March Open Pick Nomination

[Violet]

Just to let everyone know, The Bone Clocks discussion has begun here - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Zulfiya]

Have I missed the moderator pick? If so, please kindly remind me. I would like to see if it is available in my library or if I own this book. Thank you!

[Whitney]

Mod pick will be announced soon, we're a little behind.

[Zulfiya]

Thank you, Whiney.

[Whitney]

And, it's settled! The mod pick for March is Jerusalem by Gonçalo M. Tavares.

Sorry for the delay. A general mailing will go out later today.

[LindaJ^]

There is no Kindle version, at least in the US. I ordered from Abebooks - former library book. Since I'm traveling into the second week of March, I've been trying to get all my February books read before I leave in a week and have the March books on e-reader. I have not succeeded with either!

[Zulfiya]

I was also slightly disappointed. No Kindle version, and no audible version. The library network (and it is a city with the biggest state university with highly credited World Languages and English Programs) has one version translated from Portuguese into Spanish, but no English version. Possibly, I will have to order it from Abebooks, but the price of the used copy is more expensive than an e-book, BUT it does not even include shipping, so it is the price of the new quality/trade paperback (12-14 dollars) but being used plus some of them are shipped from Europe to the USA. In addition, some of the editions are in Spanish, Portuguese or French, and very few English copies. My French is mediocre, to say the best. :-)

I really love that you find interesting books, dear moderators, and I do believe we should expand our literary landscapes like with our current Mod Pick, but at least would you try to choose more accessible books media-wise?

[Casceil]

Zulfiya, we usually do, but, as Whitney said, we weren't very organized this month, and checking availability seems to have fallen through the cracks! Sorry.

[Julie]

Zulfiya wrote: "I was also slightly disappointed. No Kindle version, and no audible version. The library network (and it is a city with the biggest state university with highly credited World Languages and English..."

I had to do a special statewide library search to find a copy. I requested it because it sounds interesting. All the copies seem to be at colleges. I hope they are in english!

[Whitney]

We've discussed availability before, here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

That discussion was more relevant to the open pick, but if people have additional input on the moderator pick, please head over there and add your comments.

For this book, I did check that the book was available at the two library systems nearest me. I also checked it was easily available in trade paperback at Amazon US as well as UK. A book only being available in hardcover, or only available through special order at a small publisher would be a deal breaker for me. I understand that people in Europe may have more trouble getting some English language books, and some people only want the ebooks, but I'm not of the opinion that these should be requirements for a book choice, as it would eliminate many of those 'hidden gems' we strive to find.

[Sarah]

I'm careful about suggesting books with limited availability but if it has a Paperback available, I wouldn't call that limited. Maybe inconvenient for some. I just figure that I'll buy a used copy and then donate it to my library after I've read it. Then they'll have it.

[Zulfiya]

The book does seem intriguing and the reviews are good and promising, but the nearest is in Little Rock. I might have to rely on inter-library loan, but the problem with it - 2 weeks only. That is why I like libraries in the system. They allow their patrons to keep it up to six weeks if there are no holds:-) Two weeks seems to be reasonable if one reads only one book, but I am sure I am not alone in reading several books concurrently:-) Or if the temptation is too strong, I will simply buy it :-)

[Zulfiya]

Currently I prefer not to buy books because I have two books cases full of unread books, plus a hundred or so on Kindle and I still buy two Audible books each months. Despite the resolution to try to read the books I own this year, I already managed to buy several in January:-) Hail to the NY resolutions!

[Sarah]

I use the library as my backup storage. I've donated hundreds over the years and I can always check them back out. That's easier to do though if you've read them. I would cry like a baby if someone tried to donate my TBR's. :)

[Julie]

Zulfiya wrote: "The book does seem intriguing and the reviews are good and promising, but the nearest is in Little Rock. I might have to rely on inter-library loan, but the problem with it - 2 weeks only. That is ..."

I never know how long I will be able to keep inter-library loans. I think it might depend on the library it comes from because it is not consistent. I have always been able to renew, but not the million times I can at my own library. But like you, I rarely buy books (at least fiction ones)...I rely on the library.

[Kirsten]

Julie wrote: "Zulfiya wrote: "The book does seem intriguing and the reviews are good and promising, but the nearest is in Little Rock. I might have to rely on inter-library loan, but the problem with it - 2 week..."

It depends on the library that you get it from. Also, it dates from the time your library actually receives the book, not from when you pick it up. I've noticed it not being consistent. But, in my case, I almost always get 3-4 weeks.

[Lily]

I ordered a copy of Jerusalem from Amazon a few hours ago, but no promises that I'll be able to join the discussion. Ulysses is too consuming and the discussion runs into March.

[Violet]

Marc and I both missed out on All the Light We Cannot See so we're going to hopefully read and discuss it in April. If anyone else wants to join in that'd be great.

[Lily]

Violet wrote: "Marc and I both missed out on All the Light We Cannot See so we're going to hopefully read and discuss it in April. If anyone else wants to join in that'd be great."

I'd love to join you. Will you start a new discussion or use Terry's framework? I don't intend to start anything new in April (it will be a very busy month of non-reading activities for me), but I am very interested in a variety of perspectives and insights on All the Light.... I would try to resume re-reading, which I have rather let drop after two discussions, this one online and another f2f.

[Donna]

Violet wrote: "Marc and I both missed out on All the Light We Cannot See so we're going to hopefully read and discuss it in April. If anyone else wants to join in that'd be great."

Thanks, I am interested.

[Violet]

Brilliant Lily and Donna. Be more interesting to use Terry's threads don't you think?