Reading Envy Readers discussion

There are ten sections and even though they aren't necessarily the same lengths, it felt like two a week would be a tidy readalong. Get your book now and jump in on August 29!

Week of August 29 - I, II
Week of September 5 - III, IV
Week of September 11 - V, VI
Week of September 18 - VII, VIII
Week of September 25 - IX, X
Week of October 2 - Discussion hour!

I am in!!

I enjoyed this book a few years ago and look forward to the discussions.

I picked it up from the library this morning.

Isabel (kittiwake) wrote: "I picked it up from the library this morning."

Oh good!

Karin wrote: "I am in!!"

Woohoo!

Gail wrote: "I enjoyed this book a few years ago and look forward to the discussions."

That's when I bought it and it has been taunting me ever since! That was like the year of tree books.

I’m so thankful to everyone who voted for this book. I thought I wanted to read something else, but as soon as I downloaded a copy of this and opened it to take a look, I realized it’s exactly what I want to read. A lot of pages though . . . especially during the second to last week. I guess falling behind a little bit would not be the end of the world.

Sometimes with group reads I find reading ahead stops me from being able to make comments on the assigned sections since having read ahead, I already know too much. But in this the sections seem separate enough for reading ahead to not really matter. This doesn’t look like a thriller with big unexpected plot twists—(???) So starting now and reading as far ahead as possible might be a good way to deal with all the pages!

Just got a paper copy but I think I'll use an Audible credit and double dip. Looking forward to it. Sounds good!

Alice wrote: "I’m so thankful to everyone who voted for this book. I thought I wanted to read something else, but as soon as I downloaded a copy of this and opened it to take a look, I realized it’s exactly what..."

I know those sections are so uneven! But it felt weird to break it up some other way.

I'll put up some of the discussion weeks now in case you read ahead, and you can just discuss with yourself until others join you. :)

Jeff wrote: "Just got a paper copy but I think I'll use an Audible credit and double dip. Looking forward to it. Sounds good!"

I listened to the preview. The narrator goes back and forth between Narrator Voice and Actor Voice so I'm not sure I can do it. 25 hours.... PHEW. But I hope you enjoy!

It reminds me how much we learned about the fur companies in 4th grade. I haven't thought about them in a long time but there are a few historic ritzy homes in Portland built by people who made their money in the fur trade, which I visited as a kid.... memories!

Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "I'll put up some of the discussion weeks now in case you read ahead, and you can just discuss with yourself until others join you. :)"

While I might, ahem, be capable of discussing with myself, it wouldn't be very fun! ;) And besides, it does look like the ten sections are distinct enough from one another to make the point moot.

Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "Jeff wrote: "Just got a paper copy but I think I'll use an Audible credit and double dip. Looking forward to it. Sounds good!"

It reminds me how much we learned about the fur companies in 4th grade. I haven't thought about them in a long time but there are a few historic ritzy homes in Portland built by people who made their money in the fur trade, which I visited as a kid.... memories!"

I just got my paper copy today. What a chunk! I think this book will depressingly remind me of the Big Woods, the northern portion of which was near where I live.

Hi Jenny and Karin and everybody else! I’m going to try to do this with you. Of course, like everyone else, I’m overextended with reading projects. But I’m committed. I’ve had the book sitting on my shelf since it came out. I have the Powell’s Indiespensible Edition which I love. And now I’m going to rip the plastic off it and start reading!!

I'm about 100 pages in, and the characters and story are sucking me right in. Maybe the fact that it's been sitting on my shelf for so many years looking so heavy kept me thinking that it would be a ponderous read. Nope! This book really moves - the writing goes down smooth and the chapters are short without feeling like there's too much hopping around. I'm very happy to finally be reading it!

Just picked up my copy again. I had started a couple days ago and got distracted by a different book. After the first three pages I wasn’t sure, but suddenly I’m 20 pages in and I think I’m going to enjoy this! Looking forward to discussing with you all. 😀

I started last night and 40 pages in with chapter 5 as my next chapter I am hooked. Annie Proux is so good with character and place and I'm not sure if I will be able to ration my reading.

Bryn wrote: "Hi Jenny and Karin and everybody else! I’m going to try to do this with you. Of course, like everyone else, I’m overextended with reading projects. But I’m committed. I’ve had the book sitting on m..."

Tell me more about this Indispensable edition thing!

Andrew wrote: "I started last night and 40 pages in with chapter 5 as my next chapter I am hooked. Annie Proux is so good with character and place and I'm not sure if I will be able to ration my reading."

Fly away, read however works for you!

Jenny, Indiespensible is Powell’s Signed First Edition club. Powell’s Bookstore of Portland Oregon. It’s on hiatus now unfortunately. Powells has had serious financial and labor issues since the pandemic. I hope they survive.

Bryn wrote: "Jenny, Indiespensible is Powell’s Signed First Edition club. Powell’s Bookstore of Portland Oregon. It’s on hiatus now unfortunately. Powells has had serious financial and labor issues since the pa..."

I've actually ordered from them at least once from here in SC just because they are so important to me. Fingers crossed.

I've got it on my Kindle (I think it has been there for several years). Started it on Sunday and am up to II. Tempted to get the audible version so that I can stop pretending that I know how to pronounce all the names.

Only started yesterday and I’m on page 33, but totally engrossed so far.

Mina wrote: "I've got it on my Kindle (I think it has been there for several years). Started it on Sunday and am up to II. Tempted to get the audible version so that I can stop pretending that I know how to pro..."

I know some of these French and native names are unknown to me!