Catching up on Classics (and lots more!) discussion

Sara, you and I discussed reading Humboldt’s Gift by Saul Bellow in March. Can you put it on the schedule?

Klowey wrote: "I'd be up for considering The Stories of John Cheever probably after February. Sounds like quality fun."

The stories are pretty short. The first one is only 21 pages and is one of the longer stories I believe, so were we to read at the one or two a week pace, it should not take much over an hour a week and not prevent other readings. I suggest reading just the first story for week one and see how they feel about the pace. It is a classic story and should be a good gauge for how everyone wants to continue.

Terry wrote: "Sara, you and I discussed reading Humboldt’s Gift by Saul Bellow in March. Can you put it on the schedule?"

I would like to join if I may.

Yes please, Sam! Anyone else?

Thanks for the reminder, Terry. I'll add it now.

About The Stories of John Cheever, Sam wrote: "The stories are pretty short. The first one is only 21 pages and is one of the longer stories I believe, so were we to read at the one or two a week pace, it should not take much over an hour a week and not prevent other readings. I suggest reading just the first story for week one and see how they feel about the pace."

I like this idea.

I will join in some of the Cheever buddy read. I don't promise to read all of them, but I definitely want to try some next year, so this will be great. Starting in February sounds good to me.

It will definitely be a read where you can join for as many or as few as you wish, Teri.

Sara wrote: "It will definitely be a read where you can join for as many or as few as you wish, Teri."

I have never read Cheever before. So when I saw you talking about reading this collection I read The Enormous Radio, and really liked it! I don't know that I will join in for the whole book, but I would definitely be interested in reading some of the stories. Especially if Bob includes the Short Story Challenge in the Buffet for next year!

The nice thing about this read will be that you can pop in whenever you like and pick and choose the stories you want to read. Happy to know we will see you there, Terris. I have only read a few of his stories, but I think (based on those) that I will enjoy reading more.

Never know what our Bob will do.😄

Sara wrote: "The nice thing about this read will be that you can pop in whenever you like and pick and choose the stories you want to read. Happy to know we will see you there, Terris. I have only read a few of..."

Looks like Cheever will be on my 2025 list one way or the other! :)

Sometime in 2025 I'd like to read the Kafka's complete short stories. The Complete Stories / The Complete Stories Anytime after January would work for me. Anyone interested?

Klowey wrote: "Sometime in 2025 I'd like to read the Kafka's complete short stories. The Complete Stories / The Complete Stories Anytime after January would work for me. Anyone interested?"

YES! I have a copy jumping up and down trying to get my attention near the top of my TBR :oD

Darren wrote: "Klowey wrote: "Sometime in 2025 I'd like to read the Kafka's complete short stories. The Complete Stories / The Complete Stories Anytime after January would work for me. A..."

Hahaha.
Two other people are also interested. This is great.

I see you're reading Dino Buzzati. I've got The Tartar Steppe on my to-read list for 2025.

Tartar Steppe is one of my all-time faves - clearly influenced by Kafka (esp The Castle) but with its own "stuff" going on

coincidentally, I'm currently reading A Love Affair by Buzzati which is v.different in style from Tartar Steppe but astonishingly well written

Klowey wrote: "Sometime in 2025 I'd like to read the Kafka's complete short stories. The Complete Stories / The Complete Stories Anytime after January would work for me. Anyone interested?"

I am following two different threads for this buddy read. I would prefer they were consolidated. I would be interested but the pacing and discussion elements would be critical to my participation. With authors like Kafka, Borges, Nabokov, and others too numerous to name, I consider the main reason for reading to be the discussion for without it I don't see the need for buddy reads and with the above authors there are often questions and opposing interpretations that can be addressed through discussion. I feel for the discussion to work there needs to be a stricter schedule in reading though. So my preference for discussion purpose would be schedule where the discussion would be limited to a set number of stories that would be read for that specific week, rather than the free form posting of whatever thoughts on whatever story one chooses. If we buddy read with that format I would join in,

Darren wrote: "Klowey wrote: "Sometime in 2025 I'd like to read the Kafka's complete short stories. The Complete Stories / The Complete Stories Anytime after January would work for me. A..."

Here I am! :)

I second what @J_BlueFlower said in another thread, about going in the chronological order. I actually wanted to read Description of a Struggle for some time now. Kafka began the story in 1904 at the age of 20 and worked on it on and off until 1909.

Klowey, I have been reading some Kafka during the last two years and would like to join in. I might not have time for all of the stories, but I'll join in when I can.

Xaph, some of his earliest work like Description of a Struggle is made of fragmented pieces saved by his friend Max Brod. It does give an interesting look at Kafka emerging as a writer, but it is not a completed story.

Sam wrote: "Klowey wrote: "Sometime in 2025 I'd like to read the Kafka's complete short stories. The Complete Stories / The Complete Stories Anytime after January would work for me. A..."

Yes I agree we should continue the discussion of a buddy read here.

I think your approach makes sense and I'm up for reading any of his short stories for discussion. I had not known about Description of a Struggle. That sounds like a good choice to include.

Best time for me is any time after January.

Sam wrote: "So my preference for discussion purpose would be schedule where the discussion would be limited to a set number of stories that would be read for that specific week, rather than the free form posting of whatever thoughts on whatever story one chooses."

This is a great suggestion for how to structure it Sam!

I probably won't have time to read them all, but I'd join in on some.

I would like to join in too for at least some of the stories. The early part of next year is filling up quickly.

A few of us are interested in a buddy read of The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury--me, Matt, Wobbley, Shaina, and possibly more.

Wobbley would like to do it in the first half of the year, and I'd prefer not January or February, so how about March, April or May?

Anyone interested, please note your preference, and we'll schedule something. I'm excited for this one, and we'd love anyone interested to join!

Yes to Illustrated Man being read 2nd quarter. If I had to choose then March, but I am flexible.

March, April, and May all work for me.

I would join in April.

Any month works for me.

Yes to The Illustrated Man from me too. I’m flexible for now.

Also want to join in The Illustrated Man and hope for second quarter timing.

I'm so happy to see interest in The Illustrated Man. It sounds like April is the best time. Would you add it for April, Sara? Thanks everyone!

Will do, Kathleen.

Would anyone like to read Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. maybe in February or March?

Cynda wrote: "Would anyone like to read Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. maybe in February or March?"

LOL! I was literally moving this book around in my challenges last night and coming to the conclusion that I would be reading it early in the year

...so... Yes! (Feb or March fine)

Excellent Darren!

Would anyone like to join me in reading the "The Witch Elm" by Tana French in December 2024?

Cynda wrote: "Would anyone like to read Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. maybe in February or March?"

Thanks Cynda! And yes! I think either Feb or March will work. 👍

Thanks. February then for Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut Jr..

Sara would you please add this book to our buddy read schedule? We welcome others to join us.

Done, Cynda.

re Kafka's short stories
do we have a month for starting these?
I have pencilled them in for January, but am happy to hold off til Feb or Mar...

Darren wrote: "re Kafka's short stories
do we have a month for starting these?
I have pencilled them in for January, but am happy to hold off til Feb or Mar..."
Wait, when was Kafka mentioned? And is there a link? Or what stories? I am interested, but need to know more first.

Edit: Because Metamorphosis (as opposed to Metamorphoses by Ovid) is on my list. January might be too soon for me tho.

Klowey wrote: "Sometime in 2025 I'd like to read the Kafka's complete short stories. The Complete Stories / The Complete Stories Anytime after January would work for me. Anyone interested?"

Nevermind, found the post and links, and duh! were several posts on the subject! Im not sure how soon i can commit to the full complete stories, but i might read a couple or get to it later in the year.

April wrote: "Darren wrote: "re Kafka's short stories
do we have a month for starting these?
I have pencilled them in for January, but am happy to hold off til Feb or Mar..."
Wait, when was Kafka mentioned? And ..."

Klowey first mentioned the Kafka stories in comment 966, and wanted to read them after January. I would prefer March, but can be flexible.

March might be ok, and i could probably shift things around too.
Edit and i did find the post, you mustve responded before seeing that lol

April wrote: "March might be ok, and i could probably shift things around too.
Edit and i did find the post, you mustve responded before seeing that lol"

Yes, we cross-posted, April. I'm glad you're reading along with us.

Darren wrote: "re Kafka's short stories
do we have a month for starting these?
I have pencilled them in for January, but am happy to hold off til Feb or Mar..."

I'm ok with March as well.

I will add Franz Kafka- The Complete Short Stories for March. If you need that changed, just let me know.

Sara wrote: "I will add Franz Kafka- The Complete Short Stories for March. If you need that changed, just let me know."

Nice! So folks, is this considered old school or new school? lol I suppose you have to judge each story separately?

No problem, April. In Buddy Reads we read anything and everything.

A thriller book I would like to buddy read with

There will be a buddy read of The Promise by Chaim Potok in May. This is the follow-up book to The Chosen. Everyone is welcome to join.

Reading The Promise sounds wonderful!