Monday, April 19, 2010

The Sylph Group Read Rundown

For those eagerly anticipating our first ever, and long-awaited group read, let me lay out just how I am going to go about conducting it. You'll have to bear with me; I, being a novice unlike other seasoned book group leaders like Laurel Anne at AustenProse, might stumble through some of this new terrain.

The Layout
We will have two salons or discussion sessions each week where we will meet here on the blog to discuss the designated chapters (or letters in The Sylph's case). I will set up a post with an overview of what happened and then some thoughts about what we read. I will pose some opinion questions, but you may have something to else say instead of answering them.

Just as in 18th century salons where hot topics were discussed and gossiped about, I hope everyone won't be too shy to contribute a comment or two, even if it's as simple as "I thought this was interesting" or "That, Lady Ann, what a fox!" A good discussion is our goal, because it's always fun to gush over books together!

For those who have read ahead, remember not to ruin the story for others. Please only discuss what has happened up until that point in the plot. So for example, if we are on Letter 10, please don't go on about how the actions in that chapter effect something in Letter 23. We can wait until Letter 23 to chat about that together!

Most importantly, have fun! You're not getting a grade for this group discussion so get cozy; if you think a character is being a dick, well then say it! If you notice a correlation between the book and Evalina, well then say that too! The more varied minds there are the more fun gossiping we will have.

Reading
I set up the group read so that we will spend the month of May reading The Sylph. It will be about 10 pages a day, and two salons a week (Mondays and Thursdays). The salon schedule is as follows:

  • May 3, Letters 1-8
  • May 6, Letter 9
  • May 10, Letters 10-14
  • May 14, Letters 15-23
  • May 17, Letters 24-30
  • May 20, Letters 31-35
  • May 24, Letters 36-45
  • May 27, Letters 46-53
  • May 31, Letters 54-61

I hope everyone is excited as I am! The Sylph is packed with scandalous stories incorporated from Georgiana's own life and marriage in the ton. I think you will all be as shocked and intrigued with the story as I was!

Those who will be attending:


Girlebooks The Sylph
Announcement

41 comments:

  1. Yay! I'm first! Already started reading. So far, so good.

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  2. I'm very much looking forward to it!

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  3. This will be a great way to unwind after defending my masters thesis on the 29th. Can't wait!

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  4. Very excited to read this book with a group. I'm looking forward to the discussion! :)

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  5. Alright, I'm in! And I'll see if I can't get some LJ folks to head over and sign up as well....

    P.S. ~ I love that you put Eliza on the banner ;p

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  6. Woo for shameless promotion!

    It is no mistake Eliza is on the banner (and the book cover). The main character, Julia, has a lot in common with the fabulous Mrs. Sheridan. I had another portrait of her in mind but Laura brought up this one, which I agreed would be great to use because she looks so out of her element.

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  7. Ive always wanted to join a book read and now seems like the best chance. This book looks so delicious, I cant wait! I ended up ordering it online, and im waiting for its arrival.
    Im sorry I dont have an offical blog yet like everyone else, Im still kind of new to the whole thing even though its 2010. I need to get on the ball!! '
    Anyhoo, once my life is a little more exciting, I'll try posting a blog. I dont know how good at it I'd be :)

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  8. You have a profile on blogger and that's a url, so that's all you need to sign up. Blogs are def not a prerequisite to join!

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  9. "The Sylph" has been waiting on my shelves for weeks, now is a great chance to finally get to read it :)

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  10. i'm so looking forward to it. great idea!

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  11. will it be at specific times those mondays and thursdays? as i am in a different time zone than you...

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  12. If she's on the cover as well then once the print version is out I definitely have to make it a point to read it on the bench in front of her portrait at the art museum and see if anyone notices!

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  13. I will be posting the salons at midnight EST, but you don't have to go on at any specific time. Just join in whenever is convenient!

    @Camille, great timing!

    @Mythosidhe, Love it!

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  14. I'm so excited about this!! I've wanted to read this forever..but trust me, with my reading list already overloaded, I would never have gotten to it if it weren't for this terrific idea of yours:) Now I can finally get to read and discuss it! Thanks Heather- so looking forward to May 3rd.
    I will blog about this later on this week. Do you mind if I put the Sylph link on my sidebar?

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  15. Heather, I'm trying to register, but I keep getting a message that the site will not accept my url. Hmmm....
    Could you please add me from your end? www.susanhollowayscott.com

    Thank you -- I'm looking forward to the read (and I just mentioned it again over at the Two Nerdy History Girls.)

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  16. Not to jump way ahead - tho I am - but after this we should do Evelina for comparison.

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  17. I would like to join if I may. No blog or URL.

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  18. Like MEL I'm in but my profile's private (so I assume that won't do for a url - particularly as I've not actually blogged yet!) and I don't have another url.

    But I'm here =)

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  19. @Ms Lucy, Not at all! Go right ahead and pop it on. Thank you very much for helping get the word out!

    @Susan, Thank you also for getting the word out! I put you on the list, sorry the thing is so finicky.

    @MEL, if you don't want to use your profile URL for the list just go ahead an join in. I put up that list thingy just to give myself an idea of who will be joining, but it's not a requirement or anything!

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  20. Thanks for the info Heather. New at this stuff. But as you can see, it worked!

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  21. You know, if people are on Gmail, these dates and letters could go on a google calendar.

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  22. @MEL, woo!

    @Tulip, now I must investigate...

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  23. Read a few pages and am already intrigued. Can't wait for the salon!

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  24. i am so thrilled to read this with all of you!

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  25. Ohhh, you forgot me! I accepted the invitation on your last post about this! I am looking forward to participating.

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  26. I've wavered back and forth on this because I so want to participate, but I'm not sure how much I'll be able to. I might lurk more than not, but I'm in.

    And thank you for leading this! I've done this a few times. It's a lot of work, but can be very rewarding. :o)

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  27. I'm in! I've tried reading it before, but it was really difficult getting through the old style lettering.

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  28. I just got my book in today! I can't wait. I realty liked the style of dangerous liaisons, so I should like this : -) and it's really not that long of a book.

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  29. Seems like a great read, can't wait to be begin!

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  30. @Marquis, which edition? Is it *mine*? (No pressure, I just wanted to know if they're shipping out in a timely manner!)

    @Blue, Neither can I!

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  31. Super excited! I always tend to start these 18th century novels, then give up when the verbose writing starts getting to me. Getting to discuss it with people will really help keep me going!

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  32. @Heather, It's not your addition, Its the Jonathan Gross one. I hope it doesnt end up being to much of a pain differentiating between the texts.
    I ordered it from B&N, along with 2 other books. One of them being "Georgiana: Duchess of Devonshire" by Amanda Foreman. :)

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  33. I am listening to the audiobook of "The Duchess" by Amanda Foreman. There is a discussion in it about The Sylph. I am enjoying the bio.

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  34. @MJ, sounds like a great haul!

    @Mel, Where did you get the audiobook if you don't mind me asking? I keep eyeballing the one on amazon but it is pricey! (As if I need another edition of that book!)

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  35. Heather - I downloaded it off of Audible. (I have a membership with Audible so it was one credit. If you aren't a member, the download is $20.99.)Popped it on the iPod and it makes the daily commute more interesting.

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  36. I'm here, I'm here!

    @Farida, Heather removed all the strange lettering in the new edition, so it should be much easier to read.

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  37. Looking forward to the read! I don't have a URL of my own so I just put google dot com when I signed up, hope that's all right!

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  38. I'm in! My first ever group read. Very excited!

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  39. It sounds wonderful, I look forward to it.

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  40. Fabulous! I think we have developed quite the merry group

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