Book Club [Archive] - The Wench.Org Forums

KatieMac

12-19-2003, 10:13 PM

OK - I think that for one of our first books we should support one of our own and do a Katie Mac book - especially since we have the author available!

You guys are doing a book club? Cool! I want to play!

And that's very sweet to think of me, but don't feel beholden to do one of my books just because I'm here. Despite my occasional fantasies wherein the entire world revolves around me, I'm (sadly) getting used to the idea that it doesn't. :)

Katie

Holly

12-20-2003, 08:19 AM

ohhh book club... count me in....:)

Ysobelle

12-20-2003, 10:43 AM

How do these run, exactly? I'm interested.

purple stars

12-20-2003, 01:18 PM

I think hun is we all read the same book and come back to this great place and talk about the chapter and so on.

I think if we do, do this we need to makes sure that we got everyone that wantst o come and of corse make sure that everybody can find the same book:)

ShawnMarie

12-21-2003, 03:44 PM

I had asked about a book club on one of the other threads and asked if the wenches had ever done one.

I've never actually belonged to one, but they can't be all that much to deal with. The idea was basically choose a book (or books if people need a specific genre club) and then give everyone a "due date" and then we all discuss it here...or on chat...or somewhere.

Said I'd post something after the new year to see what kind of interest we had, but if anyone has experience running one of these things I'd be happy to bow out.

And I like the idea of supporting our own wench-writers first.

Something else I though about is that it would be neat if we could get a critique group together of wenches that write to get feedback on what we've been working on. I always love to have someone else give their opinions of my stuff. One catch is that at the moment I'm mostly writing erotica at this point, the audience would need to know what they're in for! :D

Holly

12-21-2003, 05:54 PM

well here it my two cents on how to run it. we can creat the "club" and make a list on who gets to pick a book for each month. Say i am third on the list so i get the month of march and i pcik the book...winnie the pooh<jsut a guess> and we all read it and post back here under a subject heading... once a week or after so many pages.... then when that book or month/week/what ever is done then the next person picks a book.

Now not knowing you all well enoguh... I would have trouble picking the first book.. maybe we should do KatieMac 's book... if she doesnt mine otherppl talking abotu her books good and bad and what not.

then after that we can choose a nother book. I just would like to suggest we try out different genres so we dont stale mate outselves...
Maybe we can talk tot he webmistress and see if she could make a new header or forum so we dont overrun the bodices o books...

and i agree that we should pick books that are availabel in paperback or hardback and avail at the liberaries so that we dont have to worry abotu the costs.

my main concerns are that the bookclub not be so time consuming<liek reading 30 chaoters in a day or posting every chapter> or very slow moving like on bok per year...

my thoughts are that months leader picks a book on the first of the month then we have til the 7th to get a copy <or post that we can find it> then post after a week of reading the book.. for the rest of the month... that would make abtou 3 posts and one book a month...
that way it is easty to rememebr who what and when....

we can start a new thread for each book we do within the forum so we can move backwards and forwards..and it makes it easier to "come and go" from the club. and all wenches are able to join,....

or if you ahve a month from hades you can back off for a few weeks,,,

what say you ?? sorry if rambled.. but i am totoally excited about this...:):):):)):): :lol: :lol: :bananada:

Holly

12-21-2003, 05:56 PM

sorry gals... even i can spot a few typos there.....if you all are waaay confused i can go back and reype or somthng..

sorry :oops: :oops: :oops: :oops: :oops: :oops:

purple stars

12-21-2003, 09:59 PM

oh this is going to be sooo much fun!! and yes I think it would be great to do of are own Auther!! i know that I would look forward to it. I have not read any of your books my dear :( But with everyone talking about them they sound really cool!

Mairi the Herbwench

12-21-2003, 10:00 PM

Hollly - I like your ideas, and I support having a sepreate "book club" section, if our webmistress will allow... (Oh please!)

And
Something else I though about is that it would be neat if we could get a critique group together of wenches that write to get feedback on what we've been working on. I always love to have someone else give their opinions of my stuff. One catch is that at the moment I'm mostly writing erotica at this point, the audience would need to know what they're in for!

I thought of this too - I'm also a writer - (and Katie - I know how hard the life is, how hard it is to break into, but I still want to! That's why I'm encious...) And I'm in the middle of a series of short stories, also primarily erotica, and I would love feedback... Can we get a second section for writers?

Holly

12-21-2003, 10:21 PM

I am not a writer.. ecept in dreams.. I would love to write childrens books.. but ia m kinda lost where to start.. so ... sounds good to me.. :)

ShawnMarie

12-22-2003, 07:25 PM

Well, if we can't get room on the wench boards, we can do a yahoogroup for wench writers and writer wanna-bes....

Not sure how we go about requesting space on the forum.

I like the book club ideas mentioned, about doing 1 a month and rotating who gets to pic. I know on full Faire months I don't have time to read...and that is 2 1/2 months in the Fall. I too think they should be widely available to make it easy for everyone.

Hee-hee, wenches that write erotica. Who woulda thunk it? Sorry... I knew I couldn't be the only one out there. :wink:

Nevada

12-23-2003, 04:02 PM

Mairi the Herbwench

12-23-2003, 05:09 PM

OK - I started a writers goup on Yahoo a while back - it's been very quiet latley, but I think the wenches could liven it up! It's [email protected] - and I'm the moderator. I do have a story posted, and I think there's a couple of poems. If anyone wants to sign up, please do, or we could start one just for the wenches. I'm ready to purge the inactive members from the current list...

KatieMac

12-23-2003, 09:48 PM

a writers support group would be cool as well as the book club....I am finally (according to my kin) and slowly beginning on a book that has been in my head for a few years...would love any hints or tips from published writers...plus I believe a couple of the Rogues write as well dont they?

I'm afraid I can't be a part of a critique group (it has to do with legal issues), but I would be happy to answer any questions those of you who are interested in writing have. I may not have the answer, but I'll be happy to share what knowledge I *do* have! :)

Katie

Nevada

12-24-2003, 10:14 AM

KatieMac

12-24-2003, 10:50 AM

Sorry...let me clarify...I was meaning more along the lines of how to find a decent agent...inventive ways to display rejection letters :lol:...how to accept ruthless editing without wanting to strangle the editor...etc...that sort of hints and advice

Oh, baybee, I'm you're girl there! :)

So long as there's no critiquing involved, I'm absolutely game. I've sold 24 novels in the last two and a half years, fired one agent, found another (whom I adore), worked with three editors in two houses, edited books, revised books, totally re-written a book, been rejected, had scathing reviews, had glorious reviews, hit the USA Today list twice this last year (which was one of my goals), and watched my last two books stick on the B&N bestseller list for two months. So yeah, you got questions about that sort of stuff, my brain is yours for the picking. :)

And I'm more than happy to talk about the pros and cons of a critique group vs. critique partner, for those of you who really want to find some help polishing your MSS.

Katie, who feels about a million years old after reading that paragraph above

Nevada

12-24-2003, 03:16 PM

now now...no such thing as an old writer....just a seasoned one :lol:

purple stars

12-24-2003, 08:56 PM

not much of a wrigter here too. as you can tell I can't spell. :oops: but I have been told that I am good at just pain out telling the truth about storys and stuff. if you think that I can help give me call. or pm whatever. :)

Kae

12-27-2003, 09:22 AM

I want to join the Book Club! Please

Has anyone started a list of who might want to join and who might want to choose a book for the month?

I am willing to help out on the organizational end. I am good at that. :lol:

Keep me posted.

Kae

purple stars

12-27-2003, 03:02 PM

Kae I know that would be wonderful! I think that we should all vote on someone to more or less just keep us up to date.

12-27-2003, 10:41 PM

If you like, I can start one in Live Journal....and since it is totally free for anyone to join LJ, plus I loathe Yahoo and all of its effing ads everywhere!!! and SPAMMING

Let me know and I will get the group rolling there, especially since I just kicked my classic book club in the proverbial ass to get them in gear....there we are Reading Vanity Fair....

Muffin

Holly

12-28-2003, 10:50 PM

KatieMac

12-28-2003, 10:55 PM

Hey Kae wanna work on this togehter.. i might start a post on the main forum and see who is interested.... send me a pm Kae and we can start to talk back and fort...

Muffin was also really interested as was Katiemac.... drat... drawing a few blanks...

I'm totally game for a book club, although I tend to be at the mercy of my schedule, so I am a sporatic poster at best. :)

And where we going to do a writer's support list, too? LJ Community? Something? As long as it's not critiques, I can play. That's not to say you can't do critiques, too, I just won't be able to do them.

Katie

Ysobelle

12-29-2003, 02:47 AM

Well...I already have a group called, appropriately enough, Tangentland. It's been quiet for a year or so, now, but I'd love to have it be a writer's forum-- somewhere to discuss ideas, suggestions, publishing pointers, encouragements, whatnot.

Would anyone be interested?

Mairi the Herbwench

12-29-2003, 11:40 AM

I am very interested!

Kae

12-29-2003, 12:14 PM

Hey this looks great!

It seems that Ysobelle can easily set up a writers forum. I think everyone who writes could enjoy that, even our published writeres with legal issues to consider.

I did a check and we currently have 10 people interested in the Book Club idea. They are as follows:
Kae
Holly
Ysobelle
Nevada
KatieMac
Purple Stars
Muffin McFeelie
Mairi the HerbWench
Anna Faerie
Sawn Marie

If we find 2 more, then each person could pick a book for each month. Holly is going to post on the main board to see if there is any interest there.
Since January will soon be upon us, any suggestions on the first book? We could decide months by the alphabet. !st name in the alphabet chooses January's book and so forth. (By the way that would be Anna Faerie.)

What does everyone think? If you are truly interested, we should do this!

Kae

AnnaFaerie

12-29-2003, 01:00 PM

I don't mind picking the first book, but I have a couple of questions...if we are doing a book a month it will have to be a small book....right? All of the books I've got lined up right now are hugh...some over 1000 pages!

Another question....what genre? I'm not too sure what everyone might enjoy. Could we take suggestions from all of the "members" of the book club and then draw out a title for each month. We would know what we were going to read for the year and may find some books on sale, etc.

Also..my persona name is Lady Gloaming AnnaFaerie (one word) Haddad. I don't mean this in a bit*hy way at all....just letting all of you know. I go by Glo everywhere else but here.....that name was already being used. I understand why most people make it two words, but I spelled it the way I did because it was my grandmother's and great-grandmother's real names. Thanks!

Kae

12-29-2003, 01:19 PM

Cool name. I am all for family heritage.

I like the idea of lining the books up in advance. It would definately save with cost and such.

So how about everyone submit 2 choices and we draw. You could PM me with the choices and I will compile a list. I think we stated that we wanted to use multiple genres, so it is an "open book" as they say.

(The reason I say two is incase peopel overlap. )

Kae

Mermaid

12-29-2003, 02:52 PM

Put me down, sounds like fun.

Mermaid

Kae

12-29-2003, 04:07 PM

That makes 11.

Kae

Entropy

12-29-2003, 06:36 PM

12 !!!

Ysobelle

12-29-2003, 06:46 PM

We can use Tangentland for either the Writer's Group or the Book Discussion Group.

Which would be easier?

purple stars

12-29-2003, 11:46 PM

what are we voting or numbering about?
so lost I would love to do the book club. I just won't be able to read all the books sometimes. :(

Holly

12-30-2003, 11:19 AM

let try to get the book club here so that it is easier for people to come and go.... I am also open to almist every genre of literature so i am game for what youall wanna read...

hugs

Squishi Wench

12-30-2003, 01:28 PM

I'm in........but I lost count.......good gravy....tell me I'm not lucky 13 :stunned:

~Squish~

Sylvie-Rose

12-30-2003, 04:29 PM

Can I be #14????? Please?????

CinD

12-30-2003, 05:01 PM

Oh!! Me! Me! Me! I wanna join the book club! Awesome idea! I love to read - hardly ever go anywhere without a book - even Faire! *LOL* And, since there are so many of us, how about letting those that have a birthday *that month* get together (via e-mail) a week or two before their birthday month starts and discuss possible books to choose from for their month and then announce their choice(s) to the group - I read at least one book a week, so 2 or 3 books to read and discuss in a month would be wonderful for me! Let me know when it all gets started! {hugs} cc
(and dear webmistress - could we please have a couple of reading emoticons to choose from - like thumbs up and thumbs down or something like that??)

Goldie Boffinhorn

12-31-2003, 02:37 PM

I'm in!! I'm in!! ?#15?
Since reading Katie Mac's post, and exploring her website, I've finished one book and have started the second! I'm up for any genre - I just love to read!!
Goldie 8)

Nevada

01-01-2004, 06:00 PM

Add my husband Shadow...

Kae

01-01-2004, 09:01 PM

Here is the updated list of those who want in the book club.
They are as follows:
Kae
Holly
Ysobelle
Nevada
KatieMac
Purple Stars
Muffin McFeelie
Mairi the HerbWench
AnnaFaerie
Sawn Marie
Shadow
Mermaid
Squishi Wench
Silvie-Rose
CinD
Goldie Boffinhorn
Entropy

Did I miss anyone?

So far we have 4 suggestions for books. As I stated earlier, if you PM me with your choices, I will compile a list and we can start choosing. I would love to have a book chosen by the 5th so we can start reading ASAP.

Kae
Lover of books and ideas!

ShawnMarie

01-01-2004, 09:05 PM

Wow, you go away for a few days and you guys have just run with this idea....so wonderful!!! :D

I very much like the idea of choosing books in advance and doing different genres. The advance things works well too for when Faire comes around and I have no extra time to read.

Ysobelle, if you get that writer's group up....you know I want in!!!! I've been getting some online critiques, but I've a few Faire related ideas I'm kicking around and need some "professional" advice. :wink:

And I feel it is my duty as assitant editor of the OTM newsletter to mention that we do book reviews in our issues and it'd be wonderful to have some book club names as guest writers!!! (Kylan, if you're reading...see, I'm always thinking!!)

So neat to have this for the new year!!

Caitriona

01-02-2004, 12:19 PM

Ok, I'm in. But I may not always get to play every month.

hhrvt

01-02-2004, 02:21 PM

add me in too...altho depending on the time of semester, i may not get every book done....and you thought only students had homework :)

Kae

01-02-2004, 10:16 PM

Kae

01-02-2004, 10:24 PM

Oops, I humbly apologize for my poor typing skills. (Love Spell Check)
It is Alexandra Fuller, not Alexander.

I apologize if I messed any other up as well.

Kae

purple stars

01-02-2004, 10:37 PM

If you wenches need any good books I would love to hlep. I have this thing about reading all the time. I can always find a good book. just wright me up sometime and tell me what kind of books that you are looking for and I would be more than happy to send you the book title and the author of the books too:)

Ysobelle

01-02-2004, 11:24 PM

I think when my turn comes I'm going to pick something classic. I'm not sure what, though.

And for those interested, the Yahoo Group is Tangentland. It should be listed in the directory, so please, just go sign up.

Squishi Wench

01-03-2004, 12:52 AM

Are those the books we're going to start off reading in order by month or?????? At the moment I'm pretty much a library person....I try there before I go out and buy something, so I need a little advance notice.......

thanx........

~Squish~

Kae

01-03-2004, 10:55 AM

Those are the books suggested so far. Since there are 19 people in the club, I wanted to ask if anyone wanted to throw some more in the mix before we choose what to read.

I thought that we could just do a draw on which book for which month. I or Holly will have someone randomly draw a name and that person chooses the book.

The first drawing will be held on Monday for January. I thought we could draw on the 15th for February so that those of us who use the library have the time to find the necessary book. Does that work for everyone? Or we can pick for all twelve months in advance.

No you do not have to choose from the list, but it gives you an idea of what everyone is interested in.

Let us know
Kae

AnnaFaerie

01-03-2004, 11:31 AM

I would like to know in advance what books we were reading. That gives me a chance to buy them on sale......line them up at the library....borrow them from a friend....whatever. Also if we know in advance we can read them at our leisure. Some of us may read very fast and be able to go on to the next book.

Holly

01-03-2004, 03:34 PM

i had origonally thought we would pick on the first of the month<seems jan slipped past us>a nd start reading new book on the 7thish???
If we had list of who was doing wich month then they can post earlyier??

Nevada

01-03-2004, 07:49 PM

The title for the Mary Roach book is Stiff....

KatieMac

01-03-2004, 08:04 PM

Can we add Jim Butcher to the list? I love his books, and he's a very funny, very nice guy to boot. :)

Katie

Kae

01-05-2004, 10:46 PM

OK

I had my wonderfully sexy rogue pick 2 numbers out of the air for the people to pick the 1st 2 books.
So, the winners are...
Catriona has the pleasure of choosing January's book. (Sorry Catriona you have ony 2 days to choose.)
and AnnaFaerie has the pleasure of picking February's book. You have until the 15th of January.

Further picks will be coming.

Ladies, you may choose from the following list suggested by the wenches involved or you may be adventurous and choose elsewhere. Just give us time time to get to the books.

Here is the list:
Book Club Options
2004

Author Book Title
1 Anthony, Piers Muse of Art
2 Bradley, Marian Zimmer The Mists of Avalon
3 Brown, Don Angels & Demons
4 Donaldson, Steven R. Lords Fouls Bane
5 Fuller, Alexandra Don't Let Go To the Dogs Tonight
6 Gabaldon, Diana Sire John & the Private Matter
7 Hamilton, Laurell Seduced by Moonlight
8 Koontz, Dean Odd Thomas
9 MacAlister, Katie
10 Peteres, Elizabeth
11 Pratchett, Terry Monstrous Regiment
12 Preston, Douglas The Codex
13 Roach, Mary Stiff

Let us know as soon as possible. I look forward to reading a new book, :bananada:

Kae

01-05-2004, 11:07 PM

Ummm, just so everyone knows, Stiff is pretty graphic in the discussions of the history of the use of cadavers. It goes into gory details, but no pictures.

Just a warning, because I know not everyone would be too happy going into it not knowing...personally I loved it, but one of my majors is forensics, so I have seen cadavers up close and way too personal....

Also, I would love to throw my reccomendation into the mix

Population: 485
Meeting Your Neighbors One Siren at a Time

By
Micheal Perry

Muffin

Caitriona

01-06-2004, 08:37 AM

.
So, the winners are...
Catriona has the pleasure of choosing January's book. (Sorry Catriona you have ony 2 days to choose.)
and AnnaFaerie has the pleasure of picking February's book. You have until the 15th of January.

Further picks will be coming.

Kae

Yes I saw this, I'll have the pick posted by the end of the day.

Actually should I make it a new topic and then we can take our discussion from there?

Nevada

01-06-2004, 09:57 AM

If anyone is really squeamish then we can pull my suggestion of Stiff and I can throw another book in the mix instead. Just me know.

Holly

01-06-2004, 04:42 PM

i can be squeeemish but if it is too much for me to finish i can just sit out that few weeks... no biggie hun .. :)

Kae

01-06-2004, 07:45 PM

Catriona, I am glad you started the new thread for your choice. Everyone take a look. We need to start reading.

AnnaFaerie has also chosen the book for February. Since it is 972 pages long, I thought I shoudl give everyone a heads up. The book is the "Mists of Avalon". You can definately find this one in your local library.

Holly and I will have the other winners chosen soona nd spread the word.

Huzzah! We begin!

Kae

Caitriona

01-07-2004, 12:52 PM

Whoo hoo and I already own Mists of Avalon. Started it too.

emalia

01-07-2004, 12:59 PM

I guess this was the push I needed to re-read it.. I have been considering a re-read for some time now...

CinD

01-16-2004, 12:13 PM

Book Club Options
2004

Author Book Title Month
1 Anthony, Piers Muse of Art
2 Bradley, Marian Zimmer The Mists of Avalon
3 Brown, Don Angels & Demons
4 Donaldson, Steven R. Lords Fouls Bane
5 Fuller, Alexander Don't Let Go To the Dogs Tonight
6 Gorabaldon, Diana Sir John & the Private Matter
7 Hamilton, Laurell Seduced by Moonlight
8 Koontz, Dean Odd Thomas
9 MacAlister, Katie
10 Peteres, Elizabeth
11 Pratchett, Terry Monstrous Regiment
12 Preston, Douglas The Codex
13 Roach, Mary

This is what has been sent in so far. We have 19 wenches now involved. Are there anymore suggestion or any of these people refuse to read? Try to send actual book names and not just authors. When I look up some of these there are a LOT of titles attached to the name. :shock: :lol:

Kae

My .02 - anything written by Connie Willis (The Doomsday Book; To Say Nothing of the Dog; Bellwether (my personal fav) - they are all well written, IMO) - and anything written by Georgette Heyer or Julie Garwood - or Rex Stout (the Nero Wolfe detecive books). Have already read Mists of Avalon and Angels & Demons (preferred over DaVinci Code, personally), but will read again with no complaints! Love to read!! Glad to be a part of this! Whoohoo! {hugs} cc

CinD

01-16-2004, 12:51 PM

Just fyi - for those of you who may be on a budget - or may be looking to purchase more than one book at a time - you might try looking at http://www.powells.com - they have new and used books and if you order over $50 worth of merchandise from them, then the shipping is free. I just purchased my Girl's Guide to Vampires (and also got Men in Kilts!), as well as a couple of other books that I have been wanting to read and saved my shipping expenses! Just another option for your shopping pleasure! ;) Enjoy! {hugs} cc

Nevada

01-16-2004, 02:10 PM

Hmmm I think I packed Mists already...that or my Mom "borrowed" it

Ysobelle

01-16-2004, 05:22 PM

Is anyone going to mind if I pick a classic? Dickens or Jane Austen or the like?

Mairi the Herbwench

01-19-2004, 11:04 AM

Jane Austen would be fun - but as much as I've tried, I just *can't* read Dickens. Love his stories - can't wade thru a paragraph that consists of 1 sentence...

vanessa

01-19-2004, 08:52 PM

Is anyone going to mind if I pick a classic? Dickens or Jane Austen or the like?

Tell you the truth, I LOVE Dickens, but I have never read Jane Austen before (believe it or not!!) so would be most appreciative of something new! :)

Kae

01-19-2004, 09:16 PM

I LOVE Jane Austin. I have never had the time to read Dickens, but my Rogue loves the use of language. You can even get either author on e-book sites for free.

Cool choices coming up. Still reading the Mists and will post opinions on The Girl's Guide to Vampires Tomorrow.

Kae

i_am_the_whimsy

01-19-2004, 11:09 PM

May I say (for my [little] part), that I'm a HUGE Jane Austen fan, Just finished reading Persuasion and, if you're up for it, she's an excellent, excellent writer. She's very wry and sometimes sarcastic. I've recently started Pride & Prejudice (seen the movie myriad times, have it on DVD, even, but haven't read the book yet), and although/because it's quite meaty, I can't recommend it highly enough.

Oh! For Barnes & Noble fans, you can get hardback editions of Most of JA's books for 5-6 dollars, or buy the anthology (the canon of her work only comprises 6 complete novels) for something like $10-15, if you don't mind small print.

This may sound absurdly silly, but when I want to practice my BFA, I read Jane Austen out loud and try to do the voices, so that I remember to work on my diction and enunciation.

Regina, who sometimes has too much time on her hands

KatieMac

01-19-2004, 11:19 PM

May I say (for my [little] part), that I'm a HUGE Jane Austen fan, Just finished reading Persuasion and, if you're up for it, she's an excellent, excellent writer.

I'm another Jane Austen fan, so I would certainly love it if the wenches read JA. Northanger Abbey, P&P (who doesn't drool over Mr. Firth...um...Mr. Darcy?), and Persuasion are among my faves. I'm not too hot on Mansfield Park or Sense and Sensibility, but that's just me.

Katie

Caitriona

01-20-2004, 08:30 AM

I don't think I've ever read JA. But I love Dickens.

When I was trying to work on my BFA I read Chaucer, not translated.

CinD

01-20-2004, 09:13 AM

I have read both Dickens & Austin - love them both. Some of Dickens is a little difficult to get through - guess you have to be in the right frame of mind. Loved JA's "Emma" - I have all of both of their books, so wouldn't mind which one you chose. However, if I had my druthers for romance writers, I would choose Georgette Heyer over Austin any day - same time period, just different writing personality. Anyone up for a *new* old author? *LOL* It's all in the marketing . . . . {hugs} cc

Nevada

01-20-2004, 10:43 AM

The Picture of Dorian Grey is another wonderful classic..

KatieMac

01-20-2004, 11:34 AM

Ysobelle

01-20-2004, 11:42 PM

Now, see, in Barnes & Noble not so long ago, I stood and held a book in my hand called "The Portrait of Dorian Gray." Which is how I'd been brought up to think of it. Yet everywhere I go, people call it "The Picture of Dorian Gray." I've never gotten that.

And I think I may be leaning towards Austen's "Persuasion." It's my favourite of her books, and has, perhaps, one of the finest quotes ever written about the difference between the way men and women love. It was her last completed work, and has a deeper emotional resonance. She'd seen a lot in her not-terribly-long life by then, and it shows in her book.

I do love me some Dickens, but I think trying to get through it in a week or two may be a bit much for some folks-- he's probably one of the most word-dense writers in the English language, and not all of us have the time for that!

CinD

01-21-2004, 08:47 AM

Oooh, I'm totally with you there, CinD! I adore Georgette. FRIDAY'S CHILD is my absolute favorite of all GH's.

Katie, who never did like Dickens

*LOL* I like them all but think The Grand Sophie is probably my fav! Her characters are wonderful - with personality - similar to Julie Garwood's, don't you think? So glad to see someone else has read Heyer! I have every one that has ever been printed and read them over and over and inbetween! Maybe our group will get to read one of them before the end of the year? Have you read any of her murder mysteries? Not the Victorian era, but still fun and well written, IMHO. Whoohoo! Another Heyer fan! ;) {hugs} cc

Dranaan94

01-21-2004, 10:18 AM

I came in way late to this discussion...

Can someone bring me up to speed on how the book club is going to work?

Here are my suggestions, since it seems you've asked for people to send them:

Neil Gaiman: Neverwhere
Erica Jong: Fear of Flying
Emily Bronte: Wuthering Heights
Clive Barker: Weaveworld
Daphne du Maurier: Rebecca
Alice Sebold: The Lovely Bones

Also, can one opt out of a chosen title? For example, I don't read romance novels or most fantasy/sci fi - they just don't hold my attention, except in rare circumstances. Or does "membership" in the book club imply that every chosen title must be read?

Thanks!

Mairi the Herbwench

01-21-2004, 11:02 AM

My understanding of this very loose group is read what you want, participate in what you want. For instance, I won't read Clive Barker or Stephan King. Personal preference - I don't need the nightmares I get from them. I'll probably avoid reading Dickens just because I don't have the time to wade thru him.

So - if this is different from what the "rules" (are there rules for this group?) I need to know - otherwise I'll read what I like and post when I can.

i_am_the_whimsy

01-21-2004, 10:23 PM

I'm with Mairi here. For the horror bit, and for the opt in/out bits. As for my chosen books, I'd like to throw in my beanie:

Charlotte Bronte, Jane Eyre
Jane Austen, Persuasion (or really any of her books, she was such the writer.)
I'd like to read Portrait of Dorian Grey, but haven't, to date.
I'm all for the satire, maybe some Mark Twain? He was really a talented American writer, if you can put the racial hoo-hah aside.
I'll have to look for some of Heyer's novels. If she was one of Austen's contemporaries, she sounds like a Hoot to read.

Regina, who misses school. (I'm aching for a class, can you tell? eh. heh.)

On a side note.... Have you ever noticed that when you have to read something, you don't want to? Like when I was in high school, we had to read Beowulf, and I hated every minute of it, but once I graduated, I thought, on multiple occasions, about going back and reading it again, for pleasure... Course, I never did, because I had plenty enough reading to do with my College coursework. But now that I'm finished with school, for the time being, I'm aching to go back and read meaty subject matter again.

Is that weird to anyone else?
-R

Ysobelle

01-22-2004, 01:43 AM

But now that I'm finished with school, for the time being, I'm aching to go back and read meaty subject matter again.

Is that weird to anyone else?
-R

Heh. I got most of the way through Spenser's "Faerie Queene" for that very reason. I'd been out of school a bit by then. I spent a summer or more reading everything for which I'd gotten some kind of reference. I heard "Don't Stand So Close To Me," and read "Lolita." ("Just like the/Old man in/That book by Nabokov.") Then I was reading Robin McKinley's "Beauty," and Beauty is ecstatic when she finds a complete "Faerie Queene," so....

I need to do that again. It was glorious.

Kae

01-22-2004, 12:37 PM

To verify our "rules" since Holly and I kind of organized it. I do mean kind of.

We are picking someone to choose a book for each month. It is a random draw and Holly and I are sharing that responsibility.

All reccommendations for reading material are welcome. When we send the e-mail or pm to the chosen person, we also send the reccommended list. They can choose from that list or find something else entirely.

We are given 1 month to read the book, so books must be chosen by the 1st of the prior month. Then we get to comment and question and wonder aloud. (The fun part - seeing everyone elses viewpoints.)

No. you do not have to read every book. For some it is time constraints and for others it is a preference choice. However; the more you try the more likely you will find new authors and styles that you enjoy.

So far these are the chosen books.
January - A Girl's Guide to Vampires written by one of our own - KatieMac
February - The Mists of Avalon - Marion Bradley-Zimmer

March's book should be chosen by Feb. 1st and so forth.

Does that clarify what we have been up to?
If not, e-mail Holly or me.

Kae