The next book; Nominations open for Autumn/Spring of 2009
DiscussionsGroup Reads - Literature
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1teelgee
Let's start the process. I like the seasonal idea -- two books per quarter. What do others think?
Keep in mind, we'll be choosing two books to read consecutively.
Can't wait to see what comes up!
Keep in mind, we'll be choosing two books to read consecutively.
Can't wait to see what comes up!
2christiguc
Sounds good, teelgee.
I nominate two:
History by Elsa Morante
The Romance of the Rose by Guillaume de Lorris
I nominate two:
History by Elsa Morante
The Romance of the Rose by Guillaume de Lorris
3klarusu
Yep, sounds good to me teelgee.
So, I nominate:
Life and Fate by Vasili Grossman
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
... because I fancy a chunkster to really get my teeth into and my brain has now recovered enough from my thesis to need sustenance ...
So, I nominate:
Life and Fate by Vasili Grossman
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
... because I fancy a chunkster to really get my teeth into and my brain has now recovered enough from my thesis to need sustenance ...
4christiguc
I read Life and Fate earlier this year and while I don't want to read it again so soon, I would definitely support the idea that you all read it! So, I'll second that.
5Rubbah
I haven't participated in one of these group reads ina while so hopefully I'll be able to for this one:)
I nominate Don Quixote
I nominate Don Quixote
6geneg
Once again, I nominate The Octopus and The Sea Wolf. Some day, hope springs eternal.
7klarusu
Oooo, The Octopus looks interesting and I've never read The Sea Wolf ... I love the voting bit!
8PensiveCat
I'll nominate Tristram Shandy...because I planned to read it this year.
9teelgee
Before we get too much farther in this process, christiguc has a system in the monthly reads that I really like. C - correct me if this is wrong:
You can nominate TWO books.
You can SECOND as many as you want (not your own nominations though).
Books that get nominated AND seconded are voted on in a poll.
There's a runoff for the second book after a clear winner is declared for the first book.
You can nominate TWO books.
You can SECOND as many as you want (not your own nominations though).
Books that get nominated AND seconded are voted on in a poll.
There's a runoff for the second book after a clear winner is declared for the first book.
10teelgee
I nominate:
The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoevsky
The Good Earth by Pearl Buck
And I second Life and Fate
The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoevsky
The Good Earth by Pearl Buck
And I second Life and Fate
12wookiebender
I would like to nominate:
Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert
The Sound and The Fury by William Faulkner
For the reasons that I've never read anything by either Flaubert or Faulkner.
And I'll second The Good Earth - my parents had a copy on their shelves when I was a kid, and the name "Pearl Buck" has always fascinated me. And Don Quixote and Les Miserables, because it's time for me to read a chunkster too!
Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert
The Sound and The Fury by William Faulkner
For the reasons that I've never read anything by either Flaubert or Faulkner.
And I'll second The Good Earth - my parents had a copy on their shelves when I was a kid, and the name "Pearl Buck" has always fascinated me. And Don Quixote and Les Miserables, because it's time for me to read a chunkster too!
13teelgee
I second Madame Bovary!
14klarusu
OK so if we're seconding, I officially second The Octopus, Don Quixote and History (which I can't get to touchstone) ...
16geneg
I'm seconding The Golden Bowl and The Sound and the Fury.
Thanks to all those who have seconded The Octopus.
Thanks to all those who have seconded The Octopus.
18rosemeria
Seconding Portrait of a Lady by Henry James and
Life and Fate by Vasili Grossman
I have not participated in the last two reads because I've been reading Dostoevsky. The Brothers Karamazov, best novel ever written, I read it twice this year!
Life and Fate by Vasili Grossman
I have not participated in the last two reads because I've been reading Dostoevsky. The Brothers Karamazov, best novel ever written, I read it twice this year!
19digifish_books
I'll nominate Vanity Fair by Thackeray and The Pickwick Papers by Dickens.
I'll second Portrait of a Lady by Henry James.
I'll second Portrait of a Lady by Henry James.
22wookiebender
Oh, can I second another book? I'd like to second Vanity Fair as well as those I seconded above.
25unlucky
I'd like to third Madame Bovary and nominate the Magic Mountain
27HeathMochaFrost
I've been so out of the loop with this group, but hope I can get back in the swing of it soon.
I'll second (or third, etc.) Vanity Fair because it's been on my "I really should read that one" list for about a year! Lots of other good choices listed, too! I'l be watching for more nominations and the poll. Thanks, all!
I'll second (or third, etc.) Vanity Fair because it's been on my "I really should read that one" list for about a year! Lots of other good choices listed, too! I'l be watching for more nominations and the poll. Thanks, all!
28teelgee
Let's put an end time on this phase of voting; it started the 17th, shall we say the 24th? Then we should be able to vote and be ready to read by the 1st? Too short? Just right?
29billiejean
Would we vote on the 24th? I might get my daughter to vote for me as I will be out of town until the 27th. Would that be ok? The first sounds good to me. :)
--BJ
--BJ
30wookiebender
#29> BJ, We'd get several days voting as usual, I would think. (It's so easy to miss one day, especially with global time differences!) I think you'd probably be fine, being back on the 27th.
31teelgee
Right, wookie, thanks for clarifying. Yes, the voting would begin on the 24th and last several days. Voting by proxy is also fine, billiejean!
32shels100
Hi im new to the group and havent read much literature in the past (not my normal genre) but looking forward to reading some so thought would start with recommending a book on my wishlist - The Country Girls by Edna O'Brien.
Cheers
Cheers
33englishrose60
Teelgee, 24th and 1st are both good for me.
35billiejean
#30 & 31 Thanks!
--BJ
--BJ
36A_musing
I've not participated in the group, but if I can I'll second the Train was On Time; I'm a huge Boll fan, but haven't read Train, and that one would draw me in.
37geneg
I second both Burmese Days and Mr. Biswas.
38rolandperkins
Thanks, A _musing;
Thanks (for the Orwell seconding), geneg
Thanks (for the Orwell seconding), geneg
39Cecilturtle
I'll second Vanity Fair - I've been wanting to finish that one for 15 years!!
41teelgee
If you haven't nominated or seconded yet, today is your last chance! The poll will go up sometime around 11pm PDT (8am GMT), with any luck.
Remember, you can nominate two and second any number of books. Anything that is seconded will be in the poll. (But don't second your own nomination!)
ETA: It's fun to second a book, but extra seconds don't count for anything. (Does that even make sense?) In other words, once a book is seconded, it's in the poll and any others won't push it higher. All books are equal at that point. OK, I'll shut up now.
Remember, you can nominate two and second any number of books. Anything that is seconded will be in the poll. (But don't second your own nomination!)
ETA: It's fun to second a book, but extra seconds don't count for anything. (Does that even make sense?) In other words, once a book is seconded, it's in the poll and any others won't push it higher. All books are equal at that point. OK, I'll shut up now.
42digifish_books
Thanks for setting all this up, teelgee. If it's not too late I would like to second East of Eden.
43klarusu
*nomination closure panic* Can I second one more? The Brothers Karamazov?
44theaelizabet
REally excellent suggestions here. I await the poll!
48teelgee
Hmm, it should be active until the 29th. Can someone else try it please? I've already voted so it won't let me see choices again, just results.
49christiguc
It tells me it is closed too. :(
50HeathMochaFrost
Same here, it says it's closed -- looks like only two people voted...?
52wookiebender
I'm getting the message that the new poll is closed too!
Something is definitely misbehaving...
Something is definitely misbehaving...
54hemlokgang
It works. I just voted. Can't wait for the results.
55wookiebender
Thanks, I voted on the second poll, right? So many good books to choose from, I wanna read them all!
58rosemeria
Is anyone else seeing a problem with the math at the voting site! 260% of what - have we stopped using 100%? Is the US Treasury Department involved?
Example: Life and Fate is ahead with 34% of the votes... but 11 votes out of a total of 86 cast by 32 people equals 12%.
Example: Life and Fate is ahead with 34% of the votes... but 11 votes out of a total of 86 cast by 32 people equals 12%.
59christiguc
Is anyone else seeing a problem with the math at the voting site!
No, because we can vote for up to three books. The percent is not a percentage of the entire vote but a percentage of the voters who voted for that book. So: 11 out of 32 people voted for Life and Fate, 34%.
Edited to say: The percentage total could get up to 300%. Since it is 260%, some people decided not to vote for three and instead chose to vote for one or two.
No, because we can vote for up to three books. The percent is not a percentage of the entire vote but a percentage of the voters who voted for that book. So: 11 out of 32 people voted for Life and Fate, 34%.
Edited to say: The percentage total could get up to 300%. Since it is 260%, some people decided not to vote for three and instead chose to vote for one or two.
62unlucky
Actually, I just looked up Life and Fate and that looks pretty awesome too. And that way I wouldn't have to read a book with Reese Witherspoon on the cover or have they stopped selling the movie tie-in covers yet?
63teelgee
>62 unlucky: That's why I prefer good old used books!
64kjellika
Of the three leading books, I'd prefer to read The Brothers Karamazov.
I read it 10-12 years ago, and I think a reread would be very interesting as a group read.
I read it 10-12 years ago, and I think a reread would be very interesting as a group read.
65teelgee
Perhaps we should do a runoff for the top 3 or 4 books to determine the two we'll read? What do you all think?
66klarusu
I'm easy either way ... happy to just take the top two, happy to do more voting. Everything's a juicy read for the long winter evenings.
68wookiebender
I think at the moment, we've got a fairly clear "winner" and also a fairly clear runner-up. (Which is a completely different runner-up to what we had last time I looked! Things changed quite a bit over the weekend.)
I don't see any need to muck around with the voting system at the moment (but, granted, it might have been a closer call over the weekend, when I wasn't online much).
But that's possibly also coloured by my "yay! I've wanted to read the runner-up for ages!" feeling. :)
I don't see any need to muck around with the voting system at the moment (but, granted, it might have been a closer call over the weekend, when I wasn't online much).
But that's possibly also coloured by my "yay! I've wanted to read the runner-up for ages!" feeling. :)
69geneg
Looks to me like Life and Fate and Vanity Fair. Neither of which I voted for. However, by the rules we set out those appear at present to be the winners if the poll is closed. I'm sure we can figure out a way by changing the rules to jigger The Octopus to be the winner.
I know! If I don't like either winner and choose not to participate this time, I can read The Octopus on my own. That will be just like as if it won!
Come on folks, if your choice doesn't win, suck it up and deal with it. Suddenly deciding to change the rules is a rather childish way of dealing with disappointment.
When does the poll close?
I know! If I don't like either winner and choose not to participate this time, I can read The Octopus on my own. That will be just like as if it won!
Come on folks, if your choice doesn't win, suck it up and deal with it. Suddenly deciding to change the rules is a rather childish way of dealing with disappointment.
When does the poll close?
70teelgee
No, that was not the point geneg. It isn't changing the "rules" (such as they are). A couple of days ago there was a near three way tie for top book. And the guidelines set out almost from the beginning were to have a runoff vote for the second book from the 2nd and 3rd and/or 4th books if they were close. See message #9.
The poll closes on the 29th, tomorrow. If we were voting today, I'd suggest Vanity Fair and the Bros. Kara would have a runoff for 2nd.
Other thoughts?
The poll closes on the 29th, tomorrow. If we were voting today, I'd suggest Vanity Fair and the Bros. Kara would have a runoff for 2nd.
Other thoughts?
72unlucky
Even if one does pull ahead I think we should a re-vote with just those two. Since Life and Fate is also very Russian it might influence which of those people vote for if they know that they'll be reading another fairly lengthy long Russian novel.
73teelgee
OK, the results are in. Life and Fate will be our first book, starting any time. Someone want to volunteer to set up threads? My text is broken down into three parts, each about 300 pages. Is that good or shall we break each part in half?
The poll for the second book is between Vanity Fair and The Brothers Karamazov.
The poll is here:
VOTE
RESULTS
The poll for the second book is between Vanity Fair and The Brothers Karamazov.
The poll is here:
VOTE
RESULTS
74digifish_books
>73 teelgee: Thanks teelgee. I will pass on Life and Fate and have voted for the second book. When does the poll close?
75teelgee
Oh yeah, that. It closes on the 4th. I'm not sure how they do time on Mister Poll, if it closes at 12:01 on the 4th or runs till midnight and if so, what time zone. I couldn't find the info. So sometime on the 4th around midnight GMT I'll close it.
76christiguc
I read Life and Fate earlier this year, so I won't join you all in reading. But I'll be up for discussion. It's really really good.
77wookiebender
I have decided to skip Life and Fate because I've got too many commitments as it is already, but shall join you all for the second book (regardless of which it turns out to be). Thanks for all your efforts organising this, teelgee!
78kjellika
I've ordered a Norwegian edition of Life and Fate (Liv og skjebne), and I assume I'll receive it in aprox. one week.
I'm really looking forward to reading this novel with the group.
#73
I think three threads will do (+ maybe a conclution).
I'm really looking forward to reading this novel with the group.
#73
I think three threads will do (+ maybe a conclution).
79klarusu
Yay! I've had Life and Fate on my book pile for ages ... it fell on my head along with Don Quixote last time I tried to extract Twilight from beneath it (there is a moral in this, I'm sure, and they did leave a mighty bruise!). Off to vote for the second one, both of which I'm also itching to read. Bring on the classics!
80wrmjr66
I may try to locate a copy of Life and Fate. It sounds interesting. I've recently read both The Brothers Karamazov and Vanity Fair, so I'm not going to vote--though I could tell you which is better :-)
81teelgee
>79 klarusu: ROFL!!! No doubt, a lesson to learn from that!!!
82technodiabla
Ah ha-- I have procured a copy of Life and Fate. I knew there had to be some fringe benefit to befriending a professor of Russian studies.
83socialpages
Darn... someone has just borrowed my library's copy of Life and Fate. I'll have to wait until they return it. I wonder if it might be someone from Library Thing who's planning on doing the group read?
84bumblesby
Life and Fate - gets many solid 5 starts at Amazon, but this book is not available as an eBook or an audio book, and my local library (rather large one) does not have it. I find that curiously strange.
85rosemeria
I am also having a hard time finding this book. The whole Hawaii library system has only one copy and it cannot be transferred. And... our borders books store in town doesn't have it either. Darn, I'll need to do an online used book search today.
86shels100
Beauty of LT being not as well known in Australia yet - I have a choice of 4 copies in libraries near me :)
87digifish_books
I noticed that the poll for our second book is now closed. Vanity Fair wins!
88teelgee
Thank digifish, I forgot to check it last night but didn't get any new activity notification from Mr. Poll ergo nothing had changed.
So there we have it. Anyone have feedback on the process this time? Nomination> seconding> voting> runoff?
So there we have it. Anyone have feedback on the process this time? Nomination> seconding> voting> runoff?
90technodiabla
I don't know how you did it before, but this seems good. I liked that the voting period was short-- not dragged out over 3+ weeks. I also like the run-off part of the process.
Note: I am an engineer. Process is my life :)
Note: I am an engineer. Process is my life :)
91klarusu
Worked for me teelgee ... and Yay! for Vanity Fair.
92wookiebender
I'm happy with the process. But we wouldn't need the run-off vote each time, would we? I can see why it was needed this time, but if we had two obvious "winners", there wouldn't be any need for a second vote.
Off to source Vanity Fair...
Off to source Vanity Fair...
93rainpebble
Help me;
Help me.
Life and Fate and Vanity Fair cover which quarter? I am thinking of quarters as:
1st: January, February and March;
2nd: April, May and June;
3rd: July, August and September; and
4th: October, November December.
You know, ---------- the year divided into 4 sections.
Am I missing something?
Aren't you glad I am here?
Sorry to keep bugging you, but the heading of the thread reads "The next book; Nominations open for Autumn/Spring of 2009."
Yet I hear/see talk of reading "2 books per quarter" and so am "cornfused".
Horton Hears a Who is crying out: "Help me, Help me." Please.
Thank you,
belva
Help me.
Life and Fate and Vanity Fair cover which quarter? I am thinking of quarters as:
1st: January, February and March;
2nd: April, May and June;
3rd: July, August and September; and
4th: October, November December.
You know, ---------- the year divided into 4 sections.
Am I missing something?
Aren't you glad I am here?
Sorry to keep bugging you, but the heading of the thread reads "The next book; Nominations open for Autumn/Spring of 2009."
Yet I hear/see talk of reading "2 books per quarter" and so am "cornfused".
Horton Hears a Who is crying out: "Help me, Help me." Please.
Thank you,
belva
94teelgee
Sorry, should have been more clear; the Autumn is Northern Hemisphere, Spring Southern. So October through December.
Life and Fate is happening now, Vanity Fair is next up, probably early to mid November through December. Then we start again.
I'll label them by quarter next time instead of by season. I was trying to be all inclusive and not so hemisphericentric! ;o)
And yes, I'm glad you're here!!!
Life and Fate is happening now, Vanity Fair is next up, probably early to mid November through December. Then we start again.
I'll label them by quarter next time instead of by season. I was trying to be all inclusive and not so hemisphericentric! ;o)
And yes, I'm glad you're here!!!
95rainpebble
thanx toots!~!
96digifish_books
I accidentally started Vanity Fair already... I figured Spring is finished in my part of the world and we are well into 'pre-summer' ;) http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/08/20/2661156.htm
97wookiebender
Did I just read the word "sprummer"? Thank all the gods no one seems to like it, it's a horrible name.
I have my copy of Vanity Fair, but will hold off starting it for a little while, I've got other books to read first!
I have my copy of Vanity Fair, but will hold off starting it for a little while, I've got other books to read first!
98rainpebble
I have just begun Vanity Fair. It is my first Thackeray and I cannot begin to tell you how much I am enjoying it. I am only 50 pages in, but am finding it quite delightful. I love the way he writes and wonder if all of his works are this humorous and endearing?
belva
belva
99arubabookwoman
Yikes! I better get moving on Life and Fate. I've been savoring it, but apparently I'm moving a little too slowly.
100englishrose60
I was slow too arubabookwoman so decided to concentrate on Life and Fate and managed to finish it. I found Parts 2 and 3 easier to read than Part 1 and was absorbed with the lives of the main characters and their final fates.
Might re-read Vanity Fair if I have the time.
Might re-read Vanity Fair if I have the time.
101rainpebble
aruba and rose;
My books just arrived backward so I had Vanity Fair on hand. Life and Fate is now here so I will read it after I have finished Vanity Fair. You are neither one of you slow. I just didn't have the right book at the proper time. So....................
hugs to you both,
belva
My books just arrived backward so I had Vanity Fair on hand. Life and Fate is now here so I will read it after I have finished Vanity Fair. You are neither one of you slow. I just didn't have the right book at the proper time. So....................
hugs to you both,
belva
102teelgee
Nannybebette -- feel free to set up threads for Vanity Fair - there may be others reading it too!
103englishrose60
Now that I have read both Vanity Fair and Life and Fate I wonder what we will be reading in the New Year.
104technodiabla
I am wondering too. We should probably do the voting before everyone takes off for the Holidays.