42 Comments

I’m grateful to you @simonhaisell for this opportunity particularly getting into a rhythm of reading daily. I also enjoy the community engagement. Best wishes

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Many thanks, Simon. Of course, it would be totally wrong to be competitive, but...

WAR AND PEACE IS IN THE LEAD! Yay!

But well done to everybody taking part in all the readalongs - and enjoy the journey.

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Ha, indeed. I think that was never in doubt, and I'm more surprised how many are joining for Wolf Hall, as it is much more niche!

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To be honest, I was split - I've started 'Wolf Hall' and really liked it, so it could have got me to the end of it. 'War and Peace' will feel like an achievement - bragging right expected!

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I must say this is my first slow read. I am really enjoying it. A chapter a day is just right. Usually I would rush through the book to find out what happens next but I am really enjoying the self restraint of not doing that. I am an avid reader and read a fair amount. That said, I am not sure how to juggle the War and Peace reading schedule along with the Wolf Crawl ? Any advice. I have always wanted to read the Mantel Trilogy so this may well be my chance. Any advice on how to navigate between the two ?

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I'm not sure. I think if you read Wolf Hall, you'll want to sit down and read one or two chunks a week. Definitely not daily. It's a very different beast to War and Peace.

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Thanks Simon. Very helpful advice. I think that’s manageable ! If War and Peace is a daily read (which I love !) whereas Wolf Hall would require separate weekly chunks of time (which I can certainly make time for!).

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I’m reading both Niharika. I read W &P daily and Wolf Hall on the weekends mostly. It’s very manageable

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I haven't been very chatty in the chats but I have been keeping up with the reading of War and Peace and checking the chats almost daily. They help a lot for this first time reader. Thank you so much for doing this Simon.

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Thank you Simon

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I just jumped in for War and Peace. Am catching up with the Chat threads and enjoying all the wonderful observations and added information. However, the chat threads take a little over an hour each!! I do believe as you said that they will thin out a bit as the year goes on. Wonderful getting to know the personnel of the novel as well as our read-along.

I *might* jump in with Wolf Hall as well. I'm a fast reader, and reading is my main hobby. We shall see!

(speaking of being a fast reader, I think this slow read will be extremely good for me.)

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Brilliant! Yes, well the daily chat is just a nice extra to have a bit of community. Don't feel like you need to read all the messages. I don't!

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What a great group of readers and a fantastic group leader. I’m so enjoying this read along of these two fabulous books and I want to read all the big books like this from now on. If only I could find a group leader to read Proust with! 🤔 Anyone??

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Brilliant! I don't think I'll lead Proust, but someone should!

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Hopefully 🤞 its well suited to a slow read with lots of rabbit holes along the way

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Appreciate all the hard work you have put into this. I can safely say I would never brave War & Peace have it not been for this slow read and all your work. I simply can't wait to devour it each morning. Again, thanks Simon. Happy to support you via subscription!

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Thank you Angie! ❤️

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I was really gutted about missing out on the War and Peace read along last year Having joined only in August, I didn’t get to experience this whole read along discussions thing. I am doing Wolf Crawl this year though and I am already enjoying it. Thank you Simon for doing such a great job bringing so many readers together like this.

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Wonderful! Glad you've hopped on for Wolf Hall!

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Hello Simon, I haven't seen anything about "week 2" for the Wolf Crawl, and we are in week 2. I believe I've correctly done the 'notifications' part of signing up for the read-along. Sorry to be a nuisance.

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That's OK Barbara. If you check this post you'll see I've moved the updates to Wednesdays. So it's on its way!

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Oops, I thought War and Peace posts were Wednesdays, and Wolf Hall on Mondays. Thanks

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They were, but I changed WH to Wednesday and W&P to Sunday. Hopefully it isn't too inconvenient for your reading!

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I'm really enjoying this, but we are up to chapter 8 now, and just met Natasha Rostov. Where is the discussion thread for chapter 8?

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It's in the chat!

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In "Invitation to a Soiree" there are only links to chats for chapters 1-7. So where is the chat? Is there some central place for ALL the chat threads?

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Thanks! I saved that article but I can't for the life of me figure out how to go to my saved articles on the Android app. Haven't tried it on browser.

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Yes the app is fiddly. I do most things from the browser.

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Hi Simon! I am a paid subscriber but still blocked - any suggestions

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Hi Martha, you're on the list as a free subscriber. I'll send you an email. You're certainly not blocked!

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Weird I have the receipt and paid Christmas Day.

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Very odd. If you send me the receipt I will chase it up.

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Thx not sure I can here but will look at email

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A good start, and an excellent decision for W&P Sundays. Thank you for making this possible and so enjoyable. Only 51 weeks to go!

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Thank you Simon 😊

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Really enjoying the “ chapter before bed “schedule for my 3rd reading of W&P! And I’m so happy to find both you and Anna here from Insta. You were both some of my favorites! ♥️

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Thoroughly enjoying the Wolf Hall reading and looking forward to exploring more as the posts come out.

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