I would definitely be interested, depending on the book (I just can't get into anything too dark or dysfunctional these days), and I've always loved Jane Eyre. I'll try to think of some other titles, too.

liz, we had a discussion on Jane Eyre not so many years ago (well probably more years than I would expect "Time and Tide" etc) I remember Frieda being very active in the 'chat'. I agree with Sheri in not having anything too dire but, on the other hand, not too simple as there is then little to discuss. ;-)

I recall discussing "Jane Eyre", also. Perhaps a good book for discussion might be Sarah Gruen's "Water For Elephants." I'd have to find it and re-read it. What do you think?

My real life book group had a very good discussion of "Water for Elephants." There was lots to talk about and nearly everyone seemed to like the book. I will be willing to re-read it.

RPers are even better discussers (that word looks and sounds funny but it is apparently legitimate), so whatever this group chooses I will be up for it. The single-book discussions are my favorite RP threads.

Haven't read Water for Elephants but have heard good things about it...

Any other suggestions from anyone? Good advice from you guys too: nothing too dire, nothing too fluffy...

Count me in; whatever the group decides will be fine with me. I suggest Emma Donoghue's Room, which was short-listed for the Booker last year. The subject is a little off-putting, but trust me - it is astonishingly good and surprisingly upbeat, leaving the reader both satisfied and feeling good. Also, it is not terribly long. Might be easy to get at libraries now that the blush has worn off.

If " Water For Elephants" is chosen then count me in!!! It will be a very pleasurable reread for me I am sure.

Siobhan, I'm cautiously happy to hear you describe Room as upbeat and satisfying -- I have to read it for my real life book group next month and I am absolutely not looking forward to it. The premise alone makes my skin crawl. Given your description, however, I'll take a deep breath, read gingerly, and hope for the best.

I'd be interested in Water for Elephants, particularly as the movie is coming out soon.

I wouldn't mind a re-read of Water for Elephants.
Sheri, I can back up Siobhan's recommendation of Room. It isn't depressing at all, and I enjoyed it, although I did get a bit weary of the child's voice.

OK, peeps. It sounds like the book will be Water for Elephants...

How long do we need to read it and contemplate it? :-)

End of May? Sooner? And any volunteers for leading the discussion..? It may, actually, be my turn...

Have tried to find Water For Elephants through the library website but there are only 5 copies in our county and they are all 'out', so there is a waiting list.
I have, therefore, ordered a copy from the Book Depository.
liz/lemon, end of May might be a bit early for me. I still have 4 books I had ordered from the library, some several months ago . . . and, like buses, they all arrived at once. But don't wait for me if you are all gasping to get going. I shall look forward to you leading a detailed and illuminating discussion. :-)

I am fortunate, I purchased a copy from Angus and Robertson last year as my library did not have one listed.

End of May sounds good to me. I don't want to lead the discussion, as I have too much else going on in my life at that time.

Okey-dokey.

It sounds like the book choice will be Water for Elephants.

And shall we set the date for mid-June? To allow for people who may need to ILL or something?

And I am happy to lead the discussion so long as work doesn't throw something unexpected at me at the last minute. :-)

Mid-June sounds good for me, I'm on the wait list at the library. Looking forward to it!

Have ordered Water for Elephants. Looking forward to the discussion.

lemonhead,

Let's know when to start reading, please.
Looking forward to the discussion.

(I had posted this last week, but for some reason, it didn't stay posted, so apologies for that. I really did give you an answer...) :-)

June - you asked about when to get started with the reading. We have set this kind of thing up with the starting date of the discussion (mid-June) to allow people who know their own reading styles and speeds to start whenever they want. It's an ongoing discussion so you don't even have to have it read by the mid-June deadline - that means, however, that you run the risk of spoilers coming to the fore since there is a general assumption that most people in the discussion will have read and finished the book.

So - I think you can start whenever you choose. I did start my book last week, but then looked at the date and realized that there was v little chance I would recall much of the book since I was starting so early. So - to give you an idea - I will probably start reading mine about the beginning of June...

Does that help?

lemonhead,

Thanks for the reply. I shall start reading myself early June.

Just a gentle reminder:

The discussion of Water for Elephants will be starting next week, on Wed June 15.

(This is said with the caveat that no one at the office suddenly tasks me with some big complicated project. Don't think it will happen, but sometimes you can never tell....)

I am doing a reread of "Water For Elephants" at the moment and enjoying it lots, it is just as though it is a first time read!! So much for my senior's memory!!.

Looking forward to the start of the discussion.