If you are reluctant to join there is no need to be…bite size chapters, no pressure, supportive host and fellow readers, magical story - I definitely recommend that you go for it! I would’ve never predicted that I could accomplish reading War and Peace and here I am with just a month to go feeling pretty proud of myself ☺️
What a wonderful adventure it's been reading War and Peace a chapter a day with our undaunted captain, Simon, at the helm. He skillfully navigated us through the drawing rooms of St. Petersburg and the battlefields of Borodino, as well as through our daily chats. The insights of my fellow readers multiplied my understanding in many ways. I will always remember 2024 as my year of War and Peace. Looking forward to my next reads with Simon and friends!
I've loved War and Peace this year and plan to do it again in 2025. Along with joining the Cromwell Trilogy. These read alongs are addictive. I'll also be reading Homer with another group, and probably the Anna Karenina group too. And thank you for the Christmas Carol link. I've been enjoying the Audrey listen alongs since Alice in Wonderland. It's a great site!
If you are thinking about doing this slow read, my strong advice is “Do It!” You won’t regret it. It’s been a fabulous journey. I wasn’t sure if it was going to be something I could do, but I haven’t missed a day.. even on holiday! I’m signing up with Simon for next year with his new books and also going to re-read W&P.
Perfect timing! I am working on a Happy Wanderer post about a reading challenge I did this year, and I am planning to have a section about the War and Peace readalong. I am so glad to be able to link to this handy post for my readers! Hopefully at least a few of them will join the readalong next year. 😊
My copy should arrive today. After getting used to the heft of Mantel’s trilogy I’m hoping its size won’t feel quite so daunting as it would a year ago! Here’s to more chunky and intimidating books! Can’t wait to read W&P with you Simon 😁
The 2024 reading is an experience that I will never forget. Leo Tolstoy’s masterpiece, Simon’s daily commentary and engagement with the chat thread, and the community of shared thoughts with fellow readers has been incredibly enriching. It exceeded my expectations and I look forward to joining the Cromwell trilogy read along next year.
I loved this slow read in 2023 and I’m in for 2025 for a re read and I’ll pick another translation to try out. It was such a wonderful ritual and I’m still so proud of myself for having read it.
The War and Peace slow book read was my literary highlight for 2024! Thank you, Simon, for your dedication and passion to this group. It made this experience unforgettable and forever changed how I see this incredible book.
This has been the best thing I’ve done all year. I have taken part in both slow reads and I know I wouldn’t have sustained reading the books either out our group. I have found my own rhythm to manage but I also have read double the books I read last year alongside the slow reads! I can’t wait for next year’s reads. Hurrah for slow reads and Hurrah to Simon!
I agree with what everyone else has said. Simon has put together a really great slow read experience with tons of resources to help. If you’ve ever wanted to read War and Peace this is the way to do it and it’s the last year ever so don’t miss your chance! It’s very manageable to read a chapter a day and you can engage with the chat as much or as little as you want. I’m so glad I did it this year.
Hi everyone.. I just heard about this idea (reading a chapter a day of War and Peace) and I've signed up already. What a wonderful idea! I do cross stitch SALs (stitch alongs) but it never occurred to me to look up read alongs. I'm doing a "tree of life" SAL next year which I'm excited about. I can't wait for both to start. I'm in Adelaide and will get my book soon.
Yes for sure. I am going to get an audio book as well (I usually do all my reading via audio these days so I can cross stitch but I'm excited to read as well as listen this time).
Is there a specific edition we need to read along with Simon? My old copy is in storage and it’s nice to buy a new one. Not read this for over 30 years. I’m a graduate of Russian (many years ago) and adore the Russian classics. It’ll be so nice to go back to it. Thank you so much for your endeavours!
If you are reluctant to join there is no need to be…bite size chapters, no pressure, supportive host and fellow readers, magical story - I definitely recommend that you go for it! I would’ve never predicted that I could accomplish reading War and Peace and here I am with just a month to go feeling pretty proud of myself ☺️
Hurrah! Thank you Jenny!
What a wonderful adventure it's been reading War and Peace a chapter a day with our undaunted captain, Simon, at the helm. He skillfully navigated us through the drawing rooms of St. Petersburg and the battlefields of Borodino, as well as through our daily chats. The insights of my fellow readers multiplied my understanding in many ways. I will always remember 2024 as my year of War and Peace. Looking forward to my next reads with Simon and friends!
Thanks Joanne, for joining our ship o' fools! We don't know where we are going, but we are enjoying the adventure!
I've loved War and Peace this year and plan to do it again in 2025. Along with joining the Cromwell Trilogy. These read alongs are addictive. I'll also be reading Homer with another group, and probably the Anna Karenina group too. And thank you for the Christmas Carol link. I've been enjoying the Audrey listen alongs since Alice in Wonderland. It's a great site!
You've got the bug! And let's here it for Audrey!
If you are thinking about doing this slow read, my strong advice is “Do It!” You won’t regret it. It’s been a fabulous journey. I wasn’t sure if it was going to be something I could do, but I haven’t missed a day.. even on holiday! I’m signing up with Simon for next year with his new books and also going to re-read W&P.
Thank you so much Lynn for joining us and all your cheerleading along the way! See you for more next year!
Perfect timing! I am working on a Happy Wanderer post about a reading challenge I did this year, and I am planning to have a section about the War and Peace readalong. I am so glad to be able to link to this handy post for my readers! Hopefully at least a few of them will join the readalong next year. 😊
Thanks so much Mari! Looking forward to reading about your reading challenge.
My copy should arrive today. After getting used to the heft of Mantel’s trilogy I’m hoping its size won’t feel quite so daunting as it would a year ago! Here’s to more chunky and intimidating books! Can’t wait to read W&P with you Simon 😁
Fantastic, Sharon. W&P is such a different book, and a daily read is a different rhythm. But I hope you get a lot out of it!
The 2024 reading is an experience that I will never forget. Leo Tolstoy’s masterpiece, Simon’s daily commentary and engagement with the chat thread, and the community of shared thoughts with fellow readers has been incredibly enriching. It exceeded my expectations and I look forward to joining the Cromwell trilogy read along next year.
Wonderful Linda. You're in for a real treat next year with Wolf Hall!
I loved this slow read in 2023 and I’m in for 2025 for a re read and I’ll pick another translation to try out. It was such a wonderful ritual and I’m still so proud of myself for having read it.
Fantastic Sheila! Turning you into a War and Peace re-re-reader!
The War and Peace slow book read was my literary highlight for 2024! Thank you, Simon, for your dedication and passion to this group. It made this experience unforgettable and forever changed how I see this incredible book.
That's so wonderful Lula, thank you so much!
This has been the best thing I’ve done all year. I have taken part in both slow reads and I know I wouldn’t have sustained reading the books either out our group. I have found my own rhythm to manage but I also have read double the books I read last year alongside the slow reads! I can’t wait for next year’s reads. Hurrah for slow reads and Hurrah to Simon!
Thank you Julie! And hurrah to Julie for being part of it and finishing these fabulous books!
I agree with what everyone else has said. Simon has put together a really great slow read experience with tons of resources to help. If you’ve ever wanted to read War and Peace this is the way to do it and it’s the last year ever so don’t miss your chance! It’s very manageable to read a chapter a day and you can engage with the chat as much or as little as you want. I’m so glad I did it this year.
Thank you!
I’ve just received today my new copy. Really looking forward to this!
I think I’m going to try it … :-) Just changed my subscription to paid!
Thank you, Paula! I hope you enjoy the journey.
Hi everyone.. I just heard about this idea (reading a chapter a day of War and Peace) and I've signed up already. What a wonderful idea! I do cross stitch SALs (stitch alongs) but it never occurred to me to look up read alongs. I'm doing a "tree of life" SAL next year which I'm excited about. I can't wait for both to start. I'm in Adelaide and will get my book soon.
Hey Robyn! Wonderful. Perhaps you could combine read-along and stitch-along in some way... Greetings from Newcastle, UK.
Yes for sure. I am going to get an audio book as well (I usually do all my reading via audio these days so I can cross stitch but I'm excited to read as well as listen this time).
Is there a specific edition we need to read along with Simon? My old copy is in storage and it’s nice to buy a new one. Not read this for over 30 years. I’m a graduate of Russian (many years ago) and adore the Russian classics. It’ll be so nice to go back to it. Thank you so much for your endeavours!
Hey Jemmy. Thank you, it will be interesting for you to see how your reading of it has changed! Check out number 3 above: https://footnotesandtangents.substack.com/i/151884015/which-translation-of-war-and-peace-should-i-read - You can go with any version you like, but I recommend these three most recent editions because the chapter divisions tally exactly with the reading schedule.
Super! Many thanks Simon.
So excited. I was just telling someone I want to read war and peace and then I see this on Substack!
Wow!
Can’t wait. Thank you!
Ah, it must be meant to be!