Rosemarie, I Have a Question?

[Cosmic]

This is obscure question. I was reading 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos. The first chapter is about lobsters. It reminded me of a classic that starts out with lobsters in an aquarium. Might be Moby Dick?? Or a Charles Dicken's book? (Or neither) But I was wondering if anyone remembers such a scene.

[Lesle, Appalachian Bibliophile]

Trisha wrote: "Yes, Lesle - I read a hardback book for a change!..."

I totally agree with Rosemarie because they are enhancing the story.

So proud Trisha!! 📘📕📗❤️️

[Blueberry]

Cosmic wrote: "This is obscure question. I was reading 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos. The first chapter is about lobsters. It reminded me of a classic that starts out with lobsters in an..."

That sort of reminds me of Sweet Thursday or Cannery Row by John Steinbeck in the Doc's lab with his specimens.

[Cosmic]

Blueberry wrote: "That sort of reminds me of Sweet Thursday or Cannery Row by John Steinbeck in the Doc's lab with his specimens..."

Cannery Row or Sweet Thursday I will check those out. Thank you!!

[Tr1sha]

Rosemarie, I’m thinking about reading more of the Narnia books soon, starting by reading The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe again as I don’t remember much about the story. Is it better then to read other books in chronological order or publication order, or are the stories separate enough that it doesn’t matter? Sorry if this is a silly question! Goodreads has numbered some of the books differently depending on the version so it doesn’t seem obvious which to read.

[Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar]

Good question! I read them in publication and I think that’s the best way.

[Tr1sha]

Rosemarie wrote: "Good question! I read them in publication and I think that’s the best way."

Thank you!

[Piyangie, Classical Princess]

I think I read in chronological order. I didn't know it was best to read in publication order. Must remember that if I'm to reread the series.

[Nidhi]

I am currently reading the series in chronological order, The Magician ‘s Nephew comes first, it helped me to read it before The Lion......because we get introduced to the Wardrobe and the three main characters of the book, according to publication order The Magician’s Nephew is number 6.

Now I have to read last three books to complete the series.

[Tr1sha]

Thank you, Piyangie & Nidhi. Ages ago I read The Lion… & some time later I saw discussions about the order, thought I’d got it wrong, so read The Magician’s Nephew. I wasn’t particularly interested & didn’t bother to read the other books then. But they are so popular I thought it was time to try again. I hope that by reading The Lion… again I’ll continue with some of the other books. It’s good to get opinions from others who love the series.

[Nidhi]

I found them very interesting and regret that I couldn’t get them in my childhood, I specially loved The Voyage of Dawn Treader.

[Tr1sha]

Nidhi wrote: "I found them very interesting and regret that I couldn’t get them in my childhood, I specially loved The Voyage of Dawn Treader."

I share your regret, Nidhi. I’m sure that some children’s books are special to people because of the memories attached.

[Lesle, Appalachian Bibliophile]

The few books I had growing up I cherished and still do to this day.

[Karin]

Piyangie wrote: "I think I read in chronological order. I didn't know it was best to read in publication order. Must remember that if I'm to reread the series."

I'm late to this! I read the Narnia books in publication order as a child and this probably worked well--it's how I received them. My kids read them in chronological order which is how the series is now presented and those who liked that sort of book liked them (okay, my son never read them.) I reread them in chronological order, but no longer care for them--for me they were best enjoyed as a c hild.

[Bernard]

Has the Catch 22 thread been created yet?

[Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar]

Not that I know of, Bernard.

[Bernard]

Ah, that's why I can't find it !!!

[Bernard]

Sorry Rosemarie, the Catch 22 read is in another group, so naturally it doesn't appear here!

[Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar]

The mystery has been solved!

[Bernard]

Yes, a solution is always good. I have had a lot of harassment lately, which has caused cognitive malfunctions.

[Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar]

I understand!

[Karin]

Bernard wrote: "Yes, a solution is always good. I have had a lot of harassment lately, which has caused cognitive malfunctions."

I like that--sounds so much better than "brain farts" that I'll have to start using it, too!

[John]

Rosemarie, I'm reading The International Companion to Lewis Grassic Gibbon. All of the essays are post 1972 - but all relate to Gibbon's works - all of which were within our date range. Does this qualify for our challenge, in the same way that a history book would?

[Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar]

I'm not sure, John, but Lesle would know. It's a good question.

[Lesle, Appalachian Bibliophile]

John
I am not accquainted with his work and it seems this Companion book elaborates on his work.

Here is a meaning of Companion I found:
A companion book is a book that accompanies and elaborates on another already published book. The goal of a companion book is to provide the reader with a deeper understanding of concepts, themes, characters, places, and ideas in the original work.

Almost like an expanded version (more details). It is 197 pages. A Scots Quair Triology is much larger at almost 700 pages, I feel like it is an aid for his work.

Rosemarie, I am at a loss to what would be right with this question.

[Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar]

After reading the description and finding the words "continuing relevance" I would say no, since this book was written in 2015; it must refer to contemporary society.

[Lesle, Appalachian Bibliophile]

John my thought process is different. I feel like it is an aid type book. Kind of like a Study Guide that you find online for Classic reads.

John I can understand were your thought process is but after Rosemarie's statement about relevance to the modern timeframe, that helped in the understanding of why it was written and my thought of it as an aid to reading I must agree on the no.

[John]

Thanks for that clarification, Rosemarie and Lesle - I'm happy with that. And thanks for spending the time on resolving this query. I hadn't thought of checking the definition for "companion book" - but I like it so much that I've now purchased a companion to German literature - which might hopefully give me a better understanding of some of the authors we're reading in next year's buddy read.

[Chrissie]

John, I assume you have read Sunset Song by Gibbon. If you haven't, you must! I gave it five stars and I do not do that for many books. I should read Spartacus.

[Lesle, Appalachian Bibliophile]

John wrote: "And thanks for spending the time on resolving this query. I hadn't thought of checking the definition for "companion book" ..."

To be honest John I had not realized such books were out there. I am sure it will be immensely helpful when reading a new Author from a different nationality for a deeper understanding.

[Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar]

Chrissie wrote: "John, I assume you have read Sunset Song by Gibbon. If you haven't, you must! I gave it five stars and I do not do that for many books. I should read Spartacus."

A few of our members read Sunset Song and its sequels in our ongoing Scottish Authors Buddy Read.

[Chrissie]

Rosemarie wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "John, I assume you have read Sunset Song by Gibbon. If you haven't, you must! I gave it five stars and I do not do that for many books. I should read [book:Spartacus..."

Exceptionally good!

[Cleo]

With regard to the Narnia discussion above, I'm a great C.S. Lewis fan! I've read the Chronicles in both chronological and publication order and I far preferred publication order. The Magician's Nephew fell flat for me in chronological order but in publication order it was put more in context and came alive. As for reading as a child vs. adult, I think it's just a different experience depending on age. You can read it just for the story, or for the faith aspect of it, but Lewis also crams in philosophy from Plato, Pascal, mythology, etc. so there's definitely lots there for an adult if one is willing to dig. I started reading the series again this year but put it down for a bit, however, this discussion has reminded me that it's probably time to pick it up again!

[John]

Chrissie wrote: "John, I assume you have read Sunset Song by Gibbon. If you haven't, you must! I gave it five stars and I do not do that for many books. I should read Spartacus."

I read it and loved it, Chrissie - I gave it 5 stars also. But I really liked the whole trilogy -each book was quite different.

[John]

Sandy wrote: "John wrote: "Thanks for that clarification, Rosemarie and Lesle - I'm happy with that. And thanks for spending the time on resolving this query. I hadn't thought of checking the definition for "com..."

This series looks excellent Sandy - the one I've just purchased for next years German authors buddy read is The Cambridge Companion to the Modern German Novel.

[Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar]

Cleo, I am so glad I read The Chronicles of Narnia in publication order!

[Mike]

I shall shamelessly plug The Cambridge Companion to Homer as the editor is my father!

[Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar]

Cool, Mike!

[Lesle, Appalachian Bibliophile]

That is really an honor for your Father, to give him a kuddos! That is awesome Mike!

[John]

....and with about six books on Greek mythology to his name judging by the Goodreads listings!

[Chrissie]

John wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "John, I assume you have read Sunset Song by Gibbon. If you haven't, you must! I gave it five stars and I do not do that for many books. I should read [book:Spartacus..."

The others are not available in audio format.

[Chad]

My nephew just turned 10 and is apparently doing some reading. I’m looking for suggestions of a few children’s classics that I might gift him. He’s into sports, the outdoors and also likes to draw. I know there is a section in the group for children’s buddy reads which I browsed but I figured I’d drop a line here to maybe whittle it down to a ten year old boy. If you do have any suggestions that would be great! Thanks.

[Lesle, Appalachian Bibliophile]

Chad wrote: "My nephew just turned 10 and is apparently doing some reading. I’m looking for suggestions of a few children’s classics that I might gift him. He’s into sports, the outdoors and also likes to draw...."

Brayden started reading Gary Paulsen's books last year.
Roald Dahl might be one to consider.

[Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar]

There's an author called Matt Christopher who writes kid books all with sports themes.

My grandson really enjoyed the I Survived series by Lauren Tarshis.

He might be like for Diary of a Wimpy Kid, if he hasn't read it already.

I agree with Lesle about Gary Paulsen. Hatchet is good! And so are the sequels, according to my daughter, who works with children in the library.

[Chad]

Terrific! Thanks guys!

[Chad]

Occasionally in older novels I see names of people or places omitted. Such as, “He headed down to the bridge on W— street.” I’m talking about novels here, the author could have just made up a name or even if they used the name of an actual street in an actual city, why omit it? I think this was done on numerous occasions in Crime and Punishment which I recently read. Then again, maybe it wasn’t done in all translations. Curious.

[Bernard]

Rosemarie, how can I find the Baudelaire thread?

[Chad]

Bernard wrote: "Rosemarie, how can I find the Baudelaire thread?"

It’s under “Authors from around the world” December 2022 thread.

[Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar]

Thanks, Chad.

[Mike]

Chad wrote: "Occasionally in older novels I see names of people or places omitted. Such as, “He headed down to the bridge on W— street.” I’m talking about novels here, the author could have just made up a name ..."

In the edition of Crime and Punishment I read the introduction said that the censor had removed the names. Apparently some translations include the uncensored name having worked out what Dostoyevsky meant but my edition preserved the censoring. I've come across this in Marcel Proust's Pleasures and Days and presume it's for the same reason but I haven't read the introduction yet to confirm.