Books on the Nightstand discussion
What do you want us to talk/write about?
Frankie wrote: "Robin wrote: "Frankie wrote: "Linda wrote: "Carol wrote: "It's going to slay me when I get to Whitney and have to part with some of her books! There are so many wonderful older authors. Do you th..."
Did you ever read her autobiography?
I know from the podcast that Michael reads comic books/graphic novels. I have two boys (13 and 9) who like to read manga. But, I have trouble finding age appropriate books, especially for my youngest. Also, some manga can be a little disturbing or shallow thematically. I would love a segment with some good manga recommendations for kids.A couple we've stumbled upon that have become household favorites: (1) the Yostuba&! series; (2) Neko Ramen; and (3) Chi's Sweet Home.
I realize this is off your beaten path, but I'm hoping Michael might have some suggestions.
Also, I like the suggestion for rediscovering popular and/or well-reviewed authors from the past. I adore Persephone Books for their commitment to rediscovering lost writers (especially women writers) and getting them back in print. Although I don't think Persephone has reprinted any Barbara Pym, she's the kind of author they hunt for.
Robin wrote: "Frankie wrote: "Robin wrote: "Frankie wrote: "Linda wrote: "Carol wrote: "It's going to slay me when I get to Whitney and have to part with some of her books! There are so many wonderful older au..."
Ooo, no- that will have to go on the TBR
Another older author I want to read is Sigrid Undset. I think it was Nancy Pearl who recommended her. She won a Nobel Prize for Literature but I had never even heard her name before.
Janet wrote: "Another older author I want to read is Sigrid Undset. I think it was Nancy Pearl who recommended her. She won a Nobel Prize for Literature but I had never even heard her name before."Sounds like a topic for a new thread here.
Carol wrote: "Great Idea!LOL, I am weeding our library collection and Victoria Holt was the author of the day. The younguns in our library said "Victoria who?". We were going to dispose of Mary Renault's The K..."
Sounds like an idea has been generated. I'd be interested in the definition of "youngun" (lol). Currently in my aging fifties I was introduced to Whitney, Holt and others because of my mother. As I hit the teenage years she started my introduction to those authors. Phyllis Whitney wrote both adult and adolescent books but her adult reads were best known.
I think a discussion about audioversion vs print version might be interesting as well. I have decided that some books are better suited to audio than others. Case in point, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao was enjoyable on audio but I would have abandoned the written. Night Circus, I would have enjoyed more in the written version since I found the time frame changes confusing.
Mod
LOL, I am weeding our library collection and Victoria Holt was the author of the day. The younguns in our library said "Victoria who?". We were going to dispose of Mary..."
Since I believe that I was the one who originally said "youngun" I thought I'd fess up that I am 61. That said, I said it tongue-in-cheek. Didn't you see the protrusion?
Mod
Carol wrote: "And Carol is a tad over 61, coming in at 63!"Linda wrote: "Denise wrote: "Carol wrote: "Great Idea!
LOL, I am weeding our library collection and Victoria Holt was the author of the day. The younguns in our library said "Victoria who?". We were going to di..."
Glad to be is such wonderful company. ;-) What brings a library to the decision to "weed out" some books? Is it based on circulation or some other decision tree? I personally have great difficulty parting with any books.
I'm not a librarian or anything but I've always gotten a kick out of this site, which talks about weeding books: http://awfullibrarybooks.net/. Puts a different perspective on keeping EVERY book. Some are really just awful.
For me, I guess it would depend on why the book is being destroyed. Censorship, publisher profit, art projects are a big "no". Damaged beyond repair or if no one wants to read or own it, then I'm OK with it.
Robin wrote: "Janet wrote: "Another older author I want to read is Sigrid Undset. I think it was Nancy Pearl who recommended her. She won a Nobel Prize for Literature but I had never even heard h..."I've read one of Undset's best known works, the Kristin Lavransdatter trilogy, which was written in the 1920s and was instrumental in the author being awarded the Nobel Prize in 1928. The novels are set in medieval Norway and follow the title character from her youth, when she makes an ill-advised marriage, through her middle years as mistress of her husband's estate and mother of numerous children, then finally to her older years in a religious order. The book jacket for the copies I own describes the trilogy as "the great story of a woman's passion, sin, and nobility—set against the color, the earthiness, and the violence of medieval Norway."
My version is a translation from Norwegian to English completed not long after the trilogy was written, and I also have a much newer translation by Tiina Nunnally on my Kindle. I haven't gotten around to it yet, but it's included in my 2012 reading goals. I've been wanting to get back to this series for years, since it made quite an impression on me when I originally read it. So many books, so little time!
Nancy,Thanks for the info....as you say so many books, so little time. It's sometimes hard to know where to invest the reading effort.
Idea for a Topic!!I would LOVE an episode semi-dedicated or inspired by books written about the era in which Downton Abbey is set. If you haven't already watched this fabulous PBS show about the lives of a wealthy english family and their servants at the turn of the century, you MUST. Somehow, I feel BOTNS readers would be equally obsessed as I.
Anyways, I've always loved books set in the English countryside, themed around family pride, class and of course scandal. Perfect escapism, in my opinion. Then again, that's from a die hard Austen fan. I understand entirely though if you don't want to get into the television realm but there is just something so literary about Downton Abbey - couldn't help myself!
Can you explain to me why they put reviews for another book by the same author on the back of a novel? For example, I just started "What I Talk About What I Talk About Running" by Haruki Murakami. It's a non-fiction book that is sort of a memoir on his running hobby. On the back cover it says "Acclaim for Murakami's "After Dark"", another book written by Murakami, but totally unlike "What I Talk About When I Talk About Running". For one thing, "After Dark" is Fiction and "What I Talk About" is Non-Fiction. By reading the reviews for "After Dark" on the back cover, a reader could be mislead as to what the book they are holding is about. I have seen this done many times before,but his time is stuck out because Murakami's writing style of a novel is very different from him writing about himself. I thought I would ask you since you mentioned "book blurbs" in your last podcast (the synopsis of a book written on the back cover) and you work for a publisher. Any suggestions?
Conny wrote: "I am not sure if this is the right tab to post under. Anyhow, I was wondering if any of you - and of course, I'd like to know what you Michael and Ann think about this - have "comfort books" or may..."Hi Conny,
I definitely do that. I have certain sections of books that I will reread when I am feeling down, or when I think a passage is really suited to what I am experiencing. It makes sense to me because when we are upset, we want to know that others can relate to us, or that we are not alone in our experience. What better way to verify that then reading? I also just have sections of novels that I love and need to experience again.
Shannon wrote: "Hello! new to the podcast, and while I am quickly working my way through them, I haven't listened to them all yet. So, hopefully I don't suggest a topic you have already covered.
-- Holiday bo..."
Vanessa wrote: "Idea for a Topic!!I would LOVE an episode semi-dedicated or inspired by books written about the era in which Downton Abbey is set. If you haven't already watched this fabulous PBS show about the..."
Vanessa, here is an article from last week's New York Times that had a list. I discovered a whole bunch of books I'd never heard of and found more in the comments section! I, too, LOVE DA! :-)
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/12/bus...
Cory (Bigler) '00-'05 wrote: "I'm not a librarian or anything but I've always gotten a kick out of this site, which talks about weeding books: http://awfullibrarybooks.net/. Puts a different perspective on keeping EVERY book. ..."Thanks. I have bookmarked it. Yeah, some more reading!
Chris wrote: "Vanessa wrote: "Idea for a Topic!!I would LOVE an episode semi-dedicated or inspired by books written about the era in which Downton Abbey is set. If you haven't already watched this fabulous PB..."
This is awesome!!! Thank you!
Isaac wrote: "By the way, BOTN literati: I wanted to make an inquiry regarding an unknown book title."
Wow, I pride myself on my book lore and research skills, but this one has me stumped!
Wow, I pride myself on my book lore and research skills, but this one has me stumped!
Isaac wrote: "I would love to hear a discussion about Classic books. Many of the books that I read were not published before 1970. I suppose I'd like to establish myself before moving on to more modern literatu..."Isaac, do you mean the book is set pre-1800 or that it was written pre-1800? Have you ever seen a copy? If so, what did it look like, and how long was it?
Isaac wrote: "By the way, BOTN literati: I wanted to make an inquiry regarding an unknown book title."
Wow, I pride myself on my book lore and research skills, but this one has me stumped!
The best I could come up with is this; but it is set in 1848:
Franklin: Tragic Hero of Polar Exploration (by Andrew Lambert) ; London: Faber and Faber Ltd. ISBN 978-0-571-23161-4
Wow, I pride myself on my book lore and research skills, but this one has me stumped!
The best I could come up with is this; but it is set in 1848:
Franklin: Tragic Hero of Polar Exploration (by Andrew Lambert) ; London: Faber and Faber Ltd. ISBN 978-0-571-23161-4
Mod
I would LOVE an episode semi-dedicated or inspired by books written about the era in which Downton Abbey is set. If you haven't already watched this fabulous PBS show about the..."
Working on this now, look for it soon!
I have seen the first two shows from season one.Remembering "Upstairs,Downstairs" I do not think it was an equal to that.Not on a par with Upstairs Downstairs that is. I admit to being not well read but as I began to think of that era most of the books i thought about were written immediately after WW1.
Ann wrote: "Vanessa wrote: "Idea for a Topic!!I would LOVE an episode semi-dedicated or inspired by books written about the era in which Downton Abbey is set. If you haven't already watched this fabulous PB..."
::squee::
Hi, can you guys pretty please talk about how you got your jobs in publishing? I know from one of the BOTNS YouTube videos that Michael has a degree in graphic design and I was wondering how he got from their to the publishing industry.I'm at university right now studying design and I'm in that point where I have no idea what I'm going to do with my life. I'd love a job at publishing but I'm still unsure what kind of jobs that industry offers, especially for those who study design.
Love the podcast guys, keep it up!
Jesue V
I'd love to hear about historical novels that are great reads. Who are your fave authors in this genre?Thanks!
Jesue wrote: "I'd love a job at publishing but I'm still unsure what kind of jobs that industry offers, especially for those who study design."It would be interesting to hear how publishing jobs are changing and what might be promising areas for employment in the future. Got a crystal ball?
Joanne wrote: "Jesue wrote: "I'd love a job at publishing but I'm still unsure what kind of jobs that industry offers, especially for those who study design."It would be interesting to hear how publishing jobs ..." Programming.Ebooks have to be programmed to fit ebook readers.See the ebook ninjas podcast.ger
It's 2012, therefore the end of the world is nigh!Could we please have an episode dedicated doomsday stylee books? Aliens, zombies, nuclear war... Books about dystopian societies would be good too! Maybe we could all pick up some tips on how to survive to coming apocalypse.
thank you :)
Leanne wrote: "It's 2012, therefore the end of the world is nigh!Could we please have an episode dedicated doomsday stylee books? Aliens, zombies, nuclear war... Books about dystopian societies would be good to..."
Totally dig that idea. I can never get enough of the Dystopic/Post-Apocalyptic Episodes.
Leanne wrote: "It's 2012, therefore the end of the world is nigh!
Could we please have an episode dedicated doomsday stylee books? Aliens, zombies, nuclear war... Books about dystopian societies would be good too! Maybe we could all pick up some tips on how to survive to coming apocalypse.
thank you :) "
My guilty pleasure is zombie books :-)
Could we please have an episode dedicated doomsday stylee books? Aliens, zombies, nuclear war... Books about dystopian societies would be good too! Maybe we could all pick up some tips on how to survive to coming apocalypse.
thank you :) "
My guilty pleasure is zombie books :-)
I can't believe how many dystopian YA books there are. It kind of provides a (scary) window into the minds of our teens.
Mod
Could we please have an episode dedicated doomsday stylee books? Aliens, zombies, nuclear war... Books about dystopian societies would be good to..."
Ha, I sort of feel like that is every book we talk about on BOTNS! :)
I'd love a discussion on audio books. How do you pick them? Where do you listen to them? What are your faves?Thanks.
I thought of this topic while talking to a librarian friend of mine a couple of weeks ago. How about what books you love that you wish you could go back and re-read and experience for the "first" time? The discussion over "Rebecca" with The Readers got me thinking. I adored reading that book, and I've read it three times, but I know the story. My discovery of that book is over and I'll never have the experience of reading and discovering that book for the first time ever again. Just wondered if I'm the only one who feels that way about certain books. Every time I re-read "Little Women" I'm always hoping Jo will end up with Laurie, but I know that is not meant to me.... :-)
Chris,Believe it or not, not everyone re-reads. With so many books and so little time, I've never been able to justify it to myself.
I have 2 topic requests:1) Any thoughts on the recent Goodreads/Twitter kerfuffle between authors and reviewers/"reviewers" (depends on what side you're on as to whether there should be quotes)? I'd love to hear an unbiased take on what you think about the interaction between authors and readers should be in social media
2) Can you do a call in show for everyone's favorite local indie bookstore? I travel for work every week and I'd love to know where to go when I'm in different cities. (Right now it's Chicago- any recommendations?) I know someone is trying to hit 12 new ones for their 12 in '12, so maybe this could help them out, as well
Janet wrote: "Chris,Believe it or not, not everyone re-reads. With so many books and so little time, I've never been able to justify it to myself."
I guess I got on a tangent. My idea has nothing to do with re-reading a book. It's what book do you love so much that you wish you could experience again for the first time? I thought it could generate an interesting discussion, but perhaps I'm wrong.
Frankie, I like both of your ideas!
Chris, I know exactly what you mean. I felt that way about The Book Thief. I was actually jealous of people who were reading it for the first time!
Beth wrote: "Chris, I know exactly what you mean. I felt that way about The Book Thief. I was actually jealous of people who were reading it for the first time!"Thank you, Beth, for making me feel like I'm not the only one who has these pangs of jealousy! :-))
I've had my curiosity piqued by another podcast where I heard about the Waterstones 11 list. I'm excited about a few of the titles, one being The Snow Child. The author bio on the Waterstones page says she was inspired by a fairy tale. This got me thinking, what other books are there that are heavily inspired by fairy and folk tales? Not necessarily re-tellings, but modern titles that exhibit at the traits of a folk tale. Looking over my own to be read pile, I have Mr. Fox. Anyone have suggestions for others? Thanks.
Chris wrote: "Beth wrote: "Chris, I know exactly what you mean. I felt that way about The Book Thief. I was actually jealous of people who were reading it for the first time!"Thank you, Beth, fo..."
Nope, you're definitely not the only one who feels like that. In talking to my book-loving friends, many of them have expressed the same thing.
Jereme wrote: "I've had my curiosity piqued by another podcast where I heard about the Waterstones 11 list. I'm excited about a few of the titles, one being The Snow Child. The author bio on the W..."the ones that i know are: The True Story of Hansel and Gretel
and i would say some of the books by Gregory Maguire like Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister and Mirror Mirror.
Mod
I second Gregory Maguire. Also Gail Carson Levine has some YA books like
. (I don't let an age stop me from reading anything, some of the best humor and wisdom is in children's books.)James Finn Garner has several books out more than 10 years ago that I really liked. The first is
James Finn Garner.On my TBR is
Elizabeth wrote: "I'd love a discussion on audio books. How do you pick them? Where do you listen to them? What are your faves?Thanks."
I have a very mixed view(ha ha) about audio books. I use audible.com to download audio books but I rarely use it.The last audio book that I downloaded I have not listened to it yet.Audio books are great to get a fast read of lets say a popular book or book series but I am not sure its great for long books.ger
Elizabeth wrote: "I'd love a discussion on audio books. How do you pick them? Where do you listen to them? What are your faves?
Thanks."
There was a BOTNS podcast a couple of years ago (July 2009, I think) about audiobooks that you may be interested in checking out.
Personally, I love audiobooks and I really haven't met a legitimate yet reason for dismissing them. I pick audiobooks primarily the same way I pick print books: what would appeal to me in regard to genre or subject or author. Also added into the mix is the narrator. A good narrator can make a make a good novel great; but of course the reverse is true and a poor narrator or one you don't like can ruin the book as well. A good narrator can also encourage a listener to experience books that they might not otherwise have tried. I also pay particular attention to production quality. It really all comes down to personal preference.
I listen to audiobooks at work, while driving, exercising (bike,treadmill) and while I'm playing Angry Birds.
This is a link to my Personal Pantheon of All-Time Great Audiobooks:
http://dogearedcopy.blogspot.com/p/pa...
Thanks."
There was a BOTNS podcast a couple of years ago (July 2009, I think) about audiobooks that you may be interested in checking out.
Personally, I love audiobooks and I really haven't met a legitimate yet reason for dismissing them. I pick audiobooks primarily the same way I pick print books: what would appeal to me in regard to genre or subject or author. Also added into the mix is the narrator. A good narrator can make a make a good novel great; but of course the reverse is true and a poor narrator or one you don't like can ruin the book as well. A good narrator can also encourage a listener to experience books that they might not otherwise have tried. I also pay particular attention to production quality. It really all comes down to personal preference.
I listen to audiobooks at work, while driving, exercising (bike,treadmill) and while I'm playing Angry Birds.
This is a link to my Personal Pantheon of All-Time Great Audiobooks:
http://dogearedcopy.blogspot.com/p/pa...
It's funny how differently people view things. I primarily use audiobooks for longer reads or books I've really wanted to read and haven't been able to get "into" the print version. As Tanya points out, the narrator makes all the difference. I listened to the entire Outlander series on audio and those are some big honking books and now I am listening to The Mists of Avalon which is over 1000 pages in print. Sometimes I listen to each CD twice just to make sure I haven't missed something. I have a really long commute and audiobooks help me retain my sanity.
Books on the Nightstand
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There are so many wonderful older authors. Do you think it's out w..."
I love, love Barbara Pym! I'm not sure why she isn't more popular than she is these days...