Bleak House 2012-2013

It's coming! It's coming! The Bleak House read-along!

I feel like Charles Dickens is a good winter read, so this will start in the fall and run to spring 2013. Yes, that's a long time. Here's the theory: Dickens originally published this book in 20 installments. I'm going to follow that schedule. Dickens was a big proponent of the cliffhanger, so it makes sense to follow his lead. I thought about doubling up on it, like I did with Our Mutual Friend earlier this year, but that can make for a lot of reading. Following the original schedule exactly makes for a fairly easy read-along, with most weeks only having 3-4 chapters.In addition, I'll take a break for the last two weeks of December, so people can take a breather if they need to. (Might be a good time to revisit A Christmas Carol.) The read-along will be done before the end of March.

So here's what I propose: read and blog/comment on the following chapters on the following dates. Who's with me??

Blog date:            Chapters:

10/29                    1-4
11/5                      5-7
11/12                    8-10
11/19                    11-13
11/26                    14-16
12/3                      17-19
12/10                    20-22
12/17                    23-25
1/7                        26-29
1/14                      30-32
1/21                      33-35
1/28                      36-38
2/4                        39-42
2/11                      43-46
2/18                      47-49
2/25                      50-53
3/4                        54-56
3/11                      57-59
3/18                      60-67

Note: you don't have to have a blog to participate. Just leave a comment on the posts on this blog to join in the discussion. If you do have a blog and write about Bleak House there, I'll collect the links and post them with my posts.

 

Comments

[Girl Detective]

I'm in! Are you going to be reading that lovely Penguin clothbound edition pictured above?

[Amy]

That's the edition I plan to use. It is lovely, isn't it?

[V]

I might join in. The paperback with the tiny type has been sitting on my shelf for far too long.

[Amy Rea]

Join, V!!

[JoAnn]

Enjoy! I read Bleak House a couple of years ago (a read/listen combo) and can definitely understand why many consider it to be Dickens masterpiece. David Copperfield will be my next Dickens... hopefully this winter.

[Amy Rea]

JoAnn, have you read Our Mutual Friend? I loved that one.

[Patricia]

I'm in and I have already read 6 chapters!!! I think I'll treat myself to a new edition.

[Amy Rea]

Yay, Patricia! I think you need one of those pretty Penguin editions, like the one pictured on the blog post.

[JoAnn]

No, I haven't read Our Mutual Friend yet, but do remember that you loved it. Decided on David Copperfield because it was included in audible.com's buy one get one free sale and Dickens as a read/listen combo really works well for me. I could easily change my mind before actually beginning though...

[Miss T]

I'm in! But you knew that!

[Girl Detective]

Holy cats, are we supposed to be reading already?!

[Amy]

Indeed you are! First four chapters by next Monday. Get cracking.

[Kayla]

I think I'll join in also. I won't be a comment contributer but will be out here listening. Thanks