not a book club

[Amos]

So the idea, which is a simple one, is to read a book, all-together like, then discuss it after a certain period of time has passed. The next two weeks will be a time for submitting suggestions for books. I was thinking of limiting the length of said texts, but rather than do that I thought it would be a better idea to extend the time-frame for reading. For an average book this time will be 3-4 weeks, with 2+ weeks of criticising the book's faults and/or lauding its fine qualities. For books over, say, 500 pages, the time for reading will be extended to about 5 weeks. In the next two weeks I will also try to think of a better name for our "book club". After that, myself and perhaps sir archely will sort through the list and pick the titles for the next six months (anyone else who wants desperately to sort or be involved in any other way is welcome to do so also ).

The poll is to give us an idea of how many intend on participation. This number will be probably taken into account when the selection process for books is underway, but I'm not sure how exactly. No doubt it will be too mathematically complex for your or my understanding anyway.

As regards book suggestions: any book will do. Fiction, preferably; but while this is a fantasy site, you should feel no obligation to post only fantasy-type books.

As regards other suggestions: these are always usually welcome.

[dark fuschia]

I'll play, as long as I can be guaranteed that every book that we read is a masterpiece of eternal distinction.

ok I know no one can guarantee that, but I will be hopeful!

hmm some of my suggestions

Roberston Davies - The Rebel Angels (set in Toronto, first in awesome trilogy, but also a good stand aloner)

Something by Guy Gavriel Kay, maybe Tigana, I have this on my shelf unread

Kim Wilkins - Giants of the Frost

Actually that gives me an idea, maybe we should try and bring diversty of the nationality of the authors into it? Everyone who's part of the book club could perhaps suggest books from their own country, like we could try to favour Norwegian, Australian, Kiwi, Canadian, Belgian, British and American authors, instead of the usual British/American selection. The locals from these places could helpfully make good suggestions that they have enjoyed? *ponders* though it might be hard for some nationalities to get their hands on international books, but maybe we can specifically pick widely available ones.

I know I wish I read more australian books. The last I read was "Dirt Magic" by Tim Winton, which I couldn't put down, except, like all Aussie novels, I wasn't sure what it was about really, and it just left me wrecked, sort of feeling desolate. I hate/love books like that. So I never know whether to recomend them.

[Buck]

Yuppers. This could go places, or nowhere at all. Either way I am in.

[Jennifer]

OOh ooh! I'm in

[Buck]

I will also try to think of a better name for our "book club".

If you are going for witty: "Non a Libri Dolus" (latin: not a book club)
Sort of like a jedi mind trick.
*waves*
These aren't the droids you are looking for.

[Amelia]

I would be in depending on the book or if I had enough time to read it (laughs) or the money to buy said book, so that is why I said perhaps. I wanted to say Snagglepuss but I thought that at least once in my life I would be semi-serious.

**toussels next poster**

[night faerie]

me too. I'll probly be in from time to time but not every time.

[Eyreplenh]

This could go places, or nowhere at all.

All my favourite things are like this, so I figure I'm in. As long as the damn places I order books from keep their "reasonable" delivery deadlines. Four weeks, from UK to here . A small amount of ground, a little more water, granted, but seriously, how hard can it be? Put a stamp on it and give it to a postman looking kind of figure. Oh well.

[Lilith]

count me in too!!!

very cool idea!!!

[Dregs]

The Alchemist

[Amos]

The Alchemist

I was looking at that book the other day (it's on my bookshelf, and one of my favourites ever) and I realised that the author's first name is Paulo, and not just Paul. Damnsneaky 'o'.

If you are going for witty: "Non a Libri Dolus" (latin: not a book club)

I dont know if I want witty, but if all else fails I will go for lazy, and use your suggestion

Actually that gives me an idea, maybe we should try and bring diversty of the nationality of the authors into it?

Sounds plausible. Alas, my favourite NZ author is a woman not that widely known or available, and all the rest range from mediocre to crap. Well, Katherine Mansfield is pretty good, but she only ever wrote short stories.

For now, I want only to suggest Nausea, by Jean-Paul Sartre. Oh, and I was thinking we could have at least one book of poetry on the list too. That would be good.

[Kalle al'Tear]

Let me know what book.. and when to start reading it.. and I am in!

[Vivacia]

What she said.

[gelflingjen]

Ooooo. Dream come true...busy as Hades during wartime...but, yes. There when I am there, not when I can't be.

Nauseau by Sarte is a read out loud book for me...and I don't know if my new roomie knows me well enough for that yet. But it really does real out loud very well. Um...

I love.

Shit.

everything. 'ceptin mysteries unless they are really crucial to read...like crime and punishment, you know.

I love the multi-cultural deal. There are some Japanese writers I've been wanting to dig into.

Here's a quickie: Candide by Voltaire.

[Amos]

Candide is swell. As far as Japanese writers go, there's a couple of novels by Yasunari Kawabata that I haven't yet read which come highly recommended. I was thinking Beauty and Sadness. And Gaiman's Fragile Things is recently out - not a novel but a collection of short stories, yet I think we could sneak it by the authorities.

All three of wendy's suggestions look excellent, so we should have enough for a preliminary list pretty soon. I'll give it just a few more days.