Discussions About Our Next Main Group read

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Yes, I noticed - great idea Trisha! I wasn't sure whether to add you in the title, as if it is too long I've been told it fills up the screen on an app!

[Tr1sha]

Bionic Jean wrote: "Yes, I noticed - great idea Trisha! I wasn't sure whether to add you in the title, as if it is too long I've been told it fills up the screen on an app!"

No, there may be others too! I’m happy for the list to name just the original people who got involved.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Got it! I'll add you in the first comment :) I always use a laptop so I'd never know when it gets too long.

[Katy]

Bionic Jean wrote: "Added Katy - and you can add as many as you like, as this is just a preliminary run-through, so please just say if there are any others in the list you like the sound of.

I think a lot of us feel ..."

The Vicar of Wakefield is the only one that caught my attention. However, I'm not ruling out the others if one of them is chosen.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

OK thanks.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

I'll archive this for now, as there have been no more additions for a week. Then I'll set up a poll with the preferred books, half way through our summer reads.

Please feel free to add an aye for one of these novels at any time until then!

[Nancy]

May I comment? I'd like to try reading and discussing Hard Times.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Here is the list of 18th century novels again. These were all Charles Dickens's own favourites. Choose as many as you like, to add your aye to, Nancy.

ONGOING LIST:

Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra II

The Adventures of Roderick Random by Tobias Smollett IIII II

The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle by Tobias Smollett IIII I

The Expedition of Humphry Clinker by Tobias Smollett IIII I

The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling by Henry Fielding IIII IIII I

The Vicar of Wakefield by Oliver Goldsmith IIII II

The Adventures of Gil Blas by Alain-René Le Sage III

Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe IIII IIII

The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman by Laurence Sterne IIII IIII I

Arabian Nights: Tales Of Thousand Nights & A Night Vol 1 IIII

The Tales of the Genii IIII

Extras:

Waverley by Sir Walter Scott IIII

Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott IIII

[Nancy]

Bionic Jean wrote: "I think this is pretty much what everyone said, but when we get a few more opinions then making a poll will be easier. And some may be tempted by the final book when it comes to it. It's always nic..."
Any book by Tobias Smollet, and The Vicar of Wakefield sound good to me.

[Angela]

My vote(s): Tom Jones, Robinson Crusoe, Arabian Nights.

[Nidhi]

I vote for

Tristram Shandy
Waverley
Tales of Genji
Arabian Nights
Roderick Random

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

All updated, thanks.

[Daniela]

Hello, I found this group only a few days ago. I would like to join you in the next read, if this is a book I have in my to-read list, as is the case with Tom Jones.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Sure Daniela! It will be lovely to have you along! Before that we have a few short reads, and you'll get notifications as each of these comes up.

I'll add one to The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling for you, and if there's anything else on the list you like the sound of, please just say and I'll add that as well.

It would be great if you could introduce yourself in our welcome thread :)

[Sue]

I’ll vote for Tristam Shandy.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Added, thanks.

[Shirley (stampartiste)]

Did I vote on this poll, Jean? I know I mentioned which ones I would prefer, but I don’t know if I am supposed to vote on one book?

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

This is just a rough list Shirley. The poll will be an official GR one later, and I'll send a group letter about it. You haven't missed anything, don't worry :)

[Sue]

Oh, I was getting confused on that too, though I know you have mentioned it before.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Polls are always tricky, aren't they Sue?

In this case Charles Dickens had made his own list, so to speak, so there was no need for nominations. But it did need whittling down a bit, and it seems fairer to have the regular contributors doing that, and having more of a voice, than immediately sending out a group message.

[Sue]

Sounds like a good plan. I have wanted to read Tristam for a while but I know it’s not a short book. I understand it’s good.

[Rod]

Nancy wrote: "May I comment? I'd like to try reading and discussing Hard Times. "

I could second that Nancy!

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Here again is the list of 18th century novels Charles Dickens himself liked, which we are considering for our Autumn read.

ONGOING LIST:

Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra II

The Adventures of Roderick Random by Tobias Smollett IIII II

The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle by Tobias Smollett IIII I

The Expedition of Humphry Clinker by Tobias Smollett IIII II

The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling by Henry Fielding IIII IIII I

The Vicar of Wakefield by Oliver Goldsmith IIII III

The Adventures of Gil Blas by Alain-René Le Sage III

Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe IIII IIII

The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman by Laurence Sterne IIII IIII II

Arabian Nights: Tales Of Thousand Nights & A Night Vol 1 IIII

The Tales of the Genii IIII

Extras:

Waverley by Sir Walter Scott IIII

Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott IIII

[Shirley (stampartiste)]

Bionic Jean wrote: "This is just a rough list Shirley. The poll will be an official GR one later, and I'll send a group letter about it. You haven't missed anything, don't worry :)"

Great! Thank you, Jean! I'll be on the lookout for it.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Please don't miss our new read of The Black Veil in a few days though, (anyone) :)

[Petra]

I'm looking forward to the discussion on The Black Veil, Jean. It seems like a long time until June 1st. LOL

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Well you're allowed to read it first, if that helps with a little "Dickens fix", Petra :D

The thread is up, and our host Connie is raring to go :)

[Petra]

(I've read it already...... :D)

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

HAHAHA!

[Diane]

Reading The Black Veil tomorrow, so it will be fresh in my mind.

[Sue]

I read it yesterday. Finally ahead on something.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

I have read half, up to ... well those who have read it will know the perfect "cliffhanger" time to have a break :)

[br]

I would vote for Tristram Shandy & Humphry Clinker!

[br]

Also, Robinson Crusoe wouldn't be a great choice, for it has no chapter breaks!

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Added your two, bluewizard :)

[Rod]

Vicar of Wakefield

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Added, thanks Rod. You may choose more than one if you like. This is an informal list before the poll itself.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

I'm setting up the poll now, taking the top five novels.

If anyone is interested in leading this read of an 18th century novel, please let me know! Otherwise it will be an open read during two months, like our side reads.

[Angela]

So....always trying to keep organized. We do NOT have an autumn group read? But buddy read Frankenstein in October and Bleak House in the New Year?

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Angela wrote: "So....always trying to keep organized."

Hi, good for you Angela - so am I ;)

We DO indeed have an Autumn read, but not by Charles Dickens! Instead it will be a book he himself loved to read, and that's what all the recent discussion above has been about. The poll ends today, LINK HERE, and unless at least six people vote for something else in the next few hours (which is unlikely!) it will be of The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling by Henry Fielding. It was one of his favourite books. You're just a little ahead of my announcement.

Also this Autumn we will have a side read, (which begins a couple of weeks after the main group read, to allow everyone to get started first) and two optional buddy reads, Frankenstein: The 1818 Text by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley and Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens.

There are two Christmas/end of year reads planned so far, late November to early January, (full details later though they are mentioned in various places) and Bleak House, as you say, is to be in the new year.

Hope that helps with your planning :)

[Angela]

Thanks Jean, I have been following the 'books Dickens loved' thread but for some reason came away believing that there was no consensus so it had been put off. Tom Jones, yay! Another on my TBR list.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Just to confirm to everyone that the poll is now closed, and The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling by Henry Fielding will indeed be our Autumn group read. The thread will be up shortly.

If anyone would like to lead/host this read, please do say here, or let me know in a message if you prefer. We could have more than one host, either. Otherwise it will be a free read over about two months, with no timetable, like our side reads.

Thanks all!

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Well you're in good company Jillian, as Robinson Crusoe was one of Charles Dickens's favourite books :)

[Fiona]

I’ve just found this thread, thanks to Jean (and Sue). I will join the group read of Bleak House next year. I’ve started it a few times but failed to get very far. I’m sure a group read will motivate me to keep going!

[Sue]

Oh good, Fiona. I’m looking forward to it.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Hi Sue and Fiona - Apologies if it wasn't clear - I tend to archive this unless we're currently discussing reads! And since we said we'd read Bleak House next, and all the end of year reads are up on the bookshelves already, there's nothing to decide yet until summer 2022 :)

I'm delighted you'll both be joining in with Bleak House - I'm positive it will be a popular one as everyone was clamouring for it! GR sends automatic messages a week before a group read starts, but you can check our group's shelves way before that, to get the dates. (Sorry Fiona - we have to convert inwardly from the American way ;) )

[Francis]

I am confused. I looked at the bookshelf and am unsure what upcoming novels will be read in 2022. Am I missing something?

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Hi Francis,

Don't worry - you're not missing anything! We read lots of works by Charles Dickens - not just his novels! When we do read a novel, it's a slow read, at one chapter a day. The next one as you can see is Bleak House.

The previous comment reminds readers that we voted for this one, but since this is only your second comment, you won't have been aware of it. As soon we as we have a start date, I will put it on the shelves. Until then please feel free to join in our current read of The Holly-Tree Inn, and/or our upcoming read of The Chimes. They will take us through until mid-January. Both these books are on our shelves with dates, and you have a GR notification about every "Dickensians!" read a week before it starts.

After Bleak House, we will be into early Summer, so at that point we will discuss our Summer reads. Until then this thread is archived, as you discovered :)

[Francis]

Bionic Jean wrote: "Hi Francis,

Don't worry - you're not missing anything! We read lots of works by Charles Dickens - not just his novels! When we do read a novel, it's a slow read, at one chapter a d..."

Thanks Jean

[Kathleen]

I wondered the same thing, so thank you for asking this, Francis, and explaining, Jean!