Before I left for my annual birthday trip, Nina and I met at a beachside swing bench for our 8th Fallina reading event. We were both excited to begin our second shared reading book, The Great Gatsby, and we couldn’t wait to dive in. We each brought different versions of the book, and they both looked stunning on our benches as we began our reading journey.

Kicking Off The Great Gatsby & Setting Our Reading Goals

Our week-eight reading event marked the start of The Great Gatsby. We spent some time discussing the themes we’d like to cover in future events and how much time we’d need to finish reading the book over the next four weeks. We tackled chapter one in our last meeting, but honestly, we had no idea where the story was going, even though we’d both seen the movie. I suggested we do some research on the characters and plot before diving in, but Nina quickly disagreed, and I agreed with her. Neither of us is a fan of spoilers, and we both wanted to experience the book as it unfolds, without relying on pre-existing analysis.

Instead, we worked out a simple outline of our topics for the following weeks on The Great Gatsby:

Week 1: Chapter 1
Theme: First Impressions
What do we notice, and what do we miss when we first enter a world?

We will start by exploring Nick’s first encounter with Gatsby’s world. This theme will have us reflect on the first impressions we get from characters and their surroundings, and how sometimes we only begin to understand the deeper layers later on.

Week 2: Chapters 2–3
Theme: Atmosphere & Appearances
What do people choose to show, and what stays hidden beneath the surface?

We plan to focus on the contrast between what people show and what they keep hidden. As we move through these chapters, we’ll dive into the ways in which characters use appearances to hide their true selves, especially as we examine Tom and Daisy’s contrasting personalities.

Week 3: Chapters 4–5
Theme: Memory & Longing
How does the past shape the way we feel in the present?

In these chapters, we’ll reflect on how Gatsby’s longing for the past influences his actions and his present-day emotions. This theme of nostalgia and the pull of past memories will provide us with a deeper understanding of the character’s motivations.

Week 4: Chapters 6–7
Theme: Tension & Contrast
What happens when different worlds, values, or desires begin to meet?

As we progress, we’ll explore the growing tension between Gatsby’s dreams and the reality of the society around him. The contrast between old-money values and new-money aspirations will come into sharper focus, creating conflict among the characters.

Week 5: Chapters 8–9
Theme: Reflection & Meaning
After everything unfolds, what stays with us?

As we reach the final chapters, we’ll reflect on the meaning of the entire story. This theme will encourage us to think about what we take away from the book: the consequences of Gatsby’s dreams and how they ultimately shape the characters’ fates.

This outline gives us a roadmap for our upcoming reading events on The Great Gatsby. Each week, we’ll dive deeper into a new theme, analyzing the characters and the story through different lenses. We’re both looking forward to seeing how the book unfolds and sharing our thoughts along the way.

Enjoying the Challenge: Reading in English & Aspiring to Be Writers

Every time I met Nina, I felt so fortunate to have her as my partner in building Fallina. We both genuinely enjoy the process of exploring a book on our own terms, free from any external interpretations. That’s the beauty of reading: even with the same text, each person can have a unique experience.

We’re both non-native English speakers, so reading in its original form can sometimes be challenging. We occasionally encounter misunderstandings or need extra mental energy to keep up, but we love the challenge. It’s a journey that’s helping us improve our English and grow as readers and writers.

The Road Ahead: The Great Gatsby Chapter One

For chapter one of The Great Gatsby, we didn’t make much progress, but we did discuss the characters that entered the story. To be honest, we didn’t know yet how important they would become in the unfolding narrative. But what stood out to us was the craftsmanship of the author—how the words flowed so effortlessly. We both aspire to become writers who can play with language in such a way, and reading books like this is part of that dream.

Have you ever read The Great Gatsby, or watched the movie? Or are you intrigued by the title? Leave a comment and join us sometime in the Fallina Reading Club!

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