What should we read next?

[for-much-deliberation]

By the way, in a previous post I see you were asking for 'banned books' suggestions for October, Kim, how about adding 'Catch-22' that may give me some inspiration to finish it!

[Kim, Wild-eyed Bibliomaniac]

It insults the "army's intelligence" (like that's hard) and it makes you think, therefore it is offensive to those who don't.

[Kim, Wild-eyed Bibliomaniac]

All right folks, we have a bit of a squidge here. We have a tie right now regarding our next group read for September. 3 wish to read whatever and 3 want 1 book. So, those who want 1 book give me suggestions! We will pick 1 for you and the others can read whatever unless the tie gets broken by let's say, August 25, 2010.

As for October, start making suggestions now, so we can have plenty of time to vote!

I have taken it under suggestion to suspend a group read for Nov.-Dec. I am considering it. Please let me know what y'all think.

[DJ]

I think its a good idea not to have a group read nov-dec as we are all caught up in different things..Last year was my first Christmas on GRs and it wad a nightmare feeling that I had to read certain books at this time.....So whatever the decision I won't be joining group reads at that time.....
Look forward to everyone opinions :-)

[Kim, Wild-eyed Bibliomaniac]

Since it seems that only about 4-5 of us participate at any given time, I don't think there will much fuss if we suspend it.

O.K. let's get September settled first! I need suggestions for a single book discussion for those of you who want one. Also, those of you who are reading whatever, I need to know what you are reading to that I can put it on the shelf and list it as what we are reading in case any newbies want to know what we are reading.

[DJ]

Hi Kim,I will definately be reading RECOLLECTIONS OF THE LAKES AND THE LAKE POETS by Thomas De Quincey in September.....

[DJ]

Ok I k ow I said banned and spooky,but,the o e that really grabs me is FAHRENHEIT 451 as given my love of books I've never quite been brave enough to read it and Husband gave me a lovely copy a couple of years ago....
Other books that are on the list that I have are -
THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN
CATCH 22
CATCHER IN THE RYE
FROM HERE TO ETERNITY
LORD OF THE FLIES....

If something is suggested that I don't have I will read one of these,as finances are tight.Our library isn't open at times I can access it.....
Looking forward to seeing what people suggest and you never k ow what else I might come across o. The shelves :-)

[Narzain, The Minister of Awesome]

And of course the irony of Fahrenheit 451 is that it's a banned book about banning books. Whee!

[DJ]

Hi Narzain,
That is probably what is really drawing me to it....So if I can't get hold of the book that's chosen I have made my mind up to read this one....
I have no doubt that I will be in tears at certain of the BURNING SCENES but I will just need to toughen up!
It has been on my TBR for far too long......
Still looking forward to the rest of the nominations :-)

[Kim, Wild-eyed Bibliomaniac]

I have read all of those (and we just read "Catcher" as group read), but I know one I do not want to re-read and that is "Lord of the Flies". For my suggestions: "Tom Sawyer", "Uncle Tom's Cabin", "Cat's Cradle" (Kurt Vonnegut),"Gone with the wind", "Grapes of Wrath", and "Cannery Row"....

[DJ]

Gone with the Wind was Banned?...
Ooo I have Uncle Toms Cabin and Gone with the Wind and would be happy to second either one.I have previously read GWTW so I will keep fingers crossed that you might prefer UTC. Just so I would be having a first time read :-)
So can I second Uncle Toms Cabin just now?

[Kim, Wild-eyed Bibliomaniac]

I am thinking of making it a "choose your censored book" group read. I am working on gathering a list of books for those of you are not sure what you want to read. Every book we have read so far as group read has been banned at one time or another.

[DJ]

Okily dokily.....
Please could you put one of the ones that I've got on the list to save me buying anything?
I'd be really grateful :-)

[Kim, Wild-eyed Bibliomaniac]

"choose you censored book" would mean that you can read whatever book you choose. That way, you don't have to buy one. :)

[DJ]

Ah!
Thanks I think I got confused by the gathering list comment .This will be a great reference to go back to.
I can't believe BRAVE NEW WORLD was banned!
Hmmm I might read it although read it before As I want to read BRAVE NEW WORK REVISITED as it tie in with the Sybille Bedford Biography of Aldous Huxley that I'm just finishing off......

[Kim, Wild-eyed Bibliomaniac]

Of course it was banned. It deals with a selected (by gentetics) society. Creationists don't like that kind of thought being out there, and it scares a lot of people. Remember, censorship is designed to keep you from having a free thought of your own. (See censorship discssion elsewhere in this group.)

[DJ]

Hi Kim,
My book for September will definately be Homes De Qinceys RECOLLECTIONS OF THE LAKES AND THE LAKE POETS.
And my banned Book for October will be Aldous Huxleys BRAVE NEW WORLD,which I hope to have tine to follow up with BRAVE NEW WORLD REVISITED.
I hope this was the right place to post this :-)

[DJ]

Thomas De Quincey.....And time not tine,Apologies.

[Kim, Wild-eyed Bibliomaniac]

Cool. I have added the first one to the shelf already and I will add the second today.

[DJ]

Thanks:-)

[Kim, Wild-eyed Bibliomaniac]

O.K., so far we have 3 books for a "whatever read" listed. D.J. will be reading the "Lake poets" so that will be her discussion,Narzain will lead "The Left Hand of God" (I just read it...I'll save my comments for the discussion),and I will lead a discussion on "Rosemary and Rue."

Lance has graciously offered to sell copies of his new book, "Grundish and Askew" to group members at a reduced rate and is willing to lead a Q&A about it here, so please contact Lance if you are interested.

Otherwise, there is no one book to read since nobody said anything to me.

Next month will be "choose your own banned book" and it means what it says. Find a banned book and read it. There is an ongoing post with lists of banned books and you can search for your own.

[Narzain, The Minister of Awesome]

I guess I'll read One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest for banned book week.

Though I also plan to re-read Ender's Game, so I'll jump in on that discussion too.

[DJ]

Hi,
I think I already let you know that my choice is BRAVE NEW WORLD as it ties into my Huxley submersion...

[Kim, Wild-eyed Bibliomaniac]

O.K. so far we have "Brave New World", "Animal Farm", "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and possibly "Ender's Game" as our reads so far.

Cool.

[Paul]

Ender's Game, Ender's Game, Ender's Game!!!!!

Umm, I think I would like to read Ender's Game.

LOL

[Kim, Wild-eyed Bibliomaniac]

I gathered that. O.K., so now we have D.J. with "Brave New World", Narzain with "One Flew Over the Cukoo's Nest", Paul (and possibly A.Vulture) with "Ender's Game" and me with "Animal Farm" (if the library ever gets my copy!).

Each person will be the leader of that post.

[DJ]

Hi KIm,when in October do I need to have read BRAVE NEW WORLD??????

[Kim, Wild-eyed Bibliomaniac]

We will start the discussions on (or after, depending on when the blasted thing arrives at the library) October 5.

[DJ]

Oh right I hadn't realised it would be that early I won't have it read for then...
But as I'm the only one I think reading it,I will just post when done. ETF mid October...

[Kim, Wild-eyed Bibliomaniac]

That's fine as always. Remember, the start date for a read just means you are encouraged to post about it on or after the date. All discussions are open ended.

[A.]

Sorry I have been away but school and work have kept me pretty busy. I haven't been reading anything except my text book all season. I plan on reading "Fahrenheit 451" as my banned book sometime after finals on Dec. 1st. I saw the movie and was intrigued by it.

[DJ]

I saw it recently myself and plan to read the book.Although I greatly admired the woman who died with her books...My kind of Woman!

[Kim, Wild-eyed Bibliomaniac]

I have started a folder for when A. is ready with her post. Feel free to read the book and post your opinion as well.

[DJ]

I will probably wait until after A. Has read it as its her posting and would be more appropriate :-)

[Kim, Wild-eyed Bibliomaniac]

That is perfectly fine. :)

[DJ]

:-)
I knew you'd understand....

[Kim, Wild-eyed Bibliomaniac]

Most of the time I do, as long as someone is speaking English, or sometimes French. Anything else, and I'm lost.

[DJ]

Oh,LOL!

[A.]

Do people still speak English?

I had had a thought for possible consideration.
Since we have been reading a lot of somewhat serious books, I think a comedy or satire would be a nice change of pace for an after the holidays group read.
Another idea I had was a biography month. Just thought I would put it out there and see what everyone thinks.

[DJ]

I think something light or a Biography Post Christmas would be an excellent idea.
Personally I'd love to catch up on some Biographies and selfishly it would tie in with my year of reading from home.....
Looking forward to other peoples opinions!

[Kim, Wild-eyed Bibliomaniac]

I think those are both excellent ideas! How about January will be a comedy read, and February will be an auto/biography/memoir read.

[Kim, Wild-eyed Bibliomaniac]

So I'm thinking since March is Women's History Month, that reading a book about a strong woman would be appropriate. It can be fiction or non, but the main character has to be a strong woman, meaning that she over comes her adversity or inspires others to do so.

I am, as always, open to other ideas.

[Paul]

Confessions of a Prairie B***ch fit the bill? It is Alison Arngrim's autobio.

[Kim, Wild-eyed Bibliomaniac]

Yes, yes it does. You want to read it for Feb. or March as your choice?

[Paul]

It will be my February read I think since it is an autobiography.

[Kim, Wild-eyed Bibliomaniac]

Cool. I'll add it to the shelf.

So, what does everyone think of my March suggestion?

I want to clarify my "meaning that she over comes her adversity or inspires others to do so." statement. Inspiration does not have to mean a "goody-two-shoes" persona. She can inspire evil, or inspire others to want to kill her. Adversity could be taking over the world or what have you.

[Narzain, The Minister of Awesome]

Sounds cool to me.

[Paul]

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO I wanna read Mommie Dearest (again) for the Strong Women read! Haven't read it since right after it was published.

[Kim, Wild-eyed Bibliomaniac]

Cool, then that's what we'll do. March is choose your own strong woman story.

[Kim, Wild-eyed Bibliomaniac]

I've decided that all of our future group reads are going to be choose your own book in the selected genre. This came about because we seem to be doing better with this idea than trying to agree on one book. If we all want to read the same book, that's fine and if one or more of us wants to read the same book as another, that's fine too.

So, keep your ideas coming!