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Classics: Genre & Novelist Reads

January
A Memorable Protagonist: Suggestions:
The OnionEaters
The Raven
Clayhanger
Our Friend the Charlatan

February
Historical Fiction:
Suggested read: for two months
The Emigrants by Vilhelm Moberg or any in that series.

March
Vladimir Nabokov Russian American

April
Elizabeth Goudge English
Barbara Pym English
Brian's suggestion: I am curious as to what PYM novel others will be reading in April. It might be nice to be doing it like a Buddy Read.

May
Pulitzer Prize Authors: Suggestion Authors:
Conrad Richter
Shirley Ann Grau suggested read: The Keepers of the House

June
Family Dynamics: Suggestions:
E.M. Forster's Howards End
Driving Miss Daisy by AlfredUhry
The Member of the Wedding by Carson McCullers

July
Canadian reads for Canada Day:
Beautiful Losers
The Favourite Game
A Ballet of Lepers: A Novel and Stories
Who Has Seen the Wind by W.O. Mitchell
Suggested Authors from Sandy
/topic/show/...

August
Evelyn Waugh English

September
Elizabeth Taylor English

October
Mystery: Suggestion:
Authors:
Phyllis A. Whitney
E.C.R. Lorac
Suggested read:
Fire in the Thatch: A Devon Mystery

November
Ambrose Bierce American
Eudora Welty American

December
Samuel Beckett Irish

I'd like the same formula of 6 authors and 6 genres. I think it gives a variety.
And I like your genre suggestion for A Memorable Protagonist. :)

I've liked the 6 authors and 6 genres also. I'd also like to read Conrad Richter's books.

6 genres and 6 authors worked out well so I think it should be repeated.

How did the 6 genres and 6 authors work? I wasn't a member then. Please explain.

6 plus 6 and the SEVEN works for me.

I liked the 6 genres & 6 authors too, it gave a lot of choice.

Gilbert wrote: "6 plus 6 and the SEVEN works for me."

That was great Gilbert! Would have taken me forever to think of that!

This renown Gothic Novels list is quite famous in the Jane Austen community. Austen herself enjoyed Gothic fiction, especially the work of Ann Radcliffe.
Also mentioned:
The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe (1794)
The Italian by Ann Radcliffee (1796)

List of the Seven "Horrid Novels" Gothic Reads from Northanger Abbey

The Castle of Wolfenbach: A German Story by Eliza Parsons (1793)
Clermont by Regina Maria Roche (1798)
The Mysterious Warning, a German Tale by Eliza Parsons (1796)
The Necromancer, or The Tale of the Black Forest by Karl Friedrich Kahlert (1794)
The Midnight Bell by Francis Lathom (1798)
The Orphan of the Rhine by Eleanor Sleath (1798)
The Horrid Mysteries: A Story From the German Of The Marquis Of Grosse by Carl Grosse (1796)

Anyone interested in reading this list as a Buddy Read next year?

Sorry I did not mean to skip over this question.

Every year we start planning the reads for next year in advance so that we can have a good list by November/December to start searching for books, audio or e-books for the 2023 new reads that you might be interested in.

Suggestions from the Members of the Six Genres and Six Authors are taken with support from other Members to fill the 12 months of next year (for this Topic only for now).

Trying to find genres and authors of interest that Members would like to explore. Genres and Authors can have suggested reads or a list of suggestions will be posted during that months choice.

I normally have some thoughts and share those to get things started. Does not mean you have to accept them either. Sometimes I put a list of Member suggestions to a Poll if many are offered. The process can take some time. I prefer to have a Member approved variety for us to choose from during the 2023 year, giving us all a chance to plan and have a say in what you might be interested in.

This will be a very busy fall for me at the Board of Elections. This year is our Gubernatorial Election along with Federal, State and local Candidates. We believe we will be about 75% turnout. My time will be more limited mentally and physically. Starting a tad bit earlier than normal for me.

Hope this helps. Please ask if anyone still may have questions.

They're basically the same, but Frontier can include more locations in the case of pioneer or settler stories.

Sandy wrote: "Is each member permitted to suggest one or more books in all of these genres?..."

Genres can be new like the ones I suggested or they can be from last years list. We will only have 6 different genres so if more are suggested we will probably have a poll to pick the top 6.

We have a thread that talks about Frontier Western Adventure Classics:
/topic/show/...

Sandy wrote: "So it appears that each month, the group alternates between a classic novelist and a classic book. Is this correct? I find that some classic books are so long that I take more than one month to read them. Does this disqualify them?.."

Sandy you have some great questions!

Yes that is what we did last year with every other author/genre and will do this year since the 6/6 seems well liked.

Normally as long as there is activity on a thread we will leave it under the topic for several months. When we do move it to the Archived sections they are left open for additional comments. Another Member will always reply in the Archives too!

We will also have a Topic called Hefty/Husky reads:
/topic/show/...

Leslie- I’m glad you are starting the process early since I’m already thinking about next year’s reading! I like the format used this year. I wish I could participate in more of the group reads, though. I keep finding new books at the library and putting the classics on hold! One suggestion I don’t like is high school reads since that’s what turned me off from the classics, especially British, for decades. I like the idea of a memorable protagonist. Has the group covered South American authors? What about theme of war/revolution?

Yes, I also vote for the memorable protagonists.

I was just trying to come up with a few different ones than our normal. We can leave out the High School genre for sure.

I think we tried War/Revolution but I cannot remember when that was. I was thinking once it went to the final culling it was not well supported.

That would be our Resident Member that an excellent memory, Brian!

Pam we do have Non-Fiction now that maybe War/Revolution might fit in better with?

Pam wrote: "Has the group covered South American authors?..."

Pam we did a while back but I think it is a good subject to come back to. Would your thought to be as one of the Genres so that several Authors can be discussed or pick one or two Authors for the one of 6 Authors?

Bernard wrote: "Yes, I also vote for the memorable protagonists."

Start thinking about one. Soon I will be coming up with the follow up for the genre suggestions.

Lesle wrote: "This renown Gothic Novels list is quite famous in the Jane Austen community. Austen herself enjoyed Gothic fiction, especially the work of Ann Radcliffe.
Also mentioned:
[book:The Mysteries of Udol..."
Since I raised this unique list, I would be happy to try a buddy read, something I've never tried before.

Gilbert wrote: "Since I raised this unique list, I would be happy to try a buddy read, something I've never tried before...."

I appreciate you suggesting this.
Gilbert I think you really might enjoy this new adventure. I thought giving us an on-going read for the 7 books, it might make it easier for those that would like to join in.

I'd like to propose one genre - Horror - and two sub-genres - Dystopian sci-fi and Supernatural thrillers.

I'm always up for Historical Fiction and/or Mystery.

John wrote: "I'd like to propose one genre - Horror - and two sub-genres - Dystopian sci-fi and Supernatural thrillers."

John we have a Topic for Sci-Fi already called "Futuristic, Magical & Disturbing" you can make your suggestions under that topic when Book Nerd opens a 2023 Suggestion thread next month.

Kathy wrote: "I'm always up for Historical Fiction and/or Mystery."

Thank you Kathy!

Lesle wrote: "John wrote: "I'd like to propose one genre - Horror - and two sub-genres - Dystopian sci-fi and Supernatural thrillers."

John we have a Topic for Sci-Fi already called "Futuristic, Magical & Distu..."

Thanks Lesle - "Horror" and "Supernatural thrillers" could probably also fit into that topic.

Sandy wrote: "If members of the group are interested in reading Canadian classics, I would be happy to suggest some authors and/or specific titles."

Sign me up! I've read a few of both Lucy Maud Montgomery and Farley Mowat but have read very little else. I remember Mowat coming to visit my school in Kitchener. Of course for children's books I mustn't forget Robert Munsch - he also visited my school.

Mike wrote: "Sandy wrote: "If members of the group are interested in reading Canadian classics, I would be happy to suggest some authors and/or specific titles."

Sign me up! I've read a few of both [author:Luc..."

Sign me up too! I would love to read more Canadian classics.

I know nothing about Canadian classics other than Anne of Green Gables but am interested!

John wrote: ""Horror" and "Supernatural thrillers" could probably also fit into that topic...."

True! This just allows more suggestion for Book Nerds Suggestion thread and allow us more Genre and Novelist reads!

Message 29 was updated for your suggestions so far.

Any other thoughts?

The Canadian, South American and Pulitzer Authors would you want to place under the Novelist (Author) 2 of the 6?

I have updated msg 1 for suggestions so far.

Some thoughts from our list:
The Man Who Loved Children by Christina Stead (1940). “Sam and Henny Pollit have too many children, too little money, and too much loathing for each other. As Sam uses the children’s adoration to feed his own voracious ego, Henny watches in bleak despair.�

The Bird in the Tree by Elizabeth Goudge (1940). “The Bird in the Tree takes place in England in 1938, and follows a close-knit family whose tranquil existence is suddenly threatened by a forbidden love.�

Eudora Welty
Elizabeth Taylor
Barbara Cartland (fun thought)

Elizabeth Goudge is a lovely author.

The group have probably covered most of them in previous years - but could I suggest German authors?

John wrote: "The group have probably covered most of them in previous years - but could I suggest German authors?"

Sure John! Do you have some in mind or do you want a month of German Authors and have several as suggestions as a Genre?

Sandy wrote: "If members of the group are interested in reading Canadian classics, I would be happy to suggest some authors and/or specific titles."

Sandy, Same as John's question. Do you have an Author in mind or do you want a month of Canadian Authors. We can have suggestions under the Genre.

Sandy wrote: "How about Phyllis A. Whitney? She published lots of suspenseful mysteries before 1972."

Do you want Phyllis Whitney as an Author for the month or a suggestion under the Mysteries?

John wrote: "The group have probably covered most of them in previous years - but could I suggest German authors?"

John, I had actually thought about doing a Buddy Read of German authors kind of what you did with Scottish. But wasnt sure with the other two Buddy Reads if that might be too much?

Some more authors to explore for suggestions:

Ambrose Bierce
Evelyn Waugh
John Williams

Lesle wrote: "John wrote: "The group have probably covered most of them in previous years - but could I suggest German authors?"

John, I had actually thought about doing a Buddy Read of German authors kind of w..."

Lesle, I love the idea of a Buddy read of German authors, and we got a number of suggested authors when we floated the idea a few months ago. I don't believe it would be too many - I think the Buddy read format lets us all dip in and out as we like/have time. And even if someone doesn't actively participate, its a great way of picking up some book suggestions. The thing I've enjoyed most about the Scottish Buddy Read is hearing about - and reading - authors and books I'd previously never heard of.

If it goes ahead, I'd be happy to host it - but would be equally happy if someone else is keen to do so.

I think a buddy read of German authors is a good idea, John.
And you would be a great choice for the host!

Sandy wrote: "Lesle, I would propose Canadian authors as a Genre. This raises the question of whether to suggest simply the names of authors or should a specific title be suggested for each author? How many auth..."

Both of Leonard Cohen's novels fall into our date range and could be part of the Canadian author genre - and while double-checking that, I discovered that October 2022 will see the publication of a novel and stories he wrote between 1956 and 1961, so also qualifies.....I just don't think I'll be able to wait until 2023 before reading it!

It's okay Sandy. I just want to make sure it is what you were thinking.

Thank you!

Sandy wrote: "Lesle, I would propose Canadian authors as a Genre. This raises the question of whether to suggest simply the names of authors or should a specific title be suggested for each author? How many auth..."

Actually Sandy it could easily go either way and I am ok with whatever you would like to do.

John wrote: " I'd be happy to host it - but would be equally happy if someone else is keen to do so..."

That sound like a plan John! Thank you!

John wrote: "Both of Leonard Cohen's novels fall into our date range ..."

What reads are those John?

Bernard and Piyangie wrote: "genre suggestion for A Memorable Protagonist. :)"

Do you have a read in mind?

Lesle wrote: "John wrote: "Both of Leonard Cohen's novels fall into our date range ..."

What reads are those John?"

Lesle, three novels of Cohen's which would qualify for a "Canadian Authors" genre would be Beautiful Losers, The Favourite Game, and the yet-to-be-published A Ballet of Lepers: A Novel and Stories.

Sandy
No worries really.
You can do it either way you would like.

Thank you John!