Dickens Seasonal Read Revealed
Added 2025-10-31 22:36:01 +0000 UTCThe time has arrived.
Excitement is in the air.
We are finally revealing the Secret Seasonal Dickens, which will be cosying up with as we move into winter.
Let us know at what point in the video above you guessed the novel.
We're discussing the rationale for the choice, how to prepare for this particular read, and why Dickens is such a cherished writer.
Video Timestamps:
0:00 the Secret Dickens Big Read
2:00 an exciting season in the book club
4:00 some personal updates from me
7:00 reading children’s literature
9:00 thoughts on new parenthood
10:00 advice for reading great books
15:00 reminiscing about previous reads
18:00 why read Dickens every year?
21:00 lifelong reading assignment
23:00 comfort of communal reading
24:00 Dickens festive readings
26:00 why read this year’s Dickens?
28:00 dark Dickensian atmosphere
29:00 Dickens’ world & characters
31:00 narrative & aesthetic innovation
33:00 how Dickens remains relevant
34:00 the best 19th century novel?
35:00 appreciating the novel’s opening
37:00 Dickens Big Read revealed
39:00 pacing for Charles Dickens
42:00 two things for you to prepare
43:00 thank you & happy reading
Book Editions:
Questions for You:
1) What is your current relationship with our seasonal read? Is this a reread or a first read?
2) What is your relationship with Dickens generally? Which novels and adaptations have you enjoyed? What did you think of them? And how would you encourage newcomers to Dickens?
Happy reading, everybody!
Comments
I love this club! Merry Xmas 🎅 everyone
Dana
2025-12-20 17:51:21 +0000 UTCI just joined the book club at the weekend in prep for 2026. I was already reading Bleak House, my first time, and have about 200 pages to go. I started at the beginning of November with the plan to finish before Christmas so I can still fit in some other reads. My only experience with Dickens has been A Christmas Carol, which I love (just re read as it’s that time of year) and a failed attempt at Pickwick Papers about 20 years ago that put me off for a long time. I am very much enjoying Bleak House and the length hasn’t been a struggle at all really. Dickens gets pretty angry in parts of the book, and he doesn’t have much time for the legal profession!
Stuart Shingler
2025-12-09 19:08:27 +0000 UTC1st time reader of this book, which holds a aura around it for me because of how much my Dad loved it and used to talk about it when I was younger. A Tale of Two Cities and David Copperfield were pretty much my favourite reads so far so I had to join this one live. Feels like being in very safe hands, and very nurturing, reading Dickens.
Jaye Cee
2025-12-07 15:43:12 +0000 UTCI remind myself during the reading of Bleak House, that Dickens was a master storyteller, but also a caustic satirist, a brilliant humorist, and consummate craftsman of dialogue.
Yoknapatawpha
2025-12-06 16:40:18 +0000 UTCJust completed Bleak House. I need to let this one marinate a bit, go back over some sections, read background materials and criticism, and find a good film adaptation to watch.
Yoknapatawpha
2025-12-06 07:23:37 +0000 UTCI'm new too. Like most things I think we will figure out how it all works as we go. Soooo happy I finally joined.
Mary Ann
2025-12-06 03:34:45 +0000 UTCDancing Little Miss Sunshine Style 😂💃🏼 Love it! 😍
Catherine LeBlanc
2025-12-05 23:07:34 +0000 UTCThis will be my first reading of Bleak House. It sounds like it will be tough to put down. I am also reading A Christmas Carol for the first time this Christmas season, I’ve watched many of the adaptations, but never read it.
Angelica D
2025-12-05 22:04:41 +0000 UTCI was really hoping for Dombey and Son or Oliver Twist. Maybe next year? 😉
KelleBD
2025-12-04 13:52:50 +0000 UTCI read this recently, but il be watchings Ben's lectures and think I will also listen to the BBC radio play.
KelleBD
2025-12-04 13:52:01 +0000 UTCHi there .. not sure how the HLBC community shares/discusses as we read a book? Do we comment when we finish? Or just comment along the way? Share quotes or thoughts or analysis? I picked up the Oxford World Classics edition (I always have a soft spot for the OWC series coz of the white covers), and I am now on Chapter 5 - A Morning Adventure. My thoughts so far ... Dickens is SO UTTERLY hilarious! The number of times I find myself chuckling, or laughing out loud to his descriptions of things. What delight!
Wei Wong
2025-12-03 18:26:52 +0000 UTC
