NYRB Classics discussion

Some of us just can't get enough NYRB Classics! And we love discussing what we're reading with others here. So, since some would like to form side-reads that supplement the main book club choice, we are creating this thread to help organize.

The first side-read is going to be of The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne . I'm not sure when it will begin . . . but it will be soon!

Since I've created an individual discussion thread for each and every NYRB Classics book, I'd like to request that people use that thread for the main discussion and use this thread to organize these side-reads.

Here is the link to The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne discussion thread!

As this is the first side-read, please let me know of any suggestions for making the process fit the needs of the group.

It's funny, but I was thinking about side-reads myself. I was wondering if there shouldn't be somewhere for the runner up The Other somewhere. Personally, I will probably just barely have time for A Time of Gifts, but I think some of the interest in Tryon's book was seasonal. Otherwise I'd say, just wait and try again.

Seana! I am definitely up for the Other!!

It comes and goes. Group reads have at times been well attended but some of the latter didn't really take off. I've been managing some of the back end stuff, but I'm not affiliated with NYRB Classics. Always happy to see things come back to life.

I just purchased THE INVENTION OF MOREL new, (not for Kindle), which is not characteristic of me.

Of course the book is short, relatively cheap, and has Louise Brooks on the cover, so, basically it has everything going for it.

Yeah, I'm not part of a marketing ploy. I would be happy to finally read The Invention of Morel with you, or anything else, for that matter. It's funny, because I was just thinking about this group, and felt sad that we hadn't managed to keep it going.

Nice! One of my favorites of all!

Hello Trevor and everyone. I am obsessed with nyrb and I should have know there would be a GR group dedicated to them.

I would join this group even if it was a marketing ploy!

I don't know yet how or even if this group functions, but I am currently reading Skylark and my next nyrb will be Katalin Street.

I too am a recent convert to NYRC classics and love my book club subscription and am renewing it for a second year. I am a bit sad that I have come late to this group because it appears it once was very active but is no more. I am wondering if there would be any interest in doing monthly book discussions on the books that are part of the NYRB book club? Or any other NYRB classic? We could perhaps do monthly polls that the members could vote on which book they want to discuss? I would love to see this group become more active again. There still seems to be lots of members. What do others think?

Louise wrote: "I too am a recent convert to NYRC classics and love my book club subscription and am renewing it for a second year. I am a bit sad that I have come late to this group because it appears it once was..."

Hi Louise,
I love this idea. Over the past year I've become increasingly interested and appreciative of the quality of output from NYRB, both in sheer breadth of literary gems they offer and I also feel they're doing something rather exciting with their push on very, very fine translations of works. Suffice it to say, I have bought up a lot of their collection, so I would be keen to get on the band wagon here and support the idea of a monthly poll. However, as much as I love what they're doing, for a year's book club subscription for me (in the UK) it will cost $365 - that works out at a whopping $30+ per book, which I can't run to.
So in short, if there are those willing to impart to the group the knowledge of each month's book club choice (NYRB website keeps this secret) then I would be interested in committing to reading that month's book. The collection is certainly worthy of a proper, active Goodreads forum!

I hear ya about the price. It is twice the price for a Canadian subscription compared to US so I get my books delivered to a friend in the US, which means I only get them when a see her a few times a year. So that said, I would not be able to read the book in the same month that it is released. They do put on the website which books are which month's book club choice so maybe we could read the books a few months later, after release. So for ex. we could read the Jan book in April, the Feb book in May, etc.

Oh wow, that is a lot of work for you, that's a commitment alright!
Any chance you could please link me to where they reveal the book? I'm on their website now and cannot find it anywhere....

You have to click on the individual forthcoming books. For example:

https://www.nyrb.com/collections/fort...

It says: December 2018 selection for the NYRB Classics Book Club.

Ah, I see, so just the first book on the forthcoming page is this month's read. Many thanks!

I usually check the first few books.

Great to see all these comments. I usually have a NYRB Classic on my currently reading list, so would be happy to try and join any discussion group. I don’t really follow the NYRB book club, so I might not always have the book to be discussed. However, I’ll join in when I can!

I find visiting the NYRB website is a dangerous game... seems I cannot look without getting eyes bigger than my book belly. 'The Land Breakers' by John Ehle looks particularly attractive right now...

I just recently took advantage of the holiday sale and ordered 8 books, to get a free tote bag, lol. I got:

AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A CORPSE by Sigizmund Krzhizhanovsky

THE BIG CLOCK by Kenneth Fearing

LOLLY WILLOWES by Sylvia Townsend Warner

THE DUD AVOCADO by Elaine Dundy

THE LONELY PASSION OF JUDITH HEARNE by Brian Moore

JIGSAW: AN UNSENTIMENTAL EDUCATION by Sybille Bedford

IN A LONELY PLACE by Dorothy B. Hughes

ANGEL by Elizabeth Taylor

I will only actually get them next time I see my Connecticut friend.

Instead of using the book club books, we could also make up a list of 5 or 6 books that includes the book club book but then have a member vote on which title we want to read and discuss. It doesn't have to be a recent book. In fact, if it's an earlier release it might be easier for members to find a copy.

Louise wrote: "I just recently took advantage of the holiday sale and ordered 8 books, to get a free tote bag, lol. I got:

AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A CORPSE by Sigizmund Krzhizhanovsky

THE BIG CLOCK by Kenneth Fearing
..."

They had a sale?!?! *facepalm* ugh. Probably just as well, the shelves are groaning. I'm currently reading In A Lonely Place. Simply put, it's the first crime novel (I mean, the crime genre... most books have a crime in them) that isn't getting on my nerves, which I assure you is saying something - a pet peeve being bad writing in crime. Only around the half way mark but enjoying it greatly. I'm really glad I have not seen the film yet, which I hear is almost a completely different beast.

Louise wrote: "Instead of using the book club books, we could also make up a list of 5 or 6 books that includes the book club book but then have a member vote on which title we want to read and discuss. It doesn'..."

Great idea

Helen wrote: "They had a sale?!?! *facepalm* ugh.."

It's still on:

https://www.nyrb.com/collections/holi...

I got 8 books, a tote bag and free shipping, all for $77US

Helen, I feel the same way you do about badly written crime books. I am looking forward to this one (and to the literary thriller Sand) but I am only up to May 2018 (Compulsory Games) in my subscription...Too little time, too many good books.

Louise wrote: "Helen wrote: "They had a sale?!?! *facepalm* ugh.."

It's still on:

https://www.nyrb.com/collections/holi...

I got 8 books, a tote bag and free shipping, all for $77US"

Just been seeing this!! I put four books in the basket (a US friend coming for New Year). The books I chose were:
The New World by Chris Reynolds
The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne by Brian Moore
Augustus by John William
Once and Forever by Kenji Miyazawa

That gave me that whopping 40% off! BUT- out of sheer curiosity, I put all of those books into my basket at Wordery and the total was just £3 more than the NYRB sale (around $5). I have zero affiliation with Wordery, but thought this might be of interest, because they run at least 10% (sometimes 12%) off days practically every three days and they ship worldwide, always free. It's my first port of call, and responsible for a threadbare purse. So think I shall save my friend the trouble and just get them sent direct. Of course, I won't get that nice tote though!

Louise wrote: "Helen, I feel the same way you do about badly written crime books. I am looking forward to this one (and to the literary thriller Sand) but I am only up to May 2018 ([book:Compulsor..."

Yes, Sand is another I'd like to get to. I have the same issue as you...

If you spend $50 shipping is free. If you spend $75 you get a tote bag. So I spent $77 (8 books).

Lolly Willowes is a wonderful book and The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne is outstanding!

I read about half of Jigsaw: An Unsentimental Education (sadly I bought an old copy before discovering the nyrb edition) and was enjoying it, but another book called to me more insistently so I didn’t finish it. I liked Bedford’s style enough to order A Legacy.

I applaud your supporting nyrb with subscriptions, but I like to know what I’m getting so I buy the books that interest me.

I would like to commit to a group read, but I am committed to a tournament that ends in March and the holidays are upon us. However, I can commit to checking in regularly and if you choose a book that interests me I will read it or one I have read recently I will join in the discussions.

Is anyone interested in reading Compulsory Games?

Compulsory Games sounds intriguing, but more like a book I’d read in Oct-Nov...it does sound good though.

I just made a GR shelf for nyrb. I have 57 books, but have only read 20 of them.

WndyJW wrote: "I just made a GR shelf for nyrb. I have 57 books, but have only read 20 of them.."

If I include those on my ereader, I have 58 but have only read 6. I have a serious book buying addiction, and I buy them quicker than I can read them.

I will go take a peek at your NYRB shelf.

Glad to see this group getting active again.

Helen, I saw your comment on Land Breakers. I read it a couple of months ago and enjoyed it very much. Highly recommended.

My next read is going to be Omer Pasha Latas, which NYRB released earlier this month.

I recently read Ehle's Trail of Tears as well - so great. Stammering Century from Seldes was a trip also. Cheers!

Dax I read The Bridge on the Drina by Ivo Andric and am still haunted by this description of impaling. I don’t know if I can read Andric again!

You’re a history fan, Chuck?

I am. But more so I am a fan of well written lit. I read mostly fiction - but I have love for silent film, art history, music history. Admittedly - NYRB has been most instrumental in expanding my experience in great historical reads. The baseball writings of Ring Lardner, James T. Farrell's books...I love reading about my home city of Chicago.

Dax wrote: "Glad to see this group getting active again.

Helen, I saw your comment on Land Breakers. I read it a couple of months ago and enjoyed it very much. Highly recommended.

My next read is going to be..."

Thanks, good to hear the thoughts of others, I thought this looked an interesting title.