Outread Aubrey! Challenge discussion

I'm publicly on record as saying (at some length) that Pride and Prejudice is one of the books everyone ought to read, for what it's worth.

Jonathan wrote: "I'm publicly on record as saying (at some length) that Pride and Prejudice is one of the books everyone ought to read, for what it's worth."

*likes*

*loves P&P*

It's a romance. I realize it's satirical as well, but you gotta try pretty hard to sell me on a romance. ;)

I'd describe it more as a "comedy of manners" than as a mere "romance"---though I'll admit that the romantic tension is such that Pride and Prejudice fan-fiction is more of a "comfort read" for me nowadays than the original. :)

Corey wrote: "My favorite N.D. Wilson book is Leepike Ridge... you should check that out after 100 Cupboards. :)"

All right, will do!

I need to read Pride and Prejudice one of these days.

How is progress on Peter's Ally coming, Aubrey?

P&P comes off as a romance to those who have not read it, which means you have to give me a good reason to get close enough to figure out that it isn't. ;)

Peter's Ally is on hold hold while I brainstorm revisions and research a bit, Leah. Thanks for asking!

(Facetiously:) What? My recommendation isn't enough? /pout

More seriously: Though in my review of it (linked in my "I'm on record" post above) I didn't lean much on the "traditionally accepted literary merit" angle (as I'm having to do in the Pilgrim's Progress review I'm struggling through right now), there's so many good books of the past few centuries that simply assume you've read it. Not that they won't (necessarily) make any sense without having read Pride and Prejudice, but the best of modern literature becomes so very much richer if you've read it.

(Oh, and once you've read it, you can watch the film and miniseries adaptations, and we can discuss them! In light of my comparative review of all four, or not, as you like. :))

I was going to be reading John Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men". I read part of it and simply couldn't stand the swearing. They took the LORD's name in vain too many times. I kinda skipped to the end, got the jist of the book, and tossed it aside.

Now I'm reading "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court", "Peter's Angel", and "Finding the Core of Your Story".

*laughs at Jonathan* Now, the promise of a critical discussion of the films is more of an incentive for me. We'll see. ;)

What kind of books are you talking about, those that "assume I've read P&P"?

*grins at Rebekah's reading list* I'm very eager to hear what you think of all of those selections. :D

I'll be sure to let you know. Besides, I'm determined to write a review of every book I read this year! (Hopefully, I'll follow through with that!)

By the way, Aubrey, have you read 1776 by David McCullough? I loved that book, as well as his John Adams. :D

I blush to admit that the only one that leaps readily to mind is A Civil Campaign, which is itself largely romance/comedy-of-manners (as well as SF---and one of my favorite books and "comfort reads," and on my list of books everyone ought to read, though I haven't gotten to writing a detailed review/justification of that yet). But I myself read Pride and Prejudice fairly late, and my reading of fiction (other than fan-fiction) has tapered off fairly sharply since then---so other than that I don't have specifics, just a general impression from literature classes and "general knowledge."

Today I did quite a bit of reading while I didn't have internet. ^_^ I am reading Firmament: Radialloy, and Old-Earth Creationism On Trial: The Verdict Is in.

That is an excellent goal, Rebekah. Do it! And post the reviews on Goodreads while you're at it! ;)

1776 is on my reading pile--literally. :D I hope to start on it soon.

A very good thing to be doing while your internet is out, little brother. ^_^

I just finished The Heartbreak of Aaron Burr. Absolutely wonderful and fascinating little biography.

Rebekah wrote: "I'll be sure to let you know. Besides, I'm determined to write a review of every book I read this year! (Hopefully, I'll follow through with that!)
I hoping to do the same, Rebekah.

My review of "The Game" by Terry Schott is up: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/....

Aubrey, you are going to kill me, if I don't slow down on my reading. :P Either that or I'm going to kill myself. o.O

Waaaait, what? Me kill you? What fer? Or are you saying I'll paste you in the challenge? o.O

Read the first volume of the +Anima manga today. It's not got as much meat to it as Fullmetal Alchemist, but it's okay.

Finished with The Windy Hill and Stephen Crane's The Little Regiment and Other Stories, and now I'm again trying to make up my mind what to read next. I'm kind of in intensive writing mode right now, and don't tend to read as much when that happens. :)

Oh, and Aubrey, if another person urging you to read Jane Austen will do any good—well, here I am!

Nowhere near as what, Corey? You're missing a word somewhere in there. :)

*laughs* Duly noted, in regards to Austen, Elisabeth. ;)

I, too, don't read a lot when I'm writing heavily. But right now I am not writing much, so I am soaking up literature instead. Seems like a worthy trade-off.

Ahh! Well, let us know what you think of it when you're finished. :D

Elisabeth wrote: "I'm kind of in intensive writing mode right no..."

At least I'm not the only one who's having a hard time reading a lot while getting my book done! I've got a deadline, so my book keeps distracting me from reading!

At least you all have fun stuff distracting you from reading. I have a million school deadlines and papers to write. :P

Aubrey wrote: "Waaaait, what? Me kill you? What fer? Or are you saying I'll paste you in the challenge?"

Um... By me staying up too late too many nights in a row. And because we seem to be staying head-to-head so far and leap frogging over each other every other day. :P

*titters deviously* You expecting me to be repentant, eh, lovely?

No, not really. I know you too well for that. Especially since I know we are so similar. :P

Mmhmm. ^_^

How's everybody doing? I took a brief break today to reread my own book, Red Rain. Believe it or not, that's actually a very difficult thing to do! I think this is the first time I've read the entire book straight through since I published it over a year ago. For the longest time I couldn't stand to touch it. Today I was able to read it with a straight face, though, and I enjoyed the process. I'll take that as a good sign.

If you're wondering, I reread it now because I'm preparing to write a sequel (and a related short story), and I need to get my character voice back.

We've got sick people in our house, so since I'm one of the few people on my feet, I doubt I'll get a ton of reading done in the next few days. Most of my free time needs to go towards writing my book. I have to get this done in the next two weeks or so...

I'm going slowly through those two books still. :P

Well, if it's a choice between reading and writing, can't say I'm upset you chose writing, Rebekah... ;) Shh, don't tell anyone else I said that!

*elbows little brother* C'mon, you can do it! Read! :D

*is elbowed* o.O Okay, I'll try. ^_^

I've slowed down in my reading. I don't have much energy and don't feel much like slogging through books. But that's unacceptable, so I'm going to force myself to start reading again. :P

That's the way, little brother. ^_^

Try reading something light and easy, Renna. Now may not be a good time to try and read a meaty book. Just relax and read for fun!

But I don't have anything to read for fun. :P Just 300-page or more novels. And they're interesting; I just can't concentrate on them.

I'm plodding along, just like Wolferl and Renna, but I'm starting to bring books to work so I can read while I'm traveling or waiting for the bus. :)

Maybe Renna needs to go to the library and pick up something frivolous? :D

Sweet, Alyssa!

I'm doing pretty good so far. It's been fun!

That's what I want to hear. ^_^

Aubrey wrote: "Well, if it's a choice between reading and writing, can't say I'm upset you chose writing, Rebekah... ;) Shh, don't tell anyone else I said that!"

I won't. :D

Aubrey wrote: "Maybe Renna needs to go to the library and pick up something frivolous? :D

Sweet, Alyssa!"

Hehe, yeah, good idea.

I have never heard of a frivolous book before. Even the most bizarre and comedic have truth in them.

I've been tackling all the obscure books I downloaded for my bus trip and didn't read. Cosmic Heretics, Origin of Consciousness, The Sibylline Oracles, etc. I also finished a whole heap of half read anthologies. And there's a stack of Sandman comics with my name on it. And Jenni owns several books I've wanted but never been able to get; City of a Thousand Dolls and Mike Duran's other novels. And she owns the Book Thief, which is on my required reading list.

Kaleb wrote: "I have never heard of a frivolous book before. Even the most bizarre and comedic have truth in them."

True...

*laughs* Of course, but isn't that the beauty of it all? Even a light, fast read you consume just for fun has a message tucked inside.

Tell me how City of a Thousand Dolls is, Katie! I remember that title. I need to read The Book Thief as well...

Funny, I know of City Of a Thousand Dolls even though the genre's not my cup of tea, because I used to read the author's blog way back before she got published.

I'm reading No Life for a Lady by Agnes Morley Cleaveland, a really fascinating and fun memoir about growing up on a New Mexico cattle ranch in the 1880s. I love this kind of book.

I just finished reading "A Bride in the Bargain" by Deanne Gist. It was good.

Elisabeth wrote: I'm reading No Life for a Lady by Agnes Morley Cleaveland, a really fascinating and fun memoir about growing up on a New Mexico cattle ranch in the 1880s. I love this kind of book."
That sounds similar to an old book I found when we went on vacation, A Bride Goes West.

I'm reading a bioagerphy on Jim Elliot. :)

Leah—I just read A Bride Goes West during Christmas vacation! I loved that one too.