Today* marks the official first day of The Grapes of Wrath readalong hosted by Laura over at Devouring Texts. For some reason, I decided it would be a good idea for me to join in all the shenanigans that I assume occur in readalongs, even though I have no previous knowledge or experience of reading Steinbeck (or previous experience in partaking in a readalong). Probably because I went to school in Canada, and we read things like The War and Lord of the Flies. I'm pretty sure I've gotten myself in way over my head, but if I can figure out how to find and use gifs, then I might be able to make it look like I know what I'm doing.
I have this unofficial and unrealistic goal of reading all the classics at some point in my life. I'm not sure why, as I've read so few and can't say I really enjoyed any of them...but I guess it's one of those "I feel like I'm missing out if I don't" things. One thing I do know is, reading books and being able to discuss them as you are reading said books, makes the whole experience so much better, even if you don't really enjoy the book.
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| Wrathful Grapes |
So there. I'm going into this blind as can be! Which is good, because I have no expectations this way. Although I'm pretty sure there may be crying involved. Or at least gifs of people crying.
*I realize today is over for most people, but I'm on vacation and since I'm out on the East Coast, there's still 45 minutes left until tomorrow. **Edit: I hope my reading skills are better than my geography skills as I just realized that my day does *not* end before those people on the West coast. Oops.
I haven't yet partaken in a readalong, but I've heard that they're lots of fun! Hopefully you'll enjoy your first experience =)
ReplyDeleteI read The Pearl many years ago, and liked it, and I've heard that Of Mice and Men is good too. I'm looking forward to reading what you think, and enjoying those gifs too =P
You should join! :) It's not too late - I haven't even started the book yet. In fact, I'm scared too, it's SO BIG. LOL. Wait, that's not going to convince you now is it.... ;)
DeleteHa ha -- you're funny! I would, but I just started The Night Circus (which I think you reviewed on here?) and I'm loving it so far!!!
DeleteI did! A few months back I think...I really liked it!
DeleteI'm so excited you are reading Steinbeck! He is one of my favourite authors and one of the few that I actually collect. Good luck with your readalong :)
ReplyDeleteReally? I did not know this! I will be sure to pick your brain while I'm reading it :)
DeleteAw, you'll be Fiiiine reading Steinbeck- although there probably will be tears. Can't help you there.
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited to be your first readalong host and your first Steinbeck pusher! Unless you hate both things, in which case I deny all responsibility for this readalong Mwahahaha
I'll be so proud to add this book to my "have-READ" list that it won't matter if I *hate* it!
DeleteWelcome to the readalong! I tried my first one in January and am now hooked.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE that picture of the torch-waving grapes. I suppose they're on their way to stage a coup against the bananas or something. :)
Thanks! I'm excited to be a part of it this time - I followed the Wilkie one and it looked like so much fun!
DeleteHaha, it'd be even better if it was a gif and those little grapes moved! ;)
Look at those grapes, just full of wrath.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the readalong! I will me amazing. Even if I'm nervous about Steinbeck because, I mean, he's no Wilkie.
They are some angry grapes, that's for sure.
DeleteI'm going into this blind as well, but mostly grateful for that. And grapeful. I MADE A PUN.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE PUNS.
DeleteHa! This post made me laugh ... from your poor geography to the wrathful grapes, to this sentence:
ReplyDelete"I've read so few and can't say I really enjoyed any of them"
This is why I don't read the classics. I had full intentions on revisiting a lot of them, but I just can't. Life's too short to force myself to read books I might not enjoy!
Hope you had a good trip!
Hahaha, I actually laughed out loud when I read this and then had to explain to my in-laws why I'm so funny ;)
DeleteI knoooooow...I do feel that way too, "life is too short", but it's still something I feel I need to do or at least try. And I think a readalong is the best way to read this *harder* books - it's like a book club, so people help you see and understand things that maybe I didn't get before. I dunno...we shall see!
I also want to read all the classics in my lifetime. Might not ever happen, but it seems a worthy goal.
ReplyDeleteBut yay for going into this blind! I hope you have fun readalonging - it's so much fun and omg the LAUGHS! It's awesome.
Yay, I like laughing! And blind is good! If my expectations are low, then I can only go up, right?!
DeleteYep, you will probably cry. This is a heartbreaker of a book. Looking forward to more posts and vicariously reading along with you!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Laura! I mean, for reading along vicariously with me, not for ensuring me that this book will turn me into a blubbering mess ;)
DeleteI can assure you that you picked an excellent group for your first readalong. We will laugh (probably not), we will cry (definitely this), and we will spend WAY too much time looking for GIFs that express our feelings. It will be glorious. Glad you're joining in!
ReplyDeleteI'm not gonna lie, I'm mostly excited for all the gifs :)
DeleteWe read this one in Canada for school, Brie. :P I did! haha But I didn't read The War or Lord of the Flies, but other classes did read Lord of the Flies...and I always wanted to because I saw the movie and it seemed so exciting! Seriously crazy and sadistic at times, but exciting! haha I actually really enjoyed Grapes of Wrath though. It started a bit slow to me, but then I felt like it really picked up. :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with Laura, it's definitely a tearjerker. :) And I love classics personally! :D Sure some are long and boring, but then there are others that just blow you away...and make it so you're definitely not surprised as to why it's still so popular. :D
I hope you like the Grapes of Wrath, Brie! :D Happy Reading!
Hahaha, we didn't! I wish we had read some of the older classics! I love that you love classics - it gives me hope that they can't all be that bad, haha! ;)
DeleteI'm having SO much fun talking about reading The Grapes of Wrath that I haven't even started reading it it! Oops ;p
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