Anyone want to join me in a rerun?

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Originally Posted by Groin Redbeard

When do want to start?

Thanks to those of you who have responded with interest! This rerun won't be as formal as the first readthrough - as the threads are already open, anyone can post at any time. If you're already reading, you don't have to wait for me! I will begin this weekend, and my reading tempo will be faster than it was the first time around - after all, I don't want to spend another 1 1/2 years just for LotR!! I may at times read a chapter a day, at other times skip one or more days.

If you join me in posting, don't worry whether things were already said way back several years ago - this is a fresh start, growing on the "leaf mould" of the previous discussion. A number of you weren't around back then - this is your chance to write what you think and feel when you reread LotR!

[Estelyn Telcontar]

There is one wonderful resource that we did not have at the time we began the first CbC discussions, and I will be reading and commenting on it along with the actual book text - Hammond and Scull's LotR Reader's Companion. I know some of you have it as well, and it will certainly be easier to read it chapter by chapter than it was to attempt to combine the various threads in HoME! However, I plan to read the book chapters first, so as to let Tolkien's own words echo in my mind before I add others' thoughts.

I'm beginning with the Foreword today; I have already read it and will post my thoughts soon.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

I would like to say one technical thing first, these "outside" or "bonus" or rather "forward" threads, or how could I call them, are dangerous in the way that it is hard to spot that they have been posted to. Oh how happy I am that I noticed this. I certainly would like to join. It is a great way to keep one reading also, I started reading LotR in the past several years, yet I always stopped at some times and then I just randomly picked something to read or continued in the same course very slowly. I find the chapter-by-chapter idea actually absolutely wonderful, also that it keeps the focus of people together. And, mainly, I think this thing contributes to the collective feeling of the Downers as a group. Great you decided to revive this, Esty!

Originally Posted by Estelyn Telcontar

If you join me in posting, don't worry whether things were already said way back several years ago - this is a fresh start, growing on the "leaf mould" of the previous discussion. A number of you weren't around back then - this is your chance to write what you think and feel when you reread LotR!

Well for myself I don't even want much to read what was posted before (aside from the introductions, of course), because it would probably only frustrate me to think of something and realise it was posted several years ago, so even a person cannot seriously reply to it because also about fifty people replied on that before, I know, I know - I would really like to start from scratch. It would be even nicer to start completely new threads for that, however it is of course clear that that's not affordable, as it would create only confusion and make the thoughts divided and unable to connect for potentional reader. You know, unless you decided to form some sort of "overall and always repeating BD schedule" that will go over and over again, so that even the new members could join this in any time and not depend on the luck that someone revives the old threads... when one reading would end, the new will immediately start, and it could go in circles like, for example, Reading 2008, Reading 2009 or similar (well, if it took only that long, of course... but you know what I mean). Like, you know, I thought about the liturgical years some churches have, or the Jews have a system of reading Torah that divides the text for them into daily readings, so they read all the books once a year (or in three years) and then they may start anew. I am not much of a fan of the scheduled and ordered things (and rules, mainly), but like I said, if the reading was made scheduled in this way (weekly, let's say, as was the original Chapter-by-chapter) and it was ordered to be repeated once the last reading finishes, well, that would grant the option for all, even the new members, to participate in it...

I don't know why I actually wrote it here, because the more now I think of it, it seems rather silly to me, but whatever, it's an idea and that's always good to post rather than be silent.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

That's an interesting idea, Legate - maybe we'll start a tradition of rereading LotR every January or something like that! Of course, we'll have to go through at a somewhat faster pace than the original one to make it by the end of the year...

[Thinlómien]

Originally Posted by Estelyn

That's an interesting idea, Legate - maybe we'll start a tradition of rereading LotR every January or something like that! Of course, we'll have to go through at a somewhat faster pace than the original one to make it by the end of the year...

But surely it doesn't have to be annual? We could as well start a new round every two years or something like that... But as far as I'm concerned, I'm alright with any pace that isn't monstrously quick. And I must add I'm not sure how actively I will partcipate after being done with FotR - I'm currently reading LotR in French and as it's not the easiest language to read in for me, I might need a pause and read some other books before returning to it.

[Lalwendë]

It could be good to do it again, schedule (and the kraken) allowing of course! Who knows what new insights I've got over the past couple of years? What about all these spanky new companions and guides and whatnot? What about reading in the light of Children of Hurin?

Plus we have lots of new members and I'd love to see what they've got to say, and older members didn't always join in back then - maybe they're a whole lot less daunted now being veterans? I don't think I was around in the early days of the last read through either, and I certainly wasn't very confident when I did first join in...

But two points:

1. I'd advise against a fast pace on it. Even if you want to read and post quickly Esty, I don't think everyone will be able to do the same, and if one of your aims is to talk to people instead of to the computer (I know what you mean, just posting on a cold, dead thread can be a bit like muttering away to yourself like a madwoman) then I'd advise on holding off for a more leisured schedule than once a day - even if it does take ages to get through it again. It might just be me, but keeping a tight ship on the group read through is a good idea for keeping discussion fresh?

2. Yes, use the old threads. They're full of stuff (I know, I posted too many overly lengthy posts...it was like homework!) and so it's nice to have it 'all in one place'. But I reckon it would also be good for people NOT to read through the threads until they've got their thoughts down - not only are they really daunting but who cares if you say something someone else has already said! Just say it anyway. I wouldn't be doing essays again anyway...

Oh, and a third point. 'Cause...

3. Let people know about it and often.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Lal - since this was a spontaneous idea of mine, I'm certainly open to suggestions! Yes, I think I will not be able to keep up a daily pace - I could read a chapter a day easily, but posting takes time, as does reading what others (hopefully!) post. It's more likely to be approximately two chapters a week - that would get us through in less than a year.

As to when a next read-through would start, Lommy, well, this one begins 3 1/2 years after the first one did and was totally unplanned, so let's not worry about future discussions yet.

The third point is a very good idea - I'll post new threads about it on several forums to enlist interest.

I'd like to encourage members to post more about their personal thoughts and feelings than mere information - that will keep things fresh, and your own opinion always has validity.

[Lalwendë]

That sounds sensible - it wouldn't be as good if everyone ends up taking to themselves, which is what happened 'back in the day' whenever anyone posted on one of the threads months after it had been opened. I always found that quite sad really, as discussion had drawn to a close and then someone would say something interesting and it wouldn't get anywhere

davem just said "Be pretentious and ask if we should use the first edition text or not"...