An immense reading plan! And about that parenthetical in your video title: boy oh boy, did EVERYBODY see that video from Please Read Your Book? I'm surprised nobody's done a specific response video yet -
The Count of Monte Cristo is one of my reading goals as well. I bought it three years ago and there it sits. From your list I've read Tess (a few times) and the Welty stories.Your plan is ambitious, happy reading!
Oooh great list. I’m doing the Proust read this year and more Thomas Hardy is on my list. I’m also going to read Delta Wedding by Eudora Welty. I love The Count of Monte Christo and the Solzhenitsyn is just fabulous. Wonderful plans James 😊
Happy New Year, James and Louise, and of course to your weaver wife! I followed her on Instagram and just love her work! It’s funny, it seems that this is the year that people are setting themselves some chunky classics and I’m no different. I’m also planning to read The Brothers K, The Count of Monte Cristo, and the Lives of the Caesars by Suetonius! Also added Moby Dick, The Decameron, and War and Peace using the chapter a day method. And that’s not all! Eyes bigger than the proverbial Stomach but one must strive. 😂 Hope you have a marvelous reading year.
Thanks for checking out fruitpi weaving. She is very talented. Moby Dick and War & Peace are two of my all time favorites-- you'll love them, and they are in short chapters, so good for that approach. (Proust does not seem to believe in chapters, just endless sentences!)
You're in for a treat with Thomas Hardy. Tess is one of my favorites by him, but there are many great ones. I'll also be reading Suetonius this year. Maybe Solzenitzin too. Happy new year in reading to you!
Thanks for watching. I've heard a lot of takes on Hardy, but he's not usually called a treat. Usually leaves people scarred for life. I'm going to have to face the beast myself.
Good for you! Welcome back. Wow! One year already, you don’t say. I have been trying to read The Count … for about 24 years. So far, it’s a no go. I think I’m going to keep my reading light. Avocado toast has my attention. Hey pup! 🥰🐶 Happy New Year, James.
Welcome back Louise and James. Fine list and promises lots of good viewing for me. I’ve only read the Solzhenitsyn, which was remarkable. I think back on it often. And if you can’t trust Iggy . . . I just started a first-time read of Les Misérables, getting my 2025 off to its own chunky start. Nice to have a new video from you pop up over my morning coffee. All good things to you and yours in the new year.
Thanks for watching Patricia H! I remember that Iggy named Suetonius his favorite in a newspaper interview about the time he released an album called "American Caesar." The paper printed it as being by Sue Tonius, ha. I thought of maybe adding Les Miserable, but I'm already heavy on long-winded Gauls.
Great to see you, James and Louise. You have some wonderful plans for the new year. Glad you will be joining us for The Brothers Karamazov. I would like to read The Count of Monte Cristo as well, but who knows when....Happy New Year, my friend.
A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Solzenitzin is a great but quick read. The Brothers Karamazov will be much more daunting as will The Book of Jacob.
Happy New Year. As you say "man plans, god laughs" I never know where my reading will take me Starting the year with a chonker The Covenant of Water as part a NYT 21st Century Best book club and doing the Read What You Own Challenge (two rounds of 25) May the odds be ever in your favor
Proust, The Brothers Karamazov and The Twelve Caesars are on my list. I've wanted to read The Count of Monte Cristo for years. We'll see if this is the year I get to it.
Happy New Year, James. Has it been a year already? I joined around the same time as you but haven't made too many videos. I like Tess and the Count. The actual Gore Vidal introduced me to Seutonius in the 90's. Basically human nature if left without any boundaries is very dangerous (as we can also see in De Sade's writings). Welty has a story about Aaron Burr, whose title I can't recall. I've been spending time on the French Revolution and Stalingrad. Books to cheer me up after the disappointing presidential election. I've also been revisiting comics from the early 80's which still hold up after 40 years like Howard Chayking's American Flagg ( written in 1983, with a setting of Chicago 2031) which was quite prophetic about tribalism, AI, right-wing militia's, and obsession with holographic images and video games. Brilliant comic. Glad you are back.
I read some de Sade in the 90's and it still gives me the creeps. From what I've heard the actual Gore Vidal may have been an example of unchecked human nature. I get it about the cheerful historical reading--that's part of the reason for the Suetonius. I've also got a copy of From Hell sitting here on your recommendation.
Those all sound good to me. If you opt for _The Count,_ however much time you reserve for it you will probably need less. _Tess_ was, er, dark enough that I haven’t returned to Hardy since. I too am a fan of his poetry. I have a _Complete Stories_ of Eudora too, that I’ve never touched; now I can wait for your opining.
Many great classics! Impressive, James. (Id like to read _Books of Jacob)_ Have you read _The Greek Myths_ and _White Lotus,_ yet, from Graves? Thanks for the _Shout Out!_ and I still have to get to Powell's and see if they still have a Katz copy. "Hey, Louise!" 🐶
Hi Allen. I wish I had a paper copy of the Katz BK, but it was on sale a few months back, so that's what I got. I've not read the white lotus or the whole of Greek Myths. I do have a copy of the Graves' Myths that I look into from time to time.
You should follow up Tess with Donald Harington's novel The Cockroaches of Stay More -- a most worthy ... reflection? Although difficult to find. Also, I would guess Eudora Welty would probably not take kindly to being called "old" Eudora Welty. 😉 Happy New Year -- good luck with these ambitious reads!
You know, you're right about "old' Eudora--I certainly wouldn't have said that in certain company around Jackson. Never heard of that Harrington book, but the goodreads description is amazing.
An immense reading plan! And about that parenthetical in your video title: boy oh boy, did EVERYBODY see that video from Please Read Your Book? I'm surprised nobody's done a specific response video yet -
No, not everyone has seen that video yet, lol.
@@pleasereadyourbook Hah! Well, it certainly struck a nerve for the people who did!
@@saintdonoghue Oh dear...
I hope it doesn't turn into wiseacres like me and David Novak tagging you every time we make the type of video you were talking about...
@@JamesRuchala Oh don't worry, I'm sure someone is cooking up a 'response' and will put me in my place soon enough.
You MUST read the Count!! I recently read both and the Count is HANDS DOWN the greatest!! And you have the right edition. 100% recommend!
Thanks for the input. The Count wins
The Count of Monte Cristo is one of my reading goals as well. I bought it three years ago and there it sits. From your list I've read Tess (a few times) and the Welty stories.Your plan is ambitious, happy reading!
More than I can chew, maybe? Thanks for watching and happy reading
Oooh great list. I’m doing the Proust read this year and more Thomas Hardy is on my list. I’m also going to read Delta Wedding by Eudora Welty. I love The Count of Monte Christo and the Solzhenitsyn is just fabulous. Wonderful plans James 😊
Thanks for watching, Debs. Welty's "I live at the PO" is one I'll never forget.
Happy New Year, James and Louise, and of course to your weaver wife! I followed her on Instagram and just love her work! It’s funny, it seems that this is the year that people are setting themselves some chunky classics and I’m no different. I’m also planning to read The Brothers K, The Count of Monte Cristo, and the Lives of the Caesars by Suetonius! Also added Moby Dick, The Decameron, and War and Peace using the chapter a day method. And that’s not all! Eyes bigger than the proverbial Stomach but one must strive. 😂 Hope you have a marvelous reading year.
Thanks for checking out fruitpi weaving. She is very talented. Moby Dick and War & Peace are two of my all time favorites-- you'll love them, and they are in short chapters, so good for that approach. (Proust does not seem to believe in chapters, just endless sentences!)
You're in for a treat with Thomas Hardy. Tess is one of my favorites by him, but there are many great ones. I'll also be reading Suetonius this year. Maybe Solzenitzin too. Happy new year in reading to you!
Thanks for watching. I've heard a lot of takes on Hardy, but he's not usually called a treat. Usually leaves people scarred for life. I'm going to have to face the beast myself.
@@JamesRuchala😂 yeah I suppose I’m a literary masochist!
Good for you! Welcome back. Wow! One year already, you don’t say. I have been trying to read The Count … for about 24 years. So far, it’s a no go. I think I’m going to keep my reading light. Avocado toast has my attention. Hey pup! 🥰🐶 Happy New Year, James.
Thanks Floss! Happy new year to you too. Happy reading.
Welcome back Louise and James. Fine list and promises lots of good viewing for me. I’ve only read the Solzhenitsyn, which was remarkable. I think back on it often. And if you can’t trust Iggy . . . I just started a first-time read of Les Misérables, getting my 2025 off to its own chunky start. Nice to have a new video from you pop up over my morning coffee. All good things to you and yours in the new year.
Thanks for watching Patricia H! I remember that Iggy named Suetonius his favorite in a newspaper interview about the time he released an album called "American Caesar." The paper printed it as being by Sue Tonius, ha.
I thought of maybe adding Les Miserable, but I'm already heavy on long-winded Gauls.
Great to see you, James and Louise. You have some wonderful plans for the new year. Glad you will be joining us for The Brothers Karamazov. I would like to read The Count of Monte Cristo as well, but who knows when....Happy New Year, my friend.
Happy New Year Pat! Had a little sabbatical, but it's good to talk to my booktube friends again.
A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Solzenitzin is a great but quick read. The Brothers Karamazov will be much more daunting as will The Book of Jacob.
It's a daunting year! And if I try to read Bros K and Books of Jacob at the same time.... will I go insane?
Happy New Year. As you say "man plans, god laughs" I never know where my reading will take me Starting the year with a chonker The Covenant of Water as part a NYT 21st Century Best book club and doing the Read What You Own Challenge (two rounds of 25) May the odds be ever in your favor
I consider doing Read what you own, but then I lie down until the feeling passes. Good luck to you!
Proust, The Brothers Karamazov and The Twelve Caesars are on my list. I've wanted to read The Count of Monte Cristo for years. We'll see if this is the year I get to it.
These have all (except Togarczuk) been on my list for years now.
Chunker after chunker! Good luck with your plan this year :)
ay, I'm going to need it. Thanks!
Happy New Year, James. Has it been a year already? I joined around the same time as you but haven't made too many videos.
I like Tess and the Count. The actual Gore Vidal introduced me to Seutonius in the 90's. Basically human nature if left without any boundaries is very dangerous (as we can also see in De Sade's writings). Welty has a story about Aaron Burr, whose title I can't recall.
I've been spending time on the French Revolution and Stalingrad. Books to cheer me up after the disappointing presidential election. I've also been revisiting comics from the early 80's which still hold up after 40 years like Howard Chayking's American Flagg ( written in 1983, with a setting of Chicago 2031) which was quite prophetic about tribalism, AI, right-wing militia's, and obsession with holographic images and video games. Brilliant comic.
Glad you are back.
I read some de Sade in the 90's and it still gives me the creeps. From what I've heard the actual Gore Vidal may have been an example of unchecked human nature.
I get it about the cheerful historical reading--that's part of the reason for the Suetonius.
I've also got a copy of From Hell sitting here on your recommendation.
Yay! Welcome back! I love Tess-and Welty is one of my very favorites. I can’t wait to see what you think.
I thought you were a Welty fan. Even more reason to get to her
@@JamesRuchala❤ And how did I miss your lovely shirt?
Great list 😊📚📚
Looks like a solid plan!
Thanks for watching! I like your channel.
Those all sound good to me. If you opt for _The Count,_ however much time you reserve for it you will probably need less. _Tess_ was, er, dark enough that I haven’t returned to Hardy since. I too am a fan of his poetry. I have a _Complete Stories_ of Eudora too, that I’ve never touched; now I can wait for your opining.
If I continue to pursue historathon this year, I may crack open the first volume of Runciman's History of the Crusades, thanks to you.
That's quite the list of big books there, and thanks for throwing the beast a nice morsel to chew on, haha.
We all have to give extra while Steve is regenerating.
@@JamesRuchala I can hardly wait.
Many great classics! Impressive, James. (Id like to read _Books of Jacob)_ Have you read _The Greek Myths_ and _White Lotus,_ yet, from Graves? Thanks for the _Shout Out!_ and I still have to get to Powell's and see if they still have a Katz copy. "Hey, Louise!" 🐶
Hi Allen. I wish I had a paper copy of the Katz BK, but it was on sale a few months back, so that's what I got. I've not read the white lotus or the whole of Greek Myths. I do have a copy of the Graves' Myths that I look into from time to time.
@JamesRuchala cool Cool _COOL_ 😎 Just sent you a Voxer regarding being on the Monday Night Show again, in April ... 🎸
You should follow up Tess with Donald Harington's novel The Cockroaches of Stay More -- a most worthy ... reflection? Although difficult to find. Also, I would guess Eudora Welty would probably not take kindly to being called "old" Eudora Welty. 😉 Happy New Year -- good luck with these ambitious reads!
You know, you're right about "old' Eudora--I certainly wouldn't have said that in certain company around Jackson.
Never heard of that Harrington book, but the goodreads description is amazing.
I’m thrilled to see Donald Harington mentioned. He doesn’t get enough attention on BookTube.
@@anotherbibliophilereads Yes, a lost American master!
Never enough miniature poodle. Even after her procedure, Louise is still lovely.
Thanks for watching--she's the best.
I hope to get through War and Peace
It's so good. And worth the time!