Alternate Group Read (Classic - Jun 2016) - Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

[Holly, That Geeky One]

We're back to the Classics this month with our Alternate Group Read, and there's nothing like a bit of John Steinbeck!

Of Mice and Men is probably his most famous novel, and is frequently studied in schools. (mine included!)

Discussion starts June 1st, and having a discussion leader would be great! I'll be happy to take it up if no-one else wants to!

[Veronique]

I do want to read this. Always a bit reluctant with Steinbeck, not sure why (can I blame school?).
Ok - count me in.

[Roseanne]

I love Steinbeck! Blame school. I always hated being forced to read things. I always wanted to choose for myself what to read.

[Holly, That Geeky One]

It's rather short, and a really good read. But it has a really wonderful story. It's just a shame people are often put off Steinbeck because of it being taught in schools!

[CaptKirk42 Classic Whovian]

Been ages since I've read this. (High school I think)

A some years back (sometime in the mid to late 1990s) I worked on a community theatre production of the play I was stage manager (I think. It was one of those deals where the assistant director becomes the stage manager or the stage manager has to assist the director during the entire rehearsal process). I had to call the cues in the tech booth and I think a performance or two cover for the sound tech. The production I worked on used original incidental music that was commissioned for the production. Somewhere I still have a copy of the CDs that were used for the production. Some pretty intense stuff.

[Jenny, Certified Bookworm]

I've always enjoyed this book, ever since my favarite englush teacher assigned it to us. I also remember her reading Candide to the class outside the last week of school. I don't know if I will get to re reading it or not, but I will pop in to the discussion!

[Camille]

I listening to an audiobook version a few months ago, it was narrated by Jeremy Northam. It was amazing. I vaguely remember having watched the film adapation with John Malkovich a few years ago, but to be honest I had no recollection of the story.
The writing is amazing, which was probably helped by the narration. I rarely cry when reading but the end of the book was very emotional for me.

[Cindy (BKind2Books)]

I too enjoy Steinbeck - read The Grapes of Wrath as "outside" reading (not assigned but a book I picked), partly because I was very interested in the time period (the Great Depression era). Then later read The Pearl. Steinbeck's stories are not always pretty but they are so intense and memorable.

[Camille]

The Pearl is amazing!

[Veronique]

Cindy wrote: "I too enjoy Steinbeck - read The Grapes of Wrath as "outside" reading (not assigned but a book I picked), partly because I was very interested in the time period (the Great Depressi..."

That's the one I had to read at school... I think I just was not ready for it at the time, but hopefully I am know :0)

[Brenda (aka Grandma)]

Waiting for a copy from the library. I've been wanting to try something by Steinbeck.

[Amanda]

I read this in High School, but (like many of you) wanted to give it a second chance. I just finished. It took me a lot longer to read than a book of this size usually would. Although I didn't find it a real "page turner" this is such a memorable, well-written story.

[sonya]

His East of Eden took me a month but a good read also

[Brenda (aka Grandma)]

I started this yesterday when I knew I only had a few minutes and dutifully thought I'd chip away at a classic. Sucked me right in and I didn't want to put it down. I'm pretty eager to go finish it after I get off the computer.

[Megan]

I never participated in books the school asked us to read, i was a very stubborn teen, Im not even sure if this one was assigned to us. Of Mice and Men is a book I have heard about but never read. I am so glad I read this one, it didn't take long and it was a great story. I will definately read this again.