BGGWW Books discussion

I like the idea of reading a book together.

Since we have a few different favorite genres, we might end up with a few books being read concurrently. Pick a sci-fi/fantasy and those who are up for it, go for it. Also, pick a historical fiction or classic or whatever and those into that can do that.

I am sure many are like me and are currently in a book or two right now. I'd need a week or so to finish The Three Musketeers and The Scarlet Letter.

As for sci-fi/fantasy, someone posted a few lists already (elad?). Also, we could work through the Hugo or Nebula award winners (starting with those who won both in their year). I have a list of those in excel if we can post files. I have lots of book lists in my excel spreadsheet (Modern Library list, National Book Awards winners, Mann Booker, Pulitzer, and more). I love to catalog.

I'd go for Hugo/Nebula winners.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugo_Awa...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nebula_A...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_...

I looked at the lists Jeff posted and I've already read pretty much everything near the top. I suspect many others have as well. While I am happy to re-read pretty much anything, would it set an odd tone for a book group if some people have read the material before and some haven't?

I vote to *try* to read something new for our first book... If that could be arranged somehow... Plenty of time later for rereads ;)

Sounds agreeable. Should we aim for a new book then?

I personally have no preference on what we read first. If we're going to do a popular vote or follow a certain system (Hugo Award winners, Nebula Award winners, something else), we should set a deadline for when the first book should be chosen by. That will prevent the group from lapsing into decay before we even decide what we're doing.

I suggest next Friday as the deadline for deciding on the system, which means, unless it's a popular vote, that we will also have a book set by next Friday.

I agree with Sparky. Strike while the iron is hot.

I like the double Hugo/Nebula winners idea. How about the first member with enough gumption and time create a poll (yes, we have those) with the list of joint winners. Then we can vote from there. If there are some that more than a few have read, let's scratch it from the list. Also, we should probably scratch books that are part of a linear series.

I can't make the poll now, but if it's not done by Monday morning, I'll do it.

(btw, Wes posted the wikipedia link to the list above; it just needs to be poll-ized)

Also, we are totally open to other ideas. If you have a book or list in mind, we can go off that as well. Someone posted a top 50 sci-fi/fantasy books list somewhere.

I think we are all pretty amiable. I think there are a few like me who have read very little sci-fi/fantasy. I'm not comfortable trying to guide the ship. There are others here who know what's out there better than I.

I haven't mentioned it because I'm sure everyone else here has read it, but I've been wanting to read Dune. at some point this year I will be reading Dune. I will post it when I'm about to and anyone who wants to read along is welcome to.

And I think we will probably have a lot of that. If you're reading something or want to read something that is not the BGGWW Book of the Month, mention it here and side threads can sprout up with others who have read or want to read along.

If anyway possible hopefully it can be a book I can borrow from the library... If not, then I'll figure something out :)

There's nothing wrong with reading Dune. I am always happy to read Dune.

I'm up for anything that is not 17th Century Restoration literature. The award winners or sci-fi is fine with me.

It might take me longer to get through our first choice though because I just finished my book and am starting on "A Game of Thrones" today!

I added a poll to the group--all the Hugo/Nebula novels from the Wikipedia list. Unfortunately it doesn't look like multiple choice is an option.

I voted, then tried to change my vote. No go.

I'm fine with (re-)reading anything except possibly American Gods which I read only in the last year or so.

Dune would be fun, it would be my third time and I also know where my copy is ...

Did you use the "change my vote" link on the bottom left? I just tested it and it seemed to work fine.

Thanks ... now to find my way back to the poll ...

Looks like Paladin of Souls a sequel to The Curse of Chalion?

We can also start populating our group to-read shelf. I like the idea of having some sort of direction.

I'm bummed some just read and/or are just starting A Game of Thrones. That is on my very short list. I would love to read that along side someone, but if we are going to start something here, I think I should wait on GoT.

I was going to get fancy and compile a list of books we all have on our personal to-read shelves and see if we have some crossover. But I can't find an easy way to export this info and listing by hand would be a bit much.

Also, I notice there is a goodbooks widget. Anyone know how to put the bookcovers of your recent 5 reads on your BGG profile? I found a widget page somewhere, but I couldn't get it to work. But I'm not really that savvy.

I think Dune has enough traction in the poll to be included as our first book. Shall we include another book on the shelf?

So much for my wish for a new book first. We'll get to a newer book eventually, right? ;)

I wished I had the foresight about Dune earlier, I am almost sure I could have borrowed it from a friend. I'll check the library after I do a few household things :( :yuk:

Terri wrote: "So much for my wish for a new book first. We'll get to a newer book eventually, right? ;)

I wished I had the foresight about Dune earlier, I am almost sure I could have borrowed it from a friend...."

I doubt we can find a book none of us have read really. Dune had enough interest to have it put up ... We can easily have 2 books to read for those uninterested or unable to read the current choice. I'd gladly read something other than Dune, as I've read it previously. Any suggestions?

Terri wrote: "So much for my wish for a new book first. We'll get to a newer book eventually, right? "

We'd better. =)

Totally agree with Jeff.

I am afraid to lose the interest of those who have already read Dune.

I think a 2nd book is a great idea to keep activity high in the group. I would hate to lose interest in those not interested in the book of the month. It need not even be from the Hugo/Nebula list.

I am assuming we will pick new book(s) again at the beginning of February. I think 1-2 books per month would be great with side discussions of other things we are reading (I've seen some mention of The Handmaid's Tale, so it would be cool to hear thoughts on that in its own thread).

Now that we have a book, how do we want to go about the reading schedule? Set a deadline to complete the entire book? Ask people to have read X chapters in X amount of time and discuss? Or just a free form, read as you can, comment and discuss as you like, and after a set amount of time, we move to another book?

Ken wrote: "Now that we have a book, how do we want to go about the reading schedule? Set a deadline to complete the entire book? Ask people to have read X chapters in X amount of time and discuss? Or just ..."

Well, I set March 1 as a "deadline", primarily on the strength that's when Han and raid have their Dune game scheduled to start. What's everyone's general reading speed? I'm comfortable with a book every 3-4 weeks or so. Anything quicker and we risk making it a chore for some. Longer and the quicker readers might lose interest by the time we're really discussing it.

Should we set a single pace, a deadline for the end of the book, aim for a rolling discussion? I've not done this outside of a structured form like EN532-01, Compositions and Sleepless Deadlines MWF 11.

Anyone here read Brandon Sanderson's Way of Kings book?

Re: Sanderson - No (Is that Wheel of Time?), but I've just finished 'Elantris', and started his Mistborn trilogy, and I've been enjoying him so far.

Wait, Wikipedia tells me that it's actually book 1 of a planned TEN... :shake:. If someone does read it, I hope they share their impressions...

Robb wrote: "Re: Sanderson - No (Is that Wheel of Time?), but I've just finished 'Elantris', and started his Mistborn trilogy, and I've been enjoying him so far.

Wait, Wikipedia tells me that it's actually bo..."

He is finishing up the Wheel of Time series, but Way of Kings appears to be a high-fantasy mega effort of his. I have the first book, and it will make its way to my nightstand shortly.

I just finished his Mistborn stuff... and wow. I suppose if anyone can write a 10 book series, and have it be 10 books, it will be this guy.

I actually just finished Elantris. I can definitely say he made a serious leap from first book to next book. Hopefully, he continues his improvement.. his magic systems are wonderful, but his character development seems a bit stale at times.

I really enjoyed Elantris and the first book in the Mistborn series. I didn't enjoy the other two as much. I also really enjoyed the first book in the Way of Kings series. I don't know if any of you read Sanderson's blog, but he's got a great series of annotations for his books and a podcast on writing that I enjoy as well.