What Do We Want To Read?

[Joseph]

I love the cricket match from that, the only bit I read (in a cricket anthology). Pitch-perfect.

[Will]

The rest is as sharply observed, too

[Pseudonymous]

Joseph wrote: "More a satire, but clever and deeply funny in parts (and it's a classic!); how about "Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World. In Four Parts. By Lemuel Gulliver, First a Surgeon, and then ..."

Will wrote: "As a classic satire, I'd suggest:

England, their England by A G Macdonell
http://www.amazon.com/England-Their-C......"

Joseph and Will>>>I like satire. Please consider ALSO posting your recommendations in the Books >>> Book and Author Recommendations<<< topic so when club members are looking for a funny book to read they can find a list of recommended books in one easy to find place. (Though, no self-pimping in that topic, please).

[Will]

Me? Self promote?

That would indeed be a such a rare and unusual event as to be worthy of some satirical comment in its own right

[CartoonistAndre]

Joel wrote: "Obama's budget just came out. Some suggest that's satire."

Many have chosen more colorful descriptions, but hey, let's see how it goes...?

Getting back to the suggestion of crime/humor reads, besides Psuedo's great suggestion to try one of Donald E. Westlake's Dortmunder novels or something more edgey like Carl Hiassen's FL carpetbaggers with the sometimes protagonist, lovable, lunatic governor Skink?

[Lisa]

I'm always up for a Hiassen read, though I've read all his stuff already. ~sigh~

[CartoonistAndre]

There was another FL mysteries/humor author but the name escapes me. Maybe an NJ-PI Evanovich novel? But you've probably read all of those too!

[Lisa]

Tom Dorsey, maybe? I can't get through his stuff, though. It's too gruesome.

[CartoonistAndre]

No, but I'll search a bit more. I think it was James W. Hall but his weren't all that humorous but a great read and I think I'll catch up on some of his latest.

Here's an interesting blurb on FL crime/humor.
FL Ya Kill me!

[Rebecca]

Nothing gruesome. I don't do gore, and I really don't do eerie scare the pants off you stuff. I have too much imagination for those.

[Melki]

The Humorous Crime Poll for March is now up. (Wodehouse will be back in April.)

The Hot Rock is the only title that might be difficult to obtain. Some of the books are also really CHEAP for Kindle.

Voting will close on Feb. 25th.

[Joel]

Where do I get my ballot?

[Sonya]

It took me a while, but I found it at the top of the Group page under polls and then its at the bottom of the poll list.

They all seem good and I particularly like Lawerence Block, but I chose another.

[Joel]

Thanks, Sonya. As a moderator, I should probably have known that, huh?

[Sonya]

No problem. I won't tell you what you should or should not know. ;) I think in another life I was a detective or something. I'm pretty good at finding things.

[Charles]

I finally figured out how to vote. I'm not very computer-literate. Haven't ever read any of them so I'm looking forward to it.

[Melki]

Glad The Hot Rock is in the lead - I already have a copy coming from a Goodwill store in Oregon. Pest Control has really moved up, though.

Voting ends on the 25th.

[Lisa]

Actually, voting ended! I just tried to vote and "it" wouldn't let me. Oh well. Now that Detective Sonya found the secret voting place, I'll know where to go next month.

[Sonya]

Lisa wrote: "Actually, voting ended! I just tried to vote and "it" wouldn't let me. Oh well. Now that Detective Sonya found the secret voting place, I'll know where to go next month."

I'll have to charge for my services next time. ;)

[CartoonistAndre]

OK! Hot Rock's on order and I look forward to reading it along with all of you. This will be my first rodeo, so I'm curious to see how each of us reacts to Mr. Westlake's first Dortmund caper.

[Melki]

Lisa wrote: "Actually, voting ended! I just tried to vote and "it" wouldn't let me. Oh well. Now that Detective Sonya found the secret voting place, I'll know where to go next month."

I voted this morning just to see if it was working. It's Poll #5 w-a-y down at the bottom. I never could figure out how to move it to the top of the page.

My copy arrived yesterday. I've always had great luck ordering from Goodwill Industries.

[Rebecca]

I know I read it a loooooong time ago when I was in high school. I'll order my copy today.

[Joel]

I've got mine.

[CartoonistAndre]

Between Obama and congress, passing anything will be a miracle in these next 2 years, Joel!

[Melki]

Next month is taken care of with a Wodehouse read, but what are we interested in for May? Discworld? Another crime book? Humorous essays?

[Robert]

Have just downloaded sample of 'Hot Rock' and voted for Wodehouse choice. As for suggestions, two very funny books I've read in the last year are 'French Revolutions' by Tim Moore, and 'Hokkaido Highway Blues' by Will Ferguson. Both about quirky travel - cycling the route of the Tour de France and hitch-hiking the length of Japan. Also - not knowing the history of this group - has Garrison Keillor been thoroughly 'done' already?

[Melki]

Keillor has not been 'done' at all. I like his stuff, but I'm not too sure of his appeal outside the U.S.

Humorous travel is a great idea!
I enjoyed Gullible's Travels: The Adventures of a Bad Taste Tourist by Cash Peters and I'm sure our members can come up with plenty of other suggestions.

[Robert]

I'll look up 'Gullible's Travels'.
I'm English (though I live in Scotland and Spain), and Garrison Keillor certainly appeals to me!

[Rebecca]

I'm putting in a vote for a return to Discworld, in honor of Sir Terry's passing.

[CartoonistAndre]

Well, when you put it that way, Rebecca...

I was going to suggest some nominations from previous posts, that, after some brief research, sounded really good. But, I've come to understand, and only since joining these discussions, that Sir Terry's work is held in the greatest esteem, I'll hold my vote.

[Melki]

CartoonistAndre wrote: "Well, when you put it that way, Rebecca...

I was going to suggest some nominations from previous posts, that, after some brief research, sounded really good. But, I've come to understand, and onl..."

Please go ahead and make your suggestions and I'll use them in future polls. I'm thinking we will go for a May Pratchett read, though I'm leaning more toward the non-Discworld titles so more readers can join in.

[CartoonistAndre]

Sounds great Melki. I was curious about Psuedo's nominee- Pest Control, Robert's Hokkaido Highway Blues and lastly Lord Vishnu's Love Handles which I've gone ahead and ordered anyway. And thanks for the option of a non Discworld story, I'm still on the fence about getting into that genre.

[John]

Hi All. I'm about halfway through Going Postal and as this is the first time I'm reading Pratchet, I'd like to know how this stacks up against other Discworld books. Somebody mentioned earlier that it had received lots of 5-star reviews. Did y'all feel the same? One of Pratchet's better books?

[Melki]

John wrote: "Hi All. I'm about halfway through Going Postal and as this is the first time I'm reading Pratchet, I'd like to know how this stacks up against other Discworld books. Somebody mentioned earlier that..."

I'd have to say I like but am not in love with Pratchett's work. Some of his novels seem to be endless quests or dissolve into convoluted messes. There are several I would not have finished had I not been reading them for this group. That said, I have found something to laugh at in every one of them. I thought Going Postal was one of his better efforts - more cohesive and well thought out than others.

Could have used some witches, though.

[CartoonistAndre]

Melki wrote: "John wrote: "Hi All. I'm about halfway through Going Postal and as this is the first time I'm reading Pratchet, I'd like to know how this stacks up against other Discworld books. Somebody mentioned..."

I may try Pratchett once more. I wasn't impressed with Monstrous Regiment but Rodney also said that Going Postal was a favorite on his short list of Discworld reads. Speaking of Rodney, I hope he's healing, and certainly hope we hear from him soon.

So. After reading Lord Vishnu's Love Handles, I rated it a 3, the gags were Ok, the story was well paced and quirky enough, but I wouldn't call it memorable.

[Aron]

My favorite Discworld book is THUD! Terry Pratchett's dialogue and characters create a wonderfully funny world, especially enjoyed his character Brick.

[CartoonistAndre]

OK, Thud. I'll add that to the WTR list.

[Melki]

Thud! is actually the next Discworld book up for a group read. Maybe I should include it in the poll for next month's Pratchett read?

[John]

Melki wrote: "John wrote: "Hi All. I'm about halfway through Going Postal and as this is the first time I'm reading Pratchet, I'd like to know how this stacks up against other Discworld books. Somebody mentioned..."

Okay, thanks Melki!

[Joel]

I'm game, Melki.

[CartoonistAndre]

I'd be willing to give it a try.

[Melki]

CartoonistAndre wrote: " Speaking of Rodney, I hope he's healing, and certainly hope we hear from him soon."

I was wondering about him as well. I also notice that our resident rhymer, Pseudonymous, has not been around much lately.

Come back to us, fellas! We miss you.

[Melki]

Voting has ended for next month's group read. Exactly half of the voters went for A Blink of the Screen: Collected Short Fiction, which is, incidentally, the most expensive candidate. I'm hoping to borrow this one.

[Will]

I am amazed everyone doesn't already own it...

[Melki]

I'm usually a wait-for-the-paperback kind of girl. This one is still hardbound . . . in the US, anyway.

[Will]

May I recommend ebay?

[Melki]

One of my real-life friends (I actually have one or two of those) has purchased a copy and I'm hoping she will lend.

[Will]

Much as I hate to admit it, I buy more books on ebay than from anywhere else these days.

Although I did pick up a copy of Conrad's The Secret Agent for just two pounds on Friday, whilst performing some poetry at a gig in a lesbian/anarchist bookshop in Bristol...

[Melki]

Nothing at all wrong with that. I'm a great connoisseur of used books. (And yes, I did have to look up the spelling.)

[Joel]

Will wrote: "Much as I hate to admit it, I buy more books on ebay than from anywhere else these days.

Although I did pick up a copy of Conrad's The Secret Agent for just two pounds on Friday, whilst performing..."

The horror. The horror...