April book study planning thread...

Fenika · Feb 28, 2009

So, we had our crossover month, and I'm thinking we should have a humor/satire month (and may the best genre win). After that I think we can resume our regular SF/F swap up.

Sound good?

If so, nominate your favorite, popular stand alone funny SFF book. Adams, Pratchett, Gaiman, et al. Go!

Fenika · Mar 1, 2009

So, we coincidentally have this thread, which is getting a bunch of replies.

Anyone wanna nominate something off that list? Got another? And where are the fantasy folks?

ELMontague · Mar 1, 2009

Well obviously Hitchhiker's Guide ought to be considered.

Fenika · Mar 2, 2009

Hitchhiker's is good. I've yet to read it actually.

Good Omens, The Color of Magic. I'm tempted to say The Princess Bride

Kitty Pryde · Mar 2, 2009

I think 'Small Gods' and 'Soul Music' are two of Pratchett's more universally appealing and hilarious discworld novels. Small Gods is about religion, Soul Music is about rock and roll (and death).

Yay Good Omens! For people who don't know the book yet:

Crowley, Hell's most approachable demon, and an old friend Aziraphale, genuine angel and London book shop owner, have a problem. Armageddon - which will happen on a Saturday Night. Next Saturday, in fact. So they've got no alternative but to stop the Four Motorcyclists of the Apocalypse, defeat the Witchfinder Army and find and kill the Antichrist - an eleven-year-old boy who loves his dog ...(from lspace.org)

The Lonely One · Mar 2, 2009

Hello. Watch me stumble--

Okay, done watching? -- stumble into this thread. Do you guys read sci-fi and talk about it every month? Is this like a reading group?

Can I...can I join in?

Fenika · Mar 2, 2009

We read SF or Fantasy or something in between, like this month when we are discussing Lord of Light. Now, if you've not read Lord of Light, don't scroll past the first post, which has a ton of questions after an intro and list of links. (And actually, the second post is pretty safe in this instance). The links give you all the previous book studies, so if something you've read is on there, have fun. And you can bump old threads if you want to chime in ofc.

Lord of Light isn't that long so there's plenty of time to read it. And soon we'll be picking a book to discuss starting April 1st.

The Lonely One · Mar 2, 2009

Bahamutchild said:
We read SF or Fantasy or something in between, like this month when we are discussing Lord of Light. Now, if you've not read Lord of Light, don't scroll past the first post, which has a ton of questions after an intro and list of links. (And actually, the second post is pretty safe in this instance). The links give you all the previous book studies, so if something you've read is on there, have fun. And you can bump old threads if you want to chime in ofc.

Lord of Light isn't that long so there's plenty of time to read it. And soon we'll be picking a book to discuss starting April 1st.

Thanks you

I can't believe I missed this book discussion thingy for so long. I'll probably pick up with the April 1 choice.

And from what I've gathered you all are looking for comedic sci-fi.

So, one vote for Hitchiker's guide. (are we voting? I'm not sure...)

Anyways. I'll shut up now.

Kitty Pryde · Mar 2, 2009

The Lonely One said:
Hello. Watch me stumble--

Okay, done watching? -- stumble into this thread. Do you guys read sci-fi and talk about it every month? Is this like a reading group?

Can I...can I join in?

You not only can, you ought!

Fenika · Mar 2, 2009

No need to silence yourself.

We are pre-voting or nominating or seconding or whatever. I have to make a poll soon of all the popular picks. If not enough books get 'seconded', then I have to work through the 'slush' and decide which books make the poll (usually 4).

So, Hitchhiker's will make the poll.

What else ya'll got for me?

Fenika · Mar 2, 2009

Also, I was a slacker and forgot to request everyone put in an amazon link. So, here we go:

Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Adams.

Good Omens by Gaiman and Pratchett

The Color of Magic; Small Gods; and Soul Music by Pratchett

Aside from Hitchhiker's, I'm keen to read Small Gods...

And please to remember the putting of links here on out.

Also, rest assured only one Pratchett title will make the poll.

NicoleMD · Mar 2, 2009

I third Small Gods

Nicole

Esopha · Mar 2, 2009

I think it would be interesting to read some of the lesser-known comedic writers. Pratchett, Adams, et al are pretty popular...

And it would be much easier to analyze a novel that we aren't already in love with, you know?

Fenika · Mar 2, 2009

Well, yes and no. The original purpose of the book study is to look at something popular and see why it worked, and what didn't work. We've prolly strayed at times, but that's our mission fwiw.

But we could certainly read something that isn't insanely popular. Any suggestions? And a sales pitch to get people voting for it?

Esopha · Mar 2, 2009

Off the top of my head:

Tom Holt. I've only read Tall Stories from him, and of the two novels in that omnibus I liked Expecting Someone Taller more than the other. Essentially: Malcolm's life sucks until he runs over a badger (who turns out to be a god) and becomes the ruler of the world.

Christopher Moore. Funny, funny, funny, and successful. I love A Dirty Job. Charlie loses his wife after she gives birth to their daughter but gets to moonlight for death in the process. A psychopomp novel, but a good one.

Also I'm a big fan of Maryrose Wood's Why I Let My Hair Grow Out. It's YA but laugh-out-loud funny and the MC is very clever. I fell in love with her within the first page. I'm of the opinion that Wood is going to bring back literary absurdism. (I'm sure I've mentioned this book in this forum before, but I really don't care. READ IT.)

And no one's mentioned Diana Wynne Jones. Is anyone more popular than Diana Wynne Jones? Howl's Moving Castle. That is all.

ELMontague · Mar 3, 2009

So, where's the poll? I'm ready to laugh.

A. Hamilton · Mar 3, 2009

I'm new to the concept of humor mixed with sci-fi ,or fantasy, at least as a reader. (but I'm pretty soft to the genres anyway).
I've been told before that I should read Pratchett, so that' probably what I'd vote for on a poll. but I do own Hitchhiker's, although I haven't opened it yet..so that's plausible too. (I did see the movie..)

The Lonely One · Mar 3, 2009

P.H.Delarran said:
I'm new to the concept of humor mixed with sci-fi ,or fantasy, at least as a reader. (but I'm pretty soft to the genres anyway).
I've been told before that I should read Pratchett, so that' probably what I'd vote for on a poll. but I do own Hitchhiker's, although I haven't opened it yet..so that's plausible too. (I did see the movie..)

The movie played up the love angle, whereas it's less prevalent in (at least) the first story of the series. But if you liked the movie you'll like the book, I'd think. I have the BBC series on DVD. That's something awful...

Pthom · Mar 3, 2009

Harry Harrison's Stainless Steel Rat. Larry Niven's Rainbow Mars.

Fenika · Mar 4, 2009

Alright, I'll put the poll up later today. I gotta sort through these titles and decide which to put up. Last chance to second a title if you haven't already.

Pthom, there are a number of SS Rat titles, not of which I'm seeing as readily available. Is this the one you meant?

Rainbow Mars

Pthom · Mar 4, 2009

Yep those are the ones.

Rainbow Mars is very tongue in cheek.

Any of the Stainless Steel Rat books are good. The one you point to is the first in the series, I believe.

April book study planning thread...

Fenika

Fenika

ELMontague

Fenika

Kitty Pryde

i luv you giant bear statue

The Lonely One

Why is a raven like a writing desk?

Fenika

The Lonely One

Why is a raven like a writing desk?

Kitty Pryde

i luv you giant bear statue

Fenika

Fenika

NicoleMD

Onomatopotamus

Esopha

bam pow zap.

Fenika

Esopha

bam pow zap.

ELMontague

A. Hamilton

here for a minute...catch me?

The Lonely One

Why is a raven like a writing desk?

Pthom

Word butcher

Fenika

Pthom

Word butcher