Reading the Classics discussion

Alana wrote: "I've been wanting to read In Cold Blood as well, but not sure I'll have time for it in November. I'd love to do it as a group read, though."

I've been listening to In Cold Blood and am finding it fascinating. The drive to work is longer and sometimes, when I get to work, I'll sit and listen for a little bit longer just to find out what is happening next.

Ruth wrote: "I love David Copperfield. It is my favorite Dickens novel and one that I've read several times. I also read In Cold Blood years ago and thought it was great."

Andrea wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "For November, I will be reading

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest byKen Kesey with my 101 books to read before you die book club.

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens with my 101..."

I agree, David Copperfield is wonderful!

Were you planning on reading David Copperfield with me as a side read?

I'd love to. Let's.

I'm reading It Can't Happen Here. It seemed like a good time with the election approaching! It really is an interesting read, though there was a bit of suspension of disbelief required at the beginning. The story, published in 1935, is about the United States becoming a Fascist state in the years prior to WWII - sort of paralleling the rise of the Communist, Nazi and Fascist regimes in Europe.

Austin wrote: "Were you planning on reading David Copperfield with me as a side read?

I'd love to. Let's."

That sounds great Austin. Is a November start date good for you? Should we set a reading schedule and deadlines?

David Copperfield is one that I really would like to read, but if War & Peace wins (which I also have not read) as the group read it may be too much for me all at once so I'll probably have to skip it.

I am reading six nonfiction books, as well as Tolkien’s The Silmarillion, which I've started before but never finished, and Louisa May Alcott's Little Women, which I've read before. I swore I wasn’t going to start any Alcott until November, but I tracked Little Women down to make sure I had it, and, well, you know how it goes...

Finished Lord of the Rings (a reread) and The Woman in White (for the first time) this past week. I read more nonfiction anymore because it’s easier for me to put down and pick up again (although I am sadly prone to picking up a different book when I get a free moment); fiction I tend to read all in a rush so I try not to start anything fictional unless I can afford to let everything drop for a bit when it catches me up!

I'm about to start this book. I just got it from the library.

Jennifer,

November would be great. There are 64 chapters. If we divide that by 4, that would be 16 chapters a week. Which is a lot (200 pages or so, I think).

I would probably be fine with that schedule, but if we need to make it span November-December, I'm fine with that, too.

Jennifer and Austin-- I got lost in the threads, what book are you guys going to read?

Austin wrote: "Jennifer,November would be great. There are 64 chapters. If we divide that by 4, that would be 16 chapters a week. Which is a lot (200 pages or so, I think).

Austin, A month schedule is good for me.

Martha wrote: "Jennifer and Austin-- I got lost in the threads, what book are you guys going to read?"

Hi Martha,

We will be reading David Copperfield as a side read. Would you like to participate?

Oh, I would, but I can't -- I've got too much going right now as it is. I thought you might be talking about War & Peace, that is why I asked. I seriously would like to re-read David Copperfield at some time though -- maybe I can sneak a little in and follow what you two talk about. Thank you!

Jennifer & Austin, I would love to join you reading David Copperfield. I have not read it yet so just picked up a copy. I'll try to follow along with the schedule, but some days I have more reading time than others. Looking forward to starting it!

Renee wrote: "Jennifer & Austin, I would love to join you reading David Copperfield. I have not read it yet so just picked up a copy. I'll try to follow along with the schedule, but some days I have more readi..."

Renee. That's great. I think Austin felt fine with extending the reading period. Would a longer reading period be better for you. I'm flexible.

Ok guys, I have right here, on my lap, ready to go, the Charles Dickens leather-bound, gold-leaf edition of five novels which one is David Copperfield (from Barnes & Noble - $20). I'm ready to go whenever you all are!

I also would like to do the group read since I have not read that one either but I'll try to keep up so I can join in on your discussions. I've only read a couple Dickens books so far, but loved them and can't wait to read more! Since they were such a good price, I also bought Oliver Twist while there :)

Martha wrote: "Ok guys, I have right here, on my lap, ready to go, the Charles Dickens leather-bound, gold-leaf edition of five novels which one is David Copperfield (from Barnes & Noble - $20). I'm ready to go ..."

Five novels? That must be a huge book!

Yes, it is very heavy on my lap, but the good news is, David Copperfield is only 575 pages. If you call that good news.

I have David Copperfield waiting for me to read on the kindle, so I'd love to join in the side read! Will there be a thread for it on here?

At the moment I have just finished and I'm half way through .

It kind of got started in the wrong thread, but you can set up a David Copperfield thread in the side reads folder, that's how that would normally work. I won't be joining you right away but might comment on it behind your schedule. I've always wanted to read it, but it is lengthy. Maybe I can find it on audio somewhere.

I'd also like to take part in a David Copperfield side-read, look forward to kicking that off in November.

David wrote: "I'd also like to take part in a David Copperfield side-read, look forward to kicking that off in November."

That's good news. Looking forward to it as well.

I finished Star Girl, I'm now reading

Holy cow, there are 39 Discworld books? I thought it was in the seven-to-ten range. Clearly, I am out of touch. :p

Sheryl wrote: "Holy cow, there are 39 Discworld books? I thought it was in the seven-to-ten range. Clearly, I am out of touch. :p"

Yes, and a 40th on the way! I've only read a selection, though. The later ones are funnier and cleverer.

Currently reading Dracula. Should be done with it sometime today. After that, I was hoping to finish The Unnamable by Beckett.

I found David Copperfield on audio, so after I'm done with my current book, I'll be ready to start. Do we want to go ahead and setup the thread now, or wait until Nov?

Alana wrote: "I found David Copperfield on audio, so after I'm done with my current book, I'll be ready to start. Do we want to go ahead and setup the thread now, or wait until Nov?"

I set up threads for the first half of the book.

A GREAT RUSSIAN CLASSIC WRITTEN IN 1940 BUT NOT PUBLISHED UNTIL 1966,THE MASTER AND MARGARITA BY MIKHAIL BULGAKOV.

I have created four threads to discuss the side read David Copperfield, but I think that I should probably have eight threads, breaking the book down into smaller parts. What does everyone else think?

Sounds good to me!

I haven't looked to see how many parts there are, but I imagine that's probably a good idea, since it's fairly lengthy.

That's what I was thinking too.

I've got a lot of catching up reading to do. Starting this week.

Still in The Age of Innocence, Judgement Day and The Lamb,Lion and the Hunted.

Also have to get to pounding those novel keys!

Loved David Copperfield, read it one book ago :) Finished 1984 and now 100 pages into Dracula.

Laura wrote: "Loved David Copperfield, read it one book ago :) Finished 1984 and now 100 pages into Dracula."

Laura, that's so funny because I just finished Dracula and am about to start reading David Copperfield. Dracula is awesome. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Aww, likewise Jennifer, I hope you enjoy David Copperfield :) Dracula is great so far, really interesting!

I'm currently reading "The Casual Vacancy" by J.K.Rowling. Many people have described this book as "dull", "depressing", "disappointing" and so on but I'm really enjoying it so far.
Also, I've taken "Poor Folk" by Dostoyevsky from the library but I've been stuck on page 70 for ages. I don't know why but I find this book a bit boring. I'll try to finish it though.

Titty wrote: "I'm currently reading "The Casual Vacancy" by J.K.Rowling. Many people have described this book as "dull", "depressing", "disappointing" and so on but I'm really enjoying it so far.
Also, I've take..."

I am still hovering over whether to read Casual Vacancy or not. Still, at least this isn't like some kind of PR stunt, or her trying to cash in some current trend.

I highly enjoyed The Unconsoled by Kazuo Ishiguro. Now I'm reading Curtis Cate's biography George Sand: A Biography.

I'm currently reading The Book Thief
I'm reading it for school as it is part of my main English exam of highschool. I've heard a lot about this book so I'm looking forward to reading it. The length is a little intimidating though!

It does sound good, I have it down to read!

I'm reading The Remains of the Day

Helen wrote: "I'm currently reading The Book Thief
I'm reading it for school as it is part of my main English exam of highschool. I've heard a lot about this book so I'm looking forward to reading it. The length..."
I absolutely loved that book! i finished in during one of my classes and i was crying my eyes out! my kids looked at me with such concern and then told me i shouldnt cry, its just a book!!

Helen wrote: "I'm currently reading The Book Thief
I'm reading it for school as it is part of my main English exam of highschool. I've heard a lot about this book so I'm looking forward to reading it. The length..."


Helen- I truly hope you love The Book Thief. I was honestly sad when I ran out of pages. It has become one of my all-time favorite books. Everyone I know who has read it has loved it.

I am currently reading This is my second Oscar Wilde and I am loving his writing. It is simply bliss to read.

Helen wrote: "I'm currently reading The Book Thief
I'm reading it for school as it is part of my main English exam of highschool. I've heard a lot about this book so I'm looking forward to reading it. The length..."

Hope you're enjoying it, Helen. It took a while to work onm me, but got to me in the end.

I'm reading The Great Gatsby at present.

I'm reading David Copperfield

Andrea wrote: "Helen wrote: "I'm currently reading The Book Thief
I'm reading it for school as it is part of my main English exam of highschool. I've heard a lot about this book so I'm looking forward to reading ..."

I'm about 250 pages in and I'm really enjoying it! I can see myself loving it by the last page :)