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PaperclipPerfector  6d ago (text post)   2209 thread views

Small-Scale Question Sunday for November 2, 2025

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.

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So, what are you reading?

I'm reattempting Scruton's Fools, Frauds and Firebrands. Has been collecting dust for far too long.

I tried to read A Tale of Two Cities and I just can't get it. It just bores me so much. It's on practically every list of "best novels ever", and I feel weird about it. And it's not like my tastes are opposed to the general direction - I like historic novels, I've read Dickens before (though a long time ago), and I enjoyed a lot of other "classic" works on the same "best ever" lists - but this one somehow just does not "click" for me. Not sure if I'll try to get through it or just put it aside and try again, maybe in several years.

Close Reads covered A Tale of Two Cities recently. They were similarly not super into it, but I find it easier to get through a book with a group of people, especially people who are able to give good context, background, and additional insights I miss.

For A Tale of Two Cities, they recommend reading the book like a series of vignettes. Dickens layers each scene in imagery and significance. Some scenes are better than others. Ultimately I found it worth it to finish the book, though I have no desire to reread it.

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