Please Introduce Yourself Showing 1,301-1,350 of 7,054

[Chrissie]

Hi, I am Chrissie. I particularly enjoy Russian classics. I have been here a couple of days, watching to see how the group functions. I am just plain trying to find good classics not yet read.

Are there biographical classics?

[Pink]

Welcome Courtney, Val and Masoom, thanks for taking the time to tell us a little about yourselves.

Courtney, I love audiobooks too, they help me to fit in a lot more books than I would otherwise find time for.

Val, I've had the same idea recently with Shakespeare. Should I confess here that I haven't read any since leaving school? No excuse really, but I plan on rectifying that soon.

Masoom, I don't even know what ALGOLS are, let alone understand! Glad to see you're already enjoying classics. I hope you find some more that you enjoy with our group.

I look forward to getting to know you all more and hope you'll join in with our book discussions :)

[Pink]

Hi Chrissie! Glad you've decided to join too.

Biographical classics? Short answer is no, I've just looked through our shelves and don't think we've read any as a group.

Nominations are open to any genre, whether fiction, non-fiction, or biography, suggestions would just need to fit with the time period for each category. It looks like fiction always wins in the polls though, so perhaps non-fiction needs a bit more attention.

Did you have any particular books in mind?

[Chrissie]

Pink, thanks for the welcome. I don't know how this group defines classics even. Some on the group's bookshelf are not written that long ago. Day In Life Of Ivan Denisovitch maybe, but I have read that. I have joined to FIND more, hopefully.

[Pink]

Ah, well we had a long debate and rounds of voting, last year I think, to define end dates for our New School Classic read. Eligible dates are 1900-1999, so very recent, though in practice it's the older books that tend to win. Old School books can be anything before 1900, all the way back to B.C. The other group categories (revisit the shelf, quarterly long read and short story read) can be any date up until 1999, but again, older books seem more popular, which is how I personally think it should be. There is no group definition of which books make a classic. It's left to individual interpretation, sometimes newer books are nominated that don't seem to fit the definition of a classic in my mind, but voting always seems to weed these out anyway.

As for finding new classics to you, I like discovering those too and nominations each month certainly open my eyes to books I've not previously heard of. When it comes to voting and which books win, in reality it is the more popular and well heard of classics that usually win polls. However, for me, I often haven't read these either, plus with several group choices each month there's more chance of me joining in with a book that I haven't read before. If I have previously read it, I'll sit that choice out, but join in with conversations.

[James]

Hi, just joined the group, currently working my way through all of Dickens at the moment and loving it. Wondering now whether to order the new Harper Lee....or whether it may detract from the brilliance of one of my all time favourite books - 'To Kill a Mockingbird'? (especially considering the controversy about whether Harper Lee actually wrote the new one...?) Look forward to meeting group members and discussions. James

[Chrissie]

Pink wrote: "Ah, well we had a long debate and rounds of voting, last year I think, to define end dates for our New School Classic read. Eligible dates are 1900-1999, so very recent, though in practice it's the.

and nominations each month certainly open my eyes to books .."

Thanks for explaining how you group the classics. I will keep my eyes focused on the nominations to find unknown books.

Can any member add a book to the bookshelf? I was thinking of Nabokov's Ada, or Ardor: A Family Chronicle which I am currently reading. If I remember correctly I only saw Lolita. He has others which are very good and I would consider them classics.

[Michelle]

Hi James. My understanding of the controversy is whether or not she willingly agreed to it's publication. Concerns surrounding her age and if her "people" we're taking advantage of her. Hope that's not he case. Sad if it is.

[Pink]

Welcome James, good luck with Dickens, I had a quick look at your shelf and it seems like you've made great progress already!

Personally, regarding Mockingbird/Watchmen controversy, I'm firmly in the won't be reading camp, for the reasons you've mentioned. Don't want to detract from the brilliance, also unsure about the dubious way it's been published. Each to their own though, I'm expecting to see my feed full of updates on this book once it's released.

[Pink]

Chrissie wrote: "Pink wrote: "Ah, well we had a long debate and rounds of voting, last year I think, to define end dates for our New School Classic read. Eligible dates are 1900-1999, so very recent, though in prac..."

Chrissie, only winning group reads are added to the bookshelf, but certainly feel free to nominate Ada, or Ardor: A Family Chronicle if you wish. We've also read Despair as a group read, but there was limited participation. Those are the only two by Nabokov, though we do have a folder for him!

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...

[Chrissie]

Pink, I see, only group reads are in the bookshelf. I will also check out the folders that exist.

[Courtney]

I'm planning on reading Go Set a Watchman - of course I hope there's nothing untoward about how it's been published. As for detracting from Mockingbird (one of my favorites) I'm encouraged by the fact that it was written before Mockingbird. To me that's a definite plus, meaning it probably wasn't written under pressure or any other impulse but to write a good story. If she had written it recently, I'd probably still read it but I'd be more hesitant.

[Heather]

Hi everyone,

I am so excited to join the book discussions here. I am currently an undergraduate student (English major) working on campus for the summer and looking for more books to take up my time.

I'll read just about anything once. My to-read pile is currently comprised mostly of memoirs and mystery novels, though my long-standing preference has been for said mysteries. I am looking forward to diving into the classics with this group :)

[Pink]

Courtney, I think that's a definite plus point that Go Set a Watchman was written before Mockingbird. I hope you enjoy it.

Welcome to the group Heather, I hope you're enjoying your summer break from studying. I like memoirs too, but have only recently got into mysteries :)

[Jessica]

Hi everyone I'm Jess and I'm so happy to have found this group as I absolutely love classics and can't get enough of them. Can't wait to discuss with all of you!

[Christine]

Welcome to the group, Jess! I'm glad you've joined us. I hope you will join us in our group read discussions!

[Elaine]

Hello! My name is Elaine am 17 years old. I joined the group to discuss classics in a community (it can get lonely after finishing a novel alone) and to be introduced to new books. I loved the books I was given in school but do want to also read more books by female authors.

I like Gothic and Victorian fiction, philosophy, and sci-fi/fantasy. My favorites have been Jane Eyre, Carmilla, The Sound and the Fury, Great Expectations, The Stranger, and The Sword of Truth series.

When I have free time, I enjoy writing running, writing poetry, and drawing.

[Janice]

Hi Elaine, you are a well read girl for such a young age...we will learn a lot together...

[Pink]

Welcome Jess and Elaine, glad you've joined our group :)

I've been trying to read more female authors too, especially classics that can get a bit male dominant. (Or as I often think of them, the dead white men's club)

[Sushmith]

Hello everyone I'm Sushmith from Hyderabad, India. I actually haven't read much classics before, so I look forward to discover the classics with all of you.

[Pink]

Hello Sushmith, welcome to the group. Don't worry about not having read many classics, you're in the right group now! Hope you'll join in with some of our group reads and discussions :)

[Margarita]

Hi guys, my name is Rita Margarita Kouznetsova. I’m new to the group. Very excited! Please feel free to recommend a great book, I love fantasy. If there’s anything I can do for you, let me know.

[Pink]

Welcome Rita Margarita Kouznetsova, what a lovely name you have, hope you enjoy our group :)

[capsaicine]

Hi everyone!

My name is Leona; I'm from the Bay Area (go warriors!), but I'm currently a medical student residing in Pennsylvania. I don't have a lot of time to read for leisure, but when I do, I enjoy reading classics and British murder mysteries. At the moment, my favorite novel is Crime & Punishment, and my favorite authors are Charles Dickens and Toni Morrison. My closest friends are also students who don't have time (or make time!) to read so I'm eagerly looking forward to having a community of people to discuss classic literature with :) I also enjoy running, hiking, traveling, and anything to do with ancient Egypt.

[amber]

Hi everyone! I'm amber, single no kids. I'm interested in art, history, music, books, and TV/movies. I'm trying to get back into reading classics.
Thank you Kathy, for the lovely welcome message.

[Diana]

Hi everyone!

My name is Diana. I live near Chicago, IL. I'm a single mom of a wonderful 12 y/o boy. He's growing up and hanging with friends more and I've found I've got a little bit of free time. Earlier this year I wrote a list of 100 books I'd like to read in a lifetime, but I don't know where to start. I joined this group to get started. I look forward to reading with you all!!

[♪ Kim N]

Hi, I'm Kim. I'll read any genre, but I especially like classics. I've been looking around here a bit and love the variety of the discussions and the low-key approach. I'm also looking forward to the short story reads.

[Pam]

I'm Pam from New Mexico. I read different genres, depending on my interest at the time. I've been reading sci-if, fantasy, Non-fiction, & contemporary fiction lately. I have lots of unread classics at my house, which I want to read but I keep getting distracted by new books! I have found that the Goodreads challenges help me stay focused & finish books. I plan on catching up on the classics!

I also love the outdoors and bluegrass music, and especially enjoy the two together!

[Pink]

Welcome, Leona, amber, Diana, Kim and Pam! Glad you've all decided to join :)

What a varied lot of interests you have, I love finding out a bit about everyone. If you haven't been reading classics, hopefully our group will give you some inspiration and if you already enjoy them, this is a great place to chat about your favourites and find some more!

Hope I'll get to know you all more in the discussion threads, jump into any conversation that interests you. A reminder that you can also join any of our challenges if that's your sort of thing :)

[[deleted user]]

Hi everybody! I'm Charlotte and living in the Netherlands. besides reading fantasy, dystopian, contemporary I love to read classics. That is why I joined this group!

[Charlotte]

Hi! I'm also called Charlotte! I've been in the group for a while and enjoy seeing everyone's comments about their reading challenges etc, but thought I should probably introduced myself. I'm currently studying English Literature at uni so reading a lot of classics but I'm enjoying it and still like to read classics in my own time too :)

[Pink]

Hi both Charlottes!

Charlotte Nellestijn, I'm glad that you've joined us, whereabouts in the Netherlands are you? I'm flying to Amsterdam tomorrow, just for a day, but I've never been before, any tips for what I should see?

Charlotte Coldwell, glad you've decided to introduce yourself after lurking. Studying English literature obviously sounds perfect, depending on which texts you have to study! I hope you're enjoying it and still find time for your personal reading, I imagine this can take a back seat.

Do you plan on making your own reading challenge? I'd recommend it as they're such fun and there's plenty of time to join in, either with the Bingo challenge or the 12+2 Old and New Classics, which can be adapted with less books as we're already half way through the year. Have I convinced you yet? :)

[Masoom]

Pink wrote: "Welcome Courtney, Val and Masoom, thanks for taking the time to tell us a little about yourselves.

Courtney, I love audiobooks too, they help me to fit in a lot more books than I would otherwise ..."

ALGOLS are algorithms that are steps based instruction that are followed using heirachy....
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#Love&LightToYou
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[Charlotte]

Thanks Pink! I really like the look of the challenges on the group but I might start one next year when I'll have the whole year and have made a bit more of a dent in my already lengthy list of books to read!

[Katy, Quarterly Long Reads]

Hi there all. Thanks to our newest members for introducing yourselves and letting us get to know you a bit. Happy reading all.

[Pink]

Masoom, thanks for explaining ALGOLS, I just think of algorithms as the way GR or Amazon make their book suggestions to me!

Charlotte, no pressure for joining any challenges this year. I'm trying to make it through my physical tbr shelf as well right now :)

[Margarita]

Pink wrote: "Welcome Rita Margarita Kouznetsova, what a lovely name you have, hope you enjoy our group :)"

Thank you for the warm welcome Pink! :)

[Jerry]

My name is Jerry and I live in Western Massachusetts. After recently retiring after 40 years of public service, I've been able to devout myself to my second career, which involves reading, fly fishing, motorcycling, and photography. Having this much time to read all those great tomes that I've neglected is incredible. I am somewhat of a literary snob, and find many contemporary bestsellers anemic. I've been lurking around here for a while, and I'm comforted to see so many who enjoy the artistic value of a well turned verse, and solid plot structures found in these many enduring books. I also enjoy history, historical fiction, and I'm always searching for that contemporary novel that may have the literary merit of a future classic.

[Pink]

Hi Jerry, your second career sounds a great way to pass time! I think I'm pretty similar in my approach to books, I can certainly be a book snob, but I don't see this as a bad thing, I'm just more selective in what I choose to read. Most contemporary novels are a let down, but I do read a few and sometimes I'm pleasantly surprised, but on the whole they lack the language and feel that classics give me. Anyway, I hope you'll find some great classics to read with our group and look forward to discussing them with you :)

[Katy, Quarterly Long Reads]

I love it -- I'm a bit of a book snob too. At least that is what my F2F book group calls me.

[Gediminas]

Hello everyone!
My name is Gediminas. I am 21 years old archaeology student from Lithuania. I prefer reading fantasy and sci-fi but this year I became interested in classic literature especially after reading some of Fyodor Dostoyevski works :)

[Katy, Quarterly Long Reads]

Hi Gediminas! Welcome to the group. I also love to read fantasy & sic-fi, but this group has got me to love classics too! Hope to see you in the group reads.

[Pink]

Welcome Gediminas, I'm glad you've decided to join our group and hope you'll find some classics that you love too :)

[Michelle]

Love Dosteyesky!

[Nancy]

Hi! I'm Nancy, from Kansas- a wife and mother of 2 adult children. I like the quote- "A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one." I feel that especially with the classics- that I step into a different world and see through someone else's eyes. I look forward to gaining insight from all of you.

[Janice]

Welcome Nancy!

[Katy, Quarterly Long Reads]

Hi and welcome Nancy -- nice quote!

[Pink]

Hi Nancy, glad you've joined us :)

[Ingrid]

Hello!
I joined goodreads yesterday and I found this group today! When I was a kid I read all the time, then I stopped. But for the last maybe 8-9 months I've become slightly manic when it comes to reading, and I especially love to read classics! Yesterday I finished the Odyssey, I'm currently reading Frankenstein and the next book in line I think will be 1984 by George Orwell.

I can't promise I'll be superactive in the group, but I can promise I will read lots and lots! I'm loving the feeling of the group already so hopefully I'll stay active here! Have a nice day everyone!

[Loretta]

Hi Ingrid! Welcome to the group! :)