HT Book Circle

[scrivener]

Hey, look at the date! It's January 1, 2007! You know what that means, don't you?

It means it is time to start a book circle, and I'm starting it here.

Wait! Don't click over to that lunch thread YET! Just, you know, stick around for a bit and see if it MIGHT be something you COULD give a try! Here's what I propose:


People interested in doing some reading with other HTers submit three titles (or authors, genres, whatever) they're like to read and discuss.
The facilitator (that would be me, at least for now) coordinates a quick poll from the submissions to determine what the book will be.
We set a schedule for reading the book.
We discuss the book.
The world gets nicer, food gets tastier, dogs get doggier, and we get smarter.
We take suggestions for the next book.
Repeat steps 2 through...whatever we're on now.


Okay, who's in?

You don't have to be a book person to do this, and the suggestions don't have to be all Oprah's Book Clubby. We can pretty much do whatever, and if the first selection is something you strenuously object to, you can jump in on the next book, okay? Smileys for everyone. :)

For the first selection, I'm going to ask that you suggest titles that (a) aren't hard to find at the library, and (b) aren't too long. Long books can be momentum-killers when groups like this are starting out. Let's do something we know we can manage first.

I'll make the first three proposals, and if you have three other things you'd like to explore, just post them here. If you have no suggestions but want to participate regardless of our selection, just post an "I'm in" message so we know what we're dealing with.


E.B. White's The Trumpet of the Swan. Children's literature from the author of Stuart Little and Charlotte's Web.
Sue Monk Kidd's The Secret Life of Bees, a best-seller from a couple of years ago.
A current biography that's been out for at least a year, such as Madeleine Albright's.

You know you want to.

[Linkmeister]

E.B. White's The Trumpet of the Swan. Children's literature from the author of Stuart Little and Charlotte's Web.
Sue Monk Kidd's The Secret Life of Bees, a best-seller from a couple of years ago.
A current biography that's been out for at least a year, such as Madeleine Albright's.[/LIST]

You know you want to.

C'mon, Madeleine Albright's autobio violates the "too long" principle. How about one by Britney Spears? You need one by somebody who hasn't lived as long as Secretary Albright. :D

Actually, if you wanted one with a local connection, how about one of the two by Barack Obama?

[pzarquon]

I think this is a great idea, but I feel like I should join the "Book Circle Jr." club instead. Easier, lighter, shorter fare than the sort of stuff scrivener would naturally gravitate toward! I do want to read more, and it's a resolution for 2007, but Madeleine Albright would kill me! I mean, when I think, "start off easy," I think of a trifle like "Shopgirl (http://www.amazon.com/Shopgirl-Steve-Martin/dp/0786885688)." :eek:

Then again, I'm not sure I'd want to start with "YA" titles. Both the Trumpet and the Swan and Secret Life of Bees are for younger readers, yes?

Not that I have a better suggestion. Though at of the top "recommended artists" that LibraryThing is giving me, based on my limited number of entries so far, is Neal Stephenson (http://www.librarything.com/author/stephensonneal)...

[blueyecicle]

I want the light version!
I love to read, but hate Big long political books.
I am not smart enough to discuss them but I can handle the "small" stuff.:D

[scrivener]

Excellent. So we have two votes for light and fluffy. Keep them coming.

[anapuni808]

can I add a vote for "light" but not necessarily fluffy? I like to read legal thrillers, spy novels and detective stories. I tend to read by author instead of subject. One of my personal favorites is Janet Evanovich - her books are so funny that I have been embarassed on the bus often by laughing out loud at the characters. I read for entertainment and relaxation, not necessarily education. That may seem shallow but I like to "escape to another place" when I pick up a book. I even like the Harry Potter books & can't wait for the next/last one in June.

[Marco]

Well, I love reading but don't have much time for it, but I'll give it a shot. Though I'm a little confused about how this works. Are we supposed to buy all the books that are suggested? If so, that might be a problem.

The last book I read (that wasn't required reading for school) was "7 seconds or less" (http://www.amazon.com/Seven-Seconds-Less-Season-Phoenix/dp/074329811X). It's an inside account about the Phoenix Suns (an NBA team). Fascinating to those that follow the NBA. For those that don't? Not so much.

Anyways, I guess I'm in.

[scrivener]

No, we'll only be doing one book at a time.

[sinjin]

I'm interested but hesitant. Last time I let someone else pick for me I ended up reading Clive Barker's "Imajica". Painful. Let me round up a few for consideration. Time limit?

[blueyecicle]

I vote no romance novels!:eek:

[tutusue]

For those concerned about the purchase price of books...there's half.com and the library! The book circle interests me but, alas, I'm back at work after 2 months off. There's plenty of catching up to do! :eek:

[U'ilani]

I'll pretty much read whatever you all end up choosing. I'd rather we not start for 2 weeks, if possible, so I can finish up with my current reading material.

PZ: The Secret Life of Bees is narrated by a teen, but it is not a YA book. Beautiful prose, boring story.

I only have 2 books to recommend that aren't too lengthy:


The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane (http://www.amazon.com/Miraculous-Journey-Edward-Tulane/dp/0763625892/sr=1-1/qid=1167763415/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-0986919-4382253?ie=UTF8&s=books) by Newberry medalist Kate Dicamillo (author of Because of Winn-Dixie). Children's literature about a narcissistic china rabbit who is lost at sea and begins a journey to discover the true meaning of love. 228 pages
Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the World (http://www.amazon.com/Mountains-Beyond-Quest-Farmer-Would/dp/0812973011/sr=1-1/qid=1167763510/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-0986919-4382253?ie=UTF8&s=books) by Tracy Kidder. This is the book I'm most excited to read in 2007. 336 pagesAlso, Mitch Albom's current bestseller, For One More Day (http://www.amazon.com/One-More-Day-Mitch-Albom/dp/1401303277/sr=1-1/qid=1167764509/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-0986919-4382253?ie=UTF8&s=books), is 197 pages. I'm not at all interested in it, but others might enjoy it.

[Honoruru]

I'm back at work after 2 months off. There's plenty of catching up to do! :eek:

Two month’s off! I am filled with Envy. That’s a sin, isn’t it?

Back to the Book Circle. Sounds like a good idea, and I would be interested, but there are problems. I agree with Sinjin, people have different reading tastes. How many times have friends recommended books to me that they love, and think I will love as well, only to find out I don’t. Or vice versa ... me recommending books that I love, and think they will too, etc.

I think the best bet is to have a LARGE circle of readers, because not everyone will choose to participate, depending on the book selected. In fact, it may be that most will choose not to participate, for one reason or another. But that’s okay. Next round.

And I definitely agree with Blueyecicle ... No Romance Novels!

[scrivener]

We'll come to some kind of agreement, and if whatever we pick doesn't rock your world, then you can either sit this one out and wait for the next one, read it anyway so you can be in on the discussion (that's what I'll be doing), or start another group and facilitate it. These are all quite cool by me.

Of course there are differences in taste, but what I have found is that even when a book I've read is not to my liking, the discussion part always makes it worthwhile. I can't promise that for everyone, of course, but c'mon. Even if it's a romance, just give it a whirl.

I'm going to keep the discussion going for a few days and then take votes. U'ilani, I'm sure that two weeks is fine; we'll set a relatively relaxed reading pace to start.

[tutusue]

Two month’s off! I am filled with Envy. That’s a sin, isn’t it?[...]
Not in this case (http://www.hawaiithreads.com/showpost.php?p=117711&postcount=38). It was a necessity. The girls (http://www.reelserviceshawaii.com/mydad/) (scroll down slightly to "Two new grandkids?") needed and deserved my time. And to stay on topic...if I can ever get those 2 to write a book, I know it'll be a great read! :)

[blueyecicle]

We'll come to some kind of agreement, and if whatever we pick doesn't rock your world, then you can either sit this one out and wait for the next one, read it anyway so you can be in on the discussion (that's what I'll be doing), or start another group and facilitate it. These are all quite cool by me.

.

YOU SO SMART!:p


You are right, one man's romance novel is another's horror novel. And it always makes for good discussion either way. Who knows? I have read romance when I was really bored...I mean REALLY bored and like maybe one of them or two.

[Pua'i Mana'o]

toss in my vote for "classics I was supposed to read in high school and/or in college, but didn't care for/get the jist/couldn't appreciate at the time".

This idea is inspired by my experiences when I read "The Good Earth" a few months back.

[pzarquon]

Excellent. I did want to note that I realize part of the point of a reading group is to occasionally step outside your comfort zone. Certainly the common point of discussion and such is paramount, but picking titles by consensus means that you're not always -- or even often -- going to get a book you'd have chosen on your own. That's generally a good thing.

So, if a heavy piece or a fluffy piece or even a mushy romance novel is the pick, I'm still in. I think basic length is a more objective standard we'll want to keep in mind when choosing a book.

If it's a book I dislike intensely, what the heck. Could be fun in a masochistic way. As any reviewer knows, it's often the stuff you either love or hate that's the easiest to discuss. It's that middling territory that can be a challenge.

[Honoruru]

toss in my vote for "classics I was supposed to read in high school and/or in college, but didn't care for/get the jist/couldn't appreciate at the time".

I did want to note that I realize part of the point of a reading group is to occasionally step outside your comfort zone.

Actually, these are very good points. When I was in school many years ago, I was given a list of 32 books that I should have read (i.e. Don Quixote, War and Peace, etc.) and some of the books I thought I wouldn’t like surprised me, and I ended up liking them in spite of myself. Others were a chore to get through. Still, there is a bit of trepidation about stepping outside your comfort zone and trying something you normally wouldn’t even consider. After all, reading a book requires a certain amount of commitment.

[and off topic ... Tutusue, it sounds like your two months off were well spent.]

[Marco]

For those concerned about the purchase price of books...there's half.com and the library!

Good call on the library. I'll try that.

I'm pretty much up for trying anything... except for romance novels. I'd rather poke myself in the eye repeatedly with a hot needle than read another romance.

OK, that's a bit o an exaggeration, but I'll prolly take a pass if it is a romance and try the next one. My wife and I used to do this thing where she had to read one of my books, and I had to read one of hers. She got the idea from some magazine saying it makes couples closer or something.

Uh.... not us, apparently. It didn't go well.

[Adri]

I'm interested, time permitting. I am also pretty much up for reading any genre or trying to.

[scrivener]

For your consideration:

Sandra Cisneros's The House on Mango Street is short (128 pages in paperback), accessible, literary, popular, and a quick read. It is presented as a collection of vignettes, many of which are just a page or two long. There is something here for everyone, I think.

here (http://www.amazon.com/House-Mango-Street-Sandra-Cisneros/dp/0679734775/sr=8-1/qid=1167847137/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-7196659-0391338?ie=UTF8&s=books) is the page (with customer reviews) at Amazon.com.

Two quick drawbacks: (a) It's not written in a traditional narrative, so while there is a deep sense of story, there's not really a STORY the way you might be used to seeing it, and (b) it's so popular that you may have read it already.

Another, similar, local alternative would be Lois-Ann Yamanaka's Wild Meat and the Bully Burgers, which is written in a very similar style but is set in Hawaii.

Either of these would be good starting books for discussion because you can still participate even if you get through only part of the reading.

Keep the suggestions coming!

[Pua'i Mana'o]

Dorothy Parker comes off the top of my head for quick and heady reading.

[AbsolutChaos]

For your consideration:

Sandra Cisneros's The House on Mango Street is short (128 pages in paperback), accessible, literary, popular, and a quick read. It is presented as a collection of vignettes, many of which are just a page or two long. There is something here for everyone, I think.
seeing it, and (b) it's so popular that you may have read it already.



I'm in the (b) camp myself...

[Linkmeister]

Paul Theroux's "Hotel Honolulu" has a big advantage for me: it's on our shelves and I haven't read it.:D

Amazon info (http://www.amazon.com/Hotel-Honolulu-Novel-Paul-Theroux/dp/0618219153/sr=1-1/qid=1167853114/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-6088350-9203219?ie=UTF8&s=books)

[buzz1941]

When I was in school many years ago, I was given a list of 32 books that I should have read (i.e. Don Quixote, War and Peace, etc.) and some of the books I thought I wouldn’t like surprised me, and I ended up liking them in spite of myself.

"War and Peace" and "Gone With the Wind" surprised me as an adult reader -- they're hard to put down!

[SouthKona]

I vote for something that has stood the test of time. Some suggestions, at least one has already been mentioned:

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
1984 by George Orwell
Paradise Lost by John Milton
Manchurian Candidate by Richard Condon

[helen]

I take it then when a book is selected one will be given some time to read it right. Will it be a couple of weeks or a month to do?

[scrivener]

We'll set a schedule based on the length and difficulty of the book. For example, "read chapters 1 through 5 by this Monday; read through chapter 10 by next..."

[Pua'i Mana'o]

Paul Theroux's "Hotel Honolulu" has a big advantage for me: it's on our shelves and I haven't read it.:D

Amazon info (http://www.amazon.com/Hotel-Honolulu-Novel-Paul-Theroux/dp/0618219153/sr=1-1/qid=1167853114/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-6088350-9203219?ie=UTF8&s=books)

I don't know which book increased the trajectory of my vomit, that one or Shark Dialogues. :eek:

[Pua'i Mana'o]

We'll set a schedule based on the length and difficulty of the book. For example, "read chapters 1 through 5 by this Monday; read through chapter 10 by next..."

What tempo, Maeeestro? What book is first on the block?

[sinjin]

I don't know which book increased the trajectory of my vomit, that one or Shark Dialogues. :eek:Please elaborate. I'd love to hear your review of HH.;)

[Marco]

Any interest in reading time-travel books?

I was looking around for some good ones, and here are a few suggestions that look good:
1 Replay by Ken Grimwood (http://www.amazon.com/Replay-Ken-Grimwood/dp/customer-reviews/068816112X) - looks like it's a kind of Groundhog Day-ish type setting.

2 Doomsday Book by Connie Willis (http://www.amazon.com/Doomsday-Book-Connie-Willis/dp/0553562738/ref=cm_sylt_fullview_prod_txt_10/104-1195796-3864727/104-1195796-3864727) - it's set during the Black Plague in the 14th century. I just took a history course last quarter, and the bubonic plague really intrigued (and horrified) me.

3 Timeline by Michael Crichton (http://www.amazon.com/Timeline-Michael-Crichton/dp/0345417623) - also set in the 14th century. What can I say, I'm a history buff.

Anyways, just throwing a few suggestions out there and seeing if they get a nibble.

[sinjin]

Any interest in reading time-travel books?

I was looking around for some good ones, and here are a few suggestions that look good:
1 Replay by Ken Grimwood (http://www.amazon.com/Replay-Ken-Grimwood/dp/customer-reviews/068816112X) - looks like it's a kind of Groundhog Day-ish type setting.

2 Doomsday Book by Connie Willis (http://www.amazon.com/Doomsday-Book-Connie-Willis/dp/0553562738/ref=cm_sylt_fullview_prod_txt_10/104-1195796-3864727/104-1195796-3864727) - it's set during the Black Plague in the 14th century. I just took a history course last quarter, and the bubonic plague really intrigued (and horrified) me.

3 Timeline by Michael Crichton (http://www.amazon.com/Timeline-Michael-Crichton/dp/0345417623) - also set in the 14th century. What can I say, I'm a history buff.

Anyways, just throwing a few suggestions out there and seeing if they get a nibble."Timeline" was awful. "Congo" or "Eaters of the Dead"(my fav) were better IMO.

[Hellbent]

light reading and free: g33k mafia (http://rickdakan.com/download.htm)
Fired from a job he hated at a company he loved, videogame designer Paul Reynolds is drowning his sorrows in late-morning margaritas when he meets an alluring, pink-haired conwoman named Chloe. With her gang of techno-pirate friends, Chloe helps Paul not only take revenge on his former employers, but also extort a small fortune from them in the process. What more could a recently unemployed, over-worked videogame designer in Silicon Valley ask for?

In return for Chloe’s help, Paul agrees to create counterfeit comic books for one of her crew’s criminal schemes. In the process finds himself drawn right into the center of their wild, seductive, underground world. He falls in for their fun loving, drug fueled “off the grid” lifestyle almost as fast as he falls head over heels for Chloe. Wary of the Crew’s darker side, but eager to impress both the girl and the gang, Paul uses his game design expertise to invent a masterful con of his own. If all goes according to plan, it will be one for the ages. But can he trust any of them, or is he the one who’s really being conned?

Inspired by author Rick Dakan’s own eventful experiences in the videogame and comic book industries, "Geek Mafia", satisfies the hunger in all of us to buck the system, take revenge on corporate America, and live a life of excitement and adventure.

The book was a fast fun read but needs the application of a quick spellcheck.

[pzarquon]

The book was a fast fun read but needs the application of a quick spellcheck.Ai. I mean, I think a non-traditional author with a non-traditional distribution system -- including totally free, online -- would be an interesting place to go with a reading group. But if we do, I'd rather avoid something quite that rough. Perhaps something by Cory Doctorow (http://www.craphound.com/). I've always loved what he's doing, but never sat down to actually consume any of his novels.

For the first few books, though, I think I'd prefer some dead trees in my hands. Of the names most recently tossed out, I wouldn't mind some Dorothy Parker, Lois-Ann Yamanaka or Michael Crichton. Maybe Yamanaka would be a good inaugural title, given, you know, why most of us are here!

[U'ilani]

I'm totally interested in the book Marco posted--Replay by Grimwood. Incredible reviews on Amazon, plus Groundhog Day is one of my favorite movies. I picked it up from my library today, but probably will have to renew it once or twice before I'll have the time to read it. I'd love it if we read that one!! Any chance of that?

If not, how about we read P.D. James's The Children of Men? It's not a very long book (nor is Replay).

[Mike_Lowery]

Include Octavia Butler's "Kindred" in those time travel books. Real talk.

[anapuni808]

I'd like to also cast a vote for "Children of Men".

[Adri]

What about either Comfort Woman or Fox Girl by Nora Okja Keller?

[anapuni808]

well, since I just bought "Children of Men", that will be the book I read next. If that is the one chosen - great.

[pzarquon]

And if not, great too. Saw the movie (http://www.hawaiithreads.com/showthread.php?t=11577) last night, definitely curious about the source material, but if it's anything else, hey, I expand my horizons.

So, Scriv. Got a lot of good suggestions. Poll time yet? Were you thinking of this as a monthly or bi-monthly thing, or just adjusted as needed based on everyone's progress?

[Marco]

I'd be happy with Children of Men. The only reservation I have is if reading the book will ruin the movie for me, or vice versa. I generally find that to be the case (ie. Harry Potter books/movies).

If not CoM, I wouldn't mind reading Adri's suggestions: I'm part Korean and would be all for reading more about my ancestry.

And if others are interested in Replay like Uilani is, I'd be up for that, too.

[Adri]

I think I will read The Children of Men regardless. It sounds very interesting :)

[sinjin]

Would this appeal to anyone besides me?

http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Thunder-Epic-American-West/dp/0385507771/sr=1-1/qid=1168364828/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-4997712-3011914?ie=UTF8&s=books

This is more my standard fare:
http://www.amazon.com/Trouble-Again-Journey-Between-Orinoco/dp/0679727140/sr=1-1/qid=1168365048/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-4997712-3011914?ie=UTF8&s=books

[sinjin]

Another I'll put forth:

http://www.amazon.com/White-Hunter-Black-Heart-Viertel/dp/0440398096/sr=1-1/qid=1168472366/ref=sr_1_1/103-2810444-6162239?ie=UTF8&s=books

[scrivener]

I'll be setting up a vote this evening!

[PoiBoy]

Paul Theroux's "Hotel Honolulu" has a big advantage for me: it's on our shelves and I haven't read it.:D

Amazon info (http://www.amazon.com/Hotel-Honolulu-Novel-Paul-Theroux/dp/0618219153/sr=1-1/qid=1167853114/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-6088350-9203219?ie=UTF8&s=books)

If I ever ran into Paul...I would be going to jail. :D

[pzarquon]

I'll be setting up a vote this evening!You will, will you? :D We've got more than ten suggestions, so you're going to have to narrow the field first (which I wouldn't mind -- a little editorial discretion can be good for you) or use an offline service (http://www.dpolls.com/) for your poll (http://www.quimble.com/).

[SouthKona]

I don't do as much reading as I'd like, so I try to maximize my time by reading things that I'll be glad I have spent time on. Please, no pulp for me ... can we choose something that will either educate, inspire or motivate (along with entertain, of course). IMHO.

[sinjin]

If I ever ran into Paul...I would be going to jail. :DDo tell. Has he been vilified for his characters? How come?

[PoiBoy]

Do tell. Has he been vilified for his characters? How come?

http://www.ldb.org/theroux.htm

How come? :confused: Because he lies.

[sinjin]

http://www.ldb.org/theroux.htm

How come? :confused: Because he lies.You would prefer he'd been more flattering? There is truth and lie in generalizations. Have you actually read anything of his beyond quotes?

[Pua'i Mana'o]

Hotel Hanalulu:

take a wannabe of Mickey Rourke's character from Sin City. Drop him off near Chinatown. Write lotsa extra words so that we can get deeep inside of his head. Because we care and it will make us think that this is suspenseful. Don't forget! We need a blalah. Gotta have crime! Wrap it up near the Volcano and add a dash of mystical experience with Aunty Pele.

OOoooooooOOOOoooo! <---(the moaning precedes the huuurlll).

fruggmrumblerhatethatfarkingbookrfrugrmrugaaahbleh

[sinjin]

Hotel Hanalulu:

take a wannabe of Mickey Rourke's character from Sin City. Drop him off near Chinatown. Write lotsa extra words so that we can get deeep inside of his head. Because we care and it will make us think that this is suspenseful. Don't forget! We need a blalah. Gotta have crime! Wrap it up near the Volcano and add a dash of mystical experience with Aunty Pele.

OOoooooooOOOOoooo! <---(the moaning precedes the huuurlll).

fruggmrumblerhatethatfarkingbookrfrugrmrugaaahbleh And I was thinking you found it too smutty.:D

[SouthKona]

I'll be setting up a vote this evening!

well...... ???? :D

[scrivener]

Sorry about that.

I'm still eager to do this, if slightly behind on the draw. So I re-read this thread and here's the list of suggestions. I'm going to ask that you vote for a first and second choice, posting your preferences below (this prevents anonymous votes from people who don't plan to participate). Also, feel free to put in ONE "please not..." vote.

I'm limiting this list to actual titles that have been suggested, for expediency's sake. Let's get a book picked and read it, already.

In three days, we'll narrow the vote to the finalists and then pick our first book! So please respond with your first and second choices (and your "please not" vote) from this list:

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Newberry medalist Kate Dicamillo
Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the World by Tracy Kidder
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
Wild Meat and the Bully Burgers by Lois Ann Yamanaka
Hotel Honolulu by Paul Theroux
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
1984 by George Orwell
Paradise Lost by John Milton
Manchurian Candidate by Richard Condon
Replay by Ken Grimwood
Doomsday Book by Connie Willis
Timeline by Michael Crichton
Children of Men by P.D. James
Comfort Woman by Nora Okja Keller
Fox Girl by Nora Okja Keller
Blood and Thunder: An Epic of the American West by Hampton Sides
In Trouble Again: A Journey Between Orinoco and the Amazon by Redmond O'Hanlon
White Hunter, Black Heart by Peter Viertel

Okay! Have at it! Without trying to influence the vote, it sounds like there were multiple voices of assent for Children of Men and Replay.

Oh, and if none of those will do, we can always do Shark Dialogues by Kiana Davenport. Just kidding, Pua`i!

[scrivener]

I'll cast the first vote for:

(first choice) Replay by Ken Grimwood
(second choice) Fox Girl by Nora Okja Keller


I don't have a "please not..." vote. I'll read anything.

[helen]

Wouldn't mind reading the following

Timeline by Michael Crichton
Children of Men by P.D. James


I don't have a selection on what not to read.

[anapuni808]

#1 - Children of Men
#2 - Comfort Woman

and I'm like Scriv - I'll attempt to read anything that comes into my hands.

[pzarquon]

Wild Meat and the Bully Burgers by Lois Ann Yamanaka
Timeline by Michael Crichton
Children of Men seems well supported, so I put in a vote for a local author. And I know Crichton is over exposed, but I've actually not picked up much of his stuff. No "please not" votes. I'm curious about anything new.

[Adri]

First: Children of Men
Second: Doomsday Book

There's nothing on that list that I am not willing to try to read.

[Honoruru]

First: Children of Men
Second: The House on Mango Street

[Pua'i Mana'o]

I vote that we hurry up and choose the confonnit book!

Amended idea: do we want to cull from a list of paperbacks, so that we can keep our fetish on the cheap?

[scrivener]

HELLLLLOOOOO! Where's your VOTE, Pua`i? You want us to pick a book already? Well, voice your preference! :)

I thought of that, actually, but let's narrow the list down to the finalists and we'll make those cases if they are relevant. In two days, we'll have our finalists and we'll take a quick vote from there.

Somebody ping Uilani. I totally don't want to do this without her.

[AbsolutChaos]

Children of Men
Wild Meat and the Bully Burgers

[sinjin]

Wild Meat and the Bully Burgers by Lois Ann Yamanaka
Fox Girl by Nora Okja Keller

[Pua'i Mana'o]

HELLLLLOOOOO! Where's your VOTE, Pua`i? You want us to pick a book already? Well, voice your preference! :)

I thought of that, actually, but let's narrow the list down to the finalists and we'll make those cases if they are relevant. In two days, we'll have our finalists and we'll take a quick vote from there.

Somebody ping Uilani. I totally don't want to do this without her.

Darlin', I am not voting. I've no opinion on any of them, so somebody can make a command decision for all I care. In other words, whatever the concensus is, I'm in.

[Pua'i Mana'o]

*draws cuniforms in the sand with a stick, because the only thing get fo' read is cuniforms*

~glowers because I don't speak Sumarian~

[U'ilani]

Somebody ping Uilani. I totally don't want to do this without her.Thanks. Whatever you guys choose is cool with me.

[U'ilani]

Thanks. Whatever you guys choose is cool with me.Wait, wait... I changed my mind.

I vote we read REPLAY by Ken Grimwood. Please!

[U'ilani]

Wait, wait... I changed my mind.

I vote we read REPLAY by Ken Grimwood. Please!

Also, there are a lot of copies of the books available to borrow at your public libraries in Hawaii (http://ipac.librarieshawaii.org/ipac20/ipac.jsp?session=I1705303530Q8.7993&profile=def&uri=link=3100007~!1002627~!3100001~!3100002&aspect=subtab13&menu=search&ri=1&source=~!horizon&term=Replay+%2F&index=ALLTITL#focus). If it's not available at your neighborhood library, you can reserve it on-line and they'll send it to your public library.

[scrivener]

Here's how I added up the votes:
2 points for a first choice
1 point for a second choice
1.5 for a choice that wasn't designated first or second
-1 for a "please not..." vote

And the totals:
9 Children of Men by P.D. James
4.5 Wild Meat and the Bully Burgers by Lois Ann Yamanaka
4 Replay by Ken Grimwood
3 Timeline by Michael Crichton
2.5 Fox Girl by Nora Okja Keller
1 Comfort Woman by Nora Okja Keller
1 Doomsday Book by Connie Willis
1 House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

I believe this votes makes a runoff unnecessary, so let's read.

Here are a few online links for purchasing the novel:
Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/102-7196659-0391338?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=children+of+men&Go.x=12&Go.y=13&Go=Go)
Powells (http://www.powells.com/biblio/18-9780307275431-0) (link goes to trade paperback; there are links here for other editions)
Alibris (http://www.alibris.com/search/search.cfm?qwork=1056017&wtit=children%20of%20men&matches=361&qsort=r&cm_re=works*listing*title)
Half.com (http://product.half.ebay.com/The-Children-of-Men_W0QQtgZinfoQQprZ521214) (click "other editions" for other editions)
Barnes and Noble (http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9780307279903&itm=4)

Of course, with the recent film release, this book is not hard to find at local stores, so have at it. Plus, there's always your local library.

I'll get my copy tomorrow and post a schedule for getting it read. Okie Dokie? Let's read!


ps: of course you don't have to have voted in order to partcipate. just run out and get a copy of the book!

[Pua'i Mana'o]

Children of Men it is. Tomorrow I shall find my copy and hopefully a paperback.

[helen]

Picked up my copy of Children of Men from Barnes & Noble at Ala Moana today. It was $13.95 for a slightly large paperback book. I didn't check to see if there was a smaller and cheaper version available.

[scrivener]

That's the trade paperback edition, and it will likely be the only one available in most places. I got mine at Bestsellers on Hotel Street today.

[AbsolutChaos]

I went online at the Hawaii Public Library site today to see whether any copies were available. Looks like other HT members got the jump on me! So guys, if you got your book from the library, please read it fast so I can get a copy in time. :p

[Adri]

heh, anything to help out. I borrowed a copy from the library and read it. I returned it today so hopefully it will be available for you AbsolutChaos. My memory is not so good so I hope I don't forget it all by the time we start posting about it ;)

[anapuni808]

I just finished reading "Children of Men". wow - once I got into it a bit, couldn't put it down.

[helen]

I'm still reading it, just finished chapter 8 tonight. Is there some sort of schedule we have to keep when reading this book?

And yes this is the first time that I have been in a book club.

[pzarquon]

We got the book this past weekend, but haven't dug in just yet. Looking forward to it!

[scrivener]

Let's take a temperature check. Those of you planning to participate, where do you stand in your progress through the book? I haven't set a schedule yet, so knowing where you are will help me out. Thanks.

[AbsolutChaos]

Let's take a temperature check. Those of you planning to participate, where do you stand in your progress through the book? I haven't set a schedule yet, so knowing where you are will help me out. Thanks.

I'm done with it.

[Adri]

I'm done with it too.

[Honoruru]

I finished reading it couple of weeks ago.

[helen]

Finished Chapter 17 last night. The last two chapters (18 and 19) of the first book, Omega are pretty short so I can finish that tonight.

[helen]

I haven't finished the book yet. I took it on the plane so I could read it but I only managed to read one chapter on the way to Dallas/Fort Worth.