Around the World discussion

Starting a new thread here to let everyone know about a wonderful slow reading experience I've enjoyed this year. I'll set out the details below, but feel free to add any others you'd like to recommend.

Yesterday I read the final page of the final book of the Wolf Hall trilogy, The Mirror & the Light. Some of you will recognise this as my COVID-casualty book; one I'd looked forward to for years, but when it was finally published, my capacity to concentrate had been stolen by the pandemic. I had a Kindle edition, but put it off for a few years. Then I bought a paperback, thinking it might help if I could see it, and just pick it up from time to time. Didn't happen.

Then I heard about Footnotes & Tangents on Substack. Simon Haisell runs the site and it is dedicated to guided slow reads. He began with Wolf Hall, but has expanded over the last couple of years to include more titles and more diversity. Most are free but some are restricted to paid subscribers. https://footnotesandtangents.substack...

So in July this year I cracked the spine of my paperback to settle in for 6 months of immersion in Tudor England, and it was absolutely the best reading experience of my life. Here is how it worked:

1. there was a reading schedule. I could choose to follow it, or not. But if you do, the book is divided into roughly equal, manageable chunks. I'd say the average was 40-50 pages, which even a slow reader like myself could knock over in an afternoon.

2. midweek there was an email from Simon. This always contained a plot summary for the week, links to character bios in case a reminder was needed, then several deep-dive topics. He would analyse a specific plot point, and often include links to paintings, documents, videos (e.g medieval songs mentioned in the text) etc, for further exploration. I found this excellent for retention.

3. chat with other people reading the same book, at the same time. Comment on things from the weekly email, ask questions, or make your own points for others to reflect on. I must admit I didn't always get involved in this part of it, but I enjoyed it when I did.

Highly, highly, highly recommended.

So in 2025, I'm going to do something I literally said I'd never do - I'm signing up to re-read A Place of Greater Safety (France)! But that doesn't begin until about May, so in January I'm thinking of joining the slow read for The Siege of Krishnapur (India).

Is anyone tempted to join with me?

Interesting Andrea, thanks for the new resource and sounds like you thoroughly enjoyed Tudor England via Hilary Mantel - for some reason I haven’t enjoyed her books.

I happen to have a copy of The Siege of Krishnapur I picked up a long time ago. Are you planning to participate and comment on Footnotes and Tangents as you read the book? Would love to hear your thoughts on it. I probably won’t be jumping on that site but I might try to read the book in January, now that I’ve unearthed it!

Lilisa wrote: "I happen to have a copy of ..."

I’m definitely leaning towards it. Yesterday I got the Kindle sample to take a look and see if it’s my kind of thing. I’ll let you know.

Lilisa wrote: "Interesting Andrea, thanks for the new resource and sounds like you thoroughly enjoyed Tudor England via Hilary Mantel - for some reason I haven’t enjoyed her books. I happen to have a copy of [b..."

The slow read for The Siege of Krishnapur began yesterday, and I am participating. This week we are reading the first two chapters.

A different Substacker is starting a slow read of The Books of Jacob on Monday, if anyone is interested (not essential to stick to the schedule). He’s also hosting a slow read of the Mahabharata later in the year. I can’t vouch for this one, but if you have an interest in reading either book, it might be worth a look.

https://jeffrich.substack.com/p/slow-...

Thanks Andrea! I haven’t gotten around to reading The Siege of Krishnapur. How are you getting along with it?

Lilisa wrote: "Thanks Andrea! I haven’t gotten around to reading The Siege of Krishnapur. How are you getting along with it?"

The first couple of weeks I was unsure whether to continue, but this week just ended I quite enjoyed how the story developed. So for the time being I'll push on.

Andrea wrote: "Lilisa wrote: "Thanks Andrea! I haven’t gotten around to reading The Siege of Krishnapur. How are you getting along with it?"

The first couple of weeks I was unsure whether to contin..."

Good luck, interested in your thoughts when you finish.

OK, well the India option didn’t work out for me, but the reading schedule for A Place of Greater Safety (France) is out! We begin on 5 May. I can vouch for this one, as it will be a re-read for me. I’ve got my book marked up already, waiting to begin. Anyone else keen to join in (it’s a free one)?

https://footnotesandtangents.substack...

Too bad The Siege of Krishnapur didn’t work out for you - it’s still sitting by my sofa after having pulled it off my bookshelf!🤣 The France book is a chunkster - hope your re-read goes well.