All About Books discussion

Alannah wrote: "Greg wrote: "Anyone interested in joining me in a readalong of Gilead by Marilynne Robinson later this month?"

I would love to join, I have been meaning to read it for a..."

Fantastic Alannah! I'll add you! :)

And thanks for your thoughts Dhanaraj - they make me even more excited to read it!

I'd be interested in the Proust.

Good Terri!

I really can't wait for the Proust read!! I am definitely looking forward to it!

I'm looking forward to Proust as well. Glad to see so many of us joining in.

I read Du Cote de Chez Swann in school and loved it and have the entire series waiting for me... Would love to join!
Leslie wrote: "Is there any interest in reading the Proust series In Search of Lost Time (À la recherche du temps perdu), reading a book every other month, starting next year?"

Just getting going on East of Eden. Would anyone like to join me?

Johanna, I am interested in that book but can't take on another book at the moment. I look forward to hearing about how you like it.

Leslie, thanks for getting back to me! I understand completely - I too have too many books to read in order to meet my reading challenge commitments and can't join in any of the great read-alongs I'm seeing - like all of Proust's In Search of Lost Time. I don't think I'll be joining any challenges next year for this reason...

So far I'm loving Steinbeck's prose!

I'm inspired by the Nobel laureates thread over in the Drama section, to try to read some of the books on my shelves. Is anyone interested in joining me on one of these in August/September? I am flexible about when to start.

The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck
Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcí­a Márquez
Soldiers' Pay by William Faulkner

katie wrote: "I'm inspired by the Nobel laureates thread over in the Drama section, to try to read some of the books on my shelves. Is anyone interested in joining me on one of these in August/September? I am fl..."

I've already read The Good Earth a few times - not sure if I'm ready for a re-read, but it was an excellent book!

I would join you in Love in the Time of Cholera though. I'm not sure I've read it before because I get some of the Marquez books mixed up, but if so, I've only read it once long ago and don't remember it well. I'm due for a read or re-read on that one for sure!

Leslie wrote: "Johanna, I am interested in that book but can't take on another book at the moment. I look forward to hearing about how you like it."

Me too! Not now, but maybe later on in the year

Katie, I like reading Nobel laureates too, but I have read those.

I think Love in the Time of Cholera is a good one to read by Marquez. Much better than One Hundred Years of Solitude, in my humble opinion! I liked Buck's The Good Earth so you have some good ones picked out.

I thought I would reread The Sound and the Fury relatively soon. I read it once but this was so long ago I feel this is worth another read. Maybe this one doesn't interest you though?

Interestingly, guys, Love in the Time of Cholera was the very first book I did a group read with when I first joined GR. It was a really good experience, I liked the book.

Greg, I just finished The Sound and the Fury and I absolutely loved it. It's a book that requires a little research before you read it, but that doesn't put me off. Gill and I, and hopefully others, are reading Absalom, Absalom! in August. Everyone's welcome to join.

Chrissie wrote: "Katie, I like reading Nobel laureates too, but I have read those.

I think Love in the Time of Cholera is a good one to read by Marquez. Much better than [book:One Hundred Years of Sol..."

Chrissie, I definitely want to read the Sound and the Fury at some point. However, I have a 'Book Problem' .. as in I buy waaayyy too many books but don't read them ;o) and I am spending this year forcing myself to make a dent in the books I own, so that's why those three are my priority. But thanks for asking, and I hope you enjoy the book!

Greg wrote: "katie wrote: "I'm inspired by the Nobel laureates thread over in the Drama section, to try to read some of the books on my shelves. Is anyone interested in joining me on one of these in August/Sept..."

Greg, that would be great! Shall we say Love in the Time of Cholera in September? It couldn't hurt to have a little time before starting.

Chrissie wrote: "Katie, I like reading Nobel laureates too, but I have read those.

I think Love in the Time of Cholera is a good one to read by Marquez. Much better than [book:One Hundred Years of Sol..."

I enjoyed the first book on this list, if research is required then I might not be ready for the last, but the middle book has been on my to read for ages.

katie wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Katie, I like reading Nobel laureates too, but I have read those.

I think Love in the Time of Cholera is a good one to read by Marquez. Much better than [book:One Hun..."

I understand completely. You have fun with yours!

Terri wrote: "I just finished The Sound and the Fury and I absolutely loved it. It's a book that requires a little research before you read it.."

I am going to reread this. So what is it that I must know before reading the book? Please tell me or give me a link. Thank you.

You don't think it is better to attack a book with a clean slate? My head IS blank since I read this so very long ago.

katie wrote: "
Greg, that would be great! Shall we say Love in the Time of Cholera in September? It couldn't hurt to have a little time before starting...."

September would be perfect katie! :)

Greg wrote:
September would be perfect katie! :)"

Great! I will go post this in the Readalongs thread. See you in September, Greg.

And I would still like to read the other two soon, if anyone else wants to join, let me know!

Chrissie, don't laugh, but I found following along with Schmoop to be best help, specially in section 1, which is Benji's. This way I could see/understand what I was reading and was able to focus on the beautiful language and prose.

Hi Katie,
I have The Good Earth next on my To Read list and would really enjoy reading it with someone else. Also have another Nobel winner scheduled for after that - The War of the End of the World by Mario Vargas Llosa, in case you'd like to join for that as well.

I like to read Nobel winners and I'm trying to work my way through the list reading at least one book from every winner....

katie wrote: "I'm inspired by the Nobel laureates thread over in the Drama section, to try to read some of the books on my shelves. Is anyone interested in joining me on one of these in August/September? I am fl..."

I was born in Colombia and it's thrilling to see the high profile and regard Garcia Marquez enjoys. Another great Latin writer on the Nobel list is Vargas Llosa, whose books I like even more than those of Garcia Marquez's... Aunt Julia & the Scriptwriter and the Green House are particular favourites.

Chrissie wrote: "Katie, I like reading Nobel laureates too, but I have read those.

I think Love in the Time of Cholera is a good one to read by Marquez. Much better than [book:One Hundred Years of Sol..."

Johanna wrote: "Chrissie, don't laugh, but I found following along with Schmoop to be best help, specially in section 1, which is Benji's. This way I could see/understand what I was reading and was able to focus o..."

I am not laughing! I don't have access to that.

I have Love in the Time of Cholera on my kindle, so I might join in. It's a re-read for me. My favourite ever of Marquez' books is Chronicle of a Death Foretold. It's near perfection, in my opinion. Well actually, I think it's perfection,

Johanna wrote: "I was born in Colombia and it's thrilling to see the high profile and regard Garcia Marquez enjoys. Another great Latin writer on the Nobel list is Vargas Llosa, whose books I like even more than t..."

I have not read those two by Mario Vargas Llosa, only The Notebooks of Don Rigoberto. i guess I should go check them out. thanks for the tip.

Johanna wrote: "Hi Katie,
I have The Good Earth next on my To Read list and would really enjoy reading it with someone else. Also have another Nobel winner scheduled for after that ..."

Hi Johanna! reading The Good Earth sounds great! I might be able to squeeze it in at the end of Aug, but Sept or Oct is probably more reasonable considering my list of books right now. Let me know what works for you, and I'll have it added to the list of Readalongs https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Yay!

Gill, Chronicle of a Death Foretold is also my favourite Garcia Marquez book! Did you know that it is based on a true story? My mom has a friend who grew up in the town where the incident happened and she told us that characters' ethnicities and some other details were changed, but that the book is very close to what happened....

My two other GGM faves are News of a Kidnapping, the true story of the kidnapping of one Colombia's leading newspaper publishers, told in a suspenseful, police procedural style, and The Incredible and Sad Tale of Innocent Eréndira and her Souless Grandmother - an outrageous novella that came out of One Hundred Years, where the story is told in a couple of pages.

That's awesome Katie! And August/September sounds perfect! I'm reading less and slower this year so the timing works. Let's touch base in the middle of August.

katie wrote: "Johanna wrote: "Hi Katie,
I have The Good Earth next on my To Read list and would really enjoy reading it with someone else. Also have another Nobel winner scheduled for after that ......"

Chrissie, Schmoop has a free version that is available at: http://www.shmoop.com/sound-and-the-f...

Johanna wrote: "Gill, Chronicle of a Death Foretold is also my favourite Garcia Marquez book! Did you know that it is based on a true story? My mom has a friend who grew up in the town where the incid..."

How fascinating Johanna, that makes me even more curious to read/re-read it.

Johanna wrote: "Gill, Chronicle of a Death Foretold is also my favourite Garcia Marquez book! Did you know that it is based on a true story? My mom has a friend who grew up in the town where the incid..."

That is a news to me. Chronicle of a Death Foretold is one of my favourites too. I will also look for the News of a Kidnapping. Looks interesting from your description.

Johanna wrote: "Chrissie, Schmoop has a free version that is available at: http://www.shmoop.com/sound-and-the-f..."

Thank you very much.

Katie,

I'm just getting going on As I Lay Dying and should be done by next Monday. Are you still up for reading The Good Earth? I can start next week or squeeze in another book ...or 2...

katie wrote: "Johanna wrote: "Hi Katie,
I have The Good Earth next on my To Read list and would really enjoy reading it with someone else. Also have another Nobel winner scheduled for after that ......"

Johanna wrote: "Katie,

I'm just getting going on As I Lay Dying and should be done by next Monday. Are you still up for reading The Good Earth? I can start next week or squeeze in another book ...or 2...


Hi Johanna,
I am definitely in. Can we aim for about Sept 1, mid-next week? I should be ready to start then. And I'll have it added to the readalong thread in case anyone else wants to join.

Yay, can't wait!

Katie,
Sept 1st is perfect & will give me time to savour As I Lay Dying. Thanks for adding it to the Readalong thread!

katie wrote: "Johanna wrote: "Katie,

Johanna wrote: "Katie,
Sept 1st is perfect & will give me time to savour As I Lay Dying. Thanks for adding it to the Readalong thread!

Hi Johanna,
I'm so sorry I disappeared, but I've had a health issue, and I just haven't been able to do any reading for the last couple of weeks. I hope we can put this off until later in September, when I'm feeling better but I am not really able to read right now.

I'll check back in when I'm able to start reading again. Sorry!

Hi Katie, I am so sorry to hear that you are not well! Focus on regaining your health and don't worry about the read along. Late September is fine. Take care!

Katie, health is more important than anything else. Best wishes.

Hi Johanna and Greg,
Again, sorry I disappeared for a while there just when we were planning some readalongs. Well, I just had surgery this week that should have fixed the issue, and I'm feeling much better already.

And feeling up to reading books again, yay! Are either of you still interested in The Good Earth and Love in the Time of Cholera soon? I could start either this week, or I can wait until October if that is better for you. I totally understand if you have other books in your plans now, but I thought I would check, since I would still really like to read both of these soon.

Let me know if anyone is interested, and I'll be ready to start with you! Thanks all!

katie wrote: "Hi Johanna and Greg,
Again, sorry I disappeared for a while there just when we were planning some readalongs. Well, I just had surgery this week that should have fixed the issue, and I'm feeling m..."

Glad to hear the surgery is done .. wishing for a complete & speedy recovery for you!

And yes, I'd still love to buddy read Love in the Time of Cholera. I had to return my library copy, but I'm first on the waiting list for a new hold. I should be able to get it within the next two weeks. Would you like to start the second week of October? That should be enough time for the hold to come through.

katie, it must feel good to have the surgery over. My fingers are crossed in the hope that your recuperation is speedy.

I'm going to be reading Fernando Pessoa's book The Book of Disquiet towards the end of October, around 25th, if anyone would like to join me.

Gill wrote: "I'm going to be reading Fernando Pessoa's book The Book of Disquiet towards the end of October, around 25th, if anyone would like to join me."

Could be interested, Let's talk about it when we meet!

When we meet! So excited! Did you get the Monday off work OK?

Hi Katie,

I am so glad that your health issues have been dealt with and that you are now on the mend and ready to read!

I still would love to read The Good Earth with you. Would it be OK if I first read Sanctuary and the Book of Disquiet with Gill? Both are on my to read list and are rarely read in groups, so this is a unique opportunity for company reading challenging books...

Would you be OK with mid-to-late November?

Hi Johanna and Greg,
Again, sorry I disappeared for a while there just when we were planning some readalongs. Well, I just had surgery this week that should have fixed the issue, and I'm feeling m..."

Gill, I'm in!!!

Gill wrote: "I'm going to be reading Fernando Pessoa's book The Book of Disquiet towards the end of October, around 25th, if anyone would like to join me."

Hope so Gill. There shouldn't be any problem!

That's great, re Pessoa, Johanna and Laura. I'll set the thread near the end of the month.