Catching up on Classics (and lots more!) discussion

Anyone interested in reading The Christmas Hirelings by Mary Elizabeth Braddon in December? It got far in the votes for this month.

I have read it, Michaela, but I thought it was a delightfully Christmasy tale.

Michaela wrote: "Anyone interested in reading The Christmas Hirelings by Mary Elizabeth Braddon in December? It got far in the votes for this month."

I read it within the last year and would be happy to join the conversation.

Michaela wrote: "Anyone interested in reading The Christmas Hirelings by Mary Elizabeth Braddon in December? It got far in the votes for this month."

I will be able to read this book only by third week of December ( after I finish Jayber Crow ) , Michaela . May I know when you are planning to read it ?

Savita wrote: "Michaela wrote: "Anyone interested in reading The Christmas Hirelings by Mary Elizabeth Braddon in December? It got far in the votes for this month."

I will be able ..."

I´m flexible with this, only the beginning of the month isn´t so good.

I thought it was short, but obviously it isn´t, so we could read it next year too or another month, perhaps in the hot summer. ;)

Michaela wrote: "Savita wrote: "Michaela wrote: "Anyone interested in reading The Christmas Hirelings by Mary Elizabeth Braddon in December? It got far in the votes for this month."

..."

I suppose we could decide on 15th of January ( since you would rather avoid the beginning of the month ). Meanwhile , if other members wish to join in as well , the reading schedule may have to be revised . We can request Sara to set up the thread in the first or second week of January . Would that be okay with you , Michaela ?
The kindle edition is 127 pages , but the hard cover is 261 pages .

Lynn will be joining in the conversation, and maybe Sara too .

Good idea, Savita, thanks! I´m okay with 15 January or perhaps a week earlier.

I have added The Christmas Hirelings to the schedule as a January read.

Thanks Sara, that´s great!

Michaela wrote: "Good idea, Savita, thanks! I´m okay with 15 January or perhaps a week earlier."

Right , that's decided then 👍

Sara wrote: "I have added The Christmas Hirelings to the schedule as a January read."

Thanks , Sara ! Any discussion comment in this thread , by you and Lynn , will be most welcome.

Speluncus wrote: "Hi there,

would anyone be interested in reading Shakespeare's Julius Caesar with me?"

I'd love to join you but have it planned for January.

Is any girl interested in reading Ignite Me w/ me?

(I read slowly, like, on average, one chapter a day)

There will be a buddy read of Rabbit Redux, the second of Updike's "Rabbit" books, in mid-January. I am adding it to the schedule--hope some of you will be able to join, even on this short notice.

Sara wrote: "There will be a buddy read of Rabbit Redux, the second of Updike's "Rabbit" books, in mid-January. I am adding it to the schedule--hope some of you will be able to join, even on this s..."

I'm in!

I’m in, Sara!!

Me, too, for Rabbit Redux in mid January!

Sara can we get Joe Turner's Come and Gone to the August Wilson buddy read for December? Feel free to delete the earlier titles if it is getting cluttered.

Added, Sam.

Sara wrote: "Added, Sam."

Thank you!

Sara, would you mind adding Lamb in His Bosom by Caroline Miller to the Buddy Read Requests for February 2024? Lori and I are interested in reading it together and seeing if anyone else would like to join us. Thank you!

I will try to join Lamb in his Bosom! I own it.

Sue wrote: "I will try to join Lamb in his Bosom! I own it."

That would be awesome, Sue! I hope it works for you!

Yay Shirley!! Thanks for doing this!

How have I never heard of this book?! Now, seeing all the wonderful reviews (thank you, Sara!), I don’t think I can pass it up! I’m going to try to add it into one of my challenges, and plan to join you in February. This looks like a “must read” :)

Lori wrote: "Yay Shirley!! Thanks for doing this!"

I'm looking forward to another great, lively discussion!

Terris wrote: "How have I never heard of this book?! Now, seeing all the wonderful reviews (thank you, Sara!), I don’t think I can pass it up! I’m going to try to add it into one of my challenges, and plan to joi..."

I'm so glad you will be joining us, Terris! I found Lamb in His Bosom when I went down the list of Pulitzer Prize winners for the I4 Bingo square, and it sounded like the kind of story I would love. After reading your comment, I went and found Sara's review. Wow! What a powerful review you wrote, Sara! This definitely sounds like a must-read, hidden gem. I can't wait to read it with you all.

I am so happy that you have decided to read Lamb in His Bosom and gladly add it to the schedule. (Thank you also for the lovely comments on my review). I predict you will all love it.

Matt wrote: "I’m interested in joining in the Buddy read of Lamb in His Bosom in February. I have a “Georgia” fiction/nonfiction planned for next year and this fits right into that."

Yea, Matt... so glad you'll be joining us!

Wow!!! I’m thrilled to see our next buddy read shaping up so nicely!!

Sue wrote: "I will try to join Lamb in his Bosom! I own it."

I own it too! And it's probably about time that I got around to reading this pre-Gone With the Wind Southern classic. I have read Sara's review and it and other comments have interested me in both the book and author.
But my February is really getting crowded as just yesterday I penciled Swann's Way into my Jan, Feb & March schedule. But, then again,
"IT'S LEAP YEAR!"
and if I devote my entire extra February day to reading, then maybe, just maybe?

So count me in as a definite maybe. A more than likely maybe, though, as it sounds better and better as I write this. And if I have to make choices, I will consider that this is likely my only chance to read this particular book in a group.

Brian E wrote: "Sue wrote: "I will try to join Lamb in his Bosom! I own it."

I own it too! And it's probably about time that I got around to reading this pre-Gone With the Wind Southern classic. I have read Sara'..."

We'll definitely count you in, Brian -- maybe ;)

Brian E wrote: "Sue wrote: "I will try to join Lamb in his Bosom! I own it."

I own it too! And it's probably about time that I got around to reading this pre-Gone With the Wind Southern classic. I have read Sara'..."

I love your Leap Year strategy, Brian. I'm sure that will work, and you will be able to join us in this read in February. It's going to be great, I know!

Sara wrote: "I have added The Christmas Hirelings to the schedule as a January read."

I didn't realize that this was added for January. I'm currently reading this right now, but I will chime in then.

Franky wrote: "Sara wrote: "I have added The Christmas Hirelings to the schedule as a January read."

I didn't realize that this was added for January. I'm currently reading this right now, but I w..."

I'm reading The Christmas Hirelings in another GR group around Christmas and will also try to chime in on here if my memory holds and I don't get the post-Christmas Blah-humbugs.

I finished Lamb in His Bosom last month, and I would say that you all will enjoy it for sure. It's a one of a kind story.

Kindly add me to the "Lamb in his Bosom" February discussion

We would love to have you join Alex!

Hi, Sara~. Would you mind adding John Milton's Paradise Lost to the Buddy Read Schedule in March 2024? Cynda and I will be reading it together, and we would like to invite anyone who is interested in reading this epic poem to join us. Thank you!

Yes, welcome to the February read of Lamb in His Bosom, Alex. It looks like we're going to have a great discussion!

Shirley (stampartiste) wrote: "Hi, Sara~. Would you mind adding John Milton's Paradise Lost to the Buddy Read Schedule in March 2024? Cynda and I will be reading it together, and we would like to invit..."

Done, Shirley. I might try to join you--it is on my list to reread this year.

Thank you for adding it to the schedule, Sara! I would love for you to join us in reading Paradise Lost and hearing your thoughts. This will be my first time reading it, and I'm looking forward to it.

Thanks Sara. I hope you will join us as well more of our friends!

I may join in for Paradise Lost. I don’t have a copy yet. I have a vague recollection of reading this in high school. Regardless it will be as if I’ve never read it.

I think it is definitely a book that you will get more out of as a full-adult than you did in high school, Lori. I am anxious to see how (if) my reaction is different or I have a deeper understanding this time around.

Sara, may Janelle and I have a buddy read thread in February to read The Mere Wife by Maria Dahvana Headley. We hope others will join us.

Absolutely, Cynda. Putting it on the schedule now.

Thanks Sara. You do a fine moderating job.

Thank you, Cynda. It is truly a pleasure.

Lori wrote: "I may join in for Paradise Lost. I don’t have a copy yet. I have a vague recollection of reading this in high school. Regardless it will be as if I’ve never read it."

That would be awesome, Lori! I would love to hear what you think now.

Sara wrote: "I think it is definitely a book that you will get more out of as a full-adult than you did in high school, Lori. I am anxious to see how (if) my reaction is different or I have a deeper understanding this time around."

This is so true, Sara. I read so many classics in my teens and 20s, and although I can "legally" mark them down as READ, I know I didn't have the experience to fully understand and appreciate what I was reading. This is why I really need to set aside time one day to reread Anna Karenina, a book I loved in my 20s. But I don't think I fully appreciated Leo Tolstoy's beautiful writing until I read War and Peace a couple of years ago. I would love to know what I think now.