Readlong: The Odyssey - Reading Schedule

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

It looks like the (Emily Wilson translation at least) has 24 books plus a lengthy introduction. I'm a weirdo who saves intros for last so my schedule will reflect that.

February 9-15: Acquire book
February 16-22: Books 1-6
February 23-29: Books 7-12
March 1-7: Books 13-18
March 8-14: Books 19-24
March 15-21: Intro, maps, catch up
March 22-28: Readalong discussion (recorded for podcast episode, specific date TBD)

This looks like a lot of pages every week but what I've learned in previous readalongs is that momentum tends to be better with larger chunks for most readers. I have allowed for a catch-up week before our final discussion. Last year we had no group discussions and I really missed it, so we will definitely do that this time. It's not required but the more the merrier!

[Jeff]

Great! Looking forward to it. The Audible version is 13 hours 32 minutes, so not too long.

[Nadine in California]

The page formatting makes the book look longer than it is. I'm looking forward to it!

[Amy]

Ordered the book and looking forward to joining you all!

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

Amy wrote: "Ordered the book and looking forward to joining you all!"

Nadine wrote: "The page formatting makes the book look longer than it is. I'm looking forward to it!"

Jeff wrote: "Great! Looking forward to it. The Audible version is 13 hours 32 minutes, so not too long."

I'm glad you are joining in!

[Karen]

Oh, that's very exciting! I'll be there! I've been looking forward to reading this translation for some time. I also usually read intros last, but in this case, I've read the Odyssey umpteen times already, so I'm not worried about spoilers (my biggest pet peeve with intros). I'm planning to read the text and listen to the audio as well.

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

Karen wrote: "Oh, that's very exciting! I'll be there! I've been looking forward to reading this translation for some time. I also usually read intros last, but in this case, I've read the Odyssey umpteen times ..."

I feel like my vague knowledge of The Odyssey might still mean I have spoilers. But of course, read it wherever it makes sense for you.

I might do a double audio-reading experience since I have both.

[Cristina]

Hi all! I've never been involved in a readalong before since I'm a fairly slow reader, but I have been meaning to read The Odyssey for some time, and I have a copy sitting on my shelf... so why not? No harm in trying. :)

I wonder how the editions line up. I have an old-school Barnes & Noble Classics edition. I'll check out the structure/table of contents when I get home to see if it's broken up into similar "books."

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

Cristina wrote: "Hi all! I've never been involved in a readalong before since I'm a fairly slow reader, but I have been meaning to read The Odyssey for some time, and I have a copy sitting on my shelf... so why not..."

Welcome Cristina! The nice thing about doing a readalong in a Goodreads group is that even if your pace is slower/faster or you finish it later, the discussion will still be here. I do that all the time in other groups, add more thoughts six months they've discussed a book. It will be interesting to see how your translation seems to compare.

[Nadine in California]

Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "This looks like a lot of pages every week but what I've learned in previous readalongs is that momentum tends to be better with larger chunks for most readers..."

I definitely agree with that. I just took a peek at my edition translated by Emily Wilson, and I noticed that the Intro, Translator's Note and maps take up about 100 pages, so our week one chunk is much less chunky than I thought! My edition also has a long glossary of names at the back, including pronunciations, so a lifetime of not knowing how to say an ancient greek name is about to come to an end!

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

Nadine wrote: "Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "This looks like a lot of pages every week but what I've learned in previous readalongs is that momentum tends to be better with larger chunks for most readers..."

I de..."

Oh great.

I think popular pronunciation overrules "proper" pronunciation - I was listening to the last episode of the Good Place podcast and they were talking about Hypatia, and how they think technically it is Hypate-ee-uh but most people now say Hy-pash-uh so they went with that.

[Laurie]

Yay! I got this book for Christmas 2 years ago but somehow never got around to reading it. This is the inspiration I need.

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

Laurie wrote: "Yay! I got this book for Christmas 2 years ago but somehow never got around to reading it. This is the inspiration I need."

Yes it was a birthday gift for me I think!

[Cristina]

Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "Cristina wrote: "Hi all! I've never been involved in a readalong before since I'm a fairly slow reader, but I have been meaning to read The Odyssey for some time, and I have a copy sitting on my sh..."

Thanks so much, Jenny! I just checked and I have 24 "books" as well! Doesn't seem bad at all—if I skip the intro and do it last like you do, the first week of reading is about 76 pages. Sweet!

[Isabel (kittiwake)]

I've just been over to the Central Library to pick it up, as my own copy of the Odyssey has a different translator. I'm looking forward to the readalong.

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

Cristina wrote: "Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "Cristina wrote: "Hi all! I've never been involved in a readalong before since I'm a fairly slow reader, but I have been meaning to read The Odyssey for some time, and I..."
Not too bad!

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

Isabel (kittiwake) wrote: "I've just been over to the Central Library to pick it up, as my own copy of the Odyssey has a different translator. I'm looking forward to the readalong."

Glad you're joining us.

[Joe]

Jenny, I’ve been a big fan of your podcast for the last few years. I’ve never done a read along, but this one sounded interesting. So far not as daunting as I had anticipated. The glossary is a life saver!

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

Joe wrote: "Jenny, I’ve been a big fan of your podcast for the last few years. I’ve never done a read along, but this one sounded interesting. So far not as daunting as I had anticipated. The glossary is a lif..."

Thanks Joe! I love when a book proves more accessible than we assumed.

[Macklin]

I'm so excited for this! I just found the podcast and have had Emily Wilson's translation for a couple of years now. This has given me to boost to finally read it!

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

Macklin wrote: "I'm so excited for this! I just found the podcast and have had Emily Wilson's translation for a couple of years now. This has given me to boost to finally read it!"

Excellent! Welcome times three!