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I've shamefully neglected my Hatrack Book Club's duties (meaning I haven't read this month's book ), and must now commit seppuku. Or, if not that (too much of a mess for my next of kin to clean up), then at least promise to read September's book. Only I don't know which book that is. If someone could fill me in?
Also, I suppose I could try and read this month's, but I'm in the middle of Twain's Huck Finn. (I have been for a month now, but I can probably finish it by September...if I push and cut down on de TV watchin'. Which I should do anyway, I realize. Ooh. Much shame.)
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According to the latest list: punahougirl84 will lead a discussion of Restoree, by Anne McCaffrey in September.
Posts: 8826 | Registered: A Long Time Ago!
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Silver6 - September - The Book of Atrix Wolfe by Patricia McKillip
I was picking it up at the library today...
I've read Restoree a million times and could talk about it in my sleep, and I certainly can do September - Christine, is my choice up next? Kathleen says so, so maybe I forgot to update the list I keep on my computer? (I know I traded with someone, but thought I moved from November to October, or something like that)
Please let me know so I can get my threads finalized!
Lee
Edit - p.s. - cvgurau, you should definitely read this month's book. It is a QUICK read - honest, it moves and is really interesting. I might not have read it if not for the book club, and am glad I did. Read it during the commercials for the Olympics
[This message has been edited by punahougirl84 (edited August 16, 2004).]
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I saw it was Anne McCaffrey this month and grimaced.
For some reason, I just can't get into her books. The only one I really enjoyed by McCaffrey was A Diversity of Dragons. The others I've tried make me want to throw the book against the wall.
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I think it is normal for all of us to have an author whose style or story choices don't work for us. For me, I just couldn't do Farmer's Riverworld books (and I tried). I read all of Donaldson's Thomas Covenant books, and was ready to strangle the author because, contrary to expectations, the mc NEVER GOT IT - a waste of my time, energy and money. The only reason I didn't curse Donaldson was because I tried some others, and LOVED them - because he figured it out, and the books actually worked (A Mirror of Her Dreams, A Man Rides Through). I've been willing to give an author another chance, and was not disappointed.
I don't know which of Ms. McCaffrey's books you've read (I know Kathleen didn't like Crystal Singer - another example), but Restoree is different - it is sf, and romance (not unusual for her!), and was supposedly written in reaction to all the weak, stereotypical females being written in sf books "back in the day."
If you can find it at the library, give it a try. I can guarantee it doesn't start like anything else she's written (and I know, because except for some romances, I've read everything of hers that is published and available!).
Finally, it is pretty obvious that not everyone is reading all the books. We'll have to see how it goes this month. If people changed their minds (and not just had other issues keeping them from participating), this club might go away. I hope not - I feel it has a good purpose, but it will only work if a large number of people actually participate.
I hope you give her a try, but I'll understand if we don't see posts from you
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I'm hereby making a vow to (pay attention, folks. These are rare As is my use of the word "hereby", now that I think about it) read this month's book. Although I've only ever read one of McCaffrey's books (the first Pern one, if memory serves), and I didn't think it was anything special (which was why I didn't go for the rest of them), it didn't make me want to tear my hair out by the handful, and that's a good, solid recommendation in my book. That, and punahougirl so eagerly recommends it, which also scores it some points. So I'll place a hold for the local library (I'm cheap. I don't buy books, with the exception of King's ON WRITING, which I only bought because I was on a ferry with a 6+-hour-long drive ahead of me) and give it a decent shot.
edited to add: They don't have it! Can you believe it? They have 89 of her books, and not one of them is Restoree!
Oh well. I'll get it at a used book store, somewhere. I know of at least three within driving distance.
[This message has been edited by cvgurau (edited August 24, 2004).]
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Thanks for the vote of confidence, cv! I hope you find it.
Restoree is not a great work of literature. It is not hard sf. What it is, is a good story (which works for me!), and an impressive first book. Her style definitely changes over time. A hard sf person might have a couple of issues - but this book doesn't make any claims to be more than what it is.
I keep thinking of things I want to say, then deleting them, realizing they should wait until we start the actual threads. So I'll stop
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), and must now commit seppuku. Or, if not that (too much of a mess for my next of kin to clean up), then at least promise to read September's book. Only I don't know which book that is. If someone could fill me in?
As is my use of the word "hereby", now that I think about it) read this month's book. Although I've only ever read one of McCaffrey's books (the first Pern one, if memory serves), and I didn't think it was anything special (which was why I didn't go for the rest of them), it didn't make me want to tear my hair out by the handful, and that's a good, solid recommendation in my book. That, and punahougirl so eagerly recommends it, which also scores it some points. So I'll place a hold for the local library (I'm cheap. I don't buy books, with the exception of King's ON WRITING, which I only bought because I was on a ferry with a 6+-hour-long drive ahead of me) and give it a decent shot.
