Steinbeckathon 2012: Main Thread

“We are lonesome animals. We spend all our life trying to be less lonesome. One of our ancient methods is to tell a story begging the listener to say—and to feel—"Yes, that's the way it is, or at least that's the way I feel it. You're not as alone as you thought.""

A few of us, fans of John Steinbeck, thought if would be interesting to devote a whole year to discovering or re-discovering a wider range of his work, which is how it is we came up with this idea of the Steinbeckathon, after seeing how successful the Austenathon was in 2011. Each month, we'll be reading a book from Steinbeck's bibliography, and anyone is welcome to join in, be it for just one book or for all of them. There'll be a thread set up for each book to encourage discussion. We'll be starting with the short novel Cannery Row in January. Here's the plan we've worked out:

January: Cannery Row (SN) - discussion thread: http://www.librarything.com/topic/130108
February: The Wayward Bus - discussion thread: http://www.librarything.com/topic/131687
March: The Winter of Our Discontent - discussion thread: http://www.librarything.com/topic/133360
April: The Moon is Down (SN) - discussion thread: http://www.librarything.com/topic/135104
May: The Grapes of Wrath - discussion thread: http://www.librarything.com/topic/136379
June: Of Mice and Men (SN) - discussion thread: http://www.librarything.com/topic/137915
July: East of Eden - discussion thread: http://www.librarything.com/topic/139235
August: The Red Pony (SN) - discussion thread: http://www.librarything.com/topic/140559
September: In Dubious Battle - discussion thread: http://www.librarything.com/topic/141694
October: Tortilla Flat (SN) - discussion thread: http://www.librarything.com/topic/143132#
November: Travels With Charley: http://www.librarything.com/topic/144208 and The Pearl (SN): http://www.librarything.com/topic/144208
December: Sweet Thursday - discussion thread: http://www.librarything.com/topic/145078#

Feel free to read at your own pace, in your own time, in whichever order you choose, and don't be shy to join the discussion threads any time of the year!

SN = short novel

More detailed Steinbeckathon calendar with list of hosts and approximate page counts.

Just checking in, I definitely plan on joining in on some of these Steinbeck reads, but the ones I am interested in are occuring later on in the year.

I've read 5 of the books on the list so I plan on reading the others and lurking in all of the discussions :) Steinbeck is one of my 12-in-12 categories this year so I may be reading a few of his other books not on this list too :)

I will probably join in for The Grapes of Wrath in May as I have that one in the TBR pile.

Good job, Ilana! There seems to be much interest in this one and that's great. I haven't decided if I'll read Cannery Row again or not. I have read it twice.

I plan to reread Cannery Row but mainly just lurk to prepare for my hosting stint in March. Off to check out the CR thread.

I planning to re-read Cannery Row. I checked out a compilation of Steinbeck's short novels from the school library - it was published in 1953!

Thanks, Ilana! I started Cannery Row today, and so far it's good. I remember being surprised last year at how much I enjoyed The Log from the Sea of Cortez, which has some links to this one.

I'll probably join in for Grapes of Wrath in May and East of Eden, both of which are on my TBR shelves. Great idea this year-long Steinbeckathon!

Hmm, I might dip into this one... And echoing jnwelch, I'd highly recommend the non-fiction The Log from the Sea of Cortez, which I read, oh, 25 years ago...

Ilana, that's a great quote and picture at the start of this thread. I've read East of Eden and one or two short stories of Steinbeck but nothing else. I'm going to get a copy of Cannery Row out of the library and see what I think. Thanks for setting up the threads.

Oooh! May might actually help me FINALLY beat down Grapes of Wrath...

And I just downloaded Cannery Row - not helping me with my read-what-you've-got-first resolution ;)

I am NOT joining the Steinbeckathon. Not, not, not! Nevermind that I've finished Cannery Row already and that I've begun hunting down the February book. It means nothing! Won't do it!

Who am I kidding? I'm in.

I do intend to join the Steinbeck-a-thon this month. As part of the TIOLI, I need to read another book first but intend to get started on that.

#3 Lisa, now I'm dying to know what titles you plan on reading that aren't on our list. Of course the list we came up with is just a sampling of his work—we couldn't fit it all in, especially as we wanted to cover his more famous works, for those who haven't read them yet as I think they are must-reads. Several of these will be re-reads for me, including East of Eden, Of Mice and Men and The Pearl. I won't re-read The Grapes of Wrath since I already re-read it in 2011, but I'll happily swing by the discussion thread. All the others are new to me, so I'm quite excited about them.

#5 Thanks Mark. Well either way, whether you read CR again or not, I hope you'll join in the discussion if you're up to it.

#8 & 10 Ok ok already... there's been positive mention of The Log from the Sea of Cortez so many times now that I finally broke down and added it to the morbidly obese wishlist. I'll be thanking you later, I'm sure. ;-)

#11 Glad you like the picture and quote Pat. I hesitated about the picture, because of the cigarette. I'm not a smoker, but I liked that it wasn't a "posed" photo and seems to catch him unawares (he apparently hated being photographed), but I was concerned that others might be offended by the cigarette. One never knows nowadays...

#12 And I just downloaded Cannery Row - not helping me with my read-what-you've-got-first resolution ;)

I know just what you mean Bekka. Especially since I went and purchased The Short Novels of John Steinbeck so I'd have Cannery Row in a nicer edition than what I have now, and also to get a couple of the other short novels I was missing.

#13 LOL! :-D

#14 Linda, I didn't get started on it either. I have another novel to get through first and will get on it as soon as I'm done. Unless I read it at the same time, but I'm having trouble reading more than one novel at a time lately. They just seem to drag on forever that way.

First, a confession: I never read a Steinbeck I liked. In fact, never chose to read any Steinbeck at all.

Now, before you all back away in horror, let me quickly blame high school: The Red Pony was bad enough but The Pearl killed Steinbeck for me. Too, too depressing.

Course, many friends have since attempted to dissuade me from my Steinbeck-phobia, but I've resisted, but reading along with others and having discussions this seems like a good opportunity to stick my neck out and give the chap a decent chance to entrance.

Please be kind, especially in August (if I get that far).

Jen, nobody here will hold it against you if you've never enjoyed Steinbeck before. Part of the goal of the Steinbeckathon is to encourage all types of readers to approach his work, not just fans. Besides, if it were only fans in the group, it would make for boring discussion. Nothing like dissension to stimulate a good conversation, I say! :-) So don't be shy to express yourself.

I wasn't a Jane Austen fan, and last year was the first time I approached her work, for the same reason you say you're willing to give it a try with Steinbeck in this challenge: if felt less intimidating to approach those novels in a group setting.

Also, don't feel like you need to read everything on the agenda. You can pick and choose as you like. One thing I've learned over time is that appreciation for any specific work or author has a whole lot to do with one's life experiences and current state of mind, and sometimes having someone point out something you may not have noticed before can really change one's perspective.

Now, before you all back away in horror, let me quickly blame high school
I blame high school for lots of things.

17> Well, as long as we're doing confessions: I can't say that I had as bad an experience as you did, but the ONE time in high school that I used *gulp* Clif-Notes, was for The Grapes of Wrath. What I remember is that I got an A on the paper I wrote and a C- on the quiz. So, using Clif-Notes, I could cheat my way through a paper but not through a quiz. I believe Mrs.-I-can't-remember-her-name was, well, absolutely not fooled.

So when I "lead" the discussion in May, it's a form of recompense.

eta: 19> LOL, don't we all.

Good to be among friendlies. Noticed that The Pearl is back later in the year too. I remember the supply teacher accused the class of stealing the copies of the book, and we were outraged that she would think us capable of stealing such dross.

Good thing was that another teacher wandered in to see what the problem was and introduced us to the war poets, which were nowhere near as depressing. So I suppose I owe Steinbeck for what eventually led to my degree. It's payback time!

I'm hoping to join in. Steinbeck is one of those authors that I've never actually gotten around to reading, and that definitely needs to be remedied!

I'd love to join in on the Steinbeckathon. As a product of the once glorious California public school system, we read many of his books but I haven't revisited them since. Can't wait to start. sign me up.

Oh man there's a Steinbeckathon going on this year? I might have to join in if/when my other book commitments allow.

Hi Ilana - of course! The Steinbeck novels I have read are the major ones and it wouldn't be a Steinbeckathon without them!

These are the others on my 12-in-12 list:
To A God Unknown
Pastures of Heaven
Once There Was a War
The Long Valley

#21 I read The Pearl a few years ago of my own volition and thought it was a gorgeous and heartbreaking story. But what stood out to me most was how universal his themes are—touching on feelings and emotions we can all relate to. Probably forcing kids in school to read this kind of material isn't the best way to get them to appreciate the work. I think it helps to have a bit of maturity and life experience in order to appreciate Steinbeck, as is the case with so many authors.

#22-24 You are all welcome to join in as best suits you. Just a reminder that we're starting this month with Cannery Row and that there's a link to that thread up top if you want to join in the discussion.

#25 Thanks Lisa, I'll look forward to your comments on those books—all new titles to me, though The Pastures of Heaven sounds familiar somehow.

I now have Cannery Row requested on Interlibrary Loan. Hopefully it will come in soon!

I am so impressed that there is this much interest, in the American Master! Great job, Ilana! This looks to be a highlight of 2012!

Oh what a great idea (and Grapes of Wrath just happens to be on my list of books to read this year, so also very convenient)!

I think that unlike the Austenathon, I may not read all of these (I'm thinking mostly the chunksters) as I'm also planning to read War and Peace this year and am still in the middle of Les Miserables and three tomes will be enough to get on with for the moment anyway, but I'll definitely be there for all the short novels (bar Cannery Row, which read fairly recently).

#26 I think you're probably right in needing a bit more maturity to read certain books, but I also reckon it was probably down to some lousy teaching and an expectation that we would just 'get' it. We never did any analysis or background reading or research, which as a school librarian just chills me to remember.

Anyway, Steinbeck short fiction on order, so Cannery Row will be coming up soon.

#30 I consider lousy teaching and an expectation that we would just get it a huge detriment to my studies. A book was always placed before us without any introduction regarding historial sIgnificance, author's background etc. It's why I love LT so much. It really has supplemented my education in many different ways.

It's why I love LT so much. It really has supplemented my education in many different ways.

Completely agree.

I don't think I've ever read any book more than once, not completely cover to cover, never really wanted to, but this might be a good time and place to start.

The first Steinbeck novel I read was “Sweet Thursday”, in the mid 1960s. A paperback it was, bought from a station book stall, possibly a Wyman's. An impulse buy, something to read on the train, that was what the paperback was invented for. And why pick this one? The cover must have had something to do with it, with the barefooted girl in the orange dress, leaning back provocatively against the tree stump and dangling a shoe from her finger. And the front cover's comments, “A ribald, boisterous story of the uninhibited ...”; that would do for a read on the train, that's what those comments were written for. And the note that it was by a Nobel Prize winner was a bonus; that would help explain it when I got back home, back to the provincial English town that although it was mid '60s did not share the social mores of “Swinging London” of the time.

What a journey started from that railway station that day. I've always remembered the opening words of the prologue where Mack says, “I ain't never been satisfied with that book "Cannery Row" … if I ever come across the guy that wrote that book I could tell him a few things”. And how Mack wanted a book to have some “hooptedoodle”. I didn't know anything about "Cannery Row", or the guy that wrote it, or even less about hooptedoodle, but from that moment I was hooked.

Next was "Cannery Row", read out of sequence of course, but that's the way it was. Then over the next few years, all the books on your list and “To A God Unknown”, “The Short Reign of Pippin IV,” the short stories in “The Long Valley” (which includes “The Red Pony”), and “The Log from the Sea of Cortez”. And dipped into “Journal of a Novel: the East of Eden Letters”. They are all there, still on the shelf, except for “The Pearl” and “Burning Bright” (in one cover) which seems to have gone missing (is there a bit of heavy symbolism in that?). Only just recently bought the “King Arthur”.

Perhaps it's time to get them down off the shelves again. "Sweet Thursday" did get taken down recently to be lent to a man in the pub who'd mentioned about how JS came near this way when researching the Arthurian legend. The man in the pub had read "Cannery Row" and some of the others but didn't know "Sweet Thursday". Now another convert.

Only occasionally do I meet someone to discuss these things with, and to to say how I've always wanted to visit California and find the places of "Cannery Row" and "Sweet Thursday", and perhaps one day stand on the beach and play the trumpet by the end of the sewer pipe. I've been told that I'd probably be disappointed, it would have changed. There was an excellent BBC TV programme recently about Steinbeck by Melvyn Bragg. Unfortunately I missed it when it was broadcast and should have recorded it, but was reminded about it by the man in the pub and so caught it on iPlayer. Bragg visited Salinas and it made one wonder what Mack and the boys of "Cannery Row" would make of it now. Disappointed? Yes, I suppose I would be. I suppose the John Steinbeck Library I could just about take, but the John Steinbeck Jewellery Shop, and John Steinbeck Gift Shop would be pushing it. Apparently JS was also unhappy about it. It reminded me of the section of “Travels With Charley” when he talks of Thomas Wolfe's book “You Can't Go Home Again”.

Another man in the pub recommended the TV documentaries on film genres by Rich Hall, which are forceful and insightful and humorous. The most recent that I saw was on Road Films and at an hour and a half it was able to take in all types of the genre and included a good look at “The Grapes of Wrath” with Henry Fonda as Tom Joad. Hall recalled reading JS at school in the U.S., but having to read something less textural than “The Grapes of Wrath” (was it "The Wayward Bus"?). But, proclaimed Hall in his most forceful manner, something along the lines of, “if everyone at school had been made to read “The Grapes of Wrath” instead then America today would be a much better place than it is”. Make of that what you will.

Perhaps a comment on the films might be worthwhile alongside the reading of the books. We probably all know of the Henry Fonda “Grapes of Wrath” and James Dean in “East of Eden”, even if we haven't all seen them. And the film of “Cannery Row”, didn't that combine “Sweet Thursday”? Don't think I watched it all, it was more sombre than I expected, and did it need a bit more hooptedoodle? Those are the only films that I know of. Are there other any more?

Now the girl in the orange dress is now back in her right place in my book case. And if ever you come across anyone complaining about lurid covers, and how they have little to do with the content of the book, and how literature (with a capital L) doesn't need them, and how nobody is going to be drawn to reading anything of substance by them, here's one person with a slightly different view.

To all those embarking on this read of the year, enjoy your journey as much as I enjoyed it all those years ago. I hope I can join you for some of it.

robin_b > Thanks for that delightful meander down reading-memory lane. It's interesting to me that we're bookending our year of Steinbeck with Cannery Row and Sweet Thursday --- it seems like that turned out well. I do hope you can join us for some of the reads.

Mild spoilers for Grapes of Wrath

33. “if everyone at school had been made to read “The Grapes of Wrath” instead then America today would be a much better place than it is”

First, no one in the United States could have been made to read The Grapes of Wrath, because the mention of a certain body part in the last scene would have required high schools to have signed consent forms from parents allowing their child to read the book. (I wish I was kidding. My parents had to sign a permission for me to read Catcher in the Rye.

Second, if some of the right wing had read the book they would just complain about how their left-wing teachers had made them read a book by a Marxist who had been given the Nobel Prize in Literature by the Socialists in Norway.

But I wish it could work. It certainly made me a person who questions where the labor comes from that creates and delivers to my mall the things I buy.

#33 Robin, thank you so much for sharing your story and impressions on Steinbeck with us. I hope you'll feel free to join in the various discussions as we read a selection of his novels over the coming year.

My initial idea when we thought up this challenge was to read his novels in publication order, but for various scheduling reasons this wasn't convenient and I didn't put it forth. In any case, to my mind, one only grows to fully appreciate Steinbeck's novels over several readings, so that I might decide to read them in order as a personal project some day, but in the meantime, I think we'll have broached a good selection of his work, which should generate some interesting discussions, judging by what I already see on this thread!

#35 You make some very good points aulsmith. For some reason, when I read it this last time (after having read TGoW as a teenager), I was under the impression that it was taught in schools and marvelled that the ideas Steinbeck puts forth in that novel would have passed muster with the various conservative groups who usually stand firmly against anything with the slightest whiff of socialism. Here in Canada, we tend to be much more open to a variety of ideas, so it always surprises me how strongly opposition can keep certain books out of schools. Such a shame. Makes me all the more grateful we have LT. :-)

#36 " I was under the impression that it was taught in schools" - it is in the UK - that's where I first came across Steinbeck (The Pearl) and my sister read was given Of Mice and Men - but maybe they were very carefully selected!

Poking my head round the doorframe of the group to say thanks for starting the Steinbeckathon! It is just the push I need to read East of Eden, after seeing the movie late last year. (Thank goodness for Turner Classic Movies and James Deanathons!)

We studied Of Mice and Men in Grade 12 Writer's Craft, reading it *backwards* (after first reading Chapter 1 to get a handle on who was who) to study how the story was constructed and see how Steinbeck foreshadowed certain events. So knowing that X happened at the end, we could look at a previous chapter and say, "Aha, he mentions/symbolizes X here." An interesting approach but I just read it forwards, twice, because it was short and I read fairly quickly. :P

I've also mentioned this event to my bf, who does not read much fiction but is fond of Steinbeck (our copy of East of Eden is his; he also owns The Grapes of Wrath and The Pearl), in hopes of inspiring him to read more ;)

36: Steinbeck was (and may still be) taught in US schools, but not Grapes of Wrath. Aside from the problem with the end, it's too long. Mostly the books taught are Of Mice and Men, The Pearl or The Red Pony. They're short and I think have children or child-like people in them (though I haven't read The Pearl or The Red Pony so that's a guess).

I got interested in Steinbeck in high school and read a whole bunch of his stuff for a term paper, including East of Eden, which I was much too young to understand. He definitely made an impression on me. There are scenes and paragraphs from some of the novels that I remember vividly and could probably quote pretty accurately. However, I've found him hard to go back to post-learning feminist analysis. I was thinking of re-reading The Moon is Down, so I might join you for that. And I'll poke my head in from time-to-time on other threads if I think I can contribute.

I read The Grapes of Wrath for the first time in secondary school in the mid-90s in the US, so it was still being taught then! I would think Honors and Advanced Placement classes, at the very least, would still include it on the syllabus in some places. Since we don't have a national curriculum, isn't it difficult to say with absolute certainty that it is no longer being taught? I'm not in the education field, so I don't know the answer.

40: Well, that's true. It's just that I live in New York which is very progressive educationally, worked for the Education Dept., and have several English teachers as friends. It's hard to imagine in the climate that exists here it being required reading. On a supplementary reading list, yes, but not actually required. So I assumed that would be the national trend. But it was indeed an assumption.

39> Hmmm, I will be interested to see how Steinbeck's works sit with me. It has been over 30 years since I read the required novels in high school (well, all but that one on which I now admit to having cheated) and I know my sensibilities are very different from those mid-1970s......

>41 aulsmith: - I was just wondering, really. I grew up in New York but the school where I read TGoW was an independent school, and I think I read it for AP English my senior year. It remains one of my favorite books and I'm looking forward to revisiting it.

The first time I read Steinbeck was for school. Of Mice and Men in 8th grade; East of Eden as summer reading for 10th grade English and Grapes of Wrath for 11th grade History/English block class. The first two were in private school while the last was in public school outside Seattle.

There is some absolutely great comments being made over here! Good job folks. Steinbeck remains my favorite author and when Ilana first brought this idea up, I was very excited.
I remember reading both The Pearl & the Red Pony in grade school and liked them but it wasn't until we read The Grapes of Wrath in high school, that really opened my eyes. I have to credit that book for putting me on the right literary path, that I still stumble along on. And after reading well over a thousand books, it still is my favorite book.
I stopped reading Steinbeck for about 15-20 years, (no decent excuse either), but LT has assisted me, on getting back to this American Master.

I've read the big titles, but not the lesser-known ones, so it's a nice thought to start in January and read around the year. I did get the chance to reread East of Eden recently, and loved it, glad to remember that as good as the movie is, it's not the entire book. Cannery Row makes a lovely start. See you on that thread.

Cannery Row is actually becoming a pleasant surprise. I've been reading bits out to Mr Jenn (who is staring at me in disbelief that I want to continue with something so depressing), but I'm becoming drawn to the characters: Dora, Doc and Hazel.

***SPOILER BIT***

I was totally devastated at the minor offhand story of William. That has stayed with me and haunted me, especially since 'it seemed so silly' (apologies for paraphrasing, I'll fix it later). Other novels would have this as the main plotline. Such a terrible tragedy, swept away with the other inconsequential events.

Please count me in for the Steinbeckathon! I've read a few of the books, recently, so I'll just hang around for those, but I'll plan on participating fully for the others. Great idea!

Karen O.

You are most welcome Karen. Feel free to come and go as you please, and comments are always appreciated!

Hoping to participate as much as possible! Have ordered Cannery Row in at my local bookshop (not a reflection on their usual excellent stocking standards, they looked rather surprised they were out of stock), but it looks as if I'll have to order some of the other titles from overseas. I hadn't even *heard* of The Wayward Bus before!

I read several Steinbecks as a teenager: East of Eden, Grapes of Wrath, and King Arthur. Looking forward to revisiting those first two (although I'm not guaranteeing I'll find the time to do so!). Loved the movie adaptations of them two, although EoE is *quite* different to the book; TGoW was more faithful.

I read Of Mice and Men just last year, as a teaser for this Steinbeckathon.

I assume some Steinbeck is on the curriculum in Australia (at any rate, I can't see any objections to him being there), but I never ran into him at school, apart from someone else doing a book report of OM&M, and I've been meaning to read it ever since. Oh well, 25 years later isn't too bad. ;)

Ilana, I believe I put up my hand to "host" one of the books. Can you possibly add that info into the original post up above, as a reminder to me (and others)? I *think* it was going to be Tortilla Flat, but I could be completely wrong there...

50> that would be great for you to lead us on Tortilla Flats in October. I had filled in because I'd lost track of who had volunteered for which month. And this Steinbeck-a-thon is the first I've heard of The Wayward Bus, as well! I'm glad you'll be joining us for some of these in 2012.

Oh, I'm happy to do any of his books, but a preference towards shorter ones. October isn't that crazybusy a month, so that suited me as well! :)

Cannery Row turned up at the bookshop today, so now I'll start it asap.

Finished Cannery Row and ended up absolutely adoring it. A big surprise for me. The Wayward Bus is proving more difficult to get a hold of.

I requested The Wayward Bus from my library today and will get it by the middle of next week. I won't start reading it yet, but it feels good to have it secured in time for the next group read. :-)

I've also requested The Wayward Bus from the library - it's "in transit" but I hope to get hold of it for February.

#50 Tania, I didn't put the host's names here because didn't want to clutter up the post with too much information, especially since I want to provide the link to the individual threads and all. On the other hand, I have all that information on my thread, and I'd be happy to make the more detailed Steinbeckathon calendar available by adding a link. Do you think it would be ok? If you click on the link I put in here, you'll see what I mean.

#53-55 I was going to just purchase whatever novels are missing from my collection, but you three have convinced me that I could just as well borrow them from the library. Some of them I know I want to have to own and to keep, but for those I haven't read yet, like The Wayward Bus, it's probably the smartest way to go. They only have one copy of TWB in the whole Montreal library system, but somehow I figure it shouldn't be too hard to get my hands on it. Unless Murphy's law decides to kick in now I've said that! :-)

Ilana, I'm happy with the information being anywhere, so long as it's accessible. That's a fine link, and it means I've found your thread, too! :)

And thanks for the confirmation that I am "hosting" Tortilla Flat, my memory's not what it used to be...

The library has a copy of The Wayward Bus in the stack, I'll probably reserve that come February.

Glad I could be of help Tania. :-)

Better put it on hold, Ilana, because our Steinbeck-a-thon is taking the reading world by storm!! There is likely to be a run on The Wayward Bus in the Montreal system next month.

;-)

That would be just my luck! I'm willing to take a chance! :-)

Ok I'm in! I found an ebook with 6 of his smaller works so as of tonight I have purchased:
Tortilla Flat, The Moon is Down, The Red Pony, Of Mice and Men, Cannery Row and The Pearl

I'll be starting Cannery Row tonight :)

Just found a copy of Travels with Charley lying around the dorm bookshelf - it's now mine!

Congrats to Chelle and Brit are in order!

Wow, all kinds of activity over here! Steinbeck is a hit! I ordered The Short Novels of John Steinbeck today. This wasn't easy to find, believe it or not.
Ilana, you bought this a few months ago, right? Even on Amazon, it was only available on Kindle. What?
Unfortunately, it does not contain the Wayward Bus, so I'll have to snag my copy from the library.

Ilana- If we are hosting, do you want us to set-up our own monthly thread? It would be no problem for me.

My library has everything except The Wayward Bus so I headed to B&N to get a used copy and ended up getting a used copy of East of Eden so I'm not under pressure to get the library copy back and The Short Novels of John Steinbeck because I wouldn't mind having a copy of Cannery Row in the house.

#65 Ilana, you bought this a few months ago, right?

Yes, I got it in December from our Canadian major book retailer, Chapters Indigo. They had it at their online store, but otherwise, you're right, it doesn't seem that easy to find, though I've seen it in bookstores. The Wayward Bus isn't exactly a doorstopper, but the Penguin edition is 288 pages, i.e. close to 300 pages, which wouldn't really qualify it as a short novel compared to the other novels in that tome.

If we are hosting, do you want us to set-up our own monthly thread?

Good question Mark, especially since it's one I've been thinking about ever since I set up the first two threads. I'd like all the threads to follow a similar look and organization (that's the art director in me coming to the fore). I know some people are more comfortable than others with basic HTML, so I'm not sure what's the best way to go about this. It would be no great trouble for me to set them up and indicate who the host is for each novel, and I'd be happy to do it, but if the hosts feel they can follow the approach I've taken (displaying various covers in a row, with a bold/italic quote from the novel and a link back to this main thread), then I'm happy to let them set up their own threads. Am I being too anal/controlling about this?

Ilana - I don't think you're being controlling about creating the threads. I would be happy for you to set up my monthly thread.

Ilana- I have no problem with you setting it up either! This way they can all have the same look & feel. Just keep in mind, if you need some help, at ANY point ,let me know. I can do all the picture & bold text stuff. I've been around the LT block a time or 2.
Yah! I picked up my copy of The Wayward Bus from the library. This was published in '47 and I'm pretty sure the copy I have is from that year too!

Ilana, I'm happy either way. I'm comfortable doing HTML (I do it for a living!), so if you need a hand or anything, give me a yell. Happy to set up my own thread, I'll just cut and paste yours, if you like.

Ilana, I have no problem with you setting it up. I think I have April's The Moon Is Down, if I'm remembering it right.

One day, about six or seven lifetimes ago, I was a high school student watching cable TV when up pops this quirky little movie, "Cannery Row." I loved it. That was my introduction to Steinbeck. (Consequently, every time I read Steinbeck I hear John Huston's voice narrating - which I guess is not really a bad thing.) Years later I got my hands on a copy of the book and it quickly became one of my favorite books of all time. Recently read Of Mice and Men - because my son made me and I "made" him read Cannery Row. I loved Of Mice and Men and my son loved Cannery Row. Since one of my personal goals for this year is to read any/all Steinbeck novels, kindly count me in!

Ilana, I'm not hosting until May and I'd love to learn and develop more confidence with HTML. I've learned how to post images and I can do the bold text ---- but I like the look you've modeled and I claim no artistic or techno talent..... I'd like to try it and know that I can call for help if needed? I guess this goes in the "teach me to fish" category. :-)

#68 Brit, I'll be glad to take care of that. Just send me a reminder when the time comes.

#69 Linda, that's right, The Moon is Down in April. Again, just remind me to set it up for your when the time comes.

370 Consequently, every time I read Steinbeck I hear John Huston's voice narrating - which I guess is not really a bad thing

Have to agree with you there! I just watched his acceptance speech for Lifetime Achievement Award in 1983: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnclaqZ7SeE

#73 Ellen, I'll be happy to help out in any way I can while you get used to the shallow waters. :-)

The Wayward Bus is available from Amazon UK but when you buy as many books as me, you do tend to look out for extreme bargains. At the moment there's nothing available, but I've got an eye on eBay. Most folks I've asked have never heard it, even massive Steinbeck fans.

Jen, have you looked at Abe Books? I just did a quick search and found there were over 100 copies through various sellers in the UK.

>76 Smiler69:. Thanks for that. I'd forgotten about Abe. Got one.

>74 Smiler69: Thank you for the video link!

I got my copy of The Wayward Bus from my library yesterday. It was tempting to start at once, but I'm determined to wait.

#77 Oh good, I'm glad that was helpful. With so many outlets available for books, it's hard to keep them all in mind.

#78 My pleasure, I thought John Huston did a good job with that acceptance speech, and also made me want to go back and watch a bunch of his movies. I saw The Misfits eons ago and thought it was brilliant. I've got The Maltese Falcon in my collection, which I have never seen yet, and want to read the novel first.

I went to read about John Huston on his wikipedia page just now and thought the following was quite interesting:

"Huston was known to direct with the vision of an artist, having studied and worked as a fine art painter in Paris in his early years. He continued to explore the visual aspects of his films throughout his career: sketching each scene on paper beforehand, then carefully framing his characters during the shooting. In addition, while most directors rely on post-production editing to shape their final work, Huston instead created his films while they were being shot, making his films both more economical and more cerebral, with little editing needed."

eta: Too bad he didn't actually direct a movie based on a Steinbeck novel!

#79 Nathalie, having visited your thread last night, I know how overbooks you are already. Don't you have 7 or 8 books going right now? I'd say wait. Plus, if you do wait, the book will be fresh in your mind when comes time to comment on it! :-)

I saw a copy of Cannery Row on the shelf at the library yesterday and had a moment of guilty feelings, thinking I could not have purchased it. Then I realized that I will definitely be keeping my copy of this five-star read, so it worked out just fine. I don't expect to feel the same way about The Wayward Bus (though I can't say why not), but there it sits on my shelves, already purchased.

Ellen, don't feel bad about purchasing it, it's a Steinbeck book after all! That being said, I keep going back and forth and can't decide whether I'll purchase a copy of The Wayward Bus too or borrow the ancient edition they have at the library. Just now, I was comparing prices again on new editions again and must say the allure is quite powerful.

I finished Cannery Row this morning, walking across a footbridge over a crowded busy arterial road. Not ideal conditions, but I had to finish that last page! (Bad timing with the bus stop, all I needed was one extra red light!)

Now I'll have to go and natter over on the Cannery Row thread, now there's no chance of spoilers.

Fabulous book. Not what I was expecting, but more than I was expecting.

And Wayward Bus has been ordered at my favourite city bookshop. They had it cheaper than TBD (!!) and I don't have to pay postage as I'll be picking it up from them. (And I didn't have to pay with the order, they had an option for pay-on-pick-up, which I rather liked.) Hurrah!

Glad you'll be joining us for The Wayward Bus, wookiebender. Having never heard of it before our now-world-famous Steinbeck-a-thon, I'll be interested to see how I (we) like it.

I've got my copy of The Wayward Bus and I'm really looking forward to reading it with the group. I'd never heard of this particular Steinbeck, either, so it will be like discovering hidden treasure.

Karen O.

My copy of The Wayward Bus turned up yesterday, hurrah! I've got a number of books to read in the meantime (bookgroup and library-books-due-back-soon), but looking forward to it.

I assume we're starting mid-month, like we did with Cannery Row?

I've soooo enjoyed my re-read of Cannery Row that I've just requested a copy of The Wayward Bus from my library. I'm so glad that we're doing this Steinbeck retrospection because for me it helps to understand the author and get a feeling for his style which may have been lost had I read the books, like 6 months apart.

My copy of The Wayward Bus arrived today so I'm all set for Feb.

I'll probably drop in here and there. I grew up in the Salinas valley, getting my books from the Steinbeck Library in Salinas. :)

That said, though, I've only really enjoyed East of Eden. At the same time, I'm not sure if I didn't like Grapes of Wrath or if reading it in school ruined it for me.

Loved Cannery Row and started The Wayward Bus last night. Its just as good so far. Such great descripitons of the people and the place.

I finally broke down and ordered a brand new copy of The Wayward Bus from BookDepository today. Should be here in a week to ten days.

#86 Tania, we didn't actually give an official start, but because we're doing a book each month, it's recommended to start at a time when you think you'll be able to discuss the book in the same month as that on the planned schedule. But of course, anyone can read any book whenever suits them, and the threads for each book, once created, will be up all year, so anyone can comment at any time really. Ours is a suggested schedule, and the discussion threads will be created accordingly.

Speaking of which, I'm off to start the thread for The Wayward Bus which our wonderful friend Mark/msf59 will be hosting. I'll of course include the link here once it's up.

I've just set up the thread for The Wayward Bus. Mark was kind enough to let me be a control freak about it, but it's his page from here on out!

http://www.librarything.com/topic/131687

Ilana! your threads for the Steinbeckathon are so nicely done. If you are able, and when the time comes, I would gladly give you carte blanche (from my limited French vocabulary) to set up the March thread for my group read of The Winter of our Discontent. Hope you accept :0)

I picked up a copy of The Wayward Bus from the library yesterday - so I'm all set for this one.

Started The Wayward Bus yesterday. There is a book review in the front of my rather antique looking library copy from the "February Book of the Month Club News" which I am trying not to read as I don't want my opinion swayed, but I think it'll be interesting to see what Steinbeck's contemporaries thought of his writing.

I read The Collection of Steinbeck's Short Novels last year. I haven't read The Wayward Bus, so I guess I will join in and read along.

#93 Lynda, I'll be happy to set up your thread for you. And The Winter of our Discontent is wholly new to me, so I look forward to that one as well.

#94 calm, it'll be great to have you join us for this reading!

#95 I usually avoid reading introductions to any book, since as you say, not only do they tend to colour one's impressions, but they also often contain spoilers. I hope you'll share some price nuggets when you do get to it though!

#96 Tammy, you are of course more than welcome!

I've been lurking here because last year I read The Grapes of Wrath, and it is now one of my all time favorite books. Lucy mentioned that there was a Steinbeckathon going on, and that is so exciting! I am almost finished with Cannery Row, and have secured a copy of The Wayward Bus - actually our library's only copy. Thanks, Ilana, for all the time and the effort you have put into setting things up. How fun!

#72 - That is so funny that you mention hearing John Huston's voice narrating whenever you read Steinbeck; I always hear Humphrey Bogart's voice narrating when I read Raymond Chandler or Dashielle Hammett because I fell in love with The Big Sleep and The Maltese Falcon first as movies and then read the books!

#98 It's absolutely my pleasure, though I couldn't have done it without the priceless input of Mark and Ellen, along with other members who have offered to host the threads for some of our upcoming books.

Now you mention The Big Sleep and The Maltese Falcon, two books not yet read (though I have the second) and two movies I haven't seen yet (though I have the first). It always seems to me that it's best to start with the book, though there are exceptions to this rule. What would you say in these two cases?

Ilana, I'm pretty sure I'm going to ask you to create the thread for our May read. I just love the approach you've taken to the two you've done so far. I know I could learn, but we'll see how I feel about that in three months!

I'm happy to help either way Ellen. I wondered if maybe I wasn't being too redundant with The Wayward Bus thread following the exact same approach as the one for Cannery Row (considered just posting 1, 2 or 3 larger covers, or even a still from the movie), but in the end, I went with a unified look with the six covers. Took a while to pick out my favourite covers, as you can (maybe) imagine—anyone who knows me well would not be surprised at this. I'm... a tad obsessive?... maybe? about those things? But then, I did make a career out of it...

But again, whether you choose to do it yourself and have me assist you and walk you through the steps, or ask me to do it all, I'm good to go.

Ilana, I am a huge fan of both the books and the movies. I would start with the books. I grew up watching the movies with my Dad who was a big Bogart fan, and so those movies always take me back to him ( he passed away this past September- he was ready to go but I wasn't ready for him to go). I think I like the book The Maltese Falcoln slightly better than the movie, but that is because I am not a big Mary Astor fan, and so the book version of the character she plays is just so much better. I like the book and the movie of The Big Sleep equally, which is saying a lot because I absolutely love Raymond Chandler. Guess if I had to choose only one I would pick the movie because it's Bogie and Bacall, right?! The book has a cleaner storyline, though. Another movie that is great with Bogart is To Have and Have Not which is a movie that takes its inspiration from the Ernest Hemingway book of the same name. That is one for me where the movie wins hands down, as I did not care for the book. The movie pretty much just takes Hemingway's characters and changes the storyline completely. Guess who wrote the screenplay-William Faulkner!

#102 I'm so sorry to read about you father's recent passing. That must be very difficult for you. I too share a love of movies with my father. It seems to be our favourite activity together—movies and then we sit down for a coffee with a sweet and chat. He's 71 now, and has had health problems for a long time, and so I certainly don't take the times we share together for granted.

For some reason, when I was younger, even though I loved old movies, I wasn't especially interested in Boggie. Have no idea why. But I'm ready for him now. Based on what you've said, I'll for sure read the novels first. I also happen to have To Have and Have Not, which has been idling on my shelves for a number of years, along with a couple of Faulkner novels, an author I have yet to discover but am intimidated by after reading countless times how difficult he is...

Crazymamie- I also love the films from the 30s through the 50s. An outstanding time. I loved Bogie and his version of The Big Sleep but I also think Robert Mitchum did an incredible Marlow, in Farewell, My Lovely. I have not read Hemingway's To Have and Have Not but the film was a classic and introduced us to a young and smokin' Lauren Bacall. What was she 20, if that?
I'll have to remember, after the G.R. of Grapes of Wrath, for everyone to watch John Ford's film version. It's pretty amazing. Henry Fonda as Tom Joad? Does not get any better.

Ilana (the control freak)- It's been well over 20 yrs since I read The Winter of our Discontent, but recall it being excellent, with a more modern feel to it.
Yes, please go back and rediscover Bogie. He starred in so many classic films. Of course, start with "Casablanca", easily one of the best films ever made.

Ilana - What a lovely memory you are making. My Dad would have been 86 this month. I am the youngest of six daughters, by quite a bit, and so, after my sisters had moved on, the two of us used to spend Sunday afternoons glued to the tube for Action Adventure Theatre where the station played old movies one after the other. I grew up with John Wayne, Humphrey Bogart, Cary Grant, and Jimmy Stewart. It was wonderful! After every movie my Dad would say, "Well, that was disappointing. It ended the same way as last time." I agree with Mark - start with Casablanca.

Mark - I also loved Robert Mitchum in Farewell, My Lovely. I liked the book better for that one, though. Humphrey Bogart is my favorite Philip Marlowe, I think mainly because I saw his version of Marlowe first. I wouldn't bother with the book version of To Have and Have Not unless you are a huge Hemingway fan. The character of Harry Morgan is unsympathetic, and Marie Browning is his wife, who he mentions in passing, but whom we don't get to meet in person. Imagine the movie without Bacall's character - a travesty! I think maybe she was only nineteen in that movie - UNBELIEVABLE.

>98 Crazymamie: I'm so glad I'm not the only one who hears voices in my head! LOL! ;)

>104 msf59: I wholeheartedly agree with you about "Casablanca."

>99 Smiler69: What Mamie said in >102 Crazymamie:, Ilana (except for the part about her Dad - mine never watched the movies with me). Read the books first. Chandler's a treat, in my view, and the movies are great.

#104 Mark, thanks for reminding me that I haven't yet seen the movie version of Grapes of Wrath. I know it's a must, so I've just reserved it at the library. I'm kind of dilly-dallying about whether or not I'll be joining that particular group read since I read it in 2011, but it's such an amazing book that I'm still considering it. Guess I have plenty of time to decide between now and May!

Already ordered my copy of The Winter of Our Discontent a couple of days ago because I noticed that the price for The Wayward Bus suddenly went from being reduced by 34% on BoodDepository, to full price fairly recently. Could it be that they raised the price because it was more in demand this month because of the Steinbeckathon?? Anyway, not taking chances as wanted to get TWoOD at the reduced rate. Thought I should put the word out! :-)

I'm pretty sure I've seen "Casablanca" a few times, but probably when I was in my pre-teens at which point it wouldn't have done much for me, so I definitely need to watch that again now that I'm all grown up! Will borrow it from the library this month for sure!

#105 Mamie, I remember going to the repertory cinema with my dad when I was still a small child and watching a bunch of Charlie Chaplin and Laurel & Hardy movies. I absolutely adored them, and haven't really seen any of them in a long time, other than Modern Times, which I think I watched again some 20 years ago (probably due for another screening!). My dad, being East European wasn't really into the John Wayne school of cinema, but whenever one of those Western movies would come on, I'd be absolutely glued to our old tiny television! Fittingly enough, we're going to see The Artist this week. I'm looking forward to that.

#107 Joe, I read my first Raymond Chandler a couple of years ago, which for some reason was The Lady in the Lake. Probably started with that one because I'd just picked it up at the used book store. I now have The Big Sleep and The Long Goodbye on my shelves. Do you recommend reading this series in publication order?

Oh, add me to the lovers of "Casablanca"! Such a classic movie, so wonderful. I haven't seen it for some years, and will have to source a copy for re-watching.

I'm actually feeling better about Hemingway now that people have bagged out To Have and Have Not. I read it because I loved the movie so much, and then hated the book. But if it's a dud Hemingway, maybe I should dust some of his other books off and give them a go... (I did like A Moveable Feast, but I wasn't sure if that was an age thing - I read it ~20 years after reading THAHN - or a non-fiction vs. fiction thing.)

I also did love the movie adaptation of For Whom the Bell Tolls, I think that's the one I've got on the shelves upstairs...

Hm, seem to have moved off-topic a bit. Steinbeck! Steinbeck! Steinbeck! Yes, you must all watch "The Grapes of Wrath" after you've read the book! I also did like Elia Kazan's "East of Eden", although it's just a fraction of the book covered. Looking forward to revisiting those books (hopefully) this year, it's been years since I've read them.

Here is a nice chronological list of Steinbeck's writing that I thought some of us Steinbeckathon-ers (?) would be interested in: http://www.mchsmuseum.com/steinbeckbooks.html

#110 Tania, have you read The Old Man and the Sea? I read it for the first time a couple of years ago and it was a five-star read for me. I have quite a few books by Hemingway sitting on my shelves, since I fell in love with A Moveable Feast a few years back—my first experience of Hem's writing, which made me want to read everything he'd ever written.

And yes, back to Steinbeck... I just got started on The Wayward Bus last night and glad to see there are already quite a few people who've signed on for it.

#111 thanks so much for posting that link, it's very helpful. I did of course consider that we should read his works by publication order for our Steinbeckathon, but for various reasons, it ended up not being practical. Looks like we'd have to keep the Steinbeckathon going for another couple of years if we wanted to cover everything he's written!

Ilana, I haven't read The Old Man and the Sea yet, but I'd like to. Hoping to get through the books I already own this year, but it is a book I'll happily pick up and read once I've got Mt TBR down to a more manageable size. (I hope!)

The movie adaptation with Spencer Tracey was on TV the other day, but Miss Boo was frightened by the blood in one scene, so I got to see all of about 10 seconds of it. Ah well.

I am listening to the audiobook of The Old Man and the Sea right now, and it is really well done. It is read by Donald Sutherland, and his voice and cadence lends itself perfectly to the story. I am really liking it so far. I have a love/ hate relationship with Hemingway, so I, too, am working my way through his writing. I REALLY didn't care for The Sun Also Rises and To Have and Have Not, but I loved A Moveable Feast. While I can appreciate his vision of a writing style that says what it means in the simplest and sparsest way, for me it cannot compare with the beautifully poetic writing style of Steinbeck. I also think that Steinbeck's characterizations are easier to identify with - they are flawed but have redeeming qualities. Many of Hemingway's characters seem self-serving and unsympathetic. That being said, Hemingway does have some beautiful moments - I love when he is talking about Paris in winter in A Moveable Feast and he says that at the end of Fall the trees seem forlorn and desolate, but when the snow comes they are like sculptures.

I guess some day I'll have to give The Old Man and the Sea another try. I love to read and always have, but I certainly see some downside to forcing kids to read some of these books in school and then having the life drained out of the story by insisting on finding religious and phallic symbolism on every single page.
I know I wouldn't have enjoyed Cannery Row when I was in high school. I didn't have enough experience at that young age to appreciate any of it.

Uh oh, now I sense some group reads of Hemingway and Faulkner coming on. That might be the thing to get me to attend to these neglected (by me) authors.

Haha, I was thinking the same thing about Hemingway and Faulkner

>112 Smiler69: I had no idea Steinbeck was such a prolific writer! Earlier this year I had committed myself to reading "any and/or all" Steinbeck. Guess I'll stick to the "any" part of that goal and skip the "all." LOL! The chronological list of his work fascinated me too. I figured Cannery Row, because it's such a unique little book, would have come much later in his career and that the sequel to it Sweet Thursday would come soon after - but that book was published quite a bit later (9 years later).

#113 I don't believe I've ever seen the movie, but I just checked and it's available at the library, so I might pick it up sometime. Fortunately, I don't have to worry about traumatizing small children!

#114 I got that recording by Donald Sutherland of The Old Man and the Sea from the library too. It's just a question of time before I listen to it, but I'm sure it's excellent. I wasn't that crazy about The Sun Also Rises either, but I did find it funny how unlikeable (and mostly drunk) most of the characters were!

#115 I know I wouldn't have enjoyed Cannery Row when I was in high school. I didn't have enough experience at that young age to appreciate any of it.

I'm in complete agreement with you there. I doubt I could have fully appreciate it even a decade ago, when I was in my go-go-go 30s.

#116 Uh oh, now I sense some group reads of Hemingway and Faulkner coming on. That might be the thing to get me to attend to these neglected (by me) authors.


Should we start organizing that for 2013 and 2014 do you think? ;-)

#118 I don't think I'll try to fit in everything Steinbeck's ever written this year, but reading all his work certainly is a worthy goal. But I think I'll throw in A Russian Journal sometime this year also, if only because I've been curious about it ever since I first heard of it.




I've read up to chapter 10 of The Wayward Bus and must say I'm finding it to be a gripping read. Worlds apart from Cannery Row, but that's one thing I love about Steinbeck—how he manage to create these very different worlds from one novel to another.

February seems to be flying by and, since I'm not reading The Wayward Bus, I need to keep Steinbeck in mind. I'm hoping to read The Winter of Our Discontent in March.

Linda, this might sounds strange, but I wasn't sure at first that I'd read all the books we're covering here this year, since I've got mighty lofty reading goals as always and didn't know if I could fit everything in, but now after reading the first two books, I'm determined to read everything we've scheduled.

I finished The Wayward Bus a couple of days ago, which was an amazing discovery, and have already secured a brand new copy of The Winter of Our Discontent for next month. It's not too late to join us for the former if you change your mind!

I'm figuring on reading all the short novels (I got them all together) and maybe The Grapes of Wrath because I've become interested in the era via The Worst Hard Time, and Sweet Thursday because it's a sequel. Not sure about others. Even partial participation will be worthwhile from my perspective; if I ever read any of these books in high school, I've forgotten.

#121 I snuck a peek at The Wayward Bus on Amazon. Sounds good. I'll have to see if I can work it in.

There's still a few weeks left in the month.

#122 It's funny, because it sounds like we're going about The Grapes of Wrath and The Worst Hard Times in opposite directions. I re-read TGoW last year and was completely blown away by it, after which Mark (msf59) highly recommended the non-fictional TWHT to me. I purchased it not so long after that and been meaning to get to it for the better part of 2011. I doubt I'll re-read TGoW again so soon, so will strongly consider scheduling The Worst Hard Time then to be on topic when May comes around.

#123 Oh good, I'm glad I've gotten you to at least consider reading it. It's a rather small novel and I think well worth the effort.

I really really want to The Wayward Bus, but I have no idea how I'm going to fit it in! I could just get it on my kindle and hang on to it until I have time. . . .

Thanks to crazymamie I've finally found my way to the Steinbeckathon. I haven't read anything by JS, but want to change that. Especially the months May/June/July are very interesting for me and I might even have the time to participate in the group read. Already looking forward to it!

The Wayward Bus: here's a link to my review which I just posted on Tuesday, for those who don't follow my thread.

I'm already looking forward to The Winter of Our Discontent, which book I've received from BookDepository and look forward to cracking open come March, another new-to-me Steinbeck which promises to be quite a keeper!

#125 Brit, that's how I tend to do it when I want to fit in a book that I'm squeezing in. I don't have a Kindle, but I just put the book either on the shelf space reserved for "books of the month", or load it on my iPhone, if it's an audiobook or an eBook. No guarantees that it'll work every time, but it's a step closer to getting done...

#126 I'm glad you found your way here Kathy. You're more than welcome to join us for those books that tempt you most, but you may want to also try other titles that are less, or not at all familiar to you as you could end up being pleasantly surprised, as has happened for many of us with both Cannery Row and The Wayward Bus so far!

#126: Hi Ilana! Maybe I should have asked before, if it's ok to join in only as a part-time reader or rather to join in later. Sorry. :( The thing is that I'll be very busy until May and I won't be able to join the discussion earlier. Thanks to the threads I can catch up on the books you've already discussed until then. I've already read reviews of The Wayward Bus and Cannery Row on LT, and I'm definitely going to read them, too! :)

Please don't worry Kathy. There are no rules about how you want to participate. We just created the structure of what books we'll read during what months, we put up the threads, and then everyone is encouraged to comment as they like and read whatever they like and whenever suits them best for that matter. Fair enough? :-)

#129: That's what I thought. :) In that case I'm going to order some Steinbeck-novels, now!

That't the spirit! :-)

I will probably be joining in during the summer for a few novels too, PersephonesLibrary, and I'm not even a 75 Books Challenge member anymore! This looks like it will be a fun group to read with; I learned about the Steinbeckathon from Roni 'ncats's thread.

Oh good! I'm so glad the word is getting around. You're welcome any time Nathan!

#132: Good to know that I won't be the only one joining in later, Nathan! :)

Kathy, when we started talking about the possibility of running with this challenge last year, plenty of people said they might be interested in joining in for a novel or two, but not the whole thing, which is more than ok. I was going to do it as a personal challenge if no one else had wanted to join in, so just knowing that others feel encouraged to exposing (or re-exposing) themselves to Steinbeck's work is already plenty satisfying!

I read America and Americans, non-fiction, which is not on the list here (do I get extra credit? ;) but it satisfied the first Club Read challenge for Jan./Feb. I posted some comments on my thread here: http://www.librarything.com/topic/130501#3246171

I'm starting to farther along in The Wayward Bus and I'm really enjoying it.

Karen O.

Finished The Wayward Bus this morning, and I did like it (but not as much as Cannery Row). I'll go and catch up on the comments in the book-specific thread when I have a chance!

Time to start sourcing The Winter of Our Discontent, methinks...

Time to start sourcing The Winter of Our Discontent, methinks...

Done! All set to go... :-)

I'm so glad folks are finding our Steinbeck-a-thon and joining us whenever! There will be a good number of us for whom his name will become large in our Author Clouds. Some larger than others --- and that's totally okay!
:-)

Finished The Wayward Bus and The Winter of Our Discontent is waiting for me to pick it up from the library:)

Yippee! Glad you'll be reading TWoOD with the group, calm. I got a start on it, but that's all I'm saying.

Lynda, I'll put the thread for TWoOD together in the last days of February, possibly this weekend. I've got quite a few preoccupations, so if it's not up by Tuesday evening, feel free to send me a gentle reminded as a PM.

Great! Thanks Ilana!

Thanks, Ilana! I bought a copy of Winter of our Discontent yesterday, will start reading it in March. Looking forward to it.

I got my copy from the library (L'inverno del nostro scontento) on Wednesday and already read the first chapter to get a feeling for it. I decided to buy the collection of the 6 short novels for my Kindle to get at least some Steinbeck in English.

Stopping to see what's next on the list. I'm looking forward to reading Winter of Our Discontent with everyone and visiting the east coast for a change.

Turner Classic Movies (TCM) will be showing the films East of Eden (1955) and The Grapes of Wrath (1940) tomorrow, Saturday, February 25.

East of Eden will be shown at 6:00pm EST, and The Grapes of Wrath at 8:00pm EST.

Both films are excellent. As mentioned upthread, this version of East of Eden only focuses on the latter part of the book, but is still worth seeing. The performances are great--especially James Dean as Cal and Julie Harris as Abra. Jo Van Fleet won the Best Supporting Actress Academy Award for her portayal of Kate.

The Grapes of Wrath stars Henry Fonda as Tom Joad. After watching a pre-release screening of the film, John Steinbeck said that Fonda's performance made him "believe my own words."

Sandy K

#146 I decided to buy the collection of the 6 short novels for my Kindle to get at least some Steinbeck in English.

I'm sure you know how happy that makes me Nathalie! For one thing because you'll be reading Steinbeck in the original language, which he uses brilliantly, and also because you're obviously committed to reading more of his work!

#148 Thanks for sharing that information Sandy. I look forward to watching both movies. I saw East of Eden in my teens when I was gaga over James Dean, but don't remember any of it. I'll probably watch it after our reading of the novel in July.

I've got The Grapes of Wrath movie right here, borrowed from the library. I re-read that book last year, so still undecided as to whether I'll read it again with the group this year. It's among my all-time favourites, so it's a tough call. I'm not sure whether I should watch the movie now, or in May when we have our group read... I love those kinds of tough decisions! :-)

Thanks, Sandy! I will definitely be tuning in. Just finished reading Steinbeck's Once There was a War and really enjoyed it. He was a war correspondent for the New York Herald Tribune in 1943, and the book is a collection of his dispatches. A really interesting look at WWII from behind the scenes. Instead of covering the big stuff that everyone else was covering, he covered the everyday stuff that often gets lost in the big picture of things. Haven't posted a review yet, but will post one soon as there are only four currently posted.

Hm... Once There Was a War sounds interesting, I'll have to add it to the list.
Waiting to pick up TWoOD since I know I'll start it as soon as I pick it up from the library.

Yeeha! What a great group forming for TWoOD. Soooo looking forward to what Steinbeck has in store for us this time!

Ilana, are you willing to make the thread for our March read? Pretty please?

Is there a thread to post about other novels by Steinbeck?

#153 I was working on it when you asked Ellen. Somehow it ended up spending over 90 minutes putting it together. The worse part is, you wouldn't know looking at it! lol

#154 I'm not exactly sure what you mean Edwin. If you mean that you want to post about books that aren't on our list, then you can go right ahead and post about them on this general thread. I hope I've answered your question.




Here is (FINALLY) the thread for The Winter of Our Discontent: http://www.librarything.com/topic/133360

Thanks Ilana, I'm really excited to be hosting in March and your 90 mintues of hard work paid off. The thread looks great.

{{{Ilana}}} I'm sorry it took so much time for you to put it together. And thank you for doing it!! Here we go, chapter three of our twelve-chapter adventure!

154> I agree with Ilana. If you'd like to post comments about any Steinbeck novels, this thread would be the place to do that and your comments would be welcome. Hopefully you will join us for one or more of the monthly group reads of the novels we've selected.

>155 Smiler69:, 157

Yes, that's what I meant.

033. The acts of King Arthur and his noble knights
Finished reading: 26 February 2012



Cross Posted from my Thread on Club Read 2012

The acts of King Arthur and his noble knights by John Steinbeck is a retelling of Malory's Morte D'Arthur. Steinbeck worked on it, on and off, for about a decade, between 1956 and 1965, before abandoning it. The unfinished manuscript was published posthumously in 1976.

It seems that in the field of literature, retelling has a negative ring. It smacks of abridgement, and simplification, especially for immature or inexperienced readers. In Western literary circles, the text is sacred and untouchable. This, unlike music, where the vitality of the cultural experience is defined by successful reinterpretation, although even here there is a discernable striving for the perfect performance.

John Steinbeck had a vision about the value of retelling. This vision resulted in the creation of so called play-novelettes, such as Burning Bright, Of Mice and Men and The Moon Is Down, which are retellings or rewrites of drama into short novellas, in order to keep them available, and readable in an enjoyable format for the wider public. Many classical plays are forgotten or seldom performed, while very few people enjoy reading drama. The play-novelettes recreate the stories from the drama in prose, which a wider audience may read and appreciate.

A similar didactic vein can be traced in the retelling of The acts of King Arthur and his noble knights. Few people will attempt to read Malory's Morte D'Arthur in the original version. In the introduction, Steinbeck relates how as a child he was mesmerized by the magic of the story and the wonder of the language, and it has been his life-long dream to share that experience render the Morte D'Arthur in a way readily accessible to modern readers.

The Penguin Modern Classics edition includes nearly 70 pages of correspondence between John Steinbeck and his editors about his research, and the development of his ideas with regard to this project. Unfortunately, only Steinbeck's letters are reprinted, omitting the answers from his correspondents, with the exception of a single letter from Chase Horton to Steinbeck, in June 1968. This correspondence makes a very valuable contribution to the book, which could have been enhanced by a critical introduction by the editor.

It becomes clear that Steinbeck invested a great deal of time and effort in this project, aiming to base the work on the best possible source, and working with eminent experts in the field of interpretation of the work. The published work is unfinished, which may partly account for the relative shortness of only 293 pages. Steinbeck also consciously omitted sections from the original text, which he felt did not fit the unity of the work.

The posthumously published version falls apart in two parts, which are stylistically very different. Some reviewers regret this division arguing that the work should have been finished in one style, pointing at the demerit of the other style.

The first five books, Merlin, The Knight with Two Swords, The Wedding of King Arthur, The Death of Merlin and Morgan Le Fay are written in a fairly close translation. This section best preserves the freshness of the original text. Much of the text seems emblematic and repetitive, with a lot of emphasis of events and description, but little or no psychology or character development. The story has a distinctive, medieval feel to it.

The final two books, Gawain, Ewain, and Marhalt and The Noble Tale of Sir Lancelot of the Lake are novelized. In this section, the story is rewritten in Steinbeck's own, American novelistic style. The emphasis in this section is on character development, and experience of the tale. The stylistic divide is so great, that if it weren't for the characters' names, it could have been an entirely different story. The story has a typical, contemporary feel to it.

Some reviewers have expressed their opinion that it was Steinbeck's intention to rewrite the entire work in the contemporary, Twentieth Century novelistic style. The two chapters we have show that it would be a very interesting possibility. While I did enjoy reading these two books, my preference is with the style which remains closer to the original. Perhaps the book remained unfinished because of Steinbeck's indecision in this matter.



Other books I have read by John Steinbeck:
Burning bright

Nice review - I have this in my TBR pile for this year, so it was good to read your thoughts on it. Not sure yet what month I will work it into. Thanks for taking the time to post your review here.

Intriguing review, Edwin. I'm already reading more Steinbeck than I ever expected to, and I may have to add this one to the list.

Edwin, thanks for that great review of The Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights. I had no idea it even existed and luckily my library has a copy. I took a quick look at your comments on Burning Bright since the Library of America volume I have that includes The Wayward Bus and The Winter of Our Discontent also has Burning Bright. Sounds like that's one I can skip.

Edwin - very good review. I've got this sitting on my TBR shelf and will be reading it ... sometime:) If there is a month when I can't get the planned Steinbeck book it would make a good substitute.

Wow, I would have never thought that Steinbeck would go the route of King Arthur. Thanks for bringing it to my attention, Edwin.

#159 I want to join the others in thanking you for posting your review here Edwin. As it happens, I just received The Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights from BookDepository this week, and didn't know at all what to expect since I knew very little about it, including the fact that it was published posthumously. Sounds like a fascinating read, and I never say never, but this is probably as close as I'll come to reading Le Morte D'Arthur—or in any case, it sounds like a good primer for it.

I read The Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights many (many!) years ago. I remember the stylistic changes, but I actually preferred the second half, the "Steinbeck" half. I reasoned that if I wanted to read something close to Malory, I'd read Malory. :) Whereas I really enjoyed it when Steinbeck made it more his own story.

One day I shall have to dust it off and give it another go, see if I've changed my mind 30 or so years on...

I have to admit that I've been thinking I might take a month off and skip The Moon is Down but now I see that it's a Short Novel and I've just been so enjoying the Steinbeckathon, I think I'll pick up a copy and stay involved in April. :-)

I plan to go purchase The Moon is Down today so I have it ready to go when April gets here. Not that I'm wishing March away, but I like to be ready. :-)

I'm already all set with my Penguin Deluxe edition of The Short Stories of John Steinbeck! March is already halfway over, so it's not too early to get ready!

>I69 I should have a copy of the same book waiting for me at the local library soon. I am fighting the urge to buy it .....

I gave in to my urge to buy and have downloaded the audio version. I am looking forward to participating next month, and especially to reading this book, which I have had on my wishlist for awhile.

I just bought The Short Stories of John Steinbeck for my Kindle. 21 USD! By far the most I spent on a book this year. But now I'm set for April, June, August, October and half of November. I hope I'll find the other ones all in my library.

I almost bought The Short Novels of John Steinbeck but for some reason went with the somewhat less economical purchase of each as a separate entity. In any case, I'm now the proud owner of a thin little edition of The Moon is Down and a not-so-thin little edition of The Grapes of Wrath. I'm ready for April and May. :-)

I bought them each separately also because I knew I wanted to display them together on my bookshelf and wanted each to stand alone. My nieces and nephews, who are in their twenties and thirties borrow my books a lot and so it's nice for them to be able to just grab a specific title. I really love the centennial editions with the deckled edges but they are only available for certain titles.

It took me quite a while, and I do apologize, but I've finally set up the thread for The Moon is Down, which is being hosted by Linda / lindapanzo:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/135104

Ilana - Thanks for all your hard work!

I'm aiming to start reading on Wed or so. It's quite short...only 144 pages, according to Amazon.

#176 My pleasure Mamie. I like setting up new threads so it's no bother.

#177 Linda, I just checked back on the more detailed 'beckathon calendar I'd posted at the beginning of the year, and not sure which edition I based myself on, but I have The Moon is Down as being only 112 pages... just now checked my copy of The Short Novels of John Steinbeck and I see it comes in at around 90 pages! Whatever the case may be, it's clearly a quick read.

The Penguin Classics edition has 112 pages.

That's right. Now I remember those were the editions I based myself on.

Thanks for creating the new thread, Ilana. Maybe one of the other of us could take on these duties for at least a couple of months this year! I'm looking forward to the short The Moon is Down read in the same month as the ginormous (but fast-reading) David Copperfield.

Ellen, when we were working on the scheduling, I definitely took the David Copperfield GR into consideration and aimed to book a slim tome for the 'beckathon!

Three months and 5 Steinbeck books in (I read Of Mice and Men in January which hasn't come around yet here and America and Americans which isn't on the list) and I am beginning to think of Steinbeck as a teacher first, author second. It seems in each work of his there's wisdom and/or a different way to look at something. Anybody else here feeling the same way?

Ironically enough, I actually did have a college teacher named John Steinbeck! HA!

Apparently, there is a Steinbeck Festival every year in Salinas, CA. (I've been there). Wouldn't it be nice to go to this!

http://www.steinbeck.org/assets/resources/assets/145/original_2012SteinbeckFesti...

I am beginning to think of Steinbeck as a teacher first, author second

Your comment has been with me for this past week and I still don't know how to respond to it. I would venture to say that many authors teach us life lessons with their writing, and Steinbeck is definitely one of them, though I wouldn't go as far as saying he's an author second as he so obviously had an incredible gift for writing.

That festival looks very interesting. Would be a great place for an LT meet up!

I seem to be either reading or trying to read as much Steinbeck as possible, so thought id better check out this thread. Even if Im not exactly reading to schedule.... I have to say I am a convert. My first ever Steinbeck was The Pearl and i just love the writing style, not to mention the stark subjects he writes of. Just finished The Wayward Bus and hope to read more more more.

#186 I have to say I am a convert Yeah!!! So nice to have yuu aboard, Megan!!

#186 Yessss! Glad you've joined the cause! Of course you're free to participate with us as much or as little as you want to. Feel free to join discussions for books you've already read at any time of the year (for example, we'll be covering The Pearl in November and I encourage you to give your input when the discussion thread comes up then—though you can also post comment right here). Also, by all means make comments on the threads for books we've already read in previous months (like The Wayward Bus) since they'll be up all year and many of us continue following them after the "official" months for certain books are over. Do check out our schedule in the top post if you'd like to plan ahead for certain books we've got planned too!

I read The Pearl a few years ago and couldn't believe how powerful such a tiny book could be. It blew me away to the extent that when I finished it, I couldn't wait to read it again. The Wayward Bus was also a revelation to me this year as many others will be too I'm sure, since several of the books we've got coming up will be first time reads for me.

Your comments are welcome and always appreciated!

I have to admit that I'm starting to think about The Grapes of Wrath for May.....

Nothing wrong with that. :-)

Have you read it before?

I've read it twice, and reading it the second time last year was a very powerful experience. It's become one of my all-time favourites. Don't know if I'll read it again so soon, but I'll be watching to movie for sure.

Count me in as a convert too! I tried reading Grapes years ago and hated it. It turned me off Steinbeck and I never thought twice about picking up another one of his books. But I read Moon is Down and loved it so I moved on to Cannery Row and The Pearl and enjoyed both. I am now in the middle of Travels with Charley and other than the fact that it is severely dated (and just a little politically incorrect), it's enjoyable. It reminds me to Bill Bryson.

At some point I will try Grapes again.

Ilana, nope, I have not (yet) read it. It's the ONE book on which I admit to having cheated in high school. I did the Cliff Notes. *hangs head in shame*
I got an A on the paper and an F on the quiz. In other words, the Cliff Notes helped me fake it through a paper, but they helped not one whit in actually knowing the novel. It's what I deserved.

I read the first and last chapter and called it a day so don't feel bad. This book and Middlemarch are the two I never finished but vowed I would one day!

>192 EBT1002: Since The Grapes of Wrath is our next Steinbeckathon read, I checked my local library's online database to see if they have it. Nope. Cliff Notes yes - but the actual novel No. I think it's funny! XD

193> Well, that day may be coming, yes? :-)

I might have to tag in for the shorter novels and my imminent arrival from BookDepository contains them....The Moon is Down could be the first, if I get it in time it could work.

I have been raving to people about Steinbeck....there is every chance they think Im mad. :)

Recently, there was a letter posted on Letters of Note from John Steinbeck in 1940 in reply to a gentleman who was inquiring whether or not Steinbeck had any Jewish heritage. Said gentleman was actually on the opposite side from what you might expect, seeking to disprove statements that The Grapes of Wrath was Jewish propaganda.

Steinbeck's response begins: "I am answering your letter with a good deal of sadness. I am sad for a time when one must know a man's race before his work can be approved or disapproved."

I will be sitting out the Grapes of Wrath personally as I've read it before and hated it. Although I realize there's a possibility I'd like it more now, I feel that life is too short to give that one another chance.

195 - Yup, count me in for May! I seem to be reading the others out of order because I just finished Travels with Charley but I will be on track come May.

I read The Grapes of Wrath in school, back in 1981. However, I think I'm up for a re-read, as an adult. I dug out my copy this morning and will likely give it a go.

I'd be in even if we were reading Steinbeck's grocery lists! My copy of The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck is in at the library and I might try to get a head start on it.

Karen O.

I'll be joining in for The Grapes of Wrath which will be my first Steinbeck. I have my Mum's copy from when she studied it at school.

I read GoW last year. I didn't hate it, but didn't love it. My favorite parts were the little between chapters about nature, which I found so wonderful in Cannery Row, although I enjoyed the rest of Cannery Row a little bit more than GoW. (not sure there was a real point to this, now that I've gotten this far into my post)

Although I read GoW about ten years ago, I've chosen to skip a reread of it and of Mice and Men which I read last year. However, I will be popping in the threads to read the comments of thon-ers who always bring up things I've missed.

I already read the first chapters of GoW, because compared to the others it's such a long book and I want to make sure I finish it in May.

I hate my copy, I ordered Penguin from my bookshop, but somehow it's the wrong Penguin edition. It wasn't cheap, but looks so. Bad paper quality and such tiny print that I have to read it in small doses, which is sad because the story and the writing have already completely drawn me in.

GoW is still my absolute favorite, even after all the good ones that we have read together this year. I read it last year for the first time and fell in love with his writing. I read the library copy, but as soon as I had finished it, I ordered my own. I have the centennial edition from Penguin with the deckle edged pages and I just love it. I wish they would have reprinted all of his books in that format, but they just did a few of his most popular ones. Still deciding whether I will reread GoW (just read it in June 2011) or read the non-fiction The Worst Hard Time that is about that same time period, but I am leaning toward the latter. (reading the non-fiction as a replacement for GoW was Ilana's idea, btw, just stealing it)

Mamie, I highly recommend The Worst Hard Time and hope you decide to read it. I'm mainly looking forward to reading Grapes of Wrath because of how much I got out of TWHT.

Mamie, thanks for the reminder—I had started making a list of TBRs for May and had already forgotten I'd said I'd be reading The Worst Hard Time. I'd really love to read The Grapes of Wrath again as it's one of my all-time favourite novels, but since I too read it so recently (as a re-read), and since there are still so many unread books on my stacks, I'll go with TWHT and watch John Ford's movie version of the novel, which I've been keeping for this month. Just reserved it at the library actually.

I'll put together the discussion thread today and provide a link as soon as it's up. I'll be following the discussion with great interest.

If anyone else does the TIOLI challenge, I managed to squeeze The Grapes of Wrath into the May TIOLI challenge #4.

Mamie, I also recommend The Worst Hard Time. It's one of my favorite reads so far this year and I think it will add to my enjoyment of TGoW.

For those of you sitting out our May Steinbeck, no explanations needed. I'm glad some of you are planning to stop by now and then to see how the discussion is unfolding. Our hero Ilana is setting up the thread and I'm going to, um, "lead" the discussion (no expertise expected, I'm told). I have certainly been enjoying our shorter Steinbeckathon readings and I hope TGoW is another winner!

Here's the discussion thread for The Grapes of Wrath: http://www.librarything.com/topic/136379

Have at it and have fun! :-)

Ilana, thanks for setting up the thread.

Bump.

Oh, I'm behind. I've only just really started GoW! Been a busy time at work, but I'm enjoying the Steinbeckathon so much I don't want to skip any.

wookiebender, I'm about to start GoW too! You're not alone!

I've created the thread for Of Mice and Men, this month's read: http://www.librarything.com/topic/137915

Normally, Brit (weejane) should be hosting it this month, but as she hasn't been heard from for the last few days, and a new arrival is expected for them, we might need to have someone take over the spot.

My plate is pretty full on LT this month with a tutored read of Wolf Hall (http://www.librarything.com/topic/137481), but I'd be willing to co-host with someone else maybe?

Ilana, I will co-host with you. I have OMaM on hold at the library and should get it within the next week.

Of course, I still haven't completed TGoW..... but OMaM is a short one.

Of Mice and Men is an excellent read - I only read it late last year, so I'm happy to skip that one.

Loving The Grapes of Wrath, only a few chapters in so far. Better go and find the thread!

#212> Yay! Company! :)

crap I forgot about this month's book when I picked me books for June. Thankfully it's one of his short novels!

I can help host too if a host is needed...

eta: I see on the OMaM page that you found one :)

Yes, hosting is all taken care of. Brit is back and eager to take on her hosting duties, and Mamie will co-host, since she started out so strong. I'll be lurking in the background if anyone needs me, but I'm honestly a bit overwhelmed this month, if only with my Wolf Hall tutored read, which takes up a good chunk of time every day (but is worth it!)

Thanks to Mamie, I just found this. And as John is my guy, I will definitely be joining you all. This alone, is worth being in an additional group. Thank you to all who set it up and now I need to get started if I am to plan catch up.
:-)

Welcome Belva. It's never too late to join in!

Welcome, rainpebble. Rainpebble? I like that.
I hope you can join us for Of Mice and Men for June.
I started it today and it's classic Steinbeck.

Well, I still have not finished The Grapes of Wrath, but I will.

I'm sort of looking forward to East of Eden in July --- it has been on my TBR pile forever, so it will be good to delve into it. I'm kind of glad that August will be another light Steinbeck month. As much as I'm loving our 'thon and feel like I'm really getting to know an amazing author, I'm realizing that a full year's commitment to a single author is a lot!

EEEeeek! I'd best spend the next week reading full time. Between Wolf Hall and River of Smoke, I've got big novels covered for now and can't imagine adding yet a third on top of those two. That being said, I look forward to East of Eden. I think I was 16 when I read it last, and I honestly don't remember any of it. Yes, a full year dedicated to one author is a lot, which is why we organized the pacing the way we did, to alternate short reads with longer ones. But you know, even though you're one of the organizers Ellen, nothing forces you to read every single one of the books we planned on schedule either! Wouldn't want you to have an indigestion! ;-)

That being said, I'm sure many of us (including yourself) will look back and be glad we took this opportunity to familiarize ourselves with such great work in a concentrated way—makes us appreciate it in ways that wouldn't be possible otherwise.

Went to my family doctor on Thursday and as I know from experience that there would be a wait, ( I have one of those rare docs who actually talks to his patients), I took my collection of short Steinbeck novels with me. He spotted what I was reading and we had a nice chat about how Steinbeck was his favorite author. Just goes to show you, us Steinbeck lovers, we're everywhere.

Ilana, when I'm all in, I'm all in.
:-)

No, seriously, I'm glad we did the pacing the way that we did and I'm just feeling a bit overwhelmed because, like you, I'm also working my way through a couple of other big reads. I know that I am fully free to skip a month (or two!) but I will be the first to own up to my compulsive tendencies..... I may not stay exactly on track (e.g., I'll finish TGoW when I can, but it won't be this month), but I'm pretty committed to doing the whole year. I'm glad we're doing them as a group; the discussion does help me get more out of Steinbeck's work.

225> Great story! I love that several of us are having experiences of being spotted reading Steinbeck in public --- and having people comment to us about him and his work.

In June I finished:

Of Mice and Men
http://www.librarything.com/work/3657/reviews

The Grapes of Wrath
The Pearl

This man is a brilliant writer.

I am away and have only sporadic access to the internet so reviews will go up later

In July, we're reading East of Eden and I'm hosting. I think I said I'd set up the thread, too....

This time I can finally join in the group read! (Yay!)
And I will try to catch up on the Steinbeck-books that have already been read (Grapes of Wrath, Of Mice and Men, The Moon is down,...). So much to read...

Oh how I would love to join in the read of East of Eden! That is my favorite Steinbeck book! The problem is that I'm finally getting into A Clash of Kings and I have an ER book to get to. Not to mention my wife could go into labor any minute now. . . We'll see if I can make it.

Ellen, if you've changed your mind about setting up the thread or need help, just let me know and I'll be glad to help.

Thank you, Ilana. I'm going to give it a try to set up the thread this evening...... More to come.

Okay, still a work in progress, but I'm setting up the thread for our July read of East of Eden. Please join us here.

I'm impressed! You rock Ellen! :-)

Thanks, Ilana. :-)

The Pearl by John Steinbeck
Completed June 25
I know we are scheduled to read this in November but it fit another challenge so I read it in June.

I read it for the 12 12 Group Challenge to read a book with the birthstone of the month in the title (Pearl) and also for the TIOLI Challenge # 4 - to read a book visiting a state or country you've never been to before in a book's setting (Takes place in La Paz, Baja, California on the Gulf of Mexico).

I thought this was a beautifully written tragic story. Steinbeck is brilliant!

Full review here:
http://www.librarything.com/work/2977712/reviews

The Grapes of Wrath - completed June 27

Steinbeck writes of sad things. Poverty, hunger, the downtrodden. Yet, his works are filled with universal truths.

I am, so enjoying Steinbeck! Thanks LT for the Steinbeckathon!

Review here:
http://www.librarything.com/work/8488/reviews

I've got my copy of The Red Pony and I'm ready to gallop into another Steinbeck adventure.

The month got ahead of me and I haven't time to set up the thread for The Red Pony right now, but will try to do so later this evening or tomorrow at the latest!

Glad you're enjoying the Steinbeckathon Cathy!

I am ready to go also! Still working on E of E

I've been a very bad girl. Was going to put up the new thread today, but other things came up and it's already very late, so I'll do it tomorrow, and that's a promise!

Oh, I'm ready to get back into the Steinbeckathon! I did read Grapes of Wrath, but didn't find time to read East of Eden (at least I've read it before). I recently got a copy of The Red Pony, and it's a slim one, so I don't have to make much time for it. Phew!

Finally! As promised, the discussion thread for The Red Pony is now up: http://www.librarything.com/topic/140559

Well, we're supposed to be reading In Dubious Battle this month. I haven't yet heard much about it. It's not a short novel (384 pages?) but not a killer either, perhaps. Anyone got their copy?

>244 EBT1002: Yes, but I haven't started it yet.

I have my copy, too, but have not started reading it yet.

I'm still working on East of Eden and I am dubious as to whether or not I will even try In Dubious Battle. ok ok I know, corney!

I just reserved my copy at the library, which I should get within a week or so. I'll ask Mark if he wants to put the thread together for it (since he's hosting this month) or whether he wants me to take care of it. The thread should be up within the next few days either way.

Whoops, it's not available locally. Have just ordered it in, will start it later in the month...

Hello, fellow Steinbeckathonians! We salute you! I'm hosting the In Dubious Battle read for September. Here's the thread: http://www.librarything.com/topic/141694
Put on your floppy hat, pick up your big stick and march along with us!

Mark - That link goes to the book's main page. Try again.

*edited because I found the thread: In Dubious Battle Thread

Thanks Mamie, I've included the correct link in the top message too.

Thanks Mamie! I fixed it.

Tortilla Flat on hold for October. :-)

Oh, I've been so busy, it's October 6th already, and I have only just managed to hop on to set up the thread for Tortilla Flat! (I am hosting this month, am I not??)

Thread is here, roll up! roll up! http://www.librarything.com/topic/143132#

Bump.

Oh yes, I'll try to get the threads out tonight for Travels with Charley and The Pearl. Tomorrow at latest. I'll of course post the links here.

I've just now created the discussion threads for The Pearl: http://www.librarything.com/topic/144208 and Travels with Charley: http://www.librarything.com/topic/144209

You can join either one or both—I know I've planned to read both as I loved The Pearl the first time around, and I've been looking forward to reading Travels with Charley for a long time!

The thread for Sweet Thursday, our final Steinbeckathon selection, is up and running:
http://www.librarything.com/topic/145078#

Look at you all ready to go! Impressive, Mark - and thanks for setting it up!

Looking forward to Sweet Thursday; I'm currently playing catch-up, and I'm reading three Steinbecks at the same time (!): In Dubious Battle, The Pearl, and Travels with Charley. They are all so different, it's like reading multiple books by multiple authors, I think (which I often do). None of them are very long, so I really look forward to finishing them up in November.

Karen O.

Wow, look at you go Mark. I'm impressed. Good thing you didn't wait on me, or it certainly wouldn't have gotten done this fast. But I think you knew that already... ;-)

I'll go star the thread right away, though won't get started for a while, which reminds me I'd better reserve it at the library!

Ilana- Once you reminded me I was hosting, (LOL) I figured I better do it on my day off and I did.

Month twelve! Awesome!!

Johnny-come-lately here! I was only recently led to this post so I'm going to try to attack this list in 2013.