posted
I know this isn't an original idea, but I think it would be kind of fun.
Summer is the season of reading whatever you want, with no schoolwork bogging you down. It's the season where you walk into the library and see advertisements for the Kid's Summer Reading Program. Maybe I'm just weird, but I never outgrew getting excited for summer reading.
So here's what I propose. We do our own Hatrack Summer Reading program where we pick a few titles to read and discuss throughout the summer. We could start as soon as people want to, as soon as we organize our list.
I know people will have reading of their own they want to do, so the pace would be up for debate. I was thinking that if we were really ambitious we could do a book every two weeks. Or otherwise a book a month would even be cool. We could still get four books in, so long as we started with May.
Anyone interested? I thought in this thread people could express interest and suggest book titles. I have plenty of ideas, but I think I'm going to look over my list first and pick a few to suggest. One that I thought might be fun would be The Handmaid's Tale or one of the other titles mentioned in that recent thread.
What do you all think? Posts: 1635 | Registered: Aug 2002
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I'm totally going to miss my English teacher picking apart every sentence of every book we've ever read... *sigh*... I'm in. Posts: 165 | Registered: Apr 2004
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From my experience in high school and college, it seems that the purpose of English teachers was to teach me that reading is boring, and I might as well just watch TV/movies.
Luckily, I didn't learn it very well. Posts: 16551 | Registered: Feb 2003
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I would definitely be interested. :-). I was thinking of suggesting this for a group of friends and myself, but everybody here has greater staying power with projects like this!
Posts: 45 | Registered: Mar 2004
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Yay! Any suggestions on what we should read?
I'm thinking the one a month thing would be the best idea, so that means we'd need to decide on four titles. Maybe we could do a different genre each month?
Some books from my list that might be fun: The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoevsky Slaughterhouse Five by Vonnegut The Canterbury Tales by Chaucer Persuasion by Jane Austen The Cat Who Walks Through Walls by Heinlein The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis The Count of Monte Cristo by Dumas A Man for All Seasons by Bolt
Any of those look good? Any others? Posts: 1635 | Registered: Aug 2002
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Count me in! I love to read, but it seems like I never have anyone to talk about books with since college. I'm up for anything; just tell me when to start and what to read first.
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I vote for The Brothers Karamazov, Persuasion, or A Man for All Seasons from that list. I've read the rest. And I don't have a list of my own right now to make suggestions from, 'cause as soon as something enters my house, I read it.
Oh, did I mention, I'm in? I wanna play!
Edit to add: And if you can find a copy of The Screwtape Letters book on tape that was released in England, do it! Read by John Cleese, it's fantastic. Beyond fantastic. I heard a copy while I was in school, need to search one out for myself.
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I love the Brothers Karamazov. If you guys decide to read it, I think I will reread it and join your discussion. Did I ever mention that I think Dostoyevsky may have killed his father? I'll tell why later on, if y'all decide to read this. Don't want to do any spoilering.
Persuasion is also very good. I haven't read it but once. So it's another one I would reread with you guys.
The best Kurt Vonnegut book is definitely Cat's Cradle. If you choose him, choose that. I loved this book but 30 years later Vonnegut isn't one who lasted for me.
Another that springs to mind is J.D. Salinger. Nine Stories is among my favorites of his. That or Frannie and Zooey.
For deep philosophy integrally rooted in a riveting novel I suggest Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig. The whimsical title is misleading. It's not sixtiesish at all. It's a timeless book.
Another thought is Ursula K. Leguin's The Left Hand of Darkness. She's a fantastic writer. Very understated but a real genius, I think. She has a way of being able to simply and directly convey true things of the heart.
If you want to read Faulkner, my favorite of his is The Reivers. It's hilarious as well as being really really good. The way he tells stories takes a bit of getting used to, but it's worth it. Once you get it, it's clear that he tells them in the exact right way those stories need to be told.
Oh, speaking of funny, Tom Jones by Henry Fielding is one of the most hilarious books I've ever read. Plus it's just a really great book, too.
My last suggestion is Nevil Shute's Round the Bend. He's a master storyteller in a quiet and wonderful way, and that book is my favorite of his. Particularly now with what is happening in the Middle East, it is more timely than ever.
[ May 09, 2004, 05:04 PM: Message edited by: ak ]
Posts: 2843 | Registered: A Long Time Ago!
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Wow, your suggestions make me want to read them all.
It sounds like The Brothers Karamazov is a pretty popular option. What do you all say to starting with that one for May? We can still discuss which ones we want to do for the rest of the summer.
Edit: I just read what I wrote and it sounds like I was completely decided, but if people want to do a different one first that would be ok, too. I'm open for anything!
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Hmmm, I'm not sure about reading The Brothers Karamazov in a month, though I would like to read it.
Posts: 4655 | Registered: Jan 2002
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fallow, you may be right! I think I was over my Vonnegut phase by the time that one came out. I bow to your superior knowledge of the field. Posts: 2843 | Registered: A Long Time Ago!
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The Brothers Karamazov sounds great to me. It's very high on my list of all time favorite books. I will find mine and start on it.
First question I want to know, even before people finish, is which brother do you like the best and why?
Posts: 2843 | Registered: A Long Time Ago!
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I can't recall Cat's Cradle at all, and Galapagos is a decade old, at least, in my feeble mem. On that note, don't you think a Vonnegut novel would be just the right choice for a summer reading list?
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I'd like to be in this thing, if I can... but I'm gonna be really busy, so we'll see if I can keep up and stay in!
Do they all have to be big-name classics? Or could we read something like David Grossman's The Zigzag Kid, which is an absolutely FANTASTIC book? (One of my favorite books of all time)
Posts: 7877 | Registered: Feb 2003
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Galapagos is mostly a tired retread of a few of his themes, in a rather thin story. I mean, he resorted to bringing back a character from his other stories!
Galapagos is late-70s, early-80s, I think. Cat's Cradle is mid-60s.
Galapagos IS a summery book (of course, so is Cat's Cradle, I think), and I definitely enjoyed it, but if your going to pick a novel of his from that period, I recommend Bluebeard (it's also non-scifi, very artsy). KV is good when he's biting, dark, whimisical, yet leaves a little room to love his characters. I didn't feel that in Galapagos.
My series of Vonnegut must-reads are:
Cat's Cradle Bluebeard God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater Player Piano Welcome to the Monkeyhouse (early short stories)
Everything else is enjoyable, but these are his themes, style, and wit, all distilled to high quality, in my opinion.
-Bok
PS- ak, any particular reason you outgrew Vonnegut?
Posts: 7021 | Registered: Nov 1999
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quote: Galapagos is mostly a tired retread of a few of his themes, in a rather thin story.
That's pretty harsh! Can we assume you outgrew him as well?
quote: I mean, he resorted to bringing back a character from his other stories!
Yes he did, and that makes for a fun continuity for the fans of his books, albeit a difficult choice among faves for those fans. I couldn't decide between galapagos or bluebeard, but one had the definitive best ending.
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I didn't realize The Brothers Karamazov was so long. I could probably do it by the end of the month, but a lot of people are still in school aren't they? Maybe we should set that one to be for June. That way people who are busier could start reading earlier and have enough time to really enjoy it. Sound good?
Raia, I didn't necessarily mean that they all had to be big-name classics, that's just what I have on my list right now. I'm literally up for anything, and I've never heard of The Zigzag Kid.
Anyway, if we pick a shorter book for May since we're already partly into the month, what do you all think it should be? What about Persuasion?
Posts: 1635 | Registered: Aug 2002
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fallow, RE: growing out of him.... Well, my username IS Bokonon.
The thing I've found is that while he does some nifty, surprising things with narratives, he occassionally goes too far. Galapagos is like this, Hocus Pocus a bit, Time Quake, Slapstick, Breakfast of Champions (sorry Celia), even Slaughterhouse-Five (though I will admit that the personal-ness of the book helps this one out a lot), which while amusing the first time through, they where a little thin for me, over time. Your mileage may vary, of course.
When he follows the more traditional novel form, I think it forces him to be a bit more sympathetic, while still allowing him to exercise his amazing wit and (gallows) humor. Player Piano, Cat's Cradle, "GBY, MR", Bluebeard, Mother Night; these are all classics of 20th century fiction (maybe not so much Player Piano, which is heavily inspired by earlier dystopian novels), and Player Piano, Mother Night, and Bluebeard are neutral enough to be taught in classrooms.
I love most of Vonneguts stuff, and enjoy all of it when I first read it, but I'm not so starstruck to recognize problems I see with them, real or imagined.
-Bok
EDIT: And while you can mispell my name fallow, just don't put an asterisk by it!
quote:For deep philosophy integrally rooted in a riveting novel I suggest Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig. The whimsical title is misleading. It's not sixtiesish at all. It's a timeless book.
*bounces up and down with anticipation* - I very loudly second this reccomendation. It's fabulous - it's deep - it takes place at my university
And I think Persuasion would be fabulous for May. I just bought used copies of all the Jane Austen I hadn't read, and that one looks like it especially wants to be read.
Posts: 8504 | Registered: Aug 1999
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Oh, darn! I already started on the Brothers Karamazov. So I will answer my own question. I love Aloysha best. I went through three distinct phases. My first favorite brother was Vanya. He's so intelligent and rational. He's got some sense, you know?
Then I went through a heavy Dmitri phase. I just lost my heart to him, to his strong feelings, his deep passion. Mitya is so alive and real. How could anyone not love Mitya?
But I think Aloysha is my favorite now, and maybe from now on, because he's so pure and spiritual and loving. He's sensitive and intelligent, of course, and also has deep feelings, but he's very controlled. He's in control of himself, in a way that Mitya isn't. I love the light that he seems to carry most of all. He sheds that light all around him, to everyone he's near. I think I definitely love Aloysha best.
I wonder if I will someday go through a phase in which I like the fourth brother best, reeking Lizaveta's son? That thought rather scares me.
Posts: 2843 | Registered: A Long Time Ago!
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Yes, I think that's the plan if no one else objects to it.
I'm sorry you already started reading Brothers already, ak. I'm very much looking forward to it for next month though! I was just worried that some people wouldn't be able to participate if we did it this month.
Annie, I was already interested in The Zen of Motorcycle Maintenance after what ak had to say about it, but your hearty seconding made me even more so! I wouldn't mind having that be our book for July...what do you all think?
Posts: 1635 | Registered: Aug 2002
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I have a question about Brothers Karamazov. Is there a specific translation that would be best to get?
Posts: 1635 | Registered: Aug 2002
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*bump for anyone who didn't see the final decision yesterday*
May- Persuasion June- The Brothers Karamazov July- (tentatively) Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance August- up for grabs! Posts: 1635 | Registered: Aug 2002
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No problem, Bok. There's a reason I gave T_Smith Cat's Cradle and not Breakfast of Champions. Cat's Cradle is just, hands down, the best. While the character I take my name from is in that book, I'm actually a reference to her in Dead-Eye Dick, where she is younger, older, crazier and deader.
So, you'll have to insult that book now.
I'm pretty much in agreement with your must read list, though I don't think I judge as harshly on Galapogas or BoC. And I think you've been to kind to Timequake.
Posts: 3956 | Registered: Jun 2001
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For me, a great book to read is Songmaster by OSC. I first read it in New Orleans, in high summer no less, and for some reason that book stuck with me as the perfect summer reading. When it starts to get warm, I feel like reading it again. Posts: 4953 | Registered: Jan 2004
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Yeah, TimeQuake took all the gimmicks he did in those other books I thought poorly of, and used them all.
I think that the other books aren't horrid, but I don't think they provide much literary value. I still think Galapagos is the _shell_ of a really good Vonnegut book.
I'll admit that I haven't read Dead-Eye Dick. Eeep!
posted
I'm not sure why I outgrew Vonnegut. Now I think he's okay, he's entertaining, but he doesn't matter much, or something. Before he seemed really important. I can't put my finger on what exactly changed. Maybe it's just me.
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I think I'm going to keep on in Brothers. I will read Persuasion next and catch up to the rest of you in there. I have some time to read now.
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quote: Raia, I didn't necessarily mean that they all had to be big-name classics, that's just what I have on my list right now. I'm literally up for anything, and I've never heard of The Zigzag Kid.
posted
I got both Persusion and Brothers at the used book store yesterday, and I'm going to start on Persuasion. Dunno if I got the recommended translation on Brothers, but it was the only one they had. Anyway, I'll probably start reading this weekend.
Posts: 7954 | Registered: Mar 2004
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Okay, I just finished Persuasion. Anyone else out there reading? Wanna talk about it?
It always takes me awhile to get into Austen, the style at first seems stilted and difficult. after a few chapters, however, it feels charming, and merely a bit archaic. I haven't read any of her contemporaries, really, so I don't know if that's the period or if it's her particular style.
I'd give the entire book a strong "charming," in fact. It feels to me like storytelling for it's own sake... you're not wondering what's going to happen next or how the story is going to end, you pretty much know, but it's lovely watching it unfold. Kind of like a plesant walk around a lake on a summer afternoon. You're not going anywhere, but you enjoy the walk.
Anyway, no relevations for me, but an enjoyable read. And since it's raining this afternoon, I might get a jump start on the Brothers Karamazov. Posts: 7954 | Registered: Mar 2004
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You're quick, ElJay. I actually haven't gotten a copy yet. Also, I was thinking we could start separate threads for the discussion of each book to keep things clearer. Is that overkill?
Posts: 1635 | Registered: Aug 2002
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Actually, I had been thinking the same thing about seperate threads, but I didn't know if anyone else had gotten the book yet, much less read it, so I didn't want to start a new one and leave it hanging in the wind. I know I'm a fast reader, so I'm used to being done first in things like this. I'll hang out until a few other people have finished, and then we can start talking. But go get the book!
I bet I won't be ahead in July... I had to read Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance in freshman english, (college) and didn't have a good experience with it. I think it was because we were instructed to only read a certainly amount at a time, so everyone would be in the same place, and I have a hard time getting into books that way. Never really feel the flow.
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I'm very much looking forward to it for next month though! I was just worried that some people wouldn't be able to participate if we did it this month.![[Blushing]](graemlins/blushing.gif)
Also, I was thinking we could start separate threads for the discussion of each book to keep things clearer. Is that overkill?
