Based on past experiences here and elsewhere, it'll be hard to choose the "right" book
Larry Send a noteboard - 09/10/2009 02:46:22 AM
After all, the book would have to have some appeal to quite a few people here, people here would have to be motivated to participate (something that many were loathe to do for the old OF ones, as well as a limited-run that I and several other book reviewers did on our blogs a year ago). But since suggesting is harmless enough (I can't promise participation, since I'm about to be waist-deep in IEPs starting next week), here are a few that might be popular enough and (more importantly) cheap enough for people here:
Eoin Colfer, Artemis Fowl - lots of people will be reading his works after the Hitchhiker's Guide book penned by him comes out on Monday. Plus it's $8 and available in several Walmarts, among other places.
Italo Calvino, Invisible Cities - Short, sweet, and full of fantastic imagery. And it should be available for around $12-15 in the US.
Patrick Rothfuss, The Name of the Wind - pretty popular 2007 fantasy that never was the subject of an OF Book Club discussion. I know several here would likely participate; I can't, though, since I mailed my copy overseas several months ago.
Robert Holdstock, Mythago Wood - excellent novel from around 25 years ago that would appeal to quite a few and is easily available in all English-speaking countries that publish books on a large scale.
Lev Grossman, The Magicians - this book would generate quite a bit of discussion. Only downside is that it's only available in hardcover in the US.
And of course, any Nabokov that might be chosen
Eoin Colfer, Artemis Fowl - lots of people will be reading his works after the Hitchhiker's Guide book penned by him comes out on Monday. Plus it's $8 and available in several Walmarts, among other places.
Italo Calvino, Invisible Cities - Short, sweet, and full of fantastic imagery. And it should be available for around $12-15 in the US.
Patrick Rothfuss, The Name of the Wind - pretty popular 2007 fantasy that never was the subject of an OF Book Club discussion. I know several here would likely participate; I can't, though, since I mailed my copy overseas several months ago.
Robert Holdstock, Mythago Wood - excellent novel from around 25 years ago that would appeal to quite a few and is easily available in all English-speaking countries that publish books on a large scale.
Lev Grossman, The Magicians - this book would generate quite a bit of discussion. Only downside is that it's only available in hardcover in the US.
And of course, any Nabokov that might be chosen
Illusions fall like the husk of a fruit, one after another, and the fruit is experience. - Narrator, Sylvie
Je suis méchant.
Je suis méchant.
November Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book Club: submissions ended! ... New new edit on 18/10/2009
08/10/2009 06:56:01 PM
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Nabokov's The Original of Laura
08/10/2009 08:19:01 PM
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I'd love that.
08/10/2009 08:25:39 PM
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Well, we could always discuss Nabokov in December.
08/10/2009 11:18:57 PM
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I'd be up for reading Doctor Zhivago.
08/10/2009 10:08:09 PM
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yeah, me too. only need to find it in a library near me. *NM*
08/10/2009 10:09:32 PM
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Don't be cheap. Buy it.
08/10/2009 11:16:18 PM
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Well, I would, but I don't like online bookstores.
09/10/2009 01:19:19 AM
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Well, but you just said you didn't know if you could find it in the library.
09/10/2009 02:07:54 AM
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AS Byatt - Possession.
08/10/2009 10:21:39 PM
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i loved that book!!! she is amazing. just wonderful writing... *NM*
13/10/2009 08:44:59 PM
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How about a classic novel?
08/10/2009 11:30:31 PM
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You have a very strange definition of classics... *NM*
09/10/2009 01:20:37 AM
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Replace "strange" with "erroneous" and I'll agree with you.
09/10/2009 02:09:27 AM
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Really?
09/10/2009 03:08:53 AM
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for classic science fiction, your list contained one I could support...
09/10/2009 11:06:34 AM
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You said "classic novel". Science fiction doesn't generally meet that standard.
09/10/2009 02:52:01 PM
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I like your list.
09/10/2009 03:02:09 PM
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I think if you're gonna do Eco, picking another book to start with would be wiser... *NM*
09/10/2009 03:28:50 PM
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And what book would that be???
09/10/2009 03:47:49 PM
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Foucault's Pendulum seems like the obvious one.
09/10/2009 03:58:37 PM
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Based on past experiences here and elsewhere, it'll be hard to choose the "right" book
09/10/2009 02:46:22 AM
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That Hitchhiker book is as genuine as the "new" Winnie-the-Pooh book
09/10/2009 02:54:23 PM
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Perhaps, but it's worth remembering that...
09/10/2009 03:45:53 PM
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Adams killed Arthur Dent for a reason
09/10/2009 05:02:23 PM
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The movie was not faithful to the books in any meaningful way. *NM*
09/10/2009 08:58:01 PM
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The movie sucked, yes. Adams had also been dead for four years when it came out. *NM*
10/10/2009 02:19:38 AM
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Right.
10/10/2009 02:37:08 AM
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One little thing
10/10/2009 02:39:01 AM
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Perhaps
09/10/2009 06:08:17 PM
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So on Monday we'll find out if the widow's cash need resulted in a good book.
10/10/2009 04:21:22 AM
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A question for you all.
09/10/2009 03:04:17 PM
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You didn't mention the rapture! If that happens, will the club still be on? *NM*
11/10/2009 07:51:59 AM
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I'd say yes. Pretty sure the people here will be Left Behind. *NM*
11/10/2009 12:39:05 PM
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Some will probably even be actively serving the Antichrist.
11/10/2009 04:16:45 PM
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