The Readers Review: Literature from 1714 to 1910 discussion

It looks as if we have a few people who are interested in a buddy read on A.S. Byatt's "The Children's Book."

It's a rather long book - my Nook version is about 700+ pages, and there are 55 chapters - so it will take awhile to get through. And we will need to take the weeks of Thanksgiving and Christmas off any schedule.

When would you all like to start? October 15? November 1?

How do you think we should break it down? Five chapters a week? More?

We don't need a moderator - whoever finishes first for the week can just get the conversation going.

Discuss. :-)

I am fine with both proposed dates. The only suggestions I have is to break it down roughly according to the number of pages. As I have already mentioned elsewhere, I read the first 150-160 pages before the unexplained reading hiatus and the double transatlantic journey, and the chapters have dramatically different number of pages. Just an idea.

Good idea. Although we'll have to have some connection to chapters because depending on the version, people will have different page numbers: hard cover, paperback, Nook, Kindle, iPad, etc.

I would definitely like a chapter breakdown, because I may listen to an audiobook version. These days I find long books easier to get through by listening rather than reading.

Kim wrote: "I would definitely like a chapter breakdown, because I may listen to an audiobook version. These days I find long books easier to get through by listening rather than reading."

Kim, I apologize for not being able to verbalize my thoughts correctly. I was trying to say that the weekly sections should contain different number of chapters but roughly the same amount of pages. Each section ends when a chapter ends, but some sections might contain 3 chapters while others might cover 4 or 6. I am sorry again. I was not trying to be inconsiderate - I often listen to audio books during the chore times and the workouts, but when it comes the book club reading, I always read an actual book because my audio rental company is somewhat mediocre and does not ship as quickly as I want or ship the books that are at the bottom of my priority list:-)

I will pop in on this buddy read.

I'm looking forward to this one, and will begin whenever it's decided, at any pace. I have nothing but time on my hands!

Zulfiya wrote: "Kim, I apologize for not being able to verbalize my thoughts correctly. I was trying to say that the weekly sections should contain different number of chapters but roughly the same amount of pages. "

Zulfiya, my fault, not yours. I was the one who didn't understand what you meant. lol!

You are right about the lengths of the chapters. I'll look to see the page lengths for each and come up with a tentative schedule based on chapter lengths (sometime Tuesday or Wednesday because I teach an evening class on Mondays in addition to my regular teaching day). So some weeks, we may read 7 chapters, while other weeks, we may read only 3 chapters based on the page lengths.

Sounds as if most people are set to go - why don't we say that we begin the week of October 15.

And I'll type up an email in the next couple of days about the buddy read, and ask Silver if she could send it out to the entire group.

Okay, I figure out how many pages per chapter (these are Nook pages so your versions pages probably are a bit different). And then based on reading approximately 50 pages per week (although because of the way the chapters broke down, one week would have 62 pages), figured out a tentative schedule.

Discuss.

Chapter 1 - 14 pages
Chapter 2 - 13 pages
Chapter 3 - 8 pages
Chapter 4 - 20 pages
Chapter 5 - 14 pages
Chapter 6 - 12 pages
Chapter 7 - 26 pages
Chapter 8 - 7 pages
Chapter 9 - 17 pages
Chapter 10 - 15 pages
Chapter 11 - 12 pages
Chapter 12 - 4 pages
Chapter 13 - 8 pages
Chapter 14 - 5 pages
Chapter 15 - 4 pages
Chapter 16 - 6 pages
Chapter 17 - 11 pages
Chapter 18 - 8 pages
Chapter 19 - 15 pages
Chapter 20 - 13 pages
Chapter 21 - 9 pages
Chapter 22 - 14 pages
Chapter 23 - 16 pages
Chapter 24 - 14 pages
Chapter 25 - 10 pages
Chapter 26 - 11 pages
Chapter 27 - 18 pages
Chapter 28 - 23 pages
Chapter 29 - 9 pages
Chapter 30 - 15 pages
Chapter 31 - 16 pages
Chapter 32 - 22 pages
Chapter 33 - 8 pages
Chapter 34 - 8 pages
Chapter 35 - 11 pages
Chapter 36 - 17 pages
Chapter 37 - 8 pages
Chapter 38 - 4 pages
Chapter 39 - 19 pages
Chapter 40 - 11 pages
Chapter 41 - 18 pages
Chapter 42 - 5 pages
Chapter 43 - 7 pages
Chapter 44 - 12 pages
Chapter 45 - 3 pages
Chapter 46 - 6 pages
Chapter 47 - 14 pages
Chapter 48 - 10 pages
Chapter 49 - 9 pages
Chapter 50 - 2 pages
Chapter 51 - 4 pages
Chapter 52 - 15 pages
Chapter 53 - 5 pages
Chapter 54 - 6 pages
Chapter 55 - 5 pages

Based on those pages, I made the following breakdown:

Week 1 - Chapters 1-4
Week 2 - Chapters 5-7
Week 3 - Chapters 8-11
Week 4 - Chapters 12-18
Week 5 - Chapters 19-22
Week 6 - Chapters 23-26
Week 7 - Chapters 27-28
Week 8 - Chapters 29-32
Week 9 - Chapters 33-37
Week 10 - Chapters 38-41
Week 11 - Chapters 42-47
Week 12 - Chapters 48-55

Gosh - thanks for your hard work Lynn!

Awesome. Thank you so much, lynnm! What a commendable input. And I assume we are taking breaks for Thanksgiving and Christmas. To tell the truth, Thanksgiving is my reading time. There are some familial obligations, but mostly I enjoy more reading opportunities than ever. On the other hand, there are readers from all over the world ...

Not a problem - Nook did most of the work. ;)

And I definitely think that we should take Christmas off. Thanksgiving - I'm fine either way.

This sounds great. I would like to join in. I like Byatt, and have the hard cover version of this book.

Hi Judy- glad you can join us!

Here is the reading schedule with dates. Let me know if it is okay. (NOTE: We (of course) will skip Christmas week).

October 14 - Chapters 1-4
October 21 - Chapters 5-7
October 28 - Chapters 8-11
November 4 - Chapters 12-18
November 11 - Chapters 19-22
November 18 - Chapters 23-26
November 25 - Chapters 27-28
December 2 - Chapters 29-32
December 9 - Chapters 33-37
December 16 - Chapters 38-41
December 30 - Chapters 42-47
January 6 - Chapters 48-55

I'm excited about joining in on this read. I've wanted to read this book for awhile, but just haven't gotten around to it.

Time to blow the dust off the chunky book on my nightstand. Thank you, Lynnm.

I know it is something new for this group, but I think if we keep it under control(I mean if we read the books pertaining to this era - the setting, sequels, novels with the elements of stylization, or non-fiction books about authors), it will probably rekindle the interest and will benefit the group. Hey, post-modernity, you are not very much different from realism. Well, said no one ever;-)

I agree Zulfiya, it could be beneficial if we keep it under control and don't read too many post-moderns at the expense of the real thing:)

I am loth to take my copy off my nightstand because the lovely golden lettering on the spine catches the light of my bedside lamp so beautifully - but I will reluctantly do so on the 15th!

Zulfiya wrote: "I know it is something new for this group, but I think if we keep it under control(I mean if we read the books pertaining to this era - the setting, sequels, novels with the elements of stylization..."

Post-modernism isn't like realism? ;)

I'm one for breaking the rules. The world will not end if we read a current author with a setting in late 19th/early 20th century every now and again rather than an actual book written in the late 19th/early 20th century.

Can't wait to get started...I am looking forward to this book.

I'm in too!

Yay, Deborah! I am impatiently looking forward to it. And the semantic redundancy is just to show how excited I am:-)

I wanted to check out what you would be reading to see if I might join, and to my surprise realized I had already read this book and LOVED it-you are in for a really good read. I might get it from the library again and glance in as it was very much one of those books I would have loved to discuss with someone when I was reading it.

Frances, feel free to pop into the discussions. I just started it and already am hooked.

Last year I read the book, so I won't read it again. But it is one of my favourite. It is not difficult to read, I like it so much I was finished in 4 days.
Have fun!

Looking forward to starting tomorrow!

Deborah, are you going to set up the thread? If you need help, let me know.

Charging my batteries:-)

I jumped the gun- but I am a Sooner!

I will try to set up the thread. Wish me luck as I've never done this.

Well done Deborah!!

MadgeUK wrote: "Well done Deborah!!"

Thanks Madge. But it worked mostly due to the help of Silver and Lynn. However, the Agnes Grey threads I did all on my own (standing very proudly). Hugs to you my friend. I miss our email conversations.

Hugs back - will email shortly:)

Im jumping in on this one! Love Byatt and glad to find others who do! Starting today. . . Ill catch. Always find Byatt hard to put down!! Hope thats all right!

Unlike the rest of you, I just don't readily get caught up by Byatt's writing. This book has been sitting on my TBR for a long time and I had hoped this discussion would pull me into it. Don't know the reasons, will accept for now as just the way it is. Glad to see the enthusiastic discussion here, although I have not followed it 'cause I do still hope to return to the book. Although I'm not one with much concern about knowing a story before reading it, somehow my gut says I'd rather let this one unfold if/when I ever do get to it. If I do, I shall certainly return to these discussions if still accessible.

I know that everybody is busy right now with holiday things. However, it appears the discussion on this book has dried up. Do you guys want me to continue to post the threads? I know I'm still reading the book, but have a feeling I'm the only one out here. Trust me, I'm not criticizing because there have been many a time when I've started and couldn't finish for a variety of reasons. Just let me know about the threads.

Deborah wrote: "I know that everybody is busy right now with holiday things. However, it appears the discussion on this book has dried up. Do you guys want me to continue to post the threads? I know I'm still r..."

I've just seen this post, Deborah. It's a shame the discussion never really got under way because there was lots to discuss. I ended up finishing the book a while ago, but if the discussion is revived at some point, I'll follow it with interest.

Kim wrote: "Deborah wrote: "I know that everybody is busy right now with holiday things. However, it appears the discussion on this book has dried up. Do you guys want me to continue to post the threads? I ..."

I agree. I finished it a while ago too. And thoroughly enjoyed it. But it looks like the whole thing has died a slow death.

Why don't those of you who have read it post to the applicable sections and see if you have a conversation among you? Even though I couldn't stay with it, still seems to me to be a book worthy of some conversations, even if not necessarily profound ones.

Besides, I can't help wondering if it is worth experimenting with creating long term open conversations on books under the umbrella of a board, rather than always trying to set time tables, given the crazy lives most of us lead. (Even if "retired.")

Lily wrote: "Why don't those of you who have read it post to the applicable sections and see if you have a conversation among you? Even though I couldn't stay with it, still seems to me to be a book worthy of ..."

Love the "retired" comment. So true that we have busy lives. It's been several books ago for me (like about 10) so I'm not sure I really have all the details still in my head. I'm sure if discussions were started it would trigger the memories for me,but that's what it would take for me to comment. I like your idea about having long term conversations, but I know I also like having the reading goals for each section. It helps me sometimes to have the goal, and frustrates me sometimes too. Maybe the solution is the way Woman in White has been set up with all the sections out there so people can comment when they can. It would just mean that if you weren't at that section of the book, you shouldn't read that section of comments yet due to possible spoilers.

Deborah wrote: "...I know I also like having the reading goals for each section. It helps me sometimes to have the goal, and frustrates me sometimes too...."

I'm certainly not suggesting doing away with reading goals, just wondering if some mixture is feasible, such as one that might encourage at least some discussions to continue long after reading goals have expired. Don't know -- just expressing what I have sometimes wanted -- maybe someone who got waylaid like myself in a reading to feel comfortable about posting and to have some likelihood that someone else would see a new posting and return for a brief conversation.

Lily wrote: "Deborah wrote: "...I know I also like having the reading goals for each section. It helps me sometimes to have the goal, and frustrates me sometimes too...."

I'm certainly not suggesting doing awa..."

I think your suggestion is a good one. Silver, what do you think?

For any of you still interested in conversations on The Children's Book by A.S. Byatt, you may want to check out the discussion starting on the 21st Century Literature board this month (December 2013).

https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...