Nominations for August 2022 Open Pick

[Hugh]

Nominations are now open until June 22nd for the August 2022 Open Pick.

Nominating guidelines:
- Fiction (original & translation, if applicable) first published between January 1, 2000 and August 1, 2021. For translations the latter date must be an English edition.
- One nomination per person (please do not nominate or vote for a book unless you are certain you can read and discuss if it wins)
- A book this group has not yet read (see the group bookshelf or the Index of all Group Reads here)
- A book that is not better suited to the wild card (genre) category

If you are nominating, please begin your post by stating "I nominate [name with hyperlink to book]"

The discussion will start on August 1st

[Dianne]

I nominate Abigail by Magda Szabó

[Emmeline]

I nominate My Phantoms by Gwendoline Riley

[Hugh]

Thanks Emily. Dianne - sadly we can't allow Abigail, a book I liked a lot, because it was published in Hungary in 1970, so we can't really say it is 21st century.

[LindaJ^]

There is, arguably, a precedent that favors allowing a book by Magna Sabzo published in Hungarian in the 20th century but not in English until the 21st century. Her book The Doors was chosen by the NYTimes as one of the 10 top books of the year in 2015 when it first appeared in an English version. I don’t think that has happened for any other author.

[Hugh]

I think the rule is clear-cut. I wouldn't be averse to having another nominations round where normal rules are relaxed, but to me it seems wrong to allow writers in other languages greater flexibility than English language ones.

[Dianne]

I thought it was publication date in English?

[Hugh]

No, for the earlier date it is any edition in any country or language, and that was supposed to ensure consistency. For the one year rule (the latter date) English matters because it is about easy availability to readers. Part of the aim was also to make it easier to check, though some translations are not correctly linked to the originals.

[Alwynne]

See what you mean, Hugh, thanks.

[Dianne]

Ok no problem. How about this one? I nominate The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet by David Mitchell

[Hugh]

Thanks Dianne - that one is fine. Nominations close at the end of today - are there any more?

[Marc]

That's still my favorite Mitchell, Dianne (I haven't read his most recent, but I think I've read everything else aside from Ghostwritten and his non-fiction book)!

[Whitney]

I've read just about everything by Mitchell except The Thousand Autumns, maybe a group read would be the push I need.

[Hugh]

OK, nominations are now closed. The poll will be up shortly.

[Hugh]

The poll is up here and will run until the end of June:

https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/2...

[Alwynne]

Thanks Hugh, I have an ARC of the forthcoming New York Review edition of the Riley so good timing.

[Hugh]

My Phantoms has won the poll.

[Natalie]

This title will be released on September 13, 2022 according to amazon.com

Is it available from English sources? I would really like to join in the read and discussion. My local library does not have it listed. The NYR says it will be released in September,

[Whitney]

Natalie wrote: "This title will be released on September 13, 2022 according to amazon.com

Is it available from English sources? I would really like to join in the read and discussion. My local library does not ha..."

It looks like the ebook and audiobook aren't available until September, but the hardcover and paperback are, and it's available used at several sources. Looks like you have to order a new paperback directly from Blackwell's, https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/pro...

[Emmeline]

Natalie wrote: "This title will be released on September 13, 2022 according to amazon.com

Is it available from English sources? I would really like to join in the read and discussion. My local library does not ha..."

It's available on blackwells.co.uk, which factor the cost of shipping into the price you see. The UK version is out in paperback already, so you should be able to get hold of one.

[Hugh]

It was eligible for nomination because the UK first edition was in May 2021. The paperback is now out in the UK too. I am not an expert in the best sources of UK editions in the USA but all of our discussions remain open beyond the one month discussion period, so if the NYRB edition is the only one you can get you can still participate in the discussion when you have had time to read it.

[Hugh]

Thanks Whitney and Emily - I spent too long writing my reply.

[Whitney]

Three replies at the same time is pretty impressive!

[Marc]

Book Depository usually has the best prices and availability for volumes out in the UK, but not out yet in the U.S. Shipping is included. I believe they are Amazon-affiliated or owned if that's of concern.
https://www.bookdepository.com/search...

[Natalie]

Whitney wrote: "Natalie wrote: "This title will be released on September 13, 2022 according to amazon.com

Is it available from English sources? I would really like to join in the read and discussion. My local lib..."

I looked at the Blackwell's site and they are very affordable.

[Jenny]

Cool 😎

[Emmeline]

I've now lost my copy in my house somewhere. Will it resurface before I go on holiday? With all of us and our towering TBRs, I can't be the only one this happens to...

[Hugh]

Emily wrote: "I've now lost my copy in my house somewhere. Will it resurface before I go on holiday? With all of us and our towering TBRs, I can't be the only one this happens to..."

I keep the to-read piles (ususlly 20 to 60 books) separate, so I know where my copy is. Finding books I want to reread can be more of a challenge!

[Alwynne]

I think the NYRB edition is still available to request via Edelweiss, if that helps anyone.

[Emmeline]

Alwynne wrote: "I think the NYRB edition is still available to request via Edelweiss, if that helps anyone."

Thanks that's very helpful. I've requested it as a backup.

[Alwynne]

Great, and mislaying books, particularly the ones I really need to find happens to me all the time. I even have the odd, accidental duplicate as a result!

[Emmeline]

Are people reading this in the end? I can't find a discussion thread. Or is everyone too busy with holidays and Booker readings? :-)

[Alwynne]

Hugh's set up a space for it, and I've just started it, and looking forward to the discussion.

[Hugh]

I have a copy, and will try and fit it in between the Booker books in the next few days.

[Emmeline]

Great! I've read about half.

[Alwynne]

I think there may be others, seen at least one person on my feed who's just started this too.

[Hugh]

Emily wrote: "Are people reading this in the end? I can't find a discussion thread. Or is everyone too busy with holidays and Booker readings? :-)"

Are you happy to create the main discussion thread(s) or shall I do it?

[Emmeline]

Hugh wrote: "Emily wrote: "Are people reading this in the end? I can't find a discussion thread. Or is everyone too busy with holidays and Booker readings? :-)"

Are you happy to create the main discussion thre..."

I haven't created discussion threads before, but don't mind. What is involved? Pasting a description of the book/author?

[Hugh]

Emily wrote: "Hugh wrote: "Emily wrote: "Are people reading this in the end? I can't find a discussion thread. Or is everyone too busy with holidays and Booker readings? :-)"

Are you happy to create the main di..."
We leave it pretty much up to the discussion leader to decide what discussions to create, but most of our discussions have one for general discussions and one for more detailed discussion with spoilers. You should be able to create your own discussions in this folder using "new topic" - if you need any more help let me know.

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...

[Vesna]

Emily wrote: "I haven't created discussion threads before, but don't mind. What is involved? Pasting a description of the book/author?"

If you quickly scan through a sample of previous reads, it will give you an idea about the nature of the two discussion threads.

[Emmeline]

Thanks Vesna and Hugh. General thread is up, I'll open the spoilers one tomorrow.

[Hugh]

Thanks Emily

[Alwynne]

Thanks Hugh, Vesna and Emily, I've moved my comment to the discussion thread.