1kac522
I'm going to try again this year to read at least 8 BFBs. I hope to read more new titles, but also continue with my beloved re-reads, which give me great comfort.
Currently reading:
Elizabeth Gaskell: A Habit of Stories, Jenny Uglow (biography)
Some possible new-to-me BFB titles:
The Old Wives' Tale, Arnold Bennett
Completed: Man and Wife, Wilkie Collins (1870), 642 pages
Romola, George Eliot
Felix Holt, the Radical, George Eliot
Completed: Sylvia's Lovers, Elizabeth Gaskell (1863); 504 pages
Wives and Daughters, Elizabeth Gaskell
Completed: John Adams, David McCullough (2002); 651 pages
Completed: Waverley, Sir Walter Scott (1814); 514 pages
Completed: The Way We Live Now, Anthony Trollope (1875); 825 pages
Jessie Phillips, Mrs Fanny Trollope
East Lynne, Ellen Wood
Completed: The Heir of Redclyffe, Charlotte Mary Yonge (1854); 594 pages
Completed: Little Women: An Annotated Edition, Louisa May Alcott (1869); edited by Daniel Shealy; 597 pages.
Some possible BFB re-reads:
Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte
Completed: Bleak House by Charles Dickens (1853), 770 pages on audiobook, re-read
Completed: Little Dorrit, Charles Dickens (1857), 804 pages on audiobook, re-read
Completed: Our Mutual Friend, Charles Dickens (1865), 800 pages on audiobook, re-read
Completed: Can You Forgive Her?, Anthony Trollope (1865), 675 pages on audiobook, re-read
Completed: Phineas Finn, Anthony Trollope (1869), 714 pages on audiobook, re-read
Completed: The Eustace Diamonds, Anthony Trollope
He Knew He Was Right, Anthony Trollope
Let the fun begin!
Currently reading:
Elizabeth Gaskell: A Habit of Stories, Jenny Uglow (biography)
Some possible new-to-me BFB titles:
The Old Wives' Tale, Arnold Bennett
Completed: Man and Wife, Wilkie Collins (1870), 642 pages
Romola, George Eliot
Felix Holt, the Radical, George Eliot
Completed: Sylvia's Lovers, Elizabeth Gaskell (1863); 504 pages
Wives and Daughters, Elizabeth Gaskell
Completed: John Adams, David McCullough (2002); 651 pages
Completed: Waverley, Sir Walter Scott (1814); 514 pages
Completed: The Way We Live Now, Anthony Trollope (1875); 825 pages
Jessie Phillips, Mrs Fanny Trollope
East Lynne, Ellen Wood
Completed: The Heir of Redclyffe, Charlotte Mary Yonge (1854); 594 pages
Completed: Little Women: An Annotated Edition, Louisa May Alcott (1869); edited by Daniel Shealy; 597 pages.
Some possible BFB re-reads:
Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte
Completed: Bleak House by Charles Dickens (1853), 770 pages on audiobook, re-read
Completed: Little Dorrit, Charles Dickens (1857), 804 pages on audiobook, re-read
Completed: Our Mutual Friend, Charles Dickens (1865), 800 pages on audiobook, re-read
Completed: Can You Forgive Her?, Anthony Trollope (1865), 675 pages on audiobook, re-read
Completed: Phineas Finn, Anthony Trollope (1869), 714 pages on audiobook, re-read
Completed: The Eustace Diamonds, Anthony Trollope
He Knew He Was Right, Anthony Trollope
Let the fun begin!
3kac522
>3 kac522: Thanks! A bit heavy on the Victorian, though, now that I look at it as a whole. We'll see if I can mix it up a bit.
5kac522
>4 connie53: Thanks! Good luck with your BFBs, too!
6kac522
FINALLY, a BFB in 2024:
❤️1. Bleak House, Charles Dickens (1853); 770 pages; a re-read on audiobook narrated by Simon Vance
❤️1. Bleak House, Charles Dickens (1853); 770 pages; a re-read on audiobook narrated by Simon Vance
7johnsimpson
Hi Kathy my dear, good luck with your 2024 BFB reads my dear friend.
9kac522
2. Waverley by Sir Walter Scott (1814); 514 pages, which includes detailed notes by Scott himself.
Considered to be the first full historical novel in Western literature, this is the tale of a young Englishman Edward Waverley who gets caught up in the 1745 Jacobite rebellion in Scotland to install Bonnie Prince Charlie to the throne. I had some trouble with the language and dialects at first, but by the halfway point I was completely engaged in the story. Scott's tale was well-researched, gathered from written narratives and accounts he had personally heard from rebellion survivors and their descendants.
Bit of trivia: the book was originally titled "Waverley, or 'Tis Sixty Years Since." Scott makes a point of mentioning "sixty years since" several times in the book, to remind the reader of its historical nature. I believe this is why the Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction only considers books for the prize that are set at least 60 years in the past.
Considered to be the first full historical novel in Western literature, this is the tale of a young Englishman Edward Waverley who gets caught up in the 1745 Jacobite rebellion in Scotland to install Bonnie Prince Charlie to the throne. I had some trouble with the language and dialects at first, but by the halfway point I was completely engaged in the story. Scott's tale was well-researched, gathered from written narratives and accounts he had personally heard from rebellion survivors and their descendants.
Bit of trivia: the book was originally titled "Waverley, or 'Tis Sixty Years Since." Scott makes a point of mentioning "sixty years since" several times in the book, to remind the reader of its historical nature. I believe this is why the Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction only considers books for the prize that are set at least 60 years in the past.
10kac522
❤️3. Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens (1857); 804 pages, on audiobook read by Simon Vance.
This was my 4th read of Little Dorrit and the 2nd time on audiobook. I listened to it in 2021 and it was a great comfort to me during the pandemic. I would say it is my 2nd favorite Dickens after David Copperfield. There are a couple of scenes with Young John Chivery that the audiobook narrator, Simon Vance, did so well that it brought me to tears.
One of the things I've been noticing about reading Dickens in order is in the last few books there is always at least one woman who seems cold and hard and implacable. This woman is often softened a bit by a younger woman/girl and at certain points in the story this older woman gives a long monologue/soliloquy on why she is the way she is. I'm thinking here of Mrs. Edith Dombey with young Florence Dombey in Dombey & Son; Lady Dedlock with Esther Summerson and Rosa in Bleak House; Louise Gradgrind with Sissy Jupe in Hard Times; and in Little Dorrit we get 2 such women: Miss Wade with Tattycoram and Mrs Clennam with Little Dorrit. Dickens will do this again in Great Expectations with Miss Havisham and her ward Estella. I am not sure why Dickens chooses to have these women form attachments with younger women and then give long speeches to explain themselves and reveal their histories, instead of in the narrative text.
This was my 4th read of Little Dorrit and the 2nd time on audiobook. I listened to it in 2021 and it was a great comfort to me during the pandemic. I would say it is my 2nd favorite Dickens after David Copperfield. There are a couple of scenes with Young John Chivery that the audiobook narrator, Simon Vance, did so well that it brought me to tears.
One of the things I've been noticing about reading Dickens in order is in the last few books there is always at least one woman who seems cold and hard and implacable. This woman is often softened a bit by a younger woman/girl and at certain points in the story this older woman gives a long monologue/soliloquy on why she is the way she is. I'm thinking here of Mrs. Edith Dombey with young Florence Dombey in Dombey & Son; Lady Dedlock with Esther Summerson and Rosa in Bleak House; Louise Gradgrind with Sissy Jupe in Hard Times; and in Little Dorrit we get 2 such women: Miss Wade with Tattycoram and Mrs Clennam with Little Dorrit. Dickens will do this again in Great Expectations with Miss Havisham and her ward Estella. I am not sure why Dickens chooses to have these women form attachments with younger women and then give long speeches to explain themselves and reveal their histories, instead of in the narrative text.
11kac522
4. The Way We Live Now, Anthony Trollope (1875); 825 pages.
Trollope's longest book starts out following Lady Carbury, a mediocre novelist with little money who is attempting to get good reviews for her books and get her son and daughter into advantageous marriages. The book slowly shifts focus to the great financier Augustus Melmotte, whose background and source of great wealth are a mystery. (From what I've read, Melmotte's portrait was a conglomeration of real-life men of wealth during the Victorian era.) The more that is revealed about Melmotte, the more I disliked him. Trollope can often portray unlikable characters but still get me to have pity or sympathy with them (Louis Trevelyan in He Knew He Was Right, for example), but not here.
Trollope's intent, I think, was to portray a society that has become so corrupt that it has lost all sense of honesty and integrity. Laudable aims, but overall I can't say that I enjoyed this book very much. There really wasn't a character that I liked or even appreciated, except possibly Roger Carbury (Lady Carbury's distant relation) and to a lesser extent (because they were very minor characters) Mr Breghert, the Jewish banker. and Mr Broune, Lady Carbury's friend. This was a disappointment for me. At some distant time I may re-read it, and perhaps knowing the outcome I will better appreciate what Trollope was trying to do.
It's also interesting to compare Mr. Melmotte here with Mr. Merdle in Little Dorrit, which I read last month. Both characters are men of great wealth that are a mystery to the general public, and both were based on real-life figures. Dickens keeps Mr Merdle at a distance; we never get inside of his head, like the way Trollope digs into Melmotte. Both have the same unhappy endings and in both books there is a ripple effect on society and some characters in the books in particular. But in Dickens it comes as a complete shock and had more impact on me as a reader; in Trollope it's just good riddance to bad rubbish.
Trollope's longest book starts out following Lady Carbury, a mediocre novelist with little money who is attempting to get good reviews for her books and get her son and daughter into advantageous marriages. The book slowly shifts focus to the great financier Augustus Melmotte, whose background and source of great wealth are a mystery. (From what I've read, Melmotte's portrait was a conglomeration of real-life men of wealth during the Victorian era.) The more that is revealed about Melmotte, the more I disliked him. Trollope can often portray unlikable characters but still get me to have pity or sympathy with them (Louis Trevelyan in He Knew He Was Right, for example), but not here.
Trollope's intent, I think, was to portray a society that has become so corrupt that it has lost all sense of honesty and integrity. Laudable aims, but overall I can't say that I enjoyed this book very much. There really wasn't a character that I liked or even appreciated, except possibly Roger Carbury (Lady Carbury's distant relation) and to a lesser extent (because they were very minor characters) Mr Breghert, the Jewish banker. and Mr Broune, Lady Carbury's friend. This was a disappointment for me. At some distant time I may re-read it, and perhaps knowing the outcome I will better appreciate what Trollope was trying to do.
It's also interesting to compare Mr. Melmotte here with Mr. Merdle in Little Dorrit, which I read last month. Both characters are men of great wealth that are a mystery to the general public, and both were based on real-life figures. Dickens keeps Mr Merdle at a distance; we never get inside of his head, like the way Trollope digs into Melmotte. Both have the same unhappy endings and in both books there is a ripple effect on society and some characters in the books in particular. But in Dickens it comes as a complete shock and had more impact on me as a reader; in Trollope it's just good riddance to bad rubbish.
12kac522
5. John Adams, David McCullough (2002); 651 pages
In this biography of the 2nd President of the United States, I felt like I really knew the personality and character of John Adams when I finished this book. McCullough used quite a bit of Adams' correspondence with his wife Abigail and others to bring him to life. Adams felt most proud of his work for independence during the early revolutionary years and his part in constructing the Massachusetts constitution, which later became a model for the U.S. Constitution. I got the impression he was least satisfied with his work as President and Vice-President. I love McCullough's narrative style and it made the book move quickly despite its 600+ pages.
In this biography of the 2nd President of the United States, I felt like I really knew the personality and character of John Adams when I finished this book. McCullough used quite a bit of Adams' correspondence with his wife Abigail and others to bring him to life. Adams felt most proud of his work for independence during the early revolutionary years and his part in constructing the Massachusetts constitution, which later became a model for the U.S. Constitution. I got the impression he was least satisfied with his work as President and Vice-President. I love McCullough's narrative style and it made the book move quickly despite its 600+ pages.
13kac522
Been a while since I visited here. I've been reading a lot of 400 page books, so just missing the mark.
However, right now I'm nearing the end of a re-read of Little Women and my annotated edition comes in at almost 600 pages, so hopefully I'll have a BB to report by the end of the month.
After that, I'm planning on Our Mutual Friend for August, and starting a re-read of Trollope's Palliser series, in which most of those books are 500+ pages.
However, right now I'm nearing the end of a re-read of Little Women and my annotated edition comes in at almost 600 pages, so hopefully I'll have a BB to report by the end of the month.
After that, I'm planning on Our Mutual Friend for August, and starting a re-read of Trollope's Palliser series, in which most of those books are 500+ pages.
14kac522
6. Little Women: An Annotated Edition by Louisa May Alcott (1869); edited by Daniel Shealy; 597 pages.
I read Little Women as a girl and I think I re-read it as an adult some years ago, but I had forgotten most of the details. This over-sized, gorgeous, but VERY heavy annotated edition was truly remarkable and added so much to my reading. It pointed out all the (almost) radical things Alcott was trying to say, in what seems like a very sentimental and conventional book. The editor generously compares Alcott's real life with what she portrays in the book--often the same, sometimes very different.
Since the book was so huge, I listened to the book on audiobook and then went back to read the annotations after each listening session. This worked really well for me.
I read Little Women as a girl and I think I re-read it as an adult some years ago, but I had forgotten most of the details. This over-sized, gorgeous, but VERY heavy annotated edition was truly remarkable and added so much to my reading. It pointed out all the (almost) radical things Alcott was trying to say, in what seems like a very sentimental and conventional book. The editor generously compares Alcott's real life with what she portrays in the book--often the same, sometimes very different.
Since the book was so huge, I listened to the book on audiobook and then went back to read the annotations after each listening session. This worked really well for me.
15kac522
❤️7. Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens (1865); audiobook read by Simon Vance; 800 pages; re-read.
This was my 3rd reading of this classic; the 2nd time on audiobook, which was fantastic. So many details I had forgotten....I couldn't stop listening sometimes. Still not my favorite Dickens, but an amazing work nonetheless.
This was my 3rd reading of this classic; the 2nd time on audiobook, which was fantastic. So many details I had forgotten....I couldn't stop listening sometimes. Still not my favorite Dickens, but an amazing work nonetheless.
16kac522
Currently reading:
Sylvia's Lovers, Elizabeth Gaskell (504 pages)
Can You Forgive Her?, Anthony Trollope (675 pages); re-read on audiobook
Sylvia's Lovers, Elizabeth Gaskell (504 pages)
Can You Forgive Her?, Anthony Trollope (675 pages); re-read on audiobook
17kac522
8. Sylvia's Lovers, Elizabeth Gaskell (1863); 504 pages
A very sad historical fiction novel set during late 18th century featuring the infamous "press-gangs" of coastal England. Not my favorite work of Gaskell, but she goes outside her normal sphere with a thought-provoking read.
A very sad historical fiction novel set during late 18th century featuring the infamous "press-gangs" of coastal England. Not my favorite work of Gaskell, but she goes outside her normal sphere with a thought-provoking read.
18kac522
❤️9. Can You Forgive Her?, Anthony Trollope (1865); 675 pages; a re-read on audiobook, read by Simon Vance
Just like my re-read of the Barsetshire books, this re-read of the first Palliser book was such a delight. I had forgotten so much of the plots, and forgotten so much of Trollope's humor. Trollope portrays three different women, with three different problems with men, and each one felt sympathetic and well-rounded. And I think I can forgive all 3 😊
This first book, along with the last book The Duke's Children in the series, were my favorites on the first time reading this series. I am anxious to start Phineas Finn to see if it goes up in my estimation on a second reading.
Just like my re-read of the Barsetshire books, this re-read of the first Palliser book was such a delight. I had forgotten so much of the plots, and forgotten so much of Trollope's humor. Trollope portrays three different women, with three different problems with men, and each one felt sympathetic and well-rounded. And I think I can forgive all 3 😊
This first book, along with the last book The Duke's Children in the series, were my favorites on the first time reading this series. I am anxious to start Phineas Finn to see if it goes up in my estimation on a second reading.
19kac522
10. The Heir of Redclyffe, Charlotte Mary Yonge (1854); 594 pages
I'm still processing this one. Most of the book was entertaining, but the last 150 pages or so was "much ado about nothing." So it ended on a middling note. Will write more later when I have my thoughts together.
I'm still processing this one. Most of the book was entertaining, but the last 150 pages or so was "much ado about nothing." So it ended on a middling note. Will write more later when I have my thoughts together.
20kac522
11. Phineas Finn, Anthony Trollope (1869); 714 pages; a re-read on audiobook, read by Simon Vance.
21kac522
12. Man and Wife, Wilkie Collins (1870); 642 pages
22kac522
13. The Eustace Diamonds, Anthony Trollope (1872); 587 pages; a re-read on audiobook, read by Simon Vance
23kac522
Coming down to the wire, I'm fairly pleased with my BFB reading.
My goal was to read 8; I've read 13 and might be able to sneak in Felix Holt before the end of the year. If not, it goes to 2025.
We are doing 2025, right John?
My goal was to read 8; I've read 13 and might be able to sneak in Felix Holt before the end of the year. If not, it goes to 2025.
We are doing 2025, right John?
24Cecilturtle
>23 kac522: Congratulations! I'd say that's a great success!
25kac522
>24 Cecilturtle: Thanks! My first book for 2025 will be The Count of Monte Cristo at 1400 pages (my edition). I think it should count for at least 2 books, if I actually make it to the end.😧
26Cecilturtle
>25 kac522: I just finished La Reine Margot by Alexandre Dumas at a mere 635 pages, but boy was it a good read! You probably won't notice the pages flying by!
27kac522
>26 Cecilturtle: Glad you had a good read. I hope mine goes well. I tried The Count some years ago and gave up after 100 pages. I'm hoping I wasn't in the right mood, and this time will go better.
