Planning our Third Read of 2023

[David]

Welcome members, both old and new, to Classics and Western Canon, dedicated to exploring and discussing some of the most important and influential works in literature!

We are excited to announce the next eight nominees we will be voting on in a week to read next as our third major read of 2023. We have two popular nominees from the last poll and six new nominees.

SECOND CHANCE NOMINEES FROM THE LAST POLL
Nostromo by Joseph Conrad
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

NEW NOMINEES
Utopia & 1984 by Thomas More & George Orwell
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton
Thus Spoke Zarathustra by Friedrich Nietzsche
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain
Mansfield Park by Jane Austen

In this discussion we encourage all members to share their thoughts, likes, and dislikes about these nominees and lobby for the book or books they would like to read next. Are you intrigued by the pairing of Utopia and 1984 as extreme ends of the "perfect socieity", or do you prefer the humorous and imaginative tale of "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court"? And what about Conrad's exploration of power and corruption in "Nostromo," or Wharton's portrayal of the upper-class society in "The Age of Innocence"?

Whatever your preference, we want to hear from you! Tell us which book or books you would like to read and why. Share your thoughts and opinions and help us choose the next great work of literature to explore together. We can't wait to see which books come out on top and embark on another exciting literary journey with you all!

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

Apr 26	Phaedrus Week 1 + This Next Read Discussion
May 3	Phaedrus Week 2 + Next Read Poll
May 10	Phaedrus Week 3
May 17	Interim Week 1	
May 24	Interim Week 2	
May 31	Third Read of 2023 Discussion Starts

[Aiden]

I think it's clever to pair More & Orwell in one read. It could produce interesting discussion and it seems timely, but it wouldn't be my first choice. I'd also be in if the choice is Nietzsche, since I haven't read it in about 20 years and would likely understand it much better now.

My first choice would still be Conrad. Austen & Twain are too light for me and I've had enough of Wharton and Dickens.

[Roger]

After some heavy stuff I'm ready for something more lighthearted. Austen or Wharton.

[Julie]

My top pick in this list is Conrad.

[Borum]

Roger wrote: "After some heavy stuff I'm ready for something more lighthearted. Austen or Wharton."

Age of Innocence is fun, but it may not be so lighthearted, at least, in my opinion. I was sort of in a melancholy mood after reading that.

[Borum]

I'm also leaning towards Conrad because it has been on my TBR list like forever, but I want to give Hurston a try as a more modern nonmale non-caucasian writer..

[Aiden]

Borum wrote: "I want to give Hurston a try as a more modern nonmale non-caucasian writer.."

Some of my favorite contemporary authors are non-male, non-causasian. I can't say that I connected with that particular novel. I'd agree that Wharton isn't exactly lighthearted.

[Aiden]

Susanna wrote: "I'm leaning towards the Conrad just because I've never read it."

I've long wanted to read a second Conrad novel, but never got around to it. That this gives me an opportunity is part of the reason I want to. The other is that I just read a book about the exploitation of Congolese poor by companies forcing them to mine for cobalt in horrific conditions because they need it for rechargeable batteries. Conrad's feelings about the exploitation of the same people by the Belgian King Leopold in his own day make me want to see what else he had to say.

[Donnally]

My choice is definitely Nietzsche. I went through a period a few years ago where I read everything I could find by this great philosopher. I found his outlook very liberating, and I'm ready for a reread. I'm sure I'll get more out of it the second time around.

Of course, you also can't go wrong with Austen, Dickens and Twain, although the selections are not their best works.

[Kerstin]

I read 'Utopia' a little over two years ago, and even though it is a short read, I didn't find it a fast read. Not sure I'm ready yet for an encore. Though for anyone who is up for a collectivist, and sometimes zany, fantasy, Utopia will entertain quite nicely.

[Sam]

Where and how do I vote for our next read, please?

[David]

Sam wrote: "Where and how do I vote for our next read, please?"

I will post a comment here with a link when I post the poll later tonight.

[Monica]

Sam wrote: "Where and how do I vote for our next read, please?"

Sam, I believe the poll will be available tomorrow.

[David]

The poll has been posted here:
https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/2...

Voting starts at midnight: May 03, 2023 12:00AM PDT and runs for a week.

[David]

Just a reminder, there is still time to vote on our next read:
https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/2...

Voting ends Tuesday, May 09, 2023 at 11:59PM PDT.

[David]

Hello everyone! Just a friendly reminder that there's only one day left to vote for our next book. The poll is open until the end of today, Pacific Time.

[David]

We are happy to announce that <i>Nostromo</i> by Joseph Conrad will be our next major read of 2023,

We will be posting a new discussion with the schedule in the next week or so. Please take this time to acquire the book and get a head start and get ready to keep the great conversation going! Discussions for Nostromo will open May 31 after a two week interim read following the conclusion of Phaedrus.

Your participation in the poll has been greatly appreciated, and we can't wait to dive into this classic novel with you all. As usually we will try to offer the runner ups on the next poll depending on moderator availability.

R	W	W%	Book
10	17	30%	Nostromo

5	12	21%	Their Eyes Were Watching God
4	11	20%	Mansfield Park
3	8	14%	Thus Spoke Zarathustra
2	4	7%	Utopia & 1984
2	4	7%	A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court
0	0	0%	Great Expectations
0	0	0%	The Age of Innocence
26	56