2016 Group Bookshelf Reading Calendar/Planning

[Sarah]

Sabrina wrote: "Thanks for all the work Sarah. I have a small correction to add: I'm out of reading Wool Omnibus in the group, as I'll be starting it soon... Thank you!"

Okay, I removed you. I hope you enjoy it :)

[MadProfessah]

Ok here are my votes:

Under Heaven
Little, Big
Golem and the Jinni, The
Dragon’s Path, The
Quantum Thief, The
Lies of Locke Lamora, The
Lions of Al-Rassan, The
Last Unicorn, The

[Sarah]

Here's the latest list:

10 Windup Girl, The – Edwin, Valerie, Maarit, Chris, Richard, Monica, Dilek, Barry, Silvana, Peggy
10 Golem and the Jinni, The – Edwin, Sandi, Teanka, Chris2, Melanie, Monica, Elle, Erin, Peggy, MadProfessah
10 Algebraist, The – Sarah, Edwin, Sandi, Michael, Teanka, Hank, Richard, Monica, Maggie, Peggy
9 Under Heaven – Sarah, Sandi, LadyCello, Teanka, Chris2, Sabrina, Kathy, Richard, MadProfessah
8 Spin – Edwin, Nicki, Sandi, Chris, Teanka, Chris2, Richard, Sarah
8 Little, Big – Valerie, Sandi, Jaleenajo, Hank, Kathy, Richard, Kaion, MadProfessah
8 His Majesty’s Dragon – Sarah, Amanda, Michael, Sabrina, Kathy, Richard, Elle, Jason
7 Wool Omnibus – Sarah, Amanda, Sandi, Chris2, Dilek, Elle, Richard
7 Wild Seed – Sandi, Michael, Teanka, Monica, Richard, Elle, Maggie
7 Warded Man, The – Sarah, Valerie, Teanka, Sabrina, Richard, Elle, Sandi
7 Oryx and Crake – Sandi, LadyCello, Teanka, Greta, Monica, Barry, Richard
7 Dragon’s Path, The – Edwin, Valerie, Sandi, Chris2, Sabrina, Richard, MadProfessah
6 To Say Nothing of the Dog – Michael, Teanka, Monica, Jaleenajo, Richard, Peggy
6 Quantum Thief, The – Nicki, Maarit, Michael, Monica, Barry, MadProfessah
6 Lions of Al-Rassan, The – Sarah, Amanda, Hank, Sandi, Peggy, MadProfessah
6 Lies of Locke Lamora, The – Edwin, Amanda, Sandi, Dilek, Elle, MadProfessah
6 Embassytown – Sandi, Maarit, Michael, Jaleenajo, Barry, Kaion
6 Ancillary Justice – Maarit, Sabrina, Kaion, Erin, Jason, Silvana
5 Wizard’s First Rule – Edwin, Ruth, Valerie, Shannon, Richard
5 Those Who Hunt the Night – Michael, Hank, Sarah, Sabrina, Elle
5 Speed of Dark, The – Valerie, Michael, Sarah, Maggie, Sandi
5 Promise of Blood – Edwin, Valerie, Chris2, Richard, LadyCello
5 Graveyard Book, The – Edwin, Chris, Elle, Silvana, Peggy
5 Good Omens – Edwin, Monica, Elle, Erin, Peggy
5 Cat’s Cradle – Amanda, Michael, Teanka, Erin, Ruth
5 Boneshaker - Sarah, Amanda, Michael, Kathy, Sandi
5 Assassin’s Apprentice – Sandi, Maarit, Greta, Shannon, Sarah

[Chris]

In addition to my previous votes, I would like to add:

Wild Seed
Midnight Riot
Flowers for Algernon
Hounded
Fuzzy Nation

Thanks!

[Sarah]

Chris wrote: "In addition to my previous votes, I would like to add: ..."

Got it :)

[MadProfessah]

I mostly picked books I hadn't read but I would handily recommend

ANCILLARY JUSTICE and SPIN for the club to read. They are EXCELLENT

[Valerie]

Thank goodness I've had The Windup Girl on hold for a couple of months. There are still 4 ahead of me. Looks like this will definitely be on the list for 2016.

[Sarah]

When do you think it will come in? I'm trying to decide if I want to reread that one or not. I remember I didn't like it but I don't remember why, which is really bugging me.

[Valerie]

It is difficult to say. There are 4 people ahead of me with one copy and a loan period of up to 3 weeks.

Worst case scenario would be 3.5 months if everyone maxes out their loan. Not everyone is conscientious about returning their books promptly.

[Sarah]

People can be so rude :)

[Valerie]

It's a hard knock life. ;)

[Edwin]

Valerie wrote: "Thank goodness I've had The Windup Girl on hold for a couple of months. There are still 4 ahead of me. Looks like this will definitely be on the list for 2016."

Ebay used if you are cheap like me AND have impulse control problems. $4.50 with free shipping.

[Sarah]

I can't imagine that anyone on this thread has impulse control problems ;)

[Valerie]

Edwin wrote: "Ebay used if you are cheap like me AND have impulse control problems. $4.50 with free shipping.
.."

Well, I DO have impulse control issues, that is why I try to make it a rule that if the library has it, I will get it that way. It offsets my impulse control issues with Kindle and Audible deals.

[Maggie]

Sarah wrote: "People can be so rude :)"

IKR?
I HATE when you know there is a list but someone keeps it too long anyway.

[Sarah]

I'm a book hoarder so I definitely have impulse control issues. My library has an eBook of Windup Girl so I'm going to use that.

Speaking of which, I have a book that's due today...

[Valerie]

Sarah wrote: "I'm a book hoarder so I definitely have impulse control issues. My library has an eBook of Windup Girl so I'm going to use that.

Speaking of which, I have a book that's due today..."

That is the edition upon which I am waiting. If the library hold comes in and I am running out of time, I can use the discounted Whispersync rate and finish it on Audible.

[YouKneeK]

Valerie wrote: "Not everyone is conscientious about returning their books promptly."

It’s especially bad with e-books because I think a lot of people don’t understand, and don’t bother to learn, how easy it is to return an e-book when you’re done with it so the next person can get it. So they just tie up the book until it expires by itself.

I don’t mind so much if somebody genuinely needs 3 weeks to read a book. If that’s the time they’re allowed, and if that’s how long it takes them, then I think busy people and slow readers should have the right to use the library too. But thinking that people are sitting on a finished book unnecessarily drives me nuts. Well, nuttier anyway.

Sorry, one of my hot topics… and I don't even borrow e-books that often! I now return you to your regularly scheduled scheduling discussions. :)

Actually, more on topic, I do see several books I’m interested in on the list that’s developing. I’m just not putting up a list because I don’t do well with scheduled reads. Since I prefer to read an entire series in a row, it’s too hard to schedule around that. But if by happy chance you all are reading a book I want to read at a time when I’m ready to start something new, then I may jump in.

[Michael]

YouKneeK wrote: "Valerie wrote: "Not everyone is conscientious about returning their books promptly."

It’s especially bad with e-books because I think a lot of people don’t understand, and don’t bother to learn, h..."

I've actually tried to return ebooks early and the site won't let me. It seems like it works on some sites and not others.

[YouKneeK]

Michael wrote: "I've actually tried to return ebooks early and the site won't let me. It seems like it works on some sites and not others."

That’s unfortunate, but good to know. I’m on a Kindle, and Overdrive routes me through Amazon to borrow and return my books. So far it’s worked for me every time.

[Kaion]

Sarah wrote: "I can't imagine that anyone on this thread has impulse control problems ;)"

Could it be all the fetishistic sexual assault? I think Bacigalupi is one of the most exciting scifi writers around, but since I noticed this pattern in his writing, I've really cooled on him. I've been dragging on The Water Knife because of this.

[Fabi NEEDS Email Notifications]

Can I add my vote for Wool Omnibus?

[Sarah]

YouKneeK, are you by any chance planning a read on the Island in the Sea of Time books this year? I'm doing them in May, June, and July. It's not totally back to back but I thought I'd ask.

[Sarah]

Fabi wrote: "Can I add my vote for Wool Omnibus?"

I added you Fabi :)

[YouKneeK]

Sarah wrote: "YouKneeK, are you by any chance planning a read on the Island in the Sea of Time books this year? I'm doing them in May, June, and July. It's not totally back to back but I thought I'd ask."

Thanks Sarah, that series actually hadn’t even hit my radar yet but I just looked at it and it sounds pretty interesting!

I really have no idea what I might be in the middle of reading at that time, so I can’t commit to anything, but if you post something in this thread or send me a message when you start reading it I would definitely at least consider it. Depending mostly on whether I’m already tied up with a series at the time. Since you’ll be spreading them out a little bit, the three-month window might give me a chance to maybe jump in late even if I’m not free in May.

As an aside, it makes me happy every time I see somebody vote for Wool. I loved that one and look forward to seeing people’s posts when you all read it. :)

[Sarah]

I'll post on here when I'm ready to read them then. I'm also doing The Mote in God's Eye with my in person group and there were a few votes for that. I love doubling up on conversations :)

[Edwin]

Valerie wrote: "It offsets my impulse control issues with Kindle and Audible deals."

Yeah, Kindle is a nightmare (or dream?) for those of us with twitchy fingers and those impulse control issues........

[Sarah]

That one click ordering doesn't help much.

[Michael]

Kaion wrote: "Sarah wrote: "I can't imagine that anyone on this thread has impulse control problems ;)"

Could it be...

Warning: theme spoilers for The Windup Girl and Pump Six and Other Stories. (view spoiler)[...all the fetishistic sexual assault? I think Bacigalupi is one of the most exciting scifi write..."

Good description. I thought Pump Six and Other Stories was genius but there was a bit of that running through some of the stories and it left a weird taste in my mouth. (hide spoiler)]

[Kaion]

Michael wrote: "Kaion wrote: "Sarah wrote: "I can't imagine that anyone on this thread has impulse control problems ;)"

Could it be all the fetishistic sexual assault? I think Bacigalupi is one of the most exciti..."

Yeah me too. It happens in The Windup Girl too, but it's the repetition of this element in the stories in Pump Six that made me sit up and take notice. It's not that I have a hard and fast rule about sexual violence, but that it's feels like it's too easy, too automatic of a well that Bacigalupi goes to. It's formulaic the way he throws sexual violence the top as a sort of "shock" factor. That type of sensationalism eventually does its own kind of harm, normalizing the action without truly examining the significance of its use as a trope.

It doesn't appear in his YA series (Ship Breaker, etc.) though, so I even know he doesn't have to rely on that formula! Maybe I'll just stick to his young-adult books. *shrug*

[Valerie]

Not to be picky, but can we move the book discussion to that thread?

I try hard to avoid developing preconceptions before I read a book. Since I'm looking forward to reading some of Bacigalupi books, there is some information being revealed here that is new to me.

[Sarah]

Here you go guys:

"Windup Girl" Loved it? Hated it? Final thoughts ...

I remember disliking that book but I was planning on trying for a reread. Now I'm doubting that because that's an issue I'm particularly sensitive to...

[Michael]

Sorry if I spoiled anything, Valerie. I prefer to get warnings about author themes, but I understand your desire to go in unbiased. I edited my earlier post to put my comments in spoiler tags for anyone who might read it later. Maybe Kaion can do that to their comments.

Spoiler tags might be the best solution. Or maybe a Paolo Bacigalupi impressions thread. I don't want to go to the Windup Girl discussion because I haven't read the book and don't want plot spoilers in case I ever end up changing my mind and reading it. And of course this is more of an "author" discussion since it involves other of his books as well (one of which there is also a discussion for.)

[Sarah]

Here are a couple more threads if people need them:

"Windup Girl" First Impressions--No Spoilers
"Windup Girl" Second Impressions--Bring the Spoilers

I also prefer to be warned about things like this as long as they aren't spoilers. But I also want to reread that book and now I'm quite worried!

[Richard]

Sarah,

Please remove me from:
Dragon’s Path, The – Read in 2014

Please add me to:
Lions of Al-Rassan, The
Lies of Locke Lamora, The
Those Who Hunt the Night
Speed of Dark, The
Graveyard Book, The
Good Omens
Boneshaker
Assassin’s Apprentice

I just finished checking things, and this is a better reflection of things done and to do for me.

Thanks as always,
Richard

[Sarah]

Here's the updated list:

10 Windup Girl, The – Edwin, Valerie, Maarit, Chris, Richard, Monica, Dilek, Barry, Silvana, Peggy
10 Golem and the Jinni, The – Edwin, Sandi, Teanka, Chris2, Melanie, Monica, Elle, Erin, Peggy, MadProfessah
10 Algebraist, The – Sarah, Edwin, Sandi, Michael, Teanka, Hank, Richard, Monica, Maggie, Peggy
9 Under Heaven – Sarah, Sandi, LadyCello, Teanka, Chris2, Sabrina, Kathy, Richard, MadProfessah
8 Wool Omnibus – Sarah, Amanda, Sandi, Chris2, Dilek, Elle, Richard, Fabi
8 Wild Seed – Sandi, Michael, Teanka, Monica, Richard, Elle, Maggie, Chris
8 Spin – Edwin, Nicki, Sandi, Chris, Teanka, Chris2, Richard, Sarah
8 Little, Big – Valerie, Sandi, Jaleenajo, Hank, Kathy, Richard, Kaion, MadProfessah
8 His Majesty’s Dragon – Sarah, Amanda, Michael, Sabrina, Kathy, Richard, Elle, Jason
7 Warded Man, The – Sarah, Valerie, Teanka, Sabrina, Richard, Elle, Sandi
7 Oryx and Crake – Sandi, LadyCello, Teanka, Greta, Monica, Barry, Richard
7 Lions of Al-Rassan, The – Sarah, Amanda, Hank, Sandi, Peggy, MadProfessah, Richard
7 Lies of Locke Lamora, The – Edwin, Amanda, Sandi, Dilek, Elle, MadProfessah, Richard
6 To Say Nothing of the Dog – Michael, Teanka, Monica, Jaleenajo, Richard, Peggy
6 Those Who Hunt the Night – Michael, Hank, Sarah, Sabrina, Elle, Richard
6 Speed of Dark, The – Valerie, Michael, Sarah, Maggie, Sandi, Richard
6 Quantum Thief, The – Nicki, Maarit, Michael, Monica, Barry, MadProfessah
6 Graveyard Book, The – Edwin, Chris, Elle, Silvana, Peggy, Richard
6 Good Omens – Edwin, Monica, Elle, Erin, Peggy, Richard
6 Embassytown – Sandi, Maarit, Michael, Jaleenajo, Barry, Kaion
6 Dragon’s Path, The – Edwin, Valerie, Sandi, Chris2, Sabrina, MadProfessah
6 Boneshaker - Sarah, Amanda, Michael, Kathy, Sandi, Richard
6 Assassin’s Apprentice – Sandi, Maarit, Greta, Shannon, Sarah, Richard
6 Ancillary Justice – Maarit, Sabrina, Kaion, Erin, Jason, Silvana
5 Wizard’s First Rule – Edwin, Ruth, Valerie, Shannon, Richard
5 Promise of Blood – Edwin, Valerie, Chris2, Richard, LadyCello
5 Midnight Riot/Rivers of London – Valerie, Sandi, Chris2, Elle, Chris
5 Cat’s Cradle – Amanda, Michael, Teanka, Erin, Ruth

[Sandi]

Sarah & Edwin - what do you think of pairing Under Heaven and the Windup Girl for January and letting the rest keep accruing votes for a while. Neither one is likely not to be in the final tabulation and only one person is doubled up. (its also nice that neither are part of a long series so i - i mean we all can finish up some of our other long-winded serials before being inundated by others :)

[Sarah]

Thanks for the idea Sandi. We're taking a look at it so we'll let you know soon.

[Sarah]

The oracle has spoken and we have our reads for Jan and Feb of 2016! It was an especially wise oracle and I'm looking forward to these.

January
The Algebraist
Ancillary Justice

February
Under Heaven
The Windup Girl

I will have the threads up shortly before the 15th of each month so that we can begin discussions.

[Chris]

Ancillary Justice? I didn't expect that one for the Jan/Feb cut.

[Sarah]

Yep, it has 6 votes and it also had no conflicts with people who are wanting to read The Algebraist. Those two ended up being a perfect match.

[Sabrina]

Could you put Dune on my list, just in case that it would get enough votes to make the final list.

[Sarah]

Sabrina wrote: "Could you put Dune on my list, just in case that it would get enough votes to make the final list."

Got it :)

[Maggie]

could you add The Anubis Gates and Gardens of the Moon to my votes?

[Chris]

Maggie wrote: "could you add The Anubis Gates and Gardens of the Moon to my votes?"

Oh, are you looking at a Malazan reread?

[Ruth]

Add me for Dune too

[Maggie]

Chris wrote: "Maggie wrote: "could you add The Anubis Gates and Gardens of the Moon to my votes?"

Oh, are you looking at a Malazan reread?"

me????? :D

[Chris]

Sarah, could you please remove me from Red Rising and Redshirts? I was able to finish those before the year ended.

I don't think either was ranked very high.

[Sarah]

Updated Maggie, Ruth, and Chris.

[Chris]

Thank you, Sarah..