The Book Vipers discussion

Following on from the group reads, if anyone wants to read one of the books that didn't win, we can have a read along. All you need to do is suggest your book on here, and see if anyone else would like to join in. It's not as formal as the group read, but can lead to general chat about the book.

I'm going to suggest Atonement starting this month, for me. Would anyone else like to join in? There's no set start or finish dates, just open threads for discussion and then we move onto another book when we're ready.

I'll go through the lists of books that have been nominated and voted on for group reads (there's only been three so far including our Christmas one), and list them, so we can choose something from the lists.

This is the choice we have so far, but will be added to each month:-

Atonement by Ian McEwan
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe
The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Maggie wrote: "I wouldn't mind. I read Atonement quite a while ago and I'm sure I will have a note of it somewhere in an old reading journal.

As I am new to the group, I don't know what books you have read, so..."

Maggie - did you want to nominate those two books for the March group read instead?

I still have to read The Secret Keeper but with all the books I am desperate to read I really feel like I need to give up work and just read all day!

Some additional read along books for the list -

The Poisonwood Bible
Tender Is the Night
The Prisoner of Heaven
Bring Me Sunshine: A Windswept, Rain-Soaked, Sun-Kissed, Snow-Capped Guide to Our Weather. by Charlie Connelly
Night Train to Lisbon

A reminder of how the read along works - if there's anything on this thread that you want to read, post a request here for a read along buddy(ies) and agree a start date. It's very informal - you just set up a discussion thread for the book and then chat about it.

I'm planning to read Atonement next month now. Would anyone like to do a read along?

Yes I will!

It will be after I've read the Maya Angelou, so perhaps mid March?

Yeah that'll be fine!

Shall we make a thread for Atonement if you're still planning on reading it this month? :D

Yes that's a good idea. I'll probably make a start some time next week. We might even get some more readers joining us!

If anyone wants to discuss a book they are about to read, please post the details of it here. You may find other members of the group are about to read it too, and we can then start a discussion topic.

To start the ball rolling, I'm going to be reading the final part of the Millennium Trilogy - The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest in July. Anyone want to read along?

Yes please! So overdue with that book, I read book 2 nearly a year ago!

I willl try and join you, just need to read the first two now!

Jen wrote: "Yes please! So overdue with that book, I read book 2 nearly a year ago!"

:D I know it's about that long since I read book 2 as well. I'm seriously in danger of forgetting who the characters are and the storyline. And I don't want to have to re-read the first two!!!

Paul wrote: "I willl try and join you, just need to read the first two now!"

The first novel The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is very good, if a little long-winded. Very good story though.

They are page-turners, but the third one is a massive brick which has been putting me off.

Anybody up for starting a Buddy Read for The Fault in Our Stars? I've noticed from some comments in other threads that a few people have already started reading it, since it lost out for the August read.

It's on my pile of books at home. I'll join in - I may take it with me on holiday in a couple of weeks' time.

Yes I would, please. I can't get hold of Gaiman's book from the library for a while and can't justify buying it at full price, so would like another fiction read for August.

How does it work, do we need a separate thread?

Yes I'll set up a separate thread for it, now that we have some takers for reading it.

Elizabeth wrote: "If anyone wants to discuss a book they are about to read, please post the details of it here. You may find other members of the group are about to read it too, and we can then start a discussion to..."

Apologies to anyone who was hoping to read along with The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest in July. Time completely ran out for me. I'll reschedule for September. Sign up here if you're interested, and I'll set up a thread.

Also, if anyone is interested in reading Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami in September or October, sign up here too.

These two books are part of my reading challenges this year.

I would REALLY like to read Norwegian Wood. I have wanted to for a long time. Keep me posted.

Betty wrote: "I would REALLY like to read Norwegian Wood. I have wanted to for a long time. Keep me posted."

Will do, Betty. I got a copy for my birthday last year and it's been waiting patiently for the right time to be read!

Norwegian Wood is on my massive to read list. Along with The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest; I just have to read the other two first!

Paul wrote: "Norwegian Wood is on my massive to read list. Along with The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest; I just have to read the other two first!"

If you do get round to reading the other two, they are good. I liked the first one The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo better. The second one tended to get a bit bogged down in detail. And the third one is the longest, but is supposed to be back on form.

I shall also be attempting to read the following, to complete my Ten Book Challenge, by the end of the year.

The Visible World by Mark Slouka
Last Orders by Graham Swift
March by Geraldine Brooks
The Children's Book by A.S. Byatt
and The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

If anyone would like to join in any of these reads, please let me know.

I'd be interested in reading Norwegian Wood too. I read After Dark and 1Q84 Bks 1 & 2 last year. I'd like to read a lot more from him.

Love Murakami! Would definitely join in reading Norwegian Wood. Or should we nominate for September? I am new to the group!

Yes you can nominate Norwegian Wood for the September read but we'll have a read along anyway in case it doesn't win the vote.

I'd like to read Norwegian Wood. I will borrow my boyfriends copy. I've been meaning to for ages but not got round to it.

I'm planning on starting Vanity Fair in a week or so. I know Laurel (another new member here) is also planning on reading it but does anybody else want to join? Do I set up my own thread or does a moderator do it for me?

It's ok to set up your own thread once you've arranged your buddy read.

Yay, am looking forward to Vanity Fair!

Would anyone be interested in reading The Hare With Amber Eyes: A Family's Century of Art and Loss? I picked up a copy in a charity shop recently. It could make an interesting read along and discussion for later in the year.

I read that around a year ago, having heard it as book of the week on radio 4. It is very good

Well that's a good recommendation! I didn't know it had been read on Radio 4.

I loved this book. A real life family saga that takes you through the 19th century and into some of the less distinguished years of social and political 20th century history, which we would do well not to forget. Would certainly buddy-up for a re-read.

The Glass Room http://www.goodreads.com/search?utf8=... also highly recommended.

If we get enough interest in The Hare, then I'll set up a discussion thread, aiming for reading November/December.

I'm interested in the Hare With Amber Eyes for later in the year. Lots of second hand copies on Amazon for £2.80.... just thought I'd mention it!

I led an oral discussion on The Hare With Amber Eyes. Magnificent book.

I'd like to read Norwegian Wood and The Hare with Amber Eyes just not sure September will be a good month for me as hoping to be moving.

Teresa wrote: "I'd like to read Norwegian Wood and The Hare with Amber Eyes just not sure September will be a good month for me as hoping to be moving."

I also plan now to read both of these. I will also buddy read Vanity Fair as others suggested. I can do all three in September.

(Good luck with your move, Teresa!)

If it's ok with those of us who plan to read The Hare With Amber Eyes: A Family's Century of Art and Loss could we reschedule this read along for January/February next year? It seems to be getting a bit overbooked on the buddy read section.

Good for me, Elizabeth.

Fine, I'm looking forward to it!

OK, after all of the discussion, I would like to suggest a read-along of Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner. Then we can decide together whether to grant it "classic" status, lol!

Not sure about the timing though...what about November/December? Is anything planned for then?

And of course, most importantly, is anyone interested?

Off the top of my head, I think we do have a couple of buddy reads listed for October/November and November/December - The Blackwater Lightship and This Charming Man.

In January we have The Hare With Amber Eyes: A Family's Century of Art and Loss. Would you be willing to wait until January?

I think, on the question of what is and is not a classic, it is a grey area on which not everyone will agree. Each country has their own classics. Stegner is not well known in UK and I'm sure there are many of our authors who are virtually unheard of in other parts of the world too. But we should all be prepared to accept differing opinions.

I would like to see a more wide and varied reading in this group of books considered classics in other countries.

Betty wrote: "OK, after all of the discussion, I would like to suggest a read-along of Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner. Then we can decide together whether to grant it "classic" status, lol!

Not sure abou..."

Betty, I would love to read this as well, classic or not;) As long as it is later than October I will happily join in.

I'm intrigued by this book now, and want to read it, but my reading schedule is completely full until the end of the year.

Yes, I'm up for the Stegner as well.

Well, what about "booking" it for January-February. I'm open -- I've already read it twice!