Should have read classics discussion

I wanted to start a thread for people to suggest new books to read after Watership Down. We could list some suggestions and then at the beginning of February, maybe take a member poll to decide on the book.

How about Jane Eyre or Adventures of Sherlock Holmes?

Maybe we could do one short book every month and a longer book for two months? Maybe having the longer book more structured with "ugh" reading assignment days and then the shorter book is more lax? I'd like to have more than one choice for the books to currently read.

I like choices. It also allows more of an opportunity to involve more members since some people may have already read the single chosen read for the month. But of course you don't have to read both book choices; matter of fact, you don't have to read any...but usually having choices is good.

I've been looking for a group that may want to take on and discuss War and Peace. It's an intimidating length but actually seems very readable once started, and definitely seems like something that would benefit from discussion. Any interest?

I would be interested! Maybe, as a buddy read or something. Might need some structure with that one, just to keep the discussion flowing. We can put it up and see if others want to join. How long and how far along are you?

Lisa wrote: "Maybe we could do one short book every month and a longer book for two months? Maybe having the longer book more structured with "ugh" reading assignment days and then the shorter book is more lax..."

I like that idea too!

Carolyn wrote: "I've been looking for a group that may want to take on and discuss War and Peace. It's an intimidating length but actually seems very readable once started, and definitely seems like something that..."

I'd be down with reading War and Peace.

Lisa and Kaila - great! I'm only on page 40 right now of the Pevear/Volokhonsky translation (it's available at Borders in paperback). I agree Lisa, it might benefit from a structured discussion. Maybe we can set up an area with a chapter by chapter breakdown? That would help avoid mixing in spoilers for people who may read along more slowly or want to jump ahead more quickly. Can we do that here or would I need to create a new group with a different topic for each chapter?

Carolyn wrote: "Lisa and Kaila - great! I'm only on page 40 right now of the Pevear/Volokhonsky translation (it's available at Borders in paperback). I agree Lisa, it might benefit from a structured discussion. Ma..."
Hey Carolyn, Lisa and I can do that here. We will just add a new thread. I am on my way to the library this afternoon to get a copy of W&P. Sometimes I cheat and get the audioversion since I am a slow reader...but reading a 1300+ page book made make me as proud as running a marathon.

Ok, started a separate thread for WP so anything about that can go over there for ease of view! I just put dates in there so I could add the book and thread. Those can be changed at any time!

How about Catcher in the Rye, Frankenstein, A Farewell to Arms or Of Mice and Men? Just some ideas to toss around. Jane Eyre and Sherlock sounds great also!

I have Watership Down on hold at the library.
One person ahead of me has a hold on the book. Hopefully, they are a fast reader.
War and Peace has 800 plus pages. I will check the second hand store, maybe they will have the book. War and Peace also have people waiting for that book.
Does watching the movie ,A Farwell to Arms, with Gary Cooper and Helen Hayes count?

LOL, I don't think that watching the movie counts! Although it does sounds like a good cast!:)

How about Jane Eyre? That sounds like a good one!

Jane Eyre sounds good to me. I love that book.

There's a new "Jane Eyre" movie coming out that looks good so I'd love to read the book.

Perfect! Sounds like a good plan! Lets do it midFeb. Sound good?

That will work for me.

Glad we decided on Jane Eyre. I look forward to reading it.

I have some people concerned that we are reading 2000pgs for the next two months! Didn't quite realize that it was that many! So, would it be possible to change Jane Eyre to March? I don't want someone having a book induced panic attack!LOL

That would be better.

Whew! I agree, that would seem more reasonable.

As we say here, no worry beef curry. March is fine.

"So many books, so little time."
— Frank Zappa

I changed it to April, that should give us all plenty of time!

Thanks Lisa! I was kinda sweating what book to skip. WOW!

Now, maybe, you won't have to skip any!

I know that we have a few books on our plate right now, but I also want to keep the nominations open for future group reads. Just want to keep people thinking about books for the future. We can choose them at any time!

I'd like to read Frankenstein or The Count of Monte Cristo

I can't even begin to think of one because I am so behind on my other reads...maybe a short classic...

I'd like to read Wuthering Heights

Alright, for now we have Frankenstein, The Count of Monte Cristo and Wuthering Heights. If anyone has any more suggestions, please feel free to nominate, if not we can have a group poll(never done that) around the first of April and see which everyone picks! Does that sound ok?

I am OK with that.

Sounds good to me as well. And I'd like to encourage others to nominate books too.

Sounds good. I like those choices.

I'd love to try Frankenstein and Count of Monte Cristo!

I think Count of Monte Cristo is a good choice. I have also always wanted to try The Woman in White

I've never heard of that book before, but it sounds good.

Andrea wrote: "I think Count of Monte Cristo is a good choice. I have also always wanted to try The Woman in White"

Darn it! We read The Woman in Whiteas a group read in October of last year. I highly recommend it though, it is quite good. There is a thread for it under book discussions if you are interested.

How is this for an idea? We could read The Count of Monte Cristo during the summer months(May-August) since it is another long one(1200+) pages. Then we could read Frankenstein in September or we could have both books going during the summer. Frankenstein is around 250 pages. Then we could add Wuthering Heights in October. How does that sound?

Trying to catch up with the group reads. Will endevour to read the ones coming up. Sorry I am not participating much in the group. I started a photography project at the beginning of the year and it is keeping me busy. Although I am getting some reading done as well. That is how I relax. But not done any group reads. Will find The Count of Monte Cristo and work that into my reading schedule. Looking forward to reading Frankenstein. I read Wuthering Heights last year and did not like it one bit. So don't think I can read it again.

I think I'll be skipping Wuthering Heights too. I've begun it and quitted too many times to count. I've got to conclude that it's just not the book for me.

Hmmmm, maybe we should have Wuthering Heights as a buddy read and choose something else for a group read at that time! I must say, ladies, I now have reservations about reading this again. I read it in school and must have blocked it out. Don't remember anything except the main man was named after a cartoon cat!

I just thought of this one, how about The Scarlet Pimpernel?

i could do that!

Scarlet Pimpernel, my favorite from my required reading in high school...I might even read that again and see if I still like it.

I'm game.

Sorry for being so anxious! I get way to excited about choosing books, so we will wait until later in the month to finalize stuff! That way more people can nominate books if they want to! Sorry again! Hehe!

That's okay. I get excited too...