BJ's BOS Challenge

I should have started this thread long ago, but I am keeping track. Here is my ticker:

Here are the first 9 books.

1. Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. This is one of those books my kids read in school that I wanted to read. I liked it.

2. The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander. The Chronicles of Prydain are books that my kids loved growing up and I am now reading them with a group in the 75 book challenge.

3. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. I had long wanted to read this classic. I am glad that I finally did.

4. The Search for Happiness: Four Levels of Emotional and Spiritual Growth by Oscar Lukefahr. I got a set of Father Lukefahr's books when he came to our Church to present a mission. I finally read this one.

5. Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro. I finally read this book given to me by my daughter, and it was terrific. Haunting.

6. Love Songs: Wisdom from Saint Bernard of Clairvaux edited by Jeanne Kun. I read this during my prayer time.

7. Super Cool Jokes and Games for Kids by Bob Phillips. Another book that my kids loved that I wanted to read, too.

8. Peter Pan and Wendy by J. M. Barrie. I had wanted to read this sequel to Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens.

9. The Castle of Llyr by Lloyd Alexander. The third book in the Chronicles of Prydain. Another good book.

What next? I have started Brat Farrar which I got quite a while ago after a recommendation here on LT. I am also hoping to read Dr. Zhivago.
--BJ

Hi billiejean,

Welcome to the group.
Glad to see you here. Good start.

Hi, usnmm2!
Thanks for the welcome! This is the perfect challenge for me this year.
--BJ

10. Brat Farrar by Josephine Tey. I can't believe that I have let this wonderful book sit on my shelf for so long. I loved it!
--BJ

Was looking around this afternoon and seen that you were here too. You seem to be everywhere. Nice to meet up with you here. I have been trying to get books off my shelf and out of plastic bags that my friend keeps giving to me. It isn't an easy task as there are so many books I want to get still lol

I was wondering why you named your thread BJ's Bos Challange.

Hi, Jacx!
I think that I got the idea of joining this group from you or from someone else on LT whose thread I follow. I thought it was a good idea. I named it BOS for Books Off Shelf, but I should have called it BOTS for Books off the Shelf.

I have started another book from my shelf but not Dr. Zhivago. I do hope that I get to that one sometime this year. The book I started is Taran Wanderer by Lloyd Alexander. I am still right at the beginning.
--BJ

I kind of like "BOS." It sounds, you know, boss.

You make me sound so cool! :) I will have to tell my kids!
--BJ

"Haunting" is the perfect way to describe Never Let Me Go. I just read it recently too and thought it was great. Good luck with your "BOS" Challenge billiejean!

Can you tell me more about Super Cool Jokes and Games for Kids? No reviews on either LT or Amazon... Thanks!

Hi, LibraryLover23 and karspeak!
I liked Never Let Me Go so much more than I expected. I should have known since I loved The Remains of the Day. I think I am going to give my brother a copy for his birthday one of these years. Thanks for the good luck, LL!

I also liked Super Cool Jokes and Games for Kids. The jokes are kind of silly, from what I recall, but they are all good, clean fun. There are tricks and games to pull a fast one on your friends. For example, how to balance a spoon on your nose. Lots of card tricks, which I think I would have to practice before I attempted, but I suspect that kids would be better at it. There are Bible riddles in it. I would say the book is good for upper elementary. When I read it, both of my girls said "Oh yeah, I liked that book!" They are in college, so I figured that they really did if they could remember it. I liked it, too! There were also mind-bender puzzles. Really, this little book packed a lot in it. And at the back there was a list of other similar books that he wrote, and he wrote quite a bit. Here is one example from the book:

"Buffalo Bill rode his horse from Kansas City to San Francisco. He left on Friday and arrived on the very same Friday. How was that possible?"

Answer
"Friday was the name of his horse."

I hope that is enough info on the book, and not way more than you wanted!
--BJ

OK, looking over my opening post, I realized that I made a mistake. I listed The Black Cauldron by Lloyd Alexander. While I do have a copy of this book on the shelf, when it came time to read this book for the group read, I could not find my copy! I looked and looked and then bought a new copy. So, I deleted that book. Luckily, I have read another book, leaving my total at 11.

11. Taran Wanderer by Lloyd Alexander. This is the fourth book in the Chronicles of Prydain, and I did find our old copy of it. What a great book! I loved every minute of it. There is only one book left in this series.

I am hoping to read Alias Grace this month, as well. I haven't started it yet and I have seen so many great reviews of it.
--BJ

Thanks for your help with Super Cool Jokes and Games for Kids.

Your welcome! Thanks for stopping by!
--BJ

I only asked about the "Bos" because believe it or not it's my last name.

>16 callmejacx: What a great name THAT would have made for your thread: "BOS' BOS"

You should do that next year...

That is a coincidence! I was thinking that one time I used the title exactly as on the group, and then on the thread it left the part that was the same off so that it just said, "BJ's" and so I try to vary it just a little to prevent that from happening again. But that might not be an issue anymore.
--BJ

12. Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood. I have been intending to read this book for around 6 or 7 years. It is one of those books that my girls read in high school that I had never read. I am hoping to read all of them. Anyway, this fictionalized look at an actual double murder was quite interesting.

What's next? The last book in the Chronicles of Prydain, The High King by Lloyd Alexander. That one is fairly short. I don't know what will come after that.
--BJ

It's funny that you said "Bos" "Bos" Just the other day one of my associates called me that.

I think that I have only read one of Margaret Atwoods and it was so so dumb. No story line, no plot, no nothing. I lied there were words. That is about it.

At the time I was sick and had asked my husband to pick a book out for me. Half way through it I was telling him that I must be still not feeling well as I can't concentrate on this book.

He said that he was having the same problem with his book. I asked him what he was reading. He couldn't remember that name of the book but knew that it was by Margaret Atwood.

A coincedence that I was reading her too. He went to find his book. Funny thing was that although they had different covers we were reading the same book and only a few pages away from eachother.

We both hated it. The title of this book was Surfacing. Have you or your daughter's read that one?

I have not read that one. I have read only two: Alias Grace and The Blind Assassin. They were both interesting books, but I didn't love them the way other people did. I actually kind of like the older classics better than the contemporary books. The Blind Assassin jumped around a whole lot, but Alias Grace was much easier to follow. So I liked it better. My younger daughter told me today that she liked The Blind Assassin better. And it did win lots of awards. I will probably read some more Atwood, just not right away. It's funny that you and your husband were both reading the same book and had the same reaction. You are really in tune with each other. :)
--BJ

13. Prayer-Walking: A Simple Path to Body-and-Soul Fitness by Linus Mundy. This little book has been sitting around my house for over 20 years. I don't know why I never read it before now! It was a quick read and I loved it.
--BJ

14. The High King by Lloyd Alexander. This is the final book in the Chronicles of Prydain. This book was epic pulling together all the characters of the entire series, and I am so glad that I finally read it. The poor book is falling apart. My kids have read it over and over. I finally did, too!
--BJ

15. Mary and the Christian Life: Scriptural Reflections on the First Disciple by Amy Welborn. I read this book both at home and during my prayer time at Church.
--BJ

16. A Separate Peace by John Knowles. This is a book that my girls read in school that I have long wanted to read. I liked this story of two boys at boarding school during the beginning of the US entrance into WW2.
--BJ

I loved The High King. I read it when I was in middle school, and I may have played sick so I could read it all in one day. I was so sad when the series was over!

-adds to my reread pile-

I wish I had read it in middle school. This was my first time to read it! Thanks so much for stopping by!
--BJ

17. Perdido Street Station by China Mieville. I read this for the 75 Book Challenge Steampunk group read. How lucky that I had this on the shelf! :)
--BJ

BJ what did you think of the Mieville? I have read a couple of his and was quite impressed, and just bought Perdido Street Station at a market a couple of weeks ago. I want to get to it, but it is so big and there are so many other books . . . I need a shove towards it :)

Hi, JudyLou!
I liked it, but it did take me a little while to get into it at first. There is quite a bit of world-building that takes place before the story gets going in earnest. He put a lot of effort into creating New Crobuzon. And I do think that part of the reason that it took me a while to get into was that I had just read a truly great book called A Canticle for Leibowitz, which was quite a hard act to follow. But overall, I did like it and I am glad that I read it.
--BJ

Ok, it will stay in its current position - soon to be read!

I know what you mean about choosing another book after you have read a really memorable one - so often they suffer by comparison - not always deservingly.

18. Memories of Anne Frank: Reflections of a Childhood Friend by Alison Leslie Gold. These are the memories of Anne's best friend Hannali. I found this book moving. This was written for young adults.
--BJ

19. Sabriel by Garth Nix. This is the first book in the Abhorsen Trilogy and it is terrific. I can't wait to read the next two books. Who knew there were such good books lurking on my own shelves?
--BJ

20. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J. K. Rowling. This was a fast, fun read. Should have listened to my kids sooner.
--BJ

My oldest son has been wanting me to read the Harry Potter books and the Lord of the Rings. One day I just might get around to it.

Hey, Jacx!
I definitely recommend The Lord of the Rings! And the first HP was quite fun, so I will probably read them all eventually. Have you read The Hobbit? That is a nice introduction to The Lord of the Rings.
--BJ

I haven't read The Hobbit either. I do have them in my library though, but there are so many books I haven't read in my library. How is one suppose to know which to read next?

The The Hobbit, or There and Back Again is one of my favorites that I re-read it every couple of years. If you haven't read LOTR yet it's a book to start with.

I agree that it is a good idea to read The Hobbit before The Lord of the Rings. It is a great book! I know what you mean about so many books in the library to choose from. I have just started using the library again in my quest not to buy any more books. This challenge also helps with that. I have plenty of books sitting around here. :)

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!
--BJ

21. A Separate Country by Robert Hicks. I read this book along with the Highly Rate Book Group. It is the story of a Post-Civil War Confederate General and his society wife in New Orleans. The beginning was kind of slow and grim, but the story picked up quite a bit halfway through as the characters are out to seek redemption.
--BJ

22. A Glory of Unicorns compiled and edited by Bruce Coville. This is a collection of children's short stories and one poem about unicorns. It was an interesting mix of tales.
--BJ

23. Solaris by Stanislaw Lem. This SciFi classic tells about what happens when humans interact with an alien life form -- the ocean of Solaris. I thought it was a great read. And quite different from the movie.

Plus, I went to a bookstore today to buy a birthday gift and did not buy any books for me. This was a challenge!
--BJ

Good will power!

Thanks, mamzel! I am not always successful!
--BJ

24. The Aeneid of Virgil translated by C. Day Lewis. I have kept this book since college and really enjoyed reading it. What a great story!
--BJ

I am happy to report that I have hit book 25! This year I have tried to read what I have instead of buying more and, although I have not been totally successful, I have improved. This group has really helped with that goal.

25. Lirael by Garth Nix. This is the second book of the Abhorsen young adult fantasy trilogy. It was quite good, but kind of long and did not really end. That is what it means to be the middle book, I guess.
--BJ

Hi BJ - Congratulations on reaching your goal!!

Hi, Joanne!
Thanks! I hope that I read many more off the shelf this year.
--BJ

Congratulations!! on meeting your goal.

Thanks, usnmm2!
--BJ

Let me add my congratulations! Ironic that you chose a turtle on your counter when you managed to reach the end so quickly!

Thanks, Lynn! I am going to keep track until the end of the year and see how I do. I did think that the turtle was pretty cute.
--BJ

Two extra books:

26. Reading the Bible as God's Own Story: A Catholic Approach for Bringing Scripture to Life by William S. Kurz, SJ. Read this during part of my prayer time. Still working on reading the Holy Bible in its entirety.

27. The Once and Future King by T. H. White. What a terrific book!!!
--BJ

28. Abhorsen by Garth Nix. This is the last book of the Abhorsen trilogy, and it was terrific. I could not put it down through the entire last part.
--BJ

29. Bound by Donna Jo Napoli. This retelling of the Cinderella story in Ming China was quite good, but not for the faint of heart. My daughter pulled this off the shelf for me.
--BJ

30. M is for Magic by Neil Gaiman. I enjoyed this book of short stories.
--BJ

31. American Sonnets: An Anthology by Various, edited by David Bromwich. This is one of my American Poets Project books published by the Library of America. I wish that I could write poetry!
--BJ

BJ, where would writers of poetry be without those who appreciate their work? I think being an "audience" is under-valued. Enjoy your contribution as a "fan"!

Thanks, Lynn. What a nice thing to say!

32. Swann's Way by Marcel Proust. I read this first volume of In Search of Lost Time with a group on the 75 Book Challenge. I had been staring at these books for years!
--BJ

33. Middlemarch by George Eliot. I loved this book. I know that I will want to read it again.
--BJ

34. Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison. This book has been hanging around since it was assigned to my girls in high school. I finally read it, and I agree that it deserves its place on the 1001 list.
--BJ

35. The Teeth of the Tiger by Tom Clancy. I finally read another book off of my bookshelf! This is a second generation Jack Ryan book following Jack Jr. who is entering the world of espionage. I liked it ok, but I did not love it. It was off the dollar rack at HPB as I recall from quite a long time ago. So I do think I got my money's worth.
--BJ

Don't you love those dollar racks!!

I totally love the dollar racks! My husband actually got a book for a quarter. I must admit that I was impressed.
--BJ

Some of my best reading came from books that cost a dollar or less.

Hi, Jacx!
I remember going to used books stores with my mom when growing up. She really sparked the love of books in my brother and me. My dad reads quite a bit, but growing up I always read with my mom. She always loved those P. G. Wodehouse books, and I have been collecting some of them. I will think of her when I read them!
--BJ

Ah, P.G. Wodehouse! Those are very funny. Have you seen the BBC adaptations of Jeeves & Wooster? The theme song alone puts me in a good mood.

No, I haven't. I will have to check that out! Thanks for mentioning it. :)
--BJ

No problem! It's a bit *abridged* but they got the spirit of J&W right.

I love P.G. Wodehouse. I first got introduced to it by my husband and watched the shows on television. When I finally got a book I was amazed how they were so like the show. It's a must see if you enjoy Jeeves and Wooster.

I really will have to watch out for the tv series! :) I have never noticed it on tv before. Maybe it will be on BBCAmerica. I have seen some pretty good shows on that channel.
--BJ

It's been out for awhile, predates the "House" years. ie, back when Hugh Laurie was still a comedian. You might need to try Netflix or something like that to find Jeeves & Wooster.

I have been pondering Netflix for a long time. I need to just give it a try, I guess. My daughter is a huge Laurie fan. I have never seen House, but it is one of her favorite shows. Thanks for the info!
--BJ

BJ - I have been a Netflix subscriber for many years. Not only have we watched movies, but watched TV series, foreign movies, documentaries, anime, and old B&W classics both on DVD and via the Internet. Take advantage of their free one month subscription to see if it's for you. And, no, I do not receive any compensation for this rave.

How does the internet streaming work? Sometimes when I watch something on Youtube, there is a buffer delay. Do you watch it on tv via the internet? I am really pretty interested in Netflix.
--BJ

Sorry I took so long in replying. I was trying to write a novel for the NaNoWriMo challenge and it cut way down on following threads.

We watch our movies on TV with a Roku (http://www.roku.com/). It is very smooth with few glitches. My kids and I have had a blast watching old TV series on it too.

I highly recommend Netflix. We have been subscribers for years. When we got a hidef TV we upgraded to BlueRay and get Blueray DVDs from them. They have a new package which is Internet only for 7.99 per month. I'm pretty sure they still offer a one month free subscription so you can try them out.

Thanks so much for all the info! Maybe I will give this to myself for Christmas!
--BJ

Thanks Mamzel, I too am very interested. I can see this is the way to go in the future.

There was an article in the SF Chronicle this morning which talks about Netflix and the Roku in much better techno-speak than me.

etf Monday morning stuttering

Thanks for the link. I have been talking to my husband about maybe getting this.
--BJ