# SDMB Book Club Anyone? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 27, 2000, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-book-club-anyone/47411 "2000-12-27T19:01:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Stuffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f17d59/32.png) [@Stuffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stuffy)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2000, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-book-club-anyone/47411/21 "2000-12-28T23:17:51Z")
Count me in! BTW, I’ve been meaning to read that book that Osip mentioned, but I’ll bow to peer pressure. ---
**Author:** ![Gadarene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Gadarene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gadarene)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2000, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-book-club-anyone/47411/22 "2000-12-28T23:40:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Humble Servant \* > I’ll bite, **Gadarene**. I’d like to hear what books you would recommend. Well, let’s see. **Fiction** [ul] [li][The Basic Eight](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0312253737/o/qid=978045967/sr=8-1/ref=aps_sr_b_1_3/102-1681461-1640904) by Daniel Handler. Nasty fun to read, ferociously witty, and it’ll mess with your head.[/li] [li][Corelli’s Mandolin](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/067976397X/o/qid=978046112/sr=2-1/102-1681461-1640904) by Louis De Bernieres. Gorgeous storytelling. His magical realism series is great, too; reminiscent of Borges.[/li] [li][Jitterbug Perfume](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0553348981/qid%3D978046453/102-1681461-1640904) by Tom Robbins. His best work, I think, with much potential discussion material. I prefer Robbins to Vonnegut, but I may be in the minority with that.[/li] [li][Catch-22](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0684833395/o/qid=978046527/sr=2-1/102-1681461-1640904) by Joseph Heller. Just a classic, and deep as hell. Hilarious, too.[/li] [li][Great Apes](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0802135765/o/qid=978046587/sr=2-2/102-1681461-1640904) by Will Self. Mindbending and delightful; smacks of Kafka with a more prankish sense of humor.[/li][/ul] As is probably apparent, I like books of black humor that make light of the human condition while acknowledging its gravity. Any of these, in my opinion, would be sterling choices for a Doper book club. I’ll post some non-fiction recommendations later–I’m not taking over the thread, **Wicked Blue** , honest! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Stuffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f17d59/32.png) [@Stuffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stuffy)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2000, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-book-club-anyone/47411/23 "2000-12-28T23:50:26Z")
I haven’t read any of the books Gadarene mentioned, the reviews made them sound worthwhile. I making my trip to the bookstore this weekend, I’d love for the club to pick a book by then. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2000, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-book-club-anyone/47411/24 "2000-12-28T23:55:53Z")
I’m in. I am already doing a reading project this year, but I will have time to read other stuff, too. I would prefer not to read “bestseller-y fiction,” but rather something more challenging–or at least something that would contribute to my becoming more “well-read.” Catch-22 would be great, since it is on my other list! 🙂 Human Biodiversity sounds great, too. I propose that the Grand Poobah (Rose) choose the first book and set a time frame for reading it. (IMO 2-3 weeks would be good for most books.) She then leads/moderates the discussion. Then someone else chooses and takes the lead for the next book. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2000, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-book-club-anyone/47411/25 "2000-12-29T00:03:43Z")
We’ve had a number of successful reading circles over at the FFF… if you don’t see a book you want to join in with here, you can always look at our current reading circle nominations there: [http://fff.fathom.org/ubb/Forum13/HTML/000171.html](http://fff.fathom.org/ubb/Forum13/HTML/000171.html) ---
**Author:** ![lindz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a9a28c/32.png) [@lindz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lindz)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2000, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-book-club-anyone/47411/26 "2000-12-29T00:09:48Z")
Life on the other side by Sylvia Browne This book could be discussed endlessly ---
**Author:** ![DynoSaur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DynoSaur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DynoSaur)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2000, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-book-club-anyone/47411/27 "2000-12-29T00:26:35Z")
Well, count me in. Just don’t expect much of me in the way of “I loved how the author’s use of light and shadow highlighted the irony of the sexual relations between the priest and the sacrificial goat” 😉 As for recommendations: How the Mind Works by Stephen Pinker Stardust or Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman And anything by Terry Pratchett. ---
**Author:** ![Gadarene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Gadarene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gadarene)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2000, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-book-club-anyone/47411/28 "2000-12-29T00:36:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by DynoSaur \* > Just don’t expect much of me in the way of “I loved how the author’s use of light and shadow highlighted the irony of the sexual relations between the priest and the sacrificial goat” 😃 This just reminded me of the fantastic bookclub scene in [Kicking and Screaming](http://us.imdb.com/Title?0113537), where one of the characters hasn’t read the book and tries to, um, improvise his way through a sophisticated critique. In fact, I’m gonna watch the movie again tonight and come back here with an exact quote, because it’s just priceless. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Kallessa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/7993a0/32.png) [@Kallessa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kallessa)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2000, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-book-club-anyone/47411/29 "2000-12-29T02:56:08Z")
I’d love to participate, talking about books is one of my foavorite pasttimes. May I suggest Tom Robbins latest book " Fierce Invalids Home From Hot Climates"? As with any Tom Robbins book, there’s sure to be a lot to discuss, and, because it’s fairly new, fewer of us will have read it before (I’m trying to get out of the ‘re-read’ cycle, there are so many books to read, I try to just re-read my absolute favorites). That does mean that I’d be happy to re-read “Jitterbug Perfume”–definately one of Robbins best. Any other book would be fine, though. ---
**Author:** ![Wicked\_Blue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/2acd7d/32.png) [@Wicked\_Blue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wicked_Blue)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2000, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-book-club-anyone/47411/30 "2000-12-29T03:49:23Z")
I hereby declare [scary music]TOTAL THREAD DOMINATION[/scary music]. Who’s in so far: **stuffinb LifeWillFall Psycat90 Humble Servant Lux Fiat Osip rocking chair Pucette obfusciatrist MikeG tevya Zumba The Cat Green Bean DynoSaur Kallessa** People I am not sure are in or not: **Gadarene lindz** The book: \*\*Catch Me If You Can: The Amazing True Story of the Most Extraordinary Liar in the History of Fun and Profit ~ \*\*Author: Abagnale, Frank W. Other: Redding, Stan ISBN 0767905385 I decided to pick the book nominated by my beloved **Osip** , (that way, if y’all hate it, you can blame him, not me 😉 ) I have found it at the following dot coms, but feel free to purchase it anywhere 🙂 Amazon, $11.20 AllDirect, $8.40 Barnes & Noble, $12.60 ecampus, $11.16 (free shipping) All of these places had it in stock, but shipping times and charges varied. I bought it at ecampus FWIW. There are a couple of books with the same title listed at all the stores, so be careful to pick the right one. Post when you get it 🙂 Rose ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2000, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-book-club-anyone/47411/31 "2000-12-29T04:28:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Gadarene \* > **. . . one of the characters hasn’t read the book and tries to, um, improvise his way through a sophisticated critique.** I know a few folks who made it through grad school doing this. ---
**Author:** ![TroubleAgain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e480ec/32.png) [@TroubleAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroubleAgain)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2000, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-book-club-anyone/47411/32 "2000-12-29T04:43:34Z")
I’ll pass for this round, but I’ll keep an eye on you guys. I love to read and discuss. ---
**Author:** ![Emperor\_Penguin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c2a13f/32.png) [@Emperor\_Penguin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emperor_Penguin)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2000, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-book-club-anyone/47411/33 "2000-12-29T04:56:52Z")
Count me in, I love to read. I think I will sit the first round out, unless I can find it at my local Coles. As far as books to read go, I would suggest Sebastian Faulks’s **Birdsong**. ---
**Author:** ![Gadarene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Gadarene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gadarene)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2000, 8:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-book-club-anyone/47411/34 "2000-12-29T08:43:55Z")
I don’t mean this to be rude, but is anyone interested in a concurrent fiction book club? Y’all kind of got my appetite whetted for a novel. _sheepish grin_ _Catch-22_, maybe? Otherwise, I’ll pass till next time as well. I have read _Catch Me If You Can_, though; I remember it being a lot of fun. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2000, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-book-club-anyone/47411/35 "2000-12-29T12:24:59Z")
i’m waiting for the book to arrive from amazon. i hope they ship it out before the nor’easter hits. it sounds rather interesting. see what happens when you take total thread control… people hop to! ---
**Author:** ![Pucette](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/278dde/32.png) [@Pucette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pucette)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2000, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-book-club-anyone/47411/36 "2000-12-29T13:54:20Z")
I’m going to get it this weekend. And Gadarene, I want to read Catch-22 (always have, but never got around to it - long story), so can we wait for me pretty please? 🙂 I guess I could read both at the same time… ---
**Author:** ![Stuffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f17d59/32.png) [@Stuffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stuffy)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2000, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-book-club-anyone/47411/37 "2000-12-29T16:50:59Z")
I can have both of those tommorrow **Gadarene** will you be moderating the C-22 book? ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2000, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-book-club-anyone/47411/38 "2000-12-29T16:56:11Z")
I’d love to read Catch-22 with you, Gadarene. If there are enough people who want to do it, a concurrent book club would be great. Of course, I will go and get Catch Me if you Can, too. Thanks, for seizing total thread domination, Rose. Let us know when the discussion will begin! ---
**Author:** ![Gadarene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Gadarene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gadarene)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2000, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-book-club-anyone/47411/39 "2000-12-29T16:58:14Z")
Sure, I can take care of _Catch-22_. Lemme start another thread on it… ---
**Author:** ![slackergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b38774/32.png) [@slackergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slackergirl)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2000, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-book-club-anyone/47411/40 "2000-12-29T17:23:37Z")
I wanna join, but I’ll have to wait a couple of months. I’m still reading Ulysses for my IRL club, and it could take a while. Count me in for the Catch 22 discussion. We read it last year, it’s one of my all time favorites. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-book-club-anyone/47411.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-book-club-anyone/47411.md?page=3)