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Inspired by the hot Dostoevsky discussion in the game violence thread, I was thinking maybe we should have a book club. We could choose a book, then discuss it. If anyone wants to suggest a book, go ahead....

I was thinking as a first book we could do something relatively short (150-250 pages), available at libraries, and not TOO depressing while still providing interesting issues to discuss. Also I hope it's something I haven't read.

Anyway, I asked some coworkers for suggestions today, and got:

The Handmaid's Tale

and

Ishmael by Daniel Quinn

If anyone's interested let's decide on a book over the next few days and then get started next week.

Good idea, Jaker.

Wonder if us SYMers can agree to a book?

well, we can get a list together and then just use a random method to put them in an order or something.

Do you have any suggestions for a book? Ask your people too

The Wooden Sea by Jonathan Carroll.

Requiem by Graham Joyce.

I can think of many more.

A suggestion, though: a book that has not been made into a movie.

Slaughter House 5 by Kurt Vonnegut
Or,
The Hitch Hikers Guide to Galaxy, By Doublas Adams,
Or,
Myths and Mythconceptions by Jospeh Conrad.

Great idea, Jaker

Marie Darrieussecq - Pig Tales (Truismes in French for those who can read the author's original language)

It's very short, and it's about a women who transforms into a pig.

Another suggestion: No conventional classics, since most people have to read them in school/have already read them.

These are soe books that I can't remeber the author, but know they are great books:

Brave New World
Animal Farm
No Logo
The Man who Folded Himself

Originally posted by Aegis
Brave New World
Animal Farm

Aldous Huxley and George Orwell, respectively. Dunno about the others

Thanks. they've been bugging me for a while now.

Big Brother's Watching You...

Originally posted by Georgi


Aldous Huxley and George Orwell, respectively. Dunno about the others

George Orwell's 1984. Though written way, waaaaay back, it's interesting to know that the concept of "he who controls info, rules," has already been there. Bill Gates just probably went on to maximize the potential of such a concept.

This thread is very creative. It might be very productive also. Good thinking.

Have anyone read "Lord of the Flies"? (I doubt anyone hasn't) I was forced to read it in school and boy, DI WE HAVE A DISCUSSION. It's short and has quite a profound meaning in itself.

Originally posted by Default
Have anyone read "Lord of the Flies"? (I doubt anyone hasn't) I was forced to read it in school

I read it in school as well (also read Animal Farm, Brave New World, and A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess, which is another good one) - but CE suggested books that most people probably haven't studied in school

I'm not against re-reading stuff, sometimes I get a huge amount of insight from going over something again. I sort of agree, though , that stuff that is not essentially canonic, and especially new ie recently published stuff would be high on my list.

I think there are already some really good suggestions in the posts. <rubs hands together> looks like we might get some good reading done. It's a shame Mr. Sleep is going to be away for awhile - I'm sure he would have some good input. Also I imagine that the artist formerly known as Fable would have some good suggestions if he were online

Originally posted by Georgi
I read it in school as well (also read Animal Farm, Brave New World, and A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess, which is another good one) - but CE suggested books that most people probably haven't studied in school

Yes, I also read Lord of the flies, Animal farm, Brave new world in school. They are all good books, but as I said in the Violence thread, the one that turned into a Dostoyevsky discussion, Zemyatin's "We", the novel that both Orwell and Huxley based their novels on, is much better IMO. Written in 1921, published in English 1924 I think, published in Russian 1988.

Originally posted by C Elegans


Yes, I also read Lord of the flies, Animal farm, Brave new world in school. They are all good books, but as I said in the Violence thread, the one that turned into a Dostoyevsky discussion, Zemyatin's "We", the novel that both Orwell and Huxley based their novels on, is much better IMO. Written in 1921, published in English 1924 I think, published in Russian 1988.

All excellent works, but ever so depressing, in a world limned with depressing things. Perhaps we could add something stylistically light, but not mindless...? I'd like to nominate James Branch Cabell's Jurgen. It was a fantastical satire written in the mid-teens, and banned by the Society for the Prevention of Vice in New York City. It took a court case with testimony from the likes of Sinclair Lewis and HL Mencken to get the ban overturned. And the work isn't pornographic, by any means, but highly suggestive at points.

The work can be read here: http://docsouth.unc.edu/cabell/jurgen.html

Some suggestions:

The Bible

Hamlet

Paradise Lost

The Lord of the Rings (a book we should have all read or seen by now)

A confederacy of dunces (John Kennedy o'Toole)

A Prayer for Owen Meany (John Irving)

The Water Method Man (John Irving)

The Talisman (Stephen King under his Straub or Bachman penname)

Originally posted by EMINEM

The Bible

Hamlet

Paradise Lost

The Lord of the Rings (a book we should have all read or seen by now)

These are all excellent books of course, but like I said before I'd really like to read some stuff I haven't already read. I will assume, knowing you, that you have also read these books

@Ned: good suggestions - I haven't read the Water Method Man, but I like John Irving, too. Prayer for Owen Meany was incredible. As long as the book is I think I read it in one weekend I was so fascinated. The Talisman is also an interesting read, I liked it a lot.

@ JAKER,

The Water Method Man is the funniest book I have ever read.

Re: Big Brother's Watching You...

Originally posted by Maharlika
George Orwell's 1984. Though written way, waaaaay back, it's interesting to know that the concept of "he who controls info, rules," has already been there. Bill Gates just probably went on to maximize the potential of such a concept.

Already read that. Only last 2 years ago in school.