were the highlights for you?"

Wobbly, my reading was truly spectacular, more five star reads than three s..."

I read that one! It was pretty good :)

Bob wrote: "I know it is wrong to brag and boast on oneself and I will have to buy a new hat to fit my swelled head, but I have had a great month. I usually read 4-6 books per month. This month I read 10, 7 no..."

Wow that was a big month!

Bob wrote: "I know it is wrong to brag and boast on oneself and I will have to buy a new hat to fit my swelled head, but I have had a great month. I usually read 4-6 books per month. This month I read 10, 7 no..."

Brag away, Bob! We love hearing about the good and the bad. Congrats on the retirement and happy reading.

The Divine Comedy
I'm reading my sixth Old and New read and I have just completed a journey through Hell. I will be spending some time in Purgatory and hopefully end up in Paradise. This is a very difficult read and I hope it will be worth the effort. One saving grace is that last night after coming through the Inferno I found an excellent YouTube summary. It was very helpful. I got a better understanding of what I had read and resized that I had actually absorbed and retained quite a lot.

The Razor's Edge
I am also reading my second reread of the year. It is every bit as good as I remember.

The Divine Comedy will definitely work for your literature class slot!

The Razor's Edge is worth a second read, for sure. Glad it was a hit the second time around.

The Divine Comedy is so ambitious of you. Good luck with the rest!

I'm also a fan of The Razor's Edge. It's my favourite Maugham.

Well, with half a year behind us and a half a year ahead of us, I guess it is time to take stock of how I am doing on my year long holiday meal.

I have been focusing about 85% of my reading straight from my challenges. That has allowed me to complete 7 of the 8 challenges I set out to complete. I have also been nibbling on the remaining 8 challenges, knowing full well that most of those will not be completed.

Highlights-favorites not including anything from my re-read list.

New School - The Winds of War
Old School - Middlemarch
Short Story - For The Cold Equations, this one I have dreamed about a couple of times
Science fiction - The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress
Fantasy - The Lord of the Rings
21st Century - Remarkably Bright Creatures and The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store

Now it is time to loosen my belt a couple of notches, take a deep breath and dig in for the year's second half.

Wow, Bob. 7 out of 8! I've completed one 😬. I'll have to go check out the short story that makes you dream of it.

That's fantastic progress! I was also a fan of Middlemarch and Lord of the Rings.

Oh my, adding For the Cold Equations pronto. What a great assortment of reading, Bob!

Yes I’m looking up The cold equations too!

Wobbley wrote: "That's fantastic progress! I was also a fan of Middlemarch and Lord of the Rings."

Thanks, I can't believe I first started thinking about reading Lord of the Rings 50 years ago. It was worth the wait.

Sara, Kathleen, and Janelle,

Beware, both the story and the dream are.... disturbing. One of those stories I will never forget.

Such an interesting selection, Bob. Middlemarch is one of my favourites too. I'm happy to see your 21st-century favourites and will try to fit them in this year. LOTR is on my list too but I just don't seem to get around to it.

Shaina wrote: "I'm happy to see your 21st-century favourites and will try to fit them in this year. LOTR is on my list too but I just don't seem to get around to it...."

Both 21st century books were solid reads and I happily recommend them. As for LOTR, I first became aware of it back when I was a teenager. That was 50+ years ago, I don't recommend you wait that long, it's just to good not to read.

Bob wrote: "Sara, Kathleen, and Janelle,

Beware, both the story and the dream are.... disturbing. One of those stories I will never forget."

Bob, I was so intrigued by a story you would dream about, so I found it online and just finished reading it. I can see why you said you'll never forget it. I'm sure I won't either.

Laurie, it amazes me how some short stories can be so impactful. Just a few pages can become a lifelong memory.

Talk about a short story I won't ever forget! Thanks so much for sharing that one, Bob.

Sara wrote: "Talk about a short story I won't ever forget! Thanks so much for sharing that one, Bob."

Sara, I am glad you appreciated this story. I won't say liked or loved, as that is hard to do with this kind of story. I noticed that like me you gave it five stars. Which I think shows acknowledgement of the story's greatness. I feel guilty for recommending this one, it is not a sunshine and rainbows kind of story. It left a mark on me, a small scar, that I am sure you felt too.

I hope more people read it as it is worthy read, regardless of the possible tears.

It is very hard to say you "love" a story like this one, and yet we do, because it moves us emotionally and drives home the reality that we are all alike in so many ways. Human beings find themselves trapped constantly in situations that are hard and unfair but unavoidable; people make mistakes that have unintended consequences. Stories like this one do scar, but I think these are scars worth risking.

I just finished "For the Cold Equations" -- Wow! Bob! Thanks so much for bringing this one to our attention. It is truly memorable. I will be thinking of this one for a long time!

Today I finished reading The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store and also really liked it. Great job on your challenges Bob : )

Congratulations - 7 out of 8 challenges already! You have been really focused. Nice job!

You've got an impressive start on your challenges, Bob! Enjoy your retirement!

Terris wrote: "I just finished "For the Cold Equations" -- Wow! Bob! Thanks so much for bringing this one to our attention. It is truly memorable. I will be thinking of this one for a long time!"

Terris, I am glad you liked it. It always amazes me how impactful a well written short story can be.

Rora wrote: "Today I finished reading The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store and also really liked it. Great job on your challenges Bob : )"

Rora, The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store was one of my wife's book club picks. She always likes us to read them together. Since her club usually picks good books I just half-heartedly object. She is the reason I read A Gentleman in Moscow last year for myself and this year for her.

Lynn wrote: "Congratulations - 7 out of 8 challenges already! You have been really focused. Nice job!"

Thanks Lynn, I have read three of the six I set up for my eighth challenge and have started the fifth. It won't be long till I am done.

Matt wrote: "Way to go Bob! Your list reminds me that I need to re-read Middlemarch and that I also need to read Winds of War. I hope the 2nd half of your reading year is a good one!"

Matt, both Middlemarch and The Winds of War are books that have sat on my shelf for years. I am happy to finally read them they were both excellent. If my second half is half as good as the first half, my year will be a success.

Connie wrote: "You've got an impressive start on your challenges, Bob! Enjoy your retirement!"

Thanks, Connie.