Reading the Chunksters discussion

I found my copy and it is a Norton critical edition from 2002. It's actually quite a bit shorter than the penguin version, but it's a tall book with small print so it probably all evens out in the wash. In any event I divided by chapters of approximate length. I think. Here we go:

January 1-7: Chapters 1-16
January 8-14: Chapters 17-40
January 15-21: Chapters 41-54
January 22-28: Chapters 55-81
January 29-Feb 4: Chapters 82-105
Feb. 5-11: Chapter 106-Epilogue

We will start January 1, but based on the discussions of reading pace and time for discussions, I'd like to set out a reading schedule shortly based on what sounds best for the group. The penguin version is 720 pages, how much time would you like to read this? Is 5 weeks okay at 144 pages a week? Or if we read it in one month that is 180 pages a week.

I don't know how dense the writing is, so I can't really tell how quickly or slowly I'm going to be able to read this. I'd hedge my bets that this book is going to take me longer than a month to read, though, but I can always comment after the fact if others want to contain the book to 4 or 5 weeks.

We could put it to a vote! Personally if it's as dense as people make out then I'm happy to spread it over 6 or even 8 weeks. Although this will not be a choice for the fast readers.

My copy should arrive today, so I'll know better after I am able to take a look at it.

I am usually one of the fast readers but in looking over the text I suspect 144 pages a week is going to be too much. I think a month is too short to have a meaningful discussion of a book this “meaty” beast. I’m thinking 6-8 weeks? But I’ll go with whatever the group decides. Maybe we should vote?

Do you like dans idea of a two month period for books but a new one starts each month? There would be an overlap which could accommodate both slower and faster readers?

I do like that idea. Especially if the overlap is with a classic and a contemporary. Not sure we would want two classics overlapping.

I think whatever you go with it will soon become apparent whether it's working or not. I agree with Amanda on the classic/contemporary combination.

I do kind of like the overlap idea.

Do you think it should automatically be the runner up in the poll, or a fresh round of nominations and votes?

Since we are switching from classic to contemporary it would be new books. Any prior noms are eligible for the next classics poll though.

Look - here is a group photo of the Chunksters reading Melville... ;P

Dianne wrote: "The penguin version is 720 pages, how much time would you like to read this? Is 5 weeks okay at 144 pages a week? Or if we read it in one month that is 180 pages a week."

My Penguin edition is about 630 pages...

Moby-Dick

For me, I think I would rather press on with one book in the shortest reasonable time-frame before starting another i.e. 5-6 weeks for Moby Dick, rather than 8 weeks including an overlap with another book.

That said, I'm happy to try out the overlap idea and we can see how we get on.

I think it comes down to if readers are in the multiple-read mode (i.e. reading several novels at the same time) or if they are purists with the ability to focus on a single novel/work. The former clearly need a two month schedule, while the latter would be fine with one month. The question is which of the modes that dominate in the group? I suspect it is a blend of the two approaches.

Dianne wrote: "Do you like dans idea of a two month period for books but a new one starts each month? There would be an overlap which could accommodate both slower and faster readers?"

Sorry, I can't find Dan's post, so maybe it addressed my concern, which is, how this would impact you.

Would you be able to moderate two books at the same time in a substantive way? I think you already mentioned that doing Fingersmith and Sea of Poppies at the same time was a strain.

We don't want you to get burned out. After all, you're supposed to be enjoying the experience too.

I think we're straying into the territory of needing more than one moderator if we do this.

I'm handling a company merger right now, but I could sign up to help as a moderator after the merger is completed...after April.

For Paula

It is going to take me more than a month to read Moby Dick (unless I skip all the boring parts). Some books need - or justify - a
slow reading, and time to digest. And it would tend, I think to make nominations (and/or votes) go to short chunksters. Some should be big reads.
What I'd like to see is a book a month, but each book should have a two month reading period. That way we would have Moby Dick and one other book going in February.

Up to the moderator, of course, but it is still 12 books over the year

Hi Dan, no I get it, but it means one moderator handling two books at the same time during the overlap periods.

From having tried and failed to read Moby Dick a few years ago, I personally think it might be better to do 5 or 6 weeks. It is a lot to get through!

I think I will go with a six week schedule but keep it open for 2 months and longer if needed. Mid feb we will start a contemporary book and decide on a case by case basis how long to cover each new book, I’m thinking closer to one month for contemporary novels that can be read at a faster clip unless they are super massive. So for slower readers there may be some overlap for the last 2 weeks of feb when MB discussion is still active but a new book has started. I’ll be able to keep a six week schedule for MB so no overlap for me.

Dianne wrote: "I think I will go with a six week schedule but keep it open for 2 months and longer if needed. Mid feb we will start a contemporary book and decide on a case by case basis how long to cover each ne..."

As long as you are comfortable, it sounds great! But if you ever need someone to facilitate a thread every now and then, I'm up for it.

I started reading this one a while ago and did the first few chapters. It was surprisingly humorous and easy to comprehend. I wouldn't call it a breezy reading, since there are a lot if details and tangential musings on whales, but I was fearing worse in terms of heftiness of prose. I think 6 weeks would be a fair estimate.

Dianne wrote: "I think I will go with a six week schedule but keep it open for 2 months and longer if needed. Mid feb we will start a contemporary book and decide on a case by case basis how long to cover each ne..."

Sounds great Dianne! :)

ok great! I think we have some kind of plan here. I will close this thread and put the schedule in the first post in the thread. Can't wait to get started!