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Book of the Month Club 2011
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Message 1.Â
Posted by Bette (U2222559) on Sunday, 2nd January 2011
Welcome to the TVH Book of the Month Club. Thanks go to Rusters for suggesting the group, setting it up and steering it for the past three years.
Discussions start on 21st of each month, /except/ for 15th December (traditionally a children's book, and started early to allow for the holiday period).
We aim to have a range of books: contemporary, classic, short stories, non-fiction (see list of previous books chosen in next post). We haven't had any poetry or biographies yet, but there is no reason why they could not be suggested.
Here is the list of books for 2011. There is still a slot available for November, so if any poster would like to introduce a book then, please give your suggestion on this thread (including a 1-2 sentence description of the book). All volunteers need to do is to mark the date in diary, and open the discussion here on the set date.
*January*
'The Third Policeman' by Flann O'Brien (Herb Robert)
A murder thriller, a comic satire about an archetypal village police force, a surrealistic vision of eternity, and a tender, brief, erotic story about the unrequited love between a man and his bicycle."
*February*
'The White Tiger' by Aravind Adiga (Poster C)
Balram Halwai is a poor low-caste Indian, the son of a rickshaw-puller who somehow manages to crawl his way up to be an entrepreneur in Bangalore. He tells his story via a series of letters written to Wen Jiabao, the Chinese Premier who is about to visit Bangalore. The poor parts of India are referred to as the Darkness which is a world filled with hunger, servitude and life-long debt. Modern Delhi is referred to as the Light. This is a world where men and women grow fat, have air-conditioned cars, mobile phones and guarded apartments with large TVs and computer games. But the Light has some very murky aspects to it - bribery, corruption and murder.
*March*
'The Finkler Question' by Howard Jacobson. (Jenny111)
Winner of the 2010 Man Booker prize.
*April*
'The Time Traveler's Wife' by Audrey Niffenegger. (ali-cat)
A strange but compelling read of a love story between Clare Abshire and Henry DeTamble. Henry is the time traveller, his travels are spontaneous, and he always arrives naked at his destination in time. He first meets Clare when she is 6 years old and he is 36, and this is the start of their complex and extremely beautifully written love story.
*May*
'The Accidental Tourist' by Anne Tyler. (Rusters)
The middle-aged protagonist, Macon Leary, is a man who craves routine, almost to the point of being obsessive-compulsive. When tragedy strikes Macon is forced to re-evaluate his life. The book is sad, poignant, quirky and funny in turn.
*June*
"The Last Queen" by C. W. Gortner. (Rwth of Cornovii)
It is about 'Mad' Juana, sister of Catherine of Aragon. The action does not include English royalty at all. She isn't a victim, but has a lot to cope with.
*July*
‘Lady Susan, The Watsons, Sanditon’. Three works by Jane Austen (Bette)
This compilation features one novel unpublished in her lifetime and two unfinished fragments.
*August*
'The Towers of Trebizond' by Rose Macauley (Hesperus)
Particularly relevant now because of themes of sexual identity and the Anglican Church (inter alia).
*October*
'The Honourable Schoolboy' by John le Carré (Shropshire Lad)
*December*
‘Treasure Island’ by Robert Louis Stevenson (Herb Robert) -
Message 2
This posting has been hidden during moderation because it broke the in some way.
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Message 3
Posted by Bette (U2222559) on Sunday, 2nd January 2011
Whoops, don't know what happened there!
Here is the list again, with links that work!
2008
March: ‘The Lovely bones’ by Alice Sebold
April: ‘The Tenderness of Wolves’ by Stef Penney
May: ‘Cranford’ by Elizabeth Gaskell
June: ‘Mr Pip’ by Lloyd Jones
July: ‘The Ghost Map’ by Steven Johnson
August: ‘The Gathering’ by Anne Enright
September: ‘Scenes of Clerical Life’ by George Eliot
October: ‘The Reluctant Fundamentalist’ by Mohsin Hamid
November: ‘Silk’ by Alessandro Baricco
December: ‘Mr Gum and the Dancing Bear’ by Andy Stanton
2009
January: ‘The Clothes On Their Backs’ by Linda Grant
February: ‘These Old Shades’ by Georgette Heyer
March: ‘Before I Die’ by Jenny Downham
April: ‘Slam’ by Nick Hornby
May: ‘The People On Privilege Hill’ by Jane Gardam
June: ‘A Long Long Way’ by Sebastian Barry
July: ‘Watership Down’ by Richard Adams
August: ‘When will there Be Good News?’ by Kate Atkinson
September: ‘English Passengers’ by Matthew Kneale
October: ‘God’s Own Country’ by Ross Raisin
November: ‘The Sunday Philosophy Club’ by Alexander McCall Smith
December: ‘Carrie’s War’ by Nina Bawden
2010
January: ‘Revolutionary Road’ by Richard Yates
February: ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee
March: ‘Legend of a Suicide’ by David Vann
April:
April: ‘The Great Gatsby’ by F. Scott Fitzgerald
May: ‘The Poisonwood Bible’ by Barbara Kingsolver
June: ‘The Old Man Who Read Love Stories’ by Luis Sepulvéda
July: ‘Rebecca’s Tale’ by Sally Beauman
August: ‘Still Alice’ by Lisa Genova
September: ‘The Caves of Steel’ by Isaac Asimov
October: ‘Elidor’ by Alan Gardner
November: ‘Precious Bane’ by Mary Webb
December: ‘The Wind in the Willows’ by Kenneth Graeme
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Message 4
Posted by Bette (U2222559) on Sunday, 2nd January 2011
Sorry, I missed of the September slot
.
*September*
'The Mayor of Castro Street' by Randy Shilts (Sequoia Tree)
The life and times of Harvey Milk, whose personal life, public career, and assassination mirrored the emergence of the gay community as a political power in 1970s America. -
Message 5
Posted by Bette (U2222559) on Saturday, 8th January 2011
Bump.
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Message 6
Posted by Rusters (U11225963) on Sunday, 9th January 2011
Bump
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Message 7
Posted by Bette (U2222559) on Tuesday, 11th January 2011
Bump.
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Message 8
Posted by Herb Robert (U14072548) on Friday, 21st January 2011
bump
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Message 9
Posted by SequoiaTree (U2266143) on Monday, 24th January 2011
just bookmarking this thread. I've been checking in on the other one.
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Message 10
Posted by Rusters (U11225963) on Friday, 11th February 2011
Please see Messages 1 and 4 for details of forthcoming discussions.
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Message 11
Posted by Bette (U2222559) on Friday, 18th February 2011
Bump, and reminder that the next book discussion (21st Feb) will be:
'The White Tiger' by Aravind Adiga (introduced by Pahnda). -
Message 12
Posted by Bette (U2222559) on Monday, 21st February 2011
The February thread is now open. Here are the links for 2011 discussions so far:
February: ‘The White Tiger’ by Aravind Adiga
January: ‘The Third Policeman’ by Flann O’Brien
If anyone wants to introduce a book in November, please let me know on this thread.
Thanks. -
Message 13
Posted by Bette (U2222559) on Tuesday, 15th March 2011
Bump, and reminder that the next book discussion (21st March) will be:
'The Finkler Question' by Howard Jacobson (to be introduced by Jenny111). -
Message 14
Posted by Jenny111 (U2912527) on Friday, 18th March 2011
A quick bump to say I will be introducing the March book, "The Finkler Question" on Sunday as it turns out I will be away from my computer for most of Monday
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Message 15
Posted by Bette (U2222559) on Friday, 18th March 2011
Thanks, Jenny.
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Message 16
Posted by Bette (U2222559) on Sunday, 20th March 2011
The March thread is now open:
March: ‘The Finkler Question’ by Howard Jacobson
Recent discussions:
February: ‘The White Tiger’ by Aravind Adiga
January: ‘The Third Policeman’ by Flann O’Brien
Reminder that there is still a slot free in November if anyone wants to introduce a book. -
Message 17
Posted by Pahnda (U14681704) on Sunday, 20th March 2011
Hi Bette, I'm happy to fill the November slot either with Ian McEwan's Solar, or something else that takes my fancy between now and then but I'll confirm in good time for people who wish to read the book.
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Message 18
Posted by Bette (U2222559) on Sunday, 20th March 2011
Thanks very much, Pahnda. I'll put you down for that slot, whatever book your choose.
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Message 19
Posted by Bette (U2222559) on Wednesday, 27th April 2011
The April discussion is now open:
April: 'The Time Traveler's Wife' by Audrey Niffenegger
*Recent discussions* :
March: ‘The Finkler Question’ by Howard Jacobson
www.bbc.co.uk/dna/mb...
February: ‘The White Tiger’ by Aravind Adiga
www.bbc.co.uk/dna/mb...
January: ‘The Third Policeman’ by Flann O’Brien
www.bbc.co.uk/dna/mb...
Forthcoming discussions:
May
'The Accidental Tourist' by Anne Tyler. (Rusters)
The middle-aged protagonist, Macon Leary, is a man who craves routine, almost to the point of being obsessive-compulsive. When tragedy strikes Macon is forced to re-evaluate his life. The book is sad, poignant, quirky and funny in turn.
June
"The Last Queen" by C. W. Gortner. (Rwth of Cornovii)
It is about 'Mad' Juana, sister of Catherine of Aragon. The action does not include English royalty at all. She isn't a victim, but has a lot to cope with.
July
‘Lady Susan, The Watsons, Sanditon’. Three works by Jane Austen (Bette)
This compilation features one novel unpublished in her lifetime and two unfinished fragments.
August
'The Towers of Trebizond' by Rose Macauley (Hesperus)
Particularly relevant now because of themes of sexual identity and the Anglican Church (inter alia).
September
'The Mayor of Castro Street' by Randy Shilts (Sequoia Tree)
The life and times of Harvey Milk, whose personal life, public career, and assassination mirrored the emergence of the gay community as a political power in 1970s America.
October
'The Honourable Schoolboy' by John le Carré (Shropshire Lad)
November
Book to be introduced by Pahnda. Details will follow.
December
‘Treasure Island’ by Robert Louis Stevenson
*NB*, Herb cannot introduce the December book. Would anyone else like to introduce it, or alternatively, introduce another childrens' book? -
Message 20
Posted by Rusters (U11225963) on Saturday, 21st May 2011
The thread on 'The Accidental Tourist' by Anne Tyler is now open:
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Message 21
Posted by Rwth of the Cornovii (U2570790) on Saturday, 21st May 2011
I'll do Treasure Island if you like. It is a good book and I'd be honoured!
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Message 22
Posted by Bette (U2222559) on Saturday, 21st May 2011
Thanks Rwth! I'll put you down for it then.
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Message 23
Posted by Rwth of the Cornovii (U2570790) on Tuesday, 21st June 2011
The June discussion of The Last Queen by C Gortner can be found here.
Sorry it's a bit late, but I have been very busy today. I have given the reference to this thread if anyone wants to know what is happening with the Book Group. Otherwise this thread disappears into the mayo. (whatever that means). -
Message 24
Posted by Bette (U2222559) on Wednesday, 22nd June 2011
Thanks, Rwth. I see you were up late last night (or up early this morning!). I'll put a flyer in TB.
'The Mayo' = the message bit of the board, which used to be the colour of mayonnaise. -
Message 25
Posted by SequoiaTree (U2266143) on Friday, 24th June 2011
ok. I know it's late in the day, but I would like to change the book I'm introducing in September.
With all the delays and rescheduling, I'm finding it hard to get back into the same mindset I was in 18 months ago, when I first suggested this book. Also, back then it was topical, with the recent release of the film "Milk", and with the issue of gay marriage being very much on the agenda here in California, with the passage of proposition 8. This is no longer the case. In short, the time has passed.
In its place I'd like to suggest "The Anubis Gates" by Tim Powers.
Here's a quick intro:
Primarily a romp through the underworld of Victorian London, full of larger than life, sometimes grotesque, characters, some historical, others purely fictional, Tim Powers' "The Anubis Gates" is part historical novel, part fantasy, part science fiction; a great end-of-summer read. -
Message 26
Posted by Bette (U2222559) on Friday, 24th June 2011
Fair enough, Sequoia. I'll change the list (hope no one has bought it yet - well, I had, last year, but I'd like to read it sometime anyway). The book you have chosen sounds interesting!
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Message 27
Posted by Pahnda (U14681704) on Friday, 24th June 2011
Hi Bette. I'll do 'Solar' as I haven't come up with another suggestion. It is in all the supermarkets, airports etc so maybe a few people will have read it.
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Message 28
Posted by Bette (U2222559) on Friday, 24th June 2011
Fine, Pahnda. Could you give me your couple of sentences to describe the book?
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Message 29
Posted by Pahnda (U14681704) on Friday, 24th June 2011
Sure Bette (lifted from Amazon I'm afraid);
Michael Beard is a Nobel prize-winning physicist whose best work is behind him. Trading on his reputation, he speaks for enormous fees, lends his name to the letterheads of renowned scientific institutions and half-heartedly heads a government-backed initiative tackling global warming. A compulsive womaniser, Beard finds his fifth marriage floundering. But this time it is different: she is having the affair, and he is still in love with her.
When Beard’s professional and personal worlds collide in a freak accident, an opportunity presents itself for Beard to extricate himself from his marital mess, reinvigorate his career and save the world from environmental disaster. It is a story of one man’s greed and self-deception. -
Message 30
Posted by Bette (U2222559) on Thursday, 21st July 2011
The July Book of the Month discussion is now open:
Here are the links to all discussions so far this year:
June: 'The Last Queen' by C Gortner
May: 'The Accidental Tourist' by Anne Tyler
April: 'The Time Traveler's Wife' by Audrey Niffenegger
March: ‘The Finkler Question’ by Howard Jacobson
February: ‘The White Tiger’ by Aravind Adiga
January: ‘The Third Policeman’ by Flann O’Brien
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Message 31
Posted by Bette (U2222559) on Monday, 22nd August 2011
The August Book of the Month discussion is now open:
If anyone would like to introduce a book in 2012, please give your suggestion on this thread. Thanks. -
Message 32
Posted by Herb Robert (U14072548) on Tuesday, 30th August 2011
bookmarking
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Message 33
Posted by Rwth of the Cornovii (U2570790) on Wednesday, 31st August 2011
One I read a long time ago, and have re-read since is "HMS Ulysses" by Alistair McLean. I know it's a thriller, but some are extremely good. This is about the Murmansk Run. I don't mind when, and it could be tricky to get hold of, so requests to libraries may need to be made. It is on sale in the South American River and may be worth reading quickly before the rest of the family steal it to read themselves. I don't mind when, but if it is read in winter, you'll need warm clothes!
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Message 34
Posted by Herb Robert (U14072548) on Wednesday, 31st August 2011
A source of cheap books which is very reliable is:
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Message 35
Posted by AdsK (U14974887) on Sunday, 4th September 2011
Can anyone suggest a book or do you have to have done a certain number of posts etc. Also why is there not one for September?
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Message 36
Posted by Rwth of the Cornovii (U2570790) on Sunday, 4th September 2011
Nobody has volunteered. If you can think of one you'd like to read and discuss that we haven't done lately or at all, get it, announce it and discuss on 21st.
I always find that I either read whatever it is a long while ago and haven't much recall, or am in the thick of the books I do want to read. I have to read "The earth hums in B Flat" for the book club on Tuesday, so if I do get round to reading it tomorrow I could discuss it with you, or you might have something in mind yourself. Keep it fairly current. My sister gave me a copy of Kate Atkinson's "Got up early and walked the dog", which I may read next week if I have time, and nothing else that beckons. I'm sorry to be so casual, just being realistic and trying to be a bit helpful. -
Message 37
Posted by Bette (U2222559) on Sunday, 4th September 2011
Anyone can suggest a book. The person just needs to agree to introduce it on the set day (see post 1).
There /is/ a book for September, but I need to update the list on this thread as Th Randy Silts book has changed. I'll be back soon to post the revised (remaining) list for 2011. I'm looking for suggestions for 2012 now.
ok -
Message 38
Posted by Bette (U2222559) on Sunday, 4th September 2011
Here are the forthcoming books to be discussed:
21st September
‘The Anubis Gates by Tim Powers (Sequoia)
Primarily a romp through the underworld of Victorian London, full of larger than life, sometimes grotesque, characters, some historical, others purely fictional, this is part historical novel, part fantasy, part science fiction; a great end-of-summer read.
21st October
'The Honourable Schoolboy' by John le Carré (Shropshire Lad)
21st November
‘Solar’ by Ian McEwan (Pahnda)
Michael Beard is a Nobel prize-winning physicist whose best work is behind him. Trading on his reputation, he speaks for enormous fees, lends his name to the letterheads of renowned scientific institutions and half-heartedly heads a government-backed initiative tackling global warming. A compulsive womaniser, Beard finds his fifth marriage floundering. But this time it is different: she is having the affair, and he is still in love with her.
When Beard’s professional and personal worlds collide in a freak accident, an opportunity presents itself for Beard to extricate himself from his marital mess, reinvigorate his career and save the world from environmental disaster. It is a story of one man’s greed and self-deception.
15th December
‘Treasure Island’ by Robert Louis Stevenson (Rwth of Cornovii)
This is the most beautiful story of boyish adventure. The effect of Treasure Island on our perception of pirates cannot be overestimated. Stevenson linked pirates forever with maps, black schooners, tropical islands, and one-legged seamen with parrots on their shoulders. The treasure map with an X marking the location of the buried treasure is one of the most familiar pirate props", yet it is entirely a fictional invention which owes its origin to Stevenson's original map. The term "Treasure Island" has passed into the language as a common phrase, and is often used as a title for games, rides, places, etc. ( intro from Herb Robert via a long river) -
Message 39
Posted by Bette (U2222559) on Sunday, 4th September 2011
Anyone can suggest a book. The person just needs to agree to introduce it on the set day (see post 1).Â
PS, could those who offer to introduce a book, also provide (on this thread) 1-2 sentences about the book to give an idea of the subject matter? (ie, /not/ a précis! this is just something brief to add to the list of forthcoming books, when it is compiled) -
Message 40
Posted by AdsK (U14974887) on Sunday, 4th September 2011
Alright, thanks for explaining that all. So on the 21st September I just suggest a book with a brief description and it might be read depending on how many people like it. Excellent. I'll have a think.
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Message 41
Posted by Bette (U2222559) on Sunday, 4th September 2011
No, AdsK. The books are already chosen for the rest of this year (see my post above).
If you would like to introduce a book in 2012, then by all means give me your suggestion together with the brief description (and a preference for the month, if you have any). Once I have a few suggestions/offers, I'll put together an initial rota for 2012. -
Message 42
Posted by Rwth of the Cornovii (U2570790) on Sunday, 4th September 2011
I'm so sorry Bette, it was my post that misled. I assumed there was no book scheduled for September and didn't check. Mea Culpa (Mods: my blame) my shame, hangs head and blushes.
On the other hand, AdsK, please join the list for next year. The more the merrier, and enjoy the choices already made for this year. I apologise to you too, but Bette is the Host of the Book Club.
If you want to join the Authors and Genres thread, here it is.
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Message 43
Posted by SequoiaTree (U2266143) on Monday, 19th September 2011
The discussion on September's book - The Anubis Gates - is now open.
I posted it a few days early, as I think my computer might be about to crash again!
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Message 44
Posted by SequoiaTree (U2266143) on Monday, 19th September 2011
sorry, that's the wrong link !
try this one:
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Message 45
Posted by Bette (U2222559) on Monday, 19th September 2011
thanks, Sequoia! I'm at work at the moment, but will be back in couple of hours. If you haven't put a flyer in TB by then, I'll do it myself.
Note for everyone: All suggestions/volunteers for books in 2012 will be welcome. Please post them on this thread. -
Message 46
Posted by Herb Robert (U14072548) on Monday, 19th September 2011
I would like to introduce Pale Fire by Vladimir Nabokov - any month you like, really - perhaps January or February? Whatever suits. To encourage you:
This is a marvellous work, very funny and entertaining, and is a story within a story within ... On the surface it comprises a 999-line poem with an academic commentary. But it seethes with intrigue of a labyrinthine complexity, perhaps best summed up in Alexander Pope's lines: "See the blind beggar dance, the cripple sing,/The sot a hero, lunatic a king ..." [not an irrelevant quotation, as you'll find.] You will find new vistas opening up on every page and wondering where exactly truth lies. You've heard of unreliable narrators - this is the grand-daddy of them all.
Herb -
Message 47
Posted by SequoiaTree (U2266143) on Tuesday, 20th September 2011
I'll take the March or April slot. I don't have a book selected yet, though. I might choose a historical novel, but I'm open to suggesions at this point.
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Message 48
Posted by Rwth of the Cornovii (U2570790) on Tuesday, 20th September 2011
Sebastian Barry's "On Canaan's Side" is historical, recentish though. I've added it to my wish list. If you don't want to do it, I will. but not consecutively with anything else I've promised. My sister may give me a copy, or I may give her one and borrow it back.
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Message 49
Posted by Bette (U2222559) on Tuesday, 20th September 2011
Interesting! A friend strongly recommended (and lent me) 'The Secret Scripture' by Sebastian Barry. That was one book I was thinking of suggesting, though I haven't read it yet.
OH very much enjoyed 'Salmon fishing in the Yemen' by Paul Torday. Has anyone read it? -
Message 50
Posted by Rwth of the Cornovii (U2570790) on Tuesday, 20th September 2011
Yes, I read it for the local book club having heard bits of it read on the wireless. I thought it was a good book for discussion, and I enjoyed it, but like so many book club offerings it took a long time to get going and as with a lot of them I suggest skipping the first 3 chapters and going back to them at the end or when you have got your teeth firmly into it.
I read "A Long long way" by Sebastian Barry, and "The Secret Scripture" for Readers' clubs and enjoyed them both for different reasons. Though can one say one has enjoyed something harrowing? Anyway, I'd recommend them for reading and discussion. His latest, "On Canaan's side" has just been read on the wireless and I have requested it from the Library, but I'm last in a queue of 10, so it's just as well that it is being thought about for next year. I've only heard two essipodes, so it will be like new.
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