Nobel Prize Winners discussion
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Elizabeth wrote: "Having a discussion leader to ask questions and keep dialogue going would be nice. It is a good suggestion to have the leader be the one that suggests the work."
Thanks Elizabeth, I'll see if I elicit any more responses before deciding how to proceed.
Thanks Elizabeth, I'll see if I elicit any more responses before deciding how to proceed.
David (Dafydd) wrote: "Someone has suggested allowing more time, say 6 to 8 weeks for a group read starting from January.Another idea is for the nominator of the successful book to lead the discussion of that book and provide background information on it and the author, if that is relevant."
Hi! :)
I'm new to the community but would love to join in the discussion. I strongly support both of the above ideas.
I believe that the person who nominates the book ought to be the discussion leader. It is about taking responsibility.
With this in mind I proudly nominate "Quo vadis" by Henryk Sienkiewicz.
@AquedaTrue Aqueda! Responsibility is good, but just because a person nominates a book it does not necessarily mean that he/she will be interested or willing (or good at) to be a discussion leader. In my personal opinion a group needs a certain momentum of active readers and things progress wonderfully. We just need a critical mass and the interest, don't you think?
@DavidGreat suggestions David! I am for the group read format as it is an enticing journey with numerous voices providing new perspectives.
@Aqueda
What? Another Sienkiewicz fan? Things are getting better and better!
What? Another Sienkiewicz fan? Things are getting better and better!
Haaze wrote: "@Aqueda
True Aqueda! Responsibility is good, but just because a person nominates a book it does not necessarily mean that he/she will be interested or willing (or good at) to be a discussion leade..."
Yes, you are right, we do need a critical mass but there also needs to be a sense of commitment implied by making a nomination.
True Aqueda! Responsibility is good, but just because a person nominates a book it does not necessarily mean that he/she will be interested or willing (or good at) to be a discussion leade..."
Yes, you are right, we do need a critical mass but there also needs to be a sense of commitment implied by making a nomination.
@David I completely agree! I hesitate in nominations as I feel like I need to pick something that appeals to the majority. I guess the poll would take care of that? So if I pick something obscure I can ensure that I will not be a discussion leader? Ha ha!
I'm definitely not the biggest Sienkiewicz fan, but I do love this particular novel. Ancient Rome and Greece are my worlds :) And also I'm Polish so I just wanted to present something written by a Polish writer.
Aqueda wrote: "I'm definitely not the biggest Sienkiewicz fan, but I do love this particular novel. Ancient Rome and Greece are my worlds :) And also I'm Polish so I just wanted to present something written by a..."
Yes, Quo Vadis would be a joy to read. I have always wanted to read his With Fire and Sword. It seems to be more of an unusual choice.
I'd like to vote for A Bend in the River, which I'm planning to read soon anyhow!
OK - Are there any further nominations bearing in mind that the nominator of the selected book leads the discussion? I'll put the poll up on Friday.
To date we have two nominations:
Quo Vadis by Henryk Sienciewicz nominated by Aqueda
A Bend in the River by V S Naipaul nominated by Haaze
To date we have two nominations:
Quo Vadis by Henryk Sienciewicz nominated by Aqueda
A Bend in the River by V S Naipaul nominated by Haaze
David (Dafydd) wrote: "OK - Are there any further nominations bearing in mind that the nominator of the selected book leads the discussion? I'll put the poll up on Friday.To date we have two nominations:
Quo Vadis by..."
Hmm, do we read biographies of the authors in this group? E.g. would Lessing's autobiography be fair game?
Haaze wrote: "David (Dafydd) wrote: "OK - Are there any further nominations bearing in mind that the nominator of the selected book leads the discussion? I'll put the poll up on Friday.
To date we have two nom..."
I don't recall having a biography as a group read but if there is information in a biography that relates directly to the work being read then extracts of that is OK. Links to websites containing biographical or anecdotal information are usually the most convenient way to make such information available to members of the group.
To date we have two nom..."
I don't recall having a biography as a group read but if there is information in a biography that relates directly to the work being read then extracts of that is OK. Links to websites containing biographical or anecdotal information are usually the most convenient way to make such information available to members of the group.
@David (Dafydd) Thanks David. I was thinking more about if a Noble laureate wrote a biography (as Lessing did). Would that be a book one could nominate or are we solely in the realm of fiction?
Haaze wrote: "@David (Dafydd)
Thanks David. I was thinking more about if a Noble laureate wrote a biography (as Lessing did). Would that be a book one could nominate or are we solely in the realm of fiction?"
Oh sorry! I had misunderstood you. As I understand it the group is interested in everything that has been written by the laureates. So yes a biography written by Lessing is worth nominating. After all and taking Seamus Heaney as an example, I read some of his poetry but probably more of his translations and essays, all of which have the stamp of his genius.
Thanks David. I was thinking more about if a Noble laureate wrote a biography (as Lessing did). Would that be a book one could nominate or are we solely in the realm of fiction?"
Oh sorry! I had misunderstood you. As I understand it the group is interested in everything that has been written by the laureates. So yes a biography written by Lessing is worth nominating. After all and taking Seamus Heaney as an example, I read some of his poetry but probably more of his translations and essays, all of which have the stamp of his genius.
OK, the poll for the next group read is up. The poll will close on 11th December and the group read will start on the 2nd January to allow time to recover from the holiday and to obtain a copy of the selected book, that is of course, if you don't already have a copy. It will also allow time for the discussion leader to prepare for the discussion and to devise a timetable for the read.
A Bend in the River is a clear winner in our recent poll. I look forward to this particular read which will be led by Haaze.
David (Dafydd) wrote: "A Bend in the River is a clear winner in our recent poll. I look forward to this particular read which will be led by Haaze."I am looking forward to the read as well. Naipaul is definitely intriguing me at this point in time (especially after that article you posted in the Naipaul folder).
I have a copy of A Bend in the River somewhere. I can't find it. Looks like I'll be waiting for the next group read.
I know the feeling, I have resorted to the public library. I know I have a copy somewhere and I've even checked my son's shelves over Christmas, but to no avail.
Public libraries! But they are scarce in our country. Oh well. I have to rely on online stores.
Are we discussing here? I just finished it.
Beth wrote: "Are we discussing here? I just finished it."
Probably best to discuss it in the thread 2001: Sir V S Naipaul in the section '2001-2010'
Probably best to discuss it in the thread 2001: Sir V S Naipaul in the section '2001-2010'
Isn't it time to put in nominations for February?:)
Nobel Prize Winners
Books mentioned in this topic
Fatelessness (other topics)Quo Vadis (other topics)
Ogniem i mieczem (other topics)
A Bend in the River (other topics)
Quo Vadis (other topics)
Someone has suggested allowing more time, say 6 to 8 weeks for a group read starting from January.
Another idea is for the nominator of the successful book to lead the discussion of that book and provide background information on it and the author, if that is relevant.
Not have a group read? Surely we ought to try and read something collectively?
How about a sub group that specialises in Nobel winning poets to read alongside the standard group read.
How about a group that does little else but study one particular laureate for up to a year?
Any other ideas?