Reading 1001 discussion

Authors for June are from Naian to Peake. Voting will be open today, April 15 through April 23rd. Winners will be announced on the 24th (I may be traveling, so be aware that this may change).

Please review the list of authors and the books that are eligible in this post. Comment, give your opinions, and don't forget to vote. Everyone gets one free vote but if you want more opportunity you can use participation points. See the thread on participation points on how to earn them and how to use them.

HOW TO VOTE:
1. Make your choice or choices from the list that is posted here.
2. You get one free vote and if you have participation points you can have up to 5 votes. You can use them all on one choice or you can make 5 choices.
3. Send a Personal Message to either me or the shelf personality for Reading 1001
4. If you only comment here on your choice it won't get counted so don't forget to send that message.
5. In order to receive messages you must be a friend or in your profile, click that you will receive mail from everyone.

Excluded books this month
The Water Margin by Shi Nai'an, yearly read 2018
At Swim, Two Boys, botm 2020
Black Box, botm 2020
Metamorphoses, qtly, 2022

V.S. Naipaul, Trinidad and Tobago
1. In a Free State 1971, 247 pgs
2. A Bend in the River, 1979, 326 pgs
3. The Enigma of Arrival: A Novel in Five Sections, 1987, 387 pgs

R.K. Narayan, India
4. The Guide, 1958, 224 pgs

Thomas Nashe, UK
5. The Unfortunate Traveller; Or, the Life of Jack Wilton, 1594, 136 pgs 2010 botm

Zora Neale Hurston, Alabama, USA
6. Their Eyes Were Watching God, 1937, 238 pgs, botm 2016

Irène Némirovsky, Ukraine (Jewish)
7. Suite Française, 2004, 431 botm 2009???

Anaïs Nin France
8. Delta of Venus, 1977, 271 pgs

Cees Nooteboom, Netherlands
9. Rituals, 1980, 145 pgs
10. All Souls' Day, 1998, 352 pgs

Amélie Nothomb, Belgium
11. Fear and Trembling, 1999, 144 pgs

Novalis
12. Henry von Ofterdingen, 1802, 169 pgs

Edna O'Brien, Ireland
13. The Country Girls, 1960, 175 pgs botm 2012
14. Girl with Green Eyes, 1962, 212 pgs
15. August Is A Wicked Month, 1965, 168 pgs
16. In the Forest, 2002, 212 pgs

Flann O'Brien UK
17. At Swim-Two-Birds, 1939, 239 pgs
19. The Poor Mouth: A Bad Story about the Hard Life, 1941, 128 pgs
19. The Third Policeman, 1967, 200 pages

Tim O'Brien, USA
20. The Things They Carried, 1990, 246 pgs

Flannery O'Connor, US, Southern author
21. Wise Blood, 1952, 256 pgs
22. The Violent Bear It Away, 1960, 256 pgs
23. Everything That Rises Must Converge: Stories, 1965, 269 pgs

Ardal O'Hanlon, this is an Irish comedian/actor. Does anyone know why there is no author information available on the author?
24. The Talk of the Town, 1998, 244 pgs
24. published in US, Knick Knack Paddy Whack

Kenzaburō Ōe, Japan
25. Nip the Buds, Shoot the Kids (Pluck the Bud and Destroy the Offspring), 1958, 189 pgs

Michael Ondaatje, Sri Lanka
26. The English Patient, 1992, 320, botm 2010

Juan Carlos Onetti, Uruguay
27. The Shipyard, 1961, 192 pgs

George Orwell, UK
28. Burmese Days, 1934 276 pgs
29. Keep the Aspidistra Flying 1936 277pgs
30. Coming Up for Air 1939 278 pgs
31. Animal Farm, 1945 141 pgs 2012 botm
32. 1984, 1949 298 pgs 2010, botm

Mykhaylo Osadchy, Ukraine
33. Cataract, 1971, 240 pgs

Amos Oz, Israel
34. Black Box, 1986, 259 pgs botm 2020
35. A Tale of Love and Darkness, 2002, 560 pgs, 2016 botm

Emine Sevgi Özdamar, Turkey
36. Life Is a Caravanserai, 1993, 270 pgs

Arto Paasilinna, Finland
37. The Year of the Hare, 1975, 135 pages 2014 botm

Marcel Pagnol, France
38. Manon des sources, 1962, 266 pages

Chuck Palahniuk, USA
39. Choke, 2001, 293 pgs, 2010, 2016 botm

Connie Palmen, Netherlands
40. The Laws, 1991, 208 pgs

Orhan Pamuk, Turkey
41. Snow, 2002, 463 pages. 2014 botm

Giovanni Papini, Italy
42. Life of Christ, 1921, 424 pages

Viktor Paskov, Bulgaria
43. A Ballad for Georg Henig, 1987, 208 pages, 2018 botm

Pier Paolo Pasolini, Italy
44. The Ragazzi, 1955, 256 pages

Boris Pasternak Russian
45. Dr. Zivàgo, 1957, pg length varies, but counting it as 592 pgs

Walter Pater, England
46. Marius the Epicurean, 1885, 320 pages

Alan Paton, South Africa
47. Cry, the Beloved Country, 1948, 316 pgs, 2012 botm

Cesare Pavese, Italy
48. The Moon and the Bonfire, 1949
49. The Harvesters, 1941, 166 pgs

Milorad Pavić, Serbia
50. Dictionary of the Khazars, 1984, 354 pgs

Octavio Paz, Mexico
51. The Labyrinth of Solitude and Other Writings, 1950, 398, 2014 botm

David Peace, UK
52. Nineteen Seventy Seven, 2000, 241 pgs

Mervyn Peake, UK, born in China
53. Titus Groan, 1946, 396 pgs, botm 2010, 2018
54. Gormenghast, 1950, 504 pgs

That's the list. What would you like to read in June?

I have read 24. I think I’ll vote for a George Orwell. Maybe Burmese Days.

I've read 27. I would get be happy to read Burmese Days.

I've read 15 on this list, many of which were excellent. Nothing is jumping out to me yet, so I will see what others are thinking.

-> I just realized that At Swim-Two-Birds is on the list. This is one of the books that George kindly gifted me literally the week before COVID shut the borders. So it has been sitting at our US post box for 2 years (sounds like an O'Brien story in itself) - not to jinx myself but there is a good chance we will be able to pick it up before June. I would like to read that book if possible for June!

I have only read 10 and there are quite a few I am interested in, including Orwell, although I have read Burmese Days.

There are 9 I haven't read in total. The ones I'm most interested in are:

-Manon des Sources
-Life of Christ
-Dr. Zhivago
-Life is a caravanserai
-A bend in the River

I'll see if any others on my list pop up too. I've read all of the Orwell books.

this is an Irish comedian/actor. Does anyone know why there is no author information available on the author?.."

Because its the same guy! I'm not sure why his books aren't listed on his Wikipedia page, but I own the book and have read it and could not believe that Dougal from Father Ted wrote a really good novel of interest to the literati (the blurb on the back does have his picture and mentions that is what he is known for).

Valerie wrote: "I've read 15 on this list, many of which were excellent. Nothing is jumping out to me yet, so I will see what others are thinking.

-> I just realized that At Swim-Two-Birds is on the ..."
I also have that one, I think.

Amanda wrote: "this is an Irish comedian/actor. Does anyone know why there is no author information available on the author?.."

Because its the same guy! I'm not sure why his books aren't listed on his Wikipedia..."
I think it is weird that he has no picture or mention where he is from on GR. Seems like that could be rectified.

Kristel wrote: "I think it is weird that he has no picture or mention where he is from on GR. Seems like that could be rectified."
Yeah, that is odd.

I could also support:
- Manon des Sources
- Life of Christ
- A bend in the River

From Amanda's list
or At Swim - Two Birds

I have read 10 and have several on my TBR Takedown list.

I am most interested in reading:

Wise Blood
The Year of the Hare
The Moon and the Bonfire

I also fancy a re-read of 1984.

I've read 20 of these. There are a few on my TBR shelf:

- A Tale of Love and Darkness (Oz)
- Dictionary of the Khazars (Pavic)
- Titus Groan (Peake)
- Gormenghast (Peake)

Not hitting anybody's list so far, I'll sit and wait. If the group's picks have been read previously, I might seek interests for a buddy read.

It as bound to happen sooner or later. I have read every book on this list. So, I will sit this one out.

Congratulations Diane, that is an amazing accomplishment.

I would love to read At Swim Two Birds. I have all of O'Brien's novels but haven't read that one yet.

I'm already planning on reading Gormenghast at some point this year. I've read Titus Groan, (and I think these should really be read in order).

I'm doing a lousy job of actually reading the BotMs this year though, at least in the right month.

3 books excluded from the randomiser this round if you want to read them you will need to vote for them....

The Things They Carried
Choke
Titus Groan

I have The Third Policeman on TBR, but I've read At Swim-Two-Birds, the Mervyn Peake series, and all the Orwells. I might sit this one out.

I see no one else have mentioned it, but I would love to read ‘Cry, the Beloved Country’. I think I have it on my TBR list, so it might come up there.

It’s a shame the group hasn’t read any Flannery O’Connor. I’d welcome any of them.

The group does not seem to be coalescing around one read so I will probably vote for At Swim - Two Birds

I'd like to vote for The Violent Bear It Away

Kristel wrote: "Amanda wrote: "this is an Irish comedian/actor. Does anyone know why there is no author information available on the author?.."

Because its the same guy! I'm not sure why his books aren't listed o...

I think it is weird that he has no picture or mention where he is from on GR. Seems like that could be rectified.

I've added a little information on him, but not a picture because I did not find one copyright-free. Also added his book on Wikipedia. I think he has only written one, and the others he has "authored" are audio narrations.

Since a lot of people here have mentioned things I've already read I'm probably just going to go with Life of Christ and chill.

If at Swim two birds wins I can say it was a great book.

And if you have read both selections you can do Life of Christ as a buddy read.

Gail wrote: "And if you have read both selections you can do Life of Christ as a buddy read."

Yup, seems like I will do.

I will be heading back to Minnesota tomorrow which means I will lose wifi today because of returning equipment. If you haven't voted yet, send those votes to me rather than 1001 Shelf personality as it is harder to get to that personality after I know longer have wifi. Thanks. I will close votes in morning but may not get winners posted until end of the day when hopefully I will have wifi connections at the motel.

Travel safe Kristel

Gail wrote: "Travel safe Kristel" Thank you, I think the weather looks promising for good travels. But it sure will feel cold when I get back to Minnesota. Florida weather has been so very nice.

Kristel wrote: "I will be heading back to Minnesota tomorrow which means I will lose wifi today because of returning equipment. If you haven't voted yet, send those votes to me rather than 1001 Shelf personality a..."

I hope you have a smooth drive. Enjoy being home again.

Soscha wrote: "It’s a shame the group hasn’t read any Flannery O’Connor. I’d welcome any of them."

I went for Wise Blood for my vote in the end.

The randomized chose Life is a Caravanserai. Tentatively the winner of the popular vote is At Swim - Two Birds.

What will you be reading. Rumor has it that there will be a buddy read of Life of Christ.

Not looking good for me. I've read At Swim-Two-Birds; Life is a Caravanserai is very hard to find either in English or in French (German or Turkish would be better options for those who master these languages). The Life of Christ is also troublesome to find, and I flagged it to be read in French anyway; I'm about 15000km from any French books, thanks to the Amazon.fr/Amazon.ca restriction put on us in Australia. By then, I will also have finished both the annual read and the quarterly.

So I guess I will start going through my randomiser list with James' The Ambassadors.

Awhile ago I had found a pdf file of Life of Christ. It was English however.

As Valerie mentioned, I have read At Swim-Two-Birds. It's rather a crazy story but I enjoyed it.
I might read Life is a Caravanserai if I could find a copy at reasonable price. Thriftbooks has it in German for $12, copies in English where available are about $45.
PS: I'm trying an interlibrary loan request for it.

Figured at Swim- two birds would win, but happy about life is a caravanserai and will be reading (even though it is quite hard to find for a reasonable price and I'm going have to request it via ILL come June).

And yes, I'll host a buddy read for Life of Christ if there is interest. I just found it on Open Library so it is pretty accessible for free.

Oh wait nvmd I cant I havent read Life is a caravanserai- oops! If someone who has read it wants to take over though I would be down.

I can not host but I would read Life of Christ if anyone has read both of the BOTM’s

For the first time ever I have read both BOTM. I would be interested in a Buddy Read of Life of Christ but don’t think I can commit to leading the discussion because I plan to be travelling in Europe with my daughter and granddaughter and doubt if I will have either the time or internet connection.

Amanda will be leading

Oops guess not, I see she has not read both BOTm

George P. wrote: "....I might read Life is a Caravanserai if I could find a copy at reasonable price copies in English where available are about $45.
PS: I'm trying an interlibrary loan request for it.."

The County library came through for me with an interlib. loan (from Univ of N Texas lib) and I started reading it yesterday! Hope I'm not the only one, but I can deal with that if so.

I ordered it via ILL and should be getting it in time too

I've also requested it on ILL but there are two levels of ILL here and I just went for the cheaper one, which doesn't include university libraries. So I'm not sure if they will find a copy.

Rosemary wrote: "I've also requested it on ILL but there are two levels of ILL here and I just went for the cheaper one, which doesn't include university libraries. So I'm not sure if they will find a copy."
Our ILLs are completely free (in US). I try not to overuse it- If I can buy a used copy cheaply, which I usually can, I do that first; that was not the case for Life is a Caravanserai.

George P. wrote: "Our ILLs are completely free (in US). I try not to overuse it- If I can buy a used copy cheaply, which I usually can, I do that first; that was not the case for Life is a Caravanserai. "

Wow, I'm jealous! I had to pay £10 (about $12) for the basic ILL, and it's double that to include universities and the British Library. But our county library system is expensive compared with others in the UK - we have to pay £1.30 to put a hold on a book at our own library, while some counties do that for free.

Rosemary wrote: "George P. wrote: "Our ILLs are completely free (in US). I try not to overuse it- If I can buy a used copy cheaply, which I usually can, I do that first; that was not the case for Life is a Caravans..."

My goodness, Rosemary - I had no idea. Our holds are also free (Canada), as are the ILLOs. That said, the selection can be limited. I often can't get books we choose in this group (George has kindly passed some of his on to me. As has Amanda.) It's frustrating when it is a book that I don't think is particularly obscure - like Mr. Vertigo.

Wow. Only fee my library has is the overdue fee, and that has disappeared with COVID as the library now just automatically renews everything forever. If I want something they don't have, they either order it in (if it's new), or get it through ILL from elsewhere in the country. It can take a while, but it's free for the borrower.

Leni wrote: "Wow. Only fee my library has is the overdue fee, and that has disappeared with COVID as the library now just automatically renews everything forever. If I want something they don't have, they eithe..."

That is great and the way libraries should be. The libraries here in US are returning to the old way of expecting your book to be returned and fining if not.

So far my libraries are holding to their no fee and no fine policy. There is one exception for ILL from university rare book collections. The overdue fine for these books is a dollar a day but they will let you renew forever as long as no one else has a request in for them.