War and Peace Read-A-Long — any takers?

Personally, I enjoy bragging, especially about what I’ve read.

This year, I’d like to take on the doorstopper War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy. My goal is not to read War and Peace in a week, or even a month, but rather to savor the experience. I plan to log only 15 minutes of my reading time a day reading this, as I have many other books I need to be reading.

I wouldn’t mind having others take the reading plunge with me. I mean, it could be like a secret club, and something we can brag about during cocktail parties, cuz face it, you sound damn cool when you talk about Russian Lit and Tolstoy and big books. Also, it’s on project guttenburg and probably in your library.

I’ll be posting monthly updates on my War and Peace progress, quotes and initial thoughts. If I post a spoiler, there will be a warning.

For me, this starts today, but if this appeals to you at all, feel free to join the reading at any point in time.

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April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.
About April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

Comments

  1. Michelle (Red Headed Book Child) says

    You, my dear, are muy adventurous. I am impressed!

    I probably will not jump on borad but I will follow and read along your adventure!

  2. I read War and Peace last year, and it was great! I really enjoyed it.

    Jennifer @ Mrs. Q: Book Addict
    http://web.me.com/quirion

  3. Part of me wants to…but another wonders if I can handle it at the moment. Good luck!

  4. This is kind of a great idea! I'm totally going to put War and Peace on my kindle and join in the challenge with you. If it ends up taking me the whole year, so be it. In any case, I can definitely commit 15 minutes a day. So it's ON!! 🙂

  5. Kathmeista says

    Oh good!! Friends to read along with. I've been trying to read this for months but keep getting distracted.

    15 minutes a day? That sounds do-able! I'm in.

  6. Oh, heavens! Just finished a different Russian classic so will pass on this one, but would love to see updates on your reading!

  7. I want to read this one this year too! I'm definitely up for it.

  8. Okay, so I posted a blog entry about it: http://brizmusblogsbooks.blogspot.com/2010/01/massive-undertaking.html
    I guess this means I am REALLY for real doing it. AGH!

  9. Finally, someone else who calls them doorstoppers! I never got far in this classic when I tried-too much of a mood reader. I may dig out my very old copy and try again. I'm committed to a couple of other both groups reads, well, 5 in all, so I may not keep up. But I certainly watch for your thoughts on your reading.

  10. Well, given that you're offering such a kind and gentle approach, I think I might have to take you up on this one!
    Amy (www.newcenturyreading.com

  11. Hurrah at those who may be joining. It's not a huge commitment plus you get bragging rights! Yay!

  12. Robert Burdock says

    Hi April,
    Nice to meet you. I'm absolutely delighted that you've decided to read War & Peace because it is a remarkable work of fiction. However, can I implore you with every cell in my bookish body to seek out the Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky translation (the following link is an Amazon link but it's not an affiliate link – I don't do that sort of thing):

    http://bit.ly/9UNM2W

    You probably already know that different translations can offer different reading experiences, and there's no finer War & Peace reading experience than the Pevear & Volokhonsky translation.

    Regardless of whether you go for this translation or not, I wish you the best of luck in your reading (Tolstoy and otherwise)
    Warmest
    Rob@RobAroundBooks