I want to talk about...

[Suz]

I was curious about the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan and am wondering if anyone has read any of it? Like it/hate it? Should I start with the prequel New Spring or the first published book - The Eve of the World?

[[deleted user]]

I'm guessing you've checked the many reviews and fansites on the web so you have a good idea of what it's all about.

My advice:
1) Read them in the order published.
2) Don't be put off by Jordan's death as Sanderson's doing a great job going forward.
3) Don't get hung up on details. You'll never finish and anything important is revisited anyway.

I've never re-read a volume and couldn't write a meaningful summary if I tried. Actually, I never read them at all but listened to them on CD. Half my pleasure was listening to the wonderful narrators. I may not a fanatic but I could not stop listening and wanting more.

[Meghan]

So would you compare them to Tolkien?

[[deleted user]]

Nope, no cute Hobbits, less poetry, less sense of awe and wonder, more armies, more warfare, and more sexuality, plus a whole dimension of bad guys. The hero also "dates" and eventually leads an army as "The Dragon Reborn." However he is conflicted in his own mind like Frodo and there are "creatures." The Wheel of Time is more concerned with humanlike societies and organizations than Tolkien.

It is more like Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth series with less sexuality, torture, and political polemics.

I see a ranking in my mind from Goodkind to Jordan to Tolkien that goes from good to better to best in many ways; writing quality, sense of wonder, character development, author personality, accessibilty (being in print). Reverse that order for length of series (enjoyment time and ideawise, not word or book count) and consistency and continuity.

Those are my thoughts which may or may not agree with general opinion. Just start and see if you like what you're reading. Tolkien was actually the hardest for me to get into, the other two hooked me immediately.

Don't forget Terry Pratchett! He's a lot easier to read, funnier, and a good antidote to the dark side of fantasy.

[Suz]

Edward wrote: "Nope, no cute Hobbits, less poetry, less sense of awe and wonder, more armies, more warfare, and more sexuality, plus a whole dimension of bad guys. The hero also "dates" and eventually leads an ar..."

Thanks for all the great info! I'll read WOT by published date and maybe try to get them on CD too.

What do you like by Terry Pratchett? I have never read any of his books.

[Michelle]

I would like to talk about The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet. I have my review on my goodreads page, but I don't know how to link to it. I really loved David Mitchell's writing and I will want to read more of his work.

[Robbie]

Michelle: I've made a folder for you, finally! Sorry for my tardiness.

[Erin E]

I just started this book, but I would love to discuss it with people. It is rather controversial, but so thought provoking!

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

[Robbie]

Thread added, Erin. Enjoy!

[Erin E]

Thanks! I am almost done the book! It is going so fast!

[Meghan]

Erin E wrote: "Thanks! I am almost done the book! It is going so fast!"

I've heard so many good things about the book and how terrible it was for the family (they had no health insurance). Really want to read this some day.

[Meghan]

Robbie - Thanks for picking up the slack. For some reason I am not getting the notices like I should be. Sorry. [Am looking into what I need to fix.]

[Grace]

Hi, could you put up a Jane Austen discussion please (one encompassing all Jane Austen novels)? I won't ask for a specific novel discussion because there maybe won't be enough people willing to discuss. Thanks! :)

[Meghan]

Grace, I'm putting up a Jane Austen folder. You can add threads for specific titles.

[Grace]

Thankyouuuuu :)

[Kara]

Cutting for StoneWhat did you think????

[Meghan]

I'm sorry Kara. We've had mass breakdown of access to the site amongst the moderators.

I have two other bookclubs reading this one. I haven't gotten to it yet. But let us know what you thought. Folder up now.

[Mrs]

I would like to discuss rosamond Piltcher Anyone want to Join?

[Robbie]

I started a folder for you.

[Andreina]

I want to talk about Dying To Be Me: My Journey from Cancer, to Near Death, to True Healing

[Robbie]

I've added your book. Enjoy.

[Mrs]

I see folders have been opened but how do I reach the folders what am i supposed to click on or search for?

[Robbie]

Mrs: which folder are you looking for?

[Meghan]

Mrs. since you requested the book, it's now up to you to start the thread for discussion. Robbie should have started the general discussion thread in the folder, which you can use. But feel free to add any other threads you'd like to enhance your discussions. (e.g., a spoiler-free/spoiler thread, breakdown by chapters/parts, character guide, etc.)

It's pretty flexible here. We just ask to keep the threads related to the specific book.

[Mrs]

THAKS BUT IT STILL IS NOT CLEAR TO ME WHAT IS A FOLDER AND HOW DO i REACH IT AND THEN HOW DO I OPEN IT. i AM INTERESTED IN J AUSTIN AND R,PILTCHER

[Mrs]

Thank You Charly

[Mrs]

I Have not been able to find the Jane Austin Folder . Help!!!

[Meghan]

Thanks Charly!

[Meghan]

Hi Cecily. There are a couple of threads that were going, but no new requests for quite some time.

A few of us just Bleak House, and overall Dickens was a hit. This is an interesting premise.

[Meghan]

Oh I hope you do. It is my favorite so far. Although, I think the others preferred Great Expectations.

[Meghan]

Excellent choice though! It is one of my all-time favorites. It is a dramatic move away from his normal spy thrillers.

[Meghan]

Meghan wrote: "Excellent choice though! It is one of my all-time favorites. It is a dramatic move away from his normal spy thrillers."

Er, someone deleted their comment. They were talking about Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. :)

But yeah, does no one else know Dickens was a master at the spy thriller genre? Har har har

[Meghan]

Isn't there a book out about Miss Havisham? Or am I wishing there was...

[Meghan]

Charly wrote: "While I don't exactly see Dickens as a writer of spy thrillers he certainly had a way with a plot twist. I suspect he would have flourished in that genre.

Although he might have lost some of tha..."

Well, Ian Fleming liked a wry twist every once in while. Maybe he could have written a comedy relief partner to his main character's straight man. He did enjoy poking fun at the ridiculous.

[Sarah]

Isn't The Mystery of Edwin Drood sort of a thriller?

[Meghan]

So I don't know if Isis what I was thinking of, but there is a book about her: Havisham!

[Meghan]

So I don't know if Isis what I was thinking of, but there is a book about her: Havisham!

[Meghan]

Hi Alici

[Meghan]

ack! stupid phone.

Hi Alicia! We don't really have an introduction thread, which is kind of weird now that I'm thinking about it. But since we're not a typical club there never was a call for it. If you to have a specific book you want discuss, post it here. A moderator will begin a thread for you.

[Sarah]

Alicia wrote: "As someone above mentioned Havisham, can we discuss that one?"

Yes Ma'am!