Catching up on Classics (and lots more!) discussion

Marilyn wrote: "It looks like The Return of the Soldier is not going to win in the polls again this month. Should we do a buddy read? Or keep nominating it until it wins?"

Either? Both? Definitely at least one of them! I'm never giving up! I mean, I could just sit down and read the book, but it's become a point of... not honour... stubborness? Principle? Anyway, if people do a buddy read I'm in (although my June TBR is already exploded, so July or later would be best). And if people don't do a buddy read, I'll be nominating and seconding until Ragnarok, or until it wins.

Marilyn wrote: "It looks like The Return of the Soldier is not going to win in the polls again this month. Should we do a buddy read? Or keep nominating it until it wins?"

To put this in perspective the winner last month, Waiting for Godot, was on the first short story poll we had thirty four months ago. It took a lot of time, but persistence finally paid off and it is next month’s short story read. I believe that The Return of the Soldier will eventually win the short story poll, hopefully next month. It depends on the competition from the next nominations, but it has been a popular nomination and has done well in the polls. Even if a buddy read is created, I believe Soldier will continue to be nominated and will someday win, but I think it will take a lot longer. The drawback I see from a buddy read is that it may hamper future votes for Soldier, simply because the people that do buddy read it, will likely in future polls, vote for a book they haven’t read.

Leni wrote: "Marilyn wrote: "It looks like The Return of the Soldier is not going to win in the polls again this month. Should we do a buddy read? Or keep nominating it until it wins?"

Either? Bo..."

I agree with Bob about how it may never win if we do a buddy read. I couldn't do a buddy read until July or later either so maybe we could try for a few more months to get it as a group read? I know this will fit on a few of our " Quest for Women authors" challenge, so maybe we could keep trying until October or something. It's coming so close that It's bound to win. That being said, if you guys do do a buddy read before then, I'm in!

I am good either way. I just really want to read the book with this group.

I do need this for my women's author challenge. Hold off on the buddy read and keep nominating it. If it doesn't win we will do a buddy read later in the year.

I have it pencilled in for Q4 this year, so I'm happy to see it repeat-nominated right up to December! ;o)

I will be in for the buddy read as well. I keep nominating and voting for this one and mean to get to it this year regardless.

Rosemarie wrote: "I would do a buddy read of The Return of the Soldier."

I’m in too!

I'm with Bob - I'll join in on a buddy read, but I think we should keep nominating for a bit longer. I would probably be in the camp of people who will start voting for other books once I finally read this one!

I have already read The Return of the Soldier, but I have voted for it several times because I would love to see the group read and discuss it. It keeps getting close to the top in votes so I think it has a good chance of being chosen this year. I hope so.

Marilyn wrote: "Lonesome Dove in June. Do we have enough readers to have Pink put on the schedule?"
"
Hi Marilyn,
I'm ready to start in about a week. I posted to the thread just now at https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

CluckingBell wrote: Same! I've been wanting to read The Wreath for some time, and I haven't read Lonesome Dove since 2010. .."

Hi-
I'm ready to start Lonesome Dove in about a week and posted to the thread just now at https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

These are the buddy reads scheduled for June -

Lonesome Dove link to discussion threads here

East of Eden link to discussion threads here

The Wreath link to discussion thread here

Buddy read of Kristin Lavransdatter / The Wreathe is still ongoing. Two of us are reading The Wife (book 2 of Kristin Lavransdatter) as well. Link to discussion : https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

who's up for The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay then?

rumblings for September...?

I'll take you up on Kavalier and Clay in September. I started it years ago when it was brand new and I don't remember if I finished it (though GR says I did - but I dunno if I believe that.) I can certainly do September, but not before that.

I might be able to get to K & C in September, would like to read it. Late Sept or Oct I could definitely do. The lengthy Lonesome Dove is slowing my progress on other books, but am ok with that.

Darren wrote: "who's up for The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay then?...?"

Maybe I will join you all.

George wrote: "I might be able to get to K & C in September, would like to read it. Late Sept or Oct I could definitely do. The lengthy Lonesome Dove is slowing my progress on other books, but am ok with that."

I might join too. I own it and definitely want to read it but October is better for me too.

I'm happy with October too - shall we say that then?

Darren wrote: "I'm happy with October too - shall we say that then?"

OK, great.

Darren wrote: "I'm happy with October too - shall we say that then?"

Sounds good to me.

Ella wrote: "Darren wrote: "I'm happy with October too - shall we say that then?"

Sounds good to me."

Me too.

Yay for October!

Would anyone like buddy read Portnoy's Complaint?

I have never read any book by Philip Roth, but his recent death pushed him up on my to-read list. I nominated the book for a group read, but it only made third place in the poll directly after his death, so I don't think nominating again would increase the chances.

I'm open to the month, but would like to read it soon. Would anyone be interested? Is August too soon?

I've never done (let alone suggested) a buddy read before, I hope I'm doing this right. :-)

by extraordinary coincidence, I'm planning on reading Portnoy's Complaint in August anyway, so that would be good for me!

You are doing the request just right Petrichor. My August looks full for reading, but I'm tempted to move things around to read this one instead. But don't count on me. Enjoy your buddy read.

I could easily move things around for September or October if that suits others...

I will join in Portnoy's Complaint, or at least the reading of it, if you can make it September!

Darren wrote: "I could easily move things around for September or October if that suits others..."

Don't wait for me. Buddy reads seem to work best if people start reading sooner than later.

So, we would be
o) Darren and myself in August, or
o) Leni, possibly Darren, possibly possibly Katy and myself for September.

I'd say let's do September. It's already mid July. If anyone else would like to join they have some time to organize the book. Would that be fine for you, Darren?

yep no prob
in fact I like the fun involved in rearranging my spreadsheet (geek_smiley)

Oh, I know what you are talking about. :-D
You should see the excel table I made to decide which book I use for which BINGO category.

Let's make it official, then.

In September, we'll buddy read Portnoy's Complaint by Philip Roth.

A few of us have expressed interest for reading Cry, The Beloved Country in November. I'm just putting out a feeler for more interest.

Brina wrote: "A few of us have expressed interest for reading Cry, The Beloved Country in November. I'm just putting out a feeler for more interest."

I would be up for reading this in November.

Brina wrote: "A few of us have expressed interest for reading Cry, The Beloved Country in November. I'm just putting out a feeler for more interest."

Brina, I've been meaning to read this book for a long time. Not sure what the autumn may bring, but if I can squeeze it in I would certainly like to join in :)

I keep a tight reading schedule lol hence my reason to schedule in advance. This looks good and I'm sure we can recruit more before then.

hmm... I have an electronic version of CTBC knocking around, which probably wouldn't work its way to the top of my TBR pile until 2020 (at the earliest!) but depending on how other group reads pan out for November... put me down as a maybe! ;o)

Ooh, I've never been in a buddy read with Darren. I hope that buddy read changes to a yes :)

Brina wrote: "Ooh, I've never been in a buddy read with Darren. I hope that buddy read changes to a yes :)"

you could read Portnoy's Complaint with us ;-)

I could but September is a month of my holidays and I am very very busy. I will be lucky to finish the 2 short books I have scheduled but thank you for asking me.

In that case: enjoy your holidays!

Thank you. If I have time maybe I will join or at least follow the discussion. That is what has gotten me motivated this year to read books at a later time when I have time.

I've added Portnoy's Complaint for September.

Brina, do you want Cry, the Beloved Country added for November, or are you still gathering interest for this one?

If there's anything else, just let me know :)

Pink, please add for November. I think we have about 5 people already from a few threads where it was discussed. Thank you.

Brina wrote: "Pink, please add for November. I think we have about 5 people already from a few threads where it was discussed. Thank you."

I'll add it now :)

hey could you ask if any one would be interested doing a buddy read en francais. prolly a long shot but I'm learning french and I could really use challenge. so before I even try to read 3 musketeers in its mother tongue I figured I'd try the doctor in spite of himself by moliere. I know this is a long shot so thx in advance.

Newly wrote: "hey could you ask if any one would be interested doing a buddy read en francais. prolly a long shot but I'm learning french and I could really use challenge. so before I even try to read 3 musketee..."

I'm game if you are. Is the book in French called Le Medecin volant? Because I have that by moliere.

that's it! or le medicin malgre lui. this is so decent of you. seriously thank you

Newly wrote: "that's it! or le medicin malgre lui. this is so decent of you. seriously thank you"

You're welcome. So I leave the starting date of the buddy read to you. Let's begin reading the day you want to.