Do you know of any books you swear you’ve read but…when it comes right down to it, you really didn’t? A classic comes up in casual conversation with friends or family and you think “of course I read Moby Dick!” And it isn’t until you’re alone on the toilet that you think to yourself, privately, ‘didn’t I?’
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz falls in that category for me. I swear I must’ve read it in like high school or something, possibly even outside of school, on my own time. I am a reader of many books but I am also a collector of books. Just because I own something doesn’t necessarily mean I’ve read it. For over five years now I’ve owned this lovely boxed set (I’m crazy about a gorgeous looking boxed set! Aren’t you?):
Isn’t it so pretty? I took the plastic off and display it prominently on my bookcase. Truth be told, I’ve never even taken the books out of the box. I just like to look at them! Nothing wrong with that. I’m not even sure as I do this read through with all of you that I will read from these books. I’d hate to ruin the spine! Yes, I’m that kind of collector of books! Doesn’t help as I also don’t enjoy reading ebooks…but that’s a discussion for another date and time and I’m getting off track.
The point of this post is to share a bit about my idea moving forward for this read-along. I’d love to do more than just read a new chapter every week. I’d really like to have some discussion go along with it. Especially as I have made an attempt at reimagining The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and my goal this year is to take the 10k words I’ve written and expand upon it to make a full length novel! Don’t worry, I fully intend on sharing my reimagining with you in its entirety!
My thoughts, and do feel free to let me know if this seems too much to take on as we are all busy people! Trust me, I know. I am a new mom with a one year old, two dogs, eight chickens, and a full house to maintain, not to mention my 9 - 5 job! So if this is in any way not workable, I’m willing to hear alternatives.
WEEKLY
Every week I will post one full chapter of the first book. On November 1st I’ll share that schedule with all of you in the form of a post that will update with a clickable link to find each chapter easily. The chapters will have comments turned off. The purpose is to read and not feel like you have to join in on any discussions.
I’m thinking of sharing each new chapter on Sunday mornings. You would have an entire week to read it whenever you are able.
DISCUSSIONS
On the following Friday (ie five days later) I will open up a discussion thread for us to discuss the chapter with some key questions to get the ball rolling on our thoughts. The thread would be open all weekend until the next chapter goes up on Sunday.
Using August as an example, here is what it would look like:
Chapter One released Sunday, August 7th (Read time 7th - 12th)
Discussion Thread for Chapter One open Friday, August 12th
Chapter Two released Sunday, August 14th (Read time 14th - 19th)
Discussion Thread for Chapter Two open Friday, August 19th
Let me know in the comments how you feel about that weekly cadence?
REMINDER: The read-along isn’t starting till January 2023. I’m using August as an example month. Plenty of time for new people to join and for me to get it all set-up on the back-end.
EMAILS IN 2022
Aside from this email I just want to let you know of planned emails for the remainder of the year before the twice-weekly begins in 2023. It won’t be complete radio silence from me till then:
October 1st - Proposed schedule for reading all 14 books
November 1st - Definitive Schedule for Book One The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
And that’s it till January 2023!
So, what date _is_ it starting? I can't find a schedule anywhere.