announcing: Middlemarch!
*drumroll please* here's our full reading schedule + ways to prepare + new subscription tiers for everyone
Welcome to the Closely Reading book club: a space where we closely read classic literature together and discuss assigned chapters each week. Starting on May 26, we’re reading George Eliot’s classic novel, Middlemarch, together for 12 weeks. Join us!
Embarking on our longest read yet
Hi friends!
I’m so excited to share the schedule for our next read-a-long. This is truly the longest reading experience we’ve ever undertaken together and I’ve got butterflies!
We’ll be working through George Eliot’s Middlemarch for twelve weeks.
Every Monday, I’ll post a brief summary of the previous week’s assigned chapters, a close reading of something from those chapters, and remind you what to read for the next week. I hope it’ll all end up feeling like your favorite literature class—minus the pressure of a final paper.
Here’s the schedule —
Week 1: Monday, May 26
Read chapter 1 this week
Week 2: Monday, June 2
Read chapters 2-10 this week
Week 3: Monday, June 9
Read chapters 11-16 this week
Week 4: Monday, June 16
Read chapters 17-23 this week
Week 5: Monday, June 23
Read chapters 24-33 (to the end of Book 3) this week
Week 6: Monday, June 30
Read chapters 34-39 this week
Week 7: Monday, July 7
Read chapters 40-47 this week
Week 8: Monday, July 14
Read chapters 48-55 this week
Week 9: Monday, July 21
Read chapters 56-62 (end of Book 6) this week
Week 10: Monday, July 28
Read chapters 63-70 this week
Week 11: Monday, August 4
Read chapters 71-80 this week
Week 12: Monday, August 11
Read chapters 80-86 + “Finale” this week
On Monday, August 18, I’ll post our final reading guide to the end of the novel. We’ll have that final week to process the experience of reading this massive classic piece of literature together. And as we near the date, I’ll check-in with everyone who has stuck it out to see if we’d like to find additional ways to celebrate this read-a-long together (Zoom? Other ideas?)
Preparing for a big read
Many readers who’ve told me they’re joining this experience have shared this is one of the first “big books” they’ve undertaken in years—and is also, perhaps, the first classic they’ve read since they were in school.
To that I say: welcome!! and you can do this, I promise!
One of the best habits I developed in graduate school, where I read multiple doorstoppers at a time, was to take a whole afternoon to prepare my copy of the novel and reading materials. My favorite way to do this is at a coffee shop or bar. My least favorite way to do this is on the day I want to actually start reading, because it may eat up good reading energy.
So, take some time before you start reading the novel to get it set up in a way that makes you feel excited to sit down and read when it’s time to start.
If this is your first time taking on a big novel, here are some preparatory steps I recommend:
Create tabs | If you’re reading a physical copy (which I recommend, if possible for you), take time to tab each reading section in the above schedule—so you can physically see the pacing of the novel and what pages you’re assigned to read each week. If you don’t have small book tabs, I recommend these or making your own out of washi tape.
Test pens | If you’re going to be writing in your novel as we closely read together, I highly recommend testing out a few pen options. I love a simply ballpoint pen (I buy that specific one in bulk!) to make most of my marks. But highlighters also work great. (I love these!) You can also use crayons or colored pencils! Experiment to find what works for you. I find that using the empty extra pages at the back of most editions (where publisher info or other spare pages reside good places to test for bleed through).
Grab a ruler | I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again. I love a ruler for reading. A simple, plastic 6-inch ruler makes a fantastic bookmark and allows you to make incredibly tidy lines as you underline favorite scenes and quotes. These look perfect. I’ve also had luck finding them in university bookstores.
Pick a time | Rather than hold yourself to the same exact reading window each week (which can get so hard when life gets busy), I like to instead choose one 15-minute window during the week where I check-in with myself and make a plan for that week, given all its shifting deadlines and meetings and appointments. I love to spend about half an hour on Sunday mapping out my week, and giving myself a general sense of where I’ll fit in the Middlemarch time during that particular week. Remember: if your goal is to closely read the novel and have a great experience, then getting the reading done is best. No matter when that happens each week. Getting it done at the same time every week without ever needing a break or a change in routine is not necessary.
Find your pace | As you adjust to reading the Victorian voice of this novel, give yourself grace. While 15 pages may take you 15 minutes to read in another style of writing, reading a single page of Eliot may take a full, frustrating 10 minutes as we get started. Find your pace. We’ll start the whole experience by reading just chapter 1.
If you’re a seasoned Big Books Pro, I hope you’ll share additional words-from-the-wise in the comments today.
Consider a subscription
Each week, I dedicate time not just to reading along with everyone, but also to crafting guidance and insights that I hope will be helpful to you on your reading journey.
My goal is not to demystify everything for you, nor is it to have all the answers (after all, this is my first time with Middlemarch, too!). Though, of course, I will use my own knowledge and training to help us track down answers to the questions that riddle us as we read.
My real goal is to help you become a closer reader.
And I genuinely believe that one of the best ways to do that is to undertake a difficult reading project, like a massive novel from the 19th century.
You’ll stretch your brain. You’ll learn about a time that really wasn’t all that long ago, even though the writing style will feel millions of years away from how we write today. You’ll probably put the book down in angry frustration at least ten times. You may even pick it up, after a few weeks, with an eagerness typically reserved for hot pizza or fresh cookies.
I hope you will notice things you may not have noticed before.
Experience the story in a slightly deeper or more memorable way than you would have without our reading group.
And unlock for yourself new ways of reading and engaging with great stories that will carry you into your next read—whether it’s with me, another reading club, or all by yourself.
Whatever happens: you’ll spend some dedicated time with an amazing writer and a beloved story. I’m so excited to take this journey with you.
If you’re interested in becoming a paid subscriber, check out your new options:
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Founding member status, or status as a “Patron of Literary Arts” is the highest paid tier possible—available for anyone who wants to opt-in at this level.
Thank you for reading with me.
In a week or so, I’ll send out a reminder along with a little bit of an introduction to the novel — and then, we’ll start reading it together on May 26!
The book lies here beside me. I sense that it longs to be opened. I am so eager to make its acquaintance.
The meeting will be very stimulating and unpredictable! Who knows if we will like each other....
An adventure to be savored slowly!
Thank you Haley for this opportunity.
Silly? Maybe. But I have ruler love for this one (the textures side is really wonderful) ... as well as Blackwing pencils. I am super excited for this journey!