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The Walker Percy Project

Slow Reading Group

How to Form a Slow Reading Group for Discussing Walker Percy's Writings using Percy-L

Instructions

What is a Slow Reading Group?

Periodically, The Project organizes a Slow Reading Group for a Percy novel through the Percy-L Listserv Community. These usually follow the format of reading 2-3 chapters per week for discussion.

A Slow Reading Group allows for a collaborative reading of a book through group email (i.e., a listserv). The group's members can read and think about a book more closely together because the discussion is writing-based. The approach gives members time to think carefully about what others have said and respond in a thoughtful way. It's a helpful way to better understand a difficult or complex text.

You must be a member of the Percy-L Community in order to participate. Past group readings during the summer months include The Moviegoer, Love in the Ruins, and The Second Coming. (See links below.)

About a Slow Reading Group

A Slow Reading Group allows for a collaborative reading of a book through group email (i.e., a listserv). The group's members can read and think about a book more closely together because the discussion is writing-based. Past group readings during the summer months include The Moviegoer, Love in the Ruins, and The Second Coming.

How to Suggest a Percy Book or Essay

Percy-L members may submit reading suggestions to the community at any time; however, most readings occur during the summer months. Options include Percy's novels, non-fiction works, essays, and resources about his works.

Slow Reading List Steps (Overview)

  1. REQUIREMENT: To participate, you must be a member of the Percy-L Listserv Community
  2. START DATE: After a reading selection has been chosen, a start date will be determined by group consensus. Most reading periods last 6 weeks. The start date is the posting of the first comments by a volunteer weekly leader. (Participants should read the first section of the novel before the start date.)
  3. WEEKLY READING LENGTH: Readings for a given week usually follow a breakdown of several chapters so as to divide the book up equally. A volunteer leader will post topics or questions of any length in response to the chapters to open discussion for that week.
  4. WEEKLY LEADER: A volunteer leader each Friday will provide opening comments and/or questions for that week's reading. There are no set guidelines for opening posts (usually 1-3 paragraphs). These may include a brief personal reflection on the reading; a compelling quote with questions; or any comments or observations of personal interest to the leader.
  5. DISCUSSION FORMAT: Discussion is open as long as post relates to the chosen book. All Percy-L members may make posts at anytime whether they are an active group member or not. This includes responses to current or past discussion posts, or any other Percy-related comment.
  6. DISCUSSION TOPICS: There is no set agenda, All listserv members may introduce any topic related to the book as you might expect in any book reading group. Among these include:
    • Any personal responses, appreciations, and/or lingering questions at hand
    • Comments on the novel's literary themes, conventions, or plot and characters, etc.
    • Considerations of the novel biographically or in relationship to other authors' works.

In short, any personal or critically-minded comments are welcome. Members are not required to respond directly to the weekly leader's post. Members can also introduce secondary references, quotes, or links to outside related resources. The only general requirement is that all posts remain respectful of others and the general community.

Members can expect additional information and instructions once a given slow reading list is announced.

Past Slow Reading List Discussions

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