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Welcome to the Book Club for 2022 (Frequently Asked Questions) (Patreon)

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2022-01-01 18:43:04
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Content

Dear Book Club Readers ---

We have an exciting journey ahead of us. Together we're going to make 2022 the best reading year of our lives.

I would like to warmly welcome all new members to the club. We're thrilled to have you here sharing in this reading adventure with us. The video above should address some of the commonly asked questions. 

And thank you to everyone who made last year so wonderful. Your passion for literature shines through in all of your insightful responses to these great books. 

In this video, we're discussing the best approaches for reading along with the club, how to pace your reading, how to be an active reader, marginalia, journaling, and how to live the great books.

Video Timestamps

  • 0:00 book club syllabus for 2022
  • 1:20 table of contents and feed
  • 1:50 what's the best way to read along with the club?
  • 2:30 diving into the back-catalogue 
  • 4:48 our long-term reading projects
  • 5:00 advice on pacing your reading 
  • 6:00 embracing slow-reading & deep-reading
  • 7:13 how should we approach these books?
  • 8:00 marginalia and the art of marking your books
  • 9:00 making the Great Books your own
  • 10:30 establishing a journaling habit
  • 13:10 an example active reading approach
  • 14:00 how to engage with these books
  • 18:19 saving your written responses
  • 19:43 the meaning of "live the Great Books"
  • 21:00 the rationale for the book selection
  • 23:20 how to draw nourishment from our reading
  • 24:15 the value of immersion 
  • 25:45 how to approach the lectures 
  • 26:18 enjoying the ride
  • 28:12 let the journey commence 

We have some great content coming out. We're kicking off our first Big Read of the year, Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights, with a discussion on how to approach the work, a video in which we meet the author, and our first deep analysis lecture covering the first four chapters of the novel.

Our journey into the heart of Shakespeare begins with a video on the "Theatre of the Mind", followed by our first pre-play prep video launching us into King Lear. 

Our first group reading discussion thread of the year will be live shortly, and I can't wait to hear what works you've been enjoying lately.

And for those of you who like setting goals and New Year's resolutions, you might enjoy the latest episode of the podcast:

Happy reading, and wishing you all a very Happy New Year!

Files

Previews only

Welcome to the Book Club for 2022 (Frequently Asked Questions)

0:00 book club syllabus for 2022 1:20 table of contents and feed 1:50 what's the best way to read along with the club? 2:30 diving into the back-catalogue 4:48 our long-term reading projects 5:00 advice on pacing your reading 6:00 embracing slow-reading & deep-reading 7:13 how should we approach these books? 8:00 marginalia and the art of marking your books 9:00 making the Great Books your own 10:30 establishing a journaling habit 13:10 an example active reading approach 14:00 how to engage with these books 18:19 saving your written responses 19:43 the meaning of "live the Great Books" 21:00 the rationale for the book selection 23:20 how to draw nourishment from our reading 24:15 the value of immersion 25:45 how to approach the lectures 26:18 enjoying the ride 28:12 let the journey commence

Comments

Kaushi
>>85658242

Me too - I joined thinking it’s for a couple of months, only to take a peek at the Persuasion analysis, because I have had quite a lot to say about it and as also on Emma in another online pure Austen reading group. I also wanted a peek at LotR - my all time standby, and desert island book. But not anymore than that, because I’ve read almost the whole catalogue over the many years, and rather intensively - but the very first peep here told me that I have to stay :( It’s nice to be in a literary club - something one misses in today’s society. Thank you Ben for making this space available

Gwen Tooke

Hi all, have just joined the club. This is the first thing I have felt excited about doing since my husband Simon , died two years ago. I hope it is the start of moving forward in a good way. Having seen some of the lectures posted by Ben I feel inspired to get started reading again.

Kerri Brown

Hi Everyone! I've just joined after devouring all the content on YouTube. I wouldn't call myself well-read or a serious reader of literature, but I've always wanted to take on more challenging books. I'm really excited by the reading schedule for 2024. I'm looking forward to being part of this community!

Andrew McGinn
>>123476431

Hi! Just signed up too! I’m the same, casual reader but ready to step it up. The book list for 2024 looks amazing. Hopefully we can keep each other motivated!

Jane Grady Zech

HI I am a happy newcomer...so excited! Can anyone share how I can click on the back catalogue?

Jane Grady Zech

HI! Newcomer and so excited to get going...so great to join with others who love the classics! Can anyone share how to click my way to the Back Catalogue?

Amy B Cook

I am also a new member and would like to know how to navigate the back catalogue. Is there some kind of new member video?

Devon Troester

Thank you! I'm really excited to get started. I have a copy of War and Peace that I'm reading that I borrowed, so I'm gonna start with the lecture series for that. I really appreciate your advice on journaling and planning and how you describe the way reading can inform your approach to life and to other people and the way you see and relate to them and to yourself. You sound like a person with a lot of wisdom and I'm looking forward to learning more if it.

Lily

New member and am so excited to begin. I like the hybrid approach and am beginning a re-read of Anna Karenina and a first read of Brave New World tonight!

Brian Lehmann

New Member and this has already taken over my life!

Nate

Hi Everyone, Happy New Year to you all! My name’s Nate and I’m a new member to the book club. I’m really looking forward to getting to all the great books on the 2022 syllabus and hearing all of your thoughts. Happy reading everyone :)

Len Larsson
>>74797690

Hi Nate .. Welcome to the Book Club. We are all set for a great reading year - I am sure you will enjoy the content and the works Ben has chosen for this year. Welcome, and I look forward to reading your comments online.

Sharee Weigel

I just joined a few weeks ago and was ready to jump into Anna Karenina. Then the 2022 syllabus came out and decided to pause on AK and read Wuthering Heights and Moby Dick since I’ve never read them before.

Denise Powers

Happy new year Ben and thank you for this most timely video. I had just been looking at the 2022 schedule, worrying about marginalia and feeling a little overwhelmed (with excitement) because I want to get stuck in but wasn't sure where to start. I am so happy to have found this book club. I have already spent a few hours watching videos now and so far, I love this! Happy new year everyone!

Bill Freeman
>>74798998

Hi Sharee and welcome to the marvelous community that Ben has so lovely and insightfully created. I began last February with my first reading of Anna Karenina and was absolutely blown away by it. In fact, it is always at arm's length and I recently reread parts. Some count it as one of the best novels ever written. I wish you great reading. Happy New Year.

Holly Crowley

Hello Everyone and Happy New Year! I am Holly and from the southern USA, in Georgia. I work in the healthcare field and never was able to immerse myself in literature with a club/instructor, except for the preliminary courses at university. I have been following BookTube and have really increased my reading in general over the past couple of years but I have felt like something was missing. I have wanted to read or reread some classics but felt as though I would enjoy them more with some guidance and camaraderie. Then, I spotted one of Ben’s videos on YouTube announcing the syllabus for 2022 and I am ready to become immersed. I joined just at the end of November and started with Great Expectations (about halfway through it) and I am anticipating a great reread of Wuthering Heights now. It is one of my favorites. There are several on the list that I have never read and others that I have read at least once. I’m comfortable having multiple books going at once (probably a throwback to uni days) and this is my preferred reading style. I’m slowly overcoming my anti-marginalia though. Textbooks were never a problem for this but for some reason I’ve never been one to annotate my literature books. Time to change this habit! Thanks for the great course and welcome 2022!

Denise Powers
>>74803231

Hi Holly, we will get through the fear of marginalia together! I think just getting the permission to do it is making the difference. Thus afternoon I have been happily underlining, writing and circling. It is almost as if I have been given to exist in a new way, to not be invisible. That feels liberating! Happy new year!

Ellen M

Hello everyone! I just joined today after recently discovering Ben’s channel. No reading challenges for me this year: I’m ready to slow down my reading pace & deep dive with thoughtful, quality works. I am so looking forward to a re read of Wuthering Heights and finally approaching Shakespeare with guidance

Florian Pesantes

Thank you, Benjamin, for particularly allowing us, or even asking us to follow at our own pace. As tempted as I am to reading all along this delicious template, I cannot possibly do so by still continuing to work, being a partner, a son, a friend to my friends. But I shall pick wisely and enjoy whatever I can really master all the more. I see new members here all the time, so wonderful this growing community.

Cristiana

Hello everyone and Happy New Year! I joined today and, already halfway through Wuthering Heights, I have so many questions. Excited for the year ahead and happy to be here, I look forward to a deep immersion into Shakespeare’s literally genius.

Emily

Hello everyone, I just joined for the 2022 year! Happy new year! I decided I wanted to read literature with more depth and I found Ben's channel. I have read some of the books on this year's list before but I am excited to reread and read with more engagement.

hardcoreliterature
>>74799112

Thank you, Denise! And a very happy New Year to you too! I would love to hear about how you get on with your marginalia. The first time we start covering our books with ink can be an unnerving experience, but once we’re used to it there’s no looking back :)

hardcoreliterature
>>74811868

Hello Ellen! Warm welcomes to the club :) I love that you’re avoiding reading challenges this year and focusing on depth. You’ll find this to be such a rewarding approach to reading. I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on Wuthering Heights and Shakespeare!

hardcoreliterature
>>74812847

Thank you, Florian. There can be a certain feeling of overwhelm that comes hand-in-hand with excitement. One of the challenges for us modern day readers is just how inundated we are with media and advertising. Our brains haven’t caught up to the breakneck pace of contemporary life, which can leave us feeling frazzled. The thing I love most about our slower reading style is that it’s a great remedy to all of this, and helps ground us in the present moment. As you mention, we have many roles - reader is one that should be a service to our roles as family member, partner, friend, and whatever our vocation might be. Thank you for being here for the ride!

hardcoreliterature
>>74813734

Happy New Year to you too, Christina! And welcome to the club :) it’s wonderful to have you here with us. Well done on making it halfway through Wuthering Heights. We’ve got content on this one coming out very soon. I can’t wait to hear your questions. It’s definitely a difficult read that begs a diverse array of troubling questions. I can’t wait for Shakespeare too :)

hardcoreliterature
>>74815514

Hello and welcome, Emily! Happy New Year :) I would be keen to hear what books are rereads for you and which one’s are new territory!

Mike Willmer

Hello everyone. I'm Mike and just joined the book club for 2022. I was an English major in college before transitioning to studying theology. I'm looking forward to returning to deep reading - seeking truth, beauty, insight, depth of character and understanding. I look forward to engaging with you all!

Pierre Bolkonsky

Hello fellow book lovers. I joined the book club yesterday and I'm very excited to (finally) find some people who share my love of classic literature. From Alberta, Canada with love!

Linda Falcone

I just joined the book club and am excited to start with Wuthering Heights, a book I love but read on my own. Also an English Major I miss experiencing literature the way one does with a teacher. A fairly lowbrow diet of addictive books saved my 2021… I am ready to lose myself in literature 2022!

hardcoreliterature
>>74848279

Hello Mike! Welcome to the club :) it’s so great to have you here, and I love your aims - seeking truth, beauty, insight, depth of character, and understanding. Perfectly put!

hardcoreliterature
>>74859759

Hello Pierre! Welcome aboard :) wonderful to have another Canadian with us! I personally called Quebec home for a few years in my early twenties, and sorely miss the country!

hardcoreliterature
>>74867470

Welcome to the club, Linda :) we’re so happy to have you here with us! I know the feeling you describe exactly. Having a community and a structure to our reading is so fulfilling. We’re going to have a great 2022!

Jetzabel Peniche

Hi Ben and Everyone!! So excited for the new year plan for 2022 and thank you for all of those tips. I enjoy your videos very much Ben! Thank you !

sharon salmon

Hi Everyone and Happy 2022 I am a multiple books reader so currently reading Middlemarch, Moby Dick, The Iliad, The Medici by Paul Strathern and just completed Last kingdom Bernard Cornwall and Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol. I have just begun Wuthering Heights I am on chapter 4. I am going to leave Moby Dick for now until we start as a group but will continue with the others as I have nearly finished them apart from Middlemarch where I am on page 300. I shall do my utmost to not start any more books apart from King Lear :-) So excited to have a group to touch base with and share our thoughts about our current reads. Happy ready folks.

Jennifer S

I found this video so welcoming and encouraging. I used to only read self-help and spiritual books and decided this year that I would like to read classic literature. I am a Classically-trained musician/teacher and recognize the importance of introducing an art gently and accessibly. Thank you for creating this book club and for your lectures, Ben. I’m very excited and confident that I’m going to find the experience transformative.

hardcoreliterature
>>75126606

Yay, another multiple books reader! I've personally always loved juggling multiple big novels, rotating through them depending on my mood. I'm so excited for Moby Dick, and look forward to your thoughts when we embark on our hunt for the white whale, Sharon!

hardcoreliterature
>>75390335

Thank you, Jennifer :) I really appreciate that! I spent a couple of years exclusively reading self-help and spiritual books too. You'll likely find that these great works of imaginative literature can be read in very similar ways. Reading fiction as though it were non-fiction, and reading literature like scripture is really fulfilling - and it sounds like you're in the perfect position to do just that! I'm excited to have you here sharing the journey with us!

David Hanson

Greetings Benjamin and all. After listening to a few podcast episodes in 2021 and reading sporadically and often without focus, I decided 2022 should be the year I get a little more involved in literature. Wuthering Heights was a book I’d (foolishly, in hindsight) avoided until January of this year, and it was an eye-opening and possibly heart-opening experience, slaying many preconceptions that had nestled into my unconscious self over the years. I am now greatly enjoying Moby Dick and have approached it without the trepidation that caused me to shy away from it in years gone by. I had feared it would be too dense and difficult to penetrate, but thus far I am finding the flow of the narrative to be tantalising and buoyant – in a good way. (I hope I have similar feelings when I get to Clarissa and Ulysses later in the year!) Aside from the Big Reads, I hope to dip into at least some of the suggested Shakespeare texts, short stories and classics in the coming weeks and months. Best wishes to all, Dave

Rob Hilliard

Just joined up the other day, and I’m quite excited! I have been reading more that ever lately - mostly science fiction, but I feel the need (and want) to branch out a little, and get back to some literary classics too. So here we are! I will have to play a little catch-up, since you guys are already through *Wuthering Heights* and a couple/few of the Shakespeare offerings too, it seems. So wish me well in that endeavor. I look forward to your guidance and partnerships as the year progresses. Cheers!

Lori Miller

So glad I found this video. The syllabus is so thorough (and exciting). I appreciate the approach you take with reading.

hardcoreliterature
>>77475950

Hi Rob :) Apologies for the late response to your comment here! I just wanted to wish you a warm belated welcome to the club - it's wonderful to have you here!

Carolyn

Hello everyone, it's so exciting to finally be here. I apologise if my comment appears multiple times, but the Patreon app is very temperamental so I've jumped on the desktop site instead, which will hopefully work better. I've been following Benjamin's YouTube content for some time now and I am thrilled with the syllabus. I'm very much looking forward to meeting you all and having endless discussions about our shared love of literature :-)

Marina McGovern

I've just joined: it was going to be short-term for the Persuasion lectures but they were such an inspiring, thought-provoking experience and so enhanced my understanding and enjoyment of the novel that I've decided to stay. I studied literature at university many years ago but selected modules that focused on the 20th century as I think my school experience of literature put me off the classics. I want to get back into the habit of deep reading and tackle some of those novels that frighten me! Great to be here.

Audrey Sproule

Delighted to join this club, specifically for a deeper dive into the daunting "Ulysses". Being a Canadian (SK) expat living in Paris, I am particularly excited to have this opportunity to connect with other anglophone literature fans. Sending a warm hello to all and a special thanks to Benjamin for creating this community!

Jackie Harris

Hi everyone, I have just joined the book club after being inspired by Benjamin's lectures on Youtube. I have had Ulysses on my reading bucket list for a long time and, having recently retired, I now have more time to tackle it. Looking forward to sharing the journey with others in this book club. I plan to prepare by first reading Homer's Odyssey and Mortimer Adler's How to Read a Book, so will be a little late to the table. Thank you Ben for sharing your extensive knowledge.

Jan C.

Hello to all. I just jumped on board the book group and am blown away with the approach and all the content and lectures that Ben has prepared. Thankfully, I'm here just as Ulysses is getting started. I was an English major in college but have spent my career in a different field. What a delight to return to my love of literature. I look forward to our discussions and the excellent guidance from our leader.

Amber Sauer

Hi everyone. I was inspired to join after hearing that the group will be reading Dracula in Sept/Oct. I'm excited to discuss with everyone!

Roger Dorsey

Hello! I just joined and am looking forward to the next year of reading!

Susan Knox

So excited to join this group! I have been looking for a group that reads great books, deeply, and engages actively with each other. I’m going to start with Persuasion, which was on my plan for this fall while everyone finishes up with Ulysses.

Kimberly Pickering

Excited to get started with this group! I would like to get started with Middlemarch and continue in October with Dracula.

otherdeb

Hi! I’m really looking forward to this group for many reasons, including turning a major life challenge into an opportunity to achieve something I’ve always wanted to do.

hardcoreliterature
>>94185683

Welcome to the club! We're so happy to have you here reading with us. And I really applaud you for being able to turn your major life challenge into an opportunity. That's such a profound approach to life's difficulties. I certainly know that every major positive step forward in my life has come off the back of a painful experience and a desire to turn that pain into something good!

Mike HCLit
>>77252091

I found your comment about Wuthering Heights interesting. I have studiously avoided such works, believing that they were of interest only to people of the female persuasion. I could be wrong about that, going by your comment. Thanks!

Mike HCLit
>>88467185

I found Adler's book to be very helpful in my early years. I also liked Hazlett's "Thinking as a Science", though he is a bit too right wing for me given the political climate these days. LOL :) Recently I discovered Sönke Ahrens "How to Take Smart Notes" and found that with some discipline my note taking has improved significantly. As to Homer, what can you say? Harold Bloom claimed that there were only two seminal authors who said it all: Homer and Shakespeare. Homer is on my list for an early re-reading, though if I have to read about "rosy fingered dawn" one more time I'm sure I'll scream. :)