What should we read?

[Kate]

What do you want the group to read? You can suggest genres, themes, authors or specific books. This is your group and we want to hear from you!

[Kate]

I've been thinking Short Stories in July and Celebrity Memoirs for August. I thought those might be good for summer, but how do people feel?

[Maria]

I'd love to do short stories-- I'm always meaning to read some but never seem to get around to it. Plus anthologies can be really daunting so it would be great to hear which stories in a door-stopper book people liked best.

[Jo]

I think the celebrity bios is a great idea for summer reads. Possibly the nonfic equivalent of the summer blockbuster, the beach read of choice. I sometimes like to sink into the life of someone else who lives in a bubble and who often challenges the mores of their own time. It is great escape for me.

[Kate]

Jo - That's exactly what I was thinking when I chose celebrity memoirs, some good summer escapism!

Anyone have ideas for September? I was thinking of doing something back-to-school-ish, but I am open to suggestions!

[Jo]

You know, we could try something odd, like "Lost on the Shelves" featuring quirky, oddball fiction and nonfiction. Or perhaps, "School Daze" featuring coming of age fiction, mostly centered around school, or with major scenes set in school. Although that could include everything from A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, to Carrie. (Hmmm...I wonder where my need to name theme suggestion comes from).

[Maria]

Since every other novel seems to take place at a prep school, we could maybe do a boarding school (both magical and not) novels month for back to school.

[Jo]

Maria wrote: "Since every other novel seems to take place at a prep school, we could maybe do a boarding school (both magical and not) novels month for back to school."

This sounds fun!

[Jo]

At some point, I hope we can do something along the lines of "Our Favorite Potboilers". You know, the secret pleasures of the trashy dime store novel. We could go vintage or contemporary. Or maybe just pulp?

[Jo]

I wonder how folks feel about maybe trying Adult/Teen Crossovers. These days there are plenty, including the obvious, but I'm sure there may be some surprises, too.

Another choice may be Books on Film, i.e. books on which our favorite films were based. This could have interesting results, and some of us may find we like either version better than the other, as often the versions differ.

[Kirstin]

Jo wrote: "I wonder how folks feel about maybe trying Adult/Teen Crossovers.

Is there a difference between young adult fiction and adult/teen crossover (i.e., is it a sub-genre)? Either way, I'd be interested; I'm just curious how you'd define it.

[Kate]

Kristin - I think YA is usually written/marketed for young adults, while crossovers are usually aimed at adults, but could appeal to teens, or vice versa.

Thanks everyone for the back-to-school feedback! We'll definitely do YA/crossover soon, but for September I've been working on a "Classics Revisited" book list. The idea is to read books that retell or update the classics we read in school and as children. Some examples would be Wide Sargasso Sea, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, The Song of Achilles, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, etc. What do you think?

Also, a heads up for October: Things That Go Bump in the Night...

Jo - I think I'm going to save books on film for Oscar season!

[Kate]

I've been mulling over a few options for November and I'd love some feedback! The focus could either be politics/election or Thanksgiving...

1. Alternative History/Political Fiction
2. Coming to America (pilgrims, immigrants)
3. Food (cookbooks, food fiction, chef memoirs, etc.)

What do you all think?

Also, heads up for December: Young Adult

[Jo]

I like the Coming to America theme. Of course, I also love cookbooks, but this time of year I am doing my own research and collecting anyway.


Kate wrote: "I've been mulling over a few options for November and I'd love some feedback! The focus could either be politics/election or Thanksgiving...

1. Alternative History/Political Fiction
2. Coming to A..."

[Maria]

I like all three options!

[Tony]

Alt history / political fiction is my vote!

[Bobbie]

My vote is for the first one too!

[LadyTea]

"Coming to America" theme (perhaps a memoir by an immigrant or Native American) would be interesting too.

[Erissa]

My vote is for either the food writing or alternative history

[Tim]

I have to throw my lot in for alternative history/political fiction as well. I do love a genre that is either very well done or just downright terrible, and alternative fiction fits the bill for me...

[Kate]

Okay then, alternative history/political fiction for the win. I think I'll put an American presidential spin on it, to keep things topical. Thanks for the input everyone!