Book Club for December 2015

[JMack]

So, someone had the bright idea of asking me to host the Book Club for a bit, and as a complete glutton for punishment I'm going for it.

But, since right now I still have several pieces of writing to critique, my November Beast story to write, and need to complete something to send to Michael Sullivan for his critique (I bought a certain level on his "Death of Delgath" Kickstarter campaign), I have limited patience for a lengthy nomination and voting process. I'm playing God with fire and just putting some choices out there without the long process.

Here are 5 books that mix contemporary with seriously back-of-the-catalog stuff. I've set the poll for 5 days and you get two votes. We'll see how quickly we get a sense for things.

A few words on these:

Ocean at the End of the Lane: I've enjoyed the Gaiman I've read, and @xiagan orrdered me to put this in as the price of helping set up child boards and all stuff. (Well, no, he didn't order me. He just suggested.)

Nation: Xiagan suggested this one too  (Makes you wonder who's really in charge of this here month, hmm?)

The Dark is Rising: A new member posted that there is an international read-along for the Dark is Rising series this December to commemorate the 40th anniversary of this classic novel. I've read "Under Sea Over Stone" (or is it "Over Stone Under Sea"?) a few times, but never actually did The Dark.

The Just City: This is sounds really interesting to me. The goddess Athena sets up a city where everything can run according to Hoyle. I'm certain it doesn't go as well as expected.

The Forgotten Beasts of Eld: I loved McKillip's stuff back in the day, and have always remembered being particularly taken by this book. But... I've forgotten much of what it's about. Oh yeah. Beasts and Eld. Works for me.

Take a look at Amazon and Good Reads and see what you think. Argue about it below if you want. 

Who's In?!!!!
 

[xiagan]

2014? I'd like to suggest whatever we read back then.

[JMack]

2014? I'd like to suggest whatever we read back then.

Um. Yeah. Maybe you could work some Mod magic? 

[Arry]

2014? I'd like to suggest whatever we read back then.

Um. Yeah. Maybe you could work some Mod magic? 

Done

[xiagan]

Sooo, my suggestions/nominations are:


Pat Rothfuss reviews The Ocean at the End of the Lane


Goodreads blurb of Nation:

Alone on a desert island — everything and everyone he knows and loves has been washed away in a storm — Mau is the last surviving member of his nation. He’s completely alone — or so he thinks until he finds the ghost girl. She has no toes, wears strange lacy trousers like the grandfather bird, and gives him a stick that can make fire.
Daphne, sole survivor of the wreck of the Sweet Judy, almost immediately regrets trying to shoot the native boy. Thank goodness the powder was wet and the gun only produced a spark. She’s certain her father, distant cousin of the Royal family, will come and rescue her but it seems, for now, that all she has for company is the boy and the foul-mouthed ship’s parrot, until other survivors arrive to take refuge on the island. Together, Mau and Daphne discover some remarkable things (including how to milk a pig, and why spitting in beer is a good thing), and start to forge a new nation.

Encompassing themes of death and nationhood, Terry Pratchett’s new novel is, as can be expected, extremely funny, witty and wise. Mau’s ancestors have something to teach us all. Mau just wishes they would shut up about it and let him get on with saving everyone’s lives!

[Mr.J]

Considering there is also a standalone bracket book war going on atm all very good choices, but I think Ocean at the End of the Lane would be a great choice, and probably the best of the bunch.

I've also already read it so would be able to contribute while reading other things

[xiagan]

I've also already read it so would be able to contribute while reading other things

That's what you think now, but then you can't remember if this happened in that part of the book, etc.. so you will only post in the final discussion if at all. Trust me, I've been there a few times. 

[Mr.J]

I've also already read it so would be able to contribute while reading other things

That's what you think now, but then you can't remember if this happened in that part of the book, etc.. so you will only post in the final discussion if at all. Trust me, I've been there a few times. 

My Hopes and Dreams + @xiagan with truth bat = shattered.

[Lanko]

I voted for Just City because i liked the premise and Nation because i never read Terry Pratchett.

Already reading American Gods from Neil Gaiman, probably will take me the whole month, so i guess i could change authors for the next 

[SJBudd]

Nice one Jmack I'd love to read Neil Gaiman's - The Ocean at the end of the lane. I've just bought it!

[JMack]

Bumping the poll for anyone who is interested in reading along in December.
Right now it looks like Xiagan's picks are leading the way: Nation and Ocean.
I ordered both from Amazon yesterday... in real paper. 

By the way, I'm thinking about new ways to structure the threads for the Club.
I know some folks have already read one or the other of the two leading books. I htink that only having the week 1, week 2, etc. structure might make some folks hesitant to join in if they read the book some time ago.

So I'm think about something like this:

> Open Discussion Thread with Spoilers (replaces "First Impressions")
> Week 1
> Week 2
> Week 3
> Week 4
> Your Take (snarky poll and your overall take on the book)
> Surprise threads (you'll just have to see what I have in mind, but this might included a competition for best "4 Word Review" for example)

I hope folks will join in.
But hey, I've entertained myself before. 

[JMack]

Physical books.
Paper and cardstock, with pictures on them.
Pages I can dogear or mark with a torn off piece of junk mail.
And maybe most wonderful of all, an entire thing whose length, shape and progress I can touch and see.

I may just have to give my Kindle a rest.

Nation 367 pages in my edition
The Ocean at the End of the Lane 178 pages in my edition. The paper has those unevenly cut edges to give a more craftlike sense.

Ahhhhhhhh. Books.

[xiagan]

Bumping the poll for anyone who is interested in reading along in December.
Right now it looks like Xiagan's picks are leading the way: Nation and Ocean.
I ordered both from Amazon yesterday... in real paper. 

By the way, I'm thinking about new ways to structure the threads for the Club.
I know some folks have already read one or the other of the two leading books. I htink that only having the week 1, week 2, etc. structure might make some folks hesitant to join in if they read the book some time ago.

So I'm think about something like this:

> Open Discussion Thread with Spoilers (replaces "First Impressions")
> Week 1
> Week 2
> Week 3
> Week 4
> Your Take (snarky poll and your overall take on the book)
> Surprise threads (you'll just have to see what I have in mind, but this might included a competition for best "4 Word Review" for example)

I hope folks will join in.
But hey, I've entertained myself before. 

Call me stupid, but what exactly is the difference between the open discussion with spoilers-thread and the week 4-thread?

[Nighteyes]

Bumping the poll for anyone who is interested in reading along in December.
Right now it looks like Xiagan's picks are leading the way: Nation and Ocean.
I ordered both from Amazon yesterday... in real paper. 

By the way, I'm thinking about new ways to structure the threads for the Club.
I know some folks have already read one or the other of the two leading books. I htink that only having the week 1, week 2, etc. structure might make some folks hesitant to join in if they read the book some time ago.

So I'm think about something like this:

> Open Discussion Thread with Spoilers (replaces "First Impressions")
> Week 1
> Week 2
> Week 3
> Week 4
> Your Take (snarky poll and your overall take on the book)
> Surprise threads (you'll just have to see what I have in mind, but this might included a competition for best "4 Word Review" for example)

I hope folks will join in.
But hey, I've entertained myself before. 

Call me stupid, but what exactly is the difference between the open discussion with spoilers-thread and the week 4-thread?

Hey stupid. Actually I have no idea either.

[JMack]

Bumping the poll for anyone who is interested in reading along in December.
Right now it looks like Xiagan's picks are leading the way: Nation and Ocean.
I ordered both from Amazon yesterday... in real paper. 

By the way, I'm thinking about new ways to structure the threads for the Club.
I know some folks have already read one or the other of the two leading books. I htink that only having the week 1, week 2, etc. structure might make some folks hesitant to join in if they read the book some time ago.

So I'm think about something like this:

> Open Discussion Thread with Spoilers (replaces "First Impressions")
> Week 1
> Week 2
> Week 3
> Week 4
> Your Take (snarky poll and your overall take on the book)
> Surprise threads (you'll just have to see what I have in mind, but this might included a competition for best "4 Word Review" for example)

I hope folks will join in.
But hey, I've entertained myself before. 

Call me stupid, but what exactly is the difference between the open discussion with spoilers-thread and the week 4-thread?

Hey stupid. Actually I have no idea either.

Hmm. I hadn't thought of it that way.
I will adjust.