Catching up on Classics (and lots more!) discussion

Cynda wrote: "Hi All. Would anyone one be interested in reading Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko. November is Native American Heritage Month, so if others want to read another selecti..."

I am a terrible buddy reader, but I have that book physically sitting here on my shelf. So maybe.

A few of us have mentioned reading George Eliot next year for her 200th birthday. I wonder if a series of buddy reads would work, or maybe one year-long buddy read where we decide together which to read when and for how long.

There are group discussion threads already for Middlemarch, Silas Marner and The Mill on the Floss, so maybe a buddy read thread for the 200th anniversary reading planning, and link out to old or new ones for each specific book?

Thoughts anyone?

George Elliot is on my list to read this year. I would read any of her novels.

I think a year-long George Eliot buddy- read is a cool idea. I would suggest having the participants select four books and people could read 1, 2 or all of them.

I would like to read some more George Eliot as well. I have a few left to go and like the idea of a 'pick and choose' throughout the year :)

Yes! Yes! I need to read Middlemarch and The Mill on the Floss still.

Yes,pleasr.

I have read the ones on the group bookshelf, and while I do plan on reading the wonderful Middlemarch again I intend to read all her other books first.

I own her selected Essays, and plan on reading those next year. I'd love company if anyone else is feeling like some non-fiction. I'm also up for at least one (probably two) of her other books.

I would really like to read Adam Bede. In part because it is in the British Schools Accelerated Reader program, but listed as "Upper Years", which means that my Y7 daughter needs a permission slip from me to be allowed to read it in school. (Which she didn't need for The Mill on the Floss). She is really keen on reading more George Eliot, and when it comes to books that might be a bit "grown up" for her, I like to read them myself first.

Kathleen wrote: "A few of us have mentioned reading George Eliot next year for her 200th birthday. I wonder if a series of buddy reads would work, or maybe one year-long buddy read where we decide toge..."

That sounds like a great idea! Unfortunately, I haven't read any of her books yet, not even the ones on the group bookshelf. I would be up for reading a few of them. I think I already have Silas Marner, and The Mill on the Floss, but I would be up to reading any book that was chosen.

Leni, I’d be interested in reading the essays. I’ve read most of her fiction, but the non-fiction is new terrain for me.

I'd also be interested in the essays, and Adam Bede is at the top of my list of the ones I haven't read yet, Leni.

Great response and ideas everyone!! Let's see if the mods have suggestions too, and then we can start planning. :-)

Rachel wrote: "Leni, I’d be interested in reading the essays. I’ve read most of her fiction, but the non-fiction is new terrain for me."

Great! She wrote a lot of essays on all sorts of topics for the 'Westminster Review'. I'm not sure all of them will mean anything to us today, but she was apparently highly critical of her own essays and curated the collection herself when it was published in book form. So we should be getting the good stuff, even if some of the topics might be a bit obscure! We're talking the evangelical teachings of Dr Cumming, and The Natural History of German Life, but also her thoughts on story-telling and an Address to Working Men by her character Felix Holt.

Katy wrote: "Cynda wrote: "Hi All. Would anyone one be interested in reading Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko. November is Native American Heritage Month, so if others want to read a..."

Hi Katy. I just saw your answer. Sorry. Maybe next year. I keep putting it off although am 95% sure I read and enjoyed this book when it was first published.

George wrote: "I think a year-long George Eliot buddy- read is a cool idea. I would suggest having the participants select four books and people could read 1, 2 or all of them."

This kind of flexible challenge is a good idea,I think.
I'd also love to read her essays and Adam Bede,Leni.

Cynda wrote: "Katy wrote: "Cynda wrote: "Hi All. Would anyone one be interested in reading Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko. November is Native American Heritage Month, so if others w..."

Next year will be fine.

Kathleen wrote: "A few of us have mentioned reading George Eliot next year for her 200th birthday. I wonder if a series of buddy reads would work, or maybe one year-long buddy read where we decide toge..."

Sounds like some good plans. Be on the look out for a George Eliot challenge for 2019 also.

I haven't read anything by George Eliot yet so I would also like to join in one or more buddy reads next year.

Leni wrote: "I have read the ones on the group bookshelf, and while I do plan on reading the wonderful Middlemarch again I intend to read all her other books first.

I own her selected Essays, and plan on read..."

"Adam Bede" is an unforgettable--if devastating--read setting forth all the damage heartbreak causes. For once, I can understand the parental permission required.

Elizabeth wrote: ""Adam Bede" is an unforgettable--if devastating--read setting forth all the damage heartbreak causes. For once, I can understand the parental permission required. "

Thanks! I might try to keep her busy with other books until next school year.
I've told her to go for Little Women and Jane Eyre first, while I figure out if Adam Bede might suit her.

Would anyone be interested in reading The Lord of the Rings trilogy with me?

I am intending to read LOTR starting in January, treating it as a "quarterly read" though i.e. not putting pressure on to finish it asap, but allowing it to spread into Feb/March - being a trilogy I might even just do one book per month, but I suspect I won't be able to stop myself from just reading it non-stop!

Darren wrote: "I am intending to read LOTR starting in January, treating it as a "quarterly read" though i.e. not putting pressure on to finish it asap, but allowing it to spread into Feb/March - being a trilogy ..."

LOL
That is exactly how I plan and then end up reading LOTR.

Holly wrote: "Would anyone be interested in reading The Lord of the Rings trilogy with me?"

This keeps lurking on the TBR list. I hated the movies, so should I even try the books?

Marilyn wrote: "Holly wrote: "Would anyone be interested in reading The Lord of the Rings trilogy with me?"

This keeps lurking on the TBR list. I hated the movies, so should I even try the books?"

I thought the movies were better than the books, so I'd say no. But then again I suppose it depends on what you didn't like about the movies.

I loved the books before the movies were even thought of
the movies are OK (about as good as you could make them I suppose)
but I'm expecting still to love the books more on this re-read... :oD

I, too, loved the books long before the movies were a thing. I disliked the movies because I hated the way they changed some of the characters. But I suppose I might have really liked the movies if I hadn't already read the books. Twice.

Holly wrote: "Would anyone be interested in reading The Lord of the Rings trilogy with me?"

i'd certainly be interested, especially as Darren says, doing it as "long read".

I've read LOTR at least a dozen times, but I discover more every read.

Renee and I are going to read through the entire Harry Potter series beginning in January, if anyone is interested. I consider myself a HP expert, having read through the series nearly every year since they were published, but she has only read the first book and watched the movies. I would be more than willing to guide a discussion. I know this isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but I thought I’d throw it out there for people who have wanted to read them but never have.

Paula W wrote: "Renee and I are going to read through the entire Harry Potter series beginning in January, if anyone is interested. I consider myself a HP expert, having read through the series nearly every year s..."

I would love to re-do HP... but with the audiobooks. I really wish I could get a hold of the Stephen Fry narration here in the States.

Kirsten wrote: "Paula W wrote: "Renee and I are going to read through the entire Harry Potter series beginning in January, if anyone is interested. I consider myself a HP expert, having read through the series nea..."

The audiobooks are great! I appreciate the Jim Dale narrations, but I absolutely hate his Hermione voice. Other than that, they are some of the best narrations out there.

I know, but Stephen Fry? *sighs* Just the thought. Or anything narrated by Iain Glenn. His voice is wonderful. Also Alan Rickman, he narrated Return of the Native by Thomas Hardy and it was wonderful.

Paula I’ve read at least 10 times but not for a few years. I’ll read what I can with you all because I keep meaning to read the series again.

Awesome! We have at least 3, so I’ll go ahead and create a new thread on the buddy reads.
It makes me so, so happy to read “Mr and Mrs Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much.“ every January 2nd. So glad to have you guys joining me!

Paula, I will plan on it.

Kirsten wrote: "Paula W wrote: "Renee and I are going to read through the entire Harry Potter series beginning in January, if anyone is interested. I consider myself a HP expert, having read through the series nea..."

Youtube has some of the Stephen Fry full audiobooks!!!

I listened to books 1-4 with him as the narrator. I had an hour left in book 5 before it was deleted but I still see some of the other books on there.

Paula W wrote: "Renee and I are going to read through the entire Harry Potter series beginning in January, if anyone is interested. I consider myself a HP expert, having read through the series nearly every year s..."

I really wasn't expecting you to start a buddy read for this when I commented on your post, but this will be fun! Thanks, Paula. It will be nice to have an HP expert to read with 😊

Kirsten wrote: "I know, but Stephen Fry? *sighs* Just the thought. Or anything narrated by Iain Glenn. His voice is wonderful. Also Alan Rickman, he narrated Return of the Native by Thomas Hardy and it was wonderful."

I know eh? I love Stephen Fry. I picked up the Sherlock Holmes audiobooks because he narrated them. I'm glad you enjoyed Return of the Native, because I have that one also, I just haven't gotten around to it yet. I love Alan Rickman's voice! Tim Curry is another one I love. Last year, I got A Christmas Carol narrated by him and loved it!

Paula W wrote: "Awesome! We have at least 3, so I’ll go ahead and create a new thread on the buddy reads.
It makes me so, so happy to read “Mr and Mrs Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that..."

I'm currently reading HP in Nederlands - for a bit of variety - and plan to do so for the whole series. Right now I'm in book 2. Though I'll take quite a while to get through, squeezing the series between my other reads, so you'll be finished long before me ...

Anyway, I guess I'll be dropping in on you guys. It will be fun. :)

Leni wrote: "I, too, loved the books long before the movies were a thing. I disliked the movies because I hated the way they changed some of the characters. But I suppose I might have really liked the movies if..."

I read the books because I loved the movie.
Don't know how it will be to watch the movies now that I have read the LOTR books.

Paula W wrote: "Awesome! We have at least 3, so I’ll go ahead and create a new thread on the buddy reads.
It makes me so, so happy to read “Mr and Mrs Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that..."

I would like to join you all too.

siriusedward wrote: "Paula W wrote: "Awesome! We have at least 3, so I’ll go ahead and create a new thread on the buddy reads.
It makes me so, so happy to read “Mr and Mrs Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were p..."

Awesome! I have started a thread already and we are ready to start in a few weeks!

Hi All. I would be interested in reading The Odyssey by Homer in either January or February. Would anyone else like to read with?

Cynda wrote: "Hi All. I would be interested in reading The Odyssey by Homer in either January or February. Would anyone else like to read with?"

Sounds good. I have a nice audiobook copy narrated by the actor Alfred Molina.

so, going back to the potential

Lord Of The Rings quarterly long read buddy read starting in January

we had 3 definites (Holly, me and Adrian)

anyone else?

The Odyssey has been on my reading list for quite a while. :)
But I don´t think I can take another read for january ... so I´ll probably just check on you guys to see how far you´ve come - maybe I can jump in later on, if you take a while reading ...

The LotR is always good for a reread, but same here as far as time is concerned. (I actually dropped out of my last reread somewhere in the middle ... ) Things should be better in late february/ march, so I might join you for the second book ...

I know several of us were talking about wanting to read Bleak House next year. And it didn't win the February "Revisit the Shelf" vote again! Is anybody up for it? Maybe March? Or really whenever anyone wants to read it :)

I’m up for Bleak House anytime anyone wants to read it. One of my favorite books of all time!

Terris wrote: "I know several of us were talking about wanting to read Bleak House next year. And it didn't win the February "Revisit the Shelf" vote again! Is anybody up for it? Maybe March? Or real..."

Polls are still open. It isn't over until it's over!

Anyone want to read little women?

MJ wrote: "Terris wrote: "I know several of us were talking about wanting to read Bleak House next year. And it didn't win the February "Revisit the Shelf" vote again! Is anybody up for it? Maybe..."

Thank you for pointing that out! I looked at the voting information and saw that The Maltese Falcon was winning and I thought it was finalized. We have four more days to get a few more votes!!! Come on people vote for Bleak House! ;)