The Musicbanter Book Club
 

An idea of JayJamJah and I's. Basically it's pretty self-descriptive and we're just going to add rules and structure as we go along. But right now here are the only two things:

1. JJJ and I are going to approve each of the choices. This isn't to be snobby or elitist and we'll be pretty loose. We're doing this for these three reasons: Obscurity (if a book is too hard to find and no one can get it we obviously can't discuss it.) Size (if a book is way too big and it would take up a sizable amount of time to discuss we'd bypass it unless a good amount of people were up to it. Spending a month on one book might be tiresome for some people and finally Popularity (let's face it, who wants to discuss Twilight or Harry Potter for the billionth time?
2. We're going to try and go about this democratically so everyone can suggest a book and we can get a wide variety of selection.

Book one has already been decided.

http://server40136.uk2net.com/~wpowe...0199536399.jpg

I'm in, I need to find a copy first though.

That's cool, you have time. I won't start until the majority of people are ready (or if were a very small number everyone.)

I'd be interested in joining. I'm not sure my brain can handle it but, I'll give it a shot. Don't fail me now attention span. :(

Just out of curiosity, how accessible would you say The Idiot is? Whenever I hear anyone mention his other works, especially The Brothers Karamazov and Crime and Punishment, they tend to say he's pretty hard to get. Also, to anyone who would know, which translation would you recommend?

I haven't personally read it myself, but I got through Notes from Underground easily (and found it immensely interesting and loved it.) However I did read Crime and Punishment about two years ago and didn't get all to the end...but at that point all I read was Jack Kerouac and Hunter S. Thompson, who for all their brilliance don't do much to prepare you for any other form of literature. JJJ should be able to answer your question.

How does one nominate a book to be read?

Post saying "hey after the Idiot we should read this book."

Good idea this, I'm in.

I'd like nominate Graham Greene's 'the Comedians' for a future book as well (if I may).

Count me in for reading this.

Count me in too. I am on my third book within a week. About time I got back into reading.

Hm hm, I'm gonna see if I can find this in Croatian, I usually read my books in English but since Croatian and Russian are both Slavic languages I figure a lot less would be lost in the translation. So if I can I'll try and read it.

I'm in for The Idiot. When do we start?

is it cool if i skip the inaugural book?
because as it is i've got about 4 books i'm planning on reading in the next 2 weeks.

but i'm all for joining in on the fun after you're done with the idiot.

I love this idea but I have a couple questions.

1. Are we going to put some dates on this?? Certainly a "Finish by" date and possibly a "alright we're all going to get after it" date?

I'm thinking if people know when the discussion will begin we can space our free time better. Also, I'm thinking we should try to avoid spoilers, no?

2. I don't know if the person recommending it could post a little blurb, not uncommon to whats written on the back or on amazon? Just so we know what we're getting into?

Again, I love this idea. I was looking for a site to do this on but why not with people we're open with?

I vote on choosing a date for us to start discussing by.

@Brennan: I don't think you can have a fruitful discussion on a book without some major spoiling. There should be a separate thread for each book so those who didn't have time to read it can just avoid it. I agree with the rest.

Sounds awesome.

Yeah, the spectrum agree with me. I think you're taking me wrong old friend.

This wouldn't be spoilers for people who didn't read, but spoilers for people who are reading.

Meaning if we are given the next topic book on monday and you call in sick tuesday and finish it, while I'm on track to finish it friday. I don't want to spin in on thursday and see you say something like "zomg fracine totaly skulls ****s darren then snaps his dogs neck"

cause that would make my experience less enjoyable.

What I'm saying is, lets give like a 7 day moratorium on discussion.

I figured discussion would take place in a separate thread so you could easily avoid spoilers if you were reading. I think a week is good amount of time to not talk about.

if thats the case then the problem is solved.

what would you guys think of posting topics you'd like to address in the thread during that week. People could still avoid if but those who finish early would be able to set an agenda while they wait.

I'm not sure how I feel about that, I'm still pissed no one wants to have a good discussion about no country for old men.

Must it be "literature". Can we not group read something less heavy going? There are thousands of far more 'interesting' books out there.
Or is this to be a "pretentious" project? ;)

I'm guessing reading might not be your thing.

Are you referring to me dear chap?

I rest my case, your honor.

Yes Book Club!

Oh contraire.

Thing is...I've read this book already.
It's rather long and typically Russian. It has a character list as long as yer arm with equally unpronounceable Russian names.
I fear the casual reader will lose interest early on.

the casual reader, ha.

I get this image of a well dressed WASP thumbing through his Forbes magazine.

Maybe, I've never read The Idiot but I've read some Nabakov and if what you're describing is "russian" then thats him to a T.

I meant the style the book is written in. It's typically Russian...Edit: I see you realise that already. Apologies.

Anyways. My point is this. Are we reading books to pass some kind of literary exam, or should the reading matter be a little less heavy?

hey after the Idiot we should read 'Life of Pi' by Yann Martel.

I would hope that it's a nice mix. I have read 'Crime And Punishment' once and got half way through it before needing something a little lighter! It's still sat in my cupboard and I actually picked it up two days ago and then changed my mind at the last minute!

I am in too...I would suggest inter-library loan if you don't want to buy it...or like me...have to order it because the closest book stroe is 40 miles from where I live and I have no driver's license.

Exactly ^

I edited my previous reply to this. I originally misunderstood your above post.

I'm sorted. The wife's a librarian. :D

You are lucky in sooooo many ways:thumb:

I believe you mean Nabokov...

probably. You tell me.

What'd you read?

As I said we're going to kind of structure it as we go. But I'm for making a separate thread, do we want to discuss the book as soon as we all finish and let people jump in as they complete it or in blocks?

How does an actual book club work?