Reading the Classics discussion

Sorry if I'm no help, it's the only Joyce I've read.

Renee wrote: "I'm reading Moby-Dick right now and really enjoying it so far but have seen reviews before starting it that others thought it was a little long and too much about whaling. So far I can't put it do..."

Right on, right on!! I am reading Moby Dick also and am enjoying it very much. I am embarrassed to say I am only half way through and have been reading it for quite a while. What chapter are you reading now?

Sophie wrote: "I'm reading David Copperfield at the moment and it is amazing, i think i will be very sad when i finally finish it!"

I read this when I was about 14 yrs. old, and I remember liking it very much. But it has been so long ago, I'd love to do a "re-read" of it!

I have been reading, War and Peace (absolutely love this book!), Moby Dick (enjoying it too!) and others inbetween. I have been criticized for reading too many books at once, but I see in this group you all do it too, yeah. I have such a craving for so many books, I need to have more than three going at one time. I am very glad to be part of this group, everyone has great contributions.

Martha wrote: " I have been criticized for reading too many books at once".

I see nothing wrong with reading more than one book at a time. Besides, many non-readers follow more than one television series at the same time. Why should books be any different?

Jennifer wrote: "Martha wrote: " I have been criticized for reading too many books at once".

I see nothing wrong with reading more than one book at a time. Besides, many non-readers follow more than one television..."

Good point! Now that I can relate to.

Jennifer wrote: "Martha wrote: " I have been criticized for reading too many books at once".

I see nothing wrong with reading more than one book at a time. Besides, many non-readers follow more than one television..."

This! I read more than one book at a time (although they are usually of different genres) but I can keep them apart clearly in my mind. I can't do the same with TV series though. I get lost if I try to follow more than one. And yet my sister can only read one book at a time, but follows multiple TV shows...

How can you NOT read more than one book at a time when there are so many calling your name. :-) I have one I take to work, one on my nightstand, one in my car and the main one in the living room. And right now I have a 5th one I'm having a hard time getting thru.

Well, people like different things. I'm a researcher, so all day I am going back and forth between multiple documents and books, and multitasking on projects. So, when I read for fun, I focus more - I like to get into a story and stay there. I may have one novel and one non-fiction book going at the same time, but I don't like having multiple books going at one time. I still read a lot of books, just sequentially rather than concurrently. Different strokes ....

Martha wrote: "I have been reading, War and Peace (absolutely love this book!), Moby Dick (enjoying it too!) and others inbetween. I have been criticized for reading too many books at once, but I see in this gro..."

Martha- there is no wrong way to read. As long as you enjoy the way you read, there is no reason to read in a different manner. I, too, read multiple books at once, all the time. I am reading seven or so at the moment. I like to have a book for every mood I'm in. I have serious reading ADD. ;)

Andrea,

I see that you are reding The Satanic verses. How are you liking it? I am planning my reading list for November and am wondering if I should add that to the list.

Martha wrote: "Right on, right on!! I am reading Moby Dick also and am enjoying it very much. I am embarrassed to say I am only half way through and have been reading it for quite a while. What chapter are you reading now?"

I just started it not long ago and am only on Chapter 51 right now, but I love it! It's one of those books that I've always wanted to read but didn't think I would be able to get into it. That's not true at all! I especially loved the beginning when Ishmael met Queequeg.

As far as reading goes, there is no right or wrong way. Everyone does it different. I prefer to read one at a time, especially if it's a bigger book but sometimes I'll start a different type of book like an Agatha Christie or a smaller sci-fi book at the same time. All depends on my mood and how I'm feeling about what I'm reading at the time. If I can't put it down, I just want to keep reading it!

I am reading , as well as and for my English Language course and as an ebook on my phone for those awful moments when I can't carry a book or kindle.

Steve wrote: "Sorry if I'm no help, it's the only Joyce I've read."

Steve, it was helpful. Now I know why Joyce intimidates me so much.

Jennifer wrote: "Andrea,

I see that you are reding The Satanic verses. How are you liking it? I am planning my reading list for November and am wondering if I should add that to the list."

It's difficult for me to explain my feelings about The Satanic Verses because the book is so unbelievably complex. Rushdie alludes to everything from Joyce's Ulysses to the movie Howard the Duck. (And a mind-blowing number of things besides.)

There seem to be two schools of thought on reading this book. One is that you read it straight through and ignore any references or allusions you don't immediately understand. The other is that you look up the references and allusions as you go along. I am doing the latter because I really want to understand why Rushdie alludes to what he does. Be warned that there is no Cliffs notes or Sparknotes guide to this book. (Believe me I wish there was.) I have found a rather good online guide written by an English professor. (If you end up reading the book, message me and I'll send you the link.)

Okay, would I recommend The Satanic Verses? Yes, highly. I am enjoying it thoroughly. It is an incredible book and Rushdie is clearly brilliant and astonishingly imaginative. I would say, however, that to enjoy it you need to be able to go with the flow and accept that he's taking you on a wild journey where, (presumably, since I haven't quite finished the book), everything is going to be tied together in the end. It is undoubtedly a book I will end up reading again at some point.

Thanks Andrea. That is helpful and when I start readign it, I will definitely messsage you. Thank you.

Hi folks,

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Renee wrote: "Martha wrote: "Right on, right on!! I am reading Moby Dick also and am enjoying it very much. I am embarrassed to say I am only half way through and have been reading it for quite a while. What cha..."

I am not sure how the editions work, but I am in Chapter 57 - Of Whales of Paint and Teeth... My edition stops at page 584. These chapters have been the toughest for me to get through, but I am still enjoying it, sllooowwlly. I agree with you, I really enjoyed Ishmael & Queequeg in the earlier parts. The irritating thing for me is I bumped into some reviews by accident & learned about parts of the ending I didn't want up know. But that's my fault for taking so long to read the book.:)

Carol wrote: "How can you NOT read more than one book at a time when there are so many calling your name. :-) I have one I take to work, one on my nightstand, one in my car and the main one in the living room. ..."

I love this!! That's what I'm talking about! I feel much better about my decision now, thank you!

Steve wrote: "From what I understand, Finnegan's Wake is way too complex to judge Joyce's style on. First of all, it doesn't remain a novel. It breaks into poetry, play, music, and more. As in, there is actual s..."

I heard of a character somewhere who had such powers of concentration he would re-read Finnegans Wake every year, while riding on the ferris wheel, with his kids. I’ve glanced at it, and needed to lie down.

It took me a few goes with Ulysses, the plethora of voices and techniques he employs, and everything else you can poke a stick at, but it was enriching and ultimately an incredible book.

If I ever attempt FW I think I’ll take an approach similar to yours. Short tentative bursts throughout the year. It might do the trick.

The last story in Dubliners, The Dead, is the length of a novella and worth a look, it’s a bit divine and you won’t feel like Jacob wrestling with the angel.

Another tip with Finnegan's Wake is to try to sound out what's on the page in your head. It's got some lyrical quality, and you'll notice words that are actually just regular words spelt phonetically with an Irish accent. My opinion is that the book is actually about the English language and the irish accent more than it is about any story.

Also, with my German and tidbits of Swedish, I've caught some of the multilingual charm. I bet the more languages you know, the more fun FW might be.

Martha wrote: "I have been reading, War and Peace (absolutely love this book!), Moby Dick (enjoying it too!) and others inbetween. I have been criticized for reading too many books at once, but I see in this gro..."

How are you liking War & Peace so far? It's one that's been sitting on my shelf for a while. It's a little intimidating how long it is, but I understand it's a great read once you get into it. I have a great edition of it that belonged to my husband's Grandmother and really need to get around to reading it some day. My Father-in-law has all her old books at his house. I should go scrounging around down there and see what he has :)

That sounds like a good time to me, scrounging around looking through old books. That is how I started reading the classics. My Dad had a simple book shelf in our small house, but what a treasure cove it was! David Copperfield, Oliver Twist, Exodus, Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn and these were just simple old, used paperbacks. But my memory of the old smell of them is still with me and reminds me of my Dad.

War and Peace is wonderful! You should really enjoy it. There are many different stories within the book, and characters you fall in love with and characters you despise. I thought I wouldn't enjoy the "war" parts as much, but the characters are built up through these areas and makes you appreciate them more. I highly recommend this book!

After finishing Anna Karenina, The woman in white and Frankenstein it is time to read something modern and new. I am reading a book of Ismail Kadare, who is a writer from Albany and I continue with part 10 of the fantasy serie Wheel of time by Robert Jordan

Having finished Barnaby Rudge, I am currently reading Nicholas Nickleby. It's as if I have just met a new, life-long friend in Charles Dickens!

I'm currently reading Little Dorrit.
It's very exciting and captivating..

It's certainly on my list R.G.!

I am the same exact way. I mean, I have to be able to read it, and it seems as if it is so hard to follow along if I hear it being read to be. It's kind of like in Jeopardy, he reads the clue, but I have to see it to get it and answer.

I am currently reading Wolf Gift, which is the newest book by Anne Rice. So far, so good...different though.

Steve wrote: "Another tip with Finnegan's Wake is to try to sound out what's on the page in your head. It's got some lyrical quality, and you'll notice words that are actually just regular words spelt phonetical..."

Yeh, I expect a familiarity with languages would help a great deal in appreciating his playfulness in FW, and there’s definitely a lyricism with Joyce, (so much poetry just floating around)even amongst the rubble, when it reads like he’s speaking in tongues. Whatever you pick up next will seem like Spot The Dog.
I’m half way into Gravity’s Rainbow, (notoriously hairy), the last thing I want to do next is leap into Finnegans Wake. I think I’ll read The Turning after this, or Karoo (but I’m trying to save it for the holidays). And I want to join in the next group read. I’ve read War and Peace and loved it, a lot of those characters have stuck with me, same with the Karamazovs.

Just read Our Mutual Friend,now Right Ho, Jeeves.

Right Ho, Jeeves is a riot.

Just my second Jeeves book,it looks promising,Yodante.

It's the only one I've read and it's hard not to like. I must catch up wth Wooster and Jeeves again.

Andrea wrote: "Martha wrote: "I have been reading, War and Peace (absolutely love this book!), Moby Dick (enjoying it too!) and others inbetween. I have been criticized for reading too many books at once, but I ..."

Andrea, I am beginning to believe I have an ADD. problem too, but I don't care, it makes me "feel good".

Yeah, Yodante, I've been told that Finnegan's Wake influenced Gravity's Rainbow. I doubt reading the two one after the other would be easy. And the last time I put down FW to read something else, it was Achebe's No Longer At Ease. I breezed right through it, but Achebe's style is so folksy, for lack of a better word, that it just lends itself to being read simply.

Between my bursts of FW, I've been reading through Stephen King's the Dark Tower series, and I'm in the middle of The Wastelands (#3). I've wanted to knock through this series for some time, but The Gunslinger put me off. Too hazy, and indistinct. Still, I'm enjoying it now.

I've got a good six books waiting for me that I ordered online, and I'm glad I am heading back soon, because once I finish The Wastelands, all I'll have is FW, some celtic legends, and some Tolstoy short stories.

I have finally finished reading Anna Karanina and am left emotionally exhausted. I have just started reading Little Women & Good Wives

Me too, Martha!

I've just finished reading 'A History of Mr Polly' by H.G. Wells. Really enjoyed it and very different from his usual work.

The review can be found here:
http://thethiessenreview.wordpress.co...

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 books to read before you die book club.

In Cold Blood byTruman Capote on my own.

and I would like to read another Dickens if The Scarlet Letter wins the poll because I just read that book a few months back. I am thinking of David Copperfied but would welcome feedback from you Dickens lovers out there.

If any of you are planning on reading any of these books and would like to start a Side Read, I would be happy to participate too.

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 will second David Copperfield. In fact, David Copperfield would be a nice counterpart to Anna Karenina because David Copperfield was a big influence on Tolstoy. A number of other writers were influenced by that book as well.

It's a beautiful book. Well crafted. There are many moments in that book of breathtaking prose.

So, I strongly concur. Copperfield should be on any reader's bucket list. Absolutely.

Thanks Austin. Then it's decided, David Copperfied it is unless War and Peace actually rallies and wins the poll.

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."

Time is what readers always need more of. LOL. There are so many books out there to read and so little time. We are so fortunate to live post Guttenberg and post the rise of the novel.

War and Peace works, too. I've read that one, so I'd be able to just do a review read and participate from the start.

If I tell you a secret, do you promise not to tell anybody else? I still have 100 pages to go in Anna Karenina. But I'm going to finish. I'm a slow reader.

Austin wrote: "War and Peace works, too. I've read that one, so I'd be able to just do a review read and participate from the start.

If I tell you a secret, do you promise not to tell anybody else? I still hav..."

Anna Karenina is meant to be consumed slowly I think. Were you planning on reading David Copperfield with me as a side read?

ok I just had a geek moment & I really want to share! a few minutes ago I started reading the yellow-lighted bookshop by lewis buzbee ... I don't even know how to express my excitement! if you have ever felt that exhilaration when entering a bookstore, this book is for you! my students are always making fun of me for going to bookstores several times a week, but it is so nice to know that I am not the only one who takes such a great pleasure out of simply walking thru the doors! :) read it! you'll love it, I promise!!

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.

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 books to read bef..."

Jennifer- I have read all three of the books you are looking to read in November. I particularly enjoyed One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and In Cold Blood. I hope you enjoy them! I have read Great Expectations three different times and it is my least favorite book of all time. Needless to say, I hope you like it more than I do! :)