November Random Read Nominations

[Maggie, space cruisin' for a bruisin']

Nominate a Random Read for our November Book of the Month!


So far:

Fahrenheit 451
Debatable Space
Pattern Recognition
Neuromancer
Brasyl
Old Man's War
Canopus in Argos Archives: The Marriages Between Zones Three, Four & Five

[Aloha]

Foundation. It's on my list to read. Goodreads friends have also urged me to read it.

[Kevin]

I would like to nominate, The Left Hand of Darkness.

[Maggie, space cruisin' for a bruisin']

i really thought I made a nomination here this morning...it was for Fahrenheit 451. Now Im wondering where I posted that....hmmmm

[Scott]

Debatable Space

[mark, personal space invader]

how about some cyberpunk? i nominate Pattern Recognition by william gibson

[Aloha]

Ooh, that reminds me. I want to change my nomination to Neuromancer.

[Maggie, space cruisin' for a bruisin']

ok-I was going to say that foundation was read by a sister group in April, so this will fix up that question! I really want to read Neuromancer, too


and Kevin, did you mean left hand of darkness? I wasnt sure by what you wrote and thought I remember ed you saying you didnt like it?

[mark, personal space invader]

i admire how you are working your way through all the classics Aloha! Neuromancer is impressive. you may find it to be a fast-but-deep read, along the lines of Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep (although of course both are very different)

[Kevin]

Maggie wrote: "ok-I was going to say that foundation was read by a sister group in April, so this will fix up that question! I really want to read Neuromancer, too


and Kevin, did you mean left hand of darkn..."

Even though I did not like the book or agree with the points of the book, I still think it is a interesting book to be discussing for a book club read, Maggie. I look for interesting books to nominate and read, not only ones that I like. I like for more people to discuss/introduced to certain books.

[Kevin]

Just wondering, but does the group reall need two books by the same author on a poll unless the author is the theme?

[Richard]

Brasyl by Ian McDonald, the chap who wrote The Dervish House. If you've read that one then you'll know why I'm now nominating Brasyl so I can read more of his stuff.

[mark, personal space invader]

Kevin wrote: "Just wondering, but does the group reall need two books by the same author on a poll unless the author is the theme?"

normally i'd agree, but i think that the two could appeal to different audiences. Neuromancer for folks who want to read the seminal scifi classics (or never got around to reading this one in the first place). and Pattern Recognition for those who may have more familiarity with the genre/subgenres. and of course, i did nominate one of them so there is a teensy little infinitesimal chance that i could be biased.

[Kevin]

mark wrote: "Kevin wrote: "Just wondering, but does the group reall need two books by the same author on a poll unless the author is the theme?"

normally i'd agree, but i think that the two could appeal to d..."

You make a good point!

[Aloha]

I love Androids. Now, I can't wait to read Neuromancer.

mark wrote: "i admire how you are working your way through all the classics Aloha! Neuromancer is impressive. you may find it to be a fast-but-deep read, along the lines of Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep (..."

[mark, personal space invader]

oh don't expect androids in Neuromancer. but do expect a dense, fast-paced, at times abstract read with a lot of interesting things to consider, along the lines of Do Androids. but definitely a lot less moody and contemplative. and no androids. but there's AIs at least!

[Aloha]

Okay. Hmmm....Mark, you do like long, drawn out books....

[mark, personal space invader]

it's true, i like quality fiction when it comes Bible-sized.

but Neuromancer is short.

[Aloha]

Mr. Mark, I don't like a fiction just because it's short. I only want it to be long for a good reason. If it can be done shorter, I'd prefer it. I don't like a book to be bloated without good reason. That's why I carry a knife around, to cut out the unneeded passages.

[Jason]

I want to read Neuromancer, too!

[mark, personal space invader]

i guess it is a matter of perspective on what constitutes "bloat". our perspectives are clearly very different, and i haven't ever seen you mention liking a book of fiction that could be considered "a big book" outside of Dune (i think). what i have seen you mention is disliking books like The Passage and other large ones, books that i consider to be high-quality literature yet are books that you consider to be bloated. we're very different in this way. but then of course, we all have our own opinions, and on this topic, yours is one that i disagree with completely. to me, a large book will often have a more intricate narrative, more in-depth characterization, more detailed world-building, etc. i love a book that i can lose myself in for days and days. more to contemplate!

[Scott]

[Jason]

I love that! LOL

[Aloha]

Love that, Scott!

Mark, yes, obviously we differ. I can contemplate for days on a mean little book that says more with less words. The Passage is one that lost its horror effect because of too much bloat.

[mark, personal space invader]

i suppose one person's bloat is another person's modern classic. as far as i'm concerned, not a word out of place; incredible from beginning to end.

[Aloha]

Yes. We know that everybody have different tastes, Mark. There's really no need to even have an argument over it, unless we write our long reviews on a book and point out the details. Mark, you and I are both capable of writing a review that will make people go blind from reading it. LOL

[Maggie, space cruisin' for a bruisin']

I love that!

[mark, personal space invader]

Mark, you and I are both capable of writing a review that will make people go blind from reading it. LOL

good one Aloha!

[Jenny]

I would like to nominate Old Man's War by John Scalzi.

[Madeleine]

I'm not sure exactly what the requirements as I'm new so sorry if this has already been done, but how about The Marriages between Zones 3, 4 and 5 by Doris Lessing.

[Rebecca]

I just bought Neuromancer. I was going to read it anyway. I like that someone else might want to discuss it!