2012, Book #5, to-be-read-in-July-but-may-spill-into-subsequent-months

[René]

Welcome all to the next book discussion. The next topic is Africa, meaning we're choosing an African author, not looking for a new meeting place.

Said author will have lived in Africa for a total of at least 737 consecutive days. Other subjective rules will be posted as they come to me.

In my continued, persistent and unrelenting bid for moderator status, I'm going to be especially nice to everyone and give you until Sunday evening, 8:03:23PM, to post the title of your book proposal.

The topic is herefore...OPEN!

[Justin]

Great to meet you all last night. I had a good time! Okay, the book I was thinking of last night, but couldn't remember (neither the book nor the author), is Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. It's from 1958. It's supposed to be really good. So that's my suggestion...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Things_F....

He's from Nigeria - does that count as Africa for you, René, or are there further contentious rules as to what does and doesn't qualify!?

[René]

Yep. Nigeria's good. I checked with my in-house geography expert.

[René]

Wow! That sounds like it has martial arts! The power of one. Does it have martial arts?

[René]

I'm nominating The Beautyful Ones are Not Yet Born.


A railway freight clerk in Ghana attempts to hold out against the pressures that impel him toward corruption in both his family and his country.

[Kiwi (Karin)]

Hi everyone!
I also had a fun night with you guys! So here is my contribution, this time from South Africa: Jock of the Bushveld, by Percy FitzPatrick.

"Jock of the Bushveld is a true story by South African author Sir James Percy Fitzpatrick. The book tells of Fitzpatrick's travels with his dog, Jock, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, during the 1880s, when he worked as a storeman, prospector's assistant, journalist and ox-wagon transport-rider in the Bushveld region of the Transvaal (then the South African Republic)."

Cheerio
Kiwi

[Caroline]

Hi all, couldn't make it on Wednesday, but would like to suggest The Famished Road by Ben Okri.

[René]

OK, peoples of the internets, the doodle is up. Here's the link: http://www.doodle.com/694wtuqdxykeb6z8
Mind the fourth book seems to have got squished by the accordion effect, so you need to click on the wrinkled area to see all five books.

According to The Prophesy, this doodle will remain until Thursday, at which time it will be closed and a new doodle will rise from its ashes so the peoples can vote on the meeting date.

Vote early and vote all!

[René]

Oh, one more thing, just to remind us of the rules: participants are encouraged to vote for two (2) books on the doodle, so that we avoid the deadlock of everyone just voting for their own book.

[Justin]

Ah. I did wonder about that. Back to the doodle...

[Ganit]

Hey, I couldn't make it to the last meeting and didn't have any African suggestion but I've added my vote (in case you wonder where this unknown vote popped from:))

[René]

Am I the only person here who finds it ironic that "The Power of One" only received one vote?

I'm not being disrespectful, I almost voted for it. BTW, thank you to whoever it was who gave me moderator power status.

[René]

Seems a shame for you to miss it given your amazing stories of Africa, Lindsay. When could we schedule the next meet so that you can attend?

[Erin]

Just joined the group and would love to come to the next discussion. Not quite sure yet how this works but just voted for the 2 books I am interested in. Let me know if there is something else I need to do....

[René]

Hi Erin, welcome to the group. Next step is we vote on a date that suits the greater number and then we all show up at the ordained meeting place for discussion.

[René]

I see from the doodle that the front racer "Beautyful Ones" has been passed on the bell lap by a late surge from "The Famished Road", who is now ahead by a single vote and giving it all in the final sprint! Can "Famished Road" hang onto the lead to the end? Has "Things Fall Apart" given up to settle for third? Can "Beautyful Ones" come back from the devastating effect of being outkicked on the turn?

The doodle closes this afternoon at 15:00:00.

[René]

And the winner is ... The Famished Road, by Ben Okri.

Given that it spawns 512 pages no less, at a rate of about 50 pages per week (I've found this is a good rate for book clubs) we should schedule a book club meeting somewhere around mid-september. But that's too far away, so perhaps we should say late august? What say ye, members?

[Ganit]

last week of August sounds good... (just ordered the book, hope it will arrive soon!!!)

[Justin]

Oh dear god that's a big book...!

[Kiwi (Karin)]

Hi everyone, could we do it beg Sept? I'm on holiday until 2 Sept, sniff (not 'sniff' because of hols, just in case anyone gets ideas....)
Kiwi

[René]

Hey, you know what, eh? (that's how Canadians start a conversation). I'm just going to put up a doodle with a armload of dates from August 12 through to September 22 and leave the doodle up for a month. That way everyone can vote, then change votes as dependent on their progress with the book and variations in their personal schedule. No pressure, just vote if and when it feels right to you.

http://www.doodle.com/azz8cn69vfs7hg7g

Oh - and start reading the book.

[Justin]

Started! It's gonna take a while though... will head to Doodle soon.

[Frizzi]

Thanks for the orgnization, René! One MIGHT think you are the moderator ;)

Enjoy the summer break, all of you!

Bye bye

[René]

No problemo - you kids enjoy your summer, mind your wear sunscreem at the beach and a helmet when bicycling! Bye.

[Ganit]

Just got the book...so knowing that I still have to finish the one i read now and I would like to read a french in between, I am opting for beginning of Sept.
Saying all that...I think that there is no one around to vote !?!
Have a great summer vacation...

[René]

"Read a french in between" - so many fun ways to misinterpret that :)

[Ganit]

now that you write and I re-read, that I realize how much one word change :)

[Justin]

We should set a date... I need motivation to finish this book!

[René]

Well, the doodle only has two entries for the moment, but from those only it seems that the meet will be taking place early September. I must admit I haven't started, having gotten sidetracked by Nick Twisp's adolescent infatuations in Youth in Revolt and now the fascinating story of an androgenous Greek in 60's America in Middlesex. I'll get around to it *sigh*.

[Justin]

Hey René! Oops, forgot the Doodle was up. Done now. Still need to read Middlesex. Preferably before I crack open The Marriage Plot...

[Kiwi (Karin)]

Hi everyone,
have just completed my doodle for the date (one more chore ticked off, yeah!), so now just the reading to be done ;-)
Have a lovely summer everyone!
Kiwi

[René]

Okelee - we're still waiting for availability from Linds, Caro, Frizzi and Erin.

Reminder on the Doodle location: http://www.doodle.com/azz8cn69vfs7hg7g

Since you will be the last voters, may I ask you to be precise in your preferences as to the date? That way, we'll have a narrower range of dates and it'll be easier to pick the day.

[Erin]

Just put in my preferences. I have family in town that first week in September, the 1st - 9th. So basically, any day that last week in August or the second week in September works for me!

[Antoine]

Did you read :
http://www.amazon.fr/SIGNORINA-ebook/...

in french by a french author....so great book to read if you wish to travel in Sicily ,Italy and a very good story very well written....

[Mrpozor]

Quick question: Are your meetings in the evening or during the day?

[René]

Hello Mrpozor - meetings take place in evenings. We discuss the book, then determine a theme for the next one. Everyone and anyone is welcome to join, you just have to read the book and show up.

[Mrpozor]

Sounds great. I will try to read the book. It won't be an easy read for sure. If it is anything like One Hundred Years of Solitude, I will have a hard time.

[Alexis]

Hi, I recently moved to Paris and love reading. I won't be able to catch up with this book, but I'd love to come to the next book decision discussion. Thanks!!
-Alexis

[René]

Hi Alexis, no problemo, after the next meeting a new thread will go up for the next book, anyone is welcome to read it and come to book club.

[René]

Sometimes you don't even have to buy the book to finish it. OMG did I just write that? Shame on me!

I'm glad you bring it up the date, Linds, there are currently three candidates vying for temporal supremacy: Thu July 30th, Tue Sept. 11th and Wed Sept. 12th.

[Chimera]

Hi all, I attended a meeting a couple of years back (discussing "Let the Great World Spin"), then got caught up in other things. I would love to join again though, if allowed a second chance ;)The book choice looks very interesting.
Thanks,
Marion

[Alan]

That was a couple of years ago? Well how time flies!

Hope to make this one, but if it's the 12th sept I'll be flying back to the old country. Not that I'm trying to influence voting!

I have got some of the way through this book already - will be intrigued as to how everyone finds it as I think this one will divisive!

[René]

Righty-o, we have a tie at 7 votes, and I say we do it this Thursday August 30th! Can everyone who voted for the 30th make it?

My heartfelt apologies to Ganit and Kiwi who can't, unless a last-minute reversal of fortune may permit you to attend...?

[Erin]

I "can" make it on the 30th but I will definitely not have finished the book by then! So I am leaning much more towards the 11th but willing to go with what works for others.

[Mrpozor]

September 11th would be perfect for me.

[Alan]

Since its a tie, I'll also chime in and say that I'd prefer more time to get it finished, I.e. the 11th! We're making a mockery of the doodle, but only because it's a tie ;-Alan

[René]

Well, by all means, let's make it the 11th.

Thursday 11th September it is, mark it up on your calendars, I'll find us a proper venue for the meet.

[Justin]

I would kinda prefer the 11th too...

[Justin]

Oops, I was on the wrong page. The 11th. Fab!

[Julia]

Alexis wrote: "Hi, I recently moved to Paris and love reading. I won't be able to catch up with this book, but I'd love to come to the next book decision discussion. Thanks!!
-Alexis"

same goes for me alexis!!