The Rory Gilmore Book Club discussion
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Nominations & Voting
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And we're off!
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I knew it was a good thing I joined this group; glad I could save the day or at least be the tie breaker.Is there a specific list of classic books to choose from? Off the top my head I'd suggest, The Time Machine- H.G. Wells.
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Shannon, the founder of fun (back from sabbatical)
(last edited Aug 25, 2016 01:19PM)
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Oh so excited! I have heard lots of positives about this book and I look forward to reading it. 518 pages, I would say it's a whopper. If we pick a classic, it definitely needs to be a shorter one. That's just my opinion.The Time Machine is only 144 pages (the version I looked up). A Wrinkle in Time was one that popped in my head, but it is 244 pages. Slaughterhouse Five could be an option. Well, just shooting some ideas out there.
Anyway, just checked my library site and they have a copy that is available. May have to make a trip to town to check it out!
Okay, true story. I received this book as a Christmas gift one year. Then the giver visited me and asked to read the book. I hadn't read it yet, but said sure. I have never received it back though because said giver hated the book! I now know never to lend books to said person because I have since been told by said person that said person never returns books. Lesson to learn here - beware of lending books, especially to the person who gives you a book! But now I have an excuse to go and buy this book. So thanks!Anyway, I like the Time Machine suggestion (not sure if that's on the list either). This story though totally reminds me of that Keanu Reeves movie "The Lake House". Also, it's set in Chicago and Michigan (go Great Lakes State!). Do we have any books on the list that deal with either place?
But I'm all for reading two shorter books this month.
I like pairing The Time Traveler's Wife with The Time Machine also. Great selections! I'm going to the bookstore as soon as I drop my daughter off at preschool this morning. =)
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Keep the suggestions coming for the second book. I was just scanning Rory's list (did she REALLY read Pushkin's autobiography? Even nerdiness has it's limits). The only thing I saw that involved time travel was Slaughterhouse Five...which is already on my to-read list. But it's themes sound mostly political so not sure how it will mesh with this love story? Any other suggestions? I'm up for anything.
Another book that would go well with this that came to mind was "Devil in the White City" b/c in both of these books, I felt like the city of Chicago was a main player. However, it's really too long for a pairing and not really a "classic" per se.
I'm up for The Time Machine or A Wrinkle in Time, even if not on the list.
Meghan--looks like somebody gave you a gift with herself/himself in mind. Then, chose to ruin it for you and not give it back???? Somebody owes you a Christmas present.
Yay! I'm excited. The Time Machine sounds good. A Wrinkle in Time, despite its name, is really more about travel through space and dimensions and its a good-versus-evil story.
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But, much like Harry Potter, it's also about the redeeming power of love. So it might still work.
I say The Time Machine. Although I say it purely because I have read TTTW and LOVED it, and have read A Wrinkle In Time, over again through the years, and have never read TTM! Selfish reasons, I know!
ah-ha! part of the reason why I voted for TTTW was because I've been in the process of reading it for like 6months so now I have a good reason to actually finish it! As for a classic to go with it..I am leaning towards the Time Machine too...ever since the movie came out like a year ago, I've been meaning to read it. I heard the movie was horrible and the original one was better. Doesn't really matter as I haven't seen either!
Anyway...so yeah. I'm psyched for TTTW and I vote for Time Machine!
so one more thing...do we want to try and read TTTW by a certain date in november? or do we just start posting once we've finished it? I'm new to this so just wondering what you guys usually do.
i'm excited to read TTTW. I have it from the library b/c I was gonna read it anyway. I'm glad I get to read it along with all of you. Can't wait to get started =]
This is only our second month. Last month people just started posting when they finished, but then there would be these big lags in conversation. So I think this month we said we were going to be done by the 15th? Is that right?
So wait we don't discuss until we are finished with the book? I've been in book clubs where we read chunks of the book (chapters or parts) and discuss while still reading the book.
Just throwing that out there.
Okay, just to clarify. It was discussed about having a discussion due date. I suggested (based off another book club) that we make the 15th for the first book. And a second date (say the 22nd) to discuss the second. I think if we keep the dates fairly close together, it will give people adequate time to read both books (if they want). It will also give us the opportunity to do the compare and contrast (which seemed to do really well last time). But it helps, I think, to get discussion started. But nothing was ever decided for sure.But I am BIG proponent for people participating regardless if they've finished the book. If you read a chapter, a line even, that speaks to you, tell us about it! It really could spark a great conversation.
I think it got a little hard with so many threads. I was wondering if you could just write in the top line of your comment SPOILER if you are giving away plot points, so people who haven't finished can know to skip that comment? That way we can keep it to only three threads--TTTW, the classic, and a compare & contrast? That may help to keep conversations rolling. Just a thought.
I agree with Meghan about just having the 3 threads. If you write spoiler and then space down a little bit before leaving the comment, then that would keep people from reading that comment and also from appearing on your home page.I like the idea of the 15th and 22nd as dates for discussion. I also think it is important to point out that just because you are not finished with the entire book does not mean you can't participate in the discussion. As most of you know, the discussions can last several weeks and change to take on new life as different people finish books or different sections of the book.
Just opinions! I'm so excited to begin!
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Maybe it's just because in Lit classes I couldn't enjoy a book or take a break because of the constant deadlines. I don't want it to become a pressure point, because I'll bail. Oh, and by the way... my personality always makes deadlines a stress. It's a curse and a blessing... means I get things done, but at a price.
Obviously I will concede to group consensus, but in case there are others like me out there - okay, I'm too eccentric to curse anyone with that - in case there are others who feel as I do about deadlines, I thought I'd put this out there.
And by the way, the suggested completion date for the second book is actually Thanksgiving Day.
I also think that having someone simply say "spoiler" in a post would make it hard because as discussion points and responses come out of that, people will be confused if they do skip it. Or learn too much from the responses. I mean, don't you think?
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I kind of like how we did it last month. Pick the books, post the headings, and write as we feel the desire. Everyone will just keep in mind that we will be moving on to new books come Dec. 1.
Let's just try to avoid spoilers in our discussion if possible. If not possible, we could just try to write SPOILER ALERT!!!!
Hopefully that's not too redundant of what's been said.
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Well, as you can see, I have no problems expressing opinions (much to your chagrin)! But I think you've all made very good points. Seems like what we did last month worked so no need to mess with it.But how about this small suggestion? If you're done with a book (or you read a passage you want to comment on) and there isn't a thread started, please start one! Otherwise, on the 15th, we all can count on a thread being started for both books.
As for spoilers, let's do the two separate threads for each book. I'd rather be safe and not risk spoiling the book for someone.
PS. Dang, thanksgiving's early this year. Totally forgot. But yay turkey! (yeah, I have a thing for food.)
At the risk of being totally redundant, i like not having a set deadline (I also get enough of that in my life!)...status quo is cool with me :)
I vote for not having a deadline as well. Though it looks like most people are leaning towards The Time Machine, I am wondering if there has been an official decision regarding the second book?
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I might even start the second book first! (It always feels good to check one off... and then I could post sooner!! Besides, I was kinda looking forward to a classic.) I guess it's off to the used bookstore tomorrow for the The Time Machine.
Hey, maybe next month could the longer of the two be the classic... please??? LOL
Speaking of next month, I think it might be a good idea to pick two shorter books or just one. With the holidays coming up, people may not be able to devote as much time to reading. Yes, I am jumping ahead but thought I'd throw it out there anyway.
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Shannon, the founder of fun (back from sabbatical)
(last edited Aug 25, 2016 01:20PM)
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Good pick for the classic!! I can't wait!
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Well, I already took the initiative and started a spoiler thread. Sorry. I just couldn't wait to get started on the discussion!
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The Time Traveler's Wife
It was a very, VERY tight race with Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress.
If Bibliosaurus hadn't gotten that last voting list in there, I wouldn't have know quite what to do since one of the voters didn't rank their selections... however I figured it both with those votes being all the same value and with ranking them in the order they in which they were listed, and TTTW still won. Barely.
I'm looking forward to the discussions!!
The next question is since it isn't terribly short, do we still want to pick a classic "mate" or not? If so, what are your suggestions as to what would be a good pairing with this title?