Group reads, challenges etc.

[Theo]

When I think of evil, I think of recommendations that are difficult to get through, though have some value in them. So, a book that you struggled through, but in the end at least appreciated for its literary cred or its message or some other reason. Those monsters of literature that you wouldn't necessarily want to ever see again when you're finished, but you're glad you experienced all the same.

[Whitney]

Theo wrote: "When I think of evil, I think of recommendations that are difficult to get through, though have some value in them. So, a book that you struggled through, but in the end at least appreciated for it..."

Having been in a (Live and in Person!) book club on and off for a number of years, I can tell you that if anyone puts forward one of the 'monster' books, there is a 99.9% chance that the end result will be the other person not reading it. And then you will get to hear about how their work was crazy, they broke up with their significant other, their basement flooded, and their dog robbed a bank so they just didn't have time to read the book.

[Gertie]

Well, you have to admit - when your dog robs a bank it results in endless hours in court, a second job to pay the lawyer, AND time spent at the psychologist's office since suddenly you have a dog capable of stealing. Thieving dogs can be a real time suck.

[Theo]

Whitney wrote: "Having been in a (Live and in Person!) book club on and off for a number of years, I can tell you that if anyone puts forward one of the 'monster' books, there is a 99.9% chance that the end result will be the other person not reading it."

The intention of my post was to respond to Ruby's suggestion of a "mildly evil" buddy read. I was throwing out there what I thought would qualify in regards to "daring" someone to read something. I would hope that anyone who would sign up for this type of buddy read would be prepared to be challenged in this sort of manner. I also want to clarify that by "monsters of literature" I was not intending to imply only those epically long works, but anything that was difficult to get through, but was still considered literature.

[Whitney]

Theo wrote: "The intention of my post was to respond to Ruby's suggestion of a "mildly evil" buddy read. I was throwing out there what I thought would qualify in regards to "daring" someone to read something..."

Oh, I know, Theo. And I completely agree with you. But as much as people will initially enter into the deal enthusiastically, the end result is almost always as described. Of course, that's no reason not to try. Just saying don't be too disappointed if that's how things end up.

Maybe participants could agree to at least give any book 50 pages before having to abandon it for their dog's court case?

[Derek]

Whitney wrote: "Maybe participants could agree to at least give any book 50 pages before having to abandon it for their dog's court case? "

I just love dogs. Y'all (for my southern neighbours) had me at "dog", but I'd for sure be all over stories about dogs robbing banks...

[Derek]

A. wrote: "if you have made the effort to follow your instincts,learn right from wrong, and discover what "literature" really is, then are you discovering the future,..."

Ugh. I really don't want to discover what literature really is, because afaict "literature" is a code word for academics to say "if you didn't like this, you're just not as smart as me...". I honestly don't care if War and Peace is great literature (though I'm absolutely certain that Moby Dick and Catcher in the Rye are not) - I'm not going to read it. I have better things to do with my time.

[Ruby , Mistress of Chaos]

Derek wrote: "I just love dogs. Y'all (for my southern neighbours) had me at "dog", but I'd for sure be all over stories about dogs robbing banks..."

Yeah, fair warning to whoever gets paired up with Derek - Don't pick a book for him unless you are CERTAIN he will find any canine elements to the story believable. I speak from experience!

[Ruby , Mistress of Chaos]

A. wrote: "A. wrote: "if you have made the effort to follow your instincts,learn right from wrong, and discover what "literature£ really is, then are you discovering the future,

Let somebody else speak att t..."

You should be able to - let me know if you can't though. :)

[Derek]

Ruby wrote: "Yeah, fair warning to whoever gets paired up with Derek - Don't pick a book for him unless you are CERTAIN he will find any canine elements to the story believable."

Well, naturally... Though I _did_ give your book 3 stars: I liked it.

[Ruby , Mistress of Chaos]

Derek wrote: "Well, naturally... Though I _did_ give your book 3 stars: I liked it. ...."

Well, that's something! :)
I'm now really curious as to what you'd think of
Lives of the Monster Dogs..

[Derek]

That looks like fun. I love the cover.