I think the intro said that _Cairo Trilogy_ was originally one book split into three parts for editorial or market reason. But I found the parts distinct and different, so if you finished Part 1 you probably won’t have to reread it to enjoy part 2. Though of the three I remember liking the first most. Everyman’s Library also has a trilogy of his novels set in Ancient Egypt - I’ve read two and found them to be fun easy reads.

@noteworthyfiction

Ай бұрын

I definitely felt book 2 was distinct, so I agree I don't think I'd need to reread 1. Probably just look at a quick plot summary. A couple people have mentioned the first being their favorite.

So true when you said that Okonkwo was not a likable character but he’s so complex bcs of how he got educated and especially the pride for everything. Thank you so much for the readalong! I love when I read different stuff from what I’m used to. ❤❤❤

@noteworthyfiction

Ай бұрын

Me too! So glad you enjoyed it.

Nice to see you enjoyed your picks. I finally recognized I like to watch but not read things on the Victorian Era.

@noteworthyfiction

Ай бұрын

That's fair. The plots are so interesting but the overall writing style, etc. may not be for everyone. Always nice to know what you like. I love listening to people talk about literary fiction but I rarely enjoy reading them!

I had never read any of Charles Dickens books, and recently found a copy of Oliver Twist at Half Price Books and I am really enjoying it. 📚 ❤😊

@noteworthyfiction

Ай бұрын

Yay! His style is all the same, but there are definitely some that are better than others. I like Oliver Twist but only listened to it on audiobook. I definitely want to reread it physically sometime.

The audiobook version of Drood is fantastic. Dan Simmons always wants you to know how much research he has done. Enjoy.

@noteworthyfiction

Ай бұрын

ooo! I might have to look that up when I go to finish. There are definitely moments where I feel like Simmons is flexing, but then there's moments where I'm in awe of the flex! 😊

Ahhh i have added The Mystery of and Drood by Simmons to my list to pick up!! I love all of those things you mentioned!🎉🎉 Update: i ordered them both! 🎉❤😂

@noteworthyfiction

Ай бұрын

yay!! I hope you enjoy them both. Such fascinating cross overs. Can't wait to get back to Drood.

Ugh how did I miss the read-along for Things Fall Apart??!? It’s been on my shelf for years, would’ve loved to tackle this with you all!

@noteworthyfiction

Ай бұрын

So sorry! I definitely need to do a better job of announcing them. You could always readalong with the recording. Also, the storygraph readalong and discord is still available.

Drood sounds so exciting. And leave it to Dickens to up and die in the middle of writing a mystery to create the ultimate real-life mystery for readers for the rest of eternity. 😅 I appreciate your analysis of Things Fall Apart! I read it last year and had very mixed feelings about it. The writing was beautiful and though I disliked Okwonko, I still was rooting for him. However, in the end, it felt like to me the colonizers and villagers siding with them came out looking good and justified, so I was really puzzled about what Achebe was trying to say. For that, it was only 4 stars for me, but if I read it in a class or with a group with some discussion, I might have liked it more.

@noteworthyfiction

Ай бұрын

Yes, the unknown in Drood does feel typical of Dickens! Interesting that you ended up feeling like the colonizers and villagers were justified at the end! I had just the opposite reaction! I felt like the end of the book showed how they could justify everything they did because they only saw the end of the story (someone getting killed by a traditional "heathen") and Chinua was trying to show how Things Fell Apart and got to that point and the real impact it had on African people and villages. So fascinating! It would be nice to have a group discussion on it!

@Dinadoesyoga

Ай бұрын

@noteworthyfiction I definitely felt like there was something I wasn't getting or misinterpreting. I need to reread it.

@noteworthyfiction

Ай бұрын

@@Dinadoesyoga It holds up really well to rereading it. If you're on storygraph you can reread it and leave comments on the readalong I set up for it. This would allow you to see our comments/thoughts on each chapter as you get to it.

@Dinadoesyoga

Ай бұрын

@noteworthyfiction that would be so helpful for me! And fun. 😁

@noteworthyfiction

Ай бұрын

@@Dinadoesyoga Cool! Here's the link to the storygraph readalong page. Just add the book to your currently reading and as you update your pages comment forums will be unlocked. app.thestorygraph.com/readalongs/cec8b6861302-4a8e-867f-5de68c610f4d

Thank you for the heads up on Drood. I want to read The Mystery of Drood but will read Simmons's book afterwards. LOL I always remember things I forgot to mention after recording or while editing. (edited because of poor grammar and awkward wording. Sorry)

@noteworthyfiction

Ай бұрын

No problem. Hope you like both Droods!

I read all the novels of Dickens and Gaskell, some of Collins and none yet of Proctor (she writes poetry) but along the way found this little gem...A House to Let. A collaboration of authors Wilkie Collins, Charles Dickens, Elizabeth Gaskill and Adelaide Ann Proctor. A short story that is a somewhat humorous mystery which I found especially entertaining. The story starts with a spinster who rents lodgings across the street from a house to let which is never let and has remained for some years in this state. She becomes obsessed with this house and it's past history and with the help of a relentless suitor and servant discovers much about the former tenants. I would have loved to be in on the discussions this group might have had over tea. Highly recommend this work

@noteworthyfiction

Ай бұрын

Amazing! I will definitely be checking this out. Given that you've read all those I definitely think you'd appreciate Drood.

@DianaLong-om3ck

Ай бұрын

@@noteworthyfiction I was pretty much thinking the same thing. I am debating getting the Audible version or paper. I didn't know anything about Drood until you posted that so thank you, thank you.

@DianaLong-om3ck

Ай бұрын

Well, the Audible version is out because it is abridged, so I chose the Kindle version.

@noteworthyfiction

Ай бұрын

@@DianaLong-om3ck I had never heard of it either until I went to this little bookstore one day. I was super excited once I realized what it was about!

I'm currently reading two nonfiction books: D-Day, June 6, 1944 by Stephen Ambrose as a Read Along chosen for this month by booktubers Peg from the History self and Bill Ruttenberg and a book I borrowed by my Professor of Early American Literature Equiano The African: Biography of a Self- Made Man. I'm only a few chapters in on each of these two books and so far I love them! For fiction, I'm reading Octavia Butler's Kindred and so far I also love it. I have also read Butler's trilogy Xenogenesis and although the series were too bizarre for me (too high sci-fi, aliens type kind of story that is not normally to my taste) and some of the themes too disturbing, I had still given it three stars (a good rating for me). I couldn't stop reading and I still appreciated the complexity of the themes. For Kindred, however, as of now, I predict a 4-5 star read. I just finished a couple days ago Going to Meet the Man (a collection of 8 short stories) by James Baldwin and that was a five star for me. I loved all the stories, but especially Sonny's Blues and the last story Going to Meet the Man. That last one killed me though. I drowned in sadness. I don't recommend reading it when in low mood and definitely make sure you have something to distract you after the reading. 😢Shocking, disturbing, but powerful. The Man Child also, oh my! Highly recommend these eight stories, but proceed with much caution. 😢

@noteworthyfiction

Ай бұрын

Wow! Sounds like some great read, albeit very heavy topics. I enjoyed Kindred but it was definitely a soul crushing read. Hope you have a great reading week!

@Read2live

Ай бұрын

@@noteworthyfiction Thank you. You too!

Palace of Desire was my least favorite of the trilogy, mostly because I *hated* being in Kamal's head. The first book was my favorite, but the third book was also very good.

@noteworthyfiction

Ай бұрын

Thanks for the heads up. I'm looking forward to getting back to it, but I agree that the internal dialogue is a bit yuck. 😣 I'm definitely not missing his thoughts.

Free Palestine 🇸🇩🇸🇩🇸🇩🇸🇩❤

@noteworthyfiction

Ай бұрын

How did you like book 2 of Cairo trilogy? Most people seem to like the first book the best.

@hebahesham6502

Ай бұрын

@@noteworthyfiction I adored the whole trilogy. Maybe because I m Egyptian, so I can relate. But I also watched the TV adaptation when I was a kid. So it's kinda nostalgic to me. ❤️😅 The trilogy is also loved by most of the Egyptians.

@noteworthyfiction

Ай бұрын

@@hebahesham6502 I didn't realize there was a TV series. I wonder if I can find it!

@hebahesham6502

Ай бұрын

@@noteworthyfiction you can, but it's in Arabic 😅

I haven't read The Terror by Simmons but I've watched (a few times by now) the miniseries. I loved it even when I watched many scenes with my eyes half covered, like little children do with horror films 🫣🤣. Drood sounds fascinating! I love Dickens (not so much Collins though 😅)

@noteworthyfiction

Ай бұрын

I'll never be able to watch The Terror, but I think I can handle the book. Drood is really fascinating and fortunately for you the writing style is very different than Collins', even though he's the narrator.