Classic Reads Book Club – East of Eden by John Steinbeck
I wanted to let you know about this cool thing I’m participating in and even hosting a little bit!
Myself, Jen from Devourer of Books, Michelle from Galleysmith, and Heather from A Capricious Reader (and Beth from Beth Fish Reads, though she won’t be participating until 2011) have started a book club! The book club will read classics, and we’ll read four books a year, or one book per quarter. I’m sure you’re wondering why this is so awesome (Because it is. Awesome.). Let me tell you!
Lots of us want to read more classics! This is a way to do it!
One thing I want to do this year is try to delve into books more and try to get the message, the point, the author’s purpose in writing the book. I want my reading to go beyond, Oh, that was entertaining. The way the Classic Reads Book Club is set up, you’ll be able to do that because we’ll be discussing it in little chunks. You won’t have to worry about remembering things from too far back, because we’ll be discussing it as we go.
Since we’re discussing the book over 3 months, you can dip in and out of the book. You don’t have to worry about having to devote a week or two to one book. Instead, read the assigned portion, and then move on to another book!
There are so many benefits to the way we’re doing the Classic Reads Book Club. I hope you’ll join us!
You don’t need to do anything to join; all you need to do is read the book and join in on the discussion!
Our first book is East of Eden by John Steinbeck. Here’s the schedule:
January 25th – Section 1 (Chapters 1-11)
February 8th – Section 2 (Chapters 12-22)
February 22nd – Section 3 (Chapters 23-33)
March 8th – Section 4 (Chapters 34 – end)
Join us to discuss East of Eden at
http://classicreads.wordpress.com/
| Tags: classics, east of eden, john steinbeck 13 comments »
January 7th, 2010 at 9:27 am
Sounds like fun, and maybe I’ll get to join y’all a little bit later into your schedule – I do want to read more classics this year AND I do want to focus on re-reading books and authors I love, and East of Eden would satisfy that requirement quite handily! It’s a fantastic book, something I’ve been touting well before Oprah ever had her book club (though I think she may just have a little more sway than I do). My January is going to be pretty full as it is with reading some other books I have in the queue, but perhaps Feb will allow me to join in!
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January 7th, 2010 at 11:10 am
Love this idea. I’m in!
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January 7th, 2010 at 5:57 pm
This is a great idea and a great way to read the classics. Brilliant! I, too, may join you. Not sure I’ll be able to read East of Eden. I’ve got two book club books I need to read by the 21st. But you never know.
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January 7th, 2010 at 6:54 pm
Honestly, it sounds like a fantastic idea and I think I will join you girls. I like no real time constraints and the schedule that I believe will allow for better discussion.
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January 7th, 2010 at 7:20 pm
I’m joining on the Atwood book. I want to read this Steinbeck book, but can’t at the moment. Have fun for me
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January 8th, 2010 at 5:18 pm
Oh gosh, you’re killing me. I’ve read this book twice and I sure wouldn’t mind reading it yet again.
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January 9th, 2010 at 10:58 am
Steinbeck is one of my favorite authors, and East of Eden is one of my favorites by him (second only to the Grapes of Wrath). I’m not sure if I’ll have time to reread it, but I’m definitely interested to see the discussion!
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January 9th, 2010 at 12:37 pm
I’m putting East of Eden on my reader right now!
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January 9th, 2010 at 5:39 pm
Ooohhh, No I don’t think so. Loved the book, and both movies,but too much on Jan.schedule. Let me know about future books.
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January 9th, 2010 at 7:58 pm
Oh, I love this book. Have a great time!
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January 10th, 2010 at 10:46 am
Ooo, this sounds like a fun idea! One of my book club girls wants us to read East of Eden when its her month to lead (I think in a couple of months), but I may cheat and start reading it now.
My boyfriend loves this book. He reads roughly 2 books a year (shame I know!) but East of Eden is always one of the two.
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January 10th, 2010 at 11:04 pm
I LOVE Steinbeck! You are in for a wonderful treat with East of Eden!
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January 11th, 2010 at 3:48 pm
Ooh! This sounds like such a wonderful idea! I have this book on my shelf and have not read it yet, so I would love to participate in this! Very, very cool, and a great way to get to more classics, which is one of my goals for the new year!! Thanks so much for posting this all inclusive invitation!
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