Should we try another book club?

[neglet]

We did this once or twice on the old forums; a couple years ago we had a great discussion of The Life of Pi. (http://64.34.170.134/Cinescape/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB118&Number=155539&page=2&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1)

Is anyone up to try another book discussion in this forum? We could pick the book by the end of July, then start the discussion in September. Any type or genre of book can be a candidate, as long as we think there's enough scope for discussion. Suggest some candidates in this thread, and after a couple of weeks we can come to some kind of consensus as to what we'd like to read and discuss.

[kah]

I'd love to do a book club. I don't have any suggestions right now, since I am in the middle of 4 books, but I will gladly take up whatever you all decide. As long as it isn't about a serial killer. I read about the Green River Killer and had nightmares for months. ~shudder~

[Strider]

That could be fun. Count me in, barring any future craziness.

Personally, I like fantasy, sci-fi, political thriller, and mystery novels the best, but I am open to reading just about anything. :D

[Natalie]

I'm not around as much as I used to be, but if someone would email me and let me know what the selection is, I would like to join in.

Nat

[Kaeos]

I'd like to see what genre ends up chosen as well. I may be interested.

[Al-Dog]

Count me in.

Does anyone have a genre preference? I’m usually read mystery/suspense, but I’m willing to read almost anything except romance.

Here’s a list (excluding stuff I’m not interested in).

Biographies
Fantasy
Historical Fiction
Mystery/Suspense
Non-Fiction
Realistic Fiction
Science Fiction

Lets pick.

[kah]

Do we want to start with something old or new? Or something from last year's bestseller list?

[kah]

Night (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0374500010/sr=8-1/qid=1153579563/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-7990063-9895820?ie=UTF8), Elie Wiesel

Heat (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1400041201/ref=pd_ts_b_22/103-7990063-9895820?s=books&v=glance&n=283155), Bill Buford

The Time Traveller's Wife (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/015602943X/ref=pd_ts_b_40/103-7990063-9895820?s=books&v=glance&n=283155), Audrey Niffenegger

A Game of Thrones (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0553573403/ref=cm_lm_fullview_prod_4/103-7990063-9895820?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=283155), George R. R. Martin

Magician:Apprentice (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0553564943/ref=cm_lm_fullview_prod_8/103-7990063-9895820?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=283155), Raymond Feist

Running with Scissors (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/031242227X/ref=pd_ts_b_71/103-7990063-9895820?s=books&v=glance&n=283155), Augusten Burroughs

The Book of Jhereg (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0441006159/ref=cm_lm_fullview_prod_4/103-7990063-9895820?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=283155), Steven Brust

Groucho and Me (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0306806665/ref=cm_lm_fullview_prod_9/103-7990063-9895820?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=283155), Groucho Marx

Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0380813815/ref=cm_lm_fullview_prod_9/103-7990063-9895820?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=283155), Christopher Moore

All right, those are my contributions to the list.

[Al-Dog]

Night looks interesting. I also remember reading good reviews of The Time Travellers Wife. The Book of Jhereg, looks like it would be a fun read.

Would you like to pick Kah?

[kah]

I put up all those books because they sounded interesting to me, and they all got great reviews. They are also more than a year old, so should be available in paperback or in a used book store. I don't want to be the one to narrow it down. I don't like making decisions for other people.

I am interested in reading Night, though.

[neglet]

Let's get some more suggestions/thoughts on suggestions and come to a consensus pick.

I've heard good things about "The Time Traveler's Wife," too. I'd rather not read something that's one volume in a series, such as the Feist or Martin or the Brust.

As for memoirs, I've heard "Heat" is entertaining, but I'm not sure it has much in it to spur discussion. "Night" would, of course, if people don't think it's too heavy to begin with. "Running with Scissors" is being made into a movie, so that aspect would be fun to talk about as well.

I'll throw in one more suggestion: Margaret Atwood's Alias Grace. (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0385490445/ref=pd_sim_b_4/002-5056727-1861601?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=283155) I think it's one of Atwood's more accessible novels, plus it has a mystery that isn't quite answered and would be great for discussion.

[kah]

Interesting Negs. I hadn't heard of that one. I agree about the Martin and Feist books. Night is not any heavier than our religion discussions in the Lounge. Ok, a little, but we are adults here, and I think we can handle it. I saw a trailer for RWS and it looked great. The book sounds even better.

[omicron]

Well, I've already read A Game of Thrones and Lamb. You can't do Martin, I've stated before his stuff is way to indepth for casual reading and you certainly can't just jump in the middle of the series.

Lamb is one of the best books I've ever read. I've reread it several times since Negs(I think) suggested it.

Night sounds very interesting.

Omi

[neglet]

Someone else mentioned "Lamb" before; I haven't read it. I've heard it's funny, but would it generate a good discussion, outside the obvious satirical bits?

[omicron]

that's a good question. I suppose it could but I don't know. It's definitely interesting, and I can't recommend it enough.

I guess I just don't feel I have enough religious fevor to really get worked up about reading about young Jesus wandering across the desert, meeting witches, shamans, and Buddhas.

Omi

[Strider]

Well, I've already read A Game of Thrones and Lamb. You can't do Martin, I've stated before his stuff is way to indepth for casual reading and you certainly can't just jump in the middle of the series.
I can't comment on the "in depth" part, but isn't A Game of Thrones the first book in the Song of Ice and Fire series?

I haven't heard of any of the other books before, except for RWS being adapted into a movie...the trailer certainly looks interesting.

[omicron]

you're correct, Strider. It is the first one, and it's pretty good. But like I've said before, GRRM's books are EXTREMELY in-depth. It's not an easy read as far as I am concerned. So many cousins, sons, daughters, etc etc to keep track of.

Omi

[kah]

I just suggested them because I thought it might be fun for us to all read through a series together. :dunno:

[rappites]

I would love to do this. I am not a book person. So, I have no suggestions. But, would like to read what you all pick out and then discuss it.

[Al-Dog]

OK, lets get started.

At quick glance, it looks like a choice between, Night, Lamb and The Time Travelers Wife.

Lets vote.

I voting for "Night".

[rappites]

I second that. It sounds interesting.

[slickchick]

I vote for The Time Traveler's Wife.

Night is good as well, but really depressing. Plus Time Traveler has a touch of fantasy mixed with romance, which is what I really enjoy. But that's just my opinion!

[kah]

I vote Night or Running with Scissors.

[neglet]

Something else to consider: here are the page lengths of the suggestions that have interested at least two people:

Night, 144 pages
The Time Traveler's Wife, 560 pages
Running with Scissors, 320 pages
Lamb, 464 pages
Alias Grace, 480 pages

I'll put up a poll soon, you can vote for more than one book. The top vote-getter will be September's book, and we can read any other big vote-getters in later months.

[slickchick]

Running With Scissors was really good, but kind of bizarre and uh... x-rated.

I really enjoyed it though!

[Al-Dog]

Something else to consider: here are the page lengths of the suggestions that have interested at least two people:

I don't mind long book if it's interesting.

[neglet]

You can cast your vote on this poll thread (http://messageboard.cinescape.com/cinescape/forums/showthread.php?t=1749) through Aug 5. Then we'll announce the winner and pick a date to start reading.

[rappites]

I am bored and ready. So, I am going to go ahead and buy the book with the most votes.

[Al-Dog]

So, it looks like The Time Traveler's Wife. If we are in agreement, I'll get a copy this weekend.

[neglet]

Well, the poll doesn't officially close until this weekend, but even if another book pulls ahead, we can always read "Time Traveler's Wife" for our second session, so you're probably safe in getting it.

I'm going the library route, since I have time, and books are so expensive these days I only buy things I know I'll reread.

[Al-Dog]

I'll probably go the library route myself.

I'll wait until Monday.