For all of Twitter's drama, I am amazed that were able to use it as a starting point for #ReadingTheStone, my experiment in collectively reading the 18th century Chinese novel #StoryOfTheStone (#Hongloumeng #紅樓夢).

Last April 1st was our first live discussion, and tweet comments flew fast and furious as we chatted. And though we switched to Zoom, our stalwart group did reach Chapter 120 today. I am so grateful for everyone who has taken part along the way.

readingthestone.com

Please join us for our penultimate gathering of #ReadingTheStone!
March 4, 2023 Saturday 11amET
https://duke.zoom.us/j/6172831840

Recordings of our previous chats can be found on most podcast platforms (search for #readingthestone) - or via our website readingthestone.com

Saturday chats on #ReadingTheStone - an experiment in collectively reading the 18th century Chinese masterwork Story of the Stone, aka Dream of The Red Chamber 紅樓夢 (Hongloumeng). 16 episodes so far!

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/readingthestone/id1624788856

@HuShuo @bokane @Shellyk I will do a sum up when I post on readingthestone.com, so you can always check in here. And I promise to check the hashtag #ReadingTheStone here too...

I also had a favor to ask - am trying to figure out easy ways to rip HLM vids (youtube etc) so Steve can share with his prison class. They don't have easy web access, so he was going to put clips on a harddrive for them to look at. Just short bits. And since you're the gifmaster, I thought you could teach me how?

@HuShuo We did but we miss you and will always love your company!

It's #ReadingTheStone : ) and this was our third chat of 2023 - the first two are up on podcast platforms Buzzsprout, Apple, Spotify, etc. & at readingthestone.com

A really lovely convo today - I think you've left Twitter entirely, but some nice comments under the hashtag over there, especially from Shelly Kraicer, Elena, Dax. Steve Durrant also gave us a sum up of his first two prison classes.
Also tagging @bokane @Shellyk

#ReadingTheStone had our first Saturday chat of the new year, on January 14, 2023.

Our conversation ranged from authorial vision, definitions of fanfiction and fan sequels, consistency of tone between the two sections, canonical authority, and English-language translation choices for the book’s title, to our own personal encounters with Story of the Stone over the past year of reading together.

https://sites.duke.edu/readingthestone/2023/01/14/season-2-episode-1-readingthestone-returns-wrapping-up-the-first-80-chapters/

Recording of our chat on Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/readingthestone/id1624788856?i=1000594445457

Dear Friends,

#ReadingTheStone chat returns January 14! 11amET on Zoom.

We left off at Chapter 80, but this weekend's chat will be a general wrap-up and looking-ahead - so join us wherever you might be in your own #readingthestone adventure. We look forward to reconvening with you!
Waiyee, Ann, Eileen

More details, plus our tentative spring 2023 reading schedule, and zoom link on our website: https://sites.duke.edu/readingthestone/2023/01/12/readingthestone-returns-january-14/

#StoryOfTheStone #ChineseLiterature #ReadingTheStone #紅樓夢

I would like to write Tan-chun fanfic! #ReadingTheStone #StoryOfTheStone #ChineseLiterature #红楼梦 @sino_lit @bookstodon

Was having a talk with my mother the other day abt how things have changed. I cook myself more than my mother, grandmother, or great grandmother ever did. They say great grandmom only did desserts.

But I've never woven a tapestry or a carpet. Sort of reminds me #ReadingTheStone. All the women are makers. Weaving things, sewing, and the like. All I've ever done was a bit of knitting really.

So I think that will be this year's project. Already have a few looms on the way. Thinking I'll start out with some silk belts and few towels. And try a few carpets before the end of 2023.

Ep 17 of the 2010 红楼梦 series and Baoyu is very excited that the Crab Blossom 🌸 Poetry Club has been set up! #ReadingTheStone @sino_lit #CDrama

Grateful that you all turned out for our Saturday chat! Amidst all the sound and fury and in the middle of #USAvNED no less. Appreciate our #ReadingTheStone community so so much.
One final 2022 wrap-up meeting to come - but we'll continue onwards into 2023, after a holiday hiatus!
Oh, and a new listserv for updates (I promise not to spam): https://tinyurl.com/ReadingTheStoneList
#ReadingTheStone #紅樓夢 #紅樓夢讀書會 #Chinese #literature #bookclub #translation #reading

To be honest - I wasn't sure if any of us - including me - had the bandwidth to luxuriate in #ReadingTheStone this week. But Ann Waltner
in her wisdom reminded me:
"I think everyone is overwhelmed, but I think community matters in times of overwhelm."
So see you tomorrow perhaps 💙

Dear Friends,

There will only be two #ReadingTheStone chats left this year: tomorrow 12/3, and evening 12/20 for a grand wrap-up.

Tomorrow we read up to Chapter 80, i.e. if you're a textual purist, we reach the canonical end of the novel.

#紅樓夢 #Chinese #literature #reading #translation #bookclub #canon

Join us 12/3 11amET:
https://duke.zoom.us/j/6172831840

@HuShuo It was so nice to have you and @bokane back in the mix of things! #ReadingTheStone

Linking my earlier post about my admiration for Professor Durrant's ongoing work teaching Chinese literature at the Oregon Penitentiary: https://zirk.us/@chowleen/109390281135623833

Also, tomorrow's chat zoom link 11amET 11/26 Saturday https://duke.zoom.us/j/6172831840

#ReadingTheStone #Chinese #literature #reading #translation

Dear Friends:

#ReadingTheStone, which we have been doing together since the spring, has been the sort of enterprise that I loved Twitter for. We still exist there @readingthestone, but thought I'd start the hashtag here too.
Our origin story: https://sites.duke.edu/readingthestone/about/

You might be too occupied with festivities to join this week. Or conversely, it make make for a perfect escape.
In any case, Waiyee, Ann, Eileen will be convening with our special guest, Professor Steve Durrant!
Sat 11/26 11amET

Despite dismal goings-on, I've had a series of inspiring encounters and conversations.

Today: Prof Stephen Durrant, who since retirement has been teaching Chinese literature/philosophy at the Oregon Penitentiary. He tackles Dream of the Red Chamber next!

I invited him to join a future #ReadingTheStone chat - as it turns out, he has been listening and taking notes(!), for teaching inspiration for his prison students.

In a world of sound and fury, be a Steve Durrant.

http://readingthestone.com/