2025 & 2026 Reading Challenge discussion

This month we will be reading North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell

This book was nominated by Ilona for our monthly theme Opposites!

When her father leaves the Church in a crisis of conscience, Margaret Hale is uprooted from her comfortable home in Hampshire to move with her family to the north of England. Initially repulsed by the ugliness of her new surroundings in the industrial town of Milton, Margaret becomes aware of the poverty and suffering of the local mill workers and develops a passionate sense of social justice. This is intensified by her tempestuous relationship with the mill-owner and self-made man, John Thornton, as their fierce opposition over his treatment of his employees masks a deeper attraction.

In North and South, Elizabeth Gaskell skillfully fuses individual feeling with social concern, and in Margaret Hale creates one of the most original heroines of Victorian literature.

This is on my list of classics I "should" to get to, so this would be the perfect opportunity - and yet, I'm terrified to commit. I'm not sure I care enough about the plot, time period or storyline to pick it up.

*Sigh* I guess, it's a maybe for now ad I'll see what January brings

I'm not much of a classics person, but this one actually intrigues me, so I'm joining!

I'm not much of a classic romance person, but I read all the group reads I haven't read before. So I'm in and I'll try not to hate it!

SarahKat wrote: "I'm not much of a classic romance person, but I read all the group reads I haven't read before. So I'm in and I'll try not to hate it!"

lol "I'll try not to hate it" - love the attitude :)

This has been in my TBR list for awhile now. Very excited to join my first group read!

Have seen and enjoyed the screen adaptation so time to read the book.

This has been on my shelf for years, glad it was chosen as the group read :)

I’m looking forward to this one. It’s on my list of classics to read in 2023, so I might as well check one off right at the start of the year!

I'll be joining in on this one. At first glance, I thought it would be about the Civil War in the USA. What a surprise to see it is about England!

I’m in!

I loved the mini-series and have had the book for years but haven't gotten around to reading it. I really want to read this one with you all.

Lol. Nope this is not the book by Jakes about the American Civil War. 😂 I didn’t know there was a difference either until a few years ago. This book sounds intriguing! I might join!

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Oh yes, I also thought American Civil War. Fairly recently, I found out differently.

I am not a fan of classics, but I am going to give this a try.

Count me in. This will be my first group read and the first time reading this book (so glad it isn't the Jakes North and South).

I just downloaded the Audio book - this title isn't available at my library (gasp!) I may get the paper copy if the audio isn't doing it for me.

Also, I have been in this group a long time but haven't actively participated. I look forward to participating more this year. :-)

I read this years ago so I think I may join in and reread it. I know I enjoyed the last time I read it, so looking forward to the reread.

I'm joining this group read - I thought I had the book but can't find it so I've got a Kindle copy which I'll read until I can get to the library.

I’ve never heard of this book, but I want to read more classics this year so I’m going to try it. I have a digital copy and checked out the audiobook from the library. I don’t know that I can power through either version 100%, so hoping if I bounce between the two I can finish it

For anyone still looking for a copy; this book is available for free on the website of Project Gutenberg.

Alrighty, my local book store had to order me North and South, but it will be in soon - I’m in! Excited to see how this goes. 🙂

I read it a couple of years ago and I loved it, I read the original version so if I find a copy in Spanish this time I think I'm ready to reread it.

I want to read this but a friend wants to start a buddy read of Middlemarch starting in January - so I'm putting off North and South for February. One big thick classic is probably all I should attempt at one time.

QueenAmidala28 wrote: "Lol. Nope this is not the book by Jakes about the American Civil War. 😂 I didn’t know there was a difference either until a few years ago. This book sounds intriguing! I might join!"

Oh my gosh! Thank you for pointing that out to me. Funny thing is that I have both versions of the book on my Kindle. I will be sure to read the correct one, or my discussion could be really interesting and a little out of place.

I have a question 🙋‍♀️ This is my first group read. This feels a bit more formal than a buddy read. Is there a specific guide for pacing so we stay close together for discussions, etc? Sorry if I missed this info somewhere!

Jennifer wrote: "I have a question 🙋‍♀️ This is my first group read. This feels a bit more formal than a buddy read. Is there a specific guide for pacing so we stay close together for discussions, etc? Sorry if I m..."

That's alright, welcome to group reads. :) Everyone reads at their own speed, so there is no guide for pacing. Just make sure to indicate where you are in the book when discussing something and to hide spoilers using spoiler tags.

It will be my next book after I finish the one I'm currently reading. I saw some one post that they were glad it wasn't Jakes North and and South. Me too! That was my initial reaction. I was able to get a digital copy through my Library so I can finish before they shut it off.

I just began reading the book and was delighted to find out it was published as a serial in Household Words. Editor Charles Dickens (one of my favorite authors) suggested the title of the book.

I'll look to see if there is a copy at the library and try to join in.

I listened to this on Audio last year, and really enjoyed it. I'm going to see if I can
track down a hard copy for a reread. Also the mini series is great, so something to look forward to.

My local library has 2 DVDs of Gaskell's North and South. One is BBC, the other one stars Patrick Stewart.

The BBC one is a series. It’s good.

Valerie wrote: "The BBC one is a series. It’s good."


Thanks

This is on my list to read this year. I put a hold on it at my library. I should have it sometime this week. This is one I think would be good to read in a group!

This has been on my tbr list, so I’m in!

Not sure if any of you are Audible listeners, but this book is currently free with Audible Plus!

I'm listening to it on Audible Plus. The narrator is excellent!

Rachael wrote: "Not sure if any of you are Audible listeners, but this book is currently free with Audible Plus!"


Awesome! Thank you for letting us know!

I just came here to share that it was on Audible Plus! I only discovered this myself the other day!

There was a copy of this on the library shelf yesterday. Just entered it on my Goodreads page to start later. My wife said it may not be my "sort" of a story but I'll give it a go. Well until Chelsea v Manchester City comes on TV.

The kindle edition is free too.

Looking forward to this!