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Carolien & Cynda wrote: "Fed is also in and available if I remember correctly."

The Lais of Marie de France: I'm in, thanks! I'll read it in the second half of Jan.

Carolien wrote: "Greg, is there still a plan for The Conference of the Birds as a buddy read in February? I kind of lost track of that one."

Yes! I think there are a few of us who want to read that one in February. Thanks for the reminder!

Sara, can you add a buddy read for it with Darren, Caroline, and myself in February. Are 3 enough?

Does anyone else want to join? I just looked and a couple others have under their next year's challenges.

Sounds to me like we should try
Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont in February
and
Parable of the Sower in March

Would that work for everyone who wants to join either or both of those?

Kathleen wrote: "Sounds to me like we should try
Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont in February
and
Parable of the Sower in March

Would that work for everyone who wants to join either or both..."


Kathleen,
That's a great plan. I'm in!

Michaela, this group requires two readers for a buddy read.

Yes Kathleen those months work.

Michaela and Fed, glad you two will be along for the buddy read of The Lais of Marie de France. The more the merrier!

Michaela wrote: "Question, as I never organised a buddy read in this group: How many people are the minimum to request a buddy read?"

You can have a buddy read thread for two people if you like, Michaela. I guess the minimum would be two buddies.

I have the following reads for which I will set up threads and add to schedule:

1. The Conference of the Birds - FEB - Greg, Nidhi, Darren, and Carolien.

2. The Lais of Marie de France - JAN - Carolien, Cynda, Fed, and Michaela.

3. Parable of the Sower - MAR - Kathleen, Cynda, Greg, Milena, Lori, Terris, and Sara.

4. Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont - FEB - Kathleen, Cynda, Lori, Carolien, Terris, Terry, Sara.

5. To Kill a Mockingbird - FEB - Savita, Michaela and Paula W.

6. The Son - FEB - Sue, Lorraine, Janelle

7. Oroonoko - MAR - Fed, Ben, Michaela, Darren

8. The Book of the City of Ladies - FEB - Carolien, Michaela, Fed


Which leaves only this one unsettled:

2. The Letters of Abélard and Héloïse - ? - Fed, Michaela, Darya

Of course, others may join the reads, I am only noting the people I picked up during the conversations. Please let me know if any of the dates are wrong and someone clarify the final three.

Thanks Sara!

And thanks for noticing that I accidentally left off Nidhi and adding her. Sorry about that Nidhi!

Sara, I may join Mrs. Palfry if I can get through December and January.

So happy, Terry. I'll add you to the list!

I would like to participate in a few of the Buddy Redas but no need to add my name to the lists. Thanks!

I'll propose March for Oroonoko.

Ben wrote: "I'll propose March for Oroonoko."

I´m good with that, thanks Ben!

Thanks Sara for bringing some system into our talks! :)

Sara wrote: I am unsure what has been agreed to on the following:

1. The Book of the City of Ladies
2. The Letters of Abélard and Héloïse

I would read them more or less together with "The lais of Marie de France" (just before or after it), likely finishing them all by the end of February.

I am interested in joining the Buddy Reads for Parable of the Sower and Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont.

I could do Feb for Book of the City of Ladies if Michaela can join us then.

Carolien wrote: "I could do Feb for Book of the City of Ladies if Michaela can join us then."

I´m okay with it. :)

I will join in buddy read of Cities of Ladies in February.

Sara wrote:
Which leaves only this one unsettled:
The Letters of Abélard and Héloïse
Fed, Michaela, Darya

Darya, Michaela? I'm happy to read it in February; the thread could serve for march as well, in case that works better for you?

I would like to join Marie France, Abélard, and Mrs. Palfrey and will consider others as we get closer. Any interest in Manon Lescault or Gargantua and Pantagruel to continue with French lit?

Sam wrote: Gargantua and Pantagruel

Challenging: 1000 pages + commentaries...
If we reach 4-5 readers (for an engaging discussion) and schedule a buddy read now, I would commit to reading it in march. Unfortunately I can't make plans for farther into 2023.

Fed wrote: "Sara wrote:
Which leaves only this one unsettled:
The Letters of Abélard and Héloïse
Fed, Michaela, Darya

Darya, Michaela? I'm happy to read it in February; the thread could serve fo..."

I already have two buddy reads in February, so March or later works better for me.

Cynda wrote: "I will join in buddy read of Cities of Ladies in February."

I will also join in thie buddy read.

I know it isn’t a classic, but I suspect it will be a scandal. Does anyone want to read Spare with me? Prince Harry’s new book coming out at the beginning of January. I plan to binge read it immediately after it gets released, by the way.

Side note, the title to this book is EVERYTHING.

Paula W wrote: "I know it isn’t a classic, but I suspect it will be a scandal. Does anyone want to read Spare with me? Prince Harry’s new book coming out at the beginning of January. I plan to bing..."

I'm glad he has written this book and hope it does well. My reading list is too long to add it, but I hope you Enjoy!

Klowey wrote: "Paula W wrote: "I know it isn’t a classic, but I suspect it will be a scandal. Does anyone want to read Spare with me? Prince Harry’s new book coming out at the beginning of January..."

Totally understandable. I usually borrow new books from my library and have to wait forever for them. But I got a gift of this book for my upcoming birthday and will get it on release day. Thus, the very late request for a buddy read. I only found out today.

What a nice gift! :-)

Abelard and Heloise - I am so going to regret this, but it seems to be possible to do a kind of 12th century challenge based on what is already on my list.

Fed, Michaela - could May work for this?

And if so, is anyone interested in reading The Alexiad in June/July?

Carolien wrote: Abelard and Heloise [...] Fed, Michaela - could May work for this?

Thank you for the feedback, Carolien! I can't make plans for after March, unfortunately. There's already a lot on the buddy-read plate at the moment, so I'm sure we won't starve!

Carolien yes! to The Alexiad. June or July is good.

I´m good with May for Abelard and Heloise, thanks Carolien, but I won´t add The Alexiad to my pile. ;)

Sara wrote:
7. Oroonoko - MAR - Fed, Ben, Michaela, Darren...
2[b]. The Letters of Abélard and Héloïse - ? - Fed, Michaela, Darya

Sorry Sara, I didn't sign up to #7, and can't do #2[b] in May (will read it in Feb). Thanks!

I am signing on fpr Abelard and Heliose. I read these letters long ago when I was a young woman in my 20s. I wonder how I will find the letters now at another stage in my life. . . .

I have The Alexiad down for 2023, so Jun/Jul would be fine by me :o)

Thanks everyone, Fed I hope you'll be able to comment on Abelard when we get there based your earlier reading!

Sara, please will you add

The Letters of Abélard and Héloïse to the schedule for May?
June/July tbc: The Alexiad

I will join for The Alexiad.

Sam wrote: "I would like to join Marie France, Abélard, and Mrs. Palfrey and will consider others as we get closer. Any interest in Manon Lescault or Gargantua and Pantagruel to co..."

I would join Sam and Fed for Gargantua (I'm not sure I'm committing to Pantagruel, though) in March or April :)

Hey Pulitzer Challengers and any others interested - would anyone be up for tackling John Updike's Rabbit Angstrom series (1st 4 since #3 & 4 are Pulitzers and then do #5 if we feel compelled)? I need motivation because I don't normally read through a series.

I was thinking doing May- August (1 per month) or May, July, Sept, & Nov (bimonthly). I like to start Buddy Reads in the 2nd half of a month and save the 1st 2 weeks for group reads when possible.

Another Pulitzer that needs motivation is Faulkner's A Fable. If it is anywhere near as hard to read as As I Lay Dying, I'd love to have a group discussion.

Thanks, Sue. I am one who would be interested in these reads. I have both the Pulitzer winners still on my list and had intended to read them all. I understand The Fable is not a complicated book or typical of Faulkner. It would be interesting to read it together all the same.

Sara wrote: "Thanks, Sue. I am one who would be interested in these reads. I have both the Pulitzer winners still on my list and had intended to read them all. I understand The Fable is not a complicated book o..."

Having recently read A Fable, I would recommend doing a buddy read. I found it dense and difficult to follow. It was plodding and I often did not know which character was being talked about. Of the 27 Pulitzers I've read so far, easily my least favorite. And it's long too, only stuck with it because I want to finish all the Pulitzers. Having someone else to share ideas with and encourage you while reading will prove to be helpful.

Sue wrote: "Hey Pulitzer Challengers and any others interested - would anyone be up for tackling John Updike's Rabbit Angstrom series (1st 4 since #3 & 4 are Pulitzers and then do #5 if we feel compelled)? I n..."

Sue , could you mention the title of the first Rabbit Angstrom book , so that I could read the blurb and try it if it looks interesting ? Thanks !

Rabbit, Run is the first one.

I am interested in reading Rabbit, Run in March or April.

I would try Rabbit one more time for the Pulitzer challenge. I DNFd it in 2021. With buddies, maybe that’s what I need!

I might join you for Rabbit, Run. I DNFd it years ago, and I mean YEARS ago. Maybe I could do it now.

Terris wrote: "Rabbit, Run is the first one."

Thanks a lot , Terris ! 😊

I'm so glad to see there is interest in reading the Rabbit series

Sara, I'm so glad you are up for it because your input is always amazing. No one else is mentioning A Fable yet but maybe we can gain interest after Rabbit? I know you've read a lot of Faulkner so I hope we can read it together so that you can carry me ; ). I think I will feel like William about it. I did find As I Lay Dying rewarding but only because I read it with the classics group.

William - thank you for your input. I'm pretty sure I'll feel the same as you about A Fable.

Terry and Lori, I'm afraid I would DNF Rabbit Run if I read it on my own too but I see a lot of people whose tastes I respect, love the series. I know it's very dark and I need to gear up for that. I think doing it together could make the difference.

Cynda - Does May not work for you? March and April are really bad for me but I could read it in the last week of April.