I love The Name of the Wind. It is on my reread pile, so I would love to read it with all of you. It is fantasy and it is long, but so good. It is a family favorite here at our house.
^ Those would be fun, quick reads, and just a little ridiculous – which I think is what we’re going for. :ar!
I don’t know what the list is anymore! Mary is right that I will usually read anything–this group helps me expand my reading. But I’m not fond of double-headers–I have enough trouble getting through ONE on time (that’s why I was absent in October, though I did finally finish West with the Night!) Of the latest ones mentioned, Bookman’s Tale sounds most appealing to me.
Someone asked about Our Souls at Night. For me, it was just okay. The characters are about 70, but they behaved more like 85-year olds. If the book had been set in the 50’s, it would have made more sense. And the ending was awful. I suspect if Haruf had lived it would have been a better book.
These titles are not on my usual reading lists, for sure! My husband adores the Patrick O’Brian novels. He has them ALL on his ipod and has been listening to them in his car for years. I’m not kidding :o I made it through the first four with him, on one of his listening cycles. I guess I’d have to veto Master and Commander because enough is enough! (I did like them, though–especially with the best narrator, Patrick Tull 
)
The Captain Blood and Beau Geste pairing would be okay with me–but the latter is over 400 pages. I don’t know if I could get through both within this given reading time period.
We could switch out Beau Geste for Prisoner of Zenda - it’s only 142 pages and it’s a page-turner. I like the double headers, if they aren’t too long.
I don’t need to reread the Patrick O’Brian novels. In fact if you were going to go in that direction I’d suggest reading the Hornblower books. Less weighty, less complicated. They are one of those tricky series where the first one he wrote is in the middle chronologically, so what order do you read them in?
Same here.
I’m leaning toward the adventure stories but whatever … It’s working Mary. I feel that stirring of excitement that comes with picking up something you want to read. Kudos on the stop-start over. I think your herd of cats now heads in the right direction!
I knew if I went out and did a little Christmas shopping, I would come back and find that you’d worked everything out. Almost. 
I was deliberately holding off on a new list until some opinions were posted. I am removing Master & Commander re posts #184 and #185 – with a nod to PlantMom’s husband for his excellent taste.
Let me tell you what’s staying and what’s going, with a little explanation about why:
Despite warnings re length, I am leaving on The Name of the Wind because it seems to fit our escapist adventure theme so well – and I’m hoping that if it’s chosen, mathmom would still join us. The book would really take us into new territory, which is exciting. Although much discussed, we’ve never ventured into fantasy.
At about 360 pages, I’ll put Beau Geste as a standalone. It’s a fast read for those with a lot on their plate, and it’s entertaining – and there is a little bit of mystery to the story, too, ala The Moonstone.
I’ll do the same with Captain Blood, which is about the same length as Beau Geste. Although the settings are different, I suspect the “feel” is similar. Both were written in the 1920s, between world wars, undoubtedly a time when people really needed escapist fiction. It’s a classic read and has loyal devotees, as you’ll see from the Amazon reviews. Norman Mailer, of all people, said, “Glorious…I never enjoyed a novel more than Captain Blood.”
I’ll leave off The Prisoner of Zenda—no duet this time. Even an easy duet is a lot to ask when many of us have not felt like reading much lately.
I’m keeping on The Bookman’s Tale because there is clearly interest for it. It’s not the same sweeping adventure as the above titles, but it sounds like fun. However, please note that the description says, “The Bookman’s Tale is a former bookseller’s sparkling novel and a delightful exploration of one of literature’s most tantalizing mysteries with echoes of Shadow of the Wind and A.S. Byatt’s Possession.” Our group has already read (and enjoyed) Shadow of the Wind and Possession. So does that mean this a good idea or a bad one? You decide.
And finally, I’m keeping on A Man Called Ove, simply because it made ignatius’ pulse quicken for the first time in days.
I have NO preferences on this list. I would honestly be delighted to read any of them. Any length, any title—it all works for me (and works better than our prior choices, which just felt too dreary):
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
Beau Geste by Percival Wren
Captain Blood by Rafael Sabatini
The Bookman’s Tale by Charlie Lovett
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
That’s a perfect length for voting. Rank your top three. I promise not to make any changes to the list. We live or die by this one!
- *The Name of the Wind* - perfect for the cold month of January - or *Beau Geste* or *Captain Blood*
- *The Bookman's Tale*
- *A Man Called Ove* - Can be finished in a day or two.
I’d actually read any of these. 
As for my two real-life book clubs, I am on hiatus. I told them I’d come back at some point. I also told them that you guys are the only ones I can’t give up, even short term. Funny that.
- *The Bookman's Tale*
- Any of the others. If one of them is chosen, I will endeavor to read it. :)
Well done, Mary …
- The Name of the Wind -
- The Bookman's Tale
- A Man Called Ove - Can be finished in a day or two.
- *The Bookman's Tale*
- *Captain Blood*
- No preference!
- *The Name of the Wind* - I would love to reread and discuss with all of you. It is a trilogy, so you may find you have to read the second book, and then you will be waiting with me for the third book. There are online discussions about Patrick Rothfuss' books. Lots of interesting theories about the story that keep you thinking and questioning what you read.
- *The Bookman's Tale*
- *A Man Called Ove*
My vote is the same as NJTM’s:
- The Bookman's Tale looks like it might be fun to discuss. Are we all going to reread Shakespeare too?
- Name of the Wind - Rothfuss writes beautifully and it's both a traditional story that also has some interesting twists. I just wish I hadn't read it twice already!
- Beau Geste or Captain Blood because they'd be fun and they made great movies.
The winner is The Bookman’s Tale by a nose! I’m looking forward to it–I think it will have a nice romantic touch for February.
Thanks for the suggestion, NJTheatreMOM! I’ll start a new thread.
Many thanks to everyone for the discussion of Far From the Madding Crowd – with a special shout-out to @Momofadult. I hope you join us for our next selection!
Thanks, as always, for your patience, wisdom and diplomacy, Mary. This selection sounds like a fun book. I’m optimistic that I’ll like it better than Possession.
Thanks, Mary and group readers, for the December Hardy discussion; it’s been fun and helpful! I’m looking forward to reading The Bookman’s Tale.
NJTM, I just realized that in creating the new list, I forgot to throw The Man Who Was Thursday into the mix. A selection for another time, perhaps! I don’t know much about G.K. Chesterton, except that a lot of pithy quotes are often attributed to him.
Ha, I was sort of wondering, Mary. The Man Who Was Thursday is a great, fun read, with a remarkably upbeat ending, but possibly not as good a book club selection as many other books.
If anybody is in the doldrums and wants to pick up something short and wonderful, I’d recommend it wholeheartedly.