Genji Book Club?

*wiggles fingers*

I know some folks had been talking about doing this, and I think it would be really fun. Set a time once or twice a week to get together on IM or skype, and chat for an hour or so as we work our way through The Tale of Genji. It's been quite a while since I read it at Boston U.

We'd have to decide how much to read a week, which I think would depend on who's busiest out of the group. And we'd have to decide whether to read the abridged or unabridged, and which translation. And, of course, we'd have to find a time each week that everyone could make it to.

I... have to admit the thing I hated most about English class as a kid was dissecting stories, but I think with a bunch of friends it'll be more fun. Anyone interested? And anyone interested in leading it? (Please don't look at me, that would be a disaster.)

My schedule shifts every week, so on weekdays I could only promise before 8 am (eastern time), or after 8 pm. Saturdays I also usually work, though only until 4pm. Sundays are free for me.

Genji Book Club?

*wiggles fingers*

I know some folks had been talking about doing this, and I think it would be really fun. Set a time once or twice a week to get together on IM or skype, and chat for an hour or so as we work our way through The Tale of Genji. It's been quite a while since I read it at Boston U.

We'd have to decide how much to read a week, which I think would depend on who's busiest out of the group. And we'd have to decide whether to read the abridged or unabridged, and which translation. And, of course, we'd have to find a time each week that everyone could make it to.

I... have to admit the thing I hated most about English class as a kid was dissecting stories, but I think with a bunch of friends it'll be more fun. Anyone interested? And anyone interested in leading it? (Please don't look at me, that would be a disaster.)

My schedule shifts every week, so on weekdays I could only promise before 8 am (eastern time), or after 8 pm. Saturdays I also usually work, though only until 4pm. Sundays are free for me.

Genji Book Club 2

Looks like there's definite interest! Awesome!

Okay, time for the nitty-gritty. I have no problems organizing, but like I said before, if someone else would like to lead discussion, I think that would be better.

So, if I could get from everyone interested:

- Times and days you'd prefer (and what time zone you're in).
- Version preference? We seem to have two or three votes for Tyler's unabridged right now.
- How many pages you think you'd be up to in a week. I'm at work, so I can't check right now, but I seem to remember that individual chapters are very short.

Um... Anything else I'm forgetting. Oh! Chatting vehicle of preference. Text? Audio? Video? We'll have to keep it to the lowest denominator so that everyone can join.

And feel free to spread the word. I'm keeping these entries unlocked so anyone can see them.

Genji Book Club 2

Looks like there's definite interest! Awesome!

Okay, time for the nitty-gritty. I have no problems organizing, but like I said before, if someone else would like to lead discussion, I think that would be better.

So, if I could get from everyone interested:

- Times and days you'd prefer (and what time zone you're in).
- Version preference? We seem to have two or three votes for Tyler's unabridged right now.
- How many pages you think you'd be up to in a week. I'm at work, so I can't check right now, but I seem to remember that individual chapters are very short.

Um... Anything else I'm forgetting. Oh! Chatting vehicle of preference. Text? Audio? Video? We'll have to keep it to the lowest denominator so that everyone can join.

And feel free to spread the word. I'm keeping these entries unlocked so anyone can see them.

Genji Book Club 3

Okay, so far we've got these preferences in abundance:

- Tyler's translation, unabridged.
- About 100 pages a week, so we'll choose our chapter quantity each week to fit as close to 100 pages as possible.
- Text chat is the overwhelming preference as well. My only worry is that with the lag for typing it might be pretty disjointed in group chat, but we'll give it a go! Does anyone object strenuously to AIM? Well, I use Trillian, but can connect to AIM that way, etc. Or any other preferences? (I like Kya's suggestion of posting the log of the chat up for people who missed that week.)

So, I'm thinking about an hour a week? Given the times everyone has given me so far, I'm tentatively going to suggest:
Saturday (or Friday) night 9-10 pm EST. That's 8-9 pm CST, 6-7 PDT, and 10-11 am Sunday Japan time. Kind of a grueling hour for the Europeans, and I'm not sure how keen the Nipponites will be to early morning hours. Also, inconvenient for those who prefer to dance the night away. Other suggestions?

And kalen9 has offered to think deep thoughts for all of us help lead discussion.

To give people time to buy the book and things, we won't start for a couple weeks. I'm thinking, around the 30th or 31st? Or would that be too soon?


... Then I think in five years, when we finish, we should read the Kojiki. *grin*

Genji Book Club 3

Okay, so far we've got these preferences in abundance:

- Tyler's translation, unabridged.
- About 100 pages a week, so we'll choose our chapter quantity each week to fit as close to 100 pages as possible.
- Text chat is the overwhelming preference as well. My only worry is that with the lag for typing it might be pretty disjointed in group chat, but we'll give it a go! Does anyone object strenuously to AIM? Well, I use Trillian, but can connect to AIM that way, etc. Or any other preferences? (I like Kya's suggestion of posting the log of the chat up for people who missed that week.)

So, I'm thinking about an hour a week? Given the times everyone has given me so far, I'm tentatively going to suggest:
Saturday (or Friday) night 9-10 pm EST. That's 8-9 pm CST, 6-7 PDT, and 10-11 am Sunday Japan time. Kind of a grueling hour for the Europeans, and I'm not sure how keen the Nipponites will be to early morning hours. Also, inconvenient for those who prefer to dance the night away. Other suggestions?

And kalen9 has offered to think deep thoughts for all of us help lead discussion.

To give people time to buy the book and things, we won't start for a couple weeks. I'm thinking, around the 30th or 31st? Or would that be too soon?


... Then I think in five years, when we finish, we should read the Kojiki. *grin*