Folder Rules & General Discussion

[Paul]

I would certainly recommend Snow, Dog, Foot.

[WndyJW]

Thanks, Stephen.

[Irene]

I totally lost track of what day it was, so I forgot about Thursday's meeting until yesterday. And I read the book and everything. Yeah well, I will try again in two weeks. I especially enjoyed the first two books of the first series of book clubs (The Mussel Feast and Where the Wild Ladies Are).

[Irene]

WndyJW wrote: "How much notice do you have for novels that will be read? I know e-books can be purchased immediately, but I’m not a fan of reading on my tablet."

Last time they gave the entire schedule for the 6 presses before the first book club, so I think the schedule for the books after Snow, dog, foot will be announced soon.

[WndyJW]

Thats good. I’m fooling myself thinking I would this, as fun as it sounds. I’m terrible at group reads because Im such a mood reader.

[Stephen]

I understand. I thought it would be an interesting thing to do under the current Lockdown restrictions. So I will try to join in again at some point.

[WndyJW]

I wish I could dive into any good book regardless of my reading mood because this was a thoughtful endeavor by Charco and other presses and it sounds like fun.

[Stephen]

It was fun. My problem is my tbr pile is OTT. And it can be difficult to get the books on time other than ebook.

[Irene]

most of the books were very short, which kinda helped me to prioritize them among the other 100 books I b bought but did not read yet

[Louise]

WndyJW wrote: "How much notice do you have for novels that will be read? I know e-books can be purchased immediately, but I’m not a fan of reading on my tablet."

The upcoming schedule should be announced soon. They are working with 6 publishers in all so there is some coordination involved but they do plan on giving us more time to get the books this time.

[Louise]

Paul wrote: "I would certainly recommend Snow, Dog, Foot."

I second this. I read it yesterday in one sitting and LOVED it.

[Louise]

WndyJW wrote: "Thats good. I’m fooling myself thinking I would this, as fun as it sounds. I’m terrible at group reads because Im such a mood reader."

Wendy I think you would really enjoy it. The books they choose tend to be short and quick reads.

[WndyJW]

I’ll check the schedule, there are sure to be books I would enjoy.

[Louise]

Keep your eyes peeled on this page for more info. on the Borderless Book Club and it's Zoom meetings:

https://www.peirenepress.com/borderle...

I am excited to see Bitter Lemon Press and Fitzcarraldo Editions join in with Peirene Press, Charco Press, Comma Press, Istros Books, Nordisk Books, and Tilted Axis Press.

[Paul]

Upcoming meetings:

May 14th Peirene Press | Snow, Dog, Foot by Claudio Morandini with translator J Ockenden

May 28th Tilted Axis Press | Arid Dreams by Duanwad Pimwana with translator Mui Poopoksakul

June 11th Charco Press | Holiday Heart by Margarita García Robayo

June 25th Bitter Lemon | Summer of Reckoning by Marion Brunet with translator Katherine Gregor

July 9th Nordisk Books | Inlands by Elin Willows with translator Duncan Lewis

July 23rd Comma Press | Palestine +100 ed. Basma Ghalayini with translator Thoraya El-Rayyes

August 6th Istros Books | Wild Woman by Marina Šur Puhlovski with translator Christina Zorić

August 20th Fitzcarraldo Editions | Grove by Esther Kinsky
with translator Caroline Schmidt

https://mcusercontent.com/bd4e0929cce...

[Paul]

Of these:

I've just started Grove
I've read Snow, Dog, Foot as below
Holiday Heart I will get under subscription
Wild Women came out last year - didn't get much review attention but the one I did see was something of a rave review

[Louise]

I'm excited about this list. I had hoped there would be a few older books, books that I might already have but that is not the case. No matter. I have already read Snow, Dog, Foot as I am a Peirene subscriber. I also subscribe to Charco and Fitzcarraldo so those two books will be coming. I am waiting for Arid Dreams and Inlands to become available as ebooks and I can get Summer of Reckoning in French from my library. Wild Woman I can buy from Kobo. The only one that I am having trouble finding is Palestine 100+ but I've got plenty of time. Shopping for books is as much fun as reading them, hahaha.

I am looking forward to exploring Bitter Lemon Press.

[Stephen]

Apart from personal preference for a physical book over an ebook, can someone explain to me how much of what we pay goes to the people who need it, eg, the publisher, the writer, the translator etc.
Its obviously instantaneous to order an ebook and cheaper but who profits from the purchase. Maybe the answer is complex, but I just wish some of the 'mystery' surrounding who receives what was dispelled. It might influence the way we buy books.

[Antonomasia, Admin only]

This doesn't directly answer your question, but it does compare differences between buying a paper book from a small publisher, from a bookshop, or from Amazon:
https://www.404ink.com/blog/money-mon...

(Thanks to whoever originally posted this on the board last year.)

This is ten years old and American, and compares what happens with the price of a new hardback and its ebook:
https://gizmodo.com/how-much-it-actua...

Someone may know of a more recent similar comparison, and using purchases from different places.

[Karen Michele]

I did my ordering yesterday and bought most of them through the publishers directly because I want to help them in these times. I did find Arid Dreams and Summer of Reckoning on Scribd, so since I am paying the monthly fee, I saved a bit of money on those two.

[Stephen]

Thanks Antonomasia. That was helpful.
Karen, I will do a mixture of ebooks and buying direct from the publishers

[Paul]

Did anyone join the Borderless Book Club last night? I'd hoped to but starts too early for me to have finished work.

On another note, an article by Sam from Galley Beggar on the plight of small presses: https://www.theguardian.com/books/boo...

[Stephen]

Last night's Borderless Book Club was the second meeting I have attended and was very good. Many regulars commented on just how good it was. There must have been over 50 attending via Zoom. I think it's a great idea these small presses have come up with and Maddie Rogers from Peirine Press does a great job of acting as host.

I wonder whether those small presses not involved in translation for example those Sam from Galley Beggar mentions in his article have considered a similar approach?
The Borderless Book Club is certainly a success.

[Louise]

I never miss it. Such a great idea. I do wish it was a bit later though. It starts at 3:05pm here in Montreal.

[Antonomasia, Admin only]

Paul wrote: "On another note, an article by Sam from Galley Beggar on the plight of small pr..."

The extended version in The Bookseller (which the Guardian links to) is a lot more detailed, in a way the Guardian piece is just a trailer for this one
https://www.thebookseller.com/news/sm...

I really hope the opportunity is taken (as several people suggest there) to do something about the wasteful returns system in general.

Not just the waste, but I suspect it deprives browsers who like something a bit out of the ordinary of the opportunity to stumble on that one slightly grubby copy still left a couple of years later. When I used bookshops more, those (along with getting to see what copies of newly published books actually looked like) were among the most interesting experiences, and they seemed to get rarer as bookshops got more corporate and streamlined.

[Karen Michele]

I was at the book club yesterday as well. Snow, Dog, Foot is my favorite book so far and the club meeting was definitely worth it. I enjoyed the discussions and how many opinions were share about the "truths" in the story. It's at noon here, but being retired and isolated anytime works for me. I am quite grateful for that. Maddie Rogers has now "captured" me and I subscribed. I love the themes Peirine uses as well and this one, Closed Universe, Maddie said last night, turned out to be particularly relevant.

[Paul]

Peirene are an excellent publisher - their next book is sitting in my post Mantel reading pile (and my TBR pile is always < 10 books).

The club is 8pm here which would normally be ideal, but is still during the working day for me in these Covid-19 times. Must admit given I also spend much of the day on Zoom/Teams/Skype, doing another video call for pleasure doesn't appeal that much.

I hope these sort of things continue post Covid though - when the working world goes back to normal (never thought I'd miss a crowded tube train journey, but I do) would be good if virtual book groups carry on.

[Irene]

I also joined last night, this was one of my favorite books so far, I already subscribed to Peirene but now also to the digital pack of tilted axis as all the delivery fees start to add up.

[Louise]

Paul wrote: "Peirene are an excellent publisher - their next book is sitting in my post Mantel reading pile (and my TBR pile is always < 10 books).."

I love Peirene! They are my favorite press. I am slowly making my way through their whole collection. More than halfway through now. Charco is a close second and I have read everything they have published so far. Fitzcarraldo is looking like it will be in my top 3 so I am very happy that they have joined the Borderless Book Club.

[Irene]

when I bought Grove I immediately also bought Flights and Hurricane season, and I guess i am not the only one buying more than the book club books, so I hope it will help them survive the corona crisis

[Paul]

Good to see that some UK publishers appear to be getting grants from the Arts Council / National Lottery - Galley Beggar, Bluemoose and Dead Ink have all said they've received grants in last day or so.

But yes great to keep buying the books as well - I'm pretty much only reading indy press books at present.

[WndyJW]

I want to subscribe to Peirene and Influx, but shipping is a lot and considering the number of subscription books still unread on my shelf it makes more sense to buy books a la carte for now.

[Paul]

Borderless Book Club gets a mention in the NY Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/20/bo...

[WndyJW]

I don’t think I could read a book with a zoom screen in front of me that included a box with me. I’ve fortunately never been lonely so I don’t understand the point of reading with other people on screens.

[Paul]

Yes that bit of the article - virtual book clubs where people just read books silently to themselves - was a new one for me. Did people get together in person to read books silently to themselves pre Covid?

[Antonomasia, Admin only]

I suppose it replicates reading on public transport or in cafés, for those who liked to do that, and just the feeling of having company. It's rather sweet as the latter, like a virtual flatmate without having to negotiate housework. Though as someone who found even the small noises distracting of someone else shuffling about whilst they read in the same room in a flat, it really isn't something I would want myself.

[WndyJW]

I think I’ve heard of people reading together, I guess for lonely introverts it’s a good idea. Sort of like Hungry Paul’s silence clubs.

[Irene]

I have heard of silent book clubs and people reading together but then it is usually read for an hour, chat for half en hour or the other way around. Although I can understand after such a long lockdown it can be calming just to see other people do their thing even without interaction especially if you live alone.

[Hugh, Active moderator]

Interesting news from Neil Griffiths this morning - he is starting a new small press:

https://twitter.com/neilgriffiths/sta...
https://weatherglassbooks.com/

[Ang]

I see he has moved from "hardcore" to "core".

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer]

Glad this news is public now.

[Hugh, Active moderator]

I decided to support them with a founder member subscription covering the first two books. Order number 00004.

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer]

Should we set up a publisher thread. I don’t know how to do it in a phone app.

[Paul]

Ang wrote: "I see he has moved from "hardcore" to "core"."

Yes I think he felt there is good supply of the "hardcore literary fiction" the RoC was keen to reward, but perhaps not enough of the "gorgeous prose".

I'm more a hardcore person myself, but I have signed up (you beat me to it Hugh as I am 00005)

[Hugh, Active moderator]

Gumble's Yard wrote: "Should we set up a publisher thread. I don’t know how to do it in a phone app."
OK, I will do that

[Joe]

I was hoping I would get subscriber number 007. Had to settle for number 018.

[Neil]

I am 26

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer]

I know you retired early Neil but had pegged you as slightly older.

[Neil]

I haven’t aged well

[Debra]

Subscriber #30