Choosing a book for May 2014

[New York Review Books]

Hi everyone,

It's never too early to begin discussing future reads, so I've started this thread for anyone who has particular thoughts for a May NYRB Goodreads group selection.

To get the decision-making juices flowing, here are a few newer releases that will be out before the beginning of May: The Gray Notebook, by Josep Pla—a thick book, but one that doesn't necessarily require reading the entire thing as it's ostensibly made up of young Pla's beguiling diary entries; During the Reign of the Queen of Persia, by Joan Chase (I've read this and loved it. Quite beautiful); and if you're in the mood for some brilliant essays, there's Shakespeare's Montaigne: The Florio Translation of the Essays, A Selection.

Other considerations: The World of Odysseus came very close to winning the April poll, and Life and Fate very close to winning the February poll, so perhaps we should give these great books another chance?

Okay. Further suggestions?

-Abigail

[Cynthia]

I second Life and Fate. We can always make it a two month book.

[Jonathan]

Well I voted for 'Life and Fate' last time so I'll second that choice.

As I feel like reading some non-fiction I'd like to propose The Sun King by Nancy Mitford which looks interesting.

[Lois]

I'd also be interested to read The Sun King.

[Luke]

I'll second both 'Life and Fate' and 'The World of Odysseus' (seeing as how I cast the origin vote for both), and throw in another for 'The Enchanted April'.

[Seana]

I'm getting the feeling that there might be momentum for Life and Fate this time around, but I think two months is strongly advisable.

As always, I'm game for whatever wins, though.

[Cynthia]

The Sun King does sound good. Memoirs of an Anti-Semite?

[Roger]

I recently finished Grossman's An Armenian Sketchbook (excellent) so I would really like to read Life and Fate.

[New York Review Books]

In response to a few suggestions about Life and Fate's length (it is a monster book!), I'd say: yes, we should put Life and Fate on the poll with the understanding that it winning would mean a two-month read.

-Abigail

[New York Review Books]

A quick roundup of picks we have to add to the poll thus far:

Life and Fate by Vasily Grossman
The World of Odysseus by M. I. Finley
The Sun King by Nancy Mitford
The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim
Memoirs of an Anti-Semite by Gregor von Rezzori

I'd like to create the poll tomorrow afternoon, so if there are any last-minute suggestions out there, now is the time to speak up!

-Abigail

[Trevor]

I just wanted to post a link to the poll in case some can't find it on their phone. Click here.

[Jonathan]

These links to the polls are always useful Trevor. Thanks.