BookTalk.org

Posted: **Fri Oct 03, 2008 2:56 pm**

What format should we use for this discussion?

I've just received my copy of "The Things They Carried" and I'm noticing that there are about 22 chapters, some of which are rather short. This book might not lend itself to a chapter by chapter discussion. Typically, we have one thread per chapter, but with 22 total chapters this might spread the discussion too thin.

I'm open to suggestions and discussion. How would you guys like to see this discussion formatted?

And please feel free to start posting on this book the moment you have something to say. Don't wait for someone else to get the ball rolling or we'll all end up waiting a long time. Just start typing and others will join. It is the first few posts that are always the hardest, but then the conversation usually flows freely.

If one of you would like to be the discussion leader just let me know. There are no real requirements other than to do your best to stay involved in the book discussion.

Posted: **Fri Oct 03, 2008 3:41 pm**

Chris,
How about a thread with 2 chapters at a time. That would give 11 threads and cover about 30 pages each.

Posted: **Fri Oct 03, 2008 4:11 pm**

Clearly you're a genius.

I love it. Good idea.

Posted: **Fri Oct 03, 2008 4:36 pm**

Chris OConnor wrote:Clearly you're a genius. I love it. Good idea.

Why, thank you!

Posted: **Sat Oct 11, 2008 11:50 pm**

On second thought the 2-chapters per thread idea might be difficult. The reality is these chapters aren't numbered. So the threads can't exactly be "Ch. 1 & Ch. 2." They'd have to be labeled with the actual chapter names.

Example:

The 1st and 2nd chapter are entitled, "The Things They Carried" and "Love." Thread names can only be so many characters long. I don't think we could have thread names using two chapter names each. They'd just be too long. And "Ch. 1 & Ch. 2" wouldn't make sense to readers because this isn't how the chapters are labeled in the book.

Posted: **Mon Oct 13, 2008 3:31 pm**

Would it make sense to list the range of page numbers using the text most people would have ordered online, and then for people to clarify in the beginning of the body of their posts what the chapter name is for those who don't have that edition?

Posted: **Thu Nov 06, 2008 9:28 am**

I just put this one on reserve at my library and will , hopefully, get it soon. I'll be jumping in on the chat first chance I get.

Lori

Posted: **Thu Nov 06, 2008 9:40 am**

lorifog wrote:I just put this one on reserve at my library and will , hopefully, get it soon. I'll be jumping in on the chat first chance I get.

Lori

Great! Looking forward to reading your posts.

Saffron

Posted: **Fri Nov 07, 2008 11:22 am**

Thanks for creating those threads.

Posted: **Fri Nov 07, 2008 11:38 am**

Chris OConnor wrote:Thanks for creating those threads.

No problem! I am looking very forward to discussing this book.