The responses were swift and urgent: I MUST READ THIS NOW. Some called it their favorite classic. Others urged me to read it IN ALL CAPS. Some gave tips on how to best approach it, how to view it in context, how they first came to the novel as a child or adult or some age in between.Bookworm confession: I've never read Jane Eyre. How urgent is it that I fix this?— Kerry M (@ofabookworm) July 29, 2013
It's pretty phenomenal, this Twitter thing, isn't it?
The moral of this story is that one must always read Jane Eyre as soon as possible, yes? And what better way to do it than a readalong? As a somewhat-slacking member of the Classics Club who has recently learned of the fervor and passion with which many readers approach Jane Eyre re-reads, I'm thinking I might not be the only one thinking a Jane Eyre readalong is in my future. If you're interested, simply sign up with the link widget thingamabobber below, and get reading to start reading in September!
(I will be reading the Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition, so the schedule below breaks out into about 110 pages per week... totally doable, guys):
(EDITED to avoid postings on Saturdays, which tend to be less than ideal for most people):
September 2nd: Kick-off post, introductions, why you're reading, etc.
September 9th: Chapters I-XI
September 16th: Chapters XII-XXI
September 23rd: Chapters XXII-XXIX
September 30th: Chapters XXX-End
More details and logistics available here.
First update: GIFs, images, and other creative uses of the interwebs to express love and/or disappointment with this book are of course more than welcome.
Second update: But of course, GIFs, images, etc. are not required.
Third update: I've changed the schedule above as most people prefer not to post on Saturdays. New start date: September 2nd.
I am tempted because on the one hand, I love readalongs. On the other hand, I was not a fan of this book. Perhaps expressing my distaste/boredom via readalong + GIFs is the way to go (will there be GIFs?)
ReplyDeleteDooo it! I've never read it, but I have heard from Le Twitter that it is THE book to read. Then again, my husband is convinced it is THE WORST BOOK EVER, and he tends to know my taste pretty well, so this should be... intriguing.
DeleteAnd OF COURSE there will be gifs. There must be gifs.
Um, yes. So happy you're doing this. Because I fail and haven't read it either. Huzzah for readalongs!
ReplyDeleteHooray! So glad you're joining (and that I'm not the only one who failed and hasn't read this yet...).
DeleteI don't really want to tell you how much I love this book in case you're disappointed. But...I've read it over a dozen times, and it is just...my heart. I love it so well. I collect copies of it myself and go back and read my favorite sections once a year. *sigh*
ReplyDeleteTo read it for the first time again sounds lovely.
I've heard from a lot of corners how beloved this book is, so my expectations are already set high. But I'm determined to read it from my own perspective as much as one can with such a well-loved classic!
DeleteI vowed to read this one in October, but I'm trying to get my October comrade to join me for this readalong. I have the Deluxe Classics Edition, too! Makes for an easy breakdown.
ReplyDeleteYes, you should join us! The more the merrier. It's only a one month difference, after all :-)
DeleteCount me in, I need to reread this for the classics club!
ReplyDeleteWelcome, Sam! Glad to have you!
DeleteI have read it and I love it so much! I may have to join the readalong just so I have an excuse to reread it!
ReplyDeleteYou should join us! I think it would be really fun to have a good mix of new readers and re-readers. Different perspectives and all that.
DeleteI'm in! JANE EYRE is my favorite book of all time, and it's been way too long since my last re-read. Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteExcellent! Glad to have another re-reader in our midst!
DeleteI've been wanting to re-read this for awhile...I read it in college and remember it being one of my favorite books. I'm excited!
ReplyDeleteYes! Another re-reader! So glad you can join us.
DeleteHmmm... I too am tempted. I've never read it. I may try and squeeze it in...
ReplyDeleteYou should join us! It will be laid back, I promise. And it works out to about 100 pages a week, so it's hopefully doable with other reading commitments.
DeleteEek! I am seriously stoked right now! I have been working so hard to make my blog launch happen, that the very next thing I started to do was *officially!* sign up for the reading challenges & events that I discovered recently! Including this one! I cannot wait until September! :) I already posted a bit about this on my blog!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you're joining us! *trots off to check out the shiny new blog*
DeleteHallo, Hallo Ms. Kerry! :)
DeleteI left you a reply over on my 'shiny new blog!' {ooh I like the sound of that!!},... I am simply happen to have found two Eyre reading challenges stitched closely together!
Yes, that works out rather well! :-)
DeleteI just started a shiny new blog with these challenges/read-alongs too! I've really been wanting a place to write about what I've read besides my Excel spreadsheet...
DeleteThis seems as good a place to start as any!
DeleteI debated about joining for awhile, because I'm starting grad school next month. I really want to reread Jane Eyre, though, so I'm in!
ReplyDeleteExcellent! Glad to have you!
DeleteI love Jane Eyre and I have never participated in a readalong of the book so I'm really looking forward to this! I hope you'll enjoy the book as well! :)
ReplyDeleteI hope so too! And welcome to our little readalong corner of the interwebs!
DeleteCount me in! My introductory post is already written and scheduled :) It'll be nice to see the posts about the book that'll pop up for other events, I'm thinking of Classics Retold in particular since Jane Eyre was claimed twice there so at least two other people will be reading the book that month.
ReplyDeleteI haven't had the best experience with the Brontës in general but we're in this together! :)
Hi Kerry! I started reading the book but had to give up on it so I won't be participating in the event. I would update the Linky to delete the link to my blog but it won't let me. Would you be so kind as to do it for me?
ReplyDeleteI'm giving Septemb-Eyre a signal boost on my blog anyway. Hope it's successful :)
So sorry this didn't work out for you! Honestly I'm a bit scared I won't enjoy it myself but so many have told me good things that I'm trying to go in with an open mind...
DeleteI'm new to the Simply Linked widget but I will see what I can do!
Hallo, Kerry!
ReplyDeleteI'm in the middle of the Bout (8.0), and I am checking in to make sure I have this right: on the 31st of August we're meant to post our Intro about why we wanted to join in on Septemb-Eyre, and then, come back and give the link in this comment thread? When are we meant to start reading Chapter 1!? I want to mark this down on my calendar, as I already marked off the dates above, as I thought those were "to be read dates/post your weekly updates" schedule!? Am I right!? I'm quite excited for this!! :) :)
Hi Jorie! I've actually just posted an updated schedule today as I realized I was looking at an August calendar instead of September (oops), and most people tend to prefer posts on weekdays instead of weekends. So, new schedule is here: http://www.entomologyofabookworm.com/2013/08/septemb-eyre-update-logistics.html
DeleteAnd yes, to your second question, the first post (now on Sept 2nd) is just an intro, why you're reading, etc., then the week following we'll be posting about the first quarter of the book. So feel free to start reading whenever, and plan to be through Chapter XI by the 9th!
Hallo, again Kerry!
DeleteOoh, this is especially helpful for me!! I battled a bad migraine (nearly 5 days!)and was struggling to sort out how to get myself caught up in time with everything I need to do whilst balancing Septemb-Eyre as well! *Whew!* I am thankful for the edits! And, I thought I was going a bit crazy the other day when I dropped by and didn't see my comment! Now, I know what happened! :) Thanks for the updates! I'll go make the edits on my blog! As I didn't post my Intro yet, but I did announce it under my Absorbing Lit page!
I'll be commenting on everyone's blog(s) as I do not use twitter! :(
I'm ON IT! I read it a few years ago and have been dying to reread it. I remember loving it minus a LOOOONG boring section in the middle. I also remember having a mega-crush on Rochester. Mr. Darcy has NOTHING on Rochester!
ReplyDelete(I messed up on the link thingy (never done it before...) and forgot to put my blog name...Alison @ The Bookish Girl Reads On)...
So sorry I am so delayed in responding to these comments... apparently they were stuck in moderation and Blogger didn't think to let me know. Oops.
DeleteAnyway, so glad you are joining us! And I'll see if I can change your name in the Linky thing... though I make no promises that my technical skills can handle it :-)
Ooh, its lovely to find another new book blogger!! I saw your original note underneath mine, and then, I saw this one here! When I first clicked on your OpenID link it took me to a different blog!? Then, I went above and found your blog's name! I look forward to seeing your posts!
DeleteOMG! I am SO in! I started reading this one earlier in the year, but put it aside about 100 pages in. Despite putting it in my to read this summer pile, I just haven't gotten to it. I have really been wanting to finish (and I am definitely a slacking CC member). Perfect timing!
ReplyDeleteHooray! Glad you're joining. I'm hoping this revs up my participation in CC... we'll see! :-)
DeleteI am definitely in! I started it earlier this year, but just didn't finish. Like you, I feel like I am really missing something (and I'm also a slacking CC member), so I want to finish soon! Perfect timing on your part. Also, I am definitely afraid I won't like it because it seems like everyone loves this novel.
ReplyDeleteI only have one copy (I think), but it's mass market and that just drives me crazy as I just do not like reading mmp. I feel like I've read it, but I cannot say for certain, so I'm definitely hoping I can get myself to read it with you all in September. I haven't done anything with the Classics Club yet, so this is me lurking a bit...
ReplyDeleteExcellent! I hope you can join us. And I feel your pain on the mass market... there's something much nicer about the paper, if not the weight and size, of the trade papers and/or hardcovers to me. But I'm sure it's personal preference more than anything.
DeleteI'm very excited about this. I remember really loving this book except for one booooorrrrring stretch about 2/3 of the way through. I also remember LOVING Rochester. Rochester could take Mr. Darcy any day of the week. (sorry if this shows up more than once...I'm having issues posting from my WordPress account then just when I thought I had it, we lost Internet for a bit...)
ReplyDeleteNo problem! My favorite part about reading along with others is that it helps me get through the boring parts. A) I can talk (read: vent) about the boring bits with others in the same boat and B) I know I have to get through it to stay on schedule. Motivation.
DeleteThanks for the opportunity to participate! I'm a new member of tCC and I want to read Jane Eyre while my enthusiasm is still super-high *grin* I know I started the audio-book one time (a long time ago); I know I didn't finish it but I can't remember much beyond that, so I'm considering this read-along to be my first reading of the book. I'm intrigued by the idea of Mr Rochester surpassing Mr Darcy, so of course I'm even more excited to start :-) I'll be reading the ebook (my preferred format) and I've already split it into the four recommended parts.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you're joining us! I've actually listened to the first hour or so on audio as well before the discs were due back to the library, so we're in the same boat :-)
DeleteI just happened to come across your blog through twitter and saw this awesome readalong! I love Jane Eyre and I will definitely be joining you for the group read!!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you found us! I can't wait to get started. Trying to clear my reading deck this weekend so I can dive in fully next week.
DeleteI've always wanted to read it! I have the kindle version and my sister's tattered copy(her friends were never delicate). I'm definitely joining the readalong! ^-^
ReplyDeleteGlad you can join us!
DeleteJust found out about this read-a-long. I've lost track of how many times I've read Jane Eyre but think it's time for another re-read.
ReplyDeleteExcellent! We have a great mix of re-readers (those who've read it once and those who have read it dozens of times), and newbies like me, which I think will make discussions more fun.
DeleteAaaaand my post and linky is up! Hello everyone! :)
ReplyDelete