So, do you remember in December when I asked you all to choose 50 of the books I’d read this year? (post here) Well, here’s what happened…
“I’ve had the goal of reading War and Peace since I was 8 years old and saw the Charlie Brown New Year’s Eve special where Charlie Brown was assigned to read that over Christmas break and had to wheel the book around in a wagon. But I’ve never gotten around to read it. Maybe if you read it, I will be motivated to read it as well – a peer pressure kind of situation.” Angie
“War & Peace: This one’s on my “bucket list” of books to read before I die. It’s not about the story, it’s about accomplishing the reading task! I got a new hardback copy & Cliff’s notes for my birthday this year.” Laura
“War and Peace by Tolstoy. I have not read it in English, however, Tolstoy was a genius when it came to literature and this book will provide you with so many things to think about, this book goes beyond simply war, but happiness, life, and what is necessary.” Jennifer
and Hannah added this endorsement, “I almost said you should read War and Peace, because it’s one of my favorite books, but I don’t think a person can read and enjoy the tome without really wanting to read it.” Hannah
As I tallied the votes this was the one book that troubled me the most. Could I make it through such a big (1215 pages), difficult (I’ve never read Tolstoy), and boring (There. I said it. I think it could be boring. Please don’t judge me) classic? And then I received the best email from Molly at The Bumbles suggesting that we read this one together. I was relieved and excited and touched that I’d have such a great blogging friend to get me through 🙂 Molly is awesome and anyone not familiar with The Bumbles should click on over there, as soon as you’ve finished reading this.
So, here’s the plan. Molly and I will post a War & Peace review every Thursday as we make our way through the book. We’ll each be focused on four different characters. I’ve got Natasha, Prince Andrei, Vasily and Maria. And Molly will be covering Pierre, Nikolai, Helene and Sonya. And we’re going to try to make it fun. Don’t ask me how because I’m still working on it, but you know Molly will make it fun.
Wanna read along with us? We’ll be posting about Volume I Part I next Thursday so you have time! Or you can just read our reviews and claim you really read it to all your friends. Either way, I hope you’ll join us for the journey.
Do you want to read Molly’s take on this? And know where the title of this post comes from? Please visit The Bumbles and let her know you’ll be there for us both as we take on this classic.
Stacy's Books 
Sounds fun! I’m still intimidated by the thought of reading this book, plus it’s so inconvenient and heavy to carry around. Still, I can’t wait to hear what you and Molly will think about this book! 🙂
It’s definitely not one I’ll be throwing in my bag.
Good luck to both of you!
Hmm, I’ve read a few books over 1000 pages (and they were pretty good). I think I’ll read your first posts and decide if I want to jump in. I’m cheering you on right now : )
I’ve made it through the Introduction so far and it’s fantastic 🙂 You should grab yourself a copy.
Sounds like a great plan… I’ll be cheering you on!
Reading it together is a great idea because you can discuss it along the way!
I was excited when I saw this one made your final list; I’m also excited you have a buddy to read it with. I really hope you like it.
I’m glad that you guys voted for it, even if I complain. I never would have attempted it otherwise!
So nice to have such support :0)
What a great plan. I’ll be interested in seeing what you two have to say about it.
Stacy, don’t be intimidated! I really love War and Peace, so much so that I read it twice! A buddy read will definitely make it more palatable for you, but I suspect you will enjoy it!
Reading it twice is quite an endorsement!
Thanks to you and Molly for taking the hit for us more easily intimidated souls! Anna Karenina and I got a divorce after the first few chapters, so I don’t think I’ll be rebounding with this tome! 😉
Waiting with baited breath for the first of your synopses!
It’ll be a Russian adventure!
I have an award for you today:
http://lakesidemusing.blogspot.com/2010/02/winter-awards-sharing-love.html
OOOHHH can’t wait to hear all about it!!
Looking forward to your reviews of the book. You may even motivate me to read it at some point. Happy reading!!
I’m certainly going to be following your posts but I will claim to have read it vicariously through you!! 😀
If the book came with a Reader’s Digest Condensed Version, I might read with you. It’s one I’ve never tackled because it’s so huge. I’ll follow you and Molly and cheer you on. Go-o-o-o Stacy!
Thanks for the cheer Margot! I’m over a 100 pages in and liking it 🙂
Good Luck! It’s fun reading books with Molly. We just did the Housekeeper and the Professor together last month! It’s on my bucket list to read one day as well. But it’s not this year! I’ll be looking forward to your posts.