Indian Readers discussion

Austin wrote: "Luffy wrote: "Austin wrote: "I am a slow reader. Ideally I prefer slow readers for buddy reading. Haha. In the past, I often felt pressurized to read fast by fast readers."

If you like buddy readi..."

Let's run this idea past the mods, to interest more people. This would mean that if even you or I give up on the book, it is taken up by a couple of others.

I have a couple of books in my mind which would be interesting to read. Consider the idea of reading a chunkster that is fun and easy to read for all. Hope something happens regarding this nebulous idea.

Luffy wrote: "Austin wrote: "I am picky about the books I read, especially if it's a long book. Don't want to end up reading something for days that I don't enjoy."

That is the risk, which I don't know how coul..."

I am alright today. Thanks. My headaches go away after a good night's sleep. I don't use headache tablets.

I haven't read any Dickens books so far. May have read some abridged stories of his during my childhood.

Later on, we can suggest some long books on which we can agree upon.

Austin wrote: "Later on, we can suggest some long books on which we can agree upon"

Agreed!

Luffy wrote: "Austin wrote: "Luffy wrote: "Austin wrote: "I am a slow reader. Ideally I prefer slow readers for buddy reading. Haha. In the past, I often felt pressurized to read fast by fast readers."

If you l..."

Sounds good to me. This way we can drop out if we are not interested in a particular book selected and some others could join in.

Austin wrote: "Luffy wrote: "Austin wrote: "I am a slow reader. Ideally I prefer slow readers for buddy reading. Haha. In the past, I often felt pressurized to read fast by fast readers."

If you like buddy readi..."

Yes , I would love to join in , but let's pick a book that's likely to be interesting. Any suggestions ?
I am really a slow reader and if I am reading 2 books simultaneously , that slackens my speed further . Actually , some of our other members, though they read quite fast , they still enter into the discussion enthusiastically ..... like Shriti , Anjali , Bookworm, Sherin , Leena, Gorab ..... Let's choose a good book ( I am open to the newer authors as well ) , and invite anyone else who's interested . It's real nice to discuss a book as we go along . 😊
Hope you have recovered from your severe headache . Wish you a happy , hassle free reading 😊 !

Wow. Looks like you guys are having a blast with Dracula. :D
I wasn't that keen on it else would have joined.

@Luffy, Austin, Savita - I like the idea of reading a chunkster and agree that if more folks are interested then one could likely drop if the selected book is not to their taste. If this idea comes to fruition, I'm in for the BR. :)

@Luffy, I feel you regarding Dickens. It's been long since I read any of his works and I don't think I'm ready to dive into his books again anytime soon (unless a miracle happens).

Bookworm wrote: "Wow. Looks like you guys are having a blast with Dracula. :D
I wasn't that keen on it else would have joined.

@Luffy, Austin, Savita - I like the idea of reading a chunkster and agree that if more..."

Most welcome , Bookworm ! 😊
Got any suggestions from your side ?

You would have really enjoyed Dracula . It's a beautifully written book. Not at all some childish stuff for children to enjoy . I will be really sorry when the book comes to an end . I am enjoying it so much ,the more so because of the Buddy Read comments being posted .

Austin wrote: "Savita wrote: "I am reading chapter 8 . I don't like the way Mina sets off to find ☆☆Beware Spoilers [spoilers removed] ☆☆
Once again the beauty of the author's language surfaces : It was a brill..."


Oh yes , I ,too , think it's a vampire bat , no other than Count Dracula !

@Bookworm There's an annual event called Victober that is planned during this month. It involves reading Victorian books, among those being CD books. For the Victorian enthusiasts, it feels like a prequel to Christmas.

@everyone I think some ground rules ought to be established, such as not reading sequels, and not reading omnibuses, or compilations of books into one big book. The first book in a series might be okay.

Luffy wrote: "@Bookworm There's an annual event called Victober that is planned during this month. It involves reading Victorian books, among those being CD books. For the Victorian enthusiasts, it feels like a ..."

Oh, yeah. Recently saw in youtube, couple of the booktubers planning their Tbr for victober.

Savita wrote: "Austin wrote: "Luffy wrote: "Austin wrote: "I am a slow reader. Ideally I prefer slow readers for buddy reading. Haha. In the past, I often felt pressurized to read fast by fast readers."

If you l..."

I need time to suggest books, since our book tastes vary greatly. I know you, Savita, are into international classics, while Gorab is into Indian books. Someone like Em is into fantasy, while Bookworm seems to have a liking for contemporary fiction. And there's Leena who is predominantly into romance. Shirin, I think, is also into classics to some extent. I don't know about Luffy, as he is new to BOTM section. Shriti is new to the group I believe. I don't know who is Anjali. oops, sorry. Lol

I am alright now and I read chapter 10 yesterday.

Bookworm wrote: "Wow. Looks like you guys are having a blast with Dracula. :D
I wasn't that keen on it else would have joined.

@Luffy, Austin, Savita - I like the idea of reading a chunkster and agree that if more..."

I think Oliver Twist is out of the equation then.

Savita wrote: "Bookworm wrote: "Wow. Looks like you guys are having a blast with Dracula. :D
I wasn't that keen on it else would have joined.

@Luffy, Austin, Savita - I like the idea of reading a chunkster and a..."

I don't think this book is for children. The language is challenging. So I have to read slowly to understand the prose better. Some other book, with informal writing style, I would have just zipped through it. That being said, it's not notoriously difficult English.

By the way, The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova is related to Dracula I think. You get to know something about Romania. That's what I gleaned at random from reviews. It's 704 pages long!

Savita wrote: "Yes , I would love to join in , but let's pick a book that's likely to be interesting. Any suggestions ?
I am really a slow reader and if I am reading 2 books simultaneously , that slackens my speed further . Actually , some..."

I find buddy reading an interesting activity but truly, I gave up on it this year for want of similarity in reading speeds and everyone focusing on different parts of the reading experience.

I approach big, chunky reads with a lot of caution & deliberation, because more often than not they lead me into a reading slump. Also, most of my lengthy books have not been as memorable a read as I expected them to be. They were overhyped, TBH.

Above said notwithstanding, I do like to discuss books so I will join in when I can, and if I've read the chosen book beforehand. 🙂

Austin wrote: "Shirin, I think, is also into classics to some extent. I don't know about Luffy, as he is new to BOTM section. Shriti is new to the group I believe. I don't know who is Anjali. oops, sorry. Lol"
Hello hi, I am Anjali. I joined this group last week hence no worries. I am generally into classics, mystery thrillers, and also lately some funny yet poignant novels (books by Manu Joseph, Fredrik Backman...).

I have read some works by Dickens. So far The Old Curiosity Shop is my favorite. I plan to read Bleak House soon. It's a long read, hence I keep pushing it.

Austin wrote: "I need time to suggest books, since our book tastes vary greatly. I know you, Savita, are into international classics, while Gorab is into Indian books. Someone like Em is into fantasy, while Bookworm seems to have a liking for contemporary fiction. And there's Leena who is predominantly into romance. Shirin, I think, is also into classics to some extent. I don't know about Luffy, as he is new to BOTM section. Shriti is new to the group I believe. I don't know who is Anjali.
(...)
By the way, The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova is related to Dracula I think. You get to know something about Romania. That's what I gleaned at random from reviews. It's 704 pages long!"

The Historian was a peach of a book to me. But a more intelligent reader than me picked out so many plot holes in the book that I don't fancy The Historian anymore.

Regarding the chunky book, take your time. I have a couple or so of books in mind myself. For one of them I'm 95% sure that it will be a firm favourite with everyone. But the floor now belongs to you, Austin, and the longtime regulars.

Shriti wrote: "I find buddy reading an interesting activity but truly, I gave up on it this year for want of similarity in reading speeds and everyone focusing on different parts of the reading experience.

I approach big, chunky reads with a lot of caution & deliberation, because more often than not they lead me into a reading slump. Also, most of my lengthy books have not been as memorable a read as I expected them to be. They were overhyped, TBH.

Above said notwithstanding, I do like to discuss books so I will join in when I can, and if I've read the chosen book beforehand. 🙂"

Your fears are legitimate. I count among those who have had problems with both buddy reads AND big books. But I am drawn towards the possibility here because most members relate to India in one way or another. I'd like to discuss literature with Indians. I'd also like to discuss literature with people to whom - similar to me - English is not a first language.

Anjali wrote: "Hello hi, I am Anjali. I joined this group last week hence no worries. I am generally into classics, mystery thrillers, and also lately some funny yet poignant novels (books by Manu Joseph, Fredrik Backman...).

I have read some works by Dickens. So far The Old Curiosity Shop is my favorite. I plan to read Bleak House soon. It's a long read, hence I keep pushing it."

Hi Anjali. Bleak House is a book I have attempted twice and been twice rebuffed. I like some classics and a large majority of my books are from the mystery genre. I hope you participate in the monthly challenges, or in that which is a one-off, the chunksters one.

Austin wrote: "I need time to suggest books, since our book tastes vary greatly. I know you, Savita, are into international classics, while Gorab is into Indian books. Someone like Em..."

To get you all started, I have two recommendations that regularly feature on long-reads list:
Shantaram and Infinite Jest

Austin wrote: "Savita wrote: "Austin wrote: "Luffy wrote: "Austin wrote: "I am a slow reader. Ideally I prefer slow readers for buddy reading. Haha. In the past, I often felt pressurized to read fast by fast read..."

@Austin: That was good sum-up about fellow readers. :D
Though, I'm open to all genres as long as the blurb seems interesting.

I think for chunksters that happen to be classics, it depends on what kind of book it is - as in character (philosophical oriented, can also be period drama) or plot oriented. Examples would be, War and Peace vs The Count of Monte Cristo.
For instance, I had enjoyed both of these and they're atleast 1200+ pgs as far as I remember.
Now that I think about it, it could have been just my mood. Lol.

@Luffy: Do tell the book's name, about which you're pretty sure. I'm intrigued. :)

Luffy wrote: "Bleak House is a book I have attempted twice and been twice rebuffed. I like some classics and a large majority of my books are from the mystery genre. I hope you participate in the monthly challenges, or to that which is a one-off, the chunksters one"

I have heard this about Bleak House from other GR friends as well. That's another reason for delaying. I am actually waiting for it to get selected in the quarterly reads of another GR group.
We could also have quarterly long reads for heavy books.
Btw. is the monthly challenge different from BOTM?

Bookworm wrote: "@Luffy: Do tell the book's name, about which you're pretty sure. I'm intrigued. :)"

Sorry, I should have said that the book would be a firm favourite AFTER READING! It is nonfiction, is about 1000 pages and it is called Master of the Senate .

Anjali wrote: "I have heard this about Bleak House from other GR friends as well. That's another reason for delaying. I am actually waiting for it to get selected in the quarterly reads of another GR group.
We could also have quarterly long reads for heavy books.
Btw. is the monthly challenge different from BOTM?"

It is a completely new idea, and is going to be a buddy read. I think a quarterly read is ideal, with 2 months too enough time.

EDIT :
Btw. is the monthly challenge different from BOTM?"

Nope.

Luffy wrote: "Hi Anjali. Bleak House is a book I have attempted twice and been twice rebuffed. I like some classics and a large majority of my books are from the mystery genre. I hope you participate in the m..."

I kinda want to read Bleak House and also kinda don't... It has been in my TBR forever! 😅

Shriti wrote: "I kinda want to read Bleak House and also kinda don't... It has been in my TBR forever! 😅"

It is considered to be Dicken's best, by some. The female characters in this novel are light years ahead of what Dickens wrote in The Pickwick Papers. Bleak House also has the most number of deaths in all of the Dickens novels. I don't know how knowing this will affect you, but I hope you will follow your brain in this, and make the most logical choice.

I did hear that if you're into Dicken's writing and also crime fiction, then you're bound to like Bleak House. You never know. :D

I always felt that Dickens has a pessimistic view on life and it's often reflected in his work. He creates the best villains/cruel characters.

Bookworm wrote: "I did hear that if you're into Dicken's writing and also crime fiction, then you're bound to like Bleak House. You never know. :D"

A few artists from the relevant field say that Dickens would have been writing sitcoms in our day. Also Bookworm, if you can, do quote my message (again, if it's possible) if you want me to reply. Don't want to remain mute, but also don't want to butt in without clue :)

Anjali wrote: "I always felt that Dickens has a pessimistic view on life and it's often reflected in his work. He creates the best villains/cruel characters."

This is a line of question that can be best answered by the experts (duh?) Like someone said, life is a comedy to those that think, and a tragedy to those that feel.

Anjali wrote: "I always felt that Dickens has a pessimistic view on life and it's often reflected in his work. He creates the best villains/cruel characters."

Maybe so. it's been long since I have read Dickens. Who's your favorite villain?

Luffy wrote: "Bookworm wrote: "I did hear that if you're into Dicken's writing and also crime fiction, then you're bound to like Bleak House. You never know. :D"

A few artists from the relevant field say that D..."

Will do. :)
Oh is it? Yeah, that might be true.

Luffy wrote: "Anjali wrote: "I always felt that Dickens has a pessimistic view on life and it's often reflected in his work. He creates the best villains/cruel characters."

This is a line of question that can b..."

That's a great line. What about those, who happen to both think and feel? Tragiccomedy? I think that's what most lives on this earth are. :D

Bookworm wrote: "That's a great line. What about those, who happen to both think and feel? Tragiccomedy? I think that's what most lives on this earth are. :D"

Lol! Great take... I must note that the line inspired comedy to you, so you must be a great thinker.

Luffy wrote: "This is a line of question that can be best answered by the experts (duh?) Like someone said, life is a comedy to those that think, and a tragedy to tho..."

Nicely said! Props to whoever did...

Bookworm wrote: "I did hear that if you're into Dicken's writing and also crime fiction, then you're bound to like Bleak House. You never know. :D"

I can't help but feel like I will have to be forced into picking up Bleak House when some kind of reading opportunity presents itself. As long as I have as many book choices I do, my hands are unlikely to reach for it.

Luffy wrote: "Shriti wrote: "I kinda want to read Bleak House and also kinda don't... It has been in my TBR forever! 😅"

It is considered to be Dicken's best, by some. The female characters in this novel are lig..."

I don't think I will be trusting my brain for a while.

I just finished watching Dracula (the 1992 movie) and it offended my cinematic sensibilities, to say the least! Though the movie has stayed quite true to the original source material, it has done an absolute disservice to the atmospheric setting of the book. Blech!

Are we only allowed to mention chunksters ? I have a few books in mind , but they are not all chunksters .
Les Misérables , 642 pages ; Ayush was reading it , but he hasn't commented for a long time .
War and Peace , mentioned above , 1768 pages .
Bleak House , mentioned above , 932 pages.
Tess of the D'Urbervilles , Thomas Hardy , only 339 pages .
To Kill a Mockingbird , only 322 pages.
Wuthering Heights , have to check how many pages , probably around 300 .

I am open to good contemporary authors too .

I am reading chapter 9 of Dracula . This is about 1/3 rd of the book and I am already sad about the book coming to an end ..... because I am enjoying it so much !

Luffy wrote: "Anjali wrote: "I always felt that Dickens has a pessimistic view on life and it's often reflected in his work. He creates the best villains/cruel characters."

This is a line of question that can b..."

Liked the quote 👌 !

Shriti wrote: "Luffy wrote: "Shriti wrote: "I kinda want to read Bleak House and also kinda don't... It has been in my TBR forever! 😅"

It is considered to be Dicken's best, by some. The female characters in this..."

Oh , that's sad about the Dracula movie !

Shriti wrote: "Luffy wrote: "Shriti wrote: "I kinda want to read Bleak House and also kinda don't... It has been in my TBR forever! 😅"

It is considered to be Dicken's best, by some. The female characters in this..."

When I watched that movie, I was bored by it, even with some of its carnal vibes. The actor Gary Oldman made a foolish decision by playing Dracula. I thought he would never get an Oscar after such a catastrophic career choice. But he redeemed himself by playing Drexel in True Romance, and Stan in Leon. Also played Sirius Black in Harry Potter for 3 movies.

I gave Dracula 3/10 on IMDB.

Savita wrote: "Are we only allowed to mention chunksters ? I have a few books in mind , but they are not all chunksters .
Les Misérables , 642 pages ; Ayush was reading it , but he hasn't commented..."

Some very good mentions, Savita.

The most Indian of chunksters has got to be A Suitable Boy, at about 1400 words.

War & Peace is a book I will never try to read, because all of my interaction with a small group of readers on YouTube set off the alarm bells. Also I read the first 2 pages, and the use of the French language was too showy for me.

Tolstoy removed the French parts, but put them back in a newer volume. This decision was ill made.

The experience of a Canadian BookTuber, called emmie, was significant. She made a vlog of her reading W&P. She began to love the book. At a few points she cried. But then she said she had to take a break. She was getting tired of Tolstoy's moralising for dozens of pages. She took a few pauses. Despite all that, she STILL gave W&P 5 stars on GR. I rest my case.

Luffy wrote: "Savita wrote: "Are we only allowed to mention chunksters ? I have a few books in mind , but they are not all chunksters .
Les Misérables , 642 pages ; Ayush was reading it , but he h..."

Same. I too rated W&P 5* but I definitely agree with the Tolstoy ramblings. He was getting across his points through the story well but no, he had to go about and nail down his thoughts again and again, talking to the readers in his pov. At that time, for me the good outweighed the bad and it was my first Tolstoy. And picking up a Translation also matters. I believe most would pick P&V and emmie's was some other translation where the writing was flowery. I could do with flowery but 1400 pgs of flowery, i was not sure and decided upon Briggs translation. His writing is sharp comparatively, so that could have been the reason for my better experience.
And many suggest that watching W&P prior to reading it would help immensely with the Russian names and framing their relationships, etc.
I would say, worth a try, if you're really into reading W&P.

The thing is I don't reread but if I did pretty sure W&P rating will change (not drastically though).

Shriti wrote: "Luffy wrote: "Shriti wrote: "I kinda want to read Bleak House and also kinda don't... It has been in my TBR forever! 😅"

It is considered to be Dicken's best, by some. The female characters in this..."

That's sad. Hope, your next movie and read will be enjoyable. :)

Shriti wrote: "Bookworm wrote: "I did hear that if you're into Dicken's writing and also crime fiction, then you're bound to like Bleak House. You never know. :D"

I can't help but feel like I will have to be for..."

Yeah, understand. Maybe it's not the time yet, if it's not selected. I have some books in my tbr since ages, but it's not their time too. :D

Bookworm wrote: "Maybe so. it's been long since I have...Who's your favorite villain?"

Daniel Quilp from TOCS left quite a skin-crawling impression on me. He's cunning, vicious, and grotesque.

Savita wrote: "Are we only allowed to mention chunksters ? I have a few books in mind , but they are not all chunksters .
Les Misérables , 642 pages ; Ayush was reading it , but he hasn't commented for a long time .
War and Peace , mentioned above , 1768 pages .
Bleak House , mentioned above , 932 pages.
Tess of the D'Urbervilles , Thomas Hardy , only 339 pages .
To Kill a Mockingbird , only 322 pages.
Wuthering Heights , have to check how many pages , probably around 300 ."

Tess, Bleak House, and War & Peace are on my TBR list. I've read the rest.
I have a copy of War & Peace on my shelf, bought it long ago still untouched.
A suitable boy is an excellent long-read novel, it took me about a month to finish it.
Gone with the wind is also a good one.

Bookworm wrote: "Luffy wrote: "Savita wrote: "Are we only allowed to mention chunksters ? I have a few books in mind , but they are not all chunksters .
Les Misérables , 642 pages ; Ayush was reading..."

Agreed. Tolstoy, in every metric, had written a masterpiece it seems. In the Briggs version, the F-word appears twice. It is the more modern translation. I know there is a P&V version but had to check it to remember what it stands for.

It is a bit frustrating that I cannot say that a lot of classics are bad books. I must couch my words in caution because I cannot shield myself against the logic that classics have value and also that I am too dim to realise their beauty.

Well, a lot of classics have a reputation that is false. The inflated value of Victorian literature is very solid, and is entrenched in English speaking countries. English men and women will defend their books with a fierce fanaticism. And what can I do in the face of this pure venom that bypasses wit and benevolence? Nothing.

Whether it is The Kreutzer Sonata or Anna Karenina, Tolstoy's books attract book lovers of all kinds. And the women reading these books too will excuse the misogyny of them. I haven't and will not read Tolstoy.

Luffy wrote: "Savita wrote: "Are we only allowed to mention chunksters ? I have a few books in mind , but they are not all chunksters .
Les Misérables , 642 pages ; Ayush was reading it , but he h..."

Thanks , Luffy !
A suitable boy is only available as paperback, hardcover and for Kindle Unlimited members . I looked up Amazon . It is otherwise not available for purchase as a kindle ebook . It is 1550 pages .