Histories of Middle Earth Discussion Group?

[Curufin]

Greetings, all.

I am about to embark on a re-reading of the HoME, as it has been four or five years since I've read some of them, and I'm recognizing as I'm reading literary threads that there's a lot I've forgotten. It would be great to have some people read along with me; a sort of 'HoME Bookclub' if you will. Would anyone be interested? I think it would be a great place to discuss impressions, ideas, questions, etc. Anyone and everyone is welcome, whether you've read it before or not.

[The Dread Pirate Roberts]

I'm trying to get through HoME X right now, but the going is slow. I've never read any of them cover to cover. I've always just picked a section of interest and read it. I'm sure I'd fall behind the rest of the club, but I'm willing to give it a go.

[Curufin]

Good to hear! It may be a while before I actually get this going, as my BoLT is at home in the States, but I was hoping to find some people who would like to do it. :) HoME X is one of the best, IMHO. Laws and Customs among the Eldar and Athrabeth Finrod ah Andreth are in it! :D

[BeardofPants]

sorry, still burnt out after the last run, but good luck. :)

[Earniel]

HoME X was also next on my list to read. I might be persuaded to join the book club, provided that I have the time when it actually starts.

[The Sasquatch of Fangorn]

never heard of these books. (Or are you talking about the sil and stuff?)

[Curufin]

It may be a month or two before it starts, if we want to start at the beginning...unless I can find a cheap copy of BoLT on Ebay or something. ;)

You haven't heard of the Histories of Middle-earth, Sas?

[Valandil]

I might be game. I own two of the later ones (Vol 10 & 12). They have some boxed sets of the first 5 in paperback. I might spring for that to do the Discussion Group. (and invest in hardbounds when the kids are old enough not to destroy them :D )

Curufin - have you seen our site's Discussion Projects on The Silmarillion and on The Lord of the Rings.

I'm currently leading a Book Club Discussion Group on LOTR in RL. It's through 'Meetup'. We just met and covered Book V last night. :) But attendance has been rather low. :(

[Curufin]

Yes, I did see them, but I wasn't sure it was okay to just join in...if it is, I'd love to. :)

[BeardofPants]

If it ain't closed then there's no barrier to participation. ;)

[Earniel]

Ack! That reminds me, I never did the final appendix. *scurries off to rectify situation*

[Curufin]

Just wondering if there was any interest? I'm back at home in the US now, and with my books again.

[Earniel]

Still interested here.

[Curufin]

Cool. :) Well, I've got BoLT 1 here and ready to read. :)

How should we go about doing this?

[Earniel]

Not sure. For the Silmarillion and LoTR discussion we had someone give a short resume of each chapter and ask some questions to start the discussion. I'm not sure we'll get enough people to participate to follow that formula. Maybe for the HoME series we should stick to a thread a book and move to a new chapter every two weeks or so? We could continue using this thread for all the planning.

[Curufin]

That could work - but is two weeks per chapter too long? I'm a rather fast reader. Maybe a chapter a week?

[Earniel]

You are a hasty folk indeed. :p I tend to prefer longer periods between chapters since not everyone is a fast reader and not everyone is on line every week. Other people may find joining easier if the pace is slower. Depending on the chapter, a week may be too short a period to discuss in full.

[Curufin]

I suppose that's true, if there's a lot of discussion.

I suppose that if the discussion dies that we could jump ahead...

[Domenic14]

I would love to join this. Unfortunately I'm in the middle of reading the Sim for the first time however i will try and keep up in this "bookclub"