My second-hand copy arrived today. Really looking forward to getting started in January. it's a book that I've bought before, attempted, failed, been intimidated by, and gave away. So looking forward to having a guided run through this one.
Same!I’m considering trying both...tbd. Hope the dune read is going well. I wasn’t able to fit that in this month...work has been crazy and I’ve been working through the Red Rising series along with my 15 year old...
Your writing is beautiful Simon! I often thought of all of the heart and hard work you put in last year. I am glad you are doing it through Substack next year where you can get compensated for your passionate work. I was one of the many people who started War and Peace with you last year but didn’t finish due to dropping the daily reading habit. For 2024, War and Peace will be living beside my bed and the first thing I will do is read that day’s chapter before getting out of bed. Looking forward to the journey!
Thank you Rochelle! And I'm glad this has encouraged you to pick it up again. I'm hoping next year is going to be even better. I think I've learned a lot from my "mistakes" and got some ideas about how to make things run smoother too.
Thank you for doing this again in 2024. I just discovered your read along and I'm super excited to join in starting January 1st. I read War and Peace (quite painfully and fast as I could) as a teenager and I don't remember much of it other than the very long and confusing names. Really looking forward to reading it slowly again with you and others around the world
I was definitely one of those who was intimidated by W & P but this readalong has completely opened up this book to me.
Not long now, we’re nearly home.
Just a few chapters left.
Yes indeed and I am oddly emotional about it. I will miss it, very much. I don't want it to end if I am honest. It has become a comfort and oddly a connect with all these people who I don't really know but can sense, can feel them, taking this journey too.
I'm worried about that hole that will be left when it ends! Hopefully we can all meet up here and continuing reading other things slowly. The connection and the shared experience has been so wonderful this year.
Looking forward. I’ve had first edition Pevear and Volokhonsky since 2007, too intimidated to read. I’ve now bought the paperback so I can comfortably write notes in the margins as we go along. I can’t believe I’m tackling this, but with all of you I’m nervously confident (oxymoron?) I can do it. Bring on January first.
This is so beautifully written, Simon. Thank you. And, honestly, I don't know if this is normal, but I am beyond excited to start reading Wolf Hall. Especially within this wonderful community that you've created. I'm more excited for that than I am for the Christmas break!
Simon, I do all my notifications in app. The link to notifications mentions email, do you know if I select those will it show up in my app inbox? If not sure, I’ll just keep an eye on it! Very exited to join’
Ah you'll have to mute the other one so you don't feel left too much fomo. But then again you might find you only vibe with one of them, which is also cool.
The word serendipity is floating before my eyes... surely your unplanned gathering of kindred souls is that Simon?
This read very beautifully and I wish I could join you all with War and Peace tucked under my arm but Mantel is waiting and already I’m panic stricken about time... another just isn’t possible. If indeed is the first? 🙏🏽
Yes, I hardly recommend both, even though some are. I was just going to run Mantel but for lots of reasons I just had to do W&P again. Hopefully they will both remain there for use in future years.
11 months we've travelled together through so much. Only one month further. I am so grateful you are leading this journey again next year. As well as the parallel journey through Wolf Hall. As ever, thank you
Simon, what a beautiful reflection. I'm excited to join in the read-through next year. What you have done is truly special and something I resonate with deeply. Very proud of you (as I keep saying).
This is a great reflection, Simon. What you're doing is very special!
Thanks Jeffrey!
My second-hand copy arrived today. Really looking forward to getting started in January. it's a book that I've bought before, attempted, failed, been intimidated by, and gave away. So looking forward to having a guided run through this one.
Wonderful! Hope you don't give this copy away, or at least not straight away. And I hope you enjoy the read along.
The plan is to read it, fall in love, and collect all the other translations. But we'll see ;)
Nice plan!
I look forward to experience this sense of constellation when we reach Wolf Hall next year ✨
I'm sure you'll make an excellent star Nathan.
Same!I’m considering trying both...tbd. Hope the dune read is going well. I wasn’t able to fit that in this month...work has been crazy and I’ve been working through the Red Rising series along with my 15 year old...
No worries, Brian. Not read that series, but I've heard good things of it.
Your writing is beautiful Simon! I often thought of all of the heart and hard work you put in last year. I am glad you are doing it through Substack next year where you can get compensated for your passionate work. I was one of the many people who started War and Peace with you last year but didn’t finish due to dropping the daily reading habit. For 2024, War and Peace will be living beside my bed and the first thing I will do is read that day’s chapter before getting out of bed. Looking forward to the journey!
Thank you Rochelle! And I'm glad this has encouraged you to pick it up again. I'm hoping next year is going to be even better. I think I've learned a lot from my "mistakes" and got some ideas about how to make things run smoother too.
Thank you for doing this again in 2024. I just discovered your read along and I'm super excited to join in starting January 1st. I read War and Peace (quite painfully and fast as I could) as a teenager and I don't remember much of it other than the very long and confusing names. Really looking forward to reading it slowly again with you and others around the world
Hey! I'm sure you'll get a lot more from it this time around.
I was definitely one of those who was intimidated by W & P but this readalong has completely opened up this book to me.
Not long now, we’re nearly home.
Just a few chapters left.
Yes indeed and I am oddly emotional about it. I will miss it, very much. I don't want it to end if I am honest. It has become a comfort and oddly a connect with all these people who I don't really know but can sense, can feel them, taking this journey too.
Thank you Simon. x
I'm worried about that hole that will be left when it ends! Hopefully we can all meet up here and continuing reading other things slowly. The connection and the shared experience has been so wonderful this year.
How beautiful! Can’t wait to see how things will be one year down the line 😊
Looking forward. I’ve had first edition Pevear and Volokhonsky since 2007, too intimidated to read. I’ve now bought the paperback so I can comfortably write notes in the margins as we go along. I can’t believe I’m tackling this, but with all of you I’m nervously confident (oxymoron?) I can do it. Bring on January first.
You should be confident Anita! This is a great way to do it and I have every confidence in you.
This is so beautifully written, Simon. Thank you. And, honestly, I don't know if this is normal, but I am beyond excited to start reading Wolf Hall. Especially within this wonderful community that you've created. I'm more excited for that than I am for the Christmas break!
❤️❤️ Remember that Cromwell is for life, not just for Christmas. Or at least a year. Your level of excitement is quite normal in these parts!
What a joy to read and listen. Maybe there will be slow reading convenings in other places this coming year?
I sincerely hope so!
Simon, I do all my notifications in app. The link to notifications mentions email, do you know if I select those will it show up in my app inbox? If not sure, I’ll just keep an eye on it! Very exited to join’
It will do! I'm the same, so if your notifications are on you'll get the newsletters where ever you normally get them. 👍
Perfecto. Your post gives me FOMO if I don’t read along with both! 😂
Ah you'll have to mute the other one so you don't feel left too much fomo. But then again you might find you only vibe with one of them, which is also cool.
The word serendipity is floating before my eyes... surely your unplanned gathering of kindred souls is that Simon?
This read very beautifully and I wish I could join you all with War and Peace tucked under my arm but Mantel is waiting and already I’m panic stricken about time... another just isn’t possible. If indeed is the first? 🙏🏽
Yes, I hardly recommend both, even though some are. I was just going to run Mantel but for lots of reasons I just had to do W&P again. Hopefully they will both remain there for use in future years.
11 months we've travelled together through so much. Only one month further. I am so grateful you are leading this journey again next year. As well as the parallel journey through Wolf Hall. As ever, thank you
And the last chapter on the main book tomorrow. I can hardly believe it!
I’m obsessed with the idea of the books swapping notes on their owners! Haha. And what a heart warming retrospective. More great times to come :)
Be good to your books, they might tell on you! 😅
Simon, what a beautiful reflection. I'm excited to join in the read-through next year. What you have done is truly special and something I resonate with deeply. Very proud of you (as I keep saying).
Hurray! Thanks Tiffany.
Great read Simon!
Thanks Pamela!