Mitchell, Margaret--Gone With the Wind informal buddy read starts June 19, 2018

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

This thread is open to discuss Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell.



Synopsis
Gone with the Wind is a novel written by Margaret Mitchell, first published in 1936. The story is set in Clayton County, Georgia, and Atlanta during the American Civil War and Reconstruction era. It depicts the struggles of young Scarlett O'Hara, the spoiled daughter of a well-to-do plantation owner, who must use every means at her disposal to claw her way out of the poverty she finds herself in after Sherman's March to the Sea. A historical novel, the story is a Bildungsroman or coming-of-age story, with the title taken from a poem written by Ernest Dowson.

Gone with the Wind was popular with American readers from the onset and was the top American fiction bestseller in the year it was published and in 1937. As of 2014, a Harris poll found it to be the second favorite book of American readers, just behind the Bible. More than 30 million copies have been printed worldwide

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

      ~ Buddy Style Reads ~
    Three Ways to Enjoy a Book!

At NRBC we use three styles of buddy reads. These will be indicated in the thread title as “Buddy Read”, “Relaxed Buddy Read” or “Informal Buddy Read”.

A “Buddy Read” has a discussion leader and a reading date is set to start the book. A reading schedule is posted prior to the start date and discussion questions are posted each day regarding that section of the book. More information about these types of reads is below. An example is here, showing a reading schedule here.

A “Relaxed Buddy Read” is similar to our usual “buddy reads” except there are less questions and break points. For example, a book may be split into three sections and those reading the book should pause at the end of the section to answer some discussion questions, make comments, or ask their own questions to other readers. An example is here.

An “Informal Buddy Read” doesn’t have a discussion leader and participants are asked to consider some generic questions when making comments about the book. An example is here.

A “Read and Watch Buddy Read” may be set up as any of the above, but we will also watch the movie or T.V. series - or even go to a play! - and make comparisons, discussing what has been left out or changed as well as the actors and actresses. There is a long debate of what one should do first: read the books or watch the movie? We usually read first, but it isn’t essential. Also, if you would like to join in, but don’t want to watch the movie, show, or play, but only read the books, that is fine, too. An example is here.


MORE UNDER SPOILER
(view spoiler)[

“Buddy Reads” (“BRs”) include:

• A reading schedule which can range from 50, 75, to 100 or so pages a day.

• Discussion questions posted daily by moderators and occasionally group members
   who help one of us out. If you want to be a Discussion Leader, let us know.

• If the book is really long, we'll plan a break day.

• Members do NOT have to answer every question, they are meant to stimulate
   conversations about the books AND allow us to glance back upon them when the
   sequels come out. This helps us to remember what exactly happened in the previous
   book.

• We find the buddy style of reading to be more fun than just posting one or two
   sentences about a book. We feel this is what distinguishes us as being a ‘book club’
   rather than just another GoodReads ‘group.’

• If you can NOT start the book on time, feel free to join in at a later date. They are
   set up to make it easy to do so.

• Moderators are people too, so occasionally we get sick, have to work late at our real
   jobs, or have something that keeps us from writing the questions. Please forgive us;
   we're only human and we don't get any compensation for what we do--not even
   free books!

• Discussions and questions are set up to make you think, analyze, and see things you,
   or even we, may have missed. Feel free to add your own thoughts at any time, if you
   think we've missed something.

• If you've read the book, feel free to let us know what you thought about the book.
   You can do so at the end of the buddy read, or, if you can't wait, add spoiler tags
   before you comment like:

   **************BEWARE! SPOILER FOR THE END OF THE BOOK**************

   Or insert a (view spoiler)[spoiler (hide spoiler)]. If you do NOT know how to do so, just check out our
   GoodReads 101 explanation on how to Insert a Spoiler.

• If you are looking for a reading buddy, post an inquiry in our Buddy read requests thread. Use that thread, if you want to have a repeat read of a BOM
    or buddy read, too.

• Have fun! We always do when more than one person joins in. And we look less silly
   if someone else discusses a book with us. (hide spoiler)]

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

res

[Michelle]

Why yes, I would love to read this. Team Draco.

[Tina ❣]

Classic monstrosity... here we come!

(Team Tonks)

[Erika]

In! Team Newt Scamander

[Em]

Count me in as well! (Team Snape)

[Michelle]

Ready! It's a long one, so it may take me a couple of weeks.
Juggling this with several others.

[Erika]

Yes! I set myself a daily reading goal so here’s hoping I can do that

[Em]

to be completely honest, i didn't even know anything about the book until a couple of hours ago (i don't read synopsis oops), so i felt a bit unsure whether i want to read this book after all. but i've read a couple chapters and i think i can quite manage.

chapter 1 & 2 (view spoiler)[in terms of self-centeredness, Scarlett reminds me a bit of Catherine Earnshaw from Wuthering Heights, but she doesn't appear to be quite as cruel (or maybe not yet?)

all the description about Ashley Wilkes makes me impatient for his appearance. he and i will get along well. (hide spoiler)]

[Michelle]

Chapter 1
Em, I completely agree with you.

(view spoiler)[Scarlett is so self-centered and spoiled. It is so annoying that you know she has to have a major character evolution, right? Fingers crossed! (hide spoiler)]

[Em]

right? (view spoiler)[the Kindle version i'm currently reading has a preface, and about Scarlett it mentions: "Her entire nature shines with the joy of being pretty and sought after and frivolous in the first chapters and we see her character darkening slowly throughout the book." So hopefully there's much to expect! (hide spoiler)]

[Michelle]

This is going to take me a while with all of the quidditch books this week. Had to pause.

I really want to smack Scarlett, though.

[Erika]

I am also super behind on this

[Colleen]

Haha - I wish I could join in for this, but I have too many books going on right now. Enjoy! I hope to get to this one someday soon.

[Erika]

Same here! I enjoy that the film seems to have taken the dialogue almost word for word but i’m making noooo progress

[Em]

Erika, did you find the film interesting? i've completely forgotten this book had one and now i'm intrigued

[Erika]

Oh I adore the film! I’m a sucker for classics like that. In the little reading I’ve done- it definitely follows the book and the dialogue is almost exact.

[Erika]

It is extremely long so be ready to settle in of you decide to watch it

[Em]

Erika wrote: "Oh I adore the film! I’m a sucker for classics like that. In the little reading I’ve done- it definitely follows the book and the dialogue is almost exact."

i love classic films as well so i might try watching it! i feel like the length will be compensated fully by the ending--at least that's what i think about the book. and if the film follows the book, then all the better :)

[Tahmina]

is anyone still reading this?

[Em]

i'm up for discussion if you'd like!

[Tahmina]

yes!!! i'll be starting this this weekend!! will you be up for it then?

[Em]

sure! i'm actually done with the book, so whenever should be fine

[Jammin Jenny]

Finally started my copy of the book today. I read Chapters 1-4.

It's almost like seeing a longer version of the movie in my mind. I really enjoyed the back story of how Ellen married Gerald O'Hara, and it adds a lot to her character.