Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
What we're reading

Find your new favourite book or recommend one on our Book forum.

Original poster

A Tale Of Two Cities, Four Month Read Along. (Title edited by MNHQ at request of OP)

285 replies

DesdamonasHandkerchief · 03/01/2026 11:24

Welcome to a 6 month read along of Dicken’s 12th novel A Tale of Two Cities
We will be reading it using the following format, and discussing the chapters on the first day of the following month: (So January chapters discussed from 1st Feb onwards etc)

A Tale of Two Cities

6-Month Read-Along Calendar

Start: 1 January 2026
Finish: 30 June 2026

🗓️
JANUARY 2026

Book the First: Recalled to Life
(Chapters 1–7)

✔ Book the First complete

🗓️
FEBRUARY 2026

Book the Second: The Golden Thread
(Chapters 1–6)

🗓️
MARCH 2026

Book the Second: The Golden Thread
(Chapters 7–12)

✔ Midway through Book the Second

🗓️
APRIL 2026

Book the Second: The Golden Thread
(Chapters 13–18)

🗓️
MAY 2026

Book the Second: The Golden Thread
(Chapters 19–24)

✔ Book the Second complete

🗓️
JUNE 2026

Book the Third: The Track of a Storm
(Chapters 1–15)

✔ Novel complete

I know very little about this book other than its set in revolutionary Paris and London, let’s hope it’s a goodie!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
26
MagicSpaceTurtle · 07/01/2026 21:55

I realise I am a few days late to the party but can I join please?

This is one of my favourite books ever. Read it for the first time in 1989 in recognition of the 200th anniversary of the start of the French Revolution and I’ve read it every couple of years since. Definitely due for another outing.

You’ve made my year OP with news of the new adaptation 😊

InTheCludgie · 07/01/2026 21:43

Another here who tends to have at least two on the go. I'm taking the bus to work for the time being so I tend to use my kindle/read slimmer physical books for those journeys, saving the heftier tomes (currently Lonesome Dove) for reading at home

LadybirdDaphne · 07/01/2026 17:47

Like Chessie, I usually have 3-4 on the go at once - a kindle book for reading in the dark (DP generally wants to sleep before I do), a physical book, and a non-fiction/biography on audio for when I’m walking to work/walking the dog/doing housework. Also whatever the current Dickens readalong is!

Original poster
DesdamonasHandkerchief · 07/01/2026 15:33

Welcome @peafritterandcurrysauce we’d love you to join us.

OP posts:
peafritterandcurrysauce · 07/01/2026 10:39

Can I join please. I’ve read most of Dickens previously and love them but a very long time since I read any, especially this one. I’m finding it hard to get into a book at the moment so would love to join this.

ChessieFL · 07/01/2026 10:24

I usually have at least 3 on the go at any time, in different formats. A physical one to read at home, a kindle one to read in bed at night/when travelling, and an audiobook for when I’m cooking/walking etc. Then I might have a readalong book or a non fiction on the go as well.

FuzzyCaoraDhubh · 07/01/2026 10:23

I can read two or three at a time.
I like the variation.
I've started A Tale. It's very good so far.

Troubledwords · 07/01/2026 10:20

I'm too much of a mood reader to just have one book at a time. I've got to have a light book alongside a heavier one

ThePoshUns · 07/01/2026 10:16

yes I can only do one book at a time

Hellohah · 07/01/2026 10:11

Troubledwords · 06/01/2026 20:22

How? I have several on the go at all times, I dont think I could do just one book at a time!

Show quote history

I start one book, I read it, I then go on to another.
I don't think I have the capacity to invest myself if I'm reading several at the same time.

HelenaWilson · 06/01/2026 21:31

I don't ever remember reading aloud at school, maybe it's a recent thing.

We did at primary and secondary school in the 60s and 70s. At secondary we read aloud from both the novels and the plays we were were studying - not the whole thing, and not necessarily every lesson, just sometimes a scene or two the teacher wanted to focus on in that lesson.

It was a grammar school, so I don't think some of the boys were really such poor readers as they made out, but they were painful to listen to.

If it was a book I wanted to read for myself, I would take home the school issued copy, or get it from the library, and finish it at home within a week.

NotWavingButReading · 06/01/2026 21:20

I don't ever remember reading aloud at school, maybe it's a recent thing.
Another who could never read more than one book at a time here. If a book doesn't engage me enough so that I want to pick another up it gets DNFd.
I will start when I finish my current book. I'm a fast reader but don't spend more than half an hour a day.

Troubledwords · 06/01/2026 20:22

Hellohah · 06/01/2026 20:17

I think I have this on my Kindle, I will have a look tomorrow and if so - I am in! I am not sure whether I can read a book over 6 months as I never read more than one book at a time, but maybe it's time to give it a go.

How? I have several on the go at all times, I dont think I could do just one book at a time!

Hellohah · 06/01/2026 20:17

I think I have this on my Kindle, I will have a look tomorrow and if so - I am in! I am not sure whether I can read a book over 6 months as I never read more than one book at a time, but maybe it's time to give it a go.

Original poster
DesdamonasHandkerchief · 06/01/2026 16:20

@Misspost, I remember the reading aloud in class where everyone, even the poor sods who were slow readers, would have to take their turn. Excruciating for them and for those listening.
I worked in primary schools for many years till recently and they use a ‘hands up’ system now, but there’s still plenty reading ahead under the desk!

OP posts:
Advocodo · 06/01/2026 08:25

DesdamonasHandkerchief · 06/01/2026 05:03

@AdvocodoI’d agree with others, Great Expectations and David Copperfield are my favourite novels of the Dickens I’ve read. I’ve only ever read an abridged version of Oliver Twist but it’s also a good introduction, and A Christmas Carol is a festive favourite for a reason and also a novella so has the advantage of being short!
I can’t vouch for A Tale Of Two Cities as I’ve never read it, but I do know reading in a group can be very motivating and add different perspectives if you did want to join us.

Thank you for your post and info. Away to sunnier climes in next few days so may skip this times but certainly will try and join in next one. Definitely will read a Dickens book this year!

Misspost · 06/01/2026 07:34

At school we read a Dickens every year. I enjoyed the discussion of the novels in class, but not the occasional joint reading.
I was a fast reader and I would have to wait until everyone had read the page before we were allowed to “Turn Over!”
Desperate days!
Sometimes it was even worse when we took it in turns to read aloud. Even the non fluent readers had to read, torture!
The best way was when we were given a few chapters to read for homework. None of this ruined my love of Dickens.
My favourite is David Copperfield, I have returned to this over the years.
I remember Great Expectations as my least favourite, Pip made me cross as a teenager and I have never read it again.

We did not read A tale of Two Cities at school for some reason, I have always intended to, and have never done so.
I am thrilled to join this group.

ThePoshUns · 06/01/2026 07:03

Yes @DesdamonasHandkerchief o had heard that quoted many a time but didn’t know where it was from. What a great opening.
This is one of those books that is playing like a movie in my mind’s eye as I’m reading it.

Original poster
DesdamonasHandkerchief · 06/01/2026 05:07

ThePoshUns · 05/01/2026 22:38

i have made a start this evening, I’m ashamed to say I have never read any Dickens. Such beautiful writing, I could have carried on all night. I think I will really enjoy this. Thank you OP for starting this thread.

I started yesterday and it did send a shiver down my spine to read that opening paragraph

OP posts:
Original poster
DesdamonasHandkerchief · 06/01/2026 05:03

@AdvocodoI’d agree with others, Great Expectations and David Copperfield are my favourite novels of the Dickens I’ve read. I’ve only ever read an abridged version of Oliver Twist but it’s also a good introduction, and A Christmas Carol is a festive favourite for a reason and also a novella so has the advantage of being short!
I can’t vouch for A Tale Of Two Cities as I’ve never read it, but I do know reading in a group can be very motivating and add different perspectives if you did want to join us.

OP posts:
Original poster
DesdamonasHandkerchief · 06/01/2026 04:46

Forgotwhatimdoing · 04/01/2026 12:41

Oh can I join in? I loved that book as a young teen but I’ve forgotten it completely. Studying Hard Times and Great Expectations in school destroyed my fledgling love of Dickens. I happened on the Noiser podcast episode of A Christmas Carol over Christmas and was inspired to put A Tale of Two Cities in my 2026 reading pile, so now I will move it towards the top.

The more the merrier Forgotwhatimdoing

OP posts:
ThePoshUns · 05/01/2026 22:38

i have made a start this evening, I’m ashamed to say I have never read any Dickens. Such beautiful writing, I could have carried on all night. I think I will really enjoy this. Thank you OP for starting this thread.

nowanearlyNicemum · 05/01/2026 17:00

Have just turned the house upside down and am delighted to report I relocated the copy I knew was lurking somewhere. Highly satisfying that this will also be a RWYO.

Now, to get started :)

Summerbaby81 · 05/01/2026 15:02

LadybirdDaphne · 04/01/2026 23:57

I’m in! I do solemnly swear not to refer to this book in the way my dad does, when in his dodgy 1970s comedian mode: A Tale of Sue’s…

Smile
LadybirdDaphne · 04/01/2026 23:57

I’m in! I do solemnly swear not to refer to this book in the way my dad does, when in his dodgy 1970s comedian mode: A Tale of Sue’s…