Will do. Just have to dig it all up.

Shel, could you repost the breakdown for discussion? Book one, chapters 1 thru 5?

I dunno Dan, you may have a future as a Jewish Mother. ;)

I'm reading it on my Kindle, which allows me to make highlights and take notes. 'Tis a beautiful little sliver of personal technology, this thing.

Oh I didn't mean for you to feel bad! and yes copious notes, or at least some. I imagine you do that anyway Shel.

I learn a thousand times more through the group discussion threads. I am a bad reader on my own, forgetting what I have read in a manner of days.

Well, when you put it that way, now I feel badly. I'll repost. Apologies, everyone.

Copious notes? Oh man. It's like being in school again. :)

The great thing about reading a book for discussion is how much more attention I pay to what's going on.

Hope more people join in, etc.

Shel, don't worry about things like this it really doesn't benefit anyone. You started the discussion thread for HOM but killed it before many people got on board. The posts need to keep happening, time needs to be given (I didn't finish The Idiot till at least a month after the 'group' finished.

From the looks of it there are at least three readers (you, christy and JWJ) and two thread watchers that have already read it (RA and Kerry).

The key with slow moving discussions is to not post tons as a single poster but rather keep copious notes so you are able to go back and chat with those that catch up, and they do catch up.

Another good idea used previously was to break up the discussion to avoid the dreaded spoiler. I don't know how HOM is divided but I am sure some constraints could be easily derived.

Don't delete the threads and you valuable insights just because no one else had posted. That would be a loss for all on board, including yourself, others who may want to join in late, and those who start reading it long after these conversations took place.

These are just a few thoughts I have as the guy who handled the selection process.

Really, it's no big deal. I thought that if 7 people (the number who voted for it) would have joined the discussion we'd have a pretty good one, but I understand how schedules work, life gets away from us, etc. I only got 3/4 of the way through Of Human Bondage when we discussed it on MySpace because of time limitations.

I just think it's kind of a shame we've lost whatever it is we had before, over on MySpace (though we were losing it on MySpace too).

I don't know what happened - if the slowdown was inevitable, or if there is something about GoodReads that doesn't invite conversation, or maybe it's just that we're all talked out already.

Oh Shel, I'm so sorry I've just started reading HOM but at a very slow pace (2 sick little girls). Maybe I should have posted something so you didn't feel all alone.

Honestly the Introduction irritated me at first; I just glanced at the first page and already knew things would turn out badly in the end. Who could think telling that to the reader was a good idea? Ever heard of a 'spoiler alert'?lol Right now I'm about 50pgs in and interested to see what happens.

I deleted it. It really was just me talking to myself for about a week, only one person posted to say that they had read it once, honestly, interest was just too low to keep going.

If interest picks up again maybe we can make it the October book?

Jennifer, there was a thread that Shel had started but I don't see it now. I wasn't actively participating in the HOM discussion (it's been YEARS since I read it and didn't have time right now) but was peeking in on the thread anyway!

Shel? Where'd the thread go?

Shel wrote: "I hope you guys are psyched for House of Mirth.

Take a social convention. Any convention. Turn it on its head.

"Society is a revolving body which is apt to be judged according to its place in ea..."

where is the HOM discussion? i didn't miss it did i?

I hope you guys are psyched for House of Mirth.

Take a social convention. Any convention. Turn it on its head.

"Society is a revolving body which is apt to be judged according to its place in each man’s heaven; and at present it was turning its illuminated face to Lily."

Can't wait to start!

Finished Edith's HOM not too long ago.

I can't wait to read what folks think -- sin spoilers -- about a few characters.

. . .

Brian wrote: "Leslie wrote: "Hey all! Here is a link to a fabulous site on the Inferno. The graphics are....well, you should see them. It should get you in the mood.
http://danteworlds.laits.utexas.edu/index2.ht..."

Brian wrote: "Leslie wrote: "Hey all! Here is a link to a fabulous site on the Inferno. The graphics are....well, you should see them. It should get you in the mood.
http://danteworlds.laits.utexas.edu/index2.ht..."


yeah-you think the language is going to slow you down, but there is no language on earth than can obscure the horror of it. Now I am rereading The Picture of Dorian Gray because I teach it, and that is another book that keeps me up at night--slasher movies cannot compare to the torture that Wilde conjures!!

I was thinking September 15. To give everyone time for the busy stuff that happens in early September (well, at least in my life, since school starts and all that).

I'll post a reading schedule and some resources on Wharton and her times, too.

Would anyone else like to join me in moderating the discussion? Don't want to be a dictator...!

The Results are in and House of Mirth is the winner. Shel mentioned something about it starting sometime in September but I can't remember the date...

The House of Mirth 6 votes 33.3%
Three Trapped Tigers 3 votes 16.7%
Inferno 5 votes 27.8%
VALIS 2 votes 11.1%
Let the Right One In 1 vote 5.6%
The Oresteia 1 vote 5.6%

Leslie wrote: "Hey all! Here is a link to a fabulous site on the Inferno. The graphics are....well, you should see them. It should get you in the mood.
http://danteworlds.laits.utexas.edu/index2.html"

the pictures in my head were scarier. i scared the shit out of myself reading this book.

cool site leslie.

looks like the house of mirth is in the lead.

Hey all! Here is a link to a fabulous site on the Inferno. The graphics are....well, you should see them. It should get you in the mood.
http://danteworlds.laits.utexas.edu/inde...

What translation will everybody use for Dante's Inferno? Also, it requires a lot of background reading in order to get the most out of it.

Bonita wrote: "Guess I won't be reading The Time Traveler's Wife afterall. How can something so disappointing be so popular? Catchy title? Catchy story idea? Bummer. "

Reminds me of a little ditty called The DaVinci Code that was pretty popular a few years back...

Dan, thanks for all your work on this. Incidentally I voted for Inferno... mostly because I don't think I'd tackle reading it alone but I've always been tempted. Either way, count me in for the Sept read.

hey... that randomizer is pretty cool. i think i've found my new 'life coach'. i'll even let it vote for me.

OK so this is how I did things. I made a list of the titles mentioned above (if an author was mentioned and a book wasn't mentioned they were disregarded (except for Dante because it seemed obvious). Also disregarded Adrian because I am certain the Dewey cat book was not a real suggestion).

Below is the list:

1 House of Mirth
2 Three Trapped Tigers
3 Let the Right One In
4 Lady Chatterley's Lover
5 The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao
6 One Hundred Years of Solitude
7 The Sound and the Fury
8 VALIS
9 Portrait of a Man Unknown
10 Dante's Inferno
11 Jane Eyre
12 2666
13 decameron
14 Oresteia
15 Journal of Antonio Montoya A Novel
16 The Taqwacores

As you can see I assigned each a number based on the order they were mentioned. Then I asked Research Randomizer (http://www.randomizer.org/form.htm) to give me a randomized sample.

The first book, House of Mirth was originally suggested by Shel before I highjacked this operation therefore it makes it into the poll automatically.

The books drawn for polling were:

1 House of Mirth
2 Three Trapped Tigers
10 Dante's Inferno
8 VALIS
3 Let the Right One In
14 Oresteia

Now I am going to start the poll so everyone can vote. Let me know how you like this system. It seems like the most fair was proceed.

Guess I won't be reading The Time Traveler's Wife afterall. How can something so disappointing be so popular? Catchy title? Catchy story idea? Bummer.

Kerry wrote: "Bonita wrote: "Has anyone read The Time Traveler's Wife?"

I've been wondering about this myself after seeing all the film trailers. I remember it being a HUGE seller when I worked ..."
I read the book standing in Borders-that should give you an idea of the complexity of the plot........kind of creepy and forced. The writing was not good enough to pull off the fantasy/romance motif. It came off as gothic/pedophilia/enabling couple motif.

Maureen wrote: "it would actually be a great idea to read dante then boccaccio with an eye to his adaptation of dante's methods."

Well, good luck with that medieval project!

These people are cranky readers. You should start with one of Aretino's short, dirty books from a later period: The Secret Life of Wives.

Adrian wrote: "Maureen wrote: "hmmm. dante's inferno, boccaccio's decameron, something by muriel spark whom our adrian loves, or something by damon runyon. :)"

Some of Muriel Spark's novels can be enjoyed as an ..."

i bought one because you like her so much. i could have sworn you were trying to get us to try a dormouse recipe. magic hands. and i wish i was a descendent! i do love the book though. i love the structure and plague, and the stories themselves. most of them are believed to have been extant and this is just a compilation of popular tales told. it would actually be a great idea to read dante then boccaccio with an eye to his adaptation of dante's methods. :)

Maureen wrote: "hmmm. dante's inferno, boccaccio's decameron, something by muriel spark whom our adrian loves, or something by damon runyon. :)"

Some of Muriel Spark's novels can be enjoyed as an appetizer or after-dinner mint. (Except for The Driver's Seat, which will scramble your tummy in an unpleasant way. I think it's neat!)

You keep pushing this Boccaccio thing. I'm starting to think you're a descendant trying to drum up more business for the estate. I'll only finish the book if it ends like the masque of the Red Death and all those boring people die from the plague.

Journal of Antonio Montoya A Novel

Yes this sounds good - going on my to read list also.

Next up on my classics list is another Zola novel from the Rougon-Macquart cycle - anyone else interested in joining in for that?

What about
The Taqwacores by Michael Muhammad Knight?
And I loved The Time Traveler's Wife.

Bonita wrote: "thanks Maureen, sorry Dan - my apologies for veering us off the subject. My official nomination is Journal of Antonio Montoya A Novel

"A spinster painter in the village of Guada..."

This sounds awesome Bonita! I think I'll read it even if it doesn't make the cut.

Martha wrote: Remember Ben's one-word review when I asked him about a title at the Dork? I'll give you the same review for Time Traveller's Wife - "No."


ooh! what was the title? (again, sorry dan ;)
(glad to see the love for the oresteia!)

Kerry wrote: "Bonita wrote: "Has anyone read The Time Traveler's Wife?"

I've been wondering about this myself after seeing all the film trailers. I remember it being a HUGE seller when I worked ..."

Remember Ben's one-word review when I asked him about a title at the Dork? I'll give you the same review for Time Traveller's Wife - "No."

thanks Maureen, sorry Dan - my apologies for veering us off the subject. My official nomination is Journal of Antonio Montoya A Novel

"A spinster painter in the village of Guadalupe, New Mexico lives in a house inhabited by the ghosts of dead relatives who talk to her, do chores, and occasionally borrow her truck. Against the wishes of her brother Flavio, she takes in her nephew after the boy's parents are killed when their speeding pickup hits a cow."

Oooooh. Oresteia. I love me some Greek drama.

I almost named my daughter Cassandra.

Bonita wrote: "yeah... I just read some book reviews and it doesn't sound all that promising. But it's an interesting story idea."

well, i don't want to hijack this thread but i didn't like this book at all. in fact, i treated it like it had a disease and hustled it out of my house after i was done reading it because i disliked it so much. i thought the concept was great; i just hated the character of the time traveler's wife so much it didn't work for me. neil liked it though. apparently his girlfriend is gaga for it. maybe check in with him?

yeah... I just read some book reviews and it doesn't sound all that promising. But it's an interesting story idea.

Bonita wrote: "Has anyone read The Time Traveler's Wife?"

I've been wondering about this myself after seeing all the film trailers. I remember it being a HUGE seller when I worked in a bookstore oh so many years ago, but I know nothing about it except the movie looks super cheesy.

Has anyone read The Time Traveler's Wife?

Patty wrote: "Bonita wrote: "Is there any Cormac McCarthy... " Well, I find them all sort of uplifting on the whole. But in terms of content they are all pretty brutal. I'd probably say that The Road is the least depressing of all of his novels, but it is about post-apocalyptic survival.


Thank you Patty :) I will be reading me some
Cormac McCarthy pretty soon.

(And, to those who read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, there's another coming out: Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters)

Jennifer wrote: "Adrian wrote: "

Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World

Supposedly this is nonfiction, but I suspect the author is a lying old bitch. Not to be confused with th..."

I was committed to House of Mirth until Mo roused the sleeping furies of The Oresteia. Cassandra is my all-time favorite literary character, next to Dewey the Library Cat.

Now we are talking. I might need to buy a bigger hat!

Jennifer wrote: "Adrian wrote: "

Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World

Supposedly this is nonfiction, but I suspect the author is a lying old bitch. Not to be confused with th..."

jen, our adrian is a very scary man who consorts with crazed and demented kittens. :)

how about the oresteia in translation? i haven't read that in a while, and i know a bunch of these punks probably haven't read it.

Adrian wrote: "

Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World

Supposedly this is nonfiction, but I suspect the author is a lying old bitch. Not to be confused with the classic Squeaky: ..."

mo, this looks like one of the kittens on your carousel! scary! ;)

Patty wrote: "Bonita wrote: "Is there any Cormac McCarthy that isn't depressing? Maybe All the Pretty Horses? I have yet to read his works... although a female writer/point of view wo..."

i'd read all the pretty horses. i have a copy and i sent one to the dork. i'm also wanting to read dan's original suggestion of house of mirth though...

p.s. thanks for kicking us in the butt. i haven't been around very much. my apologies.

hmmm. dante's inferno, boccaccio's decameron, something by muriel spark whom our adrian loves, or something by damon runyon. :)

Adrian wrote: "

Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World

Supposedly this is nonfiction, but I suspect the author is a lying old bitch. Not to be confused with the classic Squeaky: ..."

Awright you talked me into it!...I am nominating Squeaky: The Squirrel Who Told Me to Touch Myself for this September read.

As Jon Evison is obsessed with western novels while working on his own, so am I obsessed with talking animals who help regular people get into touch with their sexuality since I am still working on a 700 page novel, Jane Livington Seagull, the Lesbian Seagull that used to be John Livington Seagull.

Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World

Supposedly this is nonfiction, but I suspect the author is a lying old bitch. Not to be confused with the classic Squeaky: The Squirrel Who Told Me to Touch Myself.

I'll probably be reading Isaac Bashevis Singer's Satan in Goray.