Bookblogging has brought me to read in many new and different directions these last months. I’m sure it’s the same for any book blogger out there. Up to now I haven’t been nervous about starting any of these projects, but I can’t help but feel a slight trepidation about this new reading project that I’ve joined: reading Anna Karenina. It all started out when I came across Danielle’s post slightly more than a week ago. I’ve had this book on my shelves for ages and this sounds like the perfect time to start reading it. I probably won’t be able to read as fast as Danielle is, but I decided to join and see how long I’ll keep up and then finish in my own time. I’ll try to read 50 pages a week, although I have a feeling some weeks I’ll do more and some less. I do not have the edition that Danielle’s reading which is apparently the best translation. I’ll have to make do with my wordworth’s edition. I started reading today and I’m only 50 pages in, but I have to say that I’m not disappointed. It’s actually an easier or more enjoyable read than I expected, thus far.. I might update on my progress throughout the weeks. Oh & I’ll be reading other books alongside this one.
You are brave! This is on my shelf too, but I’m not sure I can brave it yet!
I’m sure you can do it
Although I can imagine that when travelling around a lot, this book might be slightly too much right now.
You can do it!
I´ve read this years ago and liked the story although I remember that I found it a bit exhausting to read. Maybe I should reread it to see if I´m better at it now. Good luck 
I can imagine it being exhausting, 800 pages isn’t something to read in a day or so. I’m glad to hear you liked it though, it makes me more hopeful I’ll enjoy it as well!
I hope you like it! Your plan is great–there’s no need to hurry. Savor it bit by bit. It’s one of my favorites.
It seems to be a favourite of many, which makes me glad I finally picked it up. Thank you for commenting, I love finding new blogs to add to my reader and yours is certainly one of those!
I’ve heard of this, and seen it in the shops, but haven’t a clue what it’s about. Wanting to read classics though, Tolstoy is on my list, so I look forward to your views. Writing a progress post sounds a great idea, you’ll end up covering it more thoroughly than in a one-post review.
To make a small confession myself: I’m not exactly sure what it’s about either. I know it is supposed to have a targic ending, but that’s all I know going into the book really. So far it hasn’t bothered me yet though, I’m actually really enjoying the journey.
You’re going to love Anna Karenina. I read it a few years back and fell in love with Tolstoy as a result. I even conquered War and Peace this past summer.
All these promises that I’m going to love it, make me more eager to continue reading it, so thank you! & I’m impressed by your having read War and Piece as well. I’m not sure I’m ready to do that yet, even if I end up loving Anna Karenina.
Good luck! Hopefully your example will give me courage
I hope you’ll find the courage someday! It’d be nice to inspire you for a change instead of the other way around
I haven’t yet read this one either, but I’ll be interested to see what you think!
Thank you. I’m actually curious to find out what I’ll think about it as well. I’m not very familiar with the story, so I’m going in with no clue what’s going to happen.
This is my absolute favourite novel of all-time. I like the Penguin Classics, Rosemary Edmonds translation, and if you get a chance, sometime, you might want to compare the Wordsworth and Penguin texts. They do read quite a bit differently, and they are both different again from the latest translation, which Oprah raved about for her book club.
I do hope you like it. Not everyone does!
I hope I like it too!
If I do, I’ll eventually want to read the Penguin edition as well, in the hope of liking it even better
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It’s amazing how easy many of these classics are once you start. I think you will continue to enjoy it …
I hope so! I do feel I’m often more worried about classics in advance and I usually end up loving them. I should learn to stop worrying so much, I guess.
I read this a few years ago and loved it – it was a lot easier to read than I had been expecting. I hope you enjoy it! Mine is the Wordsworth edition too so I would be interested to compare it with another translation sometime.
I’d be interested in comparing it too, but first I have to finish this one and that isn’t easily said and done. Not that it’s an effort to read it, it’s just that the prospect of 800 pages does get to you sometimes.
Good luck! I loved the Pevear and Volokhonsky translation of AK when I read it a few years ago. I’m participating in my first ever read-along (Wuthering Heights) and really enjoy the group interaction and slow pace.
Slow pace seems key with some books, right?
I have to admit that I didn’t really like Wuthering Heights, while I had expected to love it. Maybe I should try to reread it slowly sometime?
Wow, what a fantastic selection! Like many readers, I’ve been meaning to read this but have not “gotten to it yet” (eek).
You’re right, also, about the fact that book blogging will take you in different directions than you might normally take. I find that blogging keeps me accountable for what I read and how much I read. It’s a great way to stay focused.
-Lydia @ The Literary Lollipop
Book blogging is a great way to keep account of what you’ve read, I often wish I’d have started doing it earlier.
Anna Karenina is certainly one of those books that I think almost any booklover has on his shelves, but many have not read it yet, though they wish to. I thought it was time to take the huddle (if that’s an accurate expression). I hope you will too, sometime.
I love Anna Karenina! I read it about the same time I read Madame Bovary by Flaubert, and the two will always be connected in my mind: women who made poor choices out of their passion. Or, discontent with their lives. There are such powerful lessons in these two novels, as well as intriguing portraits of the heroines. I’ve read Anna Karenina several times since, and after your post, I feel like picking ‘her’ up again!
I read Madame Bovary last summer and it does seem to have a sort of similar feel to it. I’m glad to hear you liked Anna Karenina so much, it’s easier to keep reading when so many people liked it.
I have a confession. I have started and abandoned this book so many times yet I keep it on my to-be-read pile anyway. I’m at 55% thinking I will never pick it up again and 45% hoping I will change my mind! I have the problem that I know *TOO* much what it’s about and I just want Mr Tolstoy to HURRY UP ALREADY. SO I give myself a break and then a year flies by. Good luck!
I can imagine that if you know what will happen to everyone in the book, it’s a bit slow. I hope I do not put it aside now that I’ve started it, because I always think it’s harder to retry reading a book than reading it in one time span.
Hi Iris, don’t be too trepidatious (if that’s a word?!) I read this the Christmas before last and it was excellent. I would try to read chunks so that you don’t get too distracted
I’m not sure if that’s a word, you’re from the UK right, so I’ll take your word for it
I am reading it in chunks which seems to work well. I don’t think I could read it in one go.
I just finished reading this a month or 2 ago. All in all, it took me 8 months to read, which is sooo long to be reading a book. I had a love/hate relationship with it. There were moments that I wanted nothing to do with it and was bored and then there were other times that I was incredibly involved in the story and was inspired to take out a pen and notebook and write about it. I’m still not sure what my feelings about it are, even though I usually love Russian literature. I think, maybe, in a few years, I’ll try War and Peace.
I wish you much good luck in reading Anna Karenina and hope you enjoy it. Definitley keep your blog updated on your progress and thoughts! I read it on my own and never really got to discuss it, so I would love to hear some of your thoughts on it.
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