I want to invite you to join me for a two-month read along of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke.
I wanted to show off my new blanket. However, I kind of hate how the picture turned out. I will look for a replacement, but I cannot seem to find one of the edition I own.
Since this is a three-volume book of over 800 pages (1006 pages for the above-pictured edition), I suggest the three following dates for discussion. Of course, posting around these dates is fine to, as is reading the book all at once and joining in on the final discussion date.
22 February: Volume I (+/- 261 pages)
14 March: Volume II (+/- 370 pages)
4 April: Volume III (+/- 371 pages)
Let me know if you want to join? Everyone keeps telling me this is such a great read, but because of its length I think reading it together with others would be easier and more fun!
Tentative list of participants:
I’ll join! I was planning to re-read this one this year and breaking it up sounds like a plan to me.
Great! It seems so many have read this book and want to re-read it, which makes me extra hopeful that I’ll enjoy it too.
I’ve been nagging myself to read Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell for ages now. I’d love to join the read along!
THat’s what I was hoping for, that there were others like me who wanted to read it but never really dared take on its size. Glad to hear you’ll be joining
This is a great book!! I found the length intimidating at first but once I started it, I didn’t want to put it down!!
I am very glad to hear it, Patti. I am looking forward to starting the book and experiencing the same feeling.
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I would like to reread this, too, but I’m waiting to do so until I find a three-volume set. Good luck with it! I hope you love it.
A three volume set of this book sounds so perfect!
I’ll play too! I have the paperback three-volume set, and I reread it just about every year. Might as well get this year’s reread in early!
How many times have you read it already, Jenny? You must love the book! That makes me even more excited to start reading.
I just read this book a few months ago and really enjoyed it, so I hope you do too! I read a 3-volume version, which definitely helped me to cope with the length.
A three volume set sounds like a great way to make it easier to hold the book while reading. It’s also bound to look beautiful on a bookshelf. I am very happy to hear you enjoyed it. I’m actually really excited about this one!
I’m in as well. I am asking someone else to join in too (she doesn’t blog though I plan on just discussing on your blog instead of posting on mine if that’s ok).
Of course that is okay
And I’m glad to hear your friend will be joing as well. Will she also comment when the time comes? Or will you discuss things? It must be nice to have someone to share bookish talk with offline. Anyway, lovely to have you both join.
I don’t know if she’ll reply on your site. I’ll ask if she will. She is actually in California and I’m in New Mexico. We may talk through email or on Shelfari. I like discussing books on the person’s site who runs the read-a-long. To me, it makes it a little more interactive than posting a post on my blog and it also takes the pressure off of me to post. My goal is to post more this year, but so far I’ve felt uninspired to write and I’ve been ridiculously busy lately. when I do have time to sit around and do nothing, I usually don’t blog. I should change that. Perhaps this week I will try to write up some stuff.
Anyway, I’m so excited you are doing this read-a-long! I can’t wait to get into the book!
I wish I could join you for a re-read but I’m starting a 12 month Dickens project this month and adding in a Diana Wynne Jones month in March. I hope you like it though! (And I wish that we had the three volume set in the US.)
I don’t have a three volume set. I kind of wish I had, having to hold up the book while reading. Which Diana Wynne Jones will you be reading? I really need to read more by her.
Hi Iris, not sure if you remember me, but we met in London as I’m Alex’s friend
I’ve always been curious about this one, but the size is a bit intimidating… I just checked what this one is about (I hardly ever do this as I prefer the books to tell me themselves what they want to narrate) and having recently read “The Night Circus” plus currently reading another book on the Napoleonic Wars (“War & Peace” as a read-along), this seems the percfect time to join you. I’m not commiting myself yet as I have other books I want to read this month, but I’m definitely interested!
Of course I remember you! So nice to see you here
The size is really intimidating, isn’t it? But if you’re tackling War & Peace, I’m sure this one’s going to be easier..
This sounds like fun and I am so tempted to join you, but I already have a long book on my pile that I am determined to stick with and finish (I’ve not done well with really long books over the last couple of years), so maybe I shouldn’t. Will have to contemplate it…but I’ll watch your updates in any case! Enjoy!
I completely understand. Reading too many long books at once may get confusing! But you know, if you change your mind.. we’re always here
*raises hand* Me too! I’ve been putting reading this off for forever. Now I’m accountable! I’m excited.
Exactly! It is so easy to not start reading this book, because it’s so long. I hope this gives me that push to finish it.
And me too! I’ve read part one but I need that push to finish the book.
I added your name to the list! I wasn’t sure if you prefer Fleur or Jane, so I used your “public name”.
good luck I strugglesd when I read it as had it for a short time as I borrowed it from a friend ,all the best stu
though I don’t think I can start reading until March 1st, I’d like to participate
I’m going to tentatively say I’ll be a late joiner
I’m jus about to finish a book and don’t see why I can’t read volume one by the 22nd. I’ll never get motivated to pick this book up if I don’t read it with you lot 
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Hello Iris, hello Carin (I’m the friend in California that Carin mentioned). Sorry to be late to the party, but I haven’t been online for about two weeks while I wolfed down… I mean WOLFED down… the Hunger Games trilogy.
I’m completely new to read-alongs, but I’ve been wanting to read this book ever since I was gifted with it a few years ago. I’ll do my best to offer my *cough* cogent comments. Guess I’d better get started…
Yay…I’m so glad you’re reading this with me. I have to say, I’m terribly behind. I wasted my weekend working and playing Plants v. Zombies. It’s so bad! I will try to get some reading done this week and this evening.
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