Reading the Chunksters discussion
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Group Guidelines and Key Definitions
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1) "Chunkster" Defined . A chunkster is at least 500 pages long. There is some wiggle room provided for in this definition (e.g. if one edition is 480 pages and another edition is 520 pages, we shall accept a nomination if one of the editions contains 500+1 pages, excluding large print editions).
3) "Classic" Defined. A classic chunkster is defined as a influential work of literature that is an essential part of human cultural heritage. It is obvious that this definition covers novels that belong to the Western classical canon (e. g. Bleak House by C. Dickens, Moby Dick by H. Melville, etc). We also consider a classic chunkster any influential novel written in the twentieth century, i.e. a LITERARY novel of the lasting influence that is seminal in its ideas and/or form and instrumental in our understanding of modern world (e. g. One Hundred Years of Solitude by G.G. Marquez, Ada or Ardor by V. Nabokov, The Satanic Verse by S. Rushdie).
We will also consider a viable candidate for a classic chunskter any book that is a winner of major literary awards (Booker Prize, National Book Award, PEN/Faulkner Award, etc) in the twentieth century. As a result, such nominations as Sacred Hunger by Barry Unsworth (winner of the 1992 Booker Prize for fiction) or The Executioner's Song by N. Mailer (winner of the 1980 Pulitzer Prize) are solid candidates.
Moderators reserve the right to reconsider and reject nominations in the category of 'Classic Chunkster' if a novel is of dubious literary value or does not meet the above defined parameters.
In addition to our regular classic and contemporary reads, the group members are welcome to participate in our BI-ANNUAL THEMATIC READS and MODERATORS' CHOICE READS.
4) Nominations. When it is time for nominations, one of the moderators will post a thread and send a general announcement out to the group, encouraging members to nominate books. Each member may only nominate one book per thread. When nominating, please link to your book and author to avoid any confusion for the moderators.
5) Discussion Leaders . In most cases, one of the group moderators will lead the discussions for our Chunkster reads. However, the moderators reserve the right to have the person who nominated the book lead the discussions, or a volunteer from among those who voted for the book.
6) Voting . Voting will occur after the close of nominations, in a transparent poll, so members will have a chance to monitor the course of voting and reconsider their choices.
7) Discussion Thread Layout. The main Chunkster reads (our "Classic" and "Contemporary" reads) will each receive their own folder. The discussion leader will be responsible for opening a new thread every week.
8) Side Reads. Any group member is welcome to lead a Side Read. To nominate a Side Read you should:
a. mention the book in the Side Reads discussion forum,
b. offer to lead the discussion
c. group together to read the book.
d. let a moderator know that you have a group
e. submit an outline of schedule to said moderator (see opening posts of previous side reads for ideas)
f. moderator will set up a folder for your side read and you may begin on your start date.
9) Active Participation and Voting. Active participation is required. Any member of the group who has been a member for at least 5 months and who has never posted in the discussion threads, or only posted once or twice, will be removed. You are welcome to rejoin the group at any time. However, we prefer that only active members be able to nominate and vote on our group books.
We are happy to hear your voice, but please remember to vote for a book only if you are willing to be actively involved in its discussion.
P.S. Moderators are people, not automatons, who believe that reading is the most valuable, beneficial, and rewarding human experience … with the only exception of having your dearest and nearest, their love and struggles. Paraphrasing Arthur C. Clarke, we can say that we have found two things of priceless worth - loving and reading. Please be patient and do not throw rotten tomatoes if the post is open a day later or if you do not receive an immediate response to your message.