Around the Year in 52 Books discussion

Now that you found your buddy or buddies here, let's talk organization!

You are totally free to set your own schedule, but you need to discuss it and all agree with it. It's a shame to start something this great with a grudge because you didn't agree ;)

You need to discuss several things:
- when you want to start
- frequency of discussions: daily, every 3 days, weekly, etc.
- page count: 10, 20, 50 for each discussions, or go by number of chapters
- questions or discussion topics: you can discuss the book freestyle, or one of you comes up with questions, or do it in turns, as you prefer.

Here's a few examples of schedules:
- we absolutely want to read this book in a week, so we divide its page count by 7.
- we pledge to read 20 pages per day during the week and 50 pages per day during the week-end.
- we plan to check in everyday with our buddies, or every 3 days, or every week, because we're not always glued to our computers.

I thought one organization topic for everybody would suffice, but if it becomes too anarchic, we can definitely create separate topics for groups.

However, as said in the first topic, the discussions about the book will be carried out in the book topic in the A-Z folders , to let other people participate.

If you have any questions about the general stuff of buddy reads, don't forget the topic Info, rules and FAQ is here to help you!

So, my War and Peace buddies! How do we want to tackle this behemoth?

My thoughts ... I want to start this ASAP, because it's going to take a loooooong time. I'm looking at my physical copy of the book, and it's broken down into volumes, then books, and then chapters. The problem with my copy, is that the pages aren't numbered as they would normally be, and the numbering starts again at the beginning of each volume (which is irritating).

Volume I (Books I - V) 554 pages
Volume II (Books VI - X) 545 pages
Volume III (Books XI - XV + 2x epilogues) 548 pages

Does a volume per month feel doable? Or a fortnight? It's sitting on my desk beside me, and I already feel like it's laughing at me, but I don't want to take it too slowly.

I can update this first message with our group thoughts and decisions. :)

I've just downloaded an ebook verison but the page numbering is even more confusing. It's like it can only count to 25 or less and then starts over. So if we appproach it the way you suggest, maybe you could tell me how many books there are in each volume.

I kind of feel like three months to read it is a long time, but then again it is a long book.

When would it suit you guys starting it?

It does feel like a long time, but so many pages, and the text is so tiny! I'll update the first post with the number of books in each volume. :)

I'm happy to start any time. I'm planning on doing it by audiobook so hopefully that makes it less daunting? Maybe?

I hope you all like it! I read it a few years ago. As long as it was, I was upset when it ended!

Just checked out an e-copy from the library :) I'm good to start whenever!

So what do you say, ladies... should we start reading our new favorite book?

Ok, I just ordered a copy. It should be here in a couple of days. I'm ready to start whenever. I do think we should take it slow though so we still have lots of time to read other things :)

I'm definitely in the "take our time" camp. I think with a book so long & complex it's going to be hard to find a pace that will fit everyone, but I think a buddy read will still work, as moral support for this beast will be wonderful!

It's been years since I've read it, and I think if I did it as a group I'd be willing to give it another go... if it's not too late to join your party! Is there a time frame yet? FYI I'm a fast reader but I also tend to read several books at once, so I'm pretty flexible.

ps. my copy is the old Barnes and Noble Classics Paperback, 695 pages. Best I can tell it's this version. War & Peace



So anyway, count me in if you're ok with adding one more!

I just put it on hold at my library earlier today.

Not too late at all, Jenna! Join us - the more the merrier! Shall we start as soon as Erica & Katie's copies arrive?

Sounds good to me! Mine will be here tomorrow :) I'm excited to have support for this one. I loved Anna Karenina when I read it years ago but I've put off this for so long.

I think I'll start this week, but I'm trying to read it in English so it might be a good idea if I get a little head start.

Thanks friends! I'm actually looking forward to this now that I'm not in it alone! Sounds good re: start date, better get ready! :D

Jody wrote: "So, my War and Peace buddies! How do we want to tackle this behemoth?

My thoughts ... I want to start this ASAP, because it's going to take a loooooong time. I'm looking at my physical ..."

So how do we handle the fact we don't all have the same edition? I like the volume idea, I guess page length is determined by print size, etc... so that might be the most reliable method...

O_o

Should we aim for 2-3 weeks for Volume I, and see how that pace suits us all? I feel we can be pretty flexible with our group. :)

That GIF is hilarious!

Sounds great to me!

I thought it was appropriate :p

My copy is all one volume, broken into "parts" (books?) then roman numeral chapters. Not confusing at all lol.

Maybe we all read it for a week, and check in when we can to see how we're all going?

Sounds good to me. I'm good with us starting now. No need to wait.

Ok mine is here, but no mention of volumes. Mine is broken into Books (1-4 plus epilogue), which are broken into Parts, which are broken into chapters...Book 1 part 1 has 25 chapters, if that's any help...

Ok, it seems your Books, Jodie, are equivalent to my Parts.

Katie wrote: "Sounds good to me. I'm good with us starting now. No need to wait."

I'm starting tomorrow!

Erica wrote: "Ok mine is here, but no mention of volumes. Mine is broken into Books (1-4 plus epilogue), which are broken into Parts, which are broken into chapters...Book 1 part 1 has 25 chapters, if that's any..."

I'm considering parts 1-5 to be the first volume as seems to line up with Jody's copy.

Ok, so my Book I has 140 pages in total, and 28 chapters. So that almost lines up with Erica's. I'm going to aim for that by Monday. Here goes nothing!

You know what? After reading Jody's intro for the topic discussion, I think I'm going to read this beast with you. I know that if I don't have the motivational element of the group I will never read it in my life, and I'd like to be able to say: I read War and Peace ;)

Even before reading, choosing witch kindle version to buy was a struggle. I looked for 5 different English version before realizing I would do better reading it in French. Thankfully there were fewer different versions...

I will read this one with you. I had planned to read it later this year, but with a group like this I think it will be more fun. My Kindle version is very strange in the table of contents so I may have to figure out exactly where we are reading. The beginning of the book will of course not be a problem. Looking forward to this!

I wouldn't read it if wasn't for this buddy read either :)
I'm a little confused with the pages, books, chapters and what else, so I think I'll just start reading it, and then we'll see how it goes.
I've found an English version online which I'll try first, but I might switch over to Danish if it's to much of a struggle.

It really is iconic, isn't it? There's just something about this book that makes me want to be able to say "I've read this!" more than any other book in the world. I'm glad to be reading it along with you all!

Jody wrote: "It really is iconic, isn't it? There's just something about this book that makes me want to be able to say "I've read this!" more than any other book in the world. I'm glad to be reading it along w..."

Absolutely... It's really a MUST read book.
I look forward to talk about it as we read it!

Jody wrote: "So, my War and Peace buddies! How do we want to tackle this behemoth?

My thoughts ... I want to start this ASAP, because it's going to take a loooooong time. I'm looking at my physical ..."

I like this schedule, it is about 18 pages per day (if I use 1/1/2017 as a start date) and that seems doable with my other reading.

I am so excited to be reading this with such a good group. I have been feeling like I need to read Russian literature, but was totally unmotivated. The buddy read has given me the motivation. I'm also wondering about which translation is best. I guess I'll just see what comes in from the library, haha.

I'll start this weekend and see how far I get. I may end up trailing behind a little bit -- juggling some other required reading right now, but this buddy read totally has me motivated!

I started talking to someone at work about it and he said War and Peace is one of his favorite books. "It's only the middle that gets a bit dry." By middle, he meant the middle SIX HUNDRED PAGES ... hahah.

Hey all! Well I'm totally shocked... I read 18 chapters today.

And.... It's actually GOOD! :D

I wrote a formal update in the A-Z post spot, but wanted to check in here too. I'll be working overnights this weekend so I have to get my reading in now. It was far more enjoyable than I'd hoped, and I think I'll be able to get to the end of chapter 28 by Monday. The chapters are actually relatively short, which makes it feel slightly less intimidating :)

Hope everyone else had/has an enjoyable start as well!

I have the Oxford World's Classics Edition, which is a revised version of the Maude translation. Starting now :)

Okay you ladies convinced me to read this as well. I downloaded the Maude version for kindle last night but have not started it yet.

I think this book is going to send me blind. The text is so teeny! I might have to relent and download it instead.

Or use a magnifying glass haha

My transition to Granny would be complete then! Well, I only got through 83 pages, not the 140 that I'd hoped, but I'm finding it very readable! A lot of characters (although I'm sure I've read that there are over 500 characters in the book, so it's a drop in the ocean so far), but I'm surviving!

How's everyone else going?

Hey friends! So here's my Sunday update... I downloaded the Maude version on kindle purely for reference, so I'd have something to compare to my version for location accuracy. From what I can tell, what the Maude calls "books", my translation calls "parts". So I've finished Part 1/Book 1 (20 chapters) and Part 2/Book 2 (11 chapters). So far so good! I'll post a more intellectual update in the A-Z discussion thread but just wanted to let you know where I had gotten to :)

Oof! I need to get a move on! I'm still stuck on the second chapter.

For Team Tracy & Ali read Rebecca:
I think I'd prefer to start on Sunday. I wanted to wrap up the book I'm currently reading first. '
There's 27 chapters in the book. We could do three total check-ins every 9 chapters or more frequently if you like.

Hello Ulysses readers! I have created a suggested reading schedule we could follow to read from now until the end of the year. Not all the episodes are of equal length. Feel free to make suggestions on the schedule!


Aug 27 - Sept 2
Part I. The Telemachiad
▪ Episode 1. Telemachus,
▪ Episode 2. Nestor,
▪ Episode 3. Proteus,

Sept 3-9
Part II. The Wanderings of Ulysses
▪ Episode 4. Calypso,
▪ Episode 5. Lotus-Eaters,

Sept 10-16
▪ Episode 6. Hades,

Sept 17-23
▪ Episode 7. Aeolus,

Sept 24-30
▪ Episode 8. Lestrygonians,

Oct 1-7
▪ Episode 9. Scylla & Charybdis,

Oct 8-14
▪ Episode 10. The Wandering Rocks,

Oct 15-21
▪ Episode 11. Sirens

Oct 22-28
▪ Episode 12. Cyclops

Oct 29 - Nov 4
▪ Episode 13. Nausicaa

Nov 5-11
▪ Episode 14. Oxen of the Sun

Nov 12 - Dec 2
▪ Episode 15. Circe

Dec 3-9
Part III. The Homecoming
▪ Episode 16. Eumaeus

Dec 10-16
▪ Episode 17. Ithaca

Dec 17-31
▪ Episode 18. Penelope

Michelle- Thanks for coming up w a Ulysses reading schedule! I’m reading a library book so I can’t spread it out that long. I will probably need to renew it a few times, though. But, don’t base the schedule on me! I’ll take notes on sections as I go.

I think the schedule is great, though I'm hoping to read it a little faster. We don't all have to keep the exact same schedule, but it will be great to have support reading it together. I'm going to go create a post for it in the A-Z folders. I'll be excited to see who is brave enough to actually start first, haha.

I'm in for Ulysses. I took it off my ATY list, but it is still on my Crazy 88 list! I hope to read it on the faster side (like ripping a Band-Aid off). I think that is the only way I will muddle through. I've read 40 pages, but have stopped for the read-a-thon. I look forward to being cheered on and to cheering my fellow readers along on their Ulysses quest.

We could double up the reading speed if everyone prefers to read faster. After the readathon I could come up with a revised speedier schedule. I’ll take it slow for now because I don’t want to be reading only Ulysses during the Readathon lol!

I think your schedule looks great. My hope is to read it faster, but reality shows that most people take a while to get through the dang thing!

Ok..... I loaded this onto my kindle a few days ago. When is everyone starting? After the read a thon?? I'll try but I'm going to need max support so I don't bail lmao.