I had just put Small Island on my library list, so count me in.

I'd like to read Small Island.

Coming up, for Maria....

Thank you woodnymph2! So I need to find Undaunted Courage and Small Island for the next 2 discussions? Is there a certain day of the month it starts or just whenever?

Maria

the discussion leader usually starts the discussions on the 1st-or as soon after the 1st as possible.

if I can put my two cents, count on me for Small Island grelobe

So what's happened to the formatting? (Assume a paragraph break happened here.) Anyway, Small Island looks like a goer for February. Which is good, because I wouldn't mind an excuse to re-read that. Anyone want to lead? I don't mind doing so but I don't want to step in front of anyone else.

I thought it was just me! I've been trying to italisize my book titles to no avail - anyone know what could be the reason for the formatting not working? Jane UK

Time to put forward some suggestions for the months ahead, so as books can be bought, borrowed etc.

Adam

Indeed. Two suggestions in the past have been Arthur and George by Julian Barnes (Booker shortlist 2005) and, more recently, Small Island by Andrea Levy (Whitbread Prize, Orange Prize, Commonwealth Writer's Prize).

I see from Amazon US that Small Island is available in paperback, and it's certainly no problem to obtain in the UK. It's a wonderful book, and I'd be delighted to re-read it and lead a discussion on it in February.

Arthur and George is released in the US in hardback on January 10th. Perhaps we should put that on hold till later in the year?

Any other suggestions?

'Rodinsky's Room' by Rachel Lichenstein and Iain Sinclair -
a most unusual book - not a novel but a fascinating story - encompassing London - Russia - Israel - as locations - but focusing on one room in Whitechapel
"Published to critical acclaim ... in the U.K., British artist Lichtenstein's obsessive quest to uncover the fate of a reclusive Jewish scholar named David Rodinsky unfolds as a labyrinthine detective story and a moving search for the author's roots". Extract from Amazon.con with 2 very different reader reviews - so would be a great subjct for discussion.

What about having a choice of 2 for each month? One a classic, the other, a newer title.

For classics, what about "A Tale of Two Cities" by Dickens, or "Main Street" by Sinclair Lewis?

But I don't feel qualified to lead the discussions, at present.

Are we going with 'Small Island' for February Martin?

Jane
UK

Why not? I know there was some interest. I'll happily lead it.

Woodnymph - you may not feel qualified to lead, but I can assure you that you have all the qualifications required. To wit, you can read a book and make sensible comments about it. You'll find that your only job, apart from the initial post, is to jump in occasionally and make a comment or ask a question to bring the thread back up and to stir conversation if it goes a bit quiet. I'm sure you'd do a fine job. Me, I quite enjoy it!

If I can get it from the library, count me in for Small Island.

Some of us who are historical fiction fans are presently choosing a couple of novels.

This is in addition to the monthly book discussions that are being organized in this thread so please keep going with this one. Just wanted to clear this up in case people were getting confused...

Woodnymph,

I would be interested in re-reading A Tale of Two Cities , and Main Street is on my TBR list.

I will read Small Island if it's the chosen one-is it decided? I have a copy and it would give me the excuse I need to "dig in".

Yes - I think it's decided now.

Small Island by Andrea Levy in February 2006

Great! I've had this one on my TBR pile for ages.......

Jane
UK

I should be available for Small Island, had wanted to read it.

Suggestions for March? Two books that I know are coming out in paperback - Rules for Old Men Waiting by Peter Pouncey, and Saturday by Ian McEwan. And if its too early to think about March, just keep these in mind for when we do.

I read "Saturday" some time ago, but would not mind discussing it.

Since February starts in just a few days, I thought I'd bring this back up to the top.

I just finished Small Islands. Oh wow - I am very eager to discuss this and hope more will join in.

BTW, did we decide on March? Either one of those book mentioned above would work for me, tho I think Saturday might be more discussable (a word?). Now, if Doctorow's The March was in paper back yet, I'd say that was perfect - but we'll just have to wait till next year.

Cindy

Hi there

I'd like to apologise. Small Island will be discussed in February, but a little late.

I've lost my copy (I think it got borrowed by one of my step-daughters) and I eventually gave up looking for it and bought a new one. But I've only just started the re-read. I'll be as quick as I can.

Of course, if someone else wants to start the discussion on February 1st, then feel free - I won't feel offended, I can assure you!

To the top -

What have we decided about March's book? February is amazingly almost over.

A few suggestions from me: Saturday, Rules for Old Men Waiting, History of Love, Gilead, Max Tivoli, are all ones I read last year that should be in paper, and might be good books for discussion.

Gilead and Max Tivoli are both on my TBR pile......

Jane
UK

I wouldn't say no to reading Saturday. Gilead and Max Tivoli wouldn't be books that I would usually read, but there is no harm in going out of one's comfort zone now and then.

Adam

A few words about each:

Saturday is about the day in the life. Its been compared with Mrs. Dalloway, but only IMO because of the style. Some think it moves to slowly, but I saw it as a book which looks at the moments that make our lives. Others didn't care for the ending. But it makes for a very interesting discussion.

Gilead is about an elderly man writing a letter to his young son. Covers Pre Civil War times, with some history about Kansas and John Brown that I didn't know. Beautifully written - however, I am not sure how much of a discussion it would give us.

When Max Tivoli is born, he looks like an old man. As he ages, he becomes younger. Sounds really strange to read it, and non-sci fi/fan fans might be turned off. But the author manages to make this work, with time and age matching seamlessly with history. Wonderful character development.

I recommended History of Love, but now recall there is already a thread on that book. Not sure that matters.

I would have no objections to re-reading Saturday, but I wasn't that enthralled by it.

I wouldn't mind trying Max Tivoli - who is the author?

History of Love - might that be a bit US-centric? I had enough US history with Undaunted Courage.

Here is a link that might be useful: Confessions of Max Tivoli

Andrew Sean Greer is the author (see link below - but beware of the reader reviews) I'd love to read it again.

And martin, History of Love is fiction, and what history thats there is of the European kind :) So no worries.

I'm new to this forum and would love to be able to join in your readings and discussions. What was the book(s) decided on for March? Thanks!

Hi kathy! mmmm, looks like we are coming up with ideas but no selection yet. And seeing how it is March I think we might want to choose one. kathy, do you have an idea?

Well, being new here, I would rather defer to the "regulars", but looking over some of the titles listed, I think I could get into: Saturday, Max Tivoli or Rules for Old Men Waiting.

Of those three, I think Max Tivoli is the more interesting for a discussion.

And what ever we choose, should we try this for March, or should we skip the month and aim for April?

I'd suggest April, to give people a chance to read it. Particularly as it might be a little tricky to obtain it in the UK.

Cindydavid4 (or may I call you Cindy??) - are you volunteering to lead the discussion? (It's just a matter of making the initial post on April 1st and then prodding it occasionally when the thread falters...)

Oh yes please call me Cindy! I am Cindy Ash on this site in the Garden section and for some reason they wouldn't let me use that here.

Oh, I was afraid that would happen :) Sure, I'll lead the discussion - as long as enough people are interested in the book? Max Tivoli anyone?

Cindy~

I'm on board. Is there a final post making this a "done deal" (before I go get the book)?

Kathy

I've just checked out "Max Tivoli" from my Univ. library and will try to read it soon. However, I have already 2 other "works in progress" I am trying to get through first....

I'm in for Max Tivoli in April........

Jane
UK

Max Tivoli is the June discussion book for my real life book club, so count me in for April. thanks cindy!

So, Cindy, shall we consider this what we are doing? I'm going to the library this weekend and would love to get the book, if they have it available. (And do it for April?)

Kathy

Sounds like we've got the beginnings of a discussion! Yes, lets do this.

I'd like to post a new message to advertise the selection, but can't find a link to do so. Can someone point it out to me, please?

To start a thread, go to the top of the forum page and click on "Post a Message":

Other Forums : Instructions : Search : Post a Message

The synopsis sounds attractive - I will try and get a copy of the book in time to participate in the discussion.

I've requested this book from the library - perhaps I can read it when I have spring break from school (unfortunately there is no spring break from work). I hope we have a good discussion!

Bringing this up as a reminder that April is near, and also for all newcomers....

Thank you woodnymph. I still can't figure out how to start a thread, so if I emailed someone a header, could that person start it for me?

Cindy~ In the main area for "Readers Paradise", (where all the posts are) right above that there are four options (I think it's four). One of them says "post a message" click on that.

Cindy - You have to go to the original forum page - the red one with the lovely picture of the lady with the funny hands (we had a whole thread on this once), and there at the top you'll find the "Post a Message" link. Just click on that and off you go.
If you still have problems, email me. I tried emailing you but yours isn't enabled through gardenweb.

Thanks jan. Actually I kept trying that and could never get the message box to pop up. It just did, so maybe there was some sort of snag. I should be fine now.