Books on the Nightstand discussion
What do you want us to talk/write about?
Elizabeth wrote: "Muffysbookclub© wrote: "Lately I've been reading long novels like Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, The Rook by Daniel O'Malley and started reading The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern so I was hop..."Thank you for your comment. I do have that book on my to- read list and will read as soon as I am able. I will first have to finish the book at hand but am immensely looking forward to We the Animals. Thank you once again for your recommendation-it's greatly appreciated as are others.
Muffysbookclub© wrote: "Lately I've been reading long novels like Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, The Rook by Daniel O'Malley and started reading The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern so I was hoping perhaps you could do..."I agree ... this is a great idea. Another theme I often read shorter works(anything under about 150 pages) as filler in between longer books. I've read some wonderful things lately - - if you are looking for recommendations, here area few: a book by Ruth Reichl called "For Mom, Finally", a memoir by Calvin Trillin called "About Alice", a novel that Ann Patchett recently got Harper to re-release called "The All of It" by Jeannette Haien, a couple of non-fiction thought-provoking books on life & writing by the amazing Roger Rosenblatt, one called "Kayak Morning" and the other called "When It Moves the Human Heart". I think the short books are a form of both fiction and non-fiction that a lot of people miss out on. For more short fiction, I also read Kindle Singles and there are some very good ones, but I'm a bit reticent to recommend them because not everyone has a Kindle or a Kindle app and also I wish they would put them in a print version ... because I prefer to read paper books!
This would be a good show topic for Ann & Michael; thanks for the idea!
Pamela wrote: "Muffysbookclub© wrote: "Lately I've been reading long novels like Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, The Rook by Daniel O'Malley and started reading The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern so I was hop..."Hi There
I'm loving your recommendations and they have been immediately noted and I will now go off to hunt them down-it might take me awhile depending on what's around cause in my neighborhood there aren't any independent book stores or similar but only a small local library and online stores I have access to. And as one may imagine not being in the States myself the books here are mostly by Australian authors and are purchased by the stores and libraries here rather than foreign authors. I always make purchase suggestions to my local library and I have been surprised by their response thus far so hopefully there will be more to come my way meanwhile.
I do have a Kindle and have purchased many books too but I keep going back to hardcover or paperback books where I have a firm hold of them physically.Dropping them doesn't mean I lose the words and can't read the rest when I pick it back up. ; )
A recent NYT Review of Books (March maybe ... I'm always behind!) podcast rattled off a series of former print book review publications that are going digital only, or digital as supplemental. Any chance you could review these sources of book reviews and help those of us in the hinterlands learn where to go for the latest scoop in publishing??
Muffysbookclub© wrote: "Hello There I was hoping you could do a program (chosen from shortlisted books of 2011 & 2012) on short but "Must Read" Novels (example- The Sense of an Ending, which I'm almost finished reading ..."
Here are some short reads that I've had lately. . . I would recommend Home by Toni Morrison, Disgrace , The Pledge - by Switzerland's greatest author - he wrote several short novellas which are strange and interesting that involve Inspector Barlach, and The Lifeboat
I'm trying to stay clear of the "Gone Girl" discussion thread and even avoiding reading my friends' reviews on it for fear of learning too much about the story before I have a chance to read it. However, it seems as though most people are quite taken with it, and it clearly offers good content to spark off discussions, so I am thinking of putting it on my book club shortlist, however, I need to present the book club with three books in total of the same genre. So here are my questions:
"Gone Girl" - does this belong into the genre of Mystery, Suspense or Thriller?
And can someone explain to me what the difference is between these three?
In fact, would this be something for Ann & Michael to talk about? Explain the difference between Mysteries, Suspense novels and Thrillers, and cite 4-5 examples for each category to illustrate the differences?
For those of you who have read "Gone Girl", which other two books could I put on the short list for my "genre book club" to "compete"?
Finally, as an alternative, I am thinking of picking Children's Books as the next genre (I'm thinking 10-14 year ols - middle grade?), and have read and loved both "Wonder" by RJ Palacio and "Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend" by Matthew Dicks.
Can anyone think of a third book to compliment that shortlist?
Is it fair to categorise the Imaginary Friend as a children's book?
Enough questions for one day.... thanks everyone in advance for your invaluable insights!!
Kats
@ kats,in regards to children's books, i think the following are good books for young kids:
are all good. they may be a bit young for the age you are referring to, but all great books worth a look.
Mod
I really like the idea of a segment on the mystery, thriller, suspense definition. Just yesterday a woman told me she wanted to read "blank book" as her friend said it was a good mystery. I would not have defined said book as mystery, but thriller.
I think of mysteries as puzzlers, with something to be solved, usually a murder, someone to solve it and by book's end you have an credible answer.
Suspense and thriller can have a mystery but the solving may not be the main focus. Usually they more plot driven and fast paced but sometimes can be slow building. There's usually lots of action and tension, but they may also be brooding and psycological and you may never get a definitive answer or resolve.
Within each of these there are sub-genres and authors are really bending the genres these days.
I'm certain not all would agree with my definitions and that's why a discussion here and on BOTNS would be valuable to readers.
Perhaps we'll get an expert to chime in.
Thanks, Elizabeth, these look good, I'll note down all these titles, perhaps one of those is good for my son, too. The middle grade books I am looking for are actually to be read by adults (it's for my book club), so something like "Wonder" that would keep an adult reader's interest level.
Thanks again for your input!
Carol wrote: "I really like the idea of a segment on the mystery, thriller, suspense definition. Just yesterday a woman told me she wanted to read "blank book" as her friend said it was a good mystery. I..."Quite. And someone else just emailed me off-line saying "aren't all of these just the same thing and to be found under Crime Fiction??"
So, just to throw another one in the mix here - I'm confused enough already.... but Carol, I like your definitions!
Mod
They were quick thoughts but there's much more to chat about here. Ann & Michael???
Mod
Love your entire comment.
What about
for the YA book? I just listened to it on my trip back from NYC.
I would consider Gone Girl psychological suspense. For Kats and her book club to consider toe to toe, I would recommend The Wrong Mother or Little Face both by Sophie Hannah and Half Broken Things by Morag Joss or you could have a Gillian Flynn fest and read her other two books Sharp Objects and Dark Places.
Steve wrote: "Hi Group,I'd be flattered if you'd talk/write about my new book. It's full of locales, so you can check off many stops on a map after you read it.
I'm a travel writer, photographer, author, and ..."
Shameless review! But promotion is the name of the game. Thanks, I might read your book.
Mod
And Kats, for your group -- age 10-13 can be either middle grade or young adult. I second The Giver recommendation. I'd also add The Book Thief, which skews a little older but since it's adults that will be reading, that's OK. Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend is being published here as an adult book, but would work as YA, I think.
Juliette wrote: "Steve wrote: "Hi Group,I'd be flattered if you'd talk/write about my new book. It's full of locales, so you can check off many stops on a map after you read it.
I'm a travel writer, photographer..."
Hey Juliette,
...just trying to get the word out, but if you really want shameless, then definitely read the book. People tell me it's pretty raw.
Travel To the G-Spot -- The Guide Book
Mod
If you search suspense vs. thriller on the net you'll come up with all kinds of definitions. One site, Literary Genre Blog Series article by Stacy Green quotes Alfred Hitchcock “Suspense is the state of waiting for something to happen.” – Alfred Hitchcock. and Thriller Press as stating "“It “thrills” as one reads it. The plots are scary, the characters are at great risk and the novels are constructed in a manner that makes the reader really want to turn the page.” –Thriller Press
Both go on to give examples of the genre.
I'm betting you'll find differences of opinion of which each means and the blur gets broader as more authors blend genres to write some excellent stories that challenge the norm.
Mod
I'd be flattered if you'd talk/write about my new book. It's full of locales, so you can check off many stops on a map after you read it.
I'm a travel wri..."
Yeah, this is NOT ok.
When an author is not a contributing member of the group beforehand, and when the author's posts the exact same message in multiple Goodreads groups, in my mind that's SPAM.
Juliette, I'm happy if you found a new book to read, but I don't want to encourage others, or our group will be overrun with shameless promotion.
Authors, if you want to engage with readers, the best way is to do just that--engage. Start a conversation, a discussion, a relationship, and people will ask *you* to tell them about your book.
Sorry, Steve.
Ann wrote: "Steve wrote: "Juliette wrote: "Steve wrote: "Hi Group,I'd be flattered if you'd talk/write about my new book. It's full of locales, so you can check off many stops on a map after you read it.
I'..."
Thanks so much, Ann, for your thoughtful comments. All I'm trying to do is spread the word about my new book to potential readers.
It's challenging for a single eBook -- even a really good one -- to be noticed.
That said, I've been able to reach a lot of interesting people, such as Juliette and you, through Goodreads groups. I was interviewed last week by a Goodreads blogger and the book is being reviewed by several others.
I guess one person's Spam is another's Porterhouse .
I'm here to converse, discuss and relate to you as well as I'm able, considering that I'm an introverted writer, and, as you point out, not skilled in the protocols of social networks. If you must deduct style points from my presentation to this group, I'll abide the judge's decision.
Please just consider that it might be a worthwhile book...
Travel To the G-Spot -- The Guide Book
Mod
Think of social media platforms, especially one with groups like Goodreads, as a cocktail party. This group (Books on the Nightstand) is an ongoing cocktail party, open-house style, meaning it is open to all. But if you came to my cocktail party and started shoving your business card at people and if you went around saying "hey, look at my book" -- without any introduction or small talk -- everyone would walk away and you might quickly get asked to leave.
If you behave on social media the way that you would act at a cocktail party where you didn't yet know anyone, you might find more success.
Ann wrote: "Steve, please consider this advice given in the spirit of wanting authors to succeed. Think of social media platforms, especially one with groups like Goodreads, as a cocktail party. This group (..."
Ah, you're all drinking....I knew this was a good group.
Carol wrote: "@Kats again...If you search suspense vs. thriller on the net you'll come up with all kinds of definitions. One site, Literary Genre Blog Series article by Stacy Green quotes Alfred Hitchcock “Sus..."
Thanks, Carol, this sounds like just the site I should be looking at to make things clearer - so, for instance "Defending Jacob"? Suspense? "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" - Thriller?
Mmmh - am looking forward to hearing Ann & MIchael's take on this. Thanks for all your input!!
Kats wrote: "Carol wrote: "@Kats again...
If you search suspense vs. thriller on the net you'll come up with all kinds of definitions. One site, Literary Genre Blog Series article by Stacy Green quotes Alfred ..."
I know a director who once said that every play is really a comedy and to paraphrase him, I believe that almost any book could be considered a mystery: There's always something to discover , it's just a matter of degree :-)
That said I've always viewed mystery as having its roots in horror: At the center of every mystery, there is something taboo e.g. a life taken, an illicit relationship, a violation of morality & ethics, etc. The plot of the mystery then revolves around resolution whether it's a whodunnit, a vendetta tale or a matter of diplomacy or a gun...
The mystery genre now seems to cover so much! There are cozies, noirs, spy thrillers, court dramas, action adventure and.... sometimes books can be more than one thing! Maybe instead of trying to define each type of sub-genre, Ann & Michael could talk about a sub-genre per podcast: i.e, Classic American Noir. I know there was a SoHo reading-along feature going on for a couple of months. Maybe BOTNS could create a series of tandem podcasts?
BTW, I think of Defending Jacob as a suspense tale, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo as a mystery, The Girl Who Played with Fire as an action adventure story and, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest as a courtroom drama :-)
If you search suspense vs. thriller on the net you'll come up with all kinds of definitions. One site, Literary Genre Blog Series article by Stacy Green quotes Alfred ..."
I know a director who once said that every play is really a comedy and to paraphrase him, I believe that almost any book could be considered a mystery: There's always something to discover , it's just a matter of degree :-)
That said I've always viewed mystery as having its roots in horror: At the center of every mystery, there is something taboo e.g. a life taken, an illicit relationship, a violation of morality & ethics, etc. The plot of the mystery then revolves around resolution whether it's a whodunnit, a vendetta tale or a matter of diplomacy or a gun...
The mystery genre now seems to cover so much! There are cozies, noirs, spy thrillers, court dramas, action adventure and.... sometimes books can be more than one thing! Maybe instead of trying to define each type of sub-genre, Ann & Michael could talk about a sub-genre per podcast: i.e, Classic American Noir. I know there was a SoHo reading-along feature going on for a couple of months. Maybe BOTNS could create a series of tandem podcasts?
BTW, I think of Defending Jacob as a suspense tale, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo as a mystery, The Girl Who Played with Fire as an action adventure story and, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest as a courtroom drama :-)
Mod
Very nicely put and well thought out. I enjoyed reading your whole comment!
Thanks, Ann, for addressing the problem of shameless author promotion. I participate in Goodreads groups for a lively discussion of books and bookish topics, not to be spammed. Steve, nothing, but nothing, turns me off a book as much as someone pushing it in my face. I also dislike the comments that begin with "As an author, I feel that..." Give me a break. I know a sales pitch when I hear one.
Perhaps we could start a thread (or a new group) for self-published authors to promote their books so that those who are interested could shop, and those who are turned off can avoid the spam.
Mod
I've thought of that frequently, but keep deciding against it for two reasons:
1. There are a ton of places for authors (self-published or traditionally-published) to promote their work. And our BOTNS listeners and group members are savvy enough that if they are interested in seeking out new authors to support through those venues, they can find them.
2. I'm very proud of the community that has developed here in our BOTNS group, and I don't feel that community's eyeballs are "up for sale" (even though, you know, it would be free). It's the same reason that we don't take advertising on the blog, and the reason that we have turned down sponsorships for the podcast. If the RIGHT partner came along and offered to sponsor -- i.e., one that Michael and I felt that we could honestly and impartially endorse and recommend, and if we felt the arrangement would benefit OUR LISTENERS -- we might consider it. This community is about trusted recommendations, from us to you, from you to us, and from everyone here to each other.
Mod
..."
: > )
like
Mod
I'm giving Don Quixote another try. I studied Spanish in college and developed scars with homework assignments forcing me to translate passages. 17th century Castilian Spanish...impossible. And yet, the story lures me in. So, for my 12 in 12 this year, I'm ignoring the 12 part but doing some epic reads. And Don Quixote (in English) makes the list. I just started it this weekend. It will take a while. I hope to love it and heal my scars.
So, for my suggested topic
What 'required' reading would you now consider revisiting?
A lot of other Goodreads groups do have separate threads for authors to promote their books. It kinda seems to me that the real purpose of those threads is to get them out of our faces. We have had several authors who talk to us here and never mention their books. I haven't even known they were authors until I looked at their profiles. Those types of interactions are most welcome. My feeling is, if an author can't take the time to interact with me as a person, rather than as a potential consumer, they don't belong on Goodreads at all. But that's just my opinion and it's a free country, so I'll just be "ignoring" them if they come here to self promote.
Mod
Sorry, Ann, for the ambiguity.
I like your response.
Mod
I like your response. You were far too kind!
I think there are other places for authors to promote their books. When I first saw Steve's statement I was just annoyed. If it had been in an area where new authors were encouraged to promote their books it would have been fine.
This was not the time nor the place.
Mod
Janet, I will be flagging and blocking those posts, and I report any of you to do the same. Spamming is not acceptable here.
I have a couple of topics that I'm interested in right now:1. I'm a public children's librarian who reads almost anything (children's lit, literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, sci fi, fantasy--doesn't matter as long as it's well-written). I'm guessing that I haven't yet heard a BOTNS podcast that focuses on the role of libraries in reading because Ann & Michael are in the publishing world, but I'm only guessing. I have several thoughts about this--1st, that I think some in publishing believe that public libraries take away some of their business (although reports by Pew & Library Journal show that public library power patrons are also power customers at bookstores), and as a librarian surrounded by new, beautiful books at her workplace, I still pick up books at bookstores, and 2nd, if more voracious readers like the ones who listen to BOTNS made the most of their public libraries, that public libraries would have more fans and more friends willing to fight to see their budgets remain strong. For people with the resources to buy books, reading and learning is easy. For those who do not (and we see many of them at our public libraries), public libraries remain their best bet, especially when school libraries are losing qualified librarians and don't have the budgets that the public libraries do. (Can you tell I'm passionate about this?) Thanks for letting me go on & on.
Additionally, I've been thinking about decluttering my home and workplace and wondering if you've ever done a discussion about the struggle between keeping your home manageable (and your brain manageable as well) with the desire to grab those great new titles battling the peace that comes from "less is more."
I'm a huge fan of your podcast and appreciate all of the recommendations & thoughtfulness that you bring to BOTNS--it's helped me in my work as a librarian to recommend new books to patrons--I have parents who come to our children's department to ask both for children's lit recommendations & recommendations for them.
@ kris,i am a strong supporter of my public library and a voracious reader. i also buy books on occasion and love to trade with my friends i've made through goodreads.
i think a podcast on the role of the librarian would be interesting. or perhaps just the role of the library in our lives. i know my public library had budget cuts and hours and days changed dramatically.
great to hear from you; maybe it'll become a topic. Thanks!
Kris wrote: "I have a couple of topics that I'm interested in right now:1. I'm a public children's librarian who reads almost anything (children's lit, literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, sci fi, fantasy..."
That sounds like an interesting topic to me too. Personally, I think that the world is pretty much divided into 3 camps, non-readers, casual readers, and voracious readers. Most voracious readers cannot possibly afford to buy everything they want so libraries and used bookstores are a fact of life whether publishers are happy about it or not. Casual readers probably buy as many new books as voracious readers but they are more susceptible to "marketing" whereas voracious readers (now with the help of the internet) rely on each other more for recommendations. Non-readers are well served by libraries who offer them other services (such as computer access) on the off chance that they may become readers in the future.
It would be interesting also to hear Ann and Michael talk about publishing marketing strategies.
Mod
1. I'm a public children's librarian who reads almost anything (children's lit, literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, sci fi, fantasy..."
Hi, Kris!
Running out to a sales call, but just wanted to note that Michael and I are huge supporters of libraries. There is no particular reason that we haven't done an episode on the role of libraries -- except that perhaps we tend to take for granted the fact that of course our readers and listeners value libraries. It might be time to re-think that assumption and work on a show. Thanks!
Awesome! Thanks for responding. I'll look forward to that.
I've always been curious how libraries and independent bookstores coexist- do they feel like they are competing for the same business, or do they feel like they provide different things? Can a small town or city support both a great indie bookstore and a fabulous library?
Mod
I just listened to Episode #120, where you discussed whether algorithms can appropriately suggest books. And it got me thinking about the slew of "Rotten Tomatoes"-esque book review aggregate sites. I'm aware of several, including http://idreambooks.com/; http://www.theomnivore.co.uk/; and http://www.criticsandwriters.com/. (And it appears that such a feature might someday be added to Goodreads: http://www.quora.com/Is-there-an-equi....) Do readers use these yet? Is it a useful exercise?
Just my brief perusal of these sites left me uninspired. But I do like the concept of being able to access a number of book reviews at one time.
I am that small town gal with a GREAT independent bookstore and a GREAT library. I'm a avid reader and I use the bookstore as well as my local library for my work in my radio show Books, Yarns & Tales.The bookstore has always been a place to see what is new in the publishing world and to own those books that I want on my bookshelf. If fact, if I am unsure that a book is a keeper my bookstore will order it for me so that I can preview it before purchasing.
The library serves another purpose. It is a community center where I can go in, see what's new on the shelf and see what locals are interested in. If I am doing research on a subject I just hand the librarian my list of books from the state library, that I found through their website, and the books come pouring in. When I am done I give a donation for the mailing of the books.
The biggest advantage to both is that if I don't know what area I want to explore next both places have a person(s) who will recommend a book and tell me why they believe its worth my time. No computer generated list can do that.
I use our library to indoctrinate our kids (and always get shocked when their friends tell me their parents never take them there!!) I don't borrow many books, as I have 1000+ books at home waiting to be read, but I do take out a book or 2 a month (especially if we're reading something for book club, that I don't want to buy), or if I want to read something that's out of print and hard to come by. (being such a small country, books that are more than 4-5 years old can be quite difficult to obtain).
Mod
I don't borrow many books, as I have 1000+ books at home waiti..."
Louise,
Do you have "inter-library loans?" If my library does not have a book, it or I can request it from other libraries. This usually starts within the same state (in my case, Ohio), but can reach out to the country.
One time I was searching for an obscure book about political cartoons and was able to get it through a library in Minnesota.
Ann and Michael,
It might be worth a podcast to explain differences in publishing and/or libraries around the world?
Such as why books get different titles, why American authors get published in England first, etc.
And I'd also be interested in a comparison of British & American book covers. Sometimes (a lot of times!) I'm appalled at the changes made between British & American covers. Are we that different?
Linda- when I saw Chris Cleave speak last week, someone asked about the different titles for Little Bee, which was called The Other Hand in the UK. He said that his publisher asked for a list of possible titles, and both were on that list. His US editor chose Little Bee, and his UK editor chose The Other Hand. There wasn't anything more calculated behind it. He also did say that he will never again have different titles for a single book, because people ended up buying both, only finding out later that they were the same thing. Live and learn!
Books on the Nightstand
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http://www.techdirt.com/articles/2012...
Basically it gauges demand for a book (or any creative project)so that publishers have a better basis for knowing and selecting which books will sell.