February & March 2008 Fiction Book Suggestions

jales4 · Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 9:13 pm Post subject:

Hi,

My vote is for either Heart of Darkness or Let's Talk About Kevin. Heart is my first choice though - I've tried it, found it difficult, and quit - so doing it as a group read would give the incentive to work through it.

Jan.

irishrosem · Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 1:10 am Post subject:

I really was just rattling off titles of the types of books we might want to consider. But, since The Heart of Darkness got a couple mentions, I’ll throw my weight behind it too. Hell, I haven’t read it since high school. Plus we might be able to work a nice movie night tie-in with Apocalypse Now.

So some considerations for Heart of Darkness. It’s short, almost like a novella, which is good because, if chosen, I think it might be booktalk’s first official foray into modernist literature. But I think Conrad is eminently more manageable than someone like Joyce. And I don’t think its shorter length would limit us from having suitable material to keep discussion going. Outside of the story itself, Conrad’s prose style is really something to behold. One comes across the most extraordinary passages throughout. It’s the type of prose where it’s obvious every word is absolutely calculated.

Chris OConnor · Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 1:30 pm Post subject:

As requested I have deleted the book images of the books we're swapping. We do want to pick the next 2 fiction books right away. I don't like seeing the blank book boxes up top. Having the 4th box empty with the "To be determined" is a good thing I suppose as it tells visitors that they are joining at a time when they can help us pick the next books, but having 3 blank book boxes in a row looks bad.

So let's pick at least the next fiction book this weekend! Razz

Constance963 · Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 1:46 pm Post subject:

I would second the Girls by Lori Lansens. I already have it purchased and I think the conjoined twins dynamic looks interesting. I think I would read Heart of Darkness as well. I would have to purchase it but it looks interesting.

BrianSJNB · Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 1:58 pm Post subject:

Raych · Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 2:10 pm Post subject:

I'd like to pitch in my vote for Then We Came to the End or We Need to Talk About Kevin.

Mr. Pessimistic · Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 2:14 pm Post subject:

Heart of Darkness looks like a clear winner.

Mr. P.

Ophelia · Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 2:26 pm Post subject:

First, thanks Brian about the link to Persepolis: so it's definitely not for children, but it's a comic book, and as I haven't read it I can only say that the theme seems to be be interesting.

About making a decision: I can't make up my mind, so I'll say this: I'll go along with whatever book other people choose, I'll read it and I will take part in the discussion (provided I've got somehing to say! Smile

)

Loricat · Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 2:45 pm Post subject:

I'll pick up whatever book people want to read...at the moment, I'm rather compulsively reading and re-reading a(n albeit very good) fantasy novel. It's like I'm stuck on a fast-forward/rewind loop.

(will a day come when cassettes of any kind are so obsolete that nobody gets that metaphor? Shocked

)

JulianTheApostate · Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 4:54 pm Post subject:

Regarding Persepolis, my wife, who's bright and reads lots of serious books, found that book worthwhile and recommended it to me. Though it's not the kind of book we typically select here, it seemed worth considering, especially since the movie version is coming out and Iran is in the news so much.

For my book suggestions, I deliberately chose books that would be less daunting to read. Our book discussions here are often constrained by the fact that few people manage to read the book. A more accessible book might lead to more people participating.

FannieB · Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 8:49 pm Post subject: Book suggestions

I would really enjoy a discussion about We Need To Talk About Kevin...so I'm behind that 100%.

As for the classics or "literature class" type picks, I wouldn't rule them out but I do question whether in general, we're looking to break out of that and explore some new dynamics, having "been there and done that" in most instances - by that I don't mean the specific titles, just that type of dynamic. There's so much more out there to discover!

I think it's important too, to remember to at least every now and again decide on something a bit light-hearted. Not "fluff" but something not too heavy - I don't have any good examples right now, lol, and I myself tend toward heavier fiction, but man, all it takes is a weeks worth of the 5 o'clock news and I've had enough Heavy. LOL

Happily rolling around in my piles of books,
FannieB

yodha · Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 10:08 pm Post subject: Heart Of Darkness

Now that it has come up, I would love to revisit Heart Of Darkness too! Very Happy

I read it more like a traveller's story in 2005, while noting that I would need at least one more read to get all the dark undertones.

This was the review I wrote after first reading it ... Right Arrow

suescrafts · Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 10:44 pm Post subject:

I would be interested in reading Heart of Darkness or The Girls.

George Ricker · Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 10:24 am Post subject:

Add my name to those who favor reading Conrad's Heart of Darkness.

George

bklvr · Guest Usergroups: None **Thanks** Gender:

I still think "Fire Bell in the Night" would appeal to all types of people. Anyone second it??


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