March 2016 Open Pick

[Whitney]

The time has come! Nominations are open for our March Open Pick, and shall be so for one week before the poll goes up. The usual rules: 21st Century work of fiction that is destined to be a classic read for thousand of years to come. Or something along those lines.

If you're new to the group, please check out "How Things Work" in the Welcome folder for an idea of, well, how things work.

And don't forget our current and upcoming books. Discussions are currently underway for The Secret Chord, A Madman Dreams of Turing Machines, and The Book of Lost Things. Starting in February we have The Blazing World and Diving Belles.

[Hugh]

I won't nominate this time because I already have The Blazing World to think about, and I'm also looking forward to the discussion of Diving Belles.

[LindaJ^]

I nominate a book of short stories -- Battleborn by Claire Vaye Watkins -- published in 2012. The book and author have received a number of awards --
New York Public Library Young Lions Fiction Award (2013), Frank O'Connor International Short Story Award Nominee for Shortlist (2013), Dylan Thomas Prize (2013), Rosenthal Family Foundation Award (2013), The Story Prize (2012).

The author is one of Granta's 5 under 35. In 2015 she published her first novel and wrote an essay that's gotten a lot of press -- http://www.npr.org/2015/12/11/4592342....

[Kirsten]

I'd like to nominate Slade House by David Mitchell. I've been listening to it on BBC Radio 4 and it's very intriguing.

[Suzy]

I nominate The Past by one of my favorite authors Tessa Hadley.
Here's a review in The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/entert...

[Marc]

Great nominations--keep'em coming!

[Zulfiya]

I will second The Past but I would not mind nominating a big book that is listed as one of the best in 2015 by NPR's Book Concierge, but somehow it went under the radar for many people Death and Mr. Pickwick

[Whitney]

Excellent nominations. Closing soon, get any last minute books in now.

[Lily]

Since I need to read it elsewhere anyway, let me throw The Memory of Love by Aminatta Forna into the ring (poll).

Ms. Forna was one of the 2016 Neustadt nominees. The book itself: Published 2010. 445 pages. Set in Sierra Leone.

I admit expecting it to be a slog, although a book I wanted to read. One of my colleagues says she is finding it reasonable, enjoyable going. Certainly the subject seems interesting.

About Ms. Forna -- perhaps a bit on how she thinks: http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015...

[Marc]

The poll is now up here:
https://www.goodreads.com/poll/list/59543-21st-century-literature?type=group
Voting will be open through end of day January 31st.

[Hugh]

Lily wrote: "Since I need to read it elsewhere anyway, let me throw The Memory of Love by Aminatta Forna into the ring (poll).

Ms. Forna was one of the 2016 Neustadt nominees. Th..."
Aminatta Forna is one of my favourite writers - I was thinking about nominating either that book or the more recent "The Hired Man" so will definitely vote for it...

[Whitney]

Last chance to vote or change votes, although it looks unlikely that Slade House can be dislodged from its handy lead!

I'll add a reminder to check availability of books before voting for them. Slade House is currently only in hardback and ebook, and there are waiting periods for most libraries. This isn't a disqualifier, just making sure people took these things into consideration before committing to read it.

[Marc]

And the winner is Slade House by David Mitchell. Discussion will start March 1st.

Kirsten, would you like to moderate this one (you are under no obligation to do so)?

[LindaJ^]

I guess March is our David Mitchell month! In March 2015, we read The Bone Clocks, which triggered a spirited discussion. While I did not vote for Slade House, it is on my shelf and I'll be reading it sooner rather than later so I can discuss it here.

[Hugh]

Linda wrote: "I guess March is our David Mitchell month! In March 2015, we read The Bone Clocks, which triggered a spirited discussion. While I did not vote for Slade House, it is on my shelf and..."
Once again a book I might have been interested in is being discussed when it is till only available in the UK at a premium price - I will probably read the discussion in November or whenever the paperback is available (I read the Bone Clocks in paperback too which would have been too late for that discussion, and found it a little disappointing if something of a curate's egg)...

[Kirsten]

I would prefer someone else do the moderating. This will be my first experience with Mitchell. Though I have heard him say that he is not a novelist, that he write connected novellas (or short stories), or something like that.

I nominated this book as I heard part of it on BBC's Book at Bedtime.

[Marc]

No problem, Kirsten. I'm a big Mitchell fan but will be leading the Moderator Pick next month, so we'll probably have another group moderator lead this one. I'm sure it'll be a fascinating read and discussion!

[Casceil]

I saw a comment in a review about Slade House being related to The Bone Clocks, which I have not read. Does anyone know whether it is desirable to read Bone Clocks before starting Slade House?

[Hugh]

Casceil,

I have not read Slade House, but I suspect it might be an advantage - for me having read the Bone Clocks would probably prejudice me against a spin-off! In my experience none of Mitchell's books require any prior knowledge of the earlier ones, but there are loose links between all of them.

[LindaJ^]

Casceil wrote: "I saw a comment in a review about Slade House being related to The Bone Clocks, which I have not read. Does anyone know whether it is desirable to read Bone Clocks before starting S..."

I don't think you need to. Mitchell does pull characters from prior novels into new ones, but his books can be read as standalones. I've read four of his novels and, so far, have only caught repeat characters when they are pointed out by someone else! Plus, Bone Clocks is a BIG book, while Slade House is tiny in size, so I'd suggest you just start with Slade House!

[Casceil]

Thanks, Linda.

[Anita]

I did read both books, but I didn't have to. They are very different and don't rely on the other.

[Whitney]

Is there anyone else who would be interested in moderating Slade House in March? We do have a mod who can do it, so no pressure to volunteer if you're not excited by the prospect.

[LindaJ^]

I am willing to do it.

[Whitney]

Great!

[LindaJ^]

Will someone be setting up a discussion for Slade House? I have time to start a couple of threads tonight but tomorrow is a travel day, so will be off line until mid-afternoon. Don't want to disappoint those ready to dive into discussing Slade House!