Men's Book Club discussion
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Hello all! I have just recently joined this group and am excited for there to be some activity. I have been a member of other groups, but they all tend to be female-centric, so reading suggestions by men for men is just what I have been looking for! I'm excited for the next book selection!
Hello Michael. I just joined so not sure how active the club is, but I'm happy to have you join and share ideas. I recently read "City of Thieves" and "A Boy's Life" based on recommendations I saw here. I would highly recommend City of Thieves. A Boy's Life wasn't bad, but didn't knock my socks off. However, books can be very subjective so take it for what it's worth. I just started reading "A River Runs Through It" and only a couple pages in, so no idea if I'm gonna like it or not. If you have any suggestions I'd love to hear them. I basically only read on my kindle so I'm always looking for e-book versions.
Mod
Would love it if you checked the Facebook group out at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/13978...
Tell your friends!
The pressure to join facebook is relentless lol.
Mod
No pressure Edward! Just figured everyone doesn't know and thought I'd mention it!
Mod
Mod
That's completely understandable! Don't worry, people will still be here too!
I'm with Bill on this one!Just wanted to note that our men's prison group just read Louise Erdrich's The Round House and we had a really great discussion about it. She's not one men might think of reading necessarily but the main character here is a boy coming of age in the face of a brutal attack on his mother.
We also read One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, which I hadn't ever read. It was terrific!
Hi everyone, I saw this group and had to join :-D I hope to have many interesting conversations here, and find some good books to read.
Nice to meet all of you. I am just getting back into reading. Some of my favorites include: Green River Running Red, Holes and Harry Potter (the series). I also like graphic novels and nonfiction.
I hope to branch out and find some good things to read.
Hi,Nice to find a group of men who read. We tend to be a rare creature. I'm 20 years old. I read pretty much everything that's good. My favorite genres are fantasy and sci-fi. Hope to meet like minded people and broaden my reading interests.
Mod
This is a great place to get ideas for books to read--I've found several that I probably would not have discovered on my own.
Hi guys,Thank you all for making this haven.
Looking at the readers choice awards, I realized that there's a bit of a trend in what's popular on goodreads. Awesome to have a guys perspective on books from time to time,
Cheers,
Daniel
Certainly true, Daniel, and I agree. Will be getting into Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? within the next couple of days here.
Mod
Thank you all for making this haven.
Looking at the readers choice awards, I realized that there's a bit of a trend in what's popular on goodreads. Awesome to have a guys perspective on b..."
My pleasure! I hope you enjoy your stay here and discover some new books and discuss them with others. Welcome aboard!
Hey everyone.
I'm probably the odd one out in that I'm probably the youngest guy here (22 years old). Seems like a lot of guys my age aren't really into reading.
I'm probably the odd one out in that I'm probably the youngest guy here (22 years old). Seems like a lot of guys my age aren't really into reading.
Probably true Mick, unfortunately. Anyway welcome. BTW Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (Blade Runner film) kicks serious ass so far.
I can't help but wonder if it's because guys my age see reading (or anything that pertains to learning) as an affront to masculinity.
There's just no incentive for them to read in my opinion. Not only do I suspect that they are too scared of looking a certain way, I also feel like there aren't enough books written for that demographic. Look at any young adult section at the bookstore and you'll noticed it's replete with books written only from a female perspective.
What do you guys think?
There's just no incentive for them to read in my opinion. Not only do I suspect that they are too scared of looking a certain way, I also feel like there aren't enough books written for that demographic. Look at any young adult section at the bookstore and you'll noticed it's replete with books written only from a female perspective.
What do you guys think?
Mod
I'm not sure I buy the 'scared of looking a certain way' reasoning. Reading Tom Clancy has always seemed socially acceptable for men. I didn't read much in my 20s (or my 30s), but it was mostly because of other priorities for both time and money in my life at the time.
Women are like 80% of total readers. It's ridiculously lopsided. I'm not quite sure why that is. There's a whole genre devoted to women, ie. "Women's Fiction", where the category "Men's adventure" is small. Not sure of any other "men's categories". I tend to write with the male perspective in mind, and that's probably a mistake.
No idea why so few men are readers any more. It seems even more pronounced when it comes to fiction. I know a few men who might read a history or biography but wouldn't dare pick up a novel.It seems a shame...I've been a bookworm as long as I can remember, and like quality books in just about any genre.
Yeah, most men I know tend to be into non-fiction. Escapism probably comes from TV. I wasn't a bookworm growing up, but several great English teachers got me into literature. From reading Crime and Punishment as a senior in high school, my reading life took off from there. I enjoy both nonfiction and fiction.David and Bill, we have quite a similarity in our tastes. Maybe you guys would like Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
Mod
Roderick wrote: "Yeah, most men I know tend to be into non-fiction. Escapism probably comes from TV. I wasn't a bookworm growing up, but several great English teachers got me into literature. From reading [book:Cri..."I'd like to read Androids...I remember loving the movie Blade Runner, which was based on it. I've just got so many other books going right now that I am hesitant to start something new. Maybe once I clear my nightstand off a bit!
I agree that a lot of men think of a ball game on TV and a beer as their means of escapism. Nothing wrong with that, but a good book and a finger or two of good bourbon works as well!
Mod
That's the way I like to escape.
Mick, I am not much older than you (26), and I can agree that most guys I know are not into reading. I have always been a reader, and have never understood why more guys are averse to reading. I'm sure the heavy emphasis that book publishers have toward a female audience has much to do with it. It's a shame that more effort is not made by them to reach out to make readers.
Re: guys readingI find it interesting that comic book reading is dominated by males. I enjoy reading both comics and novels myself, but I wonder if guys (generalization obv) are not as driven to experience a narrators inner thoughts/feelings. Comics are mostly external voice and action.
If true, is it on book/authors to "externalize"?
Or do males need to develop more empathy?
I do believe that publishers need to think of the male demographic a little more.
But to blame it all on them won't get to the root of the problem. You can write books targeted towards younger guys all you want, but if a lot of guys have the mentality that reading is effeminate, that's not going to help all that much.
When I was in high school, most guys didn't want to be caught dead looking smart. Being dumb, crass, and loud was much more valued than looking smart.
That said, I think change of attitude starts at home. If more fathers (or any male figure) would read in front of their sons, that would help facilitate the idea that reading is more acceptable for boys.
But to blame it all on them won't get to the root of the problem. You can write books targeted towards younger guys all you want, but if a lot of guys have the mentality that reading is effeminate, that's not going to help all that much.
When I was in high school, most guys didn't want to be caught dead looking smart. Being dumb, crass, and loud was much more valued than looking smart.
That said, I think change of attitude starts at home. If more fathers (or any male figure) would read in front of their sons, that would help facilitate the idea that reading is more acceptable for boys.
Mod
I remember seeing my father reading almost daily when I was growing up. Now that I have kids of my own, I try to keep my reading as visible to them as my father's reading was to me.
I read alongside my younger son (11) most nights at bedtime (he reads his book, I read mine). My older son (almost 13) is a more reluctant reader--he needs books that hold his interest. I invest quite a bit of time searching out new books for him, and I usually end up reading them myself so we can talk about them and (hopefully) keep up his interest level.
Hi Everybody!I'm Joerg from Munich, Germany. I'm 44 years old, happily married father of three amazing kids (age 12,13 19 y/o).
I'm really happy to have found this group and I'm looking forward to reading and discussing some great books with your guys.
Cheers from Oktoberfest-City ;-)
Joerg
Mystery author. My current Jake and Laura series is a Prohibition-era mystery series published by Penguin Random House Alibi. I'm in Arizona with my wife of over forty years and our five recently adopted children. 
Today is the release of The Big Brush-off. You can download the ebook for just $2.99.
I also enjoyed Ready Player One. I read or listen to about a book a week and have about 30 of my reviews on my website at www.fantasyworldwriter.com
Gosh, "Miles", you really like that book. 
Hi everyone, just joined the group and am eager to see what men are reading... FULL DISCLOSURE: I have a book out that is humorous fiction and my male friends think it's a riot and my wife & female friends think is just okay. I'm eager to get a broader perspective because a sequel is in the works. Title: Eating Trees, by Jeff Koppelson. Available as ebook, audiobook, and paperback on Amazon. Except for humor, I personally like history and am presently reading Gotham by Burrows & Wallace. It's an amazing early history of New York City and it is very long, so you have to really be into it, which I am.
Hello. After reading this article, I thought I'd come to goodreads, a place I should visit more often than I do, to see if a group like this existed...and here you are. I like James Lee Burke and James Crumley books before they ran out of ideas, Shibumi by Trevanian, Hungry as the Sea by Wilbur Smith, Shantaram, Beat the Reaper by Josh Bazell, books about Paris in the 20s and 30s or written by people who lived there during that time (Hemingway, Henry Miller, Anais Nin). I have a long commute and for that, I prefer nonfiction about things that interest me ("Atlantic" and "Pacific" by Simon Winchester, and Skyfaring). The common thread of much of those books are wanderlust. I'll be interested to see what you guys are reading.
Richard wrote: "Hello. After reading this article, I thought I'd come to goodreads, a place I should visit more often than I do, to see if a group like this existed...and here you are. I like James Lee Burke and J..."Did you ever read Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance? It's fiction but it was the iconic book out of the early 70's about anomie and wanderlust (and a terrific subplot about mental illness). It requires concentration so I don't know how it would work on your commute, but I can honestly say it's one of my all-time favorite books. As a writer myself, I continue to be amazed by the structure and style of Pirsig's work.
Jeff wrote: "Richard wrote: "Hello. After reading this article, I thought I'd come to goodreads, a place I should visit more often than I do, to see if a group like this existed...and here you are. I like James..."Thanks. I read it when it came out, and reread it recently. Since then, I've read the book from where Pirsig took his title (and a lot of the sense and tone), Zen in the Art of Archery by Eugen Herrigel, and a more recent book Shop Class as Soulcraft by Matthew Crawford. But you're right about books that require a lot of concentration not being as good for commutes, at least when I'm driving. Meditation books are the absolute worst. ;^)
Richard wrote: "Jeff wrote: "Richard wrote: "Hello. After reading this article, I thought I'd come to goodreads, a place I should visit more often than I do, to see if a group like this existed...and here you are...."Thanks for two good leads. And try not to drive and read.
Chris wrote: "I would just like to welcome you to the NEW Men's Book Club. Here we will talk about our favorite books and what new books we are excited about. I am looking forward to having this group grow. I ..."
Howdy,
High School English teacher here. Looking for ways to keep up on newer readings to keep fresh for my students.
Some of my favorites:
The Rules of Survival by Nancy Werlin--This YA story is the best portrayal of what it's like for boys with no father-figure and the void they have to fill. Nancy nailed it.
Sold--Also YA about a young Nepali girl sold into the slave trade. Having lived in Southeast Asia for years, this story resonated with me.
Access for Dummies--I LOVE databases. LOVE LOVE LOVE databases. Drooling seriously.
X-men, the first ten issues.
The Odyssey--Yet another fatherless boy becoming a man story. Those are always of interest to me.
Jane Eyre--Romance done exactly as it should be.
Hi. I'm Eric. I like to read, and I understand that the first step is admitting that you have a problem.
As Jeff mentioned, I'm glad to have run across this group and look forward to seeing what others are reading. I will also recommend books I have enjoyed.I just finished the "John Rain" series by Barry Eisler.
I also enjoyed the "Repairman Jack" series by F. Paul Wilson which had more of a sci-fi flavor.
Mod
I am not familiar with the books you named. Be sure to add them to your 'read' list so we can all get familiar with them. I get a lot of good reading ideas from browsing through other members' reading lists on Goodreads.
Mod
Activity around here seems to ebb and flow as members try to balance our reading lives with our real lives.
I have not read Lonesome Dove. It's been on my 'to read' list, but always seems to get pushed down in favor of something else.
We don't have a formal group read set up yet, but I know that a couple of us were thinking of reading The Underground Railroad this summer.
Any and all ideas or suggestions for a group read are welcome.
Mod
I've read No Country for Old Men and Fight Club in the last year or so.
I do have The Godfather on my summer reading list--it's one of those books that I can't believe I haven't read already.
I'd be up for a summer group read, as well. I just read The Underground Railroad a month or so ago, so that would work nicely for me...it would help me balance my reading life with my real life, as Bill put it. One less book to read on the "to-do" list.
Happy to join in on a group read for a different book, too.
Mod
Hopefully we get enough interest and can start lining up more books for ongoing group reads.
Mod
Sorry about that.
Bill wrote: "Sorry David--I think I misread your post and thought that you would favor the Godfather over Underground Railroad for the group read.Sorry about that."
The Godfather is fine. I've read that one, but it was at least 40 years ago. (Man! How it hurts to do the math on that.) Due for a re-read.
Men's Book Club
Books mentioned in this topic
Sundown (other topics)City of Thieves (other topics)
Drowning in the Shallows (other topics)
Awakening Kings and Princes Volume I (other topics)
The Big Brush-off (other topics)
More...
It's been a little slow around here lately--I'm hoping that it's just because of summer (vacations and stuff like that), and things will pick up soon. It's time for another Book of the Month selection...