I appreciate it, Jeremy. I couldn't keep up with multiple books and was trying to choose one, although all the books looked great. I believe returning to what Big Read was in the past is the right move!
I will be joining the Huck Finn read. I am looking forward to a slower read with the book setting the pace, rather than a more arbitrary monthly calendar. The slower read allows one to savour the book more fully. It also recognizes that we only have so much time. We may be reading other books and we have our daily time commitments.
I, too, like the shift back! There’s the fact that with one read you can jump back in if you’re behind and the motivation to stay with the group is nice. I actually just read Huck Finn in preparation to read James by Percival Everett. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed Huck Finn- Elijah Woods does a great audiobook read!
And Moby Dick- that is definitely one I have wanted to tackle but not on my own! Excited to join!
You've captured my feelings exactly. There was somehow more intimacy in tackling a "big read" with fellow readers. I posted regularly with Bronte and Dickens but felt disconnected with more recent selections. Can't wait for Huck!
I support the new plan. Under the old plan, the value of reading with others was spread too thin. I will begin to participate again with Huck Finn and really look forward to Moby Dick which I have not been able to get through on my own.
Thank you, I’m in the middle of the Invisible Man and Range, not making progress on either. I love tackling one big classic at a time, much easier for me to focus on. (Plus this isn’t my only book club 😉)
Great pivot, Jeremy! I only managed to read one of your books at a time, and I‘m really looking forward to going back to just one classic work / doorstopper. Huck Finn and Moby Dick are some of my favourites and deserve a re-read, which will be made much more enjoyable by your background info and the discussion. Thanks for all your work and effort!
Love this love! It threw me off that first non-fic book didn’t end at end of a month even though I looked at the schedule. I tend to get off some weeks so this will help from feeling so far behind I can’t get back on track.
I’m happy with the changes. I was wondering how you were going to do both Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn in one month. I joined the group last summer for Twam of Rivals and reading it along with others was fantastic and just what I needed. Same with Great Expectations. I’m rooting for another big non-fiction read similar to TOR. Have wanted to read Caro and would love more Goodwin and a Chernow. Really appreciate this group.
I’m all for going back to the old ways. I actually joined because I wanted to read more classics with a group. I’ve discovered some great stuff these past few months, but reading one book more slowly will be great. I don’t remember seeing a previous list for the rest of the year’s books. I’ll go back and look for it on substack. Thank you! I’ll finally grt through Moby Dick!
Although I was excited about the book list for this year, I agree it was becoming overwhelming. I rarely read the comments or commented myself because I was just trying to keep up. Looking forward to a slower pace and Moby Dick! It was never even on my "to read" list because I was too intimidated by it, but I will tackle it with the group and our able leader. :)
Also, I’m disappointed that you are abondoning Twain, not just changing the pace. And I think you are missing a huge opportunity by not scheduling Huck Finn followed by James!
And Moby Dick? Starting to feel like high school reading list…”you’re supposed to enjoy this”…but we all read Moby Dick and there is a reason nobody reads it twice
I appreciate it, Jeremy. I couldn't keep up with multiple books and was trying to choose one, although all the books looked great. I believe returning to what Big Read was in the past is the right move!
Glad to hear it, thank you Stan!
Love it. Less is more! As Benjamin Franklin advised: "Read much, but not too many books."
I will be joining the Huck Finn read. I am looking forward to a slower read with the book setting the pace, rather than a more arbitrary monthly calendar. The slower read allows one to savour the book more fully. It also recognizes that we only have so much time. We may be reading other books and we have our daily time commitments.
Totally agree, thanks Donald!
I just ordered that Mark Twain biography. I grew up around Hannibal, Missouri so Mark Twain and all his characters were ever present in my life.
I am planning on ordering it and reading it when it comes out. Anything by Chernow is must read for me!
I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy — I'm really excited to dig in!
I, too, like the shift back! There’s the fact that with one read you can jump back in if you’re behind and the motivation to stay with the group is nice. I actually just read Huck Finn in preparation to read James by Percival Everett. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed Huck Finn- Elijah Woods does a great audiobook read!
And Moby Dick- that is definitely one I have wanted to tackle but not on my own! Excited to join!
James is just fantastic. I'm excited to do Huck Finn again — I haven't read it since high school.
I will be reading Huck Finn in anticipation of reading James, as well. Both novels were Christmas gifts from my daughter.
You've captured my feelings exactly. There was somehow more intimacy in tackling a "big read" with fellow readers. I posted regularly with Bronte and Dickens but felt disconnected with more recent selections. Can't wait for Huck!
Thanks Daniel! Glad to hear your thoughts.
I support the new plan. Under the old plan, the value of reading with others was spread too thin. I will begin to participate again with Huck Finn and really look forward to Moby Dick which I have not been able to get through on my own.
Excellent, glad to hear you're on board!
Thank you, I’m in the middle of the Invisible Man and Range, not making progress on either. I love tackling one big classic at a time, much easier for me to focus on. (Plus this isn’t my only book club 😉)
I hear ya! Thanks for sticking around. :)
Great pivot, Jeremy! I only managed to read one of your books at a time, and I‘m really looking forward to going back to just one classic work / doorstopper. Huck Finn and Moby Dick are some of my favourites and deserve a re-read, which will be made much more enjoyable by your background info and the discussion. Thanks for all your work and effort!
Thank you Stefanie!
Love this love! It threw me off that first non-fic book didn’t end at end of a month even though I looked at the schedule. I tend to get off some weeks so this will help from feeling so far behind I can’t get back on track.
I’m happy with the changes. I was wondering how you were going to do both Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn in one month. I joined the group last summer for Twam of Rivals and reading it along with others was fantastic and just what I needed. Same with Great Expectations. I’m rooting for another big non-fiction read similar to TOR. Have wanted to read Caro and would love more Goodwin and a Chernow. Really appreciate this group.
I’m all for going back to the old ways. I actually joined because I wanted to read more classics with a group. I’ve discovered some great stuff these past few months, but reading one book more slowly will be great. I don’t remember seeing a previous list for the rest of the year’s books. I’ll go back and look for it on substack. Thank you! I’ll finally grt through Moby Dick!
Love to hear it, thanks Patty!
Huck Finn's amazing but I hope you're not dropping Connecticut Yankee!
Not permanently! Just for now. :)
Although I was excited about the book list for this year, I agree it was becoming overwhelming. I rarely read the comments or commented myself because I was just trying to keep up. Looking forward to a slower pace and Moby Dick! It was never even on my "to read" list because I was too intimidated by it, but I will tackle it with the group and our able leader. :)
Glad to hear it, Cheryl! Thanks for your flexibility. :)
Two months to read Invisible Man already felt slow, but it appears I’m in the minority
Also, I’m disappointed that you are abondoning Twain, not just changing the pace. And I think you are missing a huge opportunity by not scheduling Huck Finn followed by James!
And Moby Dick? Starting to feel like high school reading list…”you’re supposed to enjoy this”…but we all read Moby Dick and there is a reason nobody reads it twice
Sorry to hear you feel that way, but I loved Moby-Dick the first time I read it ~10 years ago and I think taking it slowly yields great rewards.
All right, I trust you…
But I can’t promise I won’t be gazing wistfully at Tom Sawyer and A Connecticut Yankee while Melville drones on about the fish he almost caught…
Well I'm not abandoning Twain, I'm just not doing the other two *this year* — and I think James makes for great supplementary reading. Fantastic book.
Good call