Bill Sledzik

Took a social media break, so I'm catching up. I've read all 98 Pulitzer Prize novels and focus this year on 50 titles I've not read, one each from the last 50 years. This one (2012) displays Kingsolver's ability to bring social issues to a compelling story. Love protagonist Dellarobia. 8/50

Discovering that I'm not terribly faithful to this platform. But I'm intent on NOT expanding my conversations into politics. I'm here to learn about and talk about literary fiction.

I believe that "Kavalier and Clay" is my favorite Pulitzer winner. More than just a top 10. He really is a master.

I nearly gave it up early on, but I usually give a book 25% of the page count. It's an unusual approach O'Brien took. Not your standard narrative.

Having read all 98 Pulitzer Prize novels, I now focus on 50 titles from the last 50 years, books I have not read. Title #7 is from 1994, and followed O’Brien’s blockbuster, “The Things They Carried.” Not as good as "Things," but a must read for those into Vietnam-era fiction. 7/50

Having read all 98 Pulitzer Prize novels, I now focus on 50 titles from the last 50 years, books I have not read. "The Bird Artist," from 1993, is a gem.

Having completed my quest to read all 98 Pulitzer Prize winners in the novel/fiction category, I now focus on 50 novels from the last 50 years -- novels I neglected when they were published. This 1996 title reveals an author who lost nary a step late in his career. Updike lives up to his rep. (5/50)

Having completed my quest to read all 98 Pulitzer Prize winners in the novel/fiction category, I now focus on 50 novels from the last 50 years -- novels I neglected when they were published. Today from 1986 is a pulp fiction title from a king of the genre. Predictable. Chiched. Meh. (4/50).

Having completed my quest to read all 98 Pulitzer Prize winners in the novel/fiction category, I now focus on 50 novels from the last 50 years -- novels I neglected when they were published. My journey continues in 2008. Love Jim Harrison, whose style and life interests parallel Hemingway (3/50).

Having completed my quest to read all 98 Pulitzer Prize winners in the novel/fiction category, I'll now focus on 50 novels from the last 50 years -- novels I neglected when they were published. My journey continues in the year 2000. (2/50).

Having completed my quest to read all 98 Pulitzer Prize winners in the novel/fiction category, I'll now focus on 50 novels from the last 50 years -- novels I neglected when they were published. My journey begins in 1978. (1/50)

Saw this tour. 1984. Buffalo, NY. Pure energy.

The event shown in this John FIlo photograph took place less than 100 feet from the office I occupied for 15 years (1992-2007). Each trip to work came with a sobering reminder of the evils of war.

The end of a fun exercise and a good start to my BlueSky adventure.

Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers. (Book 20/20)

Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers. (Book 19/20)

Like you, I try to focus on mindfulness while reading. I also read slowly and still retrace my steps now and again.

Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers. (Book 18/20)

Nice close!

Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers. (Book 17/20)

Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers. (Book 16/20)

Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers. (Book 15/20)

Just awful. So sorry you were put through all that.

I'm fortunate having done my time in a professional school (journalism) where a vast majority of faculty were practitioners who turned to teaching. We had our spats, but it was more or less a businesslike atmosphere.

A good friend and retired dean said she couldn't finish Straight Man. Found it TOO real! Having spent nearly 30 years in the academy myself, I do see her point. But I've read it 3-4 times. Hilarious.

Most of Russo's books are set in Upstate NY or New England. Maybe it's my familiarity with those places that helps me enjoy the books. As to benefits of re-reading, I agree. It allows us to get more from the text since we have a foundation. I'm often astonished at how much I DON'T remember.

Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers. (Book 14/20)

Zebra made me articulate more so than any other tool, class or exercise. I could recite it start to finish to the point of being an obnoxious 7-year-old boy. Being a good speaker in small groups and large served me more than any other skill in this life. I’m 71 and still saluting Dr. Seuss.

Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers. (Book 13/20)

Heh. I was not so tortured. Read it at age 70. Found it a wonderful tale with plot parallels similar to The Count Of Monte Cristo. I have come to enjoy Dickens — without the parsing.

Great book. And be sure to read the sequel, "The Road Home."