Here is how I’m thinking it will work. We will use the next couple of days to pick a book, via nominiations in this thread. For a month, you read the book. Feb 1, 2003, we open a thread to talk about the book. (During January, a new thread will be open to pick another book to read in Feburary and talk about in March).
The assumption is that you will have read the book – if you haven’t, you are welcome to join in the discussion, but can’t bitch about spoilers. You don’t need to have read it the previous month though, if you’ve read it in the past, that’s ok.
No books are off limits – fiction, non fiction, current best sellers, classics.
I’d like to nominate for our first book A Handmaid’s Tale, by Margaret Atwood. There is a lot to talk about, if you haven’t read it, you should, its a pretty easy read, and I think a lot of people here have read it already (making it an easy month for them).
I’d love to do this. My nomination is Reservation Blues by Sherman Alexie. Great book I read a few years back in a “race and ethnicity in American literature” class in school.
Dang, I read it when it came out, which is what, 15 years ago? I loved it, though, and wouldn’t mind reading it again. I’m in.
My suggestion for a future book: The Botany of Desire: A Plant’s Eye View of the World, by Michael Pollan. I haven’t read it yet, and this might get me off my ass. He’s a good writer (I loved his book Second Nature: A Gardener’s Education) and this has gotten great reviews. It’s about the relationship between humankind and plants we’ve “domesticated”: the apple, the tulip, marijuana, and the potato.
Sounds good. I’ve read The Handmaid’s Tale, but wouldn’t mind a reread, and I’ve been meaning to read Reservation Blues and The Botany of Desire anyway.
Glancing around at my shelves, I can’t come up with anything that would be really appropriate for a book club (I mostly read popular science and history…anyone want to read The Elegant Universe by Brian Greene? It’s about superstring theory. Yeah, right.)
I read a lot of history - so I could go there. Just finished “And They Fought Like Demons” which is about women who fought in the Civil War. A good read.
Another rule, you can join at any time and skip any selection you aren’t interested in.
I applaud the idea and will ultimately try to stick with the majority (at least in this case). I would vote for And they fought like demons simply because I haven’t read it - I have read Handmaid’s Tale (well written but heavy handed) a collection by Gogol (hilarious social satire - entirely worth it) and Reservation Blues (really, really good, too), so i will do my best to go with the flow.
My vote? Ball Four by Jim Bouton - one of the most literate, insightful sports books ever - if you aren’t into sports, then this is a great book for you.
I’ll pick a book on the First. Leaning toward Handmaid’s Tale, cause its easy (and I’ve discovered with practice at this sort of thing that you need to start engaging and easy - string theory is right out for a first book), unless the next two days bring up something different.
Whoever nominates the book “chairs” the discussion the month the discussion is active - and gets to track nominations and pick one (not another one of yours) the next month. Sound fair?
My in person bookclub usually has chocolate and wine for its discussions - since we are virtual, all participants are responsible for providing their own…
For the most part, chairing will probably involve creating the thread, making the first post and seeing what happens. Maybe posting some questions if the discussion slows a little.
Its really to keep it from becoming “Dangerosa’s SDMB Bookclub” I’ll get the ball rolling, and take some responsibility for trying to maintain a little momentum, but my ego does not requiring being “in charge” and I don’t think my personality can sustain it.
Easy like that.