Your daughter's art is breathtaking. Wow! I read Pickwick in college, but I was so loaded down with assigned reading that I don't think I enjoyed it as much as I would now if I read it at my own pace and on my own terms. It's true about the food! I remember reading Shadow of the Wind (I think it was) and it seemed like the characters drank coffee in every scene, and I remember craving coffee as I was reading, which was great because it distracted me from the thrills, chills, and creeps. I'm a wuss. Ha.
Thanks for mentioning the Audible version. I just added it to my library. I love Dickens, he was my go-to author in my adolescence and young adulthood, but I have not read Pickwick Papers yet. I have wanted to since first reading Little Women almost thirty years ago, but I have yet to dedicate my time to it. In addition to his better known works, I really like Bleak House and Little Dorrit.
I love Dickens, but have definitely not read enough (including Little Dorritt and Bleak House!). But your mention of Little Women reminds me I need to reread *that* because now that I’ve read Pickwick I’d appreciate the March sisters’ references more.
I think that’s why I have a copy! I’m glad you mentioned it.
Also, I keep wondering if some of my vague understandings of Pickwick were from discussions in your classes and podcast. I know I’ve heard you talk about it!
I have started to get book recommendations from one of my sons. He is 10 and likes graphic novels and middle grade books at this point, but I enjoy the care he takes in his recommendations and that he sees recommending books as a way to spark joy and conversation, not to mention seeing it as a two-way street. I have been sharing books with him his whole life and now he can return the favor. He and his twin were on the slower side to start reading and I highly suspect some dyslexia in them both, but in the last year their ability to read with their eyes has vastly improved. They don’t suck down books quite like I did at the same age, but they are developing their own tastes, seeking out certain authors and series, and sharing them. ❤️ I don’t think I could ask for more. We still read aloud and listen to audiobooks. My husband is reading Wodehouse with them currently in addition to all our school reading. There are so many ways to receive and share stories, the love is what lasts.
There are definitely times I wish he’d pick up the paper copy and read with his eyeballs, but it’s hard to argue with the quality of books he’s listening to! Here’s to more great stories going into our boys’ minds and hearts!
I’ve never read The Pickwick Papers, so I’ll have to add it to my list. But this makes me think of when my son read Magic Thief by Sara Prineas in elementary school. He enjoyed the book so much and insisted that we try the biscuit recipe! I still use that recipe when I make biscuits to this day.
Thank you so much Loren,! Any book that makes you want to eat , I think, is an amazingly good book! C.S. Lewis does that for me as well, the beauty of Mrs. Beaver's got potatoes slathered with butter especially. Once I write a paper on it, comparing the Witch's take on food, by shaming delight in rejoicing teas or loading one with Turkish Delight gluttony to deceive. I'll listen to Pickwick! That was Corrie's friend who had about 12 cubes of sugar for his coffee , too, a hero in rescuing the Jews in the Holocaust. So much I've never read before! And Dame Deborah's picture really captures her unusual, true, piercing essence! (I'm sorry I spelled it wrong.) She really shook me in your story because her physical description was so different than I wanted her to be with that beautiful spirit of hers!
I hope you find Pickwick delightful, Lori! Go in expecting the characters and situations to be exaggerated. It's doesn't always work :) . But if you can hang in there with it, I think you'll see the jewels.
Your daughter's art is breathtaking. Wow! I read Pickwick in college, but I was so loaded down with assigned reading that I don't think I enjoyed it as much as I would now if I read it at my own pace and on my own terms. It's true about the food! I remember reading Shadow of the Wind (I think it was) and it seemed like the characters drank coffee in every scene, and I remember craving coffee as I was reading, which was great because it distracted me from the thrills, chills, and creeps. I'm a wuss. Ha.
I’ll pass on your praise, Michelle!
I remember reading The Shadow of the Wind! I’d forgotten the coffee, but I do remember the wild atmosphere.
Yes! If you get the chance, revisit Pickwick. The nice thing about it being episodic is it’s fairly easy to take in bits.
I love The Pickwick Papers. One of my all-time favorites. I just noticed that the audio version you mention is currently free to Audible subscribers.
Thanks for mentioning the Audible version. I just added it to my library. I love Dickens, he was my go-to author in my adolescence and young adulthood, but I have not read Pickwick Papers yet. I have wanted to since first reading Little Women almost thirty years ago, but I have yet to dedicate my time to it. In addition to his better known works, I really like Bleak House and Little Dorrit.
I love Dickens, but have definitely not read enough (including Little Dorritt and Bleak House!). But your mention of Little Women reminds me I need to reread *that* because now that I’ve read Pickwick I’d appreciate the March sisters’ references more.
I think that’s why I have a copy! I’m glad you mentioned it.
Also, I keep wondering if some of my vague understandings of Pickwick were from discussions in your classes and podcast. I know I’ve heard you talk about it!
I have started to get book recommendations from one of my sons. He is 10 and likes graphic novels and middle grade books at this point, but I enjoy the care he takes in his recommendations and that he sees recommending books as a way to spark joy and conversation, not to mention seeing it as a two-way street. I have been sharing books with him his whole life and now he can return the favor. He and his twin were on the slower side to start reading and I highly suspect some dyslexia in them both, but in the last year their ability to read with their eyes has vastly improved. They don’t suck down books quite like I did at the same age, but they are developing their own tastes, seeking out certain authors and series, and sharing them. ❤️ I don’t think I could ask for more. We still read aloud and listen to audiobooks. My husband is reading Wodehouse with them currently in addition to all our school reading. There are so many ways to receive and share stories, the love is what lasts.
I love this, Jennifer, how your son is giving back to you with his recommendations! It’s such a sweet experience as our kids grow.
Sounds like I need to read the Pickwick Papers! Never have, but it’s been a goal to read classics this summer.
It could work as a family read, too!
I appreciated your mention of your son's preference for audiobooks, Loren. Both of my boys are the same way.
There are definitely times I wish he’d pick up the paper copy and read with his eyeballs, but it’s hard to argue with the quality of books he’s listening to! Here’s to more great stories going into our boys’ minds and hearts!
I’ve never read The Pickwick Papers, so I’ll have to add it to my list. But this makes me think of when my son read Magic Thief by Sara Prineas in elementary school. He enjoyed the book so much and insisted that we try the biscuit recipe! I still use that recipe when I make biscuits to this day.
I live the way our kids introduce us to new things!
Thank you so much Loren,! Any book that makes you want to eat , I think, is an amazingly good book! C.S. Lewis does that for me as well, the beauty of Mrs. Beaver's got potatoes slathered with butter especially. Once I write a paper on it, comparing the Witch's take on food, by shaming delight in rejoicing teas or loading one with Turkish Delight gluttony to deceive. I'll listen to Pickwick! That was Corrie's friend who had about 12 cubes of sugar for his coffee , too, a hero in rescuing the Jews in the Holocaust. So much I've never read before! And Dame Deborah's picture really captures her unusual, true, piercing essence! (I'm sorry I spelled it wrong.) She really shook me in your story because her physical description was so different than I wanted her to be with that beautiful spirit of hers!
I hope you find Pickwick delightful, Lori! Go in expecting the characters and situations to be exaggerated. It's doesn't always work :) . But if you can hang in there with it, I think you'll see the jewels.