View Full Version : The Explosm Book Club
The Explosm Book Club!
Current Club President: Abbey (http://www.explosm.net/profile/6348/)
The Explosm Book Club is a literature discussion group that reads suggested books on a monthly schedule. Think Oprah's book club without the self-empowerment. Our schedule is as follows:
1st: Suggestions thread begun. For one week suggestions for the next book are open for discussion. The general format for suggestions can be found below.
7th: The club president takes several of the suggestions and starts a poll. This poll is open for one week.
15th: Poll closed. The suggestion poll is closed for voting and a winner is chosen. You now have two weeks to acquire the book if you wish to participate.
1st: Read! You're allowed to start reading the suggested book whenever you like, but we officially begin on the first. Rules on discussion of the book can be found below.
Misc Rules:
No suggesting classic literature that everyone who has even seen a highschool has probably read.
Books should be easy to come by via bookstores or libraries.
Preference is put on books around 200-250 pages or less, although this is not a set rule.
Discussion on possible authors and literature should be as balanced as possible. No exaggerating please.
Suggestions may not be made for duplicate genres two months in a row. Keep it fresh!
Books we have or are currently reading:
Slaugherhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut (http://forums.explosm.net/showthread.php?t=23147)
Running With Scissors by Augusten Burroughs (http://forums.explosm.net/showthread.php?t=26017)
Book Suggestion Format:
Suggestions for books should be informative and interesting. We don't want to spend our money to waste a month reading a crappy book, so gives us some details like a synopsis and/or review. Amazon is a good source for this info.
Format:
Title: The Bible
Author: Jesus Christ
Genre: Science Fiction
Pages: 1337
Synopsis:
A travelling magician changes the way people see the world. Forever.
Review:
Via http://www.amazon.com: A good read. Sorta long, but interesting characters.
Book Discussion:
One of the worst things when reading a book is having information spoiled. Since people read at different speeds, EVERY discussion post must be preempted with a small spoiler/chapter warning.
Format:
Chapter 3:
I really enjoyed how the little train thought he could, then he did.
Presidential Templates:
Month's book thread title
Book Club: Month - "Title" by Author (Year)
Suggestions for next month
Book Club: Suggestions for Month
Poll for next month
Book Club: Poll for Month's Suggestions
Month's book thread and polls should include copies of the initial suggestions.
That's about it! I'll start this month off with a suggestion thread an Abbey can take over from there. Starting off with something short-ish would probably be helpful.
Can you add to the suggestion rules that the books need to be easy to find at a bookstore or a library?
John Travolta
02-03-2008, 10:11 PM
Wouldn't it just be easier to just limit the books that would go into the poll to the first five or so suggestions in the suggestion thread? It seems like if there are 50 suggestions for the "club president" to choose from it would just get really complicated.
If that was the case, we'd get stuck with whoever just happened to recommend the books before anyone else.
The point of this week-long thread is to get a discussion going on the books we'd be interested in reading. The President picks a few books from that list and we vote on them. Pretty simple.
Hmmm there was a short discussion about this in the suggestion thread but, what counts as as a classic?
Sure books like To Kill a Mocking Bird and The Outsiders are disqualified since everyone has read them. But what about classics that people may not of read but are popular like The Godfather or The Excorcist?
As long as there are plenty of other suggestions for books that nobody has read, those should get preference all the time. A book club sucks if you've read all the books they keep picking each month.
Hypnotic
02-07-2008, 2:05 PM
Why not split this up into reading level groups. The kids that want/need to do high school reading books shouldn't be denied doing them. Let's just assume that every school system in the country is poor so Explosm will become the home front for students reading books (and passing their classes as a result).
Have a section for the big kids who like to read big books.
Since when did every highschool have students read the exact same books every month?
Hypnotic
02-07-2008, 2:31 PM
Good point. But what if, instead, you had a section for the high school kids to talk about those types of books and be able to discuss them. Then, there'll forever be a resource of collective thought on those books for students who need homework help (aka cheating).
What if I want to read a book like Atlas Shrugged? If I remember right, it should be just under 1000 pages and an advanced reading level. Who's down? Atlas Shrugged anyone?
Quadros
02-07-2008, 2:51 PM
In a month? Some of us are busy people. Take me for example, WoW battlegrounds won't win themselves.
I actually just started reading Atlas Shrugged. The copy I have is about 1150 pages. It would take too long for the book club though. Read it, then if you want a discussion, just post a thread about it in this forum. Simple as that.
Good point. But what if, instead, you had a section for the high school kids to talk about those types of books and be able to discuss them.
You mean like a literature forum? :fmita:
wheelonasock
02-07-2008, 11:27 PM
This would have to be my suggestion. Unless someone suggests something better.
Title: Round Ireland With A Fridge
Author: Tony Hawks
Genre: Autobiography/Comedy
Length: 247
Synopsis: A true story of a man who makes a drunken bet with a friend and consequently hitch-hikes around Ireland with a fridge.
Reviews: http://www.amazon.com/review/product/0312274920/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt/102-2444022-6947364?%5Fencoding=UTF8&showViewpoints=1
BilkEmDanno
02-07-2008, 11:57 PM
In a month? Some of us are busy people. Take me for example, WoW battlegrounds won't win themselves.
You're not actually trying to say that reading 200 pages in 31 days is difficult, are you? If you pace it, that's under 8 pages a night!
Antisaint
02-08-2008, 12:55 AM
You're not actually trying to say that reading 200 pages in 31 days is difficult, are you? If you pace it, that's under 8 pages a night!
Some read faster than others, and you have to remember it's about understanding it, too. Some people take longer to put things together and whatnot. Speed reading/skimming is not a good way to enjoy a book.
Is there going to be a running list of books already read? Maybe put it in the first post of each suggestion thread?
Bergserker
02-08-2008, 1:02 AM
I suggest anything by Tim Dorsey. He's the most twisted writer I've ever come across. The funniest reads you'll come by, I'm constantly laughing out loud while reading. The whole series follows a serial killer named Serge A. Storms. He kills ass holes and jerks. Really quite funny, even if we don't pick one for the botm, I'd recommend for some light casual reading.
BilkEmDanno
02-08-2008, 1:05 AM
Some read faster than others, and you have to remember it's about understanding it, too. Some people take longer to put things together and whatnot. Speed reading/skimming is not a good way to enjoy a book.
That goes without saying. I'm just making a very generic point based on statistical evidence. Unless we're reading wall-to-wall ten-point font text in a hardcover book of 600 pages, a month should be plenty of time to read almost any book. And most book clubs only give a month or two-three weeks, so this is right on par. Though, I do realize it wasn't a fully serious post.
HMG139
02-08-2008, 1:12 AM
I could be wrong, but I think quadros was referring to the 1000 page book that was suggested, not the 250 pages we are focusing on. Correct me if I'm wrong.
We wanna start low to see how it works out. It's a lot easier to read something small and allow people time to read it all and discuss it before the next book comes up. Once we gauge what we're all comfortable with, we'll change it up from there on.
BilkEmDanno
02-08-2008, 2:02 AM
Understandable, of course, I think anything lower then 300 pages is reasonable, and anything above it is starting to push it. But me, personally, I tend to sometimes find that a 400 page novella flew by due to my enjoyment of the plot. A good book will not seem like a bajillion kazillion quintillion pages.
Hypnotic
02-08-2008, 2:05 AM
You mean like a literature forum? :fmita:
I'm talking big kids vs little kids.
blainerthegreat
02-08-2008, 2:33 AM
Title : Fight Club
Author : Chuck Palahniuk
Genre : Fiction
Pages : 260
Synopsis :
A man seeks ways to relieve his sleep deprivation, with a twist!
BilkEmDanno
02-08-2008, 2:41 AM
Serious or not, amigo, wrong thread. The suggestion thread is a few below this one.
Audioslave
02-08-2008, 4:11 PM
Just putting it out there:
There are some sites that contain scans of books (as well as torrent programs) and it might make for an easier and more cost-effective way for some of us to participate (not to say that you shouldn't buy any of the books, but I'm looking at being in another book club with some friends, and it could get pricey.)
Savvy?
Spastic
02-08-2008, 4:25 PM
Just putting it out there:
There are some sites that contain scans of books (as well as torrent programs) and it might make for an easier and more cost-effective way for some of us to participate (not to say that you shouldn't buy any of the books, but I'm looking at being in another book club with some friends, and it could get pricey.)
Savvy?
I don't think that is exactly legal.
There are also these crazy buildings called libraries that actually collect books. And the kicker? They let you borrow them FOR FREE!
Audioslave
02-08-2008, 4:46 PM
Yeah, and not everybody lives in a bustling metropolis that has good libraries.
I doubt that the library at my neck of the woods has any of the books we'd be reading, unless they're 20+ years old, but I'd of course check.
Not RobD
02-08-2008, 10:36 PM
Yeah, and not everybody lives in a bustling metropolis that has good libraries.
I doubt that the library at my neck of the woods has any of the books we'd be reading, unless they're 20+ years old, but I'd of course check.
I just save some pocket money and buy them off the internet. Best way so far for me. (Because the ones I want usually aren't available in the Local book shops or the Libraries)
I disagree with the suggestion regarding eBooks. It feels extremely uncomfortable to read hundreds of pages on a computer screen, even after buying this 19" LCD screen.
Google is watching us, but has our politics WAY off.
http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/imgad?id=CJ395cbUv_L-ZRDYBRhaMgilFU_CD_7ksQ
AccidentalMartyr
02-09-2008, 1:19 AM
Here are a couple of books I would recommend.
Title: The Catcher in the Rye
Author: JD Salinger
Genre: Novel
Pages: 277
Synopsis: Holden Caulfield flunks Pencey Prep. The rest is history.
Review:
Personal: A very good read with interesting characters and dialogue. Highly recommended.
or
Title: Night
Author: Elie Wiesel
Genre: Autobiography
Pages: 148
Synopsis: A young Jewish boy is sent to Auschwitz.
Review:
Personal: Very harrowing at times. The book makes you think very much about the Holocaust and its impact on the world. A must-read.
If I were not restrained by the 300-pages-or-less rule, I would suggest Ender's Game or A Prayer For Owen Meany. I'm also reading Dune, which is becoming increasingly good and suspenseful.
AccidentalMartyr
02-09-2008, 1:29 AM
Google is watching us, but has our politics WAY off.
http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/imgad?id=CJ395cbUv_L-ZRDYBRhaMgilFU_CD_7ksQ
How did they open the vault to the Library of Hades?
BilkEmDanno
02-09-2008, 2:36 AM
Here are a couple of books I would recommend.
Title: The Catcher in the Rye
Title: Night
It's not like any of those are timeless classics that you read in highschool, right?
Also, this is not a suggestion thread.
supersmooth
02-09-2008, 1:51 PM
I'm a newb, so please, forgive if this is the wrong thread to post in.
This sounds way cool. I'm in. I hope nobody minds that I'm a young'un, as long as I keep up with reading, which I know I can.
It's not like any of those are timeless classics that you read in highschool, right?
Yeah, I have or will have to read those this year in class. Although the Catcher in the Rye is a good book, I'm pretty sure some schools must read them
Yeah, I have or will have to read those this year in class. Although the Catcher in the Rye is a good book, I'm pretty sure some schools must read them
He was being sarcastic.
BilkEmDanno
02-09-2008, 3:21 PM
Kind of sort-of. You read Night Sophomore year under most schools and Catcher in the Rye Junior or Sophomore year, all in highschool.
Pyronecrobeastiac
02-09-2008, 3:50 PM
well, it sounds like a good idea, so im down to do it =D lol
BilkEmDanno
02-09-2008, 3:56 PM
I'd also like to remind everyone that the poll is up
http://forums.explosm.net/showthread.php?t=21931
And voting has begun. Go there to get in your two cents.
Pyronecrobeastiac
02-09-2008, 4:01 PM
Title: When Will Jesus Bring The Porkchops?
Author: George Carlin
Genre: Comedy
Pages: 256 (?)
Synopsis:
WHEN WILL JESUS BRING THE PORK CHOPS? is quintessential Carlin. No one is off limits for his criticism - children, women, the Religious Right, the Liberal Left, all ethnicities and persuasions. Even the Ten Commandments get the Carlin treatment; he reduces them to a mere two. He combines some (yes there are redundancies here), and eliminates some altogether. For example, George insists we have to get rid of "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's goods" because after all "that's what keeps the economy going!"
The title? George was just hoping to offend as many people as possible. Filled with thoughts, musings, questions, lists, beliefs, curiosities, monologues, assertions, assumptions, and other verbal ordeals, WHEN WILL JESUS BRING THE PORK CHOPS? delivers what Carlin's countless fans have been waiting for - more George Carlin!
Review:
a good book...hilarious, and random...just when u thought he was done insulting someone, he comes back and does some more! one of the best books ive read ever =D
Pyronecrobeastiac
02-09-2008, 4:02 PM
I'd also like to remind everyone that the poll is up
http://forums.explosm.net/showthread.php?t=21931
And voting has begun. Go there to get in your two cents.
awww man...does that mean its too late for me to suggest one? =/...
BilkEmDanno
02-09-2008, 4:24 PM
Not only is it too late to suggest one, this was not the thread to suggest it. :P
Pyronecrobeastiac
02-09-2008, 4:27 PM
haha...dammit...well, im new, so =P lol
abbey
02-10-2008, 10:00 AM
I really hope that we don't get all these idiots posting suggestions in here for long. It might be best to close this thread so people actually look at the other threads and know where to post.
Locked.
In one of the other threads somebody mentioned something about reading a bunch of philosophy books because that seemed to be "the way we were headed." That's not true, but got me thinking: we should have a rule that the specific genre from the previous month automatically disqualifies any similar-themed book the following month. So if we were to read a law thriller one month, the next month any suggestions for that would be disqualified.
It's mostly just to keep things fresh and not boring. Thoughts?
BilkEmDanno
02-10-2008, 2:06 PM
I have been saying that. Or, just specifically- plan out the genres each month. Most book clubs do it by genre, and I have been suggesting that.
IE: This month we read Sci-Fi, next month we require all suggestions to be mysteries, then the next month we require all of them to be comedy, etc etc etc
Pyronecrobeastiac
02-10-2008, 2:58 PM
I have been saying that. Or, just specifically- plan out the genres each month. Most book clubs do it by genre, and I have been suggesting that.
IE: This month we read Sci-Fi, next month we require all suggestions to be mysteries, then the next month we require all of them to be comedy, etc etc etc
thats actually a good idea...if you do that, then at least it wont be that if the majority of people in it read comedy, itll always be comedy, or if the majority read sci fi, itll be sci fi...that way, itll be that every book and everyone has an equal chance...and yeah, sorry about posting it in here...im new, so i didnt read a lot of the things lol...
I don't think we'll know what our group audience is quite yet. I know for one that if we pick Sci-fi month we'll have a lot of people not wanting to participate. Plus, it's not that big of a deal to over complicate things. Voting keeps it simple. As long as we don't repeat genres it'll be fresh.
Liteboy
02-10-2008, 8:10 PM
Here are a couple of books I would recommend.
Title: The Catcher in the Rye
Author: JD Salinger
Genre: Novel
Pages: 277
Synopsis: Holden Caulfield flunks Pencey Prep. The rest is history.
Review:
Personal: A very good read with interesting characters and dialogue. Highly recommended.
or
Title: Night
Author: Elie Wiesel
Genre: Autobiography
Pages: 148
Synopsis: A young Jewish boy is sent to Auschwitz.
Review:
Personal: Very harrowing at times. The book makes you think very much about the Holocaust and its impact on the world. A must-read.
If I were not restrained by the 300-pages-or-less rule, I would suggest Ender's Game or A Prayer For Owen Meany. I'm also reading Dune, which is becoming increasingly good and suspenseful.
Catcher in the Rye is a highschool english book. Night is a middleschool english book
Liteboy
02-10-2008, 8:16 PM
Nvm
John Travolta
02-10-2008, 8:20 PM
Just putting it out there:
There are some sites that contain scans of books (as well as torrent programs) and it might make for an easier and more cost-effective way for some of us to participate (not to say that you shouldn't buy any of the books, but I'm looking at being in another book club with some friends, and it could get pricey.)
Savvy?
www.half.com
Josh_the_Great
02-11-2008, 9:02 AM
What's the deal with the "No Classics" rule? Alot of the classics are phenomenal reads. Not to mention, quite a bit of required reading in high school are required because they're good books. Why can't we read books The Catcher in the Rye(Best book ever written) or Fahrenheit 451?
Audioslave
02-11-2008, 10:24 AM
www.half.com (http://www.half.com)
I GET IT, I GET IT.
abbey
02-11-2008, 11:52 AM
What's the deal with the "No Classics" rule? Alot of the classics are phenomenal reads. Not to mention, quite a bit of required reading in high school are required because they're good books. Why can't we read books The Catcher in the Rye(Best book ever written) or Fahrenheit 451?
If we did classics all the time, there's a good chance most of us would have read them already.
What Abbey said. You can suggest them, but they'll get shot down so fast it's not even worth it.
RebelWithoutASauce
02-11-2008, 4:58 PM
Locked.
In one of the other threads somebody mentioned something about reading a bunch of philosophy books because that seemed to be "the way we were headed." That's not true, but got me thinking: we should have a rule that the specific genre from the previous month automatically disqualifies any similar-themed book the following month. So if we were to read a law thriller one month, the next month any suggestions for that would be disqualified.
It's mostly just to keep things fresh and not boring. Thoughts?
I think that's the best way to deal with different genres. Genre months would be too restricting.
abbey
02-13-2008, 12:54 PM
So I guess this month we pretty much get a month and a half to read, provided we already have the book.
You can start reading as soon as the book is chosen, but try to let everybody get it before we all start discussing the crap out of it. The next two weeks is time to allow everybody to get it, whether that be checking it out at the library, picking it up at a bookstore or waiting for Amazon to deliver it.
Quadros
02-13-2008, 1:14 PM
What's the deal with the "No Classics" rule? Alot of the classics are phenomenal reads. Not to mention, quite a bit of required reading in high school are required because they're good books. Why can't we read books The Catcher in the Rye(Best book ever written) or Fahrenheit 451?
Because a book club is based on the idea of expanding your reading base, and so reading books everyone's already read is a massive waste of time. Also no-one's saying classics aren't good, they wouldn't be classics if they were crap, would they?
skreid
02-13-2008, 2:42 PM
I can't believe so many people suggested Catcher in the Rye. That book was the biggest piece of trash I've ever had the misfortune of being forced to read in my life.
I can't believe so many people suggested Catcher in the Rye. That book was the biggest piece of trash I've ever had the misfortune of being forced to read in my life.
Tell us how you really feel.
Pachycephelosaurus
02-14-2008, 8:57 PM
I can't believe so many people suggested Catcher in the Rye. That book was the biggest piece of trash I've ever had the misfortune of being forced to read in my life.
So, exactly how uneducated are you, and when are you planning on moving on from reading Goosebumps?
timbot
02-14-2008, 9:52 PM
I just want to jump in here and support skreid...Catcher in the Rye is definitely overrated.
OpiateDelusi0n
02-14-2008, 11:12 PM
Title: God Bless You, Mr Rosewater
Author: Kurt Vonnegut
Genre: Fiction
Pages: 271
Synopsis:
Via Wikipedia
The plot focuses on Eliot Rosewater, the primary trustee of the philanthropic Rosewater Foundation whom one of the family lawyers, Norman Mushari, is attempting to have declared insane to enable a more distant relative, Fred Rosewater, an insurance salesman from Rhode Island, to gain control.
Review:
Via Amazon.com (because I am a lazy bastard)
In "God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater" Kurt Vonnegut (one of my favorite authors) takes on the class system, capitalism, and philanthropy to splendid, wickedly funny -- and hopelessly accurate -- effect...
USER WAS PUT IN TIMEOUT FOR THIS POST. (http://forums.explosm.net/bankamp/)
Reason: This is not a suggestions thread.
Please read the thread before posting. This isn't a suggestion thread. And we'll very likely be reading Vonnegut next, so any suggestion for him is automatically disqualified for the next month.
DrunkCat
02-20-2008, 10:07 AM
I have a suggestion for the same exact type of club/idea but with worth-wild games instead each month. Ex. Psychonauts, Killer7, Shadow of the Colossus, maybe Rez, etc.
abbey
02-20-2008, 12:06 PM
I have a suggestion for the same exact type of club/idea but with worth-wild games instead each month. Ex. Psychonauts, Killer7, Shadow of the Colossus, maybe Rez, etc.
Uhh... Post that in the VGF?
DrunkCat
02-22-2008, 12:32 AM
The original thread and organizer is here however.
But I guess if I was arsed enough to have real intiative I would pitch it over at the VGF. Meh, I'm lazy.
USER WAS PUT IN TIMEOUT FOR THIS POST. (http://forums.explosm.net/bankamp/)
Reason: Stop shitting up every thread you can get your hands on.
The original thread and organizer is here however.
Yes, here in the literature forum..
DrunkCat
02-22-2008, 12:10 PM
But I guess if I was arsed enough to have real intiative I would pitch it over at the VGF. Meh, I'm lazy.
skreid
03-01-2008, 2:41 AM
So, exactly how uneducated are you, and when are you planning on moving on from reading Goosebumps?
How is disliking a trash book uneducated?
USER WAS PUT IN TIMEOUT FOR THIS POST. (http://forums.explosm.net/bankamp/)
Reason: Starting up a two-week-old argument again. Just let it go.
Kmaster
03-06-2008, 8:20 PM
Hey, I was just wondering...are you going to be taking suggestions for the next books month at the end of this month? Or is it going to be in early April?
dalton
03-07-2008, 3:19 PM
Quick question: When will the suggestion thread for April open?
Woah we're behind schedule. Sorry about that, folks. I'll open suggestions today.
blackpatentleather
03-27-2008, 3:30 PM
Day watch
Night watch
middlesex
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Reason: What the hell are you doing? Read threads before you post in them.
spazzy7
03-31-2008, 10:39 PM
Is there somewhere where a list of books already read can be posted? I know the club's new now, but after a while people will start suggesting Slaughterhouse again. And again... and again.
Good idea. I'll add that to the beginning of the thread.
History
04-10-2008, 11:27 AM
I know this is not enforcible and seems like common sense, but out of courtesy please don't vote for something if you don't intend to read it. I was happy that my book got picked this month, but I would rather have read something else just so I would have people to discuss it with. I think there are too many people going "ooh a poll!"
Barista
04-10-2008, 1:44 PM
So in time, after the club has been going for a while, will the page limit be expanded? There are a lot of amazing books (Like James Joyce's Ulysses) that are way over 350 pages.
Johnny-june
04-10-2008, 1:57 PM
A new earth by (I think Oprah)
I still didn't read it but when I get it on the Kindle I think i will enjoy reading it.
MaxAlcolo
04-10-2008, 2:10 PM
So in time, after the club has been going for a while, will the page limit be expanded? There are a lot of amazing books (Like James Joyce's Ulysses) that are way over 350 pages.
It doesn't matter if the club has been around 3 months or 3 years, a month is still 30 days. And that's not a lot of time to read a book over 350 pages when you work, go to school and have a social life (friends, girlfriend/boyfriend).
Maybe one day they'll decide to extend it to two months in order to read a bigger book.
Barista
04-10-2008, 6:09 PM
It doesn't matter if the club has been around 3 months or 3 years, a month is still 30 days. And that's not a lot of time to read a book over 350 pages when you work, go to school and have a social life (friends, girlfriend/boyfriend).
Maybe one day they'll decide to extend it to two months in order to read a bigger book.
That's what I was thinking, though I forgot to mention it xD
I know this is not enforcible and seems like common sense, but out of courtesy please don't vote for something if you don't intend to read it. I was happy that my book got picked this month, but I would rather have read something else just so I would have people to discuss it with. I think there are too many people going "ooh a poll!"
Further more, If some one suggests a book it then becomes compulsory for them to vote. However, must vote for a book that some one else has suggested. Or, are not allowed to participate at all.
Just a thought.
abbey
04-13-2008, 10:49 AM
It's an okay idea but chances are, if they suggested something, they're going to check the poll to see if their book got in, and while they're there, they'll probably vote.
People voting for their own book isn't a problem either because they're allowed to vote for up to three different books. Also if they couldn't vote for their own, the number of people interested in it wouldn't be accurate and sometimes it comes down to that one vote.
Hypnotic
04-14-2008, 2:26 PM
It doesn't matter if the club has been around 3 months or 3 years, a month is still 30 days. And that's not a lot of time to read a book over 350 pages when you work, go to school and have a social life (friends, girlfriend/boyfriend).
Maybe one day they'll decide to extend it to two months in order to read a bigger book.
Sorry if you can't keep up. If you can't keep up with 10 pages a day (350 pgs/30 days), then maybe the club isn't for you.
I realize some thicker books will take longer to complete because of it's difficulty or depth, but nonetheless, if you can't find the time for it, don't complain.
As an alternative, would it be better to have a level 1 and level 2 BotM club? One group can keep the books on the < 400 page format and the other can take on a bigger load. Feel free to tweak the idea.
If the regular all-inclusive club isn't very popular right now I doubt we'd get enough people to fill two clubs simultaneously.
Hypnotic
04-14-2008, 2:57 PM
If the regular all-inclusive club isn't very popular right now I doubt we'd get enough people to fill two clubs simultaneously.
I think part of that comes from lack of structure. When we read Slaughterhouse Five, we were basically told, "Read Slaughterhouse Five." What I suggest is to have someone who's familiar with the book to take some time and set up a format for discussion.
For example, the leader can say, "read chapters 1-3 and pay attention for (this theme) and (that). Also be prepared to discuss how (character)'s interaction with (other character) has changed by (event in book)."
And then give us a week to do that. It may seem a bit tedious, but i'm sure it'll work out better and the discussions will be more meaningful.
I am especially in favor of having short term deadlines of the amount of reading to be done. A week for 3 chapters, or 2 for half the book; whatever works.
timbot
04-15-2008, 4:58 PM
I like the idea of short term deadlines. I think it would add a little structure, and perhaps help with discussion. I think it's easy to get behind when you think "oh, I've got all month to read this book." I know that's what happened to me--well, that, and I'm not terribly interested in this month's book. The problem is, once the month is over, it's time to start reading another book, and the discussion of the previous book is basically over. But, if we have deadlines for each week, and say "week one is for discussing chapters 1-5" or whatever would be about 1/4 of the book, then things might run a little more smoothly. It would help keep everyone on the same page...so to speak.
theirishbottelcap
04-15-2008, 5:52 PM
I dont read classics vonatrly as i must in class but i whoude like to say that
john grisham the apile is a very good book
enjoy :)
Hypnotic
04-15-2008, 7:07 PM
But, if we have deadlines for each week, and say "week one is for discussing chapters 1-5" or whatever would be about 1/4 of the book, then things might run a little more smoothly. It would help keep everyone on the same page...so to speak.
Exactly. In the discussion threads, everything is so ubiquitous that it's hard to discuss. Instead, we're all just summarizing what we're reading. Structure matters.
Some people have different ways of reading. I usually do it in big spurts (read several chapters in one day, then nothing again for days). Adding benchmarks to keep up with just sucks. The discussion kept up fine I thought. Topics were brought up and people talked about them as they got there.
Some people have different ways of reading. I usually do it in big spurts (read several chapters in one day, then nothing again for days). Adding benchmarks to keep up with just sucks. The discussion kept up fine I thought. Topics were brought up and people talked about them as they got there.
I agree. Further more, perhaps the discussion isn't as important as the idea of reading a book that has been suggested by peers. I'm now reading this months book, the third I would not of read if not for the literature forum.
Although it might be a bit of a daft suggestion, discussion of each months book could take place in the month proceeding. The obvious daftness is talking about one whilst reading another, any thoughts?
EDIT: The third was Atlas Shrugged, hadn't heard of it so checked it out and read it, just so I don't seem stupid as there's only been two books thus far.
caitytaylor
05-09-2008, 11:13 AM
read the bible the other day.
interesting stuff.
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ninjanun101
05-09-2008, 3:51 PM
Jesus did not write the bible. His minions did.
You should read Earth and Ashes by Atiq Rahimi. It's only 54 pages long, but it's best read in one sitting.
It's set during the invasion of Afghanistan by the soviets and deals with the aftermath of an attack on a rural village and the effect it has on an elderly man and his grandson.
If I say any more I will ruin the story.
tunacake
05-09-2008, 4:40 PM
Jesus did not write the bible. His minions did.
You should read Earth and Ashes by Atiq Rahimi. It's only 54 pages long, but it's best read in one sitting.
It's set during the invasion of Afghanistan by the soviets and deals with the aftermath of an attack on a rural village and the effect it has on an elderly man and his grandson.
If I say any more I will ruin the story.
Check out the suggestions for June thread to make a suggestion. That particular book isn't really in the page range but that's where you suggest books for the club. :lol:
INTUNEevolution
05-18-2008, 9:50 PM
read the bible the other day.
interesting stuff.
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Especially Genesis. I heart fiction.
LOLOLOLOLOLOL INTERNET ATEHISM
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Christoffason
07-28-2008, 6:37 AM
Wolf of the Plains by Conn Iggulden
It's an action/historical book about Ghengis Kahn and it's outstanding. It's part of a trilogy which the 3rd book will be out by September so if your as enthralled as i was by it, then you'll definitely buy the others!
It's not too long and will definitely help you increase your manliness.
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The Book Club is canceled for the month of August.
Interest has been fading since the start, but now it's down to only about 5 regulars. I'd like to keep it running, but frankly, it's a lot of work for something so few people even bother to do.
If anyone has any ideas on ways to get more people involved, or improvements for any part of the book club in general, I'd love to hear them.
tunacake
07-28-2008, 2:22 PM
Aw, lame. And we were finally gonna get some Palahniuk. He's pretty popular so I was expecting a better turnout.
jewishjosh
07-28-2008, 11:43 PM
Guided discussions might not be a horrible idea. Something to make it different than an ordinary thread about a book. That way people don't just dump their thoughts on the entire book, which I think discourages interesting discussion. Also, more emphasis on chapter-by-chapter discussions would be good because that way you don't drive away all the people who haven't finished reading the book.
tunacake
07-29-2008, 4:13 AM
Some good ideas there, Josh, but still I don't think that would attract many more new people, which is what the club really needs.
Alcoholic
07-30-2008, 4:30 AM
I can't start anything new due to a stack I'm still going through, but I would love to branch out.
If you guys are still up for getting more people, I'd love to start this once I'm able to.
I agree with Josh. I liked the idea of the book club to begin with, and then it was so structured, will all the spoiler rules and book length rules and such... if I am going to read a book on my spare time, I don't want to be stressed about it. That's what turned me off from it.
FA5TeddyFEL5ON
08-09-2008, 10:35 PM
Why not open a thread were people can ask discussion questions? a mod can then pick out several good discussion questions and post them at a good time, allowing people to share their thoughts on "the significance of blah blah blah" or "how so-and-so represents the downfall of ....". I know this makes things more difficult for the mods or matt, whoever is organizing this. But we already have the temp threads for polling and suggesting books...
tds019
09-09-2008, 5:07 PM
my favorite books are: ender's game, life of pi,
watchinyousquirm
10-13-2008, 3:37 AM
I suggest this one:
The Alchemyst by Michel Scott
Fantasy genre, b/t 260-290 pages (yes that is over the limit but it really is a great book, 100000000000% worth reading)
tunacake
10-14-2008, 4:34 PM
No no no, you have to put that in the suggestions for March thread!
What ever happened to the book club? I wish it would start up again. Literature and Fine Arts is beginning to remind me of a old coal town that people only go to so they can look at the old mines.
CharlieH
11-27-2008, 4:50 AM
It got too quiet to justify the book club after a while.
timbot
11-27-2008, 7:44 AM
Is beginning to look like that? This place is a graveyard unless you're a fan or hater of Twilight. Even Stephen King is getting ignored these days. I'm trying hard to stand by my idea that explosmers in general are smart. But, we are not readers.
Dodger
11-27-2008, 10:38 AM
Nah, I'd say we're generally conceited and egoistic. I probably won't read any book that I don't already plan on reading, just because you guys are. I wouldn't go out of my way. That said I'm planning on reading The Stranger and Ender's Game soon. So let's start with those.
Let's just let the book club rest in peace.
People just don't want put in the effort for this.
jewishjosh
11-27-2008, 8:32 PM
II'm trying hard to stand by my idea that explosmers in general are smart.
Bring back DZ!!
People just don't want put in the effort for this.
This. People have busy lives. The readers are reading their own books and the non-readers couldn't care less.
abbey
11-27-2008, 10:31 PM
Hell, I ran it and I didn't even read the books.
docmartens
11-28-2008, 3:06 AM
I went out and read Life of Pi this summer because of the book club. I went out and bought a whole bunch of Vonnegut and Pahlaniuk, so don't tell me the book club is pointless.
tunacake
11-29-2008, 3:43 AM
That's great that it got you reading (good books at that), but the only time it really worked out the way it was supposed to was the first month. Then it went way downhill.
madmind
12-09-2008, 11:38 PM
Title: The Inferno
Author: Dante Alighieri
Genre: Fiction (or non fiction depend on your point of view)
Pages: 288
Synopsis: Dante travels through hell with his guide Virgil.
xkittenxsocksx
12-11-2008, 10:06 AM
I say we pick this out of the ashes for christmas....
BurgerKueen
12-18-2008, 1:43 AM
Let's read Twilight, that's the only book people discuss here anyway.
tunacake
12-19-2008, 3:19 PM
Let's not.
xkittenxsocksx
12-22-2008, 11:53 AM
WHOEVER POSTS BELOW ME IS A FAG
John Travolta
12-22-2008, 2:41 PM
Shut the fuck up.
Dodger
12-22-2008, 4:08 PM
Title: The Inferno
Author: Dante Alighieri
Genre: Fiction (or non fiction depend on your point of view)
Pages: 288
Synopsis: Dante travels through hell with his guide Virgil.
Wow you're dumb. It's called The Divine Comedy. Dante's Inferno is just part of the total work. There's also Purgatorio and Dante's Paradise.
Its a 3 part work, reading one part would be dumb. Like you.
xkittenxsocksx
12-23-2008, 12:06 PM
Shut the fuck up.
GROW UP
thatgirl
01-04-2009, 3:10 AM
[quote=Matt;373884]Book Suggestion Format:
Suggestions for books should be informative and interesting. We don't want to spend our money to waste a month reading a crappy book, so gives us some details like a synopsis and/or review. Amazon is a good source for this info.
haha super lol...nice
thatgirl
01-04-2009, 3:11 AM
whoever posts below me, gimme 5 bucks!
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