All About Books discussion

Discuss our group read 'The Songlines' by Bruce Chatwin here.

I'm going to try to join in on this read. I've got a couple of other reading commitments but this one has been sitting on my shelf for a couple of years now and came highly recommended by a friend.

It does look very interesting. I'm hoping my library has a copy:)

Fiuuu Before reading april I was afraid I had to start it right now!!! I could't have managed!!!!

This is the first time a book suggested by me had made to this level. And the fact is that there were only three books for the Polls and out of which two were selected as Group Reads, is of little consolation. Jokes aside, I bought the copy of it today and I am ready.

Same with me with the fiction poll! We are "on the same boat" as we say in Italian. I'm glad about this book as well: I've always wanted to read something by him but somehow I never have

LauraT wrote: "Same with me with the fiction poll! We are "on the same boat" as we say in Italian. I'm glad about this book as well: I've always wanted to read something by him but somehow I never have"

So April is the month for Chatwin. For me too, this is the first book by Chatwin. I only hope that the book satisfies the group.

We all hope that Dhanaraj!

Did anybody notice that as a rule of thumb our second-place in N/F is always the much more active one? ;) I will go for The Shadow of the Sun this time, but if I manage I would love to read this one as well.

Jenny wrote: "Did anybody notice that as a rule of thumb our second-place in N/F is always the much more active one? ;) I will go for The Shadow of the Sun this time, but if I manage I would love to read this on..."

Was it always like this? I never noticed that.

Yes, for the last 2 or 3 rounds it's been like this! Fascinating phenomenon ;)

Interesting........

Jenny wrote: "Did anybody notice that as a rule of thumb our second-place in N/F is always the much more active one? ;) I will go for The Shadow of the Sun this time, but if I manage I would love to read this on..."

That is interesting! I personally adored The Shadow of the Sun so I'm sure you'll love it, Jenny:)

This looks fascinating. I hope you all enjoy it :)

One library system out of the two I am entitled to take books from has it, so it should be relatively easy to find in normal print. Also Kindle has the "1p plus postage" deal on a few copies, so bargains are to be found. It's not available in accessible formats though, except for one ancient (and very pricey) audio cassette copy. So I can't join in :(

However I've requested it to be put on Kindle, and will follow the conversations, and any reviews, with great interest.

It does seem an odd quirk that the "runner-up" is more active :D On the other hand, I've noticed that some readers who are enthusiastic at the start don't actually join in. No need for despair though, as the reverse is true as well - people will "jump on board" at a later stage.

Exactly that has happened to me with "The Book Thief", which I wasn't going to read, and now have decided to slot in right at the end of the month, having been given it as a present.

I'm muddling through this book. I just finished Tracks: A Woman's Solo Trek Across 1700 Miles of Australian Outback. I'm not sure if it is a help or hindrance as the books seem to address some of the same issues with the native people there. I also wish there was a glossary of slang words. I felt the same with Tracks. It's just enough different to be a challenge. I'm on chapter 22 and it seems to be coming together and the pace is picking up a bit.

Began the book and it looks interesting.

On Chapter 3: About the "earthbound philosophy" of the native Australians - A lovely and simple philosophy to live by. (view spoiler)["To wound the earth is to wound yourself, and if others wound the earth, they are wounding you. The land should be left untouched.....His religious life had a single aim: to keep the land the way it was and should be." (hide spoiler)]What did you all think of that?

Also the concept of Songlines/Footprints of the Ancestors is easily explained and the stage is set for the book to take off.