Catching up on Classics (and lots more!) discussion

can i join in for war and peace too? I've never read it so i think a buddy read might be good to keep motivated since it's a big book!

Go for it! I was actually able to start it a little early, so I've read the first two sections so far (out of 17 I think). Post your thoughts over in the comment threads in the Leo Tolstoy folder after you start reading! 😊

I'd like to join the War and Peace buddy read. How many months/years 😁 to finish it?

Oh, when does it officially begin?

Whenever you want it to begin haha. I've started already but I know some people aren't starting for another week or two. I'm hoping to have it finished by the end of 2017 :)

Any suggestions on the best translation? Which one are you reading, Kimberly?

I'm reading the Maude translation since that's the one in the public domain (can download for free from Project Gutenberg).

thanks

Here's a link to the pervious War and Peace discussion threads. It's split between many parts, so it's easy to post your thoughts on the relevant thread as you go, without worrying about spoilers. There's also a whole thread about the author, background and translations. I read the Anthony Briggs version and was very happy with it.

https://www.goodreads.com/group/comme...

I'm planning to start The Godfather in a couple weeks, if anyone wants to buddy on that. It's kind of long at about 450 pages and I would probably be taking one to two months since I will be reading others at the same time.

Oh, ditto for War and Peace!

George, I read The Godfather this summer and have been looking for someone to discuss the book with. Just let me know when you start and I'd be happy to join in any discussion.

If anyone would be interested in reading something by James Joyce, either Dubliners or Ulysses it could be fun. - )

I would like to read Ulysses as a group read. I tried some years ago, but gave up after about 100 pages, because I did not understand what was going on. How about nominating it next time?

Yes, of course. I'm guessing you mean for a quarterly read? Does the nominating occur on Nov. 1? I apologize, I'm brand new here and have not assimilated all of your procedures yet. I joined up for the Walden read, but my passion is for Joyce, especially Ulysses, and would love to be a part of a group read.

Yes nominating starts on Nov 1st for our January reads (we work 2 months in advance) so you can suggest Ulysses for either our New School category, as we haven't read it as a group before, or our first quarterly read of 2018 if you prefer a longer timescale, assuming that it fits the page requirements and is over 600 pages, which I'm sure it is.

Thank you, Pink! - )
Yes, Ulysses is about 750 pages. I think 3 months would be much better than one.

Mark wrote: "Thank you, Pink! - )
Yes, Ulysses is about 750 pages. I think 3 months would be much better than one."

And the discussion could be really good!

Yes. It could be the most fun we have all year! - )

Kimberly wrote: "Cynda wrote: "Bat-Cat wrote: "Starting W & P in October would also be fine with me. Are there some more takers?"

Yes, I need buddy for War and Peace. In October I have no other buddy re..."

Yes Kimberly. 😉I will start in November and continue. I will give myself 3 months. Otherwise I will have do rereads for the two groups I belong to. Shall I ask Pink to swt up a buddy read then?

We already have several threads for War & Peace. Use these for your buddy read: https://www.goodreads.com/group/comme...

Cynda
I will begin War and Peace Nov. 1st for the buddy read. Not sure where to post for it, though

Katy
I just saw your post for the W and P buddy read. Whoever is doing it, please let me know which one you're posting in so I can join you.

Jane wrote: "Katy
I just saw your post for the W and P buddy read. Whoever is doing it, please let me know which one you're posting in so I can join you."

If you don't wish to use all of the different threads, you might consider just using the Book as A Whole spoiler thread for your buddy read: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Jane wrote: "Cynda
I will begin War and Peace Nov. 1st for the buddy read. Not sure where to post for it, though"

Hi Jane, Thanks. Yeah, I will start reading online on Nov 1st until I can find a copy I would like to borrow or buy.
I will ask Pink to add our buddy read to the schedule.
I will get back with you within 24 hours.

Hi Pink, Jane and I would like to start a buddy read of War and Peace on November 1st, the book is extremely long, Is it possible to have a 3-month buddy read? We do want people to have a chance to clear their schedules and begin when they can.
I'm excited.

I see Phil and Bat-Cat and maybe otjers talkkng about War and Peace. Jane and I would be glad to have you join us beginning November 1st.
Hope you can join in 🍃

I would like to join too.

I'd like to join as well.

Cynda- I may join in if the duration is 3 months (Nov 1-Jan 31).
Also, just chiming in that I like the individual discussion threads (by Volume) that Pink posted. It helps to avoid spoilers versus using one general discussion thread. Thanks. :-)

Cynda wrote: "Hi Pink, Jane and I would like to start a buddy read of War and Peace on November 1st, the book is extremely long, Is it possible to have a 3-month buddy read? We do want people to have ..."

You can make the buddy read as long as you like.

Cynda, as Katy says you can decide for yourselves how long to make the buddy read. Links to all the threads are a few posts above, but I'll also add them to the schedule thread :)

Pink wrote: "Cynda, as Katy says you can decide for yourselves how long to make the buddy read. Links to all the threads are a few posts above, but I'll also add them to the schedule thread :)"

Thank you Pink. Appreciate you so.
Thanks Katy. I do remember seeing your comment yeaterday. That was what gave the idea ☺

Lisa A ⛅ wrote: "Cynda- I may join in if the duration is 3 months (Nov 1-Jan 31).
Also. just chiming in that I like the individual discussion threads (by Volume) that Pink posted. It helps to avoid spoilers versus..."

Yes 😎
3 months starting Nov 1
Pink has set up a link for us.

Jane wrote: "Cynda
I will begin War and Peace Nov. 1st for the buddy read. Not sure where to post for it, though"

Hi Jane, Pink has set us up for a a buddy read for War and Peace We can read for a many months as we would like. I requested 3. Talk soon.

I would like to join this as well. I will follow the link but wanted to post here to let you know. So glad you are doing this; I started it last month but the group wanted to do it in three weeks and I just couldn't get to it that fast.
So, I start reading tomorrow and where do we get together to talk about it? I looked but couldn't find a link to all of you fine folks reading it.

Here are the links again to War and Peace: https://www.goodreads.com/group/comme...

Katy wrote: "Here are the links again to War and Peace: https://www.goodreads.com/group/comme..."
Thank you

Katy wrote: "Here are the links again to War and Peace: https://www.goodreads.com/group/comme..."

J_BlueFlower wrote: "I would like to read Ulysses as a group read. I tried some years ago, but gave up after about 100 pages, because I did not understand what was going on. How about nominating it next t..."

Want to nominate this one for the Quarterly Long Read this round?

Wow, look at all who want to read W & P! I'm so excited!

Mark wrote: "... Ulysses..."

I took a deeeep breath and nominated it:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Hi Mark & BlueFlower,
I am definitely going to read Ulysses sometime next year, and Leni was also tentatively on board (don't kick me Leni!)
I just have to complete my book of literary lectures by Nabokov, and he analyzes Ulysses chapter-by-chapter. So, if we don't get the group to read it, I would be very happy to have a buddy read =))

me too Nente.....I 'd like to read it too....I tried this year but..it got difficult having to google very many things...

Nente wrote: "I just have to complete my book of literary lectures by ..."

This one Lectures on Literature? Is it good? Can you recommend it? Would it be good to read it side-by-side with Ulysses?

I would like to try to level up in "reading" ;-) I have my eyes on How to Read Literature Like a Professor.

Ack. I did say something about Ulysses next year, didn't I? Lol
Heh, let's just say that I'll join a buddy read of it as long as we take it over several months. Several. I know from reading Dubliners and Portrait of the Artist that Joyce is a slooooow read for me. Better start it sometime in the first half, or even first quarter, of the year. :P

Dear Leni, J_Blueflower, siriusedward, & Nente -

I have been a Joyce enthusiast for more than 30 years; and I would love the opportunity to accompany a small gang of brave souls in experiencing Ulysses!
Personally, I would suggest against the use of outside resources until you have been through the book once. It does take patience, but with a few quick tricks that I can show you it is not a hard book to read. It is long, and it is complex but it is not the opaque & dismal swamp that so much of public opinion has painted it as.
I believe in reading Ulysses just for fun! - )

I'd also recommend reading Ulysses just for fun, at least the first time through. There are plenty of notes to help, if that's what you want, but you can get bogged down with endlessly trying to find out what everything means. I read Ulysses with another group every year and we love it! Last year we listened on audio, which was a fabulous experience, though I'd recommend reading the physical book first.

Pink wrote: "I'd also recommend reading Ulysses just for fun, at least the first time through. There are plenty of notes to help, if that's what you want, but you can get bogged down with endlessly trying to fi..."
Thanks, Pink! - )

Yes, that's probably good advice. I tend to relentlessly read every footnote and chase down every obscure reference. But it makes sense to save that for a subsequent reading. If I can resist. Mark, I'll happily take some pointers from you.

Leni wrote: "Yes, that's probably good advice. I tend to relentlessly read every footnote and chase down every obscure reference. But it makes sense to save that for a subsequent reading. If I can resist. Mark,..."
If I could make a very modest suggestion, if you have never read Joyce's Dubliners try a few of the stories and see what you think of them. - )