UK Book Club discussion
Genre Challenge 2011-12
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Introducing the genre challenge
Helen wrote: "Did you ever read Sandman Dave? Loved them and Hellblazer."Read bits of Sandman over the years but really need to read it from beginning to end one day. Love Hellblazer but seem to have mislaid all those graphic novels in a house move :(
I finished The Death Zone: Climbing Everest Through the Killer Storm this morning. It's a very good book, written by a T.V. film maker, describing the filmed attempt on Everest by actor, Brian Blessed in 1996. In fact, the book was more about the author, Matt Dickinson, and his reactions to the events brought about by "the killer storm" in May,1996. The last section of the book described in terrifying detail his own attempt on the summit, with another, more experienced climber, Alan Hinkes, and three Sherpas.
I didn't read a travel non fiction this month will try for next month instead - I did read Dark Horizons by Dan Smith which was about a traveller with very bad luck. Would that count?
Was thinking I might sign up for this when it starts again - time to expand my horizons. Nell commented that it would be good to post links to books read on the main thread to feel like everyone was doing it together. To avoid that becoming too unwieldy (as a newbie I have been trolling through lots of very long threads lately to catch up on what's been going on!), would it be an idea to have a thread per month/genre. Just thought that might give a useful single point of reference for recommendations for a particular genre?
Lynne, fictional travel is fine! Count it if you would like. Good ideas re. another round for this challenge but back to our choice for March which is going to be Romance/Erotica... I'm going to read one of each!!
Em wrote: "Lynne, fictional travel is fine! Count it if you would like. Good ideas re. another round for this challenge but back to our choice for March which is going to be Romance/Erotica... I'm going..."
I have no idea what to read.. maybe one of the missus' Cathy Kelly romances?
Mod
You're up late Em?
Ok, now to dust off that copy of Doctor Zhivago and dig out Tropic of Capricorn....
Jennifer wrote: "Was thinking I might sign up for this when it starts again - time to expand my horizons. Nell commented that it would be good to post links to books read on the main thread to feel like everyone w..."Jennifer, I'll post here if you will...!
Ohhh - are we being rebels, Nell? Afraid, as I said, I'm waiting for the next run through of the challenge, but if you're happy to wait for me I'll join the revolutionary movement....
Ha ha...! - it's not really revolutionary Jennifer - the first post in this thread says we can post them here or start a thread for our own personal challenge, and that seems the most popular. I was just being a bit of an upstart because no one seemed to notice either my comment or your reply to it. ;) Edited to add that I'm going to have to go and look for Romance now - will post the results here!
PS. Give your dog/s a hug from me!
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Nell wrote: "Ha ha...! - it's not really revolutionary Jennifer - the first post in this thread says we can post them here or start a thread for our own personal challenge, and that seems the most popular. I wa..."Nell, Hugs duly given - there are 2 of them, the scruffy one in my profile photo and an older, more dignified (well slightly!) Irish Setter. Tail wags back to you and yours!
Speaking of tail wags, the Spike (Jack Russell/Patterdale cross) and I have just got back from the evening walk and he's having a funny five minutes, tearing around the room, bouncing off the furniture, skidding on the rugs - he's been doing this for 13 years, but it still makes me laugh...Better get back to books now or I'll be thrown out :)
I always post my genre reads here, I didn't start a folder.
Helen wrote: "I always post my genre reads here, I didn't start a folder."Which once again proves that H is a girly swot :)
Mod
Helen wrote: "I always post my genre reads here, I didn't start a folder."That's at least three of us then - hooray!:)
Still looking for the right Romance and getting sidelined by Other Genres...
Ian wrote: "Exactly Dave, but more seriously......Em, can I have Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas if we ever get to Chemical Fiction?"Yes...
I started Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks and The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford then I have to dedicate some reading time to my book club book before starting the 7th of the Black Dagger Brotherhood (vampires) can't wait!
I'm thinking I may try to find a copy of Lady Chatterley's Lover for March.. still searching for ideas.. lol
I'm a bit stuck for ideas too....maybe what I need is a truly classic romance....any ideas anyone?
Bill wrote: "I'm thinking I may try to find a copy of Lady Chatterley's Lover for March.. still searching for ideas.. lol"Lady Chatterley is one amazing book - I just love it. Hope you enjoy it too. Romance and Erotica all in one.
Em wrote: "Ian wrote: "Exactly Dave, but more seriously......Em, can I have Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas if we ever get to Chemical Fiction?"Yes...
I started Safe Haven by [author:Nic..."
I have just picked up my sci fi book to read by at least next week before the meeting. Its a proof copy from Waterstones which were given to us as a group to review as well. And its Gillingham book club tomorrow too so another one to read in March too.
Lynne - The Book Squirrel wrote: "Bill wrote: "I'm thinking I may try to find a copy of Lady Chatterley's Lover for March.. still searching for ideas.. lol"Lady Chatterley is one amazing book - I just love it. Hope y..."
Thanks for that, Lynne. Gives me more incentive to find a copy. :0)
Bill wrote: "Lynne - The Book Squirrel wrote: "Bill wrote: "I'm thinking I may try to find a copy of Lady Chatterley's Lover for March.. still searching for ideas.. lol"Lady Chatterley is one a..."
You won't regret it, it's beautifully written.
Dave, when I come to Barry next I shall pop round and meet you and accidently thump you, love the girly swot! Ian, you're next!
Lynne - The Book Squirrel wrote: "Bill wrote: "Lynne - The Book Squirrel wrote: "Bill wrote: "I'm thinking I may try to find a copy of Lady Chatterley's Lover for March.. still searching for ideas.. lol"Lady Chatterl..."
I didn't find a copy today, but I did get some options. I'll keep looking though, more 2nd hand stores in the area. :0)
I went blank on this genre, but reading the above, I do have a copy of Lady Chatterley's Lover somewhere - or my daughter does. She's also got a couple of Henry Miller's books, so shall probably be sorted by the end of today!
I'm not going to read any of those I mentioned before, but have borrowed a copy of
instead.
I'm going to start with
but it's fairly short, so I have others if I need another by the end of the month. :0)
Helen wrote: "Dave, when I come to Barry next I shall pop round and meet you and accidently thump you, love the girly swot! Ian, you're next!"Uoh I'm in trouble again :(
Is threatening to hit people really the best way to celebrate romance month Helen? :p
I'm going to read Kushiel's Dart a fantasy novel about a spy/courtesan - I'm sure there'll be some romance/erotica along the way.
Must have a romance/erotica book on a shelf somewhere. Obsidian Butterfly, think that covers it.
Mod
On the classic romance front - surely anything by Jane Austen is eligible? Much of the Brontes too. Then there's always Gone With the Wind...
...I've just looked on my own goodreads shelves for recommendations and I've classed Possession, Captain Corelli's Mandolin, Atonement & Water for Elephants as romance, though they all fall under other genres as well (and you may have read them all ready!)
Mod
instead."We shall be corrupted together Angela lol
Ian wrote: "Angela wrote: "I'm not going to read any of those I mentioned before, but have borrowed a copy of instead."We shall be corrupted together Angela lol"
Haha!!
Dave wrote: "Helen wrote: "Dave, when I come to Barry next I shall pop round and meet you and accidently thump you, love the girly swot! Ian, you're next!"Uoh I'm in trouble again :(
Is threatening to hit pe..."
Good point, I'll smile lovingly too.
Thanks Liz....I actually read Gone With the Wind last month!Possession interests me though, and I've been meaning to read one of A.S. Byatt's books for a while.
I can't believe I'm a bit bored with Delta of Venus! I'm not averse to a bit of erotica, but prefer it blended with a good story Eg. Kushiel's Dart.
I think I'm going to read The Virgin and the Gipsy by D.H. Lawrence - I did read it aeons ago and remember being impressed with the allegorical aspect of it, but haven't a clue otherwise. I don't think it's a standard genre romance, but I'll report back :)
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I can believe it! I'm having a similar experience with her other half, Henry Miller....
Nell wrote: "I think I'm going to read The Virgin and the Gipsy by D.H. Lawrence - I did read it aeons ago and remember being impressed with the allegorical aspect of it, but haven'..."I'll be interested in your thoughts. I read it too.
Liz wrote: "Angela wrote: "I can't believe I'm a bit bored with Delta of Venus! I'm not averse to a bit of erotica, but prefer it blended with a good story Eg. Kushiel's Dart."I ca..."
I don't like to give up on a book, but may have to dump Delta of Venus!
Mod
Must admit I'm feeling the same way, just 2 stories in.
Mod
Must admit I'm feeling the same way, just 2 stories in.
Read both Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn, part of the 1001 list. Hated both books but was determined to finish them, both supposed to be erotic but found Miller's writing as erotic as being hit with a wet fish.Thought Fanny Hill a much better book.
I've finished Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks and The Pursuit of Love my Nancy Mitford so was browsing the library for another romantic read and have picked up Venetia by Georgette Heyer, I've not read anything of hers before but the cover is a classic.
She's got a BIG following in some of the historical fiction groups here on GR. Never read her myself. Glad you had fun with Nancy!
Bill wrote: "Nell wrote: "I think I'm going to read The Virgin and the Gipsy by D.H. Lawrence - I did read it aeons ago and remember being impressed with the allegorical aspect of ..."I'll be interested in your thoughts. I read it too.
I read it last night in one sitting. It's a rather beautiful story - Lawrence is so brilliant at building up his characters with layers of acutely observed detail. I loved the fact that they were all flawed and therefore real, even the lovely Yvette. She could so easily have been portrayed as totally innocent and dreamy, yet Lawrence seemed to have a knack of accessing the feminine, of entering into real thoughts, real feelings of real women. I can't help believing that there was a very feminine side to the man.
Without giving too much away to others who haven't read the story, I thought that the last chapter led deliciously to the simply heavenly ending - nothing ruined or broken, no illusions to be shattered later - maybe the most perfect sort of romance. Erotic too, in the best possible way - the way of the imagination.
Deanne wrote: "Read both Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn, part of the 1001 list. Hated both books but was determined to finish them, both supposed to be erotic but found Miller's writing as erotic as bei..."Haha!! I was thinking that Fanny Hill would be better, too.
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Weirder genres would be great!
An idea for when we start again though - it'd be good if peeps posted a link to what they've read for the month's challenge in the next main thread (I guess we'll have a new one...?) as well as on their personal challenge threads - that way it'll feel as though we're doing it together, and we'll find some good reading recommendations too :)