Framley Parsonage - Reading Schedule/Background Information

[Lynnm]

Here's the reading schedule for "Framley Parsonage":

December 4 - December 10: Chapters 1-6
December 11 - December 17: Chapters 7-12
WEEK OFF FOR CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY
December 25 - December 31: Chapters 13-18
January 1 - January 7: Chapters 19-24
January 8 - January 14: Chapters 25-30
January 15 - January 21: Chapters 31-36
January 22 - January 28: Chapters 37-42
January 29 - February 4: Chapters 43-48

[Cleo]

Oh, this is exciting. I started Framley Parsonage about a year and a half ago and have been stalled many times through it. Reading it with a group will hopefully be just the thing to get me going again. I'm looking forward to it!

[Rosemarie, Moderator]

I am ready to read.

[Hilary]

Thank you, Lynnm. That's fabulous.

[Everyman]

Cleo wrote: "Oh, this is exciting. I started Framley Parsonage about a year and a half ago and have been stalled many times through it."

I started re-re-reading it a few weeks back, but got so upset at what Trollope did to one of his characters that I just couldn't continue. But I'll wait to be specific until we get there in the discussion.

[Tracey]

I have never read this but have the book ready to go. Hope I can keep up with the group this time.

[Lynnm]

I'm looking forward to it because it is the first book in the series that we've done that I haven't read yet.

So, it will all be new to me. And I don't have to worry about giving away spoilers by mistake. :-)

[Cleo]

Everyman wrote: "..... got so upset at what Trollope did to one of his characters that I just couldn't continue...."

Aw, now I'm curious. I have a few guesses but I'll try to be patient until we get there. :-)

[Robin P, Moderator]

This is the last of the series that I read a few years back. I remember it as having some very good portrayala of human nature.

[Frances, Moderator]

I might just take a sneak peak this weekend-all of this series has been new to me and I've enjoyed each novel so far so looking forward to the next instalment.

[Robin P, Moderator]

I think on the schedule above, you meant chapter 1-6 and then 7-12.

[Dan]

I'll be a few weeks late in joining - so many books - but looking forward to another Trollope and catching up by the holidays.

[Rosemarie, Moderator]

I know what you mean about so many books, Dan. The threads stay open for a long time so you can comment when you are ready. I am curious as to whether we meet any of the characters from the books we have read so far.

[Robin P, Moderator]

I think the Duke of Omnium will appear.

[Lynnm]

Robin wrote: "I think on the schedule above, you meant chapter 1-6 and then 7-12."

Thanks for the catch! I corrected it.

[Robin P, Moderator]

It's been handy to have 6 chapters at a time, which I can remember. I could never remember which chapters we were reading with Dickens, so if it said there had been 30 views of the thread with the reading schedule, 25 of them were probably me, checking again which chapters to read!

[Everyman]

Robin wrote: "It's been handy to have 6 chapters at a time, which I can remember. I could never remember which chapters we were reading with Dickens, so if it said there had been 30 views of the thread with the ..."

I just print out the schedule (copy it into Wore or Notebook and print), cut it out and use it as the bookmark for the book. Don't know, though, whether that would work if reading Goodreads on a phone or tablet, or reading the book electronically.

[Lori, Moderator]

Everyman wrote: "or reading the book electronically"

I tuck it into the pocket of my Kindle cover.

[Robin P, Moderator]

Good ideas - I always thought I would remember just from looking at it, but I've never been good at remembering numbers. If they were letters, that would be different!

[Rosemarie, Moderator]

I just keep checking the schedule until I have the pattern figured out. Doing the same number of chapters each week makes it easier to remember too.

[Lynnm]

I only have one more chapter left for the week - can't wait to start talking about it tomorrow!

:-)

[Robin P, Moderator]

I started reading - those who have read the earlier books will be see numerous acquaintances from both Barchester Towers and Doctor Thorne.

[Hedi]

Now I am absolutely having a bad conscience. :-(
I am still stuck in the middle of Doctor Thorne and see that you are moving on to the next novel. I have been having a hard time concentrating on reading during the last 2 months, partially due to being very busy at work and partially due to - let me call it - "fall depression" in Sweden. In the first week of November, we got our first snow, which threw me off somehow, and even though it has melted in the meantime it has not changed my mood very much. Furthermore, I have been following the US election and its impact quite a lot, as well, which has taken up more time than I assumed.

Well, long story short. I will try to finish Doctor Thorne and then catch up with you, guys. Maybe the time during the holidays will give me some rest for reading.

[Veronique]

Hedi - I haven't even started Doctor Thorne... Hopefully we can catch up :O)

[Renee]

When you can get to it (or back to it), Doctor Thorne is quite wonderful. And many of us continue to monitor the threads so don't hesitate to post as you go.

I struggle with the decreasing daylight, too, Heidi. And will read in front of a light-box as part of my efforts to counteract my own chemistry. Every little bit helps.

[Lynnm]

Hedi and Veronique - we have a week "off" during the Christmas holiday week.

I know I'm planning on reading a lot that week to keep myself sane from all the holiday "spirit."

Maybe you can catch up a bit then.

[Frances, Moderator]

Hedi and Veronique-I agree with Renee-this series is well worth reading. We look forward to your comments whenever you get the chance to rejoin us.

[Lily]

Hedi wrote: "...Furthermore, I have been following the US election and its impact quite a lot, as well, which has taken up more time than I assumed...."

A number of us recognize the impact global political recent events have had far more personal emotional impact than we recall from past experiences. We are figuring out what to do about that.

[Dan]

Lily wrote: "Hedi wrote: "...Furthermore, I have been following the US election and its impact quite a lot, as well, which has taken up more time than I assumed...."

A number of us recognize the impact global ..."

More books, less cable news. You can do it. Leave the set off, read a good newspaper, too and keep your head up.

[Rosemarie, Moderator]

Dan, I agree with you- reading is the way to go to relieve anxiety- and it is fun!

[Hilary]

I agree with you, Renee. After Barchester Towers I thought that Dr Thorne couldn't match up. I adored it!

I love the idea of a light-box. We could certainly use that in Ireland. It has been getting dark around 4pm but just this last couple of days the daylight hours have been increasing slightly. Always good to see!

Oh I've just remembered that I haven't even finished The Warden. I really must get to that.

[Lori, Moderator]

Reading helps me too. Aside from being a distraction, some books (especially historical novels) remind me that we've made it through worse times in history!

[Lily]

Dan wrote: "More books, less cable news. You can do it. ..."

Dan, you probably didn't intend it that way, but my response is those words felt snarky to me. I'm simply not convinced this is one to be done alone, but rather with one or more communities. I am especially concerned about what I shall call here "civility" in our civic conversations. (I watch little TV and read lots, including several news sources, including ones with respected journalistic resources, without totally ignoring more provocative ones. I have accused my self of reading to prove my assumptions wrong, or at least to test them thoroughly.)

[Hedi]

Thans a lot for all the encouragement. Let's see how this week and next weekend is going. I have already started reading on in Doctor Thorne. ;-)

... and less online news, clips and discussions :-)

[Hedi]

Oh, now some words got mixed up...

...Doctor Thorne.... was what I meant and of course Thanks...

[Everyman]

Dan wrote: "More books, less cable news."

And no Facebook!

[Lily]

Hedi wrote: "... and less online news, clips and discussions :-)"

For me, that would be running away. And, yes, I've lived long enough to know that there can be a time and place for running away, too.

[Dan]

Didn't at all mean to be snarky. I don't like much of what I've seen and heard lately, from Brexit to Trump. It's not ignoring it to keep some distance from the toxicity. Facebook made me sick - both sides in different ways- so after two days I stopped going there and felt less cranky. Listening to people argue - and yell at each other didn't give me insight.

I might go back to Facebook next year, for the baby pictures of nieces and nephews, and pictures of uncles in uniform. But not for "news" and the latest tweet analysis.

How one looks at things is as important as the things themselves. At least that's my take, for me. I don't want to be yelled at, nor do I want to yell at anyone. There will be more elections, and the shock of the last one is a good thing for me to remember, but not to dwell on.

The Glorious Heresies - Irish hoods post 2008, with is full of distracting wise guys., many of whom seem destined for trouble 'cuz they deserve it.

[Lily]

Thx, Dan. May have to try Glorious Heresies. Some strong people around me trying to figure out what next, too. I've done grieving alone in the past; not the way I intend to go with this one. For my grandchildren, if not for myself.

[Lynnm]

Since the election, I can't look at the news/politics. I am still heartbroken, personally and for my country.

Not that I watched a lot of TV news, but I did have on the morning political shows as I was getting ready for work, pre-election. It is completely off now.

I get my news from The New York Times, local paper, and The Guardian. But I find myself skipping a lot of the political news - just getting enough to keep informed.

As for Facebook, I just ignore the political things, and focus on family and friends.

I've been keeping my mind busy with work, and of course, reading. And watching a lot of film, and listening to a lot of music!

I'll be back working on my issues come the new year - they are too important to walk away from just because I'm upset - but I need a break from it all for now.

[Lily]

Lynnm wrote: "I'll be back working on my issues come the new year - they are too important to walk away from just because I'm upset - but I need a break from it all for now. ..."

Thx for your words. Many of us are searching for the most productive ways to make our personal and communal journeys in the days ahead. A few of my acquaintances were part of a three-session discussion group here that was led by an Episcopal priest knowledgeable about history, esp. U.S., and in leading interfaith discussions. Now, next steps? Where to look for common ground and build bridges, where not to use energy fruitlessly, ....

[Lynnm]

A quick reminder to everyone that this will be a holiday week and a break in our reading schedule.

A good time to catch up on our reading, if we are behind. Or take a reading break, if needed (are there really people who need reading breaks???) :-)

I'm on track with Framley Parsonage, but I'm actually going to use to time to finish Huck Finn - was near the end when I got busy with school and never finished it during one of the forum's monthly reads.

I'll be around, checking the threads, but for those taking the break, we'll be back in full swing immediately following Christmas!

[Dan]

Completely through Chapter 1! And a long flight to London tomorrow should get me caught up in no time. It's a pleasure to come back to a nice fat Trollope for the holiday.