2015: The Year of Reading Women discussion

Passing is great and Quicksand is phenomenal and the fact that she was forced to stop writing is a tragedy.

Both are on my list for 2015.

I would love to read both the books Aubrey mentioned.

I should re-read these; it's been ages.

Definitely up for a team read. Both are fairly short and quick reads.

When works and who else is up for some Nella Larsen?

I'm up for both, and anytime that's good for everyone else can work for me.

Quicksand sounds fantastic! I would love to read this book.

Anytime after January is good for me at the moment.

Both have been on my list for awhile.

I would love to read both as well (preferably in order of publication, Quicksand then Passing). Perhaps in March or April?

Hi Steph, that works for me.

Works for me as well.

Fine for me. March or April?

I vote for March, as April suddenly looks quite full!

Okay, down for March. Both?

March works.

They look intriguing. I would love to fit them in, or may just lurk.

OK, so we'll start the read on March 1 -- should we plan for it to last 3 weeks? That would be 2 weeks for Quicksand and 1 week for Passing. Does that sound good, or do you want to try to complete the read in 2 weeks instead?

That sounds good to me. If others want to do it in two weeks (I know how you read, Kris) that's okay.

I've begun Quicksand and it's wonderful. Has anyone started yet?

Where is the discussion thread, Cynthia? I'm picking up the book today.

I have this book now on my Kobo. About to begin reading.

I would love to join in but I have too many books started!

Rowena wrote: "Where is the discussion thread, Cynthia? I'm picking up the book today."

I guess it hasn't started, Rowena. Maybe Kris will have a hand in it.

Cynthia, et al: Kris has been MIA from this group for some time (she posted a while back in the group lounge about being ill), so anyone should feel free to start their own threads. I think a few groups were lagging waiting on her, because she was the ringleader for quite a few of the scheduled reads... but there is no reason why any group member can't start the thread on their own! The show must go on, and all that jazz.

Here's to Kris feeling better and being back amongst us as soon as she can.

missed this thread! I've lately read Passing and am keen for Quicksand but not ready yet! Will have to be a latecomer...

Um I have made a thread for Quicksand? Let me know if it's wrong
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I ordered a copy and will begin when it arrives

Zanna wrote: "Um I have made a thread for Quicksand? Let me know if it's wrong
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/..."

looks good; I just added the book link to the thread.

if you haven't, just be sure to add the book to the group's shelves.

has a date been finalized on these? may join in myself, depending on the group read dates.

I added the book to the shelf referenced to L discussion and marked it as currently reading - some members have already started but I haven't

for those who've begun, what are the dates for Q and what are the dates for P?

Zanna wrote: "Um I have made a thread for Quicksand? Let me know if it's wrong
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I ordered a copy and will begin when it arrives"

Thanks for creating the discussion thread, Zanna! I'd actually forgotten about this group read. I just picked up the book yesterday evening and I hope to begin reading it either tomorrow or on Saturday. Looking forward to the discussion!

:-)

Still waiting on the dates, folks... Anyone?

Proustitute wrote: "Still waiting on the dates, folks... Anyone?"

I just read Kris's comment above and it looks like the plan was to read both Larsen's novels this month. I probably won't be able to do so, so I propose reading "Passing" in April if that's good with everyone?

Thanks Rowena! I guess I assumed there was a new plan since the month has already begun. I'll have to pass as well if this read has already begun.

You're welcome, were you hoping to read "Quicksand", "Passing", or both? We could always postpone the reading of "Passing" until later in the year. I'll let others weigh in. I'm fine with anything at this point:)

Likely both, but starting with Quicksand because --
If memory serves me correctly from when I last read these two novellas -- it makes sense to read them in that order. They're not connected but it may be the chronology of the dates they were written; I can't recall.

I'm kind of overloaded with books and review deadlines this month, so probably wouldn't get to them in March. But please don't let me hinder anyone starting! These are very short, one-hour reads: we can all read them on our own. I tend to use much longer reads for group company myself. :)

Actually, my bad: looks like Passing is first. I don't know why I thought otherwise.

According to Mae Henderson's critical foreword to Passing, Quicksand was published the year before in 1928. I think it has generally been the better regarded of the two, perhaps the confusion thus arises?

I have already read Passing and reviewed it here.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I wish I could read books like this in an hour! It took me 3 days, about 10 hours reading time, including the long foreword

Zanna wrote: "According to Mae Henderson's critical foreword to Passing, Quicksand was published the year before in 1928. I think it has generally been the better regarded of the two, perhaps the confusion thus ..."

Likely. Most editions also seem to have placed Quicksand last, probably for the same reason -- and it may be best to end with it for that reason. you're right.

Is April 1st as a starting point for Passing good for everyone? basically we'd be shifting the group read a month, looks like.

Yes, April 1 works well for me.

I've already started Quicksand but I'll put off Passing until April.

Ah, I see Rowena has finished Quicksand, so seems it's every reader for him- or herself! That's fine; as I said, these are quick reads—and very wonderful. Look forward to re-reading them myself sometime during the YoRW!

Proustitute wrote: "Ah, I see Rowena has finished Quicksand, so seems it's every reader for him- or herself! That's fine; as I said, these are quick reads—and very wonderful. Look forward to re-reading them myself som..."

Wonderful is indeed the word! I'm looking forward to the discussion and to April's reading of Passing.

I'm lost, hah! I thought as we said above we would start with Passing! But it's all good: I'll just re-read this on my own.

Oh, I must be confused too! So we'll read and discuss Passing in April, correct?