Please introduce yourself~ Showing 451-500 of 1,672

[Sasha]

Bernadette wrote: "Patrice wrote: "Bernadette wrote: "Jaime wrote: "Everyman wrote: "Welcome, Jamie! I have to disagree with you on Jane Austen -- I love her -- (though Madge is firmly in your corner). But I defini..."

Bernadette, I was at Uni from 1987 to 1991 and we did some classics-but the interpretations were invariably Marxist, which was infuriating.

Dickens and Trollope were not on the menu,although the Romantic poets were very big-of course because 'bliss it was in that dawn to be alive' etc.

I was at Uni again in 2009 and the Canon was discussed, along with large dollops of Foucault and Derrida. I was doing a Dip. Ed, majoring in English.

[Jaime]

Everyman wrote: "Jaime wrote: "EMansfield Park I made it halfway through and it was okay but IMO there were way too many characters and they had various names she called them switching back and forth (I had a big p..."

Good to know about War and Peace. And with Shakespeare I keep a post-it on the character list and one wherever I am at in the play. I constantly refer back to the character list. I don't mind for Shakespeare, but I did mind for Mansfield Park.

[Bernadette]

Jaime wrote: "Everyman wrote: "Jaime wrote: "EMansfield Park I made it halfway through and it was okay but IMO there were way too many characters and they had various names she called them switching back and for..."

I know what you mean, if the canon were referred to, it was with antipathy. By the way, What's Dip mean?

[Bernadette]

Bill wrote: "Bernadette wrote: "I know what you mean, if the canon were referred to, it was with antipathy..."

I personally think there is no difference between the attitude of these people and those in the Ch..."

Great point Bill. It still infuriates me that I had to read lesser known authors for the sake of diversity. Don't get me wrong, I love reading all different kinds of authors, but I thought that I should have been studying more classics as an English major. I didn't need to be clobbered with some of these books that are not even known or talked about only 25 years later. I would have loved to discussed the classics with a professor and classmates...thank goodness for GR

[Andreea]

Patrice wrote: "Bernadette wrote: "Bill wrote: "Bernadette wrote: "I know what you mean, if the canon were referred to, it was with antipathy..."

I personally think there is no difference between the attitude of ..."

Just out of curiosity, are you doing classics as in Roman and Greek classical literature or kind of general literature programme aimed at teaching classics in any language/culture?

[Sasha]

Bernadette wrote: "Jaime wrote: "Everyman wrote: "Jaime wrote: "EMansfield Park I made it halfway through and it was okay but IMO there were way too many characters and they had various names she called them switchin..."

'Dip'-Graduate Diploma in Education-secondary school teaching qualification.

Bill, I love you comment. So true. But the people who use these 'weapons' think it entirely legitimate-everything is fair in love and war.

[Bernadette]

Oh, I never heard it referred to that way. When do you graduate Sasha?

[Sasha]

I graduated in 2009, but then decided to go back to law-I am a lawyer.

[Everyman]

Sasha wrote: "I graduated in 2009, but then decided to go back to law-I am a lawyer."

Egad, from teacher to lawyer. The same path I followed (but with a few side forays inbetween. Scary! :)

[Jamie]

Hi all,

My name is Jamie. This group really appealed to me when I saw that you do a lot of reading and discussing of the classics together. I adore English and literature, but completely neglected studying it while in university (aside from a class in classical mythology which was brilliant). So I'm trying to spend the free time that I now have to acquaint myself with the classics and to further my education on my own.

I wish I would have found this group earlier because I would have loved to have joined in on reading the Canterbury Tales.

[Everyman]

Welcome, Jamie! Sorry you missed most of the Canterbury Tales, but if you read the Prologue and the tales for this and the last week you can slide into the discussion without missing that much.

[Sasha]

Everyman wrote: "Sasha wrote: "I graduated in 2009, but then decided to go back to law-I am a lawyer."

Egad, from teacher to lawyer. The same path I followed (but with a few side forays inbetween. Scary! :)"

:) Lawyer-teacher-lawyer for me. Sucker for punishment I guess.

[Jaime]

Do either of you write?

[Everyman]

Jaime wrote: "Do either of you write?"

Not in the way you probably mean, in terms of published works.

[Jaime]

Ok, yes that was what I meant.

[Mary]

I've just moved from Harold Bloom's Western Canon to this group, since the other group is too small to have active discussions. They were supposed to read Petrarch's lyrics, but it looks as if that will not be happening after all.

I am a writer of literary novels and have a Goodreads author's page Mary Novik.
My first novel, Conceit, is about the family of the English poet, John Donne. Quite a few nice people on Goodreads have written reviews of it. (Thanks, everybody!) I am now working on a novel called Muse, which is set in 14th-century Avignon when the popes and Francesco Petrarch were there. It's nearing completion now (at least I sincerely hope so!)

I enjoy talking about literary works and hope to have some pleasant conversations here.

Mary
www.marynovik.com

[Everyman]

Mary wrote: "I've just moved from Harold Bloom's Western Canon to this group, since the other group is too small to have active discussions."

Welcome, Mary! I'd never heard of other group, but this group is certainly active!

[Bernadette]

I never thought I would utter the words "I am looking forward to Moby-Dick or, The Whale" so I'm very happy I joined this group.

[Everyman]

Bernadette wrote: "I never thought I would utter the words "I am looking forward to Moby-Dick or, The Whale" so I'm very happy I joined this group."

Excellent. I have tried in the past and failed to "get into" Moby Dick, but this is the time with the aid of the group for me to realize its power and value. Already, listening to it on audio, I'm finding it a pleasure, not a chore!

[Ms.Sexy]

Good morning.

I'm a bit of a gypsy, but currently reside in Arizona. I love to read, theorize and philosophize about any old book that piques my curiosity. Recently I have joined because I enjoy reading most of the material on your book list. Not only is it strange that I am reading Moby Dick right now, but is actually stranger to see that I have read other books at the same time.

My recently favorite author is Dante. I know he is extreme, right? I just wonder what he would make of current events and people.

[Everyman]

Ms.Sexy wrote: "Good morning...."

Welcome. Neat to find somebody reading Moby Dick on their own! You'll be all ready to give us the goodies. (Just a gentle reminder, not only to you but to everybody, we are very careful about spoilers here, so if you've read ahead of the discussion chapters please be sure not to reveal, even by hints, what is coming down the road.)

Not sure what you mean by Dante being extreme. Can you explain?

[Ms.Sexy]

No worries Everyman and I will respect your request to follow the rules.

If Dante were to exist today and created a Canto to the Pope, then I believe he would loose his credibility as a writer. I haven't read any extremists in contemporary literature and perhaps Dante was a shocker. However, I do sympathize with Dante. Dante must have felt very frustrated with the leadership in his community and being in the minority opinion. I can only imagine his further frustration after his banishment.

I am looking forward to the next read :)

[Everyman]

Lacrima_Atra wrote: "Hi everyone! "

Welcome! I think you're our first Austrian member. And our English is excellent, especially being one of five languages you read!

Mrs. Dalloway certainly counts as a classic. And Du côté de chez Swann is usually translated just as "Swann's Way" in most English translations.

[Everyman]

Dave wrote: "Hey there!"

Welcome, Dave! Glad to have you with us. I agree with you about Chesterton -- a favorite author of mine, too. I assume you know his Ballad of the White Horse -- I was brought up on that and The Flying Inn.

[Valerie]

Hello World!

In spite of Dave stealing my thunder in terms of how I format my introduction, I'm also a undergraduate student here in Ohio [please don't attempt coming here, you'll regret it]. I'm majoring in Physics and Math with two minors in French Language and Russian Studies. Yes, you can't get any nerdier than that! However, when I'm not flaunting my intelligence I can be found reading or typing away on this site.

I decided to join this group because Classical Literature has always held a interest for me and, if the job opportunities were there as well as the pay, I might have picked that as a major. I've read a huge range of books so far, but always looking for more. It's as if I crave knowledge, in any form and any subject.

I'm hoping to get some intellectual insight on the group readings...perhaps picking out something that I previously overlooked.

Looking forward to hearing some of the groups comments and realizations :)

[Falon]

Hello everyone!

I am a freshman at St. Mary's University and I am going for an English Education major. I have always loved reading and the best part about being an English major is that my homework usually involves a lot of reading. I have always read a lot of fantasy in my spare time, but in the last couple of years, I have become a little bored by the fact that all of the fantasy series I read seem too similar and too predictable. I have just recently started to go back to the classics, and have really enjoyed what I have read. I have so far read Dracula, about half of Sherlock Holmes, and have listened to a couple of Richard Wagner's operas, which aren't technically considered literature, but contain amazing stories which are made even better by the emotion and drama that comes from the music.

I might not be too active since I have a rather busy schedule and have an excessive amount of homework, but I will keep up as much as I can. Hopefully the discussions will give me some good insights for my classes. :)

[Everyman]

Welcome to Valerie and Falon! It's great to see the reading and discussing the classics.

We do understand the time constraints of being college students, but look forward to enjoying whatever time you can spend here enjoying these great works.

By the way, Falon, you'll find several opera buffs here, including our Moby Dick moderator Laurel, who would love to discuss Wagner with you.

[Rosemary]

Welcome all!

I'm also a student and everyone here is very gracious about the months I disappear off the boards into my studies . . . no worries!

I'm interested in learning more about opera. I think I'll go over to the Tea Lounge and post a question- follow me over there and let me know!

[Larinmtz]

Hello. My name is LaRinda and I joined this group at the recommendation of a friend. I teach humanities at a small, private, Christian school in Idaho. We are a Great Books school and use the Harkness method in our secondary classes. My era in history is the ancients, but I'm trying to find time to revisit many of the more modern classics that I read in high school and college, as well. Maybe someday I will really finish "Crime and Punishment" too. Maybe. I mostly teach seventh-twelfth grade classes, but this year I am also teaching history in a combined second/third grade classroom and having a blast. So far this year we have done an archaeological dig, mummified a chicken, built and exploded a volcano, had a philosopher's luncheon and performed a brief play about Perseus done in the Greek style with a chorus, which they loved.

I am also a wife and mom to two little people (both of whom are in my history classes this year). Like the students who recently introduced themselves, I don't have much spare time, and what I have I lavish on drawing/painting/photography or gardening, sparing very little for housework. Summer, however, is on the way. (It's true, it's true--the snow is rapidly disappearing, finally!) I'm really pulling for one of the ancients to win the vote for the summer reading, but I bet you're not surprised...

[Everyman]

Larinmtz wrote: "Hello. My name is LaRinda and I joined this group at the recommendation of a friend. I teach humanities at a small, private, Christian school in Idaho. We are a Great Books school and use the Harkn..."

Delighted that you found us! And I would fully support a vote for an ancient this summer.

I've never heard of the Harkness method. What is it?

[Larinmtz]

Everyman wrote: "Larinmtz wrote: "Hello. My name is LaRinda and I joined this group at the recommendation of a friend. I teach humanities at a small, private, Christian school in Idaho. We are a Great Books school ..."

Harkness Method refers to a discussion-based method of learning, where students sit around an oval table and interact with each other. In the younger grades there is more teacher input, but in the older grades the instructor should become more like a moderator. This link has a nice explanation: http://www.wellingtoncollege.org.uk/n...

[Thomas]

Larinmtz wrote: "Harkness Method refers to a discussion-based method of learning, where students sit around an oval table and interact with each other. In the younger grades there is more teacher input, but in the older grades the instructor should become more like a moderator."

Sounds familiar, doesn't it, E-man? Except for the chicken mummification, which in my opinion should be considered for inclusion in the program right away.

Glad to have you here, LaRinda!

[Everyman]

Thomas wrote: "Sounds familiar, doesn't it, E-man?"

Certainly does!

[Corvinus]

I am Maximilus, this group was recommended by a person I follow on tumblr after I posted a picture of Moby DIck. I work as a communication strategist and creative director. I am also a student. I can't say I have read many classics. I shall take this as a challenge and hope I can keep up. Happy reading.

[Everyman]

Welcome, Maximilus. You're just in time for the Moby Dick discussion. We look forward to hearing from you there.

[Everyman]

Larinmtz wrote: "I'm really pulling for one of the ancients to win the vote for the summer reading, but I bet you're not surprised... "

You have your chance -- the poll for the next regular read has been put up, and it includes several ancient writers. So go vote for the ancient book you would most like to read!

[Sasha]

Hey all! I'm Alex; I probably know several of you from other groups. (And if Susanna isn't here somewhere I'll be surprised.)

I read Quixote, Huck Finn and Paradise Lost last year, so I'm a little pissed at myself that I missed this group. I'm reading more or less chronologically, currently at Mary Shelley's The Last Man. Moby-Dick comes soon; now I gotta decide whether I want to jump the gun on it a little to join in with y'all. Lord knows I could use the support for that thing. I hear it's some kind of metaphor.

And I hate spoilers so much that I don't even read the back covers of books. Yeah, it gets a little weird.

[Everyman]

Alex wrote: "Hey all! I'm Alex; I probably know several of you from other groups. (And if Susanna isn't here somewhere I'll be surprised.)"

Welcome Alex. I hope you will jump your list and join us for Moby Dick, which we have just started (we're still on the first week). It's unlikely that we will match your reading plan this closely again!

Susanna is part of the group, yes, but we haven't heard from her for awhile -- not since Huck Finn. Don't know whether she got other interests, or we did something to annoy her, or why she dropped out. If you see her around, you could ask her and let us know.

[Sasha]

I will be sure to let her know that you said she smells terrible and has made poor life decisions.

Yeah, I think I will. I'll be late, but I'll try to catch up.

[Everyman]

Alex wrote: "I will be sure to let her know that you said she smells terrible and has made poor life decisions.p."

Thanks. With friends like you, who needs enemies?

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads]

I'm here - my email drops messages on a lot of my groups.

[Everyman]

Susanna wrote: "I'm here - my email drops messages on a lot of my groups."

Great to see you! We missed you since Huck Finn. Are you reading Moby Dick with us?

I don't depend on the email feature of GR, but just come to the site, check in on my groups, and use the "unread" feature to see what's new. (When you first visit a group, you have to mark everything as having been read, but then the unread feature is a real champ.)

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads]

I don't think so - I have a lot of non-fiction piling up that I need to get off my bedside table, before the pile collapses!

[Juliette]

Hi,
Juliette from Ohio. I am a stay at home mom to my four year old son. I used to teach music (Elementary, general, beginning band and beginning strings) and will probably go back to it when my son is older.

My father started my love for reading when he bought me The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe when I was seven years old, and I haven't stopped reading for pleasure since.

I got a kindle for Christmas and have been enjoying the free classics. I look forward to broadening my thoughts on them as we read and discuss.

[Everyman]

Juliette wrote: "Hi,
Juliette from Ohio. I am a stay at home mom to my four year old son. "

Welcome! Glad to see you here.

I have two grandsons 3-1/2 years old, so I know how magic that age is!

[Jackie]

Hi everyone,

I'm currently reading the Scarlet Letter, which is good, but it would be better if there were people to talk to about it. I just graduated with a degree in English and reading classics just isn't the same. I really think people need to discuss them and dissect them to really enjoy them.

I'm starting law school in August at the University of New Mexico, so I probably won't be reading much then. Until then, I want to read everything I can get my hands on. Luckily and unluckily, Borders is going out of business in my area. It's lucky because it's just one of them and I'm getting amazing deals on tons of books, unluckily, well because it's going out of business.

Look forward to discussing the books I miss. Also, I didn't see a schedule when I was looking around the group. When do you start new books, how long do you read a book for, ect?

[Everyman]

Jackie wrote: "Hi everyone,."

Welcome, Jackie. We have several lawyers here, sot you're in good company!

You asked "I didn't see a schedule when I was looking around the group. When do you start new books, how long do you read a book for, ect?"

If you look at the home page, it should (unless I've been remiss in updating it) show the current read, and often the next one. The length of time for a book, and therefore the start times, depend on the length of the book. We have a two week "interim read" between our major reads, both as a mental palate cleanser and to give time to start the next book so that you can concentrate on the current discussion all the way to its end. (I dislike those groups that jump straight from one book into the next book; either you have to stint the earlier book in order to get started on the next one, or you're behind when the next one starts.)

After Moby Dick, we will have an interim read, then read Boethius's Consolation of Philosophy, then another interim read, then probably into Plato's Republic. It should be a fascinating summer!

[Laurel]

Everyman wrote: "Jackie wrote: "Hi everyone,."

Welcome, Jackie. We have several lawyers here, sot you're in good company!

You asked "I didn't see a schedule when I was looking around the group. When do you start..."

Check it out, Everyman. You have been remiss.

[Everyman]

Laurele wrote: "Check it out, Everyman. You have been remiss. "

An example of the inefficiency of the Goodreads program. I had set it up as a "to read" with the dates for the discussion, so it had showed up on the home page. But when the opening date came, apparently it disappeared because GR doesn't know enough to switch it to "currently reading" status, nor does it remove "currently reading" books when their ending dates pass.

You would think it would know those things, but apparently -- no, obviously -- not.

[Laurel]

Everyman wrote: "Laurele wrote: "Check it out, Everyman. You have been remiss. "

An example of the inefficiency of the Goodreads program. I had set it up as a "to read" with the dates for the discussion, so it ha..."

Oh well. I'm just glad we have real people like you to do a superb job of leading discussions when the person who is supposed to do it (I) is mostly absent.