How to Go On

[Tristram]

Dear Curiosities,

Now that we have decided to refrain from carrying on our journey through the novels of Dickens - seeing that for many of us, another tour would be the second, third or even umpteenth reading -, we moderators had been thinking about the future of our reading group.

While we all think that it is also nice to have more time for reading off-schedule, we also like to think back to the intriguing discussions we had, discussions that were seasoned with humour, good fellowship and the feeling of coming to a place where people sort of know you. This would be sad to give up, wouldn't it?

That is why I am going to offer a poll on three books I would like to read in 2023, and you are all invited to take part in the poll. We could then read the book that got most of the votes together on a schedule which I am going to prepare in a way that it will not largely affect your other reading plans and projects. This way, we could read the book together and have some discussions. Unlike with Dickens, though, I will not give a long and detailed recap for each section but just point out some things that struck me as interesting and that might spark off a discussion, which will hopefully be enriched by your own points and observations.

After finishing that book, it might be somebody else's turn to propose three books - broadly Victorian - and to set up a reading schedule and lead through the discussions. And them somebody else's and so on.

It would also be nice if those whose book was chosen really took part in the discussion to prevent general frustration.

I am going to set up the poll right now and see how group members react to it.

[Julie]

Tristram wrote: "discussions that were seasoned with humour, good fellowship and the feeling of coming to a place where people sort of know you. This would be sad to give up, wouldn't it?"

It would!

Thank you--this sounds very good! Personally, I would be up for doing 1 or 2 reads with the group each year. I have found it a little difficult to keep up this past year so probably not more than that.

It might also be good to have a general discussion forum, like the different inns that we've kept up along the way, for talking about books more broadly. People here are very good at providing general recommendations and commentary on books and media, and that kind of thing would be fun to keep on with. And I find I would miss everyone's chatting about, of all things, how they're getting through the weather in so many different places. I would be open to helping moderate a forum like that if people want to do it.

[Peacejanz]

Yes, I really enjoyed this group. Where are the three books listed so I can vote? Happy New Year. peace, janz

[Mary Lou]

Thank you, Tristram! I'm delighted with the prospect of continuing our association. Like Julie, I think a couple of books a year (depending on length), along with a cheery gathering place, doesn't sound too overwhelming and gives us plenty of time to supplement with outside reading. I'm a bit intimidated by the prospect of having to meet a timetable in order to lead a discussion, but perhaps the pressure will keep me on task. If others are willing, I'm game.

[Linda]

Thank you, Tristram! I'm happy to see this group continuing in some capacity, even though I had unfortunately not read Dickens with the group in quite awhile now.

I am grateful to Tristram, Kim, and Peter for leading all the wonderful discussions over the years, going back to the original Dickens group which Everyman had invited me to join. And an additional thank you to Kim for the research and work in finding and posting the wonderful illustrations.

I like the suggestions above for continuing the group and I would love to read some shorter novels with the group if the timing works with my schedule.

I'm not going to vote in the current poll since I don't want to fully commit to the next book, but both Wuthering Heights and Cousin Henry appeal to me. Wuthering Heights because it would be a reread for me and I'm curious what I would think of it now, many years later. And Cousin Henry because I have yet to read anything by Trollope.

[Tristram]

I am really glad that you responded so favourably to my suggestion of keeping the Curiosities going in a modified way, which would allow us to keep in touch via book discussions. I have made the experience that in the humdrum of daily life, very often relationships that don't base on regular meetings in real life eventually dwindle out, but I think that the odd group read now and then will keep us in touch.

At the moment, Cousin Henry seems to be winning the race. It is not a very long book, especially by Trollopian standards, but I have read quite some positive reviews. Still, there are some days to go for Emily to catch up. It is quite interesting that Joe is lagging behind, but not very surprising because he is not too popular a writer, which is a pity since I truly adore him.

[Xan]

Nostromo and Under Western Eyes are two of my favorite.

[[deleted user]]

I must say that I am very happy about this. I was prepared to have no book discussions with this group anymore, and that was okay. However, now the relief sets in. Tristram, thank you for finding this middle way, and for starting this.

[John]

I must add my voice to the support for this effort. I love the idea of continuing to read with friends here and to have an Inn thread for a drink or cup of tea and discussions.

I voted for Wuthering Heights, which I have never read. But I am up for whatever the consensus is.

[Tristram]

Peacejanz wrote: "Yes, I really enjoyed this group. Where are the three books listed so I can vote? Happy New Year. peace, janz"

Hi Peacejanz,

You want to go on the Curiosity Club homepage, and there you will find a link called "polls". Click there, and you will find the poll.

[Tristram]

Xan wrote: "Nostromo and Under Western Eyes are two of my favorite."

Xan,

It does me a world of good to know I am not the only one here to love Conrad.

[Tristram]

Jantine and John,

It's wonderful to know that you will also be on board. I do hope it will keep this group alive now that our Curiosity also leads us to other authors.

[Bobbie]

I also plan to join in as much as possible. Do you know when we will do the first book? I already have a group read for Jan and Feb in another group but I will try to get in for these when I can. Happy New Year to all.

[Tristram]

I think we might start sometime in January, Bobbie. If it is going to be Cousin Henry, then the book will not be very long, and so should be able to squeeze it in.

[Vicki]

I only joined the group with your most recent reading of Nicholas Nickleby, so I have 4 more novels to read. I look forward to reading the threads for these books as an accompaniment to my reading. I assume these threads won't be deleted or moved elsewhere.

[Ami]

Congratulations to Peter, Kim & Tristram, on a job well-done navigating this ship, to and fro, in and out of Dickens's world, all these years! I have no shame in saying, nobody does it, or will do it better on this platform than our dynamic trio. While it is bittersweet - no longer readily discussing Dickens's works - it brings a smile to my face, knowing that you will still sit at the helm, taking willing participants on new literary adventures. I would have really kicked myself, hard - having not read with the group in quite a while - missing out on reading and discussing with them a few more times, before they really called it quits.

I applaud the three of you, for all of your hard work these years. Here's to better discussions ahead! May you proceed to flourish on this platform, for as long as doing so continues to bring you joy...

Happy New Year to all!

With immense gratitude and genuine affections,
Ami

[Tristram]

Vicki wrote: "I only joined the group with your most recent reading of Nicholas Nickleby, so I have 4 more novels to read. I look forward to reading the threads for these books as an accompaniment to my reading...."

Vicki,

Rest assured that we will not delete or move elsewhere any of our reading discussion threads. Whenever you want you can read up on any discussion that has been led here.

[Tristram]

Ami wrote: "Congratulations to Peter, Kim & Tristram, on a job well-done navigating this ship, to and fro, in and out of Dickens's world, all these years! I have no shame in saying, nobody does it, or will do ..."

It's good to hear you are still around, Ami! I remember the old days when you were a great help in setting up this group after the other Club was in unpleasant throes, and so I would feel deeply honoured to have you around in one or two of this year's discussions, at least on an on-and-off basis.

[Tristram]

At the moment, Trollope and Bronte are running the race with each of them gathering 10 ballots but there is still some hours to go. Unless their tie is broken up, we can either have a run-off or we simply say, let's first read the one and then the other. To be honest, I am favouring the second idea as not to lose too much time on voting for books instead of reading them.

[Ami]

Tristram wrote: "Ami wrote: "Congratulations to Peter, Kim & Tristram, on a job well-done navigating this ship, to and fro, in and out of Dickens's world, all these years! I have no shame in saying, nobody does it,..."

You got it! I agree with you, we should just read both selections. I’ll see you soon, pals! :)

[Jane]

Tristram wrote: "Now that we have decided to refrain from carrying on our journey through the novels of Dickens..."

Hello! I've tried searching the discussion threads to no avail. Is this group no longer going to read any Dickens, or is it merely a short term measure? Is this group going to be 'broadly Victorian' from now on?

[Mary Lou]

By the way, I just happened to click on the group's home page and noticed that we are still presenting ourselves as a Dickens group. Just an FYI, in case no one had thought to update our description.

[Tristram]

Yes, Mary Lou, this also occurred to me a week or so ago, but I still shy away from altering a text that was written by Everyman. I generally don't like changing things but keep thinking that if something worked for so many years, it will definitely work for as many more years. My wife gets nuts about this attitude, but it keeps me out of a lot of trouble.

[Mary Lou]

I get it. :-)