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It has come to my recent attention that the individual who was scheduled to lead the dicussion for Nicholas Nickleby which is the next scheduled book for the Dickens Project, is no longer a memeber of this group.

If there is anyone willing and able to take the lead on this disucssion, and get it started for January, that would be much appreciated.

But I understand the responsibility and time involved in such an endeavour particularly on such short notice. So if the discussion is delayed until February I will be able to lead it myself.

If anyone is interested you can either comment here, or contact me via a message to let me know. And if you have any questions about leading a discussion please feel free to ask.

I would like to do it, but it is going to be my first attempt to lead the discussion online.

If you would like to lead the discussion, I can offer my assistance and help you in any way needed. As of next month I will not be able to take on the responsibility of the task myself but I can still offer my support.

Thank you. Your help will be extremely instrumental. I believe I will need a day or two to plan the reading schedule, and we might start on January 9, so group members could either check out the book, purchase it, or download the ebook.

That sounds good to me, and you can feel free to message me any time you have a question or need any help with anything.

Thank you. I hope I will not overwhelm you with questions.

You are welcome!

Zulfiya wrote: "I would like to do it, but it is going to be my first attempt to lead the discussion online."

Thanks for stepping up. I look forward to the discussion.

Thanks to you both! I have a friend who may want to join us as she loves NN so I am glad we are on for January.

I have downloaded a copy, and looking forward to this group read.

Here is my tentative ideas about the reading schedule. There are 65 chapters in the book, and if we read according to the original schedule they were published, then it will take twenty weeks. If we read 5 chapters every week (roughly 60-64 pages), then we can finish this book a month and a half earlier (all in all, 13 weeks).

The project schedule.

Week of January 8 - Chapters 1-5
Week of January 15 - Chapters 6-10
Week of January 22 - Chapters 11-15
Week of January 29 - Chapters 16-20

Week of February 5 - Chapters 21- 25
Week of February 12- Chapters 26-30
Week of February 19 - Chapters 31-35
Week of February 26 - Chapters 36-40

Week of March 4 - Chapters 41-45
Week of March 11 - Chapters 46-50
Week of March 18 - Chapters 51-55
Week of March 25 - Chapters 56-60

Week of April 1 - Chapters 61-65

It is just a suggestion. It has its ups and downs. First, it is a tad bit more intensive than the previous reading schedule for . But it will also give some extra time for the members to play catch-up and finish reading the book in April (if it is too intensive)and start a new Dickens book in May.

One more point concerning the schedule. Because every section covers 5 chapters, it is easy to follow even if you have a different edition.
Please let me know if you find this schedule manageable, or if we should start reading the book a little bit later, let's say, January 14, 2012.

Looks good to me.

That schedule looks fine to me except for one thing: the dates for January are for Saturday's date, which looks a little odd. Did you mean for the week of the 8th?

Zulfiya wrote: "Here is my tentative ideas about the reading schedule. There are 65 chapters in the book, and if we read according to the original schedule they were published, then it will take twenty weeks. If w..."

I like your schedule. Thirteen weeks as opposed to twenty is a good idea. I too will be downloading the book very soon. I look forward to our discussion. Thank you Zulfiya for volunteering!

Anne wrote: "That schedule looks fine to me except for one thing: the dates for January are for Saturday's date, which looks a little odd. Did you mean for the week of the 8th?"

Oh, Ann, Russians (I am Russian) like to celebrate New Year, so I sincerely believe it is that kind of a typo which has been caused by a merry night and a wonderful company. It is January 8. Sorry.:-) Thank you for spotting it. To tell the truth, I am going to start my re-reading adventure tonight - it is a little bit earlier, but, hey, I have not said that I am truly committed to reading fair-play:-)

:-) I just didn't want there to be any confusion. I have been busy the last few weeks, so I'm planning on reading the last 60 pages of Oliver Twist tonight. Then I'll be all set to get started on Nicolas Nickleby. I read both the previous books with the group, but I kept getting ahead and then behind the discussion. My goal is to stay on schedule and contribute more to the discussion this time. I am really enjoying these books, so I'm excited to get started.

I had not consider this Dickens, since I flopped on Bleak House and Or Mutual friend. I might jump in on this one.

What version will you be using?

Rebecca wrote: "I had not consider this Dickens, since I flopped on Bleak House and Or Mutual friend. I might jump in on this one."

Please do. I am looking forward to this discussion so much. is one of my favorite books among other Dickens novels.

What version will you be using?

Nicholas Nickleby

Zulfiya wrote: "Nicholas Nickleby"

Penguin. Oxford. Signet is my meaning?

Penguin Popular Classics. And I did understand you question:-) Click and you see the edition;-)

Zulfiya wrote: "Penguin Popular Classics. And I did understand you question:-) Click and you see the edition;-)"

Oh ok sorry about that. Thanks you much.

The pleasure is mine.

Anne wrote: ":-) I just didn't want there to be any confusion. I have been busy the last few weeks, so I'm planning on reading the last 60 pages of Oliver Twist tonight. Then I'll be all set ...

Anne, having only just finished Oliver Twist myself, I would be happy to see any recent comments you may wish to post. I haven't read the discussion threads yet, but when I do, I'm hoping I might see some postings of yours...

I'm hoping to join this one. I started Pickwick Papers but fell behind with the discussion which wasn't as full on as I had hoped and then never managed to pick up Oliver Twist. I have exams coming up but hope to able to read the sections with the group and contribute where I can

This pace is fine with me, and I think Rebecca, who didn't get through Bleak House or Our Mutual Friend, will find Nicholas more engaging.

Zulfiya wrote: "Here is my tentative ideas about the reading schedule. There are 65 chapters in the book, and if we read according to the original schedule they were published, then it will take twenty weeks. If w..."

This schedule looks great. Have downloaded the book on my new (Christmas gift) Kindle. Love it.

I am looking forward to the upcoming discussion. Judging by my previous experience, it is truly rewarding. Sharing your reading experience enriches your perception so much;-)

Robin, I was trying to read 'Our Mutual Friend', but the way the threads are posted is somewhat confusing, so I am still reading this novel slowly but surely, but not on the Victorian wavelength. I think, it was first and foremost my fault, but I do find the so called 'weekly-paced' read in this group much more suitable.

I noticed on our group main page where it shows what we are reading, Oliver is still featured. When someone has a chance, that should be updated. Thanks!

Not any more - it has been very promptly changed. Thank you.

Thanks Zulfiya, I am really going to try to start NN on the 9th! Currently reading The Old Curiosity Shopand it's going pretty quickly, great storyteller that CD!

Hi All,
I hope to be able to join in on this one again, too. I had read "The hunchback of Notre Dame" and started Oliver Twist, but my move to Sweden was a little too time-consuming over the last 4 months.
I am looking forward to this one, esp. as I love Charles Dickens e.g. David Copperfield and Great Expectations. I have never read this one before, but I saw a movie of it in the US approx. 9 months ago, which I really liked. So I am excited to finally get to read the book and have interesting discussions about it.
By the way, I have a copy of the Everyman's Library edition, as there were some discussions about the editions.

I hope you will enjoy the discussion, Hedi.
And believe me I know how you feel - I moved to the USA two and a half years ago. I was lost for the world for a while.;-)

Bernadette wrote: "Thanks Zulfiya, I am really going to try to start NN on the 9th! Currently reading The Old Curiosity Shopand it's going pretty quickly, great storyteller that CD!"

Bernadette and all the other devoted readers of Dickens, do you think it will be a good idea to ask the group moderators to have a thread where we can discuss some topics relevant to several CD novels; for example, some of his characters are similar, and he also explored some very similar settings and social issues and how the mood of his novels gradually changed and became more pessimistic. Otherwise we might end up having spoilers in our NN discussion alluding to the previous group reads (Pickwick Papers and Oliver Twist) or to some other Dickens novels

Sounds like a great idea Zulfiya, I'd like a thread regareding Dickens social issues, it's one of the many things that I like about his writing. Thanks

I would appreciate a separate thread since I haven't read many Dickens novels.

Count me in! I will be reading from the 1875 Household Edition from Harper & Brothers, NY. Original illustrations by C. S. Reinhart. The schedule looks great, Zulfiya, and manageable. I like the idea, too, of having a thread to discuss other relevant CD topics.

This year is the 200th anniversary of Dickens' birth; anyone in England planning to attend any of the festivities?

Mari wrote: "Count me in! I will be reading from the 1875 Household Edition from Harper & Brothers, NY. Original illustrations by C. S. Reinhart. The schedule looks great, Zulfiya, and manageable. I like the id..."

What a treasure! Your book is a true time-machine. It is so fascinating to read the book published in the XIX century and dream about all those people who read this precious book. I am sure it will be a truly memorable experience.

Mari wrote: "Count me in! I will be reading from the 1875 Household Edition from Harper & Brothers, NY. Original illustrations by C. S. Reinhart. The schedule looks great, Zulfiya, and manageable. I like the id..."

I had planned to go to London in Sept. 2011' and to visit the Dickens Museum but I have a health issue I need to deal with...I don't think I'll have any vacation time by then. On the plus side, while on disability, I'll have plenty of time for my own celebration of Dickens. I just watched the Biography program (A & E, streaming on Netflix) about CD and thought it was very interesting.

Zulfiya wrote: "Mari wrote: "Count me in! I will be reading from the 1875 Household Edition from Harper & Brothers, NY. Original illustrations by C. S. Reinhart. The schedule looks great, Zulfiya, and manageable. ..."

I like that idea, the book as a time machine! I'll try to scan and post some of the illustrations as we go along.

Bernadette wrote: "Mari wrote: "Count me in! I will be reading from the 1875 Household Edition from Harper & Brothers, NY. Original illustrations by C. S. Reinhart. The schedule looks great, Zulfiya, and manageable. ..."

I hope you can successfully deal with your health issue, and that it is not too serious. I'm dealing with a couple myself right now too, as long as I can keep reading, I'll be okay!

Charles Dickens' birthday is February 7th; according to Zulfiya's schedule we should be on Chapters 21-25 that week. I would love to be in England then....

Thanks Mari, unfortunately it's pretty serious, but I hope to read during my treatment times...I am a little sad that I won't be able to in London during the birthday year but will hopefully be able to get through more of Dickens' books! I think that would be wonderful to see some illustrations, the documentary I watched talked about Dickens' illustrators, it's worth watching

Mari wrote: "Count me in! I will be reading from the 1875 Household Edition from Harper & Brothers, NY. Original illustrations by C. S. Reinhart. The schedule looks great, Zulfiya, and manageable. I like the id..."

Oooo! Please post pics of the illustrations...and the cover if you can. I'm a nut for stuff like that.

Bernadette wrote: "Thanks Mari, unfortunately it's pretty serious, but I hope to read during my treatment times...I am a little sad that I won't be able to in London during the birthday year but will hopefully be abl..."

I am sorry to hear that, Bernadette. I hope you will do well with your treatments.

I'll look for the A&E bio at Netflix, it sounds interesting, and will definitely try to post some of the illustrations.

Kristen wrote: "Mari wrote: "Count me in! I will be reading from the 1875 Household Edition from Harper & Brothers, NY. Original illustrations by C. S. Reinhart. The schedule looks great, Zulfiya, and manageable. ..."

Will do, Kristen! This edition is very beautiful, green covers with gold lettering and the illustrators did wonderful jobs depicting the characters, the places and the tone of the times.

Mari wrote: "Kristen wrote: "Mari wrote: "Count me in! I will be reading from the 1875 Household Edition from Harper & Brothers, NY. Original illustrations by C. S. Reinhart. The schedule looks great, Zulfiya, ..."

Sounds lovely! I like to collect old hardcover classics. I don't have any from the 19th century though! Do you have other similar treasures? :)

Kristen wrote: "Mari wrote: "Kristen wrote: "Mari wrote: "Count me in! I will be reading from the 1875 Household Edition from Harper & Brothers, NY. Original illustrations by C. S. Reinhart. The schedule looks gre..."

I do, Kristen! I actually have two almost complete sets of this Household Edition. My husband bought me the first one for our anniversary a few years ago, but it was missing some volumes, so a couple of years later we bought another set, identical to the first, to fill in the gaps! After we got the first set, I began to read through them from the first book to the last; it took me one year but it was completely enjoyable.

We collect old books too, and old postcards.

I don't know how to put pictures within these posts so I will post the pictures in the general photos section of this group. I hope that will be alright with the moderators!

I posted a photo of the cover of the 1875 Household edition I am reading from and three of the illustrations from the chapters we are reading this week.

The one titled "The committee stood up and clapped their hands" shows the start of the "United Metropolitan Improved Hot Muffin and Crumpet Baking and Punctual Delivery Company"!