[EN World Book Club] Suggestions & Selectors

[JoeGKushner]

One interesting thing to do is keep the 'wish' list and like a shopping list, over time show which ones we've read with some notes attached to 'em.

 

[Morbidity]

Re: Re: [EN World Book Club] Suggestions & Selectors

I've highlighted this shorter list for a major reason: TRANSLATION PROBLEMS.

The number of different translations of these works into English are many and highly varied in quality. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is a grand example of this -- many English translations leave out whole chapters and large blocks of text due to A) socialist messages or B) technical aspects that the editors think will bore the readers.

IF you are going to be using one of these works THEN you must make sure everyone is reading the same translation; to do otherwise is to invite disaster...

So says a man who has faced this situation in the classroom

(added comment...)

Oh, and I'd be interested in at least testing the club out.

No, no, no … this is an educational club. All books must be read in the language they were written in. Add me on to the list of people who are interested in reading, rather than selecting.

 

[diaglo]

so how do you make suggestions for recommended reading?

i'd like to add:

Ending Neglect: The Elimination of Tuberculosis in the United States by the Institute of Medicine Lawrence Geiter editor copyright 2000 National Academy Press Washington, D.C.

 

[JoeBlank]

so how do you make suggestions for recommended reading?

i'd like to add:

Ending Neglect: The Elimination of Tuberculosis in the United States by the Institute of Medicine Lawrence Geiter editor copyright 2000 National Academy Press Washington, D.C.

I assure you, when my turn on the editorial board comes around, I will give your suggestion the consideration it deserves.

 

[reddist]

Hey Sam, did you get me down for an editorial board member? Are we still thinking in terms of rotations?

And when do you want me to stop suggesting books?

Wyrm: Mark Fabi
Minority Report: Phillip K Dick
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep: Also Phillip K Dick
Man in the High Castle: Also Also Phillip K Dick
--> this could go on for a while...

-Reddist

edit: Hey! Post 150! Woot!

 

[Cthulhu's Librarian]

Basic concept is this: Once per month one person who has expressed interest in choosing a reading selection will be tapped to offer up their choice. Everyone who is interested will procure a copy of said book and have roughly one month to read it. Discussion will begin at that time, and continue for as long as necessary.

I've been talking with several people who are in bookgroups (both online groups and real life groups), and have come up with a suggestion for the frequency of book choices and discussion time.

1. Have 1 month reading time before discussion begins for the book.
2. Allow for 2 weeks discussion online.
3. The next book is announced when the discussion begins for the current book, but the 1 month reading period does not start until the end of the 2 week discussion period.

This will allow for an actual time between books of 6 weeks. This takes into account time to purchase the book, read it, and have the discussion before having to start discussion on the next book.

I think that the extra time (6 weeks vs. 4 weeks reading time) will take pressure off those members who may have lots of reading that is required for work, school, etc. and may find 1 month to be too short a time to read, discuss, and then start on the next book. With my spare reading time at a premium, I know I'd appreciate the slightly longer time between books.

Feel free to discuss, disagree with me, etc. I'm just tossing this out as an idea after talking with other people I know who are currently in book discussion groups. Thanks!

Rich

 

[Sam]

I'd like to add:

Ending Neglect: The Elimination of Tuberculosis in the United States by the Institute of Medicine Lawrence Geiter editor copyright 2000 National Academy Press Washington, D.C.

Ummm. I'll get right on putting that on the secondary list. Hmmm.... Where did I put the "secondary list"? Oh, yeah, circular file. There it goes. Done.

Seriously, if you've got something (that's appropriate) for book club's consideration, just post it and I'll add it to the list.

 

[Sam]

Hey Sam, did you get me down for an editorial board member? Are we still thinking in terms of rotations?

And when do you want me to stop suggesting books?

I just added you to the first post of the thread. On the rotation question, if you're talking about the types of books, we haven't codified it as a requirement. More of a guideline really. If you mean the "editorial board", there will be one member selected per month. Oh, and keep the suggestions coming. The list won't get locked down or anything. Though at some point it will start to get a bit unruly.

Wyrm: Mark Fabi
Minority Report: Phillip K Dick
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep: Also Phillip K Dick
Man in the High Castle: Also Also Phillip K Dick
--> this could go on for a while...

Added Wyrm. Aren't the PKD items short stories? For now anyway we are going to stick with novels.

 

[Sam]

Re: Re: [EN World Book Club] Suggestions & Selectors

I think that the extra time (6 weeks vs. 4 weeks reading time) will take pressure off those members who may have lots of reading that is required for work, school, etc. and may find 1 month to be too short a time to read, discuss, and then start on the next book. With my spare reading time at a premium, I know I'd appreciate the slightly longer time between books.

I've got no problem with this schedule. After all, this is supposed to be an enjoyable exercise, not something that gives people stress. Unless anyone has any objection, I think this schedule should be adopted.

 

[Cthulhu's Librarian]

I'd like to add one more recent book to the list:

Bones of the Earth by Michael Swanwick


edit: Hey look! Post #300!