Not a veto, but I’m unlikely to join in for Middlemarch. (Although I see it’s not a finalist for this round.)
I’m content to read The Nix or The Great Believers. I would probably not get to either of them on my own, so, good CC Book Club picks for me.
I might be persuaded to read Educated. I’ve heard good things about it. Not sure I’d be up for the discussion re: parenting & educating & unconventional life styles & abuse. But, not a veto. I remain open.
Currently, I’m going to read Hatchet, then I’m going to dive into Naomi Novik’s Trilogy.
I influenced one of my kids to read Eleanor Oliphant & she thought it was delightful. It’s great on audio.
My list in the exact order you listed the books. I don’t think that’s ever happened. Really the first three on my list are fairly interchangeable with The Overstory close behind. I don’t have a great desire to read Educated despite the buzz but I’m far from a veto. In other words, I’ll read what gets chosen.
I do love E. M Forester and especially A Room with a View. I am willing to reread it, but it’s not my first choice. Whether or not we pick the book, I highly recommend it and the Merchant and Ivory movie. It’s terrific.
I probably wouldn’t read The Believers because I came into my training during the AIDS epidemic and I think I have some form of PTSD from all that I saw.
The Nix makes it somewhere on everybody’s list, so that will be our February selection. I appreciate everyone’s flexibility. I know it is not the first choice for many, but at least it’s a choice.
@doschicos, I hope you’ll stick with us, despite your reservations about the book being potentially a bit bloated. @SouthJerseyChessMom, I called it without your vote, but, like @CBBBlinker, you rarely “nix” anything (sorry, couldn’t resist) @jollymama, thank you for the positive review, and also for being willing to go with a choice you’ve already read. @VeryHappy, The Nix is only 1.1 pounds! @ignatius, your job, which you do so well, is to remind us about A Room with a View for the next round. I’d love to read that again, and it sort of feels like a spring choice. (And I agree with @mathmom, the film adaptation is wonderful.) @psychmom, @HImom and others, thank you for the vetoes. It makes my job easier.
Like @Midwest67, I’m sure I would never get to The Nix on my own, so I’m happy with the selection. However, considering the pace at which I read, I will have to start tonight.
I’m so grateful for all who participated – @silverlady, @bookworm, @somemom, plus our lurkers and anyone else I may have missed. Thank you!
Reminder: For those a beat behind, comments about Spinning Silver are welcome from now through the foreseeable future (i.e., until the thread gets locked)!
Okay, you know what’s next: What are you reading in the interim?
Yay! I had so much fun reading this, though I think it needed to be chopped by a third. I’m guessing others will agree with me. By the way, there are a bunch of used copies on Amazon right now.
My next books? The Overstory, Michelle Obama’s Becoming, and Claire Tomalin’s A Life of My Own.
@VeryHappy, protofeminism is “a philosophical tradition that anticipates modern feminism in an era when the concept of feminism was still unknown, i. e. before the 20th century.” New term for me.
@silverlady, good idea re Cry the Beloved Country. Tuck it away for a future vote. I recall that I liked it in high school – and if I liked it in high school, it must be really good. If only I could remember.
The Nix sounds intriguing. I guess I’d better reserve it at the library so I can read before 2/1. It isn’t I book I would randomly pick up so I’m glad I have a reason to read it. Thx!
I really liked it when I read it way back when. 9th grade Social Studies class. I’d be interested in rereading it at some point and seeing how it has held up over the decades.
I’m game for giving any book a try so will do so with The Nix, although rambling books are a literary pet peeve of mine. 7 out of 7 books are available in my library system so I don’t foresee a problem with getting ahold of one. Now, to figure out the timing to plow through the 700+ pages while still keeping things fresh in my mind for discussion on 2/1. I’ll pick it up sometime in January.
In the meantime, I just finished An American Marriage. I enjoyed it, found it well written and engaging, a quick read. I am diving into Jesmyn Ward’s Salvage The Bones next. It’s not lengthy which is something I need right now with the craziness of the holidays, visitors and some projects I have going on.
Thanks, Mary13 for your leadership,you were truly meant to do this !
And, to all who participated in the discussion, welcome newbies and lurkers!
Good choice for next discussion!
currently reading
“The great believers” now ?
Recently read
The Library Book
Eleanor Oliphant
Unsheltered
Clock Dance - Ann Tyler
The Durells in Corfu -
My Kitchen Year: 136 recipes that saved my Life - Ruth Reichl
@doschicos: I tried Salvage the Bones. It didn’t appeal to me, and I finally stopped reading around page 100. It was too much of a chore.
Unfortunately I’ve started a part-time job, and – not suprisingly – it’s cutting into my reading time. I have five books on my nightstand that are all due this Saturday, and I’ve only read one of them.
Thanks for the feedback, @VeryHappy. I’ve got to learn to quit on books I don’t like. I keep telling myself it is okay to do so but usually don’t follow through.
7 out of 7 books are available in my library system so I don’t foresee a problem with getting ahold of one. Now, to figure out the timing to plow through the 700+ pages while still keeping things fresh in my mind for discussion on 2/1. I’ll pick it up sometime in January.