The Rory Gilmore Book Club discussion
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Nominations & Voting
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Nominate your book choice for next month here!
Me Talk Pretty One Day by David SedarisDavid Sedaris became a star autobiographer on public radio, onstage in New York, and on bestseller lists, mostly on the strength of "SantaLand Diaries," a scathing, hilarious account of his stint as a Christmas elf at Macy's. (It's in two separate collections, both worth owning, Barrel Fever and the Christmas-themed Holidays on Ice.) Sedaris's caustic gift has not deserted him in his fourth book, which mines poignant comedy from his peculiar childhood in North Carolina, his bizarre career path, and his move with his lover to France. Though his anarchic inclination to digress is his glory, Sedaris does have a theme in these reminiscences: the inability of humans to communicate.
The title is his rendition in transliterated English of how he and his fellow students of French in Paris mangle the Gallic language. In the essay "Jesus Shaves," he and his classmates from many nations try to convey the concept of Easter to a Moroccan Muslim. "It is a party for the little boy of God," says one. "Then he be die one day on two... morsels of... lumber," says another. Sedaris muses on the disputes between his Protestant mother and his father, a Greek Orthodox guy whose Easter fell on a different day. Other essays explicate his deep kinship with his eccentric mom and absurd alienation from his IBM-exec dad: "To me, the greatest mystery of science continues to be that a man could father six children who shared absolutely none of his interests."
I love Sedaris. His humor is funny and caustic and this book is a quick read. It's a great look on an American family (and says some stuff that I think we all wish we had come up with about our own). Plus, it's short and quick and I know this is a busy month for most people. Just a fun book.
I included the description because I know that some people were interested in reading a holiday-themed book and he as written some, but Santaland Diaries is what brought him first acclaim. It might be something you'd want to pick up on your own if you like this one.
Shannon - I love the new concept! I'm all for trying something new.
THE COLOR OF WATER: A BLACK MAN'S TRIBUTE TO HIS MOTHER, BY JAMES MCBRIDEI pick this book because I have heard so many wonderful things about it. It's a memoir about growing up black with a white mother in the 1950s, a time when race relations were polarized in this country. I haven't read the book, but the themes are about race, identity and religion.
This book was on the NY Times Bestseller list for two years when it was first published in 1996. It's also on the reading lists of many high schools in the northeast. I love interesting memoirs, and I am really looking forward to reading this one.
Holidays on Ice by David SedarisHolidays on Ice is a collection of three previously published stories matched with three newer ones, all, of course, on a Christmas theme. David Sedaris's darkly playful humor is another common thread through the book, worming its way through "Seasons Greetings to Our Friends and Family!!!" a chipper suburban Christmas letter that spirals dizzily out of control, and "Front Row Center with Thaddeus Bristol," a vicious theatrical review of children's Christmas pageants. As always, Sedaris's best work is his sharply observed nonfiction, notably in "Dinah, the Christmas Whore," the tale of a memorable Christmas during which the young Sedaris learns to see his family in a new light. Worth the price of the book alone is the hilarious "SantaLand Diaries," Sedaris's chronicle of his time working as an elf at Macy's, covering everything from the preliminary group lectures ("You are not a dancer. If you were a real dancer you wouldn't be here. You're an elf and you're going to wear panties like an elf.") to the perils of inter-elf flirtation. Along the way, he paints a funny and sad portrait of the way the countless parents who pass through SantaLand are too busy creating an Experience to really pay attention to their children. In a sly way, it carries a holiday message all its own. Read it aloud to the adults after the kids have gone to bed. --Ali Davis
This is my pick because I've been wanting to read Sedaris forever, and because it's the only holiday-themed book on Rory's list.
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I haven't had an opportunity to really contribute to this group, but will strive to do so starting with my recommendation for next book group read: Wicked!This has been out for a while, and it vaguely registered, but I confess, I'm a huge Ugly Betty fan and after the repeated references to the show, I read up on the story and find appealing the idea of tracing how the "evil" person becomes infamous and hardened. The stories of lost innocence and celebrated wickedness are the best, because they remind us how heroes and enemies were once inseperable if not all that different.
I'm with Sarah. I vote for David Sedaris' Holidays on Ice.I'm not really sure why, but probably because I need something to put me in the Christmas spirit. ;)
Blanca, we (the group) read Wicked in October. So the good news is, if you read it on your own, you can go back and pull up our old threads and add your comments, and then our discussion can continue a little bit! It will be really interesting to get your take on it and to see if you have any new thoughts with which to enlighten us. :)
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Too sleepy to write a why at the moment. Mainly because it's Christmasy and should be light and funny. But, I'm easy and will read whatever given the chance to discuss it with people who want to.
JUST IN CASE this book is chosen...I was browsing and thinking about something to pair with it. There is Little Women which has some memorable Christmas scenes in it and is a classic...there are also several books on the list that are classic collections of stories or essays...LOTS of these types of books that might pair nicely i.e. collections of stories by Eudora Welty, Hemingway, Shirley Jackson, "How to Breathe Underwater" is a collection. Also collected essays by Gore Vidal and Nick Hornby. Just a thought. This could be like our "stories" or "essays" month. Mix it up a bit.
I like the idea of short stories and essays. Also people who feel a lot of pressure to get the reading done but who are super busy with the holidays can choose which stories and essays they want to read - they don't have to read the whole collection.
This so reminds me of that scene where Rory is packing up her backpack and Lorelai is teasing her about all her books. And she's like this book is my novel, this one's my lunch book, this is my bus book, but this one is my other bus book in case I'm in the mood for short stories/essays.I'm totally willing to unlist my book, if we are getting to read any of Sedaris' work.
I love that scene with Rory and all her books, because that is how I am when I fly. I always have something that's pure fun and something that's a little more serious, and usually a nonfiction too.Just a note about Holidays On Ice: I just picked it up at B&N (because I'm going to read it next month even if it isn't chosen) and it's suuuuuper short. It's 134 pages. So I personally plan to read it and Me Talk Pretty One Day back to back.
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Thanks Sarah! Like I mentioned, I've been a little out of the loop - thanks for bringing me back in.
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That said, I did pick up Holidays on Ice today as well. LOL But that is because as I said I will be doing all things Christmas this year... largely thanks to the discussions with this group! I'm so just completely in the moment/mood this year!
I'm still deciding between two books for my nomination, so it will come later. Yes, they are both Christmas books... well, one is for sure.
I still think the cut off times are a little tough for those traveling for the holidays. Especially as I see a lot of regular contributors haven't chimed in. What do you all think?
Great Expectations cautionary tale of a young man raised high above his station by a mysterious benefactor.Choice for December because it reminds us of human greed and I personally find myself sometimes saying more, more especially around this season.
I agree, I think the cut off time should be next week to give holiday travelers a chance.
I'm going to put LITTLE WOMEN out there, just because I'm in the mood for something heartfelt and sentimental right now.LITTLE WOMEN - Louisa May Alcott
In picturesque nineteenth-century New England, tomboyish Jo, beautiful Meg, fragile Beth, and romantic Amy come of age while their father is off to war.
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FYI, I was at B&N last night, and HOI is not in the essays or humor section. There is a Christmas section right as you walk in the door, and it was there. Also there was a beautiful book "Christmas Stories" and it had about 20-25 short stories in it...Truman Capote, Dickens, Tolstoy, I can't remember them all. But it looked very tempting. Not as a book club selection, but just in general. Maybe as a gift. It was around $15.
I saw that table at B&N but not the "Christmas Stories." I'll have to keep my eye out for it.
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While I like the idea of Holiday on Ice and Little Woman, I am nominating A Christmas Carol as I said in another thread because I want to do the Christmas thing up big this year and because I want to give Dickens one more chance. I've never liked him, but realize I may have changed just a tad over the last 15 or more years. A tad. So I'll give it a go... with one that he seems to lay off the excess of words a bit! Also I have been CRAVING a classic since our very first book that was so very short!
My goal is these three books next month with or without you all!! LOL I hope it's with.
I don't know how you guys can hate Dickens, especially in A Christmas Carol. Look at some of this fantastic prose!"Oh! But he was a tight-fisted hand at the grindstone, Scrooge! a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner! Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had ever struck out generous fire; secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster. The cold within him froze his old features, nipped his pointed nose, shrivelled his cheek, stiffened his gait; made his eyes red, his thin lips blue; and spoke out shrewdly in his grating voice. A frosty rime was on his head, and on his eyebrows, and his wiry chin. He carried his own low temperature always about with him; he iced his office in the dog-days; and didn't thaw it one degree at Christmas."
Michele, I may just vote for your selection instead of mine in hopes of helping to convert some of you Dickens-haters! LOL
message 23:
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Shannon, the founder of fun (back from sabbatical)
(last edited Aug 25, 2016 01:53PM)
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Ok so I will extend time to get nominations until Monday or when? Makes no difference to me.
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Does anyone feel like, after being on GoodReads, that Barnes and Noble is like, of the devil now? I mean, I could literally go in there with a shopping cart. I totally had to limit myself. I just kept thinking, "maybe this is at the library..." but all those beautiful books! And I am totally reading so much more now thanks to GoodReads. (I know, I should probably start trading...)
Anyway...I'm going to see Enchanted today. Will see how McDreamy fares as Prince Charming...not much of a stretch there...
YES... I go in with my "to read" list and at times it can be overwhelming. I keep seeing books that are on my list and I have to remind myself that I don't have to buy them all at once.I can't wait to see Enchanted! I have been looking forward to that movie since I saw the trailer at Harry Potter 5 over the summer. I love Patrick Dempsey and James Marsden. I think we are going tomorrow; we always go to the movies on Thanksgiving and Christmas. The theatres are usually practically empty!
I'm nominating Me Talk Pretty One Day.
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I think I'm going to take my daughter to see Enchanted this weekend, too.
First time poster on this group, but I say "here here" to Holidays on Ice. I've already read it, but it's a book to read every holiday. For the past few years a local theater has put on a play called "The Santaland Diaries" based on Sedaris' essays from the book. I can't wait to see it!
Seriously Sarah, I think my eyes glazed over and I fell asleep at the keyboard reading just that paragraph. Dickens. bah humbug! LOLBut seriously, I will read Dickens if that is what is chosen. I hang up my prejudices at the door when it comes to this book club. I will try anything once, even if that includes Dickens. But I may cheat and just watch the many, many, many movie versions! Muppets Christmas Carol anyone?!
Welcome, Amy!Meghan, I just don't understand your thing about Dickens. OK, I can understand it about A Tale of Two Cities or David Copperfield, books I personally hate, but A Christmas Carol is short and beautifully written. We all know what a great story it is, but it's more than that. I love his prose in that piece. Try reading that paragraph aloud like you're telling a really good campfire ghost story. It's brilliant.
I also love the way it begins: "Marley was dead -- to begin with." Think about the people who would have read it for the first time, not having seen any stage or movie versions, not knowing what the story would be about. What an attention-grabber.
And the Muppet version is my all-time favorite. :)
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I was supposed to read A Tale of Two Cities in 9th grade. Cliff notes anyone? It was hell on earth - and I was a voracious and happy reader even then!!! It was the only time Mum had to help me with an English assignment.
But I already picked up a pristine copy of A Christmas Carol at our used bookstore (illustrated even!), so I'm in!
Used bookstores are a savior, B&N is like crack. I just CAN'T stop myself. And yes, because goodreads enhances my reading with being able to chat with you all (and because I have a list to check off!), I do find myself reading more.
I also keep having to figure out how to make the books fit nicely on my over-full shelves!
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You people are nuts. That's all there is to it. :P
OK, so, Enchanted? Cutest. Movie. Ever.
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Okay, no movie discussion here. Start a new thread please! My brain is addled and I'm starting to get confused about the nominations.But that said, I just purchased a beautifully illustrated version of A Christmas Carol in the children's section. Which means it was rewritten for us non-Dickens-lovin' folk and much more enjoyable. And the pictures are pretty. Dickens should always require pictures.
AND I picked up a copy of Holidays on Ice by Sedaris. Wow is that short. How fabulously wonderful for a busy month.
I read HOI after having seen Santaland Diaries on stage. It was fun to read it, imagining the guy that was on stage doing the monologue. Yes, a fun, quick read. I put the book out on my coffee table during the Christmas season!
Oh, and my husband and I read Oliver Twist out loud while I was pregnant with my now six year old. That's Dickens, right? The only way I could stay awake was when I was the reader. I just have this thing about non-20th century language. A Christmas Carol could be good, though, since the story is so familiar.
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Seriously, I would be all for NOT having the classic be thematically linked to the contemporary (or attempted to be linked). Let's just read two good books this month. Wait, I want to read two good books every month, so what I mean is let's just read two books that we just want to read.
I could go for that. I would just have to decide if I should vote for Little Women (has it been officially nominated?) and A Christmas Carol.Shannon, if Little Women hasn't been officially nominated, can I change my nomination and nominate it? Holidays on Ice was suggested by a few other people, so I'm sure it'll be on the list for voting, and I'd love to see Little Women on there too.
Oh, I see that Tiffany nominated it (yay!) so forget what I just said. Hee hee.
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I just can't decide on a book to nominate so I am opting not to this time. Some great books have been mentioned and I think I would be happy with any of them. Can't wait to see what's selected!
I'm up for reading whatever the group wants. I also agree that the books don't need to be linked. Let's just pick something good :)
I also agree books don't need to be linked, it's nice if they are, but it's not...not nice when they aren't. Does that even make sense? Lol. I think we should vote within the first few days of this week for sure, just so everyone can be prepared before the massive amounts of travel that is the month of December.
I have no objection to Holidays on Ice. I love Sedaris and have alread read both of the Sedaris books. However, that doesn't mean I am not all for a good Christmas Story, dyfunctional and all...Kind of makes me feel like I'm home. Not to add too much to the mix, but I saw The Portable Dorthy Parker on the list and I thought that would be very interesting. Wasn't the production company of GG called Dorthy Parker, or something close to it?
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Shannon, the founder of fun (back from sabbatical)
(last edited Aug 25, 2016 01:57PM)
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We should have the post up to vote sometime today.
Sarah - no problem ;) We will be sure to add Little Women.
Looks like we have a great selection of books to choose from. Hope everyone enjoyed the holiday!
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Little Women
A Christmas Carol
Holidays on Ice
The Portable Dorothy Parker
Me Talk Pretty One Day
Great Expectations
** The Color of Water has been left off the list because it wasn't a Rory book. I'm very sorry, Sera, but if you want to nominate something else, look at our book list at the bottom of the main club page.
If you see any I have missed, please note them here. If you haven't nominated but wish to, this is your last chance!
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The Rory Gilmore Book Club
Books mentioned in this topic
Me Talk Pretty One Day (other topics)SantaLand Diaries (other topics)
Barrel Fever: Stories and Essays (other topics)
I'm hoping to give everyone a fair shot at getting their book selected. Also it gives everybody some information on the books they are voting for.
I will hold open book nominations through Friday. Saturday, I'll put up the list for votes and will leave voting open until Friday next week.
Update! I've noticed some of you have picked books that are not the on Rory Gilmore list. For now we are trying to stick to the books on our group's bookshelf. These are books or authors referenced on the show OR books included on the original Rory Gilmore book list from the WB. Please take a look before submitting your nomination. Thanks!!