GR Book Club 2008 - sign up here!

A*O · December 16th, 2007, 04:32 PM

By popular (?) demand we are going to try and get this going again, only this time try to be a bit more organised about it. If we don't set the schedule and rules it just won't work.

If you want to join, sign up here and suggest a book. Make sure it's something everyone can get hold of at their local bookstore or library. Once we have a list of names and books I will collate it and post here.

We need to agree on a regular Book Club Date. I think once a month might be tricky for some people (like the ones with Real Lives, shock) so I'm thinking every 2 months would be safer? Say the first Wednesday of Feb, Apr, Jun, Aug, Oct and Dec?

On that date we will vote for the next book choice.

Any other comments/suggestions?

The only other rule - NO discussing the book before the agreed date please.

pacific breeze · December 16th, 2007, 04:46 PM

Classic books might be easier to find internationally than some recently released fiction. I suggest something like Madame Bovary (Gustav Flaubert). It's a reasonably short read and there is lots of room for discussion. Some people might have already read it, but I know it's been quite a while for me.

Laurent · December 16th, 2007, 04:50 PM

I'm in. I'll second Madame Bovary.

sputnik · December 16th, 2007, 05:05 PM

i'm in but please god, not the bovary! already read it, had to study it in depth in school on several occasions. i'm all bovaried out.

i'd suggest more modern classics, maybe some fitzgerald, cormac mccarthy, thomas pynchon. or modern but well known writers like paul auster.

i've been meaning to read jonathan franzen's new memoir, the discomfort zone. it should be easy to find and i've heard great things about it.
The Discomfort Zone by Jonathan Franzen: Reviews

january · December 16th, 2007, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sputnik

i'm in but please god, not the bovary! already read it, had to study it in depth in school on several occasions. i'm all bovaried out.

i'd suggest more modern classics, maybe some fitzgerald, cormac mccarthy, thomas pynchon. or modern but well known writers like paul auster.

i've been meaning to read jonathan franzen's new memoir, the discomfort zone. it should be easy to find and i've heard great things about it.
The Discomfort Zone by Jonathan Franzen: Reviews

What she said! But I am in, it sounds like a great idea.

I wouldn't mind reading something like "Memories of My Melancholy Whores" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez or "Lolita" by Vladimir Nabokov.

ya-ya_sister · December 16th, 2007, 08:27 PM

I'm in and any book is fine. I thought you wanted to do American novels.

PlayfulKisses · December 16th, 2007, 08:38 PM

I'd like to join in as well...once an avid reader but gradually let other things take precedence. Would love to get back into the habit. My only suggestion would be to have an email reminder of our scheduled meeting. I am THE worst about forgetting meetings that are outside the office environment.

McJag · December 16th, 2007, 08:57 PM

I want to do this , but I love non fiction or thrillers. Narrow,I know!

Anne2007 · December 16th, 2007, 11:44 PM

Please count me in. I echo Mada Bovary, as it is one of those books I have been promising myself for years I would read.

McJag, it is rare I read outside of whodunnits, true crime or biographies. I echo your narrowness. This is our chance to get out of our comfort zone. Remember you are in the minority of people, as you do read something.

I guess an Ann Rule book for our book club is out of the question? (Just joking)

pacific breeze · December 16th, 2007, 11:47 PM

The books have to be readily available in international markets. That's the only reason I suggested the classics.

McJag, I read a lot of mysteries and true crime, too. They're my guilty pleasure.

Honey · December 17th, 2007, 12:08 AM

Signing up, I don't mind what book is chosen.

Every two months sounds good to me.

ETA- I really am not a sci-fi fan though, but no one has suggested that genre yet

A*O · December 17th, 2007, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ya-ya_sister

I'm in and any book is fine. I thought you wanted to do American novels.

This was for my Real Life book club, but American novels are fine here too.

It's great so many of you want to join but the deal is, if you sign up you have to suggest a book! That way we have a 'pool' to vote for.
Crime fiction is one of my guilty pleasures too and so if someone wants to suggest something from that genre that's great.

My pick is recently published The Ghost by Robert Harris. I'm pretty sure it's available in the US and Europe. It's NOT a spooky ghost story BTW but very 'topical' and a kinda murder mystery.

Honey · December 17th, 2007, 01:01 AM

Ok, I suggest "Half Broken things" by Morag Joss

This was adapted for TV recently and was one of the best programmes I have ever seen. I imagine the book is just as good, probably better.

Anne2007 · December 17th, 2007, 05:14 AM

I will go out on a limb and suggest Agatha Christie's The Murder in the Vicarage. I am a huge Miss Marple fan.

However, if anyone suggests something from the crime genre by an author I haven't heard of it will get my vote. I love trying new authors from this genre.

Also please consider this my vote for A*O's suggested time frame.

Honey your suggestion sounds wonderful, I am going to put it on my wish list.

Aella · December 17th, 2007, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A*O

Crime fiction is one of my guilty pleasures too and so if someone wants to suggest something from that genre that's great.

I want in! And since you mentionned crime fiction, I'd like to suggest the excellent "A Place of Execution" by Val McDermid, what has to be one of the best crime novels I've ever read.