Classics

[close] We are 'Read Runners' - measuring our lives by pages read, books completed, and discussions had. Join us, if you enjoy reading - whether slow or quick, and if you like to discuss and put your points forward. We read a lot from different genres, and love to break out of our comfort zones and explore new books/authors through our group reads, buddy reads, and individual reads too. The single most important part of this group, its soul, are the members. And, we have a strong policy of respect for the individual and a zero tolerance approach towards bad behaviour. (Of course, thunder and lightning, and the hammer of Thor might strike you down as well!) Therefore, what we recommend is - Keep calm and read a book!

[close] Started somewhat as a reaction to the British cozy mystery of the Agatha Christie style (think Murder She Wrote), there came a demand for something more real, action where the stakes were higher, the participants (good and bad) sleazier, the police on the take, the ladies fatal for any would-be patsy. This American answer to Sherlock Holmes became the basis for the film noir revolution of the 1940s. Our big three in this genre are Dashiel Hammett, Raymond Chandler, and James M. Cain. There are excellent crime and mystery fiction groups here on GoodReads and I have no intention of reinventing that wheel. I just want to carve out a niche. The focus in this group is narrower, more historical. We examine not only the classics of hardboiled crime fiction, mostly from the first two thirds of the twentieth century, but also quest together for forgotten and under-appreciated writers of this genre. We will be dredging up bullet-riddled, fish-eaten corpses of pulp fiction that were placed in a canvas burlap bag, weighted down with mason bricks, and dumped in the Hudson decades ago. Besides enjoying the classics, we're going to examine some of the cold case authors that wrote for Black Mask, Spicy Mystery Stories, and an amazing plethora of other fine periodicals, as well as hopefully discover other sources I may be unaware of at the time of this writing.

[close] Reading takes you places. Where in the world will your next book take you? If you love world literature, translated works, travel writing, or exploring the world through books, you have come to the right place! ATW80 began in 2009 as a challenge on TNBBC. The separate group was established in 2011. Anyone can join and participate in the challenges or readings at any time. Challenge participation is not a requirement of joining. Anyone who loves reading books from around the world is welcome here. The main purpose of this group is to travel the world through books, experiencing new authors and cultures along the way. Want to read about the world? We have close to 50,000 books cataloged by setting and more are added each week. I personally started reading around the world in 2008. This venture has introduced me to far off lands, fresh viewpoints, and many new authors I might not have discovered otherwise. Here is a record of my travels since 2009: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/18478768-diane-s-world-travels-by-book I have worked very hard gathering resources for others to use and coming up with new activities. Please ask permission before copying and please give appropriate credit. The copycatting is getting ridiculous and tiresome. "The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.” - Dr. Suess “There are too many books I haven’t read, too many places I haven’t seen, too many memories I haven’t kept long enough.” ― Irwin Shaw Globe Stand Photo: Daniel Loiselle/Getty Images

[close] Everyone has read at least one Classic, whether it is by your choice or on a list from class. There are many Genres of a Classic novel: In Translation, History, Mystery, Young Adult, Non-Fiction, Short Stories, Sci/Fi and/or Horror all are found in some of the most famous novels in the Literary Cannon. If you would like to delve into these beautifully written works come and join us in the challenge of expanding your world of Classics! (12/26/2014)