Group Changes/Updates, Upcoming Reading

[Silver]

I know we still have one more month for our Forsyte reading which will be going into September, but being were a mid-way through August it is time to start thinking about what is going to happen after the Forsyte's.

So I thought I would tell you about some up the upcoming plans, and ideas for future readings which I hope to introduce into this group.

First of all I feel that our short story thread is really quite neglected and not used as much or as well as it should be. So I would like to start introducing reading more short stories within this group.

I am considering the idea, that in addition to our main big/long group read we will also have a short story, or collection of short stories. Might even be interesting to read short stories by the same author whose novel we happen to be reading at the time.

This can both offer alternative reading for those who opt not to partake in the main group read, as well as can offer additional reading for those interested in both reads. I think there are many authors of whose novels we might be quite familiar with but who also happen to have many great short stories which may not be as frequently perused.

I also want to expand the groups reading horizons, and take some time to really focus our reading outside the English-American comfort zone that many of us have.

I know we have read the Russians here, and a bit of French and German literature, but I would really like to venture forth into not previously explored territory so to speak and maybe introduce us all to something not very well known.

Chris brought up the idea of maybe doing a Travel Around the World reading twice a year. I rather like this idea.

I am thinking about kicking that idea off at the start of the New Year (which is frightfully close)

In the meantime I have posted a thread with a compiled list of authors from around the world who have books fitting with this groups timeline.

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...

So please check it out if you have a chance, if there is any particularly country, author, book you are interested in reading please discus, comment, promote, or ask questions within that thread.

Now, I know I also promised you that we would have regular nominating and voting again so after the Forsyste reading, starting in October, I will hold open nominations and give you all a chance once more to select whatever your heart might desire, fitting in with the groups timeline.

[☯Emily]

Are we just reading the first three books of Galsworthy or are we reading the whole series? I thought we were reading the whole series. Did I misunderstand?

[Silver]

☯Emily wrote: "Are we just reading the first three books of Galsworthy or are we reading the whole series? I thought we were reading the whole series. Did I misunderstand?"

We are only doing the first three books.

[Lynnm]

Looking forward to the open nominations. I already know what book I want to nominate - George Gissing's New Grub Street.

I wouldn't mind reading authors outside of the U.S. and the UK, but in one of our readings of a French author, I found that most people didn't really know the history of the country well enough to have a strong discussion on the book. The history and culture of a country are important when interpreting a book, and quite frankly, Wikipedia links just aren't going to give you enough information. Personally, I found the discussions a bit frustrating.

Twice a year would be good, but hopefully we'll have enough lead time so we can do a bit of research on our own before starting the book. Trying to research the history while reading the book was a too much.

[Lily]

Lynnm wrote: "Twice a year would be good, but hopefully we'll have enough lead time so we can do a bit of research on our own before starting the book. Trying to research the history while reading the book was a too much. ..."

Lynnm -- you really reinforce the need to read multiple times for a country or a culture or a time period. I find that by the time I reach about the third book for one of those previously unfamiliar, I begin to be a lot more comfortable and find the experience more enjoyable. I eventually realized the same had been true for Victorian era books, but I'd not been so aware of the process for them.

[Lynnm]

Lily wrote: "you really reinforce the need to read multiple times for a country or a culture or a time period. I find that by the time I reach about the third book for one of those previously unfamiliar, I begin to be a lot more comfortable and find the experience more enjoyable. I eventually realized the same had been true for Victorian era books, but I'd not been so aware of the process for them.
"

Great idea. And would give us plenty of time to become more familiarized with the history of that country during that time.

And it is true for the British literature as well, but I've been reading British literature for so many years, that I know the pertinent information by this time.

[Pip]

Lynnm wrote: "Looking forward to the open nominations. I already know what book I want to nominate - George Gissing's New Grub Street.

I wouldn't mind reading authors outside of the U.S. and the UK, but in one..."

I've also had New Grub St on my "Want to read soon" list, so that one's seconded already :-)

[Zulfiya]

I would love to read Henryk Sienkiewicz. His historical sagas are one of the best.

[Louise]

Can anyone tell me if there's a book planned for October? :-)

[Silver]

The discussion for A Harlot High and Low continues through October because of its length.

[Louise]

Ok ;-)