Monthly Group Reading Choices

[Odette]

ANNOUNCEMENT: the moderators have decided that everyone who is a member of the Endicott group gets to choose a book for our joint reading projects, in order of when members joined.

Book choices should be made from the Endicott group bookshelf (which we'll continue to add to over the next few months) - or you can go directly to the source of that list:
http://web.archive.org/web/2006111110...

August reading: Mortal Love - Elizabeth Hand (Odette's choice)
September reading: Innocents Aboard - Gene Wolfe (Kim's choice)
October reading: The Nature of Water and Air - Regina McBride (Baobhan's choice)
November reading: to be decided (Jennifer's choice)
December reading: to be decided (Wendy's choice)
etc.

To figure out when it's your turn, go to "all group members," then arrange by "date joined" and count down the months.
If we don't hear back from group members when it's their turn, we'll ask the next person on the list - so start thinking now about which books you'd like to discuss with this group.

Comments? Questions? Concerns? Wildly enthusiastic agreement?
:)

[Carl]

So...I'm February of 2011?

[Odette]

LOL
Well, probably not everyone will use their turn (I'm actually pretty curious to see how that goes). You can always just start a discussion on another book from the list - chances are someone else will read it and discuss it with you.
I know I'm not planning on limiting myself to one Endicott book a month - the books are just too good!

[Kim]

Yeah, that makes sense. Especially since more members have joined. Multiple discussions should take place. Besides, there's too many books to cover to do it one at a time!

[S. Kay]

I like this idea. Plus, it gives me some time before my pick comes around, heh. Things have been too hectic to focus properly on Mortal Love, but hopefully I'll finish it soon.

[Terri]

At least I will have time to decide. I just ordered Mrotal Love and Innocents Abroad today.

[[deleted user]]

I have a question; this is probably off topic but Terri did you order you book from your library or from an on-line store? I usually order from the library, but sometimes they don't have the book I want,or it takes months to get it! I need to keep my book buying prices low-my husband doesn't want to have to take out a loan to pay for my books, he would prefer if I keep the books under $10. :-)) LOL!

[Terri]

I ordered them from amazon. I try to buy used (unfortunately that doesnt go into the authors pocket) but times are tight right now for everyone

[[deleted user]]

I hear ya. I hope it doesn't last too much longer. I'm not ready to experience a depression. (I know nobody is)

[Odette]

Baobhan alerted me to the fact that we have no November reading choice yet. (Sorry for being so out of touch - I broke my wrist in September and ended up needing surgery, so I haven't been doing much recreational typing lately.)

Here are the people we'd love to get reading choices from as soon as possible:

Jennifer: November
Wendy: December
Blair: January
Raiveran: February

Of course this isn't obligatory - we just want everyone to get a chance to pick (at least) one book.
If you want to skip your chance, let us know soon and we'll move on to the next person.

Thanks!
Odette

P.S. Kim, Baobhan and I had a discussion about polling vs individual book choices. Here are a few arguments in favor of the current system and against polling:
- Group members who don't share the majority tastes tend to drop out with the polling system because it's discouraging when no one votes for a book you suggested.
- Often the group ends up choosing a book everyone's heard of (rather than some wonderful, but little-known, gem of a book that might otherwise be missed.)
- The individual choice method gives all group members a chance to have their preferences heard (and it's a fun way to involve more people).

If you have other thoughts about this system or polling, let us know.
And please send us - or post - those Endicott book choices - the sooner the better, so we'll always have something planned.

[S. Kay]

With our group size, I think the current system is working well. Especially since we already have a list of agreed upon books to draw from. I notice in the smaller groups that when polls are put up, many people don't vote, and the votes are often tied because of this.

[[deleted user]]

Kay is right about about people in smaller groups not voting.

[Claire]

Just popping to wonder if next month's book has been chosen and I somehow missed the announcement.

[S. Kay]

If no one speaks up by November, it will be my turn... seems like the others might be inactive here. I've picked War For the Oaks by Emma Bull. If that title's disagreeable for anyone, let me know.

[Rora]

I've already read it, but it's a good book. I'm sure people here will enjoy it.

[Odette]

Thanks Kay! War For the Oaks is our next choice.
I've wanted to read it for ages, so I'm really glad you chose that one.

Sorry, everyone, for the delay. I'll contact the next few people who signed up after Kay so we can line up our December choice soon.

Happy Reading. :)

[Pamela]

War for the Oaks is one of my favorite books.

[Vivian "Rain"]

It looks really interesting : )

[Terri]

I will choose -- Sara Maitland, On Becoming a Fairy Godmother for when it is my turn

[Odette]

Thanks Terri! Sara Maitland's book of stories will be our December reading selection.

[Rora]

I think I'm next for January. I'd like to choose Briar Rose by Jane Yolen.

[S. Kay]

:) That's amusing... I just picked up Briar Rose today for $.50 at a library sale. Perfect timing.

[Rora]

My bad, I guess my pick would be for February. I saw that the person between Terri and I had zero posts, so didn't think they would be picking a book.

Looking forward to reading One For Sorrow for January. :)

[Emilie]

hi,
i am new to writing/interacting at goodreads, and i am wondering how i know when i am the one to choose a book? could someone please explain to me how to figure this out?

and, rora, i am very excited that you picked BRiar Rose, by Jane YOlen, i love this book, and am happy to have a reason to re-read it.

and, i am confused. did someone pick One for Sorrow for January? that looks interesting too. thanks. emilie

[Emilie]

thank you Baobhan.

i adore your avatar. (smile)

[Odette]

Hi All,
We're going to be reading One For Sorrow by Christopher Barzak in January. The exciting part is that Christopher is both an Endicott book author and a member of this group - and he's agreed to participate in a Q&A for One For Sorrow during the month of January. (Thanks Christopher!) We'll post more details soon.

This is the first author appearance we're including in our Endicott group, but if it works out well, we'll try to have more. So please start reading One For Sorrow as soon as possible & come up with some questions to ask. :)

Rora - we enthusiastically applaud you for being such an active Endicott member that you had a book choice ready before we even asked. Briar Rose is our February book.

[Odette]

By the way, I wanted to clarify that the moderators asked Christopher Barzak if we could chose his book for the January reading selection. The Q&A was our idea as well.

(I got a question from a curious group member about it, so I thought I'd clarify it for everyone.)

[Terrea]

Carl wrote: "So...I'm February of 2011?"

Woo hoo Oct of 2011 here! =)

I think it will be really interesting, actually!

[Lia]

I have chosen for April! I pick Catherynne M. Valente's "The Orphan's Tales: In the Night Garden"! You guys are in for a treat!

I'm really looking forward to diving back into this group and enjoying one of my favorite authors next month (I *heart* deLint)! And I'm so excited to share another favorite author with this group the month after that! =)

[Reem]

Sounds great! I would love to participate, but unfortunately, I can't get my hands on this book here in Saudi Arabia :(. Sorry, all. I would love to participate more often, but it all depends on my luck with the selected books each month. I am writing down the titles you are all picking so that in the future, I might borrow them from a library and read them insha Allah. I went to the book shop today and was very surprised to see that they had brought in a Robin McKinley book, "Beauty." I bought that as well as a few other books. I don't know whether it is one on the reading list for this group, but I am deffinitely looking forward to it being a huge McKinley fan. Well, salam my friends :).

[Ramona]

I just happened to have purchased "The Orphan's Tales" recently, so great timing. I'm in this April discussion.

[Grace]

I've been a lurker here thus far (though enjoying the conversation!) but you can count me in for April. I have a deep and passionate love for Valente's Orphan's Tales books (as seen in my reviews of them!) and will enjoy a discussion of them! :)

[Don]

I'm in the same situation--lurking and having just recently purchased The Orphan's Tales. Count me in!

[Brittany]

I'm with Sidhe, I *adore* those books and can't wait to discuss them!

[Pamela]

I just got the notice that The Orphan's Tales, which I'd reserved at the library, is waiting for me. :)

[Odette]

Many thanks to Lia, Brittany and Claire for getting back to me about your book choices! We now have reading selections through the end of June:

May: Winter Rose by Patricia A. McKillip
June: The portrait of Mrs. Charbuque by Jeffrey Ford

Reem, I'm so sorry you can't find The Orphans Tales in Saudi Arabia. I hope you have better luck with the other selections & I'm looking forward to seeing your reviews of the Endicott books you do read. fyi: I've just set up a separate topic in "General Discussion" for people who want to comment on Endicott books other than the monthly selections.

[Odette]

Thanks!

[Reem]

Odette wrote: "Many thanks to Lia, Brittany and Claire for getting back to me about your book choices! We now have reading selections through the end of June:

May: Winter Rose by Patricia A. McKillip
June: T..."

Yay! I have "Winter Rose" here! That is great! I love Patricia McKillip. I read "The Changeling Sea" and loved it. That's great, so I will do my best to participate next month as well.

[Odette]

Hi All,
Sorry for my long absence (lots of "life stuff" to attend to).

Ramona sent me a really nice message asking what our July reading selection is & I realized I hadn't lined it up yet!

I've just sent messages to the next Endicott members on the list to choose our reading selections, so hopefully we'll have the next few months lined up shortly.

Hope you're all having a nice summer.
Thanks for being a member of the Endicott group.

Odette

[Ramona]

Glad you're back, Odette. I totally understand about the "life stuff." Life is handing me lots of stuff these days too. This book group is a great distraction! (And I mean that in a positive way.)

[Terri]

I still need to catch up on the reads.

[Odette]

Thanks, Ramona. (Terrri, me too. The great thing about open-ended discussions is that it's never too late to join in.)

Thanks to Kim & Hilary, we now have our July & August choices lined up!

July - Un Lun Dun by China Mieville
August - Innamorati by Midori Snyder

Happy summer reading.

OdetteO
p.s. If you got a message from me but haven't had a chance to respond yet, don't worry that you've lost your turn. Just email me your reading choice & we'll schedule it in as one of the books for the next few months.

[Terri]

Cool!

[Odette]

We have our September book, thanks to Terrea and Pamela who BOTH chose Changeling by Delia Sherman - separately from each other, far as I know. (That gives the book a little extra magic, don't you think?)

If you got an email from me about book choices but haven't had a chance to respond yet, feel free to do so when you can. It would be great to get the October & November choices lined up. (Just think - one of you gets to choose our Halloween read. ;) )

[Terrea]

Pamela and I did not conspire together, so this truly is amazing!

I'm even more excited to start this, knowing that I'm not the only one interested! =)

[Odette]

The book cover alone would make me want to read this one, and it also sounds like a fun book. (I already have it on order from the library.)

[Odette]

Yay! We now have our reading choices lined up through the end of the year, thanks to Sidhe, Michelle and kristinsdóttir:

October - The Fair Folk (stories) - edited by Marvin Kaye
November - A Great and Terrible Beauty - Libba Bray
December - Lambs of God - Marele Day

I just noticed that the last names of the three authors/editor rhyme (which is meaningless, but seems funny after the Changeling coincidence - & I enjoy signs & portents)

[Grace]

Yay! November's choice was my second option. :)

Another great sign.

[Pamela]

Hi - very belated response.

Terrea and I had no prior communications and didn't conspire, but it's always great to find another changeling lover out there. :)

[Odette]

Attention: I just sent out a bunch of messages to group members asking for our next Endicott reading selections. If you were tagged, it would be great if you could get back to me in the next day or so with a selection.

If you were tagged in a previous round of emails and didn't respond then but want to now, feel free. Everyone is entitled to choose one reading selection, & we go by date you joined the group.

Hope you're all having a great holiday!