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2019:




2019—2024: 


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The Chronological Sherlock Holmes Challenge

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12/29/16 edit: Full schedule here . Two years ago , I started on a rereading of the Sherlock Holmes series, with the intent of reading the stories in the approximate order that they occur in Holmes's lifetime.  I didn't get very far, but I never abandoned the concept.  It's been about ten years since I first read the complete Sherlock Holmes, and he is my favorite fictional character.  It's time to get serious about this overdue challenge! So - I'm revamping it in under the wordy title of " The Chronological Sherlock Holmes Challenge ," 2017-2018 edition.  This is a 16-month mission to read all 56 short stories and the four novels.  Of course, the series could be easily read in half a year, but I want to take my time, blog about each tale, and leave room for other reading, too.  If anyone wants to join, I'd love to share the discussion! The idea is: Read the stories in the order found on this Sherlock Holmes Timeline ...with one exception.  I really c...
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Reading Everything in August

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No, that is not the title of a challenge...but it may as well be.  I'm up to my ears in books and it's wonderful. Sweet peas and ocean breezes    ♥ I spent most of my July weekends working on a large volunteer project for a non-profit.  It was a beneficial experience, but more of a commitment than I realized.  Now that that's pretty much wrapped up, I can turn back to books. Here's a quick list of what I'll be reading this month, at different levels of undivided attention and in no particular order: 1984 - George Orwell Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea - Jules Verne Master and Commander - Patrick O'Brian Drawn from Memory - Ernest Shepard (illustrator of the original Winnie the Pooh) Psalms (almost finished) Tesla biography (yes, still) Smart People Should Build Things and The War on Normal People - Andrew Yang Nostromo - Joseph Conrad Moby-Dick - Herman Melville Other??  There's sure to be more. I probably mentioned bef...
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The Professor - Charlotte Bronte's First Novel

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Portrait by J. H. Thompson First novels can be hit-and-miss, even those of "great authors."  Nathaniel Hawthorne was so ashamed of Fanshawe he wanted all copies burnt.  Jane Austen's Love and Friendship , written in her teens, did not (unsurprisingly) carry the depth and drama of her later, famous novels.  Doyle's first Sherlock Holmes novel, A Study in Scarlet , is arguably one of the weaker of the four.  While some talented authors debut a masterpiece, it's as equally likely that their first book is not their best. All of this goes to show that 1) no one is born a great novelist, and 2) it is worthwhile to keep trying, even if your first writing is highly flawed. The Professor was Charlotte Bronte's first novel but not published until after her death.  It has a very similar plot to Villette (1853), and it's best read as a first draft of that superior novel.  Unfortunately, this is still insufficient for enjoying the book, because it's just ...
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