OK - I have done the poll.
I have given it four days to run, but I hope we all vote before then.
I have voted for "Fury" - because it is short and fairly cheap, and I think this is good for our first book -and also because Sozobe is already busting with discusson starters - though I want to read and discuss all of them!
Er - I take it the relative silence means people think the suggested structure and a 3 book/3 month trial is more or less ok? Jjorge has suggested a totally different structure again - are people willing to go with this one for now? Or what?
I don't wanna be bossy and pushy - but I tend to think (because of bitter experience) that if something doesn't happen fairly quickly it just doesn't happen. Tell me to take a running jump -(but nicely, cos I am a wuss) - if I am being revolting...waaaaaaaaaaah!!!!!!
Perhaps people would like to mull over the choice of a classic in their clever little subconsciences while we are doing the modern book....?
Dlowan
I wouldn't want my idea, which I would characterize as brain-storming, to add to an interminable discussion of format.
I agree. we could start with a couple or three books and consider modifications, expansion, or fine-tuning etc of the process afterward.
Hi Deb -- I think your list, in the above poll, is wonderful!! I hope we can read and discuss each of these books, one per month.
Thanks for all your effort to launch this idea.....
Thanks dlowan! Is it okay to lurk and learn? I read several books at the same time and would be useless to an organized book circle!
Having read only two of the books listed in the poll, I have opted for Middlesex, one of those I haven't. But it and Life of Pi, which I have read, are the only nominees to receive positive reviews from readers on Amazon. Comments regarding the others up for election range from disappointing to dismal failure.
BTW, I've picked up a copy of Middlesex which I plan to read, irrespective of the poll results, not so much for horizontal expansion ... a consummation highly problematical, due to myopic constraints ... but because it looks like a good 'un. And a tip of the hat to whoever thunk to mention it ... Deb, I suspect was the instigator.
Sorry if it appears I'm not quite so easily satisfied as I previously indicated, but I can't abide Rushdie, and, pretty please, nevah, nevah mention Annie Proulx within range of my hearing, evah! I spent some of my precious Christmas holiday digging for That Old Ace in the Hole only to experience a cave in sometime around the middle of chapter two.
I'll go with Middlesex, as well.
Debacle, on your recommendation, I ended up voting for Pi.
Dlowan -- I'm hoping you'll make a separate topic for each book discussion, and I'll make sure each becomes a "featured topic" so that it stays at the top of the Book Forum.
So are we reading Middlesex? Will we do any discussing before we're through?
Vote people...vote!!!
Lurk away, Tartarin - nice to have you here.
Now - there are going to be times when there is real disagreement about books we should/should not read.
My view - for what it is worth - is that this is good, and that it is good to read something you would not ordinarily read - you never know what you may find!
Debacle's comment about Proulx has made me want to get "The Shipping News" - which I have been meaning to read for ages, read it, and argue with him - not to mention Rushdie. Fury is THIN, Deb!
I am a bit worried that "Middlesex" is looking like it might be the choice at pesent - when some folk do not want to get hardbacks. However, generally, I would hope that, if a book we do not like is chosen occasionally, we will still read it cos otherwise we won't have a group - and if you hate something that is a wow of a discussion starter!
i'll go along with debacle, although i usually read dry boring stuff to most, like:
guns, germs and steel
fatal impact
and right now i'm reading-compassion versus guilt, and other essays-thomas sowell
I think we be still waiting for a few votes, Piffka.
Sure we can have a new thread for each discussion - and I think we can comment whenever we like - as long as you don't reveal any crucial plot surprises before people have had a chance to read those for themselves.
PS: I wonder if it would be good to have a sort of discussion initiator for each book - maybe the person who suggested it first - just in case things are a tad slow at first, or something? maybe they could dig up a few interesting critical comments about the book, or some points they are keen to discuss?
Pueo - you interest me strangely with some of the stuff you are reading.
I wonder if there might be some interest in a more weighty tome sort of a discussion thingy? I, for instance, have Steven Pinker's: "The Blank Slate: The Modern denial of Human Nature" sitting in pole position on my coffee table - and I would love to discuss stuff like that with a disparate group.....hmmmmmmmmmmmm....
(I just couldn't do the guns though! LOL)
guns, germs and steel have to do with how the south pacific islands were "conquered".
Oh - sorry Pueo - I knew that, but I thought you also mentioned gun tomes- but that was Fishin'!
OH OH OH OH BLANK SLATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
<gasp, deep breath>
I really wanna read that!!!
Another one I'm waiting for paperback, though.
Coming in late, very late, on this subject.....but I love the idea!
Now that I have a bit more time to myself, I don't know what book to read first! Help!
dick and jane, just to get you started. let me know if you need any help with the big words
Thanks, dlowan! Suggestion: If it turns out to be a hardcover, go for secondhand either on Amazon or
http://www.addall.com/Used/.
Thanks guys!
My copy IS paperback, Sozobe - cost me $26.95 $AUD.
British edition again. We used to be disadvantaged because we only imported British editions - some publishing sweetheart deal from yonks ago - now we get 'em from everywhere - and we often seem to have books before you guys - heehee - makes us feel good as a wee country wiv a cultural chip on its shoulder!
You know- it might even be worth you ordering it from here or England, Soz - if you got it here, your dollar is worth twice ours, and it should cover shipping expenses easily. Just a thought - depends on when it comes out in the USA, I guess.
or I could buy it and ship it to you....
You live to torment me, pueo, dontcha? No matter ~ love ya to pieces anyway.....
