Reading Classics, Chronologically Through the Ages discussion

Hey everyone,

I just wanted to open up a thread where anyone can post anything that doesn't fit neatly into the other available threads.

General musings, suggestions, comments, and questions all welcome. :-)

Kenia

Suggestion for Navigating Through Discussions: I highly suggest sitting down at your desktop or laptop computer to easily navigate through the discussion folders and threads.

I'm not sure about the Android app, but I have an iPhone and the iOS app only shows the 3 or 4 threads that were most recently commented on, and doesn't allow me to expand the Discussions area to view all of them. As a result, it is impossible to access most of the discussion threads from my phone.

This has led me to use the mobile app for simple things such as viewing the status feed, liking friends' statuses, and adding books to my "to-read" list as I'm on the go. But I don't engage with Group discussions until I get to my laptop. I hope they update the app and it gets better over time, but for now that's what I end up having to do. It's too frustrating for me otherwise.

I decided to read thorough the chapter introductions for each type of literature (and take notes) before starting on the first book. That way all of my notes from TWEM will be at the beginning of my handwritten bound journal. Also, I will be able to return the book to the library when it's due.

Over the next few days, I will add books to my reading list instead of having a lot of place holders.

That's the plan, anyway.... :)

Wow, you are much more organized that I am, Deanna. I actually would want to do what you are planning, I just don't have the time.

How do you plan to set up your blog? As journaling as you read or more like a final post?

I'm looking forward to your book lists!

I came across this site which is quite inspiring and makes me linger. A great resource!
http://hour25.heroesx.chs.harvard.edu/

Including a number of texts
http://hour25.heroesx.chs.harvard.edu...

Enjoy!

Oh, by the way, that came indirectly from this wonderful course site:
*looks over at a pile of courses in the corner*

https://courses.edx.org/courses/cours...

Haaze wrote: "I came across this site which is quite inspiring and makes me linger. A great resource!
http://hour25.heroesx.chs.harvard.edu/

Including a number of texts
http://hour25.heroesx.chs.harvard.edu......"

Oh my goodness, they have a book club! How could you do this to me, Haaze? ;-)

Cleo wrote: "Oh my goodness, they have a book club! How could you do this to me, Haaze? ;-)
"

Anytime for a friend of ancient Greece! :P

It is kind of scary to see how many wonderful opportunities there are to study even such a small niche of the world's literature!

Cleo wrote: "How do you plan to set up your blog? As journaling as you read o..."

I haven't decided, yet.

Kenia,

Can I use your list of the books on my blog?

Deanna

A reminder that edX is starting their course in World Literature today! :)

https://www.edx.org/course/masterpiec...

Deanna wrote: "Kenia,

Can I use your list of the books on my blog?

Deanna"

Hi Deanna,

Do you mean "the" list that I have on my own blog, or are you referring to the various lists I have under my project folder in this GoodReads Group?

Kenia wrote: "Deanna wrote: "Kenia,

Can I use your list of the books on my blog?

Deanna"

Hi Deanna,

Do you mean "the" list that I have on my own blog, or are you referring to the various lists I have under m..."

"the" list

Deanna wrote: ""the" list "

It sounds so ominous..... ; -)

It sounds so ominous..... ; -)"

It does kinda!

I really liked the additions to the list that Kenia posted. I would tweak it a little for my blog, so I guess it wouldn't be the exact same list that Kenia posted on her blog, but I thought it would be a good thing to get her permission anyhow. :)

Yes..."the" list. *Da da duuuuummmm* Muuuhahahhaha!

Ok, I kid, I kid. Teehee!

I was only wondering because I consider that list to be a "living" list--I have about 10 more books I already want to add to it. So I just wanted to mention that. ;-)

But yes, please feel free to grab that list for yourself. I'm flattered that my additions to Bauer's original TWEM list intrigue you! :)

Kenia wrote: "Yes..."the" list. *Da da duuuuummmm* Muuuhahahhaha!

Ok, I kid, I kid. Teehee!

I was only wondering because I consider that list to be a "living" list--I have about 10 more books I already want to..."

Thanks, Kenia!

Hey everyone! I have a small conundrum and am hoping for both advice and to see if anyone else can relate:

• Do you ever feel like a snob when you tell people what you're currently (or have just finished) reading?

I dislike going around telling anyone that I'm reading the likes of Aeschylus or Sophocles or Charlotte Brontë...because I really try to remain humble in general and I struggle to mention any of this without feeling embarrassed, like perhaps they think I'm bragging or being so high-brow. So I will never offer up this information unless directly asked.

But, in social situations and at work, people tend to find out quickly that I am a lover of books and reading and so they will ask me, "What are you reading now?" A week ago this happened at work, and I said I was finishing up The Theban Plays by Sophocles, and quickly just said that it was about the story of Oedipus (because I could tell he had no idea what I was talking about). I very quickly asked him what he w reading and he said, "oh...just silly mystery novels." Or something to that effect. After another question or two I found out he really loves the Jack Reacher series.

They're not literary, but I honestly think it's fabulous and I myself love reading so-called "low-brow" books from time-to-time. No judgement on my part! But I could tell this person felt otherwise even though I said it sounded fantastic (and I was smiling genuinely too)!

I guess I worry about alienating people. Anyone have any experiences like this? Even when asked, maybe I should just lie or only tell the partial truth in cases where I also happen to be reading something that wouldn't make me sound like an intellectual snob.

I think that by talking about the works you are reading you are partially making a statement about yourself as well as promoting a number of classics that are part of the canon. I believe in a mixed diet in terms of reading. It is intellectually healthy to read the canon - as we are well aware there is a reason why they are regarded in that fashion as they push forward ideas representing mankind worthwhile arguing and thinking about throughout one's whole life. Why should one be shy about stating that one is reading such books? At the same time it is fine to read mysteries, thrillers, fantasy etc. in a similar fashion as it can be fun to have a donut once in a while. However, donuts can never replace a wholesome diet.
I think people avoid the classics at times because they can be harder to read (concepts, vocabulary, context) and can require both work and time. The California common core no longer includes many of these works. My daughter is in high school and they read modern classics (Lord of the Flies, Brave New World) which is great, but they no longer include the Greek plays and they have omitted all the pre-20th century novels!! *gasp* So from my perspective you should tell your whole world you are reading the Theban plays. Perhaps another person will pick them up and read them or watch a performance. Perhaps they one day will come back to you and have a chat about Oedipus! :)

Anyways, my two cents!

Haaze wrote: "it can be fun to have a donut once in a while. However, donuts can never replace a wholesome diet. ..."

That's always the analogy I think of too! There's a healthy diet for the mind and the body, and it's ok to feed both the mind & body junk sometimes too, as the occasional treat.

Haaze wrote: "from my perspective you should tell your whole world you are reading the Theban plays. ..."

I mean, that sounds wonderful. I just notice it seems to make people uncomfortable. I think when they ask me what I'm reading, they expect to hear that I'm reading the latest commercial fiction best-seller, Stephen king, or any other "beach read."

I've had more than one person begin telling me all about how they definitely feel like they "should" read the classics, but they don't have the [--insert reason here--i.e., time, energy, or mental stamina (that was an older, retired individual)], etc., etc. For some reason they feel like they have to justify themselves to me, and that reaction, in turn, makes me feel uncomfortable!

I just notice that if the details of what I read is brought up, rather than drawing the person into a conversation, it isolates them from me.

(Note: this is all in the case of acquaintances or strangers I've just met, during the course of getting-to-know-you conversations. My close friends and family all love me as I love them, and none of this applies to them. :-) )

Hmm, maybe it has to do with that most people want to stay on the baseline of the familiar and feeling part of this standard? Alternatively, simply being entertained without any dynamics/interaction (think basic Hollywood). I know that this sounds snobbish, but I am so tired of our culture being dumbed down (or is that just my imagination?).
If another person talked about a book they were reading (that I was unfamiliar with) I would probably just keep probing/conversing since I would be curious about it. Perhaps it is just that people often have a difficult time with the unfamiliar, while you have become used to encountering the dark (and illuminating) depths of the realm? After all, the unfamiliar can at times be quite interesting.

Kenia, my response would be pretty much what Haaze said. I think that people know that what they read is not particularly edifying or intellectually stimulating, but they do it anyway. Their reactions to you really says more about them than about you. I think that it's important that your reading choices remind them of what they already know.

Personally, I get so excited about what I'm reading, I'm often able to draw people in, but there are certainly those whose minds completely close off to it and they are uncomfortable. I don't let that get to me. Hopefully in some way I'm challenging people to better themselves.

"I know that this sounds snobbish, but I am so tired of our culture being dumbed down (or is that just my imagination?). "

Oh my, ME TOO!!!!!

Just to clarify: earlier I said, "it's ok to feed both the mind & body junk sometimes too, as the occasional treat." I didn't mean that what's healthy isn't a "treat." In fact, the healthy reads are so much more satisfying than the others--which is why I read them the most! :-D

Haaze wrote: "...simply being entertained without any dynamics/interaction (think basic Hollywood). I know that this sounds snobbish, but I am so tired of our culture being dumbed down (or is that just my imagination?). ..."

No, that's not snobbish. It really is being dumbed down. One of the best books I've read these last couple of years was Susab Jacoby's The Age of American Unreason. It's fascinating...and sad. :-(

Sandy wrote: "Kenia, I can relate to your discomfort but I seem to have a slightly different angle on it. Rather than feeling like a snob myself, I often felt anxious that the person/people would reject me because they thought I was pretending to be a snob. So it was less a case of how I felt about myself and more fear of what others would think of me. ..."

I completely relate as, for me, it's actually both. I am afraid of myself and wonder if I'm being a snob, and then I also feel anxious about what others think.

Sandy wrote: "I think I just began to focus, in casual and social relationships, on common elements of the human experience and to avoid trying to relate on an intellectual level to people that I don't know well.

I think we're very much alike in all that you said. I do the same: I avoid intellectual conversations with most people, actually. And I think that's part of what drives me nuts...I'm barely touching the surface and try to stay on general common ground and then I still notice people's discomfort.

Cleo wrote: "Their reactions to you really says more about them than about you. ..."

Yes, I suppose that is true. I'm not sure why I'm so worried about other people's reactions and feelings when I have absolutely zero control over any of it!

Cleo wrote: "Personally, I get so excited about what I'm reading, I'm often able to draw people in ..."

Maybe that's what I need to work on in terms of what I can control: my own expression! I'm now wondering if people can sense my discomfort of coming off like a snob, and they're simply reacting to that. Self-fulfilling loop, perhaps? I could just focus on allowing myself to express the excitement and passion I feel, rather than trying to stifle it in fear of how I'll be perceived.

Kenia, is it possible to open up a folder for some of the WEM books (or others) that we might like read together. Deanna and I are both reading Don Quixote and would love to have a thread to discuss it. Thanks!

Cleo wrote: "Kenia, is it possible to open up a folder for some of the WEM books (or others) that we might like read together. Deanna and I are both reading Don Quixote and would love to have a thre..."

No problem! Here you go: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...

:-)

Thanks, Kenia! :-)

Hey Kenia, I've noted that the group rules box comes up whenever I post. It's supposed to disappear when a member makes their first post, so I'm wondering if there is something that could be changed in the settings? Thanks!

Cleo wrote: "Hey Kenia, I've noted that the group rules box comes up whenever I post. It's supposed to disappear when a member makes their first post, so I'm wondering if there is something that could be change..."

I thought it was just me.... ;-) or ....Kenia probably wants to make sure we know the rules!!!! The Trivium Method!!!!! :P

Cleo wrote: "Hey Kenia, I've noted that the group rules box comes up whenever I post. It's supposed to disappear when a member makes their first post, so I'm wondering if there is something that could be change..."

I've just updated the setting so that only new members will see the rules box pop up.

Thanks, Kenia! :-)

I hope everyone's reading is going well so far this year! It's been a slow month for me at work so I've been able to get a lot of reading done.

To me, this project is wider than just a list of great books to read. I plan on teaching myself a variety of subjects and skills. Essentially, I've watched my friends who are homeschooling their kids and I've said, "Well, I don't have any kids of my own but I want to learn all these things too!" so I just started making a list of my interests.

The overall learning plan is still in progress but something I've struggled with is the desire to be learning 10 different things all at the same time and so I get distracted. I'll sit down to start reading and I end up researching things like resources for learning Latin or nature journaling or sewing.

So my question for those who are doing something similar or homeschooling is, how do you keep on track with one subject and know when to move on? Do you have a great, over-arching plan or do you just follow your interests? How can I get moving on actually doing these things instead of researching them ad nauseum?

Kendra wrote: "I hope everyone's reading is going well so far this year! It's been a slow month for me at work so I've been able to get a lot of reading done.

To me, this project is wider than just a list of gr..."

Kendra, I feel that you are describing me to a "T"! I also plan to teach myself some Latin in the future, for example, and I have many other projects I plan to take on in my life. :-D I have a flexible over-arching plan in place: the reading itself never stops, it's ongoing. But this year I also plan to acquire Java programming skills. In addition, I plan to dive into astronomy--a childhood interest that I dove into many years ago and now wish to revisit as my husband gifted me a telescope for Christmas!

What we are, are Renaissance Souls. You HAVE to read the book The Renaissance Soul: How to Make Your Passions Your Life—A Creative and Practical Guide. It helped me get my scattered-brained self more focused, without having to make sacrifices. It's just a matter of deciding on how often you want to pursue certain things, and making a list of everything else that you WILL get to later (i.e. a big part of it is realizing that not doing something now doesn't mean you won't ever do it, which tends to alleviate some anxiety over having too many interests, lol).

She lends some focus in the book on carving one's career out in the flexible style of doing one thing and then another, but I came at it purely from a leisure point of view. My personal philosophy is: I have my reallly good job and that's that. But when the day starts at 5pm, I am a free woman with her own income! :-D (a la How to Live on 24 Hours a Day)

I probably don't have much useful help for you,Kendra. When I was homeschooling, my daughter worked regularly through subjects, but as an adult, with life, responsibilities and so many commitments, it seems almost impossible to stick to something for a long period of time. I've dabble in learning Latin, Greek, Algebra, French, Philosophy, etc. but I've had a hard time sticking to it. Fortunately the base I've developed in most of them seems to be sticking, or at least sticking enough for me to be irregular with my studies but still keep adding to my knowledge. It's very slow-going though.

I would encourage you not to think too big though. My daughter started learning ancient Greek by only committing 10-15 min per day, 4 days per week to it. She's now basically fluent in it (of course, as she got older she devoted MUCH more time to it though). So even with such a short time commitment, you can start to see surprising results with a regular routine.

As for rabbit trails, I usually don't go off on them; instead I write them down and try to get to them later.

Best of luck in your quest to expand your knowledge, Kendra, and please let us know how it goes!

Thanks for the book recommendation, Kenia! I never thought about it in that way! I just requested the book from the library.

And thank you for the encouragement, Cleo.

Sometimes I think that just the sheer number of things I plan to do causes me to hesitate in beginning. But this is a life-long journey and I should take the time to enjoy each step.

I agree that I am thankful to have found this group! It's special to find people with similar aspirations as me, especially outside of a formal institution. I always enjoy our conversations and being able to share the journey along with the rest of you.

Yes, yes! I have to pipe in to also say how grateful I am as well. I have many friends & family "in real life," but it is incredibly rare that I can converse about ideas and books! Most people don't enjoy any substantial conversation beyond jokes, pop culture, or sports (all very fine topics, I just wish to move beyond them sometimes). And I'm talking about people with whom I feel close to--I'm not expecting deep conversation from mere acquaintances. lol

Even a book club I began a few years ago doesn't want to discuss books (they just want to drink wine and chit chat), so I passed the reigns to someone else.

It's also rare to find others who are brimming with as much curiosity as myself--and sometimes more! I enjoy reading about your various intellectual journeys more than I enjoy sharing my own, LoL.

I feel joy in interacting with all of you. :-) Thank you for the authenticity in connecting, and for our great conversations. I cannot wait to have more people join us, and to continue our lovely online community.

Kirk wrote: "I've hesitated asking this question, but...

What are some of the shorter books found on The Well-Educated Mind book list?

I may knock off a few of those until the end of March."

The Great Gatsby is a pretty short. Gilgamesh went pretty quickly for me given the layout of the poetry (and since some of it is missing).

I'm currently reading Don Quixote so I completely understand how some books, no matter how interesting, can drag on quite a bit... I want to say I'm going on 5 or 6 months at this point for DQ.

Kirk wrote: "I've hesitated asking this question, but...

What are some of the shorter books found on The Well-Educated Mind book list?

I may knock off a few of those until the end of March."

Heart of Darkness is short but it takes mental effort to appreciate it. The Stranger and The Red Badge of Courage are short as well.

As for the other categories, Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners, Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson, The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, The Prince, Utopia, and many of the plays would be short. There are quite a few.

Thanks for the heads-up, Sandy. My library actually has the book so I'll get it out and look it over, but I don't think I'll have time for the read. You'll have to let me know how it goes. The History Book Club is indeed thorough and you get much out of a book by reading with them!

Thanks for sharing Sandy! That's on my to-read list, but I am most definitely swamped.

And speaking of swamped....it's looking like I won't be finish Herodotus by end of April after all. :-( I'm loving his stories, but I find myself getting impatient as it's such a long book. I am basically suffering from So-Many-Books-So-Little-Time Syndrome. hahaha

My 2017 plan has essentially gone out the window. I began the year with so many ambitions, except that I had several other books make their way unexpectedly to the top of my To-Read pile rather than the ones I had planned. Basically, what happened was:

*My cousin really wanted to read 1984, and 1) I had been wanting to re-read it since it had been ~15 years since I had read it, and 2) I wanted to jump on the opportunity to read a book together with a loved one (which, never happens with me, and my cousin is like a dear sister).

*I did a book swap with an Instagram friend and so, of course, I'd like to read his book soon too! (My first-ever book swap!! And it was with a Canadian Insta-Friend too! :-D )

*A very close friend of ours who has lived here in California for over 10 years, has recently moved back to NY where she is from. She gifted me A Thousand Splendid Suns and inscribed it with a beauitful note. As I just finished 1984, this one is next on my list--she has already asked me if I started it yet, and I'd like to tell her "yes" next time! Plus, I look forward to discussing it together with her over the miles.

*Yet another close friend of mine who we hadn't seen in 2 years as she also moved away, came into town to visit for a few days. My birthday is coming up this month, and so she gifted me 3 books--including a Spanish copy of Pride & Prejudice (Orgullo y Prejuicio) which she purchased while in Spain on a business trip! I was very touched at how thoughtful she was to be thinking of me while on travel.

*Lastly, I have another book that was written by an acquaintance of mine who is a successful business woman, launching an online financial platform for women. She started a Facebook Group to discuss her book...and I'll be late to the party but I was hoping not to be too late....


And there you have it!! My To-Read Pile has BLOWN UP. LoL

And then of course trying to finish Herodotus.....

I'm sorry everyone, it looks as though this group will be holding in the Herodotus flight pattern for a while longer. But I'm not too concerned as all of you have PLENTY other books that you're juggling!

Ah, Kendra, I suspect that the swamping syndrome you are experiencing must be contagious here at GR?? ;-)

I really like Mary Beard (she has written some great books - one on Pompeii as well that is enchanting), but I'm less fond of the History group. They are certainly serious, but I feel as if I am in a military camp of some kind. Very regulated. CAPITAL LETTERS EVERYWHERE! *shiver* I do like a high degree of organization myself, but it has become a bit blown out of proportion over there. Still, Mary Beard's perspectives are fascinating and SPQR has been on my TBR ever since it came out. I have neglected my Greek and Roman section way too long....
She has been part of some delightful BBC documentaries that I need to return to as well.

Haaze, you make me laugh. The military it is, but don't you think a little structure is good for us fly-by-the-seat-of-your pants, be-distracted-by-a-number-of-books people? ;-)

Cleo wrote: "Haaze, you make me laugh. The military it is, but don't you think a little structure is good for us fly-by-the-seat-of-your pants, be-distracted-by-a-number-of-books people? ;-)

"
Oh, I like that sign Cleo! :)
Well, deadlines help for sure, but they have too many rules over there. I've tried in the past, but I always virtually "run away" to smaller eccentric reading groups with bohemian members. :)

WHO ARE YOU CALLING BOHEMIAN.... SOLDIER??

Now set your timer, give me 1 hour. READ! ... Are you blinking?...

I couldn't resist! I joined that group but only to leach off their info if I need a quick reference. I had 2 mods flock to me because I didn't put the book cover in properly. The Irish Challenge has questions drawn up already.... *kicks a stone* I'm just a bottom feeder.

:-) I read A Tale of Two Cities with them and I would say they helped me read deeper. I do know that you have to post book titles in a particular way. I do find they sometimes give too much information and I'm exhausted before I even begin the book. But I'm probably in the minority. ;-)

But yes, i know what you mean ..... I like the small eccentric groups better too.

We are eccentric.... reading the dustiest books we can find and forming groups to further that goal!

Biblio wrote: "WHO ARE YOU CALLING BOHEMIAN.... SOLDIER??

Now set your timer, give me 1 hour. READ! ... Are you blinking?...

I couldn't resist! I joined that group but only to leach off their info if I need a q..."

LOL! Yes, I can see that you're too much of a free spirit for that group.