War and Peace is another classic that I’d like to read, but it’s not on my list any time soon. 😉 I do prefer solid endings, and if reasonable, good ones at that. I’ll definitely avoid Dead Souls.

Being Wrong has definitely been eye-opening! It’s making me wonder if I’m really right about anything. ha. Uncertainty is uncomfortable, but I’m trying to make better friends with it.

The Russians had a thing about endings: War and Peace ends with a huge practical joke (but meaningful, profound, etc)(so many people complained that it wasn’t a proper novel Tolstoy published an essay defending it). After writing Dead Souls, Gogol went mad and started throwing the manuscript on the fire – it is *very* spooky to read as the story gets stranger and stranger, gets more and more fragmentary and then just stops.

The 4th Tuesday rolls around quickly, huh? I’m always amazed when it’s time to put our Nightstand lists together again.

Thanks, Darlene. That does make me feel better about how long it took me to read the Brothers K. I do wish the ending had been more defined, but I guess he’d written long enough. ha. I know Les Mis will probably take even longer to read so I’m preparing myself for several seasons with it.

Sounds like some serious reading you have going on. After this year of reading challenges, I might take a break from my lists too and make more trips to the library for whatever catches my eye. (Although, I am truly enjoying working my lists this year!)

I wish my library carried Chasing Francis. I broke down and bought it (a rarity for me–I’m a big library fan myself), so I’m hoping it’s as good as everyone says. 🙂

I’ve only read excerpts of Atlas Girl so far. I look forward to reading all of it one day. Emily’s writing always draws me in.

I go through seasons where I read through a list and other times where I let it fly. This year I’ve been more intentional than ever, which probably means next year I’ll decide day by day. 🙂 Or not. ha. Who knows? I really have enjoyed finally getting to some books that I’ve wanted to read a long time but kept deferring, and the reading challenges get the credit for that.

I’m glad to hear your enthusiasm for Chasing Francis. I hope to start it very soon!