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Jenny (Reading Envy) (readingenvy) | 992 comments Mod
I haven't yet recorded the discussion with the Book Cougars for Sapphira and the Slave Girl but I'm starting to think about the readalong for the fall.

I have a few thoughts so far and am interested in your thoughts as well.

Middlemarch by George Eliot
Everyone and their brother reads this book but I haven't yet.

War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
I've started it twice but I've never made it through....

Possession by A.S. Byatt
This was the book I originally had in mind. It's a bit more obscure but has a density to it with layers of a story plus poetry written for the story.

Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset
I've had this Penguin edition on my shelf, which I'd bought for my year of reading northern countries, neglecting this one. I listened to one of the Book Riot people sell the heck out of this one the other day and it moved it up in my want to read list. It's written in the 1920s or 30s but set in the 1400s....

The Devils' Dance by Hamid Ismailov
I know almost nobody has this one, but I do, and it fits my 2019 reading goals. It was banned in Uzbekistan for twenty-seven years – and is about 19th century Turkestan, and is translated into English.


message 2: by Nadine in California (last edited Jun 25, 2019 07:36PM) (new)

Nadine in California (nadinekc) | 150 comments Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "I haven't yet recorded the discussion with the Book Cougars for Sapphira and the Slave Girl but I'm starting to think about the readalong for the fall.

I have a few thoughts so far and am interes..."


I'm up for Middlemarch (first choice) or Possession. I read Middlemarch so long ago I must have been a fetus, but I've still got my original paperback with the teensy weensy print. That may not work this time.......

I've tried War and Peace twice - first time I quit with 100 pages to go - I just couldn't stand it anymore! Second time I tried a new translation and pooped out with 200 pages to go. So no one can say I didn't try!


message 3: by Deb (new)

Deb | 22 comments I read Middlemarch in college. Wouldn't mind reading it again. I liked the way we read GWTW in sections. That helped keep me going!


message 4: by Gail (new)

Gail | 44 comments I think Possession is a good choice...sounds interesting and is not 1,000 pages.
I have never read Middlemarch....but I always move it around on my TBR.
I read War and Peace after watching (and loving) the 2016 tv series. I was able to keep everyone straight because of the visual and enjoyed it.


message 5: by Shatterlings (new)

Shatterlings | 47 comments I read Middlemarch last year and it was a struggle, I’d like to read Possession.


message 6: by Casey (new)

Casey | 96 comments Possession is stunning in its depth, but I'd vote for Tolstoy (if we were voting).


message 7: by Kate (new)

Kate | 1 comments I am very new to the group (I snuck in the back door via The Book Cougars) but no Tolstoy for me. I have tried War and Peace twice (Reading a chapter per day, just trying to gut it out) and neither way worked. Life is too short! I have read Middlemarch and would reread and I read one of the others as well....


message 8: by Chris (new)

Chris (chriswolak) | 11 comments Wow, Kristin Lavransdatter. I'd love to read that one. When are you thinking of starting? I'm planning on reading Middlemarch this summer and it looks like it is generating the most comments so far.


message 9: by Kim (new)

Kim | 30 comments I’ve had Kristin Lavransdatter on my TBR for a looong time....I’d join in on that one:-)


Jenny (Reading Envy) (readingenvy) | 992 comments Mod
I'm still in idea gathering mode. For my birthday I got a nice hardback of The Odyssey in its new translation by Emily Wilson... so I'll add that to the list.


Nadine in California (nadinekc) | 150 comments Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "I'm still in idea gathering mode. For my birthday I got a nice hardback of The Odyssey in its new translation by Emily Wilson... so I'll add that to the list."

Ooooh, I have it too! I swore to myself I'd read it this summer, but I'm not sure that will happen without a push.....


message 12: by Shatterlings (new)

Shatterlings | 47 comments Ooh the odyssey would be interesting, I haven’t read anything like that since school.


message 13: by Casey (new)

Casey | 96 comments Sigrid Undset = intrigued

Marcel Proust = ???


Jenny (Reading Envy) (readingenvy) | 992 comments Mod
So I think I've run out of time to host a readalong this year. Whoops. Sorry guys. I do like doing them so will regroup for 2020.


Nadine in California (nadinekc) | 150 comments Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "So I think I've run out of time to host a readalong this year. Whoops. Sorry guys. I do like doing them so will regroup for 2020."

Sounds good!


message 16: by Kim (new)

Kim | 30 comments How did it get to be mid October already??

I’ll be looking forward to your first Readalong of 2020:-)


message 17: by Deb (new)

Deb | 22 comments Perfect!!


message 18: by Casey (new)

Casey | 96 comments sounds good


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