Penny Arcade: Fine Distinctions discussion

I can't create polls since I'm not the moderator, so maybe the moderator will want to create one, but I was wondering if we should do a group read here. We could have suggestions for what to read, then create a poll to decide. Maybe in a three month cycle? I don't know. What does everyone else think?

Obviously, people don't have to participate, but if anyone is looking for something to read and discuss, it gives them some guidance and a place for everyone to discuss a particular book. It could be fun. Maybe something to think about now to start in the new year.

I think that's a great idea. I'd love to participate.

I would enjoy this as well, as it would be a good opportunity to try something new

I would definitely be down with a group read.

We have the recommended reading list, so that seems as good a place to start as any. Two options we could try: pick a genre and then vote on five or six options in that genre. OR: Pick one or two books from each genre and vote on those.

Maybe starting with the General Fiction list would be a good spot? That way everyone can get in on the first read if they're not a fan of a particular genre. I'm open to whatever, though!

We can use this thread as the unofficial signup / vote channel, and then I can make a poll to vote on the book to read.

Just to get the ball rolling, here's some books I pulled quasi-randomly from the Fiction list (I haven't read any of them, but recognize the title or author:)

The Yiddish Policemens’ Union by Michael Chabon
Foucault’s Pendulum by Umberto Eco
The Road by Cormac McCarthy
Black Swan Green by David Mitchell
Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut

This sounds like a good idea.

I'd be up for this in the new year.

Sounds good to me.

Then we are agreed. Should we add to Michael's list?

I would say that Michael's list gives pretty good selection to choose from in a poll for our first group read.

I have created a poll based on Michael's list, which I think gives a very respectable selection to choose from for our first group read. I set the poll to close on December 26 so that the book can be chosen and people can obtain the book in time for the start date, which I believe we are projecting as January 1. So go vote, and I look forward to read together with everyone in the new year.

Good stuff! It's amazing how likely I am to get stuck in a rut, book-wise. Group reads are a great way to expand one's horizons...

Voting is complete and the winner is (and it was close):

"The Yiddish Policemans' Union" by Michael Chabon.

I set the reading dates to go from January through March, which I figure is probably a good amount of time (not too short, not too long). A book specific discussion thread will follow shortly.

Happy reading, everyone! I hope you all got the books you wanted for the holidays. :)

Excellent. I'll be picking it up at the library tomorrow...

Oooh. I shall get a copy of that as soon as I get paid and get on with the reading.

I shall find a copy

Lots of cheap copies on Half.com, why pay more than a few bucks? http://product.half.ebay.com/The-Yidd...

I'll try the library first I think

Good choice! I won't participate much, since I read it about a year ago and I've got too many books right now to spend time on a re-read, but I'll try to join in on the discussion a little. Certainly wasn't one of my favorite books, but it had a very unique style.

My library doesn't have it, which is annoying.

Given I have the ereader now, I might try and see if I can get it as an ebook.


Balls. Can't find an ebook version. I will probably have to join the group read a little late and wait 'till I get paid back some monies.