*The Grapes of Wrath* Schedule
Welcome to the Closely Reading book club: a space where we closely read classic literature together and discuss assigned chapters each week.
Embarking on an American classic
Hi friends!
I’m so excited to share the schedule for John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath.
If you follow my proposed pace below, it’ll take you 10 weeks to read the novel plus a companion text of Steinbeck’s letters that I’m recommending as a parallel read.
I’m calling this our “summer session,” since we’ll be incorporating some additional readings along the way, making things feel a bit more like a literature class.
Recommended editions —
→ The Grapes of Wrath (Be aware: this edition has deckled edges!)
→ The Grapes of Wrath (Penguin Classic: this edition has normal page edges!)
→ Working Days
As you follow along, I hope you feel like you’re back in your favorite literature class (minus the pressure of a final paper…unless you were into that sort of thing).
→ Browse my annotation favorites
Schedule
Week 1 (June 15)
Read Working Days, Introduction + Part 1
Week 2 (June 23)
Read The Grapes of Wrath, chapter 1
No Working Days this week (to avoid spoilers)
Week 3 (June 29)
Read The Grapes of Wrath, chapters 2-7
Read Working Days, Entries 2-10
Week 4 (July 6)
Read The Grapes of Wrath, chapters 8-13
Read Working Days, Entries 11-22
Week 5 (July 13)
Read The Grapes of Wrath, chapters 14-18
Read Working Days, Entries 23-35
Week 6 (July 20)
Read The Grapes of Wrath, chapters 19-21
Read Working Days, Entries 36-51
Week 7 (July 27)
Read The Grapes of Wrath, chapters 22-23
Read Working Days, Entries 52-63
Week 8 (August 3)
Read The Grapes of Wrath, chapters 24-26
Read Working Days, Entries 64-79
Week 9 (August 10)
Read The Grapes of Wrath, chapters 27-end
Read Working Days, Entries 80-end
Week 10 (August 17)
Read Working Days, Part 3, “Aftermath”
✨📚 Paid-only: Zoom discussion with your fellow readers & me
Become a paid subscriber to access
A comprehensive reading list of “what to read after” The Grapes of Wrath
An invite to a live Zoom meeting to discuss the novel in August
The full archive of all past book guides + essays
All paid tiers will unlock the benefits above.
📚 $25/year | The classic close reader
✨ $50/year | The sustaining member
Preparing for a big read
One of the best habits I developed in graduate school, where I read multiple doorstoppers at a time, was to take a whole afternoon to prepare my copy of the novel and reading materials.
My favorite way to do this is at a coffee shop or bar. My least favorite way to do this is on the day I want to actually start reading, because it always eats up good reading energy.
So, take some time before you start reading the novel to get it set up in a way that makes you feel excited to sit down and read when it’s time to start.
Nervous about reading a doorstopper? Here are some tips.
Create tabs | If you’re reading a physical copy (which I recommend, if possible for you), take time to tab each reading section in the above schedule—so you can physically see the pacing of the novel and what pages you’re assigned to read each week. If you don’t have small book tabs, I recommend these or making your own out of washi tape.
Test pens | If you’re going to be writing in your novel as we closely read together, I highly recommend testing out a few pen options. I love a simply ballpoint pen (I buy that specific one in bulk!) to make most of my marks. But highlighters also work great. (I love these!) You can also use crayons or colored pencils! Experiment to find what works for you. I find that using the empty extra pages at the back of most editions (where publisher info or other spare pages reside good places to test for bleed through).
Grab a ruler | I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again. I love a ruler for reading. A simple, plastic 6-inch ruler makes a fantastic bookmark and allows you to make incredibly tidy lines as you underline favorite scenes and quotes. These look perfect. I’ve also had luck finding them in university bookstores.
Pick a time | Rather than hold yourself to the same exact reading window each week (which can get so hard when life gets busy), I like to instead choose one 15-minute window during the week where I check-in with myself and make a plan for that week, given all its shifting deadlines and meetings and appointments.
Remember: if your goal is to closely read the novel and have a great experience, then getting the reading done is best. No matter when that happens each week. Getting it done at the same time every week without ever needing a break or a change in routine is not necessary.
Find your pace | While 15 pages may take you 15 minutes to read in most books, you’ll likely find yourself wanting to slow down as we embark on a “close read,” and that’s totally normal. Play with your pacing. Let yourself speed up and slow down, as it feels good to you. Stay conscious of your speed; if you get anxious (from going too slow or too fast), give yourself permission to take a break and come back when you’re less anxious.
Become a closer reader
My goal is not to demystify everything for you, nor is it to have all the answers. Though, of course, I will use my own knowledge and training to help us track down answers to the questions that riddle us as we read.
My real goal is to help you become a closer reader.
And I genuinely believe that one of the best ways to do that is to read a giant book, really slowly.
You’ll stretch your brain. You’ll learn about a moment in history from a new angle, with the kind of renewed faith in humanity that only John Steinbeck can manage to give us without also giving us the ick. (He’s seriously magical that way.)
I hope you will notice things you may not have noticed before.
Experience the story in a slightly deeper or more memorable way than you would have without our reading group.
And unlock for yourself new ways of reading and engaging with great stories that will carry you into your next read—whether it’s with me, another reading club, or all by yourself.
Whatever happens: you’ll spend some dedicated time with an amazing writer and a beloved story. I’m so excited to take this journey with you.
I am so excited to read Steinbeck with you
More soon!
