OMG, I used the wrong “you’re” in my post above and it’s too late to edit!!
I’m not advocating for L’l Fires everywhere. It’s a good read, along the lines of Little Big Lies. I don’t mean the theme of abuse, but more insight into the lives of people.
I love A Town Like Alice and the mini series based on it, but I don’t want to reread it right now.
I’d rather not read another mystery for what that’s worth. (I think that nixes The Flight Attendant.)
Ones I’d like to read:
*The House on Mango Street *pairing
Pachinko
The Immortalists
The House of Broken Angels
lol, @VeryHappy, my own typos drive me craaaazy, but I never notice anyone else’s.
Taking everyone’s comments (so far) into consideration, I can shorten the list considerably. The books that have been removed are either low on someone’s preferred reading list or have already been read.
For the moment, I have left on Little Fires Everywhere because there is clearly interest; however, I need a little more feedback. How many have already read it? Does anyone want to exercise their veto power on those grounds or any other? @bookworm, are you not advocating for Little Fires Everywhere because you’ve already read it, or because it might not be a good book for discussion?
Currently, we have seven titles (I haven’t read any of them and all sound good to me):
The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
The Power by Naomi Alderman
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne
The Twelve Lives of Samuel Hawley by Hanna Tinti
All Our Wrong Todays by Elan Mastai
Given the choices posted earlier, and taking into account that some titles have just been eliminated, tentative votes are as follows:
- The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne
- The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin
- Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
@SouthJerseyChessMom has the same three:
- Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
- The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin
- The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne
@VeryHappy, if forced to choose:
- The Power by Naomi Alderman
- Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
- Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
- Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
- The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin
(And I know @jollymama has a vote in for Little Fires Everywhere.)
I don’t want to reread Neville Shute, or The House on Mango Street. Not feeling dystopia right now.
I started Pachinko but had to return it to the library before having a chance to finish it. (Couldn’t renew, there’s a waiting list.) What I read was outstanding, and I really want to finish it.
So I’ll vote for Pachinko. Runner-up: Little Fires Everywhere
My top three in order of preference:
*The Heart’s Invisible Furies
The Immortalists /i
The Twelve Lives of Samuel Hawley
(Little Fires Everywhere - #4 - but I’d happily read it, if chosen - or the other three I didn’t list.)
My top 4 - No preference
Pachinko
The Heart’s Invisible Furies
The Twelve Lives of Samuel Hawley
All Our Wrong Todays
I would also be happy to read The Immortalists and Little Fires Everywhere. I gave them a check, rather than a check plus, when I read their description and reviews, but that is still good.
I’d be happy to read any of these. Can’t advocate strongly for Little Fires, as I wasn’t enjoying it when I abandoned it!-- though I’ll most likely track down the print version and read it one of these days, whether the group does or not.
I have read “Little Fires Everywhere” – really enjoyed it. IMO there is lots to discuss. I don’t mind if it ends up being the next selection.
My top 3, in no particular order, are: “Pachinko,” “The Heart’s Invisible Furies” and “The Twelve Lives of Samuel Hawley.”
Thanks, Mary!! My top 3 are “The Immortalists”, “Pachinko”, and either “Little Fires” or “Twelve Lives” (both on my to read list). “All our Wrong Todays” sounds intriguing; not too interested in “The Power” right now.
All sound wonderful. My top choices, in no particular order are: The “Immortalists”, “Little Fires Everywhere”, “American War”, “House of Broken Angels” and “Twelve Lives of Samuel Hawley”
My vote for Twelve Lives of Samuel Hawley is pure convenience, I already have it in queue and have not started it yet. I am fine with any though. I like this group because even if I don’t get it read on time or do many comments, I read things I would not otherwise read.
I’d put All our wrongs today as number three, but I think that just muddies the waters!
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I’d be happy with All Our Wrong Todays also. LOL @Mary13 is just going to have to choose; we haven’t seen her top three yet so maybe the scale tips one way or the other. (I know which book I’d chose at this point; it will be interesting to see whether it will be the chosen one or not.) Regardless, I don’t think @Mary13 can go wrong, as it seems all the books are good choices.
^ so happy to see so many people participating ! Of course, this may be more challenging for @Mary13! Just saying I’m not leaning strong towards any book- my suggestions based on what other had written about “little fires everywhere” -
Whatever is selected will be ok
Hmm, now I’m wondering what @ignatius has in mind :-/. This may surprise or disappoint (hope not), but here goes…
It’s a flat-out tie between Pachinko and Little Fires Everywhere, both appearing an equal number of times (6) in the above voting lists.
After much thought (and more than one peek into Amazon’s “Look Inside” feature), I’m going to go with Pachinko. I always like to explain my logic behind a tie-breaker decision:
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It appears that none of us have read Pachinko and, all things being equal, I prefer to select a title that isn’t a repeat for anyone.
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We have tried over the years to expose ourselves to as many cultures as possible, and Korean/Japanese history is uncharted territory for us.
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Although I know they would say, “It really doesn’t matter! We’ll read anything!” certain members have had their top choices vetoed during the previous two selection processes, and I gave a little weight to that as well, so that the same folks don’t have their desires ignored in consecutive rounds.
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Finally, on a personal note, I don’t think I’d pick up Pachinko on my own, and since I do want to read it, the wisest course is to enjoy it with all of you. This group always, without fail, enhances my reading experience.
My apologies to those whose top votes didn’t end up in the winner’s circle this time around. You know who you are and I thank you for being so adaptable. On the bright side, it means there are a lot of new ideas for books to read during our off month!
Just bought my copy of Pachinko from E-bay. Some lowlife got the cheaper copy on Amazon faster than I could check out. Can’t wait to read it.
Okay - surprised. I counted six votes for “The Twelve Lives of Samuel Hawley” also and thought you’d go with that book since it keeps showing up. So yeah, surprised but, as I said, I’m good with whatever’s chosen.
Anyway, thanks once again @Mary13 for carrying the book discussion load so successfully. And thanks to all who added their two - or more - cents. The more the merrier applies here.
Excellent choice. It was my top choice all along. 8-|