Re: Favorite Books and Current Reads
Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 6:39 pm
I would think that mystery novels and the like fall into the category of "sequels" and not "series" -- fantasy especially just too often falls into the trilogy trap, in which the first book just sets up later events, and the whole story is incomplete without the following titles. Mystery novels in a series do share the same protagonist, gimmick, and setting (she's a minnesota baker who solves murders and flirts with the handsome sheriff! he's a lone-wolf FBI agent whose criminal nemesis killed his wife!) but for the most part the first book stands alone -- the author doesn't always have a book contrast for the sequels, after all, but they do want to set up a hook and gimmick for that sequel opportunity.
Same I would say about something like, say, Havemercy -- plenty of room for a sequel, and there are books that follow it, but the first novel stands alone as a complete story. You could stop there and be satisfied with the resolution of the plot and the character's individual struggles.
I agree with Maxine and Scy; the nature of the club is to read niche or lesser known titles that, outside of the book club, you may not otherwise select for yourself. I don't want to put too many restrictions, but the only one I feel very strongly about is length, and I'm pleased that (so far) no one seems to object to that one.
As for the discussion, I think the forum provides the perfect means. Coordinate a time an date for an IRC chat would be too difficult, I think. Like I said, I'd start a spin-off thread and keep the discussion there, so as not to clutter this thread, and so that we could discuss without worry about spoilers. I had the idea that we'd set a "meeting" deadline, all read the book, and then start discussing it on that day. No one can talk about the book on ITL until we've all finished reading it. The person who chose the book could post a list of prompts/questions or discussion if they wanted, or we could just dive right into it.
Example, we're reading The Book by Author chosen by Maxine, and set Never 23rd as the "meeting" date. On Never 23rd, Maxine posts a list of discussion prompts, and then we all start discussing it. Discussion ends when we run out of steam, or start the next book, whatever comes first. We could discuss The Book all the way up to the next meeting, if we wanted!
Now that I know there's interest, I'm going to start the Book Club thread!
Same I would say about something like, say, Havemercy -- plenty of room for a sequel, and there are books that follow it, but the first novel stands alone as a complete story. You could stop there and be satisfied with the resolution of the plot and the character's individual struggles.
I agree with Maxine and Scy; the nature of the club is to read niche or lesser known titles that, outside of the book club, you may not otherwise select for yourself. I don't want to put too many restrictions, but the only one I feel very strongly about is length, and I'm pleased that (so far) no one seems to object to that one.
As for the discussion, I think the forum provides the perfect means. Coordinate a time an date for an IRC chat would be too difficult, I think. Like I said, I'd start a spin-off thread and keep the discussion there, so as not to clutter this thread, and so that we could discuss without worry about spoilers. I had the idea that we'd set a "meeting" deadline, all read the book, and then start discussing it on that day. No one can talk about the book on ITL until we've all finished reading it. The person who chose the book could post a list of prompts/questions or discussion if they wanted, or we could just dive right into it.
Example, we're reading The Book by Author chosen by Maxine, and set Never 23rd as the "meeting" date. On Never 23rd, Maxine posts a list of discussion prompts, and then we all start discussing it. Discussion ends when we run out of steam, or start the next book, whatever comes first. We could discuss The Book all the way up to the next meeting, if we wanted!
Now that I know there's interest, I'm going to start the Book Club thread!
