I just wanted to say how much I’ve enjoyed Read the Classics this year - it’s been so interesting to read such a selection of books with all the connections between them. I’m looking forward to carrying on next year and would love the excitement of the books arriving every month.
Thanks so much Emma! I really appreciate your kind note. And that's great! Completely optional, of course - but I will be sharing details of the Hatchards Subscription as soon as it's set up.
Hi, Lesley. I hope you don't mind if I give my perspective. I agree with you that a paid subscription model can be dear at any price. I've spent the last few months winnowing my subscriptions to Substack creators, streaming services, and online versions of newspapers and magazines. Some took up too much time for too much money. Others took up too little time -- I didn't take advantage of what I'd subscribed to.
I enjoyed Simon Haisell's War and Peace slow read last year, so I joined three Substack read-along book clubs this year. I chose Henry and two others because of the books they planned to read. Henry is the only one I've stuck with. Henry is a writer, and it matters.
I'm glad you spoke up, Lesley. I'm an outspoken activist. I admire others who speak up. And I'm glad you offered to make the subscription work for Lesley, Henry.
Mostly, I'm glad to get so much value from my subscription to Read the Classics.
When I came onto Substack it was for Phil Christman, who has this energetic way of writing I love. He is a teacher and does good work teaching incarcerated Americans to write. He's inspiring. I eventually became a paid subscriber. I read more and more Substack writers! Many of whom have solid knowledge about art and philosophy. I feel I am overwhelmed by all the great columns I subscribe to, (unpaid). I also pay for Hanif Kureishi's column because it's hard for him to write and he needs to pay his carers, but also he was nice to me when I was young, and replied to my letters. I also get the Times and the New Yorker and Private Eye! So you see it's all gone mad and I can't do enough reading! With Henry I read Anna Karenina, the old Curiosity Shop and Mrs Dalloway and Robinson Crusoe. I'm so enjoying it. But I always knew it was too good to be true and he couldn't keep doing it for no pay. I just need to think what to do. I do fancy coming to London for the book group.
Thanks Lesley - I hope not! I've tried to set a price that feels fair, but if it's too much at the moment, please just let me know and I'll gift you a free subscription.
Thank you for the update and all the work you put in to make this stack so inspiring. I’m reading great books that I would never select for myself and I am all the better for it. I’m in the US and great reads are getting me through dark times. Books are my drug of choice. I understand that you can’t film and post the discussions happening at the bookshop, but any summary you post here would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again for the day with Mrs. Dalloway. Loved the virtual tour.
I believe so! I will share more information as soon as I have it. And thank you so much for mentioning the Watch Alongs! I have decided to give those a rest for the time being, because I wasn't aware anyone was watching with me (!) but if you enjoyed them, do let me know.
Thank you for all your work! I've enjoyed all the reads enormously. Re: watch alongs, I was never able to watch at the same time due to time difference but I enjoyed all of the suggestions and I'd read all the comments later. (Although I was unable to stream Brazil, I found the 35mm Directors Cut playing at Film Forum which ended up being a summer highlight!)
I find the classics very easily in the US and am able to get them from my library and download them to my iPad. For The Summer Book, I googled it and was able to get a free copy online and I’m and enjoying it so much. I decided to become a paid subscriber because Henry leads us so well and his choices are books I of course had heard about but never read. I have streamlined my substack subscriptions and basically, there are so many books, too little time but the easy reading schedules here allows us to become wider read!
A question please on the subscription model next year. … Will we know the full year’s books ahead of the year or will we only know month by month? Thanks Lynn
I just wanted to say how much I’ve enjoyed Read the Classics this year - it’s been so interesting to read such a selection of books with all the connections between them. I’m looking forward to carrying on next year and would love the excitement of the books arriving every month.
Thanks so much Emma! I really appreciate your kind note. And that's great! Completely optional, of course - but I will be sharing details of the Hatchards Subscription as soon as it's set up.
It is quite dear. Rich people only from now on. :(
Hi, Lesley. I hope you don't mind if I give my perspective. I agree with you that a paid subscription model can be dear at any price. I've spent the last few months winnowing my subscriptions to Substack creators, streaming services, and online versions of newspapers and magazines. Some took up too much time for too much money. Others took up too little time -- I didn't take advantage of what I'd subscribed to.
I enjoyed Simon Haisell's War and Peace slow read last year, so I joined three Substack read-along book clubs this year. I chose Henry and two others because of the books they planned to read. Henry is the only one I've stuck with. Henry is a writer, and it matters.
I'm glad you spoke up, Lesley. I'm an outspoken activist. I admire others who speak up. And I'm glad you offered to make the subscription work for Lesley, Henry.
Mostly, I'm glad to get so much value from my subscription to Read the Classics.
Alan - thank you so much for this extremely generous response. I'm very grateful.
When I came onto Substack it was for Phil Christman, who has this energetic way of writing I love. He is a teacher and does good work teaching incarcerated Americans to write. He's inspiring. I eventually became a paid subscriber. I read more and more Substack writers! Many of whom have solid knowledge about art and philosophy. I feel I am overwhelmed by all the great columns I subscribe to, (unpaid). I also pay for Hanif Kureishi's column because it's hard for him to write and he needs to pay his carers, but also he was nice to me when I was young, and replied to my letters. I also get the Times and the New Yorker and Private Eye! So you see it's all gone mad and I can't do enough reading! With Henry I read Anna Karenina, the old Curiosity Shop and Mrs Dalloway and Robinson Crusoe. I'm so enjoying it. But I always knew it was too good to be true and he couldn't keep doing it for no pay. I just need to think what to do. I do fancy coming to London for the book group.
Thanks Lesley - I hope not! I've tried to set a price that feels fair, but if it's too much at the moment, please just let me know and I'll gift you a free subscription.
That is v. kind of you but I am just checking for subs I can cancel and will think about it again. Thanks for a great choice of books.
Thank you for the update and all the work you put in to make this stack so inspiring. I’m reading great books that I would never select for myself and I am all the better for it. I’m in the US and great reads are getting me through dark times. Books are my drug of choice. I understand that you can’t film and post the discussions happening at the bookshop, but any summary you post here would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again for the day with Mrs. Dalloway. Loved the virtual tour.
That's so lovely to hear - thank you Kathleen. I really appreciate it!
Sounds exciting! Will the books be available to be shipped to those of us outside the UK? Also what will happen to the Watch Alongs? Thank you!
I believe so! I will share more information as soon as I have it. And thank you so much for mentioning the Watch Alongs! I have decided to give those a rest for the time being, because I wasn't aware anyone was watching with me (!) but if you enjoyed them, do let me know.
Thank you for all your work! I've enjoyed all the reads enormously. Re: watch alongs, I was never able to watch at the same time due to time difference but I enjoyed all of the suggestions and I'd read all the comments later. (Although I was unable to stream Brazil, I found the 35mm Directors Cut playing at Film Forum which ended up being a summer highlight!)
That's lovely to hear - thank you!
I find the classics very easily in the US and am able to get them from my library and download them to my iPad. For The Summer Book, I googled it and was able to get a free copy online and I’m and enjoying it so much. I decided to become a paid subscriber because Henry leads us so well and his choices are books I of course had heard about but never read. I have streamlined my substack subscriptions and basically, there are so many books, too little time but the easy reading schedules here allows us to become wider read!
Hi Henry,
A question please on the subscription model next year. … Will we know the full year’s books ahead of the year or will we only know month by month? Thanks Lynn
Great question - I'm just working out the details, but I'll let you know asap!