Never too Late to Read Classics discussion

Nonfiction Schedule for 2021:

January / February -- Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass (Honor of Black History Month in the USA - February)

March / April -- Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin (Honor of Jazz Appreciation Month in the USA - April)

May / June -- Goodbye to All That by Robert Graves (Honor of V-E Day May 8th, 1945 & D-Day June 6th, 1944)

July / August -- A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush by Eric Newby (Leaving Europe...)

September / October -- Voodoo in New Orleans by Robert Tallant (Honor of Halloween and other related cultural holidays in October)

November / December -- Travels with a Donkey in the Cévennes by Robert Louis Stevenson (Returning to Europe.)

Since the topic is nonfiction, I decided to coordinate some of the chosen reads with major events or observations. Exciting and informative reads for next year!

(Planning that helped form schedule below.)
Welcome to all those who enjoy nonfiction classics or want to see what those works have to offer. We now need to work on our planning for next year. Some titles previously suggested for last year will be listed here quite soon. If you would like to suggest any of those titles, the title will count as a new suggestion that will need to be seconded. Feel free to suggest any other titles. You are certainly not limited to titles that have been mentioned before but not covered by the group.

Titles should be at least 50 years old for the original publication date. Remember that nonfiction is still being treated as a bi-monthly group read.

NOTE: PLEASE consider your suggestion wisely. ONLY ONE suggestion per genre / topic for each member will be considered. This will allow a wider variety of suggestions from all Members interested. The Member Wish List threads will close on October 30th.

Suggestions:
Travels with a Donkey in the Cévennes by Robert Louis Stevenson -- Lesle. Second -- Kathy. Third -- Georgina.

A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush by Eric Newby -- Georgina. Second -- Jacquie.

Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin -- Kathy. Second -- Lesle. Third -- Georgina.

That Quail, Robert by Margaret A. Stanger Second -- Kathy.

A Lady's Life in the Rocky Mountains by Isabella Lucy Bird

Voodoo in New Orleans by Robert Tallant -- Samantha. Second -- Lesle.

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass Second -- Kathy. Third -- Samantha.

Goodbye to All That by Robert Graves Second -- Kathy. Third -- Pam. Fourth -- Bernard.

I would like to suggest:
Travels with a Donkey in the Cévennes by Robert Louis Stevenson (1879) 156 pages

The Scottish writer’s hike in the French mountains with a donkey is a pioneering classic in outdoor literature – and as influential as his fiction.

That sounds good, Lesle. I'll second.

That does sound interesting, I’ll third that.

Can I suggest A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush by Eric Newby 1958 256 pages

i second A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush byEric Newby

Jacquie wrote: "i second A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush byEric Newby"

Thank you :)

Samantha how many are we looking for?

Here is a list of suggestions we have read a few:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Lesle, as a bimonthly read we will have 6 titles in the final list for 2021. It'd be great to see a solid 10-12 suggested at least. This topic may see a poll next month.

Here is the planning thread from last year that we used titles for 2020. Plenty were suggested, and those read are listed at the top.

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

Feel free to suggest titles from the threads Lesle and I posted here or other titles!

I’d like to suggest Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin.

Carol wrote: "That Quail, Robert by Margaret A. Stanger..."

Carol suggested this last year and I highly recommend.

That Quail, Robert by Margaret A. Stanger

Another one to consider that Kathy brought to light some time ago is A Lady's Life in the Rocky Mountains by Isabella Lucy Bird

Kathy wrote: "I’d like to suggest Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin."

I would really like to second this one, thank you Kathy!

Kathy wrote: "I’d like to suggest Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin."

I'll third this one

I’ll update the suggestions list hopefully by this afternoon or this evening. Y’all keep them coming! Don’t be shy to ask for what you’re interested in. You never know if someone else may be interested in that topic, too.

Updated as of 8pm CDT. 10/12/2020.

My own suggestion: Voodoo in New Orleans by Robert Tallant

Rosemarie has backed this read several times

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass

Goodbye to All That by Robert Graves written in 1929 about his life and thoughts. Looks very interesting.

I’ll second Frederick Douglas

Updated 12:30 pm CDT 10/14/2020.

Few activity so far with suggestions and seconds. You're invited to read classic nonfiction titles with us next year! Anything you would like to suggest or second that's already been mentioned? New suggestions are also welcome.

Only short of two weeks to go for 2021 planning! Are there any nonfiction classic titles you would like to maybe read next year? The planning thread is still open for suggestions of titles listed here or linked from previous posts or your own suggestions. You may also offer seconds or further for suggestions already given.

Lesle wrote: "Goodbye to All That by Robert Graves written in 1929 about his life and thoughts. Looks very interesting."

I’ll second this.

I will 3rd Goodbye to All That.

A fourth vote for Mister Graves.

Updated 5pm CDT 10/22/2020 .

We have a solid 4 titles for next year. Some others haven't received seconds. Nonfiction is still up for suggestions! If there is a nonfiction classic you'd like to read for next year, feel free to suggest it. Anyone may still second or further any books already suggested. We need 6 titles for next year.

If I have too many seconds and suggestions, just disregard this, Samantha.

I second That Quail, Robert

If you need one more I will second the Voodoo in New Orleans

Nonfiction Schedule for 2021:

January / February -- Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass (Honor of Black History Month in the USA - February)

March / April -- Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin (Honor of Jazz Appreciation Month in the USA - April)

May / June -- Goodbye to All That by Robert Graves (Honor of V-E Day May 8th, 1945 & D-Day June 6th, 1944)

July / August -- A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush by Eric Newby (Leaving Europe...)

September / October -- Voodoo in New Orleans by Robert Tallant (Honor of Halloween and other related cultural holidays in October)

November / December -- Travels with a Donkey in the Cévennes by Robert Louis Stevenson (Returning to Europe.)

Since the topic is nonfiction, I decided to coordinate some of the chosen reads with major events or observations. Exciting and informative reads for next year!

The schedule looks great, Samantha. Thanks!

You’re welcome, Kathy! I’m looking forward to an great year with our nonfiction classics.

I will be reading Adieux: A Farewell to Sartre by Simone de Beauvoir