Currently reading (2024)

[Katie]

A place to share what you are currently reading for Victober when the readathon begins.

[Jassmine]

Yey! I'm so ready for this!

Actually after seeing the introductory videos I couldn't wait and longer and I started Gloriana, or the Revolution of 1900 which I had on my TBR last year, but I didn't get to!

I have only quarter left to finish and I'm really liking it, so thank you for the recommendation Katie 😊

[Kathy]

can't wait!!!

[Jim]

I'll be reading Barnaby Rudge by Charles Dickens. Last October I started Martin Chuzzlewit, which I finished on 1st December. Dickens' tomes take me a while to get through.

[Lisa]

Oh, I thought the TBR post was for what we'll read...here goes...
Religion - The Warden by Anthony Trollope
Serial Publication - Our Mutual Friend
Form - The Tenant of Wildfell Hall
Victorian drama - a play by Robert Browning...not sure which one yet
Bonus prompts - Wilkie Collins--The Woman in White... and Arthur Conan Doyle -The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
Group Read: Mary Elizabeth Braddon's The Doctor's Wife

I'm trying to finish up rereading Rebecca Fraser's The Brontës before Victober. And might squidge in a reread of a baseball history book if I have time :).

[Jassmine]

@Lisa: Yes, the TBR thread is for what you are planning to read and the "currently reading" thread is for what victober-related stuff you are reading at the moment. Hope that helps 😊

[Lisa]

Jassmine, Thank you!
I'm looking forward to the discussions.

[Michelle Hyland]

Lisa wrote: "Oh, I thought the TBR post was for what we'll read...here goes...
Religion - The Warden by Anthony Trollope
Serial Publication - Our Mutual Friend
Form - The Tenant of Wildfell Hall
Victorian drama..."


Hi @ Lisa. A great TBR, "The Woman in White and "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall are both excellent. I have also enjoyed "The Warden" which I am rereading this year for the second time.

[Michelle Hyland]

I cheated a bit and have started reading "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall."

It is my favourite book by the Brontes so far. Admittedly I have only read three. I found Anne's writing easier to read than Charlotte's.

[Lisa]

@MichelleHyland, I've read Tenant and Warden, but not for years, so I'll be glad to read those. I've read The Moonstone but not The Woman In White; I'm glad to hear it's a great read.

[Michelle Hyland]

Hi Lisa,

I hope to read "The Moonstone". Would you recommend it?

[Rachel]

I have not read an Anne Bronte yet but I'm planning to read one of hers this October

[Michelle Hyland]

Hi Rachel,

I would highly recommend reading "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall."
"Agnes Grey" is also short read.

[Lisa]

Michelle Hyland wrote: "Hi Lisa,

I hope to read "The Moonstone". Would you recommend it?"
Yes, Michelle, is is good--it's a mystery novel and also ticks the boxes for a story that is in various forms.

[Lindenblatt]

Michelle Hyland wrote: "I cheated a bit and have started reading "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall."

It is my favourite book by the Brontes so far. Admittedly I have only read three. I found Anne's writing easier to read than..."

Hi Michelle, I am with you in that Anne Brontë is my favourite of the sisters. Not so much because her writing is easier, but she is somehow more down to earth. Her male heroes are much more "lovable" (sensibly speaking) than dark, brooding Mr Rochester or Heathcliff.

I can also highly recommend The Moonstone. It is my favourite of Collins's book so far (I have read 4). It's not just a good mystery, but it's also incredibly funny!

Love your Victober TBR! Almost all 5-star reads for me, except for The Warden (though the series is excellent).

[Michelle Hyland]

@Lindenblatt.
Ah thanks. I have tried to read "Wuthering Heights" and I found it too boring. I don't think that I got past the first chapter. I do like Jane Eyre herself, I am in two minds about Rochester.

I still await a copy of "The Moonstone", I am hoping that it will arrive soon. I must find a way to watch a TV adaptation of it.

"The Warden" is a lovely quiet book and short.

[Jassmine]

Michelle Hyland wrote: "I cheated a bit and have started reading "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.""

I'm really tempted to read that one this year too! But I'm not sure if I can fit it...

[Michelle Hyland]

@Jasmine.
Hi Jassmine,

Perhaps you could listen to it on audio rather than reading the book.

[Jassmine]

Michelle Hyland wrote: Perhaps you could listen to it on audio rather than reading the book."

Yeah, I'm considering that, we shall see. Every Victober I manage to read much less then I think I can manage, so... hard to tell really.

[Michelle Hyland]

Hi Jassmine,

I have a manageable TBR this year as I know that I will not get through all the books that I would like to read.

[Jassmine]

Michelle Hyland wrote: "Hi Jassmine,

I have a manageable TBR this year as I know that I will not get through all the books that I would like to read."

I mean, I usually have a bit longer TBR on purpose so I can pick based on a mood a bit. And also usually, what I don't manage to get to in October I space out into the rest of the year, so that works pretty well for me.

I already have my tbr, but didn't have time to share it in the group yet, hope to do it soon!

[Kathy]

I couldn't wait so I've already started over the weekend and am currently reading:


Brief Lives: Elizabeth Gaskell by Alan Shelston, a short biography
Phineas Finn by Anthony Trollope on audio; a re-read for me

And tonight I'll start:
The Heir of Redclyffe by Charlotte Mary Yonge

[Lindenblatt]

Victober, here we are 🥳

I have started with three books by Elizabeth Gaskell:
- The Letters of Mrs. Gaskell
- Ruth
- North and South (re-read on audio)

Happy reading!

[Michelle Hyland]

Hi everyone,

Happy 1st day of Victober.
I started reading "The Warden" by Anthony Trollope today.
What are you all reading?

[Michelle Hyland]

Lindenblatt wrote: "Victober, here we are 🥳

I have started with three books by Elizabeth Gaskell:
- The Letters of Mrs. Gaskell
- Ruth
- North and South (re-read on audio..."

Mrs. Gaskell is fantastic. Enjoy.

[Michelle Hyland]

Kathy wrote: "I couldn't wait so I've already started over the weekend and am currently reading:


Brief Lives: Elizabeth Gaskell by Alan Shelston, a short biography
Phineas Finn by..."

Hi Kathy,

Happy Victober.

I will be interested in reading your thoughts on "The Heir."

[Jassmine]

@Linda: I'm kind of envious of your Elizabeth Gaskell binge. I have Mary Barton on my this years TBR (yes, again, I had it there last year too), but I am not sure that I will actually get to it...

[Mourad]

Reading/Re-reading for Victober:

New Grub StreetThe Prisoner of ZendaThe Princess and the GoblinNorth and SouthKimThe Master of Ballantrae and Weir of Hermiston

[Mourad]

Reading/re-reading for Victober

1.) New Grub Street by George Gissing

2.) The Master of Ballantrae by Robert Louis Stevenson

3.) Kim by Rudyard Kipling

4.) The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald

5.) News from Nowhere by William Morris

6.) The Prisoner of Zenda by Anthony Hope

[Michelle Hyland]

Mourad wrote: "Reading/re-reading for Victober

1.) New Grub Street by George Gissing

2.) The Master of Ballantrae by Robert Louis Stevenson

3.) Kim by Rudyard Kipling

4.) The Princess and the Goblin by Geor..."

Hi Mourad,

I like your different choices. I haven't read any of these so I look forward to your reviews.

[Jassmine]

I finished reading Gloriana, or the Revolution of 1900 few days ago and now I finally got to writing a review for it. It doesn't really fit that well with any of this year's challenges (I guess you could use it for the religion prompts because religion is mentioned a bit and looking back on it, Gloriana is kind of a prophet figure), but it's still definitely a read I recommend if feminist fiction is something that interests you.

Here's my review if you are interested: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The audio is available on LibriVox, the link is in my review.

[Maxine]

Currently reading Armadale by Wilkie Collins, hoping to finish it by tomorrow!!

[Michelle Hyland]

Maxine wrote: "Currently reading Armadale by Wilkie Collins, hoping to finish it by tomorrow!!"

Hi Maxine,

I look forward to reading your thoughts on this.

[Jassmine]

I started Mrs. Warren's Profession, another book I had on my TBR last year but didn't get to. I'm about third in and it's okay so far. I mean, it's not an Oscar Wilde play, what can I say?

[Sandybeth]

Hello everyone who isn’t on Discord. I am reading The Turning of the Screw at the moment. It has been in my shelf for years, so a brilliant excuse to read it. I have tried to get on Discord but none of the links seem to work and I have never used it before. So I am staying here on Goodreads as I know it and will be happy to chat to myself if needed.

[Maxine]

I just finished reading Armadale by Wilkie Collins, and I absolutely loved it! While I prefer The Moonstone over The Woman in White, I’m torn between The Moonstone and Armadale—both are fantastic in their own right.

I’m currently reading Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell and am really enjoying it so far. I hope my Victober reading continues to be filled with great finds!

[Theresa]

I have started Victober with The Sign of Four.

[Theresa]

Sandybeth wrote: "Hello everyone who isn’t on Discord. I am reading The Turning of the Screw at the moment. It has been in my shelf for years, so a brilliant excuse to read it. I have tried to get on Discord but non..."

I am not a fan of Discord. I got on and then I couldn't get back on and I tried to change passwords and everything. Months later I tried again and got on but it is very confusing to me. We had great discussions here last year but I think we are all just getting started.

[Lindenblatt]

Maxine wrote: "I just finished reading Armadale by Wilkie Collins, and I absolutely loved it! While I prefer The Moonstone over The Woman in White, I’m torn between The Moonstone and Armadale—both are fantastic i..."

Maxine, The Moonstone is also my favourite Wilkie Collins so far, so your comment raises my interest in Armadale again. I was shying away from it because of the villainous main character. I am afraid that I won't like her and, in consequence, the book neither. Was that an issue for you at all? The books are probably very different from each other, or not?

[Jassmine]

I finished Mrs. Warren's Profession and I have to say that I am a bit disappointed. It's not that it was bad, but I expected more from it.

I didn't really write much else in my review, but here, if you are interested: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I listened to the Dramatized audio from LibriVox and it was quite good, especially the narrators for Vivi and Mrs. Warren were pretty fabulous, you can find it here: https://librivox.org/mrs-warrens-prof...

[Maxine]

Lindenblatt wrote: "Maxine wrote: "I just finished reading Armadale by Wilkie Collins, and I absolutely loved it! While I prefer The Moonstone over The Woman in White, I’m torn between The Moonstone and Armadale—both ..."

Lindenblatt, I find the villain in Armadale particularly intriguing. Her characterization is so layered, making for a fascinating discussion on the concept of the "femme fatale". In general, I view The Moonstone as more of a cozy mystery, while Armadale leans toward a thriller or suspense vibe. Much like The Woman in White, Armadale evokes a sense of dread through most of its scenes, but I highly recommend it despite its length. For what it’s worth, I found it to be a fast read—there are rarely any dull moments!

[Michelle Hyland]

Maxine wrote: "I just finished reading Armadale by Wilkie Collins, and I absolutely loved it! While I prefer The Moonstone over The Woman in White, I’m torn between The Moonstone and Armadale—both are fantastic i..."

Hi Maxine,

Me too. Isn't it lovely.

[Michelle Hyland]

Lindenblatt wrote: "Maxine wrote: "I just finished reading Armadale by Wilkie Collins, and I absolutely loved it! While I prefer The Moonstone over The Woman in White, I’m torn between The Moonstone and Armadale—both ..."

Hello,

I still await my copy of "The Moonstone." Hopefully it will arrive soon. Has anyone watched the TV adaptation?

[Lorri]

Michelle Hyland wrote: "Lindenblatt wrote: "Maxine wrote: "I just finished reading Armadale by Wilkie Collins, and I absolutely loved it! While I prefer The Moonstone over The Woman in White, I’m torn between The Moonston..."

Hi, Michelle. I am watching The Moonstone miniseries with my husband. We've been watching one 44-min. episode every night for the past three nights. We are really enjoying it. (We read the novel in 2022.) 3 down and 2 to go!

[Lorri]

I started Victober with The Notting Hill Mystery. I found out about this book by reading Katie's review of it on Goodreads. This fits Marissa's challenge for series. This Kindle version is divided into the original 8 sections with illustrations. My husband and I are reading one section per day and will finish tomorrow. (It is only 127 pages in total.) This novel also fits Katie's challenge for form. The form is very much like The Moonstone. An Assurance investigator gathers and presents all the depositions, journals, letters, etc. to find the truth behind an unusual death.
Edited for clarity.

[Lorri]

I read three pieces of poetry by Elizabeth and William Gaskell. The poems: Bran, The Scholar’s Story, and Sketches Among the Poor are all written in couplets and based on legends or stories of the past. I'm not sure they qualify for Kate's challenge of religion, but I had to read some Gaskell! I enjoyed them and how Mrs. Gaskelll's Christian worldview shines through.

[Lindenblatt]

Maxine wrote: "Lindenblatt wrote: "Maxine wrote: "I just finished reading Armadale by Wilkie Collins, and I absolutely loved it! While I prefer The Moonstone over The Woman in White, I’m torn between The Moonston..."

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Maxine. I struggle with villaineous or "not-so-likeable" main characters, but I do enjoy most of Collins' writing. I found No Name equally gripping and fast-paced as you describe it for Armadale and I enjoyed that one a lot, even though Magdalen was not the most likeable character. So I'll have to give Armadale a try next time.

[Michelle Hyland]

Lorri wrote: "Michelle Hyland wrote: "Lindenblatt wrote: "Maxine wrote: "I just finished reading Armadale by Wilkie Collins, and I absolutely loved it! While I prefer The Moonstone over The Woman in White, I’m t..."

Hi Lorri,

Thank you. I started reading it yesterday and I am enjoying it so far. The man reading Robinson Crusoe which is the cure for everything is hilarious.

[Michelle Hyland]

Good morning everyone,

I am really enjoying "Victober" this year. I think that is owing to my choice of books "The Warden", "The Moonstone," "Cranford" and the Tenant of Wildfell Hall."

These are such easy books to read and not too taxing. I might add something by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle for Alice. Any suggestions are welcome.

[Michelle Hyland]

I have noticed on my reread of "Cranford" that there are quite a few xenophobic/racist comments regarding Catholics, Muslims and the Irish.

Perhaps it is the fear of "the other" as the community is insular.

I haven't noticed this before. Has any else picked up on this?