What do you want us to talk/write about? Showing 201-250 of 1,312

[Jesue]

Hello, loving your podcast! Just wondering if you guys know of anyone fictional books regarding journalism. In Cold Blood is the only one that I can think of. So do you know any other good ones?

[[deleted user]]

Jesue wrote: "Hello, loving your podcast! Just wondering if you guys know of anyone fictional books regarding journalism. In Cold Blood is the only one that I can think of. So do you know any other good ones? "

Um, IN COLD BLOOD (by Truman Capote) is non-fiction. Are you looking for more non-fiction or fiction?

[Jesue]

Yeah, I'm looking for fiction - because In Cold Blood is the only journalism book i can think of and it's non-fiction soooo any fictional titles would be helpful..thanks

[[deleted user]]

Jesue wrote: "Yeah, I'm looking for fiction - because In Cold Blood is the only journalism book i can think of and it's non-fiction soooo any fictional titles would be helpful..thanks "

LOL, of course now that you indicated that you were looking for fiction, all I can think about are non-fiction titles! Actually there are a bazillion mysteries that have a reporter or journalist as the protag (http://www.stopyourekillingme.com/Job...) but as far as General Fiction goes, I can't think of any :-(

[Kathy]

Ann wrote: "Hi Booksexy,

Thought about it, but I've never ever read a Steampunk book."

I loved Jules Verne and HG Wells as a kid and am so excited about these new novels. I just read and loved Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld and Boneshaker by Cherie Priest. Boneshaker is a combo steampunk/dystopia and that really pulled me more into it. I read Airborne by Oppel a few years ago and Un Lun Dun by China Mieville - I think those would fit... My next read is Airman by Eoin Colfer...

[Vanessa]

Ann and Kathy wrote: Thought about it, but I've never ever read a Steampunk book."

I loved Jules Verne and HG Wells as a kid and am so excited about these new novels.

I am just now discovering steampunk and I love it. I read the Dark Materials trilogy last year, which evidently qualifies in the genre and liked it-although the third book gets a little tiresome as Pullman's feelings on God and religion started to interfere with the story, IMO. I just got Soulless-Parasol Protectorate Book the First and The City & The City (by China Mieville) from the library and Boneshaker is on my To Read list. I'd love to find more good recs in that genre.

[Ann]

OK, I did read the Golden Compass, didn't realize that was Steampunk. The first time I heard the term was in relation to a book called The Difference Engine by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling. It was an incredibly popular book when it originally came out in the early '90s, but I never did read it.

[Vanessa]

Ann wrote: OK, I did read the Golden Compass, didn't realize that was Steampunk.

Well, I guess it is. I was searching this site for Steampunk suggestions and found a list that had Compass on it (along with The Difference Engine, which I also have not read.) Compass would fit somewhat I think given the turn of the century technology like zeppelins and gas lamps.

[Michael]

Kathy-

Boneshaker is the book I read about in the PW list that I want to read but thought I'd probably never get to, but hearing your good comment about, maybe I should add it to the nightstand!!

[Melissa]

I love your podcast and the new website looks wonderful. One thing that I miss from the summer podcasts is the discussion of classic literature that grew out of the Beowulf on the Beach challenge. Would it be possible to include a classic book every now and then in your reviews, or perhaps ask Jack Murnighan to record a guest spot once a month or so? Thanks for everything, and keep the podcasts coming - I'm planning on running in the Chicago marathon next fall and I need the podcasts for the training runs!

[Ann]

Melissa -- do we have to actually *read* the classic, or can we just tell you about it? ;)

I'll put my thinking cap on.

[Melissa]

You can just talk about it! What did you read in high school or college that you may want to read again? What classic author have you never read, but would like to try someday?

[JULIE]

Melissa wrote: "You can just talk about it! What did you read in high school or college that you may want to read again? What classic author have you never read, but would like to try someday?"

I read a lot of John Steinbeck in high school; also George Orwell (not just Animal Farm and 1984 either).

[Vanessa]

Did you guys hear btw that George Orwell's family put his diaries up as a blog?

http://orwelldiaries.wordpress.com/

Many of the entries are about his chickens but somehow it's funny to read such an intellectual, political writer obsessing over the daily egg tally.

[JULIE]

Vanessa wrote: "Did you guys here btw that George Orwell's family put his diaries up as a blog?

http://orwelldiaries.wordpress.com/

Many of the entries are about his chickens but somehow it's funny to read ..."

Ha! Kind of reminds me of what my partner's family writes about on Facebook: "Today I went to the grocery store and I bought...." Is that really what social networking is about?

[Ann]

Jeweleye wrote:"Kind of reminds me of what my partner's family writes about on Facebook: "Today I went to the grocery store and I bought...." Is that really what social networking is about? "

Actually, yeah, it kind of is. Once on an episode of the podcast I mentioned being at the grocery store. One of our bookstore customers later said "I had no idea you went to the grocery store, I thought you just worked all the time." ... see, now he knows me better :)

[Melissa]

I recently purchased two books from the used book store. They are both new hardcovers, "Homer and Langley," by E.L. Doctorow and "Gone Tomorrow" by Lee Child. Neither looked to be used, but both are smaller than the standard new hardcover, with smaller print. Are these advanced copies?

[[deleted user]]

Melissa wrote: "I recently purchased two books from the used book store. They are both new hardcovers, "Homer and Langley," by E.L. Doctorow and "Gone Tomorrow" by Lee Child. Neither looked to be used, but both are smaller than the standard new hardcover, with smaller print. Are these advanced copies?"

Probably not. ARCs are very clearly marked as "Advanced Reading Copies" on the spine, have marketing bullets on the back and, are usually only issued as paperbacks.

I really have no idea what you may have in hand! Maybe copy printed outside of your country?

[Ann]

Melissa wrote: "I recently purchased two books from the used book store. They are both new hardcovers, "Homer and Langley," by E.L. Doctorow and "Gone Tomorrow" by Lee Child. Neither looked to be used, but both ar..."

I suspect these are book club copies -- as in Book of the Month Club, get 4 books for $1 and commit to buying x in the next 6 months, etc.

I do not know if book clubs still operate the same way, but the way they *used* to work was that the publisher would license a title to either Book of the Month Club or The Literary Guild. Those clubs would then print their own editions of the book, on cheaper paper, a smaller trim size, etc. They normally left the price off the inside front flap -- that was always the giveaway.

When I first started working for Dell Publishing, our parent company Doubleday owned The Literary Guild. There was a big room in the Doubleday building where they would shelve overstock copies of the book club books. Employees could go in on their lunch hour and browse, and pay .25/book. I would often walk the 10 or so blocks and fill a shopping bag. It was like Christmas every week!

[Vanessa]

Anne wrote: There was a big room in the Doubleday building where they would shelve overstock copies of the book club books. Employees could go in on their lunch hour and browse, and pay .25/book...

You have the sweetest job.

[Melissa]

Thanks, Ann. I agree, you have the sweetest job.

[Ann]

Yeah, well, those days are gone. Doubleday was purchased by Bertelsmann in 1986, and the offices soon moved, thus closing forever the .25 cent book room. Bertelsmann bought Random House in 1998, and everybody merged. The Literary Guild is no longer part of the company.

But yeah, my job's still pretty sweet.

[Kerry]

Sara wrote: "I just have to recommend the book Shelf Life-by Suzanne Stempek Shea. I noticed on the Books on the Nightstand website that there is a reference to it. It was a terrific book. I used to work in a ..."

You are the first person i have seen mention this book. I loved it too. For anyone who loves books it is a really nice read.

[Orion]

There was a terrific book I read in college, when I was taking my Milton class. It was used as a comparative reading alongside Paradise Lost. It's called To Reign in Hell, by Stephen Brust, and I would love for you guys to squeeze it in somewhere on the podcast (perhaps read it as well, if time allows).
It ingeniously retells the story of the war in Heaven, dividing God and Satan up into a dozen or so separate characters (Satan, Lucifer, Leviathan, Yaweh, etc...).
I hardly get a chance to discuss it with anyone, as hardly anyone has read it. My professor herself came across it by chance. It's a very cool read, so if you get a chance look it up and give it a little publicity!

[Linda]

Is there a discussion about "1 book wonders"? The most obvious would be Harper Lee, but I can also think about Arthur Golden who wrote MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA. Where has he been since then? I'm sure there are others.

[Kerry]

How do readers get themselves to read that book that has been on the Nightstand so long??
I've found reading challenges a great motivator
I'm also trying to read at least one book that has been on my shelves each month as part of my 50 books in 2010 reading challenge.
Would love to hear how other listeners get back to the books that caught their attention and then got buried underneath something new that came along and have sat gathering dust every since.

[Tania]

I'm slowly working my way through the past episodes of BOTN so if this has already been discussed feel free to ignore but I have two ideas to put forward...

1) How to readers get hold of books that aren't published in their country yet? Like a lot of the books you guys talk about on the podcast are new or about to be released in the U.S. which means it will take awhile for them to show up in Australia (and ultimately our libraries). This doesn't in any way change the way I look forward to each new podcast but I'm thinking there has to be ways out there (probably internet based) to get hold of books from other countries without having to buy them? I think Book Crossing does something like that? I don't know much more about it though.

2) How do people keep track of the ever growing lists of what to read...at home I guess but especially when out and about? I listen when walking in the bush so I often find myself pausing to add to my Evernote list, or using the voice recorder if there's no decent signal at the time...just curious!

Thanks!

[Christine]

Ann and Michael, I can't remember if I've commented here or on the Nightstand blog, but thanks for your work on the podcast and blog, and especially for being so responsive to your listeners/comments. It really does feel like a conversation. I started listening to the podcast while on maternity leave and have been a fan since!

I just finished The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri and LOVED it and it made me think of an idea for a podcast, if you haven't already done it. How about an episode on immigrants to the US or people moving to places with totally different cultures? Or even a show dedicated to one general area, i.e. Asian subcontinent, Africa, or New York (what a fantastic show that would be!). I know you've suggested books on this theme before, both fiction and non-fiction but I can't remember if you've had an entire show on the topic.

[Ann]

Cjazzy -- Thanks so much!!
We've been toying with a 'geography' idea for a long time, but haven't quite gotten around to doing it. Not sure why, because I think our listeners/readers could help contribute lists.

I like it - thanks for the nudge!

[Suzy]

Ann wrote: "Anything you're dying to hear about?

We're planning our "editorial calendar" for the rest of the year, and wanted to solicit your ideas.

We have some big plans, and hopefully the time to impl..."


I think you guys should do a podcast on chick-lit.

I read chick-lit all the time. I happen to find them fun and easy to read. They're a bit lighter in content so it's easy escape from reality.

[Rita]

I second that Suzy. Chick lit is great!

[Heather]

I didn't look through all of the posts, but what about a podcast on which "classics" we should read?

Heather in KS

[Djdee]

I would like you to do a show only on non fiction and discuss why some people prefer one over the other.I can only handle so much fiction than I race back to my favourite non fiction particularly memoirs or biographies.Thanks

[Ann]

Hmmm .... Djdee, intriguing idea, though I'm not sure we can ever answer why people often prefer one over the other. We'll give it a shot!

[Stephanie]

I am curious about cover art...why does it change between HC and PB? Why does it sometimes remain the same? Whose decision is that? How much of a say does the author have in the cover design? Inquiring minds want to know. :)

[Libby]

Stephanie wrote: "I am curious about cover art...why does it change between HC and PB? Why does it sometimes remain the same? Whose decision is that? ..."

I'm always interested in differences between dust jacket art for books published in the US and the UK. I often prefer the UK cover art.

[Joel]

I agree, a show of cover art or even general book design would be cool. I really liked the show on deckled edges.

[Spookyelle]

I just love what Bobbi and Dotty said about their TBR piles, I also have been making lists for years and at 26 I'll never get half way through everything I want to read

[Spookyelle]

The book group I was in did 2 book a month both paired up in some way, perhaps set in the same place or dealing with similar issues i.e mental health, which made for interesting discussions and comparison of the two

[Chris]

Hi Ann!

Wasn't sure where to put this post, so I thought I would try here.

This was in yesterday's NY Times, http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/25/boo....

I'm going to re-read it for the third time this summer in honor of its anniversary. Thought others might be interested in this as well.

I read a wonderful biography last year on Harper Lee titled "Mockingbird." Really discussed how the book came to be.
Chris

[Linda]

Chris,

Thanks for reminding me about Mockingbird: A Portrait of Harper Lee. I'll have to get that higher up on my TBR list.

[Ann]

Darn, that's what I forgot to do at BEA!! The Harper Collins booth had a guest book for fans of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD to sign, and they are going to send it to Harper Lee. I meant to go back and write something, but didn't make it.

I bought the 50th anniversary hardcover for myself, and the paperback for my 11 year-old. I think I'll also buy the audio, because I really want to hear the Sissy Spacek reading.

[Bobbi]

Ann, I signed the guest book; when I told a friend about it, she said, "I thought Harper Lee was dead!"

[Melissa]

I just replied to a comment about Still Alice on another group page. I cannot face books about Alzheimer's disease after witnessing my mother's losing battle with it. I remember in a podcast that Ann admitted that she cannot read passages in books with rats in them. It might be interesting to hear about what topics people have difficulty reading about, and perhaps set up a reading challenge for conquering those fears.

[Ann]

Melissa, I'm not sure I want to take that challenge!

[[deleted user]]

Melissa wrote: "I just replied to a comment about Still Alice on another group page. I cannot face books about Alzheimer's disease after witnessing my mother's losing battle with it. I remember in a podcast that A..."

It actually might be a good idea to read these types of challenging books with others. I can't think of any topics that I would have difficulty reading about, but I would certainly be willing to support someone through a challenging book ....

[Mona]

I think it would be interesting to find out out what topics people have difficulty reading about and why.

[Libby]

Mona wrote: "I think it would be interesting to find out out what topics people have difficulty reading about and why."

I can't read books where people abuse animals. I started reading Winter Birds by Jim Grimsley, and early on, the point of view character abuses a puppy. I think the book was about the child being abused, but I was on an airplane and couldn't make it through the puppy scene and I closed the book and picked up another. This is a good reason to take more than one book on a plane ride.

[Mona]

Libby, I also find books/movies on animal/child abuse difficult to watch. My sis-in-law(brother's wife) can't watch them.

I always take more than one genre of book on trips with me(even weekend trips) along with a couple different magazines. I never know what I'll be in the mood for. Hubby always asks when I plan to read all that. I don't--I just want to be prepared.

I guess that's the advantage of those Kindles. But I prefer the feeling of a book/magazine/newspaper in my hands.

[John]

Hi Everyone,

My name is John Cicero and I am a fantasy/adventure author. I'm new to Goodreads and not sure if it's appropriate or not to talk about my own novel or not, so I figure we could talk about the genre it's in instead

I've written two novels within my Rainbow's Shadow Trilogy. They are "Rainbow’s Shadow and the Tablets of Fate" and "Rainbow’s Shadow and the Covenant of Wisdom".

The final novel in the trilogy is "Rainbow’s Shadow and the Other Side of Paradise" which is currently in development.

I'm curious what every thoughts are on fantasy/adventure and if you feel the genre is gaining strength or not?

Give me an idea of where you think the genre is going.

And, if you have a moment and the interest check out my website and at... www.RainbowsShadow.com

Take care, John