It's been a week since anyone's commented on Netherland (and I'm happy to continue checking in on that conversation if it gets revived). Maybe we could kick around ideas for another book. I have a couple more normal ideas (I've never read anything by Dan Chaon, and I'd love to hear people's thoughts on 2666) and a very goofy one (Stephen King's new novel?), but as I've invested in these ideas about ten seconds of consideration, anything would be good.
(I'm happy to slow down the discussion, too: I was chomping at the bit too much last time, I'm afraid. Too excited to talk to adults! About books! What fun!)
Thoughts?
23 comments:
I think I might be up for this one! I'm pretty easy. I haven't been reading much lately. I read Jude the Obscure a couple months ago and loved it so much that I've been eyeballing one of the other Hardy books on my shelf: Mayor of Castorbridge or Tess I'm Not Going to Look Up the Spelling of D'Ubervilles So I Hope I'm Right.
I'm up for anything, though. As long as it is good. The Stephen King idea is intriguing, actually. I haven't read him since high school, but I saw that book at the store the other day and found its girth intimidating.
I just bought Passage to India at a used book shop... okay my mom bought it for me. Just throwing that in. Never read it before. But count me in for whatever!
I might very well go along with whatever, but here's what's in my own personal queue:
Await Your Reply (Chaon)
Days of Obligation (Rodriguez)
Death of the Detective (Smith)
Zeitoun (Eggers)
I decided not to finish Netherland (although I still might -- it was redeemed by the guy lying on the floor staring under the chair) -- but I am currently reading Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, and I was thinking about working through the best short story collections of the 00s as determined by the Onion, if any of those look interesting.
I really REALLY loved Dan Chaon's Among the Missing and Fitting Ends.
I'd also happily reread "You Remind Me of Me" if people want to do that.
So maybe these are our suggested finalists?
Dan Chaon, Await Your Reply
Stephen King (Under the Dome?)
Kelly Link, Music for Beginners
The Guillermo del Toro review of Under the Dome on the Amazon page for that book makes me want to read it, even though it sounds like a dumb idea -- I haven't read a King novel in probably two decades and wonder if I could feel as excited about it as I used to. The description of Kelly Link's book makes me not want to read that (especially the New Yorker snippet review). Many folks seem to like Dan Chaon, so I'd be up for that.
I've been trying to read the Dark Tower stuff, and have been totally annoyed with it (although I would still read Under the Dome).
And I must say I am really enjoying the Zombies.
Take a look at that Onion short story list -- the Crowley looks kinda cool.
Everyone tells me I should read some Kelly Link, but maybe that would be the wrong one.
Well -- let's stop dilly-dallying -- using the Dunkeys provided list, I'm going to throw my vote for Dan Chaon.
I vote Chaon. I usually end up reading every other King title that comes out. The old guy still has it. But I anticipate a better conversation about Chaon.
Is a survey in order? I like surveys.
I'm down with Chaon. I like the way he says his name.
Me too. (How does he say his name?)
I'm in. Haven't read the new one yet. And I believe it's "chone." Heard him read up here in the UP from You Remind Me of Me, but I hear the new one is better.
Also I'd be interested in what anyone else thinks of Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel if you're reading it. I'm in it a ways and it's fascinating.
I was thinking about suggesting Wolf Hall as well, since it's high on my to-read list. But the Chaon sounds great. I'll try to find it today.
It's pronounced "chone" if you mean the way Chone Figgins pronounces his name ("Shawn"). I was being cutesy.
I'll get it in the next few days, too. I'm excited to read it.
I might be a little slow on the uptake, but I am excited for this.
When should we be finished -- I feel Dunkeys, that speed-reading monkey, was done before I even went to the library.
Maybe we could Wolf Hall after? I've had my eye on that.
So are we set? We're picking up the Chaon?
It's probably good to set some dates. I could use a couple weeks before people start posting. The more we synchronize the better. Otherwise people who want to participate miss the boat.
I started it last night and have a positive initial impression. Pleased to find the writing plain and clear, and each of the three stories interesting so far.
But I will hold back...
One suggestion for this round- we should make an effort to make new posts, not just add comments to old ones. I'm as guilty as anyone else here. But I think this is friendlier to our (mostly hypothetical) readers.
I'm unclear on when we can start. I'm about a third the way through. What about Monday for some initial thoughts?
I just started this morning and hope to dig in this weekend. Monday would be fine with me.
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