Coordinating reading books in groups

[Michael]

I appreciate the thorough explanation! And I think the subtitle of this group is "Dorks and Geeks" so you're in good company!

[Michael]

Just got my copy of Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency from the library and I am excited to start on Monday!

Here's the latest schedule proposal for the 11 "hot books", posted here so you don't have to keep going to the previous page in this thread:

(reader count), title, (page count), month (read second half of month):

(7) Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency* - (306pp) - January 27
(4) Wool Omnibus (Silo, #1)* - (539pp) - February 15
(4) Foundation - (296pp) - March?
FYI Michael reading Oryx and Crake* in first half of April
(5) Perdido Street Station* - (867pp) - April?
(4) The Left Hand of Darkness* - (304pp) - May?
(6) Embassytown - (405pp) - June?
(5) The Color of Magic* - (250pp) - July?
(4) Mistborn: The Final Empire* - (647pp) - August?
(4) Leviathan Wakes - (561pp) - September?
(4) Doomsday Book* - (578pp) - October?
(5) The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress* - (302pp) - November?

*means I'm reading it

Does moving Perdido to April give enough time to recover before Embassytown in June?

Richard, you were someone who had expressed an interest in reading some of our challenge books together, but I haven't heard from you about my proposed schedule. You did say you were quite flexible, though, so maybe you are fine with whatever we decide?

[Edwin]

Michael wrote: "Here's the latest schedule proposal for the 11 "hot books", posted here so you don't have to keep going to the previous page in this thread:"

Looks good to me.

[Richard]

Hi, Michael, sorry about not keeping up, but I spent my time reading. The schedule looks fine with me as far as the "hot" reads list is concerned. The only one I don't have is Perdido Street Station, I think. I believe I have all of the others. Possibly also not on my challenge list is Levithan Wakes. Other than that Ihope to be there. Already into Dirk Gently a bit, but Douglas Adams is always hard for me for some reason.

[Michael]

Richard wrote: "Hi, Michael, sorry about not keeping up, but I spent my time reading. The schedule looks fine with me as far as the "hot" reads list is concerned. The only one I don't have is Perdido Street Statio..."

LOL, I need to spend more time reading! I look forward to our discussions!

Yes, Douglas Adams is one of my favorites, but even I concede that his sentences do not do what normal sentences are supposed to do.

[Kim]

Andreas wrote: "Do we really have to decide in advance for the rest of the year? As an option, we could set up a side-read vote with nominations from previous group reads. Maybe with the exception that no book fr..."

I'm going to nix that one. We will only be sticking to the current 2 books per month with no official side reads.

[Michael]

Starting Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency now.

Here are the topics.

Here is the First Impressions thread.

And here is my first post for anyone who is interested in joining me!

[Edwin]

Michael wrote: "Starting Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency now."

I too started last night, and the First Impressions thread lives again.

[MK]

I have to bow out, my battle with my pile of books still rages, and I'll not be able to join in the group side read this month. I gave it my best effort, but John Le Carre didn't roll over as quickly as I imagined he would, and Boris Pasternak is putting up quite the fierce fight! :-p

I will enjoy reading all your comments though, when I (eventually) emerge victorious from the battle of the unread books! :-p. (I'm really looking forward to this book. :), It will just have to wait a bit longer.)

[Edwin]

MK wrote: ".....when I (eventually) emerge victorious from the battle of the unread books!"

Hmmm, for me this not a battle I think I will ever actually win.

[MK]

Edwin wrote: "MK wrote: ".....when I (eventually) emerge victorious from the battle of the unread books!"

Hmmm, for me this not a battle I think I will ever actually win."

LOL! good point. But for Gentley, his day will come. I snuck him INTO the pile. Near-ish the top ;-)

[Deedee]

I'm about 2/3rds the way through The Beautiful Land ... once I'm finished (should be later today or tomorrow at the latest), next up will be Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency.

[Michael]

Hey, Wool Omnibus (Silo, #1) readers! Now that February is almost here, are people still interested in reading this book, maybe starting February 15? Are there other book proposals? Let me know!

[Edwin]

Michael wrote: "Hey, Wool Omnibus (Silo, #1) readers! Now that February is almost here, are people still interested in reading this book, maybe starting February 15?"

I am all over this idea. This, and the sequels, Shift Omnibus Edition (Silo, #2) and Dust, are burning holes in my Kindle.

[Richard]

All,

I have read PKD's "Do Androids Dream..." in January. I also finished "Night Watch" by Lukyanenko early in the month. I will try to keep up with you all, but I have been gifted with some mandatory reads by.my neurologist that have to take precedence. If we are reading anything I have already read I will be happy to contribute to the discussion. I am still working on "Dirk G. ..."

[Richard]

Michael and all, I will be glag to start "Wool" with the group on 15 Feb 14. Copy is already downloaded and good to go.

[Peggy]

I started reading Wool today.

[MK]

Hola :)

Would anyone care to join me for a side read of Adams' Hitchhiker's Guide to the Universe this month? I'm reading it with my classics group in Februaury. I know there was some interest expressed earlier in the thread (maybe Edwin?)

I have put up a side reads thread, if anyone would care to read, too :) - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...


Also! Audible Daily Deal today for a special remastered edition of the BBC broadcast of Hitchhiker #1. Link is at side read thread :-)

[Edwin]

MK wrote: "Would anyone care to join me for a side read of Adams' Hitchhiker's Guide to the Universe this month? I'm reading it with my classics group in Februaury. I know there was some interest expressed earlier in the thread (maybe Edwin?)
"

Owww. I would seriously love to read this. The entire series, The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy still sits on my Kindle tempting me, but unfortunately I think I have bitten off more than I can chew this month:

Finish White Teeth for the Boxall's 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die group
Read The Last Unicorn for this month's fantasy selection
Read Pump Six and Other Stories for this month's SciFi selection
Read Wool Omnibus (Silo, #1) for my side read on the 15th with Michael, Richard and all of the other side-readers.
And start Lady Chatterley's Lover also for the Boxall's 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die group

Maybe I can squeeze it in later this month, and certainly if I didn't have this darned day job getting in the way.............

[MK]

I hear you, Edwin! That happened to me last month, I'm still digging out from the bookalanche ;-).

Edit - ps, I bet you'll be adding Dust and Shift to that list before long ;-)

[Michael]

Peggy wrote: "I started reading Wool today."

Hey, Peggy, where'd you come from, lol! Feel free to start posting "early" on the threads...

Here is the list of Wool Discussion topics

Here is the First Impressions thread

The book is divided into 5 progressively longer parts (42pp, 84pp, 92pp, 126pp, 192pp), and there is a spoilers thread for each one. Here is the spoiler thread for Part 1 - Holston

See you there on the 15th!

[MK]

Is anyone interested in joining me in reading some Gaiman this month? Holds on Gaiman titles I had placed on 3 ebooks and 1 tree book early last month, at the library, all unexpectedly became available at once. In the next 2-3 weeks, I hope to read:

· Coraline
· Neverwhere
· American Gods
· Anansi Boys

Neverwhere, American Gods, and Anansi Boys are all on the group bookshelf, and would count towards the challenge. Coraline is not on the group bookshelf, so that would be a side read.

[Valerie]

I am down with Wool Omnibus (Silo, #1) on Feb. 15th.

[Maarit]

Since the Wool Omnibus (Silo, #1) is waiting for me in the library (it's Finnish translated version), I might join the discussion on Feb. 15th if I find time for it (maybe I have, maybe I don't have). I have to finish my masters thesis this month though, so I have limited resources and time for other things.

[Michael]

Valerie wrote: "I am down with Wool Omnibus (Silo, #1) on Feb. 15th."

Great, thanks Valerie and Richard for replying!

Maarit wrote: "I have to finish my masters thesis this month though"

Yeah, that sounds distracting!

[Bill]

I'm in for Wool Omnibus (Silo, #1) I picked it up last year but never got to it.

[Scott]

I'm definitely down for Neverwhere this month. Recently picked it up at my local used bookstore so I wanna get down on some soon.

[MK]

Darwin wrote: "I'm definitely down for Neverwhere this month. Recently picked it up at my local used bookstore so I wanna get down on some soon."

Awesome! I'm finishing Coraline today (creepy! I'm such a wimp, kids horror makes me skeered :-p), then Neverwhere, American Gods, Anansi Boys, with Hitchhikers concurrently, will all be going on, sometime in the next 2-3 weeks for, me. :)

[Edwin]

Darwin wrote: "I'm definitely down for Neverwhere this month. Recently picked it up at my local used bookstore so I wanna get down on some soon."

Awesome! I'm finishing Coraline today (creepy! I'm such a wimp, kids horror makes me skeered :-p), then Neverwhere, American Gods, Anansi Boys, with Hitchhikers concurrently, will all be going on, sometime in the next 2-3 weeks for, me. :)

I read Neverwhere last year before joining Goodreads. More good Gaiman.

[MK]

Edwin wrote: "I read Neverwhere last year before joining Goodreads. More good Gaiman..."

He's a wonderful storyteller. I can see myself reading my way through all of his stuff, eventually :-).

Darwin, I finished Coraline last night. I can start on American Gods today, and Neverwhere in a few days, or Neverwhere today, and save the other for after. Either way works for me, depending on when Neverwhere reading works for you :-).

Edit! A change in the status of my last hold at the library (just jumped to spot #1 out of #23) affecting the priority of library due dates (need to clear some ebooks before treebooks) necessitate me reading American Gods first, so I'll start that one today, and can start Neverwhere after the weekend, if that works for you, Darwin :)

[MK]

MK wrote: "Is anyone interested in joining me in reading some Gaiman this month? Holds on Gaiman titles I had placed on 3 ebooks and 1 tree book early last month, at the library, all unexpectedly became available at once. In the next 2-3 weeks, I hope to read:

· Coraline
· Neverwhere
· American Gods
· Anansi Boys

Neverwhere, American Gods, and Anansi Boys are all on the group bookshelf, and would count towards the challenge. Coraline is not on the group bookshelf, so that would be a side read."

Went looking for the threads for these. My kindle only lets so many open tabs at once, so I'll start with American Gods. Here are the ones I found:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


· American Gods, and
· Anansi Boys


"American Gods" Looking for a Discussion Leader

"American Gods" First Impression *no spoilers*

"American Gods" Shadow **possible spoilers**

"American Gods" The gods **possible spoilers**

"American Gods" Want more Shadow?

(--->> didn't find a "Final Thoughts" or "Book as a Whole Thread" for American Gods yet ... )

"Anansi Boys" Gut Reaction *no spoilers*

"Anansi Boys" Finished Reading *Spoilers*

"Anansi Boys" Comparisons to American Gods *Marked Spoilers*


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


· Neverwhere


(holy Neverwhere, Batman! I found a bazillion ... brb)

Neverwhere - Stop by here if you are reading Neverwhere

Neverwhere - Discussion Begins April 1st!

Neverwhere - What version of Neverwhere are you reading?

Neverwhere - First Impressions...

Neverwhere - Four Abandoned Stations of London Underground

Neverwhere - Love in Neverwhere

Neverwhere - Mythology and Legend in Neverwhere

Neverwhere - Names and meaning in Neverwhere

Neverwhere - Why does Richard choose to...

Neverwhere - Neverwhere mini-series

NEVERWHERE POLL RESULTS!

Neverwhere - If You Liked Neverwhere, You Might Like...

Neverwhere - Gaiman



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


· Coraline

(- no Coraline threads, not a book club read)


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



That's it. I think ..

[Edwin]

Michael wrote: "See you there on the 15th!"

Getting excited. I am finishing Pump Six and Other Stories and the 15th fast approacheth.

[Michael]

Edwin wrote: "Michael wrote: "See you there on the 15th!"

Getting excited. I am finishing Pump Six and Other Stories and the 15th fast approacheth."

Heh, heh.

[Michael]

Bumping the thread to remind people that the Wool Omnibus (Silo, #1) group read is scheduled to start this Saturday, February 15!

The book is divided into 5 progressively longer parts (42pp, 84pp, 92pp, 126pp, 192pp), and there is a spoilers thread for each one.

Here is the List of Wool Discussion Topics

The above link lists all the topics; here are the first two relevant ones:

Wool First Impressions Thread

Spoiler Thread for Part 1 - Holston

See you there on the 15th!

[Maggie]

I want to join in for the ones on my list--Leviathan Wakes, Doomsday Book and The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress, and somehow they are the last three months of the year, right in a row!!!
I am not complaining-it is more humorous and I am just one person. Plus I have a few months to psych myself up!

[Michael]

Maggie wrote: "I want to join in for the ones on my list--Leviathan Wakes, Doomsday Book and The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress, and somehow they are the last three months of th..."

That is definitely (kind of) humorous! I don't know exactly how I picked the proposed order, although I remember people were chomping at the bit for Dirk and Wool. A lot of people seem interested in the Mevielle books (April, June), but I haven't heard specifically from folks who want to read Foundation or The Left Hand of Darkness, so they may be willing to switch with one of yours. Feel free to make a proposal, at the very least we could see how fixed the schedule is in people's minds...

[MK]

Happy reading, Wool Omnibus (Silo, #1) people! Loved that book :-).

Darwin, I started Neverwhere last night. Only have gotten one chapter in, but liking it so far! It's due back to the library today, so I'll have to renew it, which means I'll have it available for up to another 3 weeks :-).

---

Edit - woops, due back on the 19th, not today. So I can have 4 days, plus 3 weeks :-D. (I think I'll be done in just a few days, though. I seem to devour Gaiman, once begun :-). )

[Edwin]

Almost 1/2 way through Wool. Good stuff!

[MK]

Edwin wrote: "Almost 1/2 way through Wool. Good stuff!"

It really is! I didn't know anything about it when I picked it up (someone had rec'd it). I devoured it! :D

[MK]

MK wrote: "...

Darwin, I started Neverwhere last night. Only have gotten one chapter in, but liking it so far! It'..."


32% done! Still loving it. I think I can officially put myself firmly in the Gaiman Fan Club camp. :)

[MK]

Finished Neverwhere. (love!)... continuing with Gaiman this month. Anansi Boys is next for me (plus The Last Unicorn from this month).

Any Gaiman fans want to join me for Anansi Boys, you're more than welcome! And if anyone cares to continue Gaiman side reads later in the year, for non-bookshelf books, I'd love to join. I've loved all the Gaimans I've read so far. Big fan of his storytelling skills !!

[Valerie]

MK, I would be down with reading Anansi Boys, just don't know if I can fit it in this month.

[MK]

Valerie, I can wait. I have too many books this month anyway :-p. I'd rather wait and buddy read ^_^

[Valerie]

How does mid March work for you?

[MK]

Valerie wrote: "How does mid March work for you?"

Sounds great, Valerie :). I sent my eloan of it back to the library last night. Might need a little bit of lead time to get it back from the library again, but as of right now, there's no holds list on it, so I'm optimistic that that won't be a problem.

[Edwin]

Alright, both club selections look awesome this month, so I need to do some real strategizing in my reading choices.

So what are everyone's "side-read" plans? Foundation still? MK, are you still thinking about Anansi Boys?

[MK]

Edwin wrote: "Alright, both club selections look awesome this month, so I need to do some real strategizing in my reading choices.

So what are everyone's "side-read" plans? Foundation still? MK, a..."

Yep for sure! I am SOOO buried in books. But both of this month's club selections I have to wait for (library holds), so Hitchhikers and Anansi Boys will have to be my sci fi/fantasy fixes for this month. (I'm very much looking forward to March' s club books though, I'll just be late reading them).

Mid March or so is what Valerie suggested for Anansi Boys. That, or later, work for me, as early March will be busy with 15-hour miniseries of War & Peace, already requested from the library, and en route :-p. (Plus, some chunkers in other groups - Middlesex, Portrait of a Lady, and Ireland)

[Valerie]

I am still in for Anansi Boys. Mid to late March works for me. I am going to give Foundation at shot, but older scifi often tends to be too dry for my taste.

I also have a lot of books in my queue. The Feb group reads, The Last Unicorn and Pump Six and Other Stories finally came in from my library hold.

MK, I loved Middlesex. Hope you enjoy it.

[Edwin]

Valerie wrote: "I am still in for Anansi Boys. Mid to late March works for me."

I would be in for Anansi Boys, but would vote for later in the month. I read Foundation ages ago and although I do have some interest in rereading it, I have more enticing choices on my docket and will likely take a pass.

And I agree, Middlesex is a pretty darned good read.

[MK]

Late March sounds like it will work best for all three of us book addicts ;-). (Laffin ...). Anansi Boys for late March, then.

Appreciate the Middlesex feedback! Picking it up from the library Thursday evening. Looking forward to it :)