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2018 Reading Group - January: North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell - *Spoilers from 25 January*

258 replies

Plentyoffishnets · 31/12/2017 11:06

Hi, lots of interest on a different thread for starting a 2018 MN reading group.
Aim is to read one book a month, finishing by 25th of each month then discussing and selecting the next month's book.
For January we have gone for North and South by Elisabeth Gaskell.
So this thread is for those who want to join in, all are welcome Smile

OP posts:
Dammyjodgerer · 06/01/2018 07:50

I’d like to give it a go too please. I’ve not been reading nearly as much as I used to and I think a bit of structure might just motivate me. I’ll download today.

stilllovingmysleep · 06/01/2018 07:22

I also think discussing the whole book would be much better, after a certain date eg 26 January?

desperatelyseekingcaffeine · 06/01/2018 07:04

I think I'd prefer to discuss the whole book than sections but will go with group consensus. I've done it once before and struggled to remember how much I could discuss if I'd read further ahead than the section.

Can someone encourage me along with this book, I'm not an Austen style of book person and I'm finding it a bit hard going? I think I've slipped into easy to. read, fast paced books since having the kids!

Original poster
Plentyoffishnets · 05/01/2018 23:46

I'm still waiting for the book to arrive 😣! I think the trouble with breaking it into sections to discuss is that it makes it harder for people to read at their own pace. if we are keeping it at one book a month then it is a relatively easy target to stick to but if we have had to have read a certain amount by a certain date it starts making it harder for people to join in with. maybe when we get to the point of discussion we could break it that way? Or by consensus have an earlier part of the month we start the discussion from? it's very early days for this group and the book was chosen in the last few days of Dec so think it's very much finding its feet at the moment and very much up to however everyone wants to do it by consensus.

OP posts:
runwalkrun · 05/01/2018 19:44

Would it work if we broke the book into sections.
So, as a (very rough) example:
On 11 Jan we will be discussing up to Chapter 10
By 18 Jan we will be discussing from beg. up to Chapter 20.
and so on.
and then on 25th we discuss the whole book.

I've never joined a BC, either on here or in RL so I'm not sure if it would work? Confused

mamapants · 05/01/2018 13:13

I think it was decided that open discussion after the 25th of each month with a clear message on the 25th that there would be spoilers from then on.

IrisAtwood · 05/01/2018 08:28

What was the decision about discussing the book? It is hard to discuss it without talking about the story and plot.

ClashCityRocker · 04/01/2018 21:18

Iris yes, I was!

I thought after the conversation with her father events were going to take a different turn.

KiteyDelighty · 04/01/2018 21:15

I am downloading it tonight. Looking forward to joining in.

Rockmeamaryllis · 04/01/2018 14:17

Hi, I'm in. Just waiting for my copy from Amazon to arrive. Looking forward to reading it.

ElizabethBennettismybestfriend · 04/01/2018 09:34

Hi. It’s on my reading list for this year so I would love to join.

IrisAtwood · 04/01/2018 09:28

Anyone else bemused by the event between Margaret and Henry?
Were you convinced by Margaret’s thoughts about it after her conversation with her father and its consequences?

mamapants · 04/01/2018 07:56

Definitely need to discuss properly, if we are all trying not to reveal anything it would be really difficult to discuss. I'm fairly sure people will realise a book club thread will be discussing the book and stop reading before they get to the spoilers.
The choosing of books sounds really complicated, we need a random generator from a Pre compiled list or something otherwise will become really time consuming.
Is there a list of say ten recommended books in various genres on goodreads or something that can then be put in a hat?
Really enjoying the book so far, very engaging and easy reading with some nice descriptive writing, especially when they arrived in the North.

JuiceInAWineGlass · 03/01/2018 22:46

I’m in! Just downloaded the book. Haven’t read much at all recently so really looking forward to having a book to get into (and a deadline!)

LucyLastik · 03/01/2018 22:24

Or we could PM a volunteer with ideas and then they can create the poll.

LucyLastik · 03/01/2018 22:23

@Plentyoffishnets what about a link to an online poll?

www.strawpoll.me/

Posters could suggest books and they can be added to the poll?

AiryFairy1991 · 03/01/2018 22:18

I would also like to join. I’ve never read it but loved the Richard Armitage TV adaptation Blush. Have always meant to actually read the novel too!

runningoutofjuice · 03/01/2018 20:33

Ooh glad I clicked this thread! Used to enjoy the MN swap book clubs but my group fizzled out. This looks more resilient Smile Loved North and South and will enjoy re-reading.

Original poster
Plentyoffishnets · 03/01/2018 19:59

I think that mn putting a spoiler alert on is a fab idea as i think it would be really hard to discuss the books without giving things away and would stop a full discussion.
I am not sure how's best to sort out the following months book choices. I guess coming up with a shortlist then everyone who has participated in that months thread having a vote would be one idea - but not sure where we could shortlist from?
It'd be good to read a variety of different book types - so this month's is a classic, we could do a more modern one, non fiction and other type of categories in sequence?
I think discussion of the book plus shortlisting and voting could be complicated if all on same thread- but may be hard for people to find if all on separate threads - argh! So it'd be good to know what everyone thinks.
My mum's book group has 6 months worth of books planned out so that could be another idea. Could pick 6 categories, shortlist for each type and then vote. if that was all on one thread it could work?

OP posts:
ClashCityRocker · 03/01/2018 19:10

Maybe when we get to the 25th we could ask MNHQ to add a spoiler warning to the title?

Or start a new thread on the 25th called something like 'MN book club North and South discussion - spoilers'.....

I think it would be hard to have more than a vague discussion about it after the date without spoilering.

Littlepleasures · 03/01/2018 19:00

Found it on my kindle. I’m in!

PhoebefromFriends · 03/01/2018 18:29

Thanks for the warm welcome Chillywhippet. I think it would be difficult to have a good discussion on the 25th without revealing spoilers but I'm interested what other people think, I'm sure we could work around it if the consensus is not to discuss spoilers.

Chillywhippet · 03/01/2018 17:52

Welcome Run and Phoebe.

Phoebe, it's a new group so nobody knows how we do things and we are making it up as we go along Wink

The other books on the suggested list from memory are Fatherland, Eleanor Oliphant and The Essex Serpent.

There was a question about spoilers upthread. So we decided no discussion until 25th of month but then do we try to have discussion without giving away all the plot? Not thinking of us but people browsing later? Or would that be too restrictive?

PhoebefromFriends · 03/01/2018 14:09

I found the free version and will start it once I finish my current book which might take a few days.

I'm new to this, I take it we all read it then discuss it on here on the 25th? How do the books get chosen?

I'm a bit excited, I gave up Netflix last year and it's helped me clear out clutter in my flat and read more, which can only be a good thing.

runwalkrun · 03/01/2018 12:30

I'm in as well.
I downloaded it last night and am up to Chapter 6.
I agree with a pp that it's very Jane Austin. Reminds me a bit of Sense and Sensibility.