Reading Envy Readers discussion

Nominate a book for readalong #3.

Vague rules:
1. Nominate by February 15
2. Book must not be a reread for me, your hostess. Check out my books already read list against your ideas.
3. Usually readalong books are lengthy (and a group readalong helps because it commits you to making it through) or are ripe for a vibrant discussion. Please give a reason for your nomination!
4. The book should be out already and old enough where it is available in different formats to suit all readers.

So far we've done
East of Eden by John Steinbeck, 1950s, USA, author is white male
The Secret History by Donna Tartt, 1992, USA, author is white female

I nominate My Name is Red by Orhan Pamuk. I read one Pamuk before- The New Life, and when I started it, I found it a challenging and fairly clunky read. Then, gradually, it started winning me over and by the end I was really interested in the unique world that Pamuk created- layers of unreality and reoccurring images throughout. Seems like an author who a book club could get into analyzing and who would provoke good discussion and a variety of reactions. I chose My Name is Red partially because it is one of his most famous ones, but more importantly, the first few lines of the novel are fantastic.

I nominate Americanah because 1. it is in my TBR, 2. it is written by a woman of color, 3. my edition is 588 pages (paperback), 4. our hostess has read it, 5. per our hostess' review, it is not a typical immigration story, 6. I need a group read to help me to read this book, 7. our hostess has not read Half of a Yellow Sun, which is the other book by this author that I want to read.

I'll nominate Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky. This chunky monkey has been on my nightstand for months and need motivation to crack it open. Tchaikovsky is a British author. It is science fiction. It has high reviews on Goodreads and I know Lionsgate is considering adapting this to the big screen.

I'd like to nominate Cutting for Stone because it has been recommended to me by several people, it's been on my tbr list for quite some time and I want to read it this year, I believe it meets Jenny's requirements and that it will drive a great discussion. Jenny's read along discussions are insightful and fun and would certainly add a lot of depth to the reading experience.

I'd also like to nominate The Woman in White. It has high reviews and I love the idea of a classic gothic thriller. - 635 pages.

I nominate Tree of Smoke (614 pages). It won the Pulitzer and the Nat'l Book award in 2007 and 2008, and it's been sitting on my shelf for years. I'm reading his posthumous short story collection The Largesse of the Sea Maiden: Stories with a Goodreads group now, and we're all loving the first story.... He's one of those authors I know is supposed to be good and I'd probably like, but I haven't been able to work up enough interest on my own to take the leap.

I'm going to nominate two books from my Alaskan reading list:

To The Bright Edge of the World by Eowyn Ivey
Coming Into the Country by John McPhee

Both are between 400-500 pages and have a historical sensibility to them, but also aren't just straight narrative (from what I can tell.) The Ivey may have more to discuss than the McPhee.

Ooh, the Ivey book sounds terrific - I withdraw my Johnson, since I don't think I'll vote for it now!

Sue wrote: "I nominate Americanah because 1. it is in my TBR, 2. it is written by a woman of color, 3. my edition is 588 pages (paperback), 4. our hostess has read it, 5. per our hostess' revie..."

Just to clarify Sue, I want us to read a book I haven't read. I love Americanah and it deserves to be read by every book club, but I'd like your permission to substitute Half of a Yellow Sun, which has lingered on my bookshelf for years now.

Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "Sue wrote: "I nominate Americanah because 1. it is in my TBR, 2. it is written by a woman of color, 3. my edition is 588 pages (paperback), 4. our hostess has read it, 5. per our ho..."

Perfectly fine on the substitution. I misread the sentence about it NOT being a reread for you, lol. Sorry about that.

I nominate The Break by Katherena Vermetta. It comes highly recommended by several people on Litsy. It has been on my TBR for over a year and I am anxious to read it. Written by a Canadian woman of Metis descent, it tells the story of indigenous women in Canada and that’s all I really know about it.

Really good ones! So much so that i have a feeling I won't end up voting for mine. In any event, seems like a win-win scenario.

I love the idea of To The Bright Edge of the World. It's been on my TBR forever.

Count of Monte Cristo? I didn't see it on your list, but it is long.......

Carol wrote: "Count of Monte Cristo? I didn't see it on your list, but it is long......."

Oh, good one! I've had it on my list forever and have heard wonderful things about this classic!

Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "I'm going to nominate two books from my Alaskan reading list:

To The Bright Edge of the World by Eowyn Ivey
Coming Into the Country by John McPhee

Both are between 400-5..."


The Eowyn Ivey book does look good!

yep I could read "To the Bright Edge of the World" too. I'm obsessed with Life Below Zero and The Last Alaskans.

Carol wrote: "Count of Monte Cristo? I didn't see it on your list, but it is long......." Gads, this is the longest tenured book on my TBR list! I finish a book, look at that chunky monkey and think "maybe next time" while the Count gazes at me with those sad eyes.

A lot of interesting books on the list so far.

I would like to nominate A Catalog of Birds.

Can I nominate a reread that I read years ago but have always wanted to go back to, so far EofE and SH were rereads for me
or a few books I've not read but always wanted to although I don't how popular they would be
But I have to say that if came up I would be pleased as it would be a reread but one I want to go back to although I have Americanah sat ready to go.
i'm looking forward to it and there are already some great suggestions to inspire.

Oops I've just seen the Jenny has read Snow and White Teeth !

Andrew wrote: "Oops I've just seen the Jenny has read Snow and White Teeth !"

Haha I was just going to say. I'll include the others in the poll though, so thanks!

Shona wrote: "I nominate The Break by Katherena Vermetta. It comes highly recommended by several people on Litsy. It has been on my TBR for over a year and I am anxious to read it. Written by a C..."

Shona, this is on my TBR too, but it doesn't come out officially in the USA until March, so I'm hesitant to include it for this round (not everyone will want to buy a hardback and that will limit its library availability.) I feel like it's been out forever because I've seen Canadians talking about it for years.

But let's remember it for next time? I really want to read it.

Nadine wrote: "Ooh, the Ivey book sounds terrific - I withdraw my Johnson, since I don't think I'll vote for it now!"

Do you really want me to exclude the Johnson? I will if you really want me to, but otherwise it will be on the list!

Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "Nadine wrote: "Ooh, the Ivey book sounds terrific - I withdraw my Johnson, since I don't think I'll vote for it now!"

Do you really want me to exclude the Johnson? I will if you really want me to,..."

No need - just because I won't vote for my own pick, doesn't mean someone else won't :)

Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "Shona wrote: "I nominate The Break by Katherena Vermetta. It comes highly recommended by several people on Litsy. It has been on my TBR for over a year and I am anxious to read it. ..."

:) I never even considered it wasn’t out in the states yet! I forgot I ordered it from Canada.

Thanks everyone! A poll of the nominated books has been created and will post tomorrow. Hopefully I will remember to come back and post the link (how strange is it that you can't create a poll to post immediately?)

lot of great choices, looking forward to what wins

I couldn’t decide what to vote for - changed my mind several times :). I want to read them all right now!

Mary wrote: "lot of great choices, looking forward to what wins"

Me too. Some of these books are complete unknowns for me so I'm eager to see where we go!

Shona wrote: "I couldn’t decide what to vote for - changed my mind several times :). I want to read them all right now!"

Ha, and I think you can change as many times until the 23rd.

Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "Nominate a book for readalong #3.

Vague rules:
..."

Do you have a vague start date yet Jenny? Looking forward to reading the winner.

Ace wrote: "Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "Nominate a book for readalong #3.

Vague rules:
..."

Do you have a vague start date yet Jenny? Looking forward to reading the winner."

Yes I think the first full week of March, perhaps.

Great. Thanks.

Did I miss the vote?

There is a poll up, Sue. Not sure if it is still open. Click on polls off to the right.

Sue wrote: "Did I miss the vote?"

I think it's up for one more day!
https://www.goodreads.com/poll/list/2...

To The Bright Edge of the World by Eowyn Ivey wins! We should keep the other top vote getters in mind for next time. Schedule and plans coming soon.

Shoot! I just saw this thread.

Casey wrote: "Shoot! I just saw this thread."

Well you can still participate, you just won't get to choose. :)

Oh, I voted, I just missed nominating is all. Nominating is so much fun :)

Ace wrote: "Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "Nominate a book for readalong #3...."

Do you have a vague start date yet Jenny? Looking forward to reading the winner."

Sadly my library has not been able to acquire this book in time for me to join in. Hope to join in next time.