Book Snails Book Group discussion

What would you like to read for BOTM January 2017? We'll vote on the suggestions in this thread!

1) Coraline



2) Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking



3) The Girl on the Train



4) The Nightingale



5) The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing



6) The Time Traveler's Wife

All of those are on my to-read list. I loved The Girl On The Train! It had that creepy and suspenseful vibe that makes a good novel.

Ev: I've never read the first Spenser books by Robert P. Parker that you mentioned, so I'd definitely consider "Enter Spenser" [Books 1 & 2]. I have read a couple of Parker's Jesse Stone books (sparsely written, but I got used to the style).

Glad to know "Girl on the Train" is a good one. I'll tackle it at some point.

"The Time Travelers Wife "is on my bookshelf, waiting to be read (and then I can finally watch the movie). I'll name a star after any Snail who votes for it, because I am StarMan.

Oh, and because no one owns the stars, so anyone is free to call them anything they desire.

Plenty of good nominations for all the coming months. Keep 'em coming, Snails ;) What do YOU want to read? What great book has been sitting lonely and unread on your shelves?

StarMan wrote: "

Number 5 looks interesting and good! I'm not sure the effect it will have on my cleaning.

StarMan: Unfortunately I read The Girl on the Train and absolutely detested it, although I know many, many others who loved it. #2 and #6 are on my to-read list though, so I second them! (And name a star in the Leo constellation after me, ok? I'm the most Leo person to ever Leo :p)

Kelsey wrote: "StarMan: Unfortunately I read The Girl on the Train and absolutely detested it, although I know many, many others who loved it. #2 and #6 are on my to-read list though, so I second them! (And name ..."

While I didn't detest it, I also did not like The Girl on the Train. It was pretty bad... and not one I'd recommend to anyone.

The Nightingale was also absolutely horrible. So, so terrible...

I am interested in The Time Traveler's Wife, but I don't think I'll be ready for it in January. I'm kinda derailed right now and need some time to get back on track.
Also, that one is a bit long and might be a good quarterly read.

JJ wrote: "StarMan wrote: "

Number 5 looks interesting and good! I'm not sure the effect it will have on my cleaning."

#5 is one of the rarer decluttering books that tells you to NOT go out and buy all kinds of organizing and storage stuff to hide you junk... but to go a more minimalist route. (Yes, I've already read the book, and I thought it was helpful).

If you prefer good ol' American decluttering instead of Eastern wisdom, consider: Clutter's Last Stand: It's Time to de-Junk Your Life! instead.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Kelsey, The Girl on the Train does seem to be hit or miss for many readers. But I'm curious enough to want to read it for myself to see what I think ;)

I'd read anything by Robert Parker (thanks, Ev, for the suggestion!), but I do think The Time Travellers Wife could appeal to lots of Snails; it covers many genres (fiction/romance/fantasy/sci-fi/contemporary)

I've never read a Fern Michaels book (my Y chromosome shudders), but hey, if y'all pick one I'll consider it.

Kelsey wrote: "...name a star in the Leo constellation after me, ok? I'm the most Leo person to ever Leo :p)"

Kelsey, if you wish to pick your own LEO star: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leo_(co...

I suggest we rename Zeta Leonis to Kelsey Leonis. But Epsilon Leonis is a fine star as well. In fact, all the stars in the Leo constellation are interesting to me. Some are MANY times larger than our own Sun, or have fascinating characteristics.

But are you sure you aren't acutally a LIBRArian ?

PS: Don't fall for those websites that offer to let you name a star... for a price. You'll receive some jazzy certificates and photos and paperwork, but your star name will not be officially recognized by any real organization. However, as an unusual or fun/prank gift, the recipient might love it. Consider those websites "for entertainment purposes only." More info at: http://www.iau.org/public/themes/buyi...

Erin wrote: "Kelsey wrote: "StarMan: Unfortunately I read The Girl on the Train and absolutely detested it, although I know many, many others who loved it. #2 and #6 are on my to-read list though, so I second t..."

I'm interested in why you thought The Nightingale was bad, because it's been on my to-read list forever!

StarMan wrote: "Kelsey wrote: "...name a star in the Leo constellation after me, ok? I'm the most Leo person to ever Leo :p)"

Kelsey, if you wish to pick your own LEO star: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leo_(cons..."

Zeta Leonis is now hereby Kelsey Leonis! Also good play on words. That one made me laugh out loud :p Actually, a little tid bit, all my life I wanted to be an astronaut, and still do! But sadly, you have to be at least 5'2, and I'm only 5'0... *grumbles about getting the Italian/French/Irish height in our family and not the German/Norwegian/Polish height like all my cousins....*. Also I'm really, REALLY bad at math, but, you know. I'll just admire the universe from Earth I suppose.

I have seen those! I thought they were really cool as a kid, but as an adult, you can see how it's not significant.

Kelsey wrote: "Erin wrote: "Kelsey wrote: "StarMan: Unfortunately I read The Girl on the Train and absolutely detested it, although I know many, many others who loved it. #2 and #6 are on my to-read list though, ..."

Here's a bit of my thoughts from my buddy read of The Nightingale...
Vianne and Isabelle are like opposite extremes. Vianne is so cold, passive, and detached. It's like she's just going through the motions with no real personality of her own. And Isabelle is overly bold and reckless.

Basically, I hated both of the main characters and didn't give a crap what happened to them.

Also, a good point made by my buddy from the Buddy read:
"What it seems like to me is that the author researched the events in Nazi occupied France and is now ticking off a checklist of things that happened during these times (the occupation, the food shortage, the cleansing, the resistance cells, etc.) with all the subtlety and emotional impact of a truck."

It was just so badly done. All the Light We Cannot See and The Book Thief were so much better... I'd recommend either of them instead.

Erin wrote: "Kelsey wrote: "Erin wrote: "Kelsey wrote: "StarMan: Unfortunately I read The Girl on the Train and absolutely detested it, although I know many, many others who loved it. #2 and #6 are on my to-rea..."

Oh, that's a shame. I had actually planned to buy it, but I'm just going to get it out of the library now instead, and see how I like it. I hate books like that though, especially because I've studied WWII a LOT, and if it's just a checklist, I'm sure it'll be pretty boring..

However, I looooooved The Book Thief! And All the Light We Cannot See has been on my to-read list for some time as well. Thanks for the input!

I'm going to toss in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Original Screenplay since I need to read it before March when I'll be returning it to my mom when I visit the family in NJ.

Fantastic Beasts is also on my to-read list.

You mean your mom won't let you keep it? :)

If someone lends me a book, I'm always tempted to ask if I can have it, figuring they can't be as big a book nerd as I am.

Ev wrote: "Fantastic Beasts is also on my to-read list.

You mean your mom won't let you keep it? :)

If someone lends me a book, I'm always tempted to ask if I can have it, figuring they can't be as big a b..."

I'm sure she'd buy me a copy for Christmas if I asked for it. But I'll read it first and decide if it's worth adding to my collection of Harry Potter books. I'm trying to whittle down my collection of books in general. I had way, way too many at one point and I've slowly been cutting back.

I know a bookaholic (ahem..me) who would be delighted to take them off your hands. lol

I would like to nominate

Kelby wrote: "I would like to nominate "

That looks like a good one, Kelby. And it's really highly rated (4.53 stars).

Current JANUARY nominations (sorted from highest to lowest current GR rating):


1)   4.53 - The Nightingale - Historical Fiction/WWII

2)   4.44 - Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Original Screenplay - Fantasy/YA/screenplay

3)   4.26 - Enter Spenser - Mystery/Crime

4)   4.03 - Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking - NonFiction/Psychology

5)   4.02 - Coraline - Childrens/YA/Horror/Paranormal

6)   3.94 - The Time Traveler's Wife - Romance/Fantasy/SF/Time Travel

7)   3.87 - The Girl on the Train - Mystery/Thriller

8)   3.77 - The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing - NonFiction/Self-Help/Organizing

9)   3.63 - The Scoop - Romance/Womens Fiction

10)   3.55 - The Spy - historical fiction

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6 Snails have commented so far, and some of the books above have gotten both "yay" and "nay" comments ;p

Please let us know if you'd like to read any of the above, so Julie or Allison can tally up a final list to vote on. January is almost here!

Is it too late to add The Spy by Paulo Coelho to the list?

I have a feeling I'll be sitting out from the January monthly read, unless people are perhaps interested in The Spy (I doubt Fantastic Beasts would be chosen and The Time Traveler's Wife is too long for me to tackle in January - I would be really happy to see it as our next quarterly read though ;-)

StarMan wrote: "Current JANUARY nominations (sorted from highest to lowest current GR rating):


1)   4.53 - The Nightingale - Historical Fiction/WWII

2)   4.44 - [book:Fantastic Beasts and Where ..."

I second #1 and #4. They've been on my TBR for a long time!

Erin wrote: "Is it too late to add The Spy by Paulo Coelho to the list?

I have a feeling I'll be sitting out from the January monthly read, unless people are perhaps interested in..."

That book is on my TBR, so maybe if it's too late for this month, we could nominate it for another month. It looks really interesting!

I suppose I would likely participate if Coraline is chosen (it's nice and short ;-)

Erin wrote: "Is it too late to add The Spy by Paulo Coelho to the list?"

Thanks, Erin. I added it to the list above as #10. Looks like we have a good variety to vote on when Allison or Julie make the final poll.

Does anyone know when the BOTM for January will be chosen?

Nominations have been closed for January 2017... we have 11 entries, from a nice range of genres/topics...

The POLL to vote is up at:

https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/1...

Hope I did it right *grins*

Woo-hoo! Got my vote in!

StarMan wrote: "Current JANUARY nominations (sorted from highest to lowest current GR rating):


1)   4.53 - The Nightingale - Historical Fiction/WWII

2)   4.44 - [book:Fantastic Beasts and Where ..."

Thanks, StarMan, for including the GR ratings with the January titles!

Erin wrote: "Is it too late to add The Spy by Paulo Coelho to the list?

I have a feeling I'll be sitting out from the January monthly read, unless people are perhaps interested in..."

We'll miss you if you can't join us for January BOTM, Erin, but please don't let us forget that is a serious contender for next quarterly read!

Kelsey wrote: "Erin wrote: "Is it too late to add The Spy by Paulo Coelho to the list?

I have a feeling I'll be sitting out from the January monthly read, unless people are perhaps ..."

Hi Kelsey. Please remind us which titles we shouldn't forget about for next month's BOTM or next quarterly! So many books floating around in suggestions, don't want to forget about them if we have interested members!

Erin wrote: "I suppose I would likely participate if Coraline is chosen (it's nice and short ;-)"

is a great read!

Well it looks like All the Light We Cannot See is going to win (has it already won?) I've already read it, so I might be able to contribute to the discussion. I actually have something for readers to consider (not a spoiler) that I'll post when a thread is up.

The Time Traveler's Wife would make a great quarterly read :-D

StarMan wrote: "Nominations have been closed for January 2017... we have 11 entries, from a nice range of genres/topics...

The POLL to vote is up at:

https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/1......"

Excellent job, StarMan!

Erin wrote: "Woo-hoo! Got my vote in!"

Yay, Erin!

Erin wrote: "Well it looks like All the Light We Cannot See is going to win (has it already won?) I've already read it, so I might be able to contribute to the discussion. I actually have someth..."

It appears that will be our January BOTM since voting ends tonight. It's great you've already read the book, and please DO contribute to our discussions--if we have enough interest to start some threads! Seems these weeks fly by so fast we don't even have time to start much of a discussion for BOTM!