Potential Reading Pool

[Heather]

I thought it might be useful to have a catch-all thread where we can post the books we've talked about as ones that might be candidates for future months. This way, when it comes time to pick, we've already got some ideas and people can comment about them along the way to help gauge interest.

[Heather]

I think I mentioned this one before, for another month when a lighter, fantasy title is wanted. It's a longtime favorite of mine and one I think would jive with the sense of humor of those who enjoy the Discworld.

[Allison]

This is a good idea, thanks for creating it.

The Black Unicorn sounds really interesting, from the summary combined with the fact that it would appeal to Discworld readers...and I do love Discworld.

[Allison]

Alright, I've grabbed together the books that we've recommended, past and present. It's going to be a long post...we talk about books a lot, go figure. So, I've also got this posted on facebook, let's figure out what we are going to read in September.

Here's what I need from all of you. Either here or on facebook, let me know which books you find most interesting. Feel free to add to the list, as well. We can never have too many books.

[Allison]

1. The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements by Sam Kean. "I love this book so much. It made Chemistry really, really interesting. Way to go." - Allison

2. The Violinist's Thumb: And Other Lost Tales of Love, War, and Genius, as Written by Our Genetic Code by Sam Kean - Both Allison and Bon read and enjoyed The Disappearing Spoon, this one looks similar, and similarly awesome but we haven't read it. (At least, not when we talked about it).

3. His Majesty's Dragon (the first of Naomi Novik's Temeraire series) -"It's alternate history Napoleonic war with dragons. Naomi is true to the history of the place, as well as really seriously thinking about how dragons would affect it. Also, it's just really, really neat." - Allison

4. The Host by Stephanie Meyer - "I know some members of the group aren't Twilight fans, and that might turn you off. However, I'm going to throw my weight in behind this one, I really did enjoy it. Polite alien body-snatchers who really do make the world a better place by taking it over. Interesting ethical conundrum." - Allison

5. Dissension (Scarred Sun Trilogy)

6. Summer of Blood (Rio Crew novels)

7. Imager by L.E. Modesitt Jr. "...is usually the one I turn to when I want a...Deeper(?) book. Where Sanderson surprises me with his excellent storytelling, and Butcher enthralls with his characters and escalation, Modesitt usually makes me think. (this series tackles politics, and what people do when they do or don't have power)" - Nathaniel

8. Archform: Beauty by L.E> Modesitt Jr. "(advertising and crime in a near future world)" -Nathaniel

9. The Godfather - "I'm pretty sure most of you would already be knowing about this book and have perhaps you have already read it, but if you haven't then I must say you should really read it." - Nishtha

10. Neverwhere by Niel Gaiman - ". I suggest that mostly because I was planning to read it again soon anyway! My friend is playing Richard Mayhew in the stage production, so I want to refamiliarize myself with it."- Heather

11. Postcards from the Edge by Carrie Fisher - " I've been wanting to read some of her fiction for a while, since her memoir Wishful Drinking showed me that she can really tell a story."

12. Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett - "I love this author, and I love this series." - Allison

13. Shades of Grey, by Jasper Fforde - "(yyyeah another Jasper Fforde, but what I've read by him has been good! Also, this is an indeterminate number of grey shades, not fifty)" - Bon

14. Storm Front, by Jim Butcher - "...his Dresden Files or Codex Alera books are

excellent." - Nathaniel

15. The Graveyard Book, by Neil Gaiman - " I know a lot of people have read Neil, but not a lot seem to have read the Graveyard book. I'd like to get other people's takes on it. It's an easy read, but introduces some interesting mythology, which is what Neil does best." - Allison

16. Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void by Mary Roach. "Really, anything by Mary Roach. She marries the amazing things happening in science with the ridiculous, leaving me simultaneously amused and filled with wonder. She's a great writer." - Allison

17. Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly "The now-famous chef Anthony Bourdain wrote this book to give people a look at what really happens in a kitchen. Now, with the plethora of food network shows doing the same, it's a little less novel, but I still enjoy the book." - Allison

18. The Shadow of the Wind, by Carlos Ruiz Zafón - "I just immediately got sucked in and caught up in the world of the characters. It's set in early-mid 20th century Barcelona and has a lot of surreal elements. I'm dying for the next book because the last left me not knowing what was real (to the characters) and what was the product of imagination and/or insanity. There are definitely some fantasy elements at play, and things that anyone who's ever written fiction or written for a living can relate to.

They're not for the faint of heart - if you can't handle the macabre, the messy, the creepy, or the sordid (Zafon does not sugar-coat things like prison and war), you may want to skip it. If those things won't ruin a good story for you, I highly recommend it! At times, I felt a little like I was wandering around in an old horror movie, in a haunted house with creaky stairs and a dark basement. It's everything I LIKE about classic horror, without having to look at blood on a screen." - Heather

19. Jesus Land - "Not at all my usual preference, but, yeesh, this book was good (if a bit traumatic). It's a memoir that covers the author's relationship with her adopted brother in a seriously dysfunctional family. Sounds boring, but it's not. At all." - Bon

20., 21., 22.Pretty much anything by Bill Bryson - "Such a good, approachable author! A Short History of Nearly Everything and A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail are a few that I've read and really liked. I'm really looking forward to reading At Home: A Short History of Private Life. Why are salt and pepper considered our most basic spices? Tell me, Bill Bryson!! Tell me!" - Bon

23. Electric Universe: How Electricity Switched on the Modern World, by David Bodanis "..one I really enjoyed as an educational experience. It's anecdotal and not textbook-dry." - Heather

24. American on Purpose: The Improbable Adventures of an Unlikely Patriot by Craig Ferguson - "High marks for entertainment value." - Heather

25. Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher - "High Marks for entertainment value." - Heather

26. Black Unicorn (Unicorn #1) by Tanith Lee - "I think I mentioned this one before, for another month when a lighter, fantasy title is wanted. It's a longtime favorite of mine and one I think would jive with the sense of humor of those who enjoy the Discworld."

[Nathaniel]

Well pfui, you have Storm Front as a suggestion from me, so I can't vote for it...

The Shadow of the Wind sounds like a good book, but I'm not a huge fan of the horror/suspense genre. I've seen the enthusiasm you showed, Allison, for His Majesty's Dragon, so there's that. Plus, dragons. On the note of dragons, I still haven't ready Guards! Guards! though I've read all of the other books in that series.

In Non fiction, I also remember your enthusiasm for The Disappearing Spoon, and Heather's statements about Wishful Drinking as well.

[Heather]

I have a new one for the list! I'm adding it mostly because I decided I want to read it again and am really curious if any of you have read it or would have an interest in doing so (even outside the official group) and that is...

[Allison]

You know, I haven't read it. But I'm interested in doing so.

[Bon]

I take back my suggestion for At Home: A Short History of Private Life. While it was interesting enough, it was terribly jumbled and lost its focus toward the end (though, again, still being interesting). If you're looking for a book to pick up every once in a while, but not have to focus on for an extended amount of time, I recommend this. However, I don't think it's particularly suited for a book club.

[Allison]

Bon! -waves- Glad grad school hasn't eaten you. And I note your withdrawal of the book. Too bad about that one.