Reading the Chunksters discussion

We need to get this moving if we are going to start a discussion in April. I suggest that we restrict this one to contemporary chunksters, and aim to go to a poll at the start of March. We will try a limit of two nominations and two seconds per person.

I am tempted to start by nominating a book that I have an unread copy of already - Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke - I can see from the bookshelf that it was discussed back in 2012, but that is ancient history to most of us, and those discussions are no longer visible,

I have already read Jonathan Strange and I loved it, but I don't think I'm ready for a reread of it.

I'm going to nominate two books and see if there is any interest in either. One is a recent publication, the other is older and many people may have already read it but I still have yet to do so. I already have copies of each book just waiting to be read.

1. Crossroads by Jonathan Franzen

2. The Secret History by Donna Tartt

I've read Jonathan Strange a few years ago and I love it but I don't want to reread it now.

I'd love to nominate

The World According to Garp by John Irving 610 pages

and The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie 549 pages

The World According to Garp is on my TBR list and I already have a copy, so I’ll second your nomination, Nike.

I'll second The Satanic Verses, as it might be interesting to reread it.

A couple of contemporaries that interest me and which I would like to nominate are:

The Parisian byIsabella Hammad (576 pages)

and
Tree of Smoke by Denis Johnson (624 pages)

Linda wrote: "I'm going to nominate two books and see if there is any interest in either. One is a recent publication, the other is older and many people may have already read it but I still have yet to do so. I already have copies of each book just waiting to be read.
1. Crossroads by Jonathan Franzen
2. The Secret History by Donna Tartt."

I'll second both of these. I just bought a copy of Crossroads (580 pages) and am curious enough about The Secret History to give it a try.

I'll second Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell

I nominate The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton

The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers

And I second Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell because i liked Piranesi , this author's second work.

I just bought Jonathan Strange... and would love to read it with the group.

I also second The Luminaries

I will second Tree of Smoke

Thanks for all of the nominations and seconds, please keep them coming! The threshold for making the poll will depend on what numbers we end up with, but we have a number with at least one second now:

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (2)
The World According to Garp
The Satanic Verses
Crossroads
The Secret History
Tree of Smoke
The Luminaries (1 each)

I'd like to nominate The Book of Joby

March is here already. I am happy to allow a couple more days for nominations and seconds but would like to start the poll by Friday at the latest. Unless there are a lot of late changes, one second will be enough for a place in the poll.

Thanks, Hugh.

I'll second The Secret History.

It's not super chunky (compared to, say, The Goldfinch or The Little Friend), but it's long enough.

OK, nominations are now closed, and we have 7 books in the poll. It is now up here and will run until March 15th.

The discussion dates are negotiable and may depend on the length of the winner, but we'll probably aim to start early to mid-April.

https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/2...

Last chance to vote today

The poll has now closed, and Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell has won. I will work out a reading schedule in the next couple of weeks, and hope to start the discussion in mid-April.

Thank you, Hugh. Although I loved this book when I read it years ago, I don’t have time for a reread so I won’t be joining in. I’ll check in when it’s time for the next book.

I started this years ago, but never finished it. I do have a copy somewhere....

It's one of my favorite books but I won't join you for a reread now. I'll be waiting for the next book. =)

I will join, I voted for this book .... and for a change I will try to read it on schedule.

Its's definitely chunky! Never read Clarke, I will try to join you.

Try Piranesi Dianne, it’s very short . But it’s kind of unconventional writing.

Ok thanks Nidhi, will do!

Welcome back to the group Dianne. I am looking forward to this discussion, having enjoyed Piranesi last year.

Thanks Hugh!

I will join you as well. It will be my first read with this group in maybe six years, and I am looking forward to it.