ES Book Club Update: Camus' "The Plague" is first selection.

[iheartskins]

Ladies and Gents:

Would you all have any interest in having some kind of book club--i.e., those who were interested would read a given book over a select period of time (say, a couple weeks), and then we'd start a thread to discuss it? We could rotate the selection of the book of the week, if people would like.

I'd prefer to keep the books in the lit/history/philosophy side as opposed to pulp fiction, if only because in my (admittedly limited) experience, the discussion of books from the former category is a bit more interesting than the same of the latter.

I'd like to do this to get back into the habit of reading thought-provoking literature.

Let me know if there's interest.

EDIT:

First book will be Albert Camus' The Plague. First discussions to take place on June 18th. If possible, please purchase/borrow the Vintage International edition.

PM me or reply to this post if you have questions.

[OrangeSkin]

Great idea iheart, I'd be very interested.

[Mass_SkinsFan]

I'd definitely be interested in this sort of thing.

[visionary]

An interesting idea, I might want to join up with that...I can imagine it might get a bit heated though in some cases...lol

[Goaldeje]

Keep me updated, I would certainly consider participating.

[SkinsHokieFan]

Add me in, I would be interested in contributing

[Who Del]

I think that would be fun iheart. Count me in on this.

[Tarhog]

I'd definitely be up for it - great idea. I love to read - I was actually originally an english major....I just don't make time for it.

Again, great idea!

[DjTj]

Sounds like a great idea. I would definitely be interested.

[KAOSkins]

I would enjoy taking part. Keep us posted.

[Leonard Washington]

i'm interested but i dunno about history books.

[Tarhog]

i'm interested but i dunno about history books.

Depends on the 'history book'. For instance, I'd highly recommend 'Son of the Morning Star', a book about Custer that is well worth the read.

[LD0506]

Definitely, great idea iheart. I'm a voracious reader (4-6 weekly) and I would be interested even if only for more good recommendations on titles. I tend to get lazy and go through a lot of fiction when left to my own devices.

Can you expand on the idea a little? Is the choice going to be a group decision, or maybe a multiple choice of selections, or are you just going to float suggestions?

Will there be a pop quiz at the end?

[iheartskins]

Great to see so much interest. I haven't thought through all of the issues yet, but now that you ask...

1. I'd pick a book for us all to read (probably less than 400 pages, to start). If you didn't like the selection, then you could come back for the second round. I'd try not to pick something too esoteric--probably something American or British (and fiction) from the last 50-75 years. As the discussions develop, I'd imagine the selections would evolve forthwith.

2. Those who did like the selection would read it within a time line. Obviously this time line would depend on how long and intense the book in question would be. Something philisophocal, and I'd like to reread some Plato and/or Kierkegaard, might be done in sections.

3. We discuss the book at the deadline--those who don't finish are obviously still welcome to participate.

4. A volunteer would come up with another new book or, if those who are interested trust me, I'll pick another one. I'm reluctant to delve too deep into the process if only because I want this to be organic. Once we know who's involved, the books may suggest themselves.

5. The process would continue ad infinitum.

That's broadly how I see it going.

Give me a day or two to think of the first book.

[Tarhog]

Great to see so much interest. I haven't thought through all of the issues yet, but now that you ask...

1. I'd pick a book for us all to read (probably less than 400 pages, to start). If you didn't like the selection, then you could come back for the second round. I'd try not to pick something too esoteric--probably something American or British (and fiction) from the last 50-75 years. As the discussions develop, I'd imagine the selections would evolve forthwith.

2. Those who did like the selection would read it within a time line. Obviously this time line would depend on how long and intense the book in question would be. Something philisophocal, and I'd like to reread some Plato and/or Kierkegaard, might be done in sections.

3. We discuss the book at the deadline--those who don't finish are obviously still welcome to participate.

4. A volunteer would come up with another new book or, if those who are interested trust me, I'll pick another one. I'm reluctant to delve too deep into the process if only because I want this to be organic. Once we know who's involved, the books may suggest themselves.

5. The process would continue ad infinitum.

That's broadly how I see it going.

Give me a day or two to think of the first book.

In the interest of democracy, I'd suggest (after your opening selection) we allow all participating to make suggestions for the next book....put them in a poll with a brief description, and let those participating pick the next book. You'll tend to pick books you 'think' interest you Sol - the whole point of a book club is to read things you might never pick up on your own volition.

Just a suggestion though