NYRB Classics discussion

This month, we'll be nominating books for Seana to consider when she selects the July book club read.

While I like the idea of seconding nominations, because then at least three people have a hand in what book is selected, if in the end there are not as many choices I think Seana should choose from whatever books have been nominated. I guess that means the best way to get your book selected is to talk it up, tell us why you selected it. This in and of itself could lead to some fun conversations!

To avoid nominating books that have already been topics of discussion, reference this list.

Well, I had a couple of books I was originally going to nominate but then a week ago I came across The Land Breakers by John Ehle which has piqued my interest. The cover's good as well, which may be influencing me.

Looks interesting, Jonathan. I am only vaguely familiar with Ehle's name.

Keep 'em coming, folks!

I nominate Indian Summer by William Dean Howells. I haven't read it so I can't brag up the book, but 1) it's summer so a good time to read it and 2) Howells is terribly underrated IMO.

Another contender. I know of Howells, but not this book. So we'll put it in the hat.

Technically, though, Indian Summer is in the fall.

I forgot that bit...

Well, it's not a dealbreaker.

I will nominate The Invention of Morel, which feels like the perfect summer book as we watch two suns rise on our forlorn protagonist when the book opens. It's been several years since I read this, and I'd love to revisit.

Hmm, revisiting the first paragraph just now and I think I got the cosmos wrong. It says summer came early, not that two suns rose. I wonder if that comes up later or if I'm just thinking of some other book's strange celestial event.

I of course have an interest in that one, Trevor, as I suggested it last time.

Ah, I forgot, Seana -- promise I'm not just pandering :-)

Right--I wouldn't want anyone to think we had some kind of racket going.

The Invention of Morel would be a great pick.

Any other suggestions, from any, even those who've already made a suggestion?

Seana, as the last book club book was essentially limited to you, Guy, and Jonathan, maybe give a bit longer for nominations and then go ahead and select a book when you feel appropriate. Unless others have a different opinion on the matter.

Also, maybe now is the time to figure out who should be in charge of the next book group. Guy, would you like to be the one selecting Augusts?

Let me know if this process is working or if you feel an adjustment is needed.

Trevor, is it worth sending a group message so that others know about it? I think the moderators can do that.

Yes, I'll wait in case anyone else wants to chime in.

I can do that, but the question then is how broad do we spread the word? The whole group, or those who have been participating recently?

I'd say the whole group. If they haven't unenrolled in the group, they shouldn't be too offended to be notified. I imagine some people may think the group read has just gone dormant.

Although on the other hand, I'm fine with just doing recent participants. It's not like I want to make a choice between a million things. Though I suspect that won't happen.

I suppose this is different than the poll, too, where I'd invite and people would come to vote and then never ever participate in any way.

Personally, I think it should be made aware to the whole group, after all they have chosen to join the group of their own free will.

The problem we had was that people would vote for a group read book in the poll who had no intention of actually reading the book. Hopefully, our recent change of having someone choosing the book has solved that issue. But the problem with the new procedure is that it might seem like a private club, which hopefully we don't want, so we should encourage people to get involved in choosing the book, but only if they're actually got some interest in reading the said book.

No, we don't want a private club. We want to take over the world.

Okay, message sent! I look forward to seeing what others are thinking!

the invention of morel a great choice as we are featuring it in Spanish lit month

Muy interesante, Stujallan.

j.r. ackerley's 'hindoo holiday'....funny and atmospheric. ackerley's a real prose-master.

Thanks for the group message. I don't check Goodreads often enough, so I miss these things. I definitely want to read The Invention of Morel, as I've heard good things. However, I don't own it (yet) and it's out at my library until the end of July. (What are the odds?!)

I just picked up The Post-Office Girl, but see that's already been done, and The Pilgrim Hawk, which Susan Sontag says is "among the treasures of twentieth-century American literature." I also just started Growing Up Absurd, by Paul Goodman. However, I'm not sure how you all feel about nonfiction for this group.

Finally, I have Talk pre-ordered, but since it doesn't come out until July 7, it's maybe better saved for the August book.

So, I guess I'm nominating The Pilgrim Hawk or Growing Up Absurd...

Thanks for the message and sorry for the ramble!

Thanks, Jason! Good to know you appreciated the message. And, yes, what are the odds that Morel is out until the end of July?!

How about The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne by Brian Moore? Its a heartbreaking understated masterpiece in literature.

How about The Mad and the Bad? I thought we were going to read it last fall, but it looks like it got edged out by the brilliant Patrick Leigh Fermor. Anyway, I'd really like to read this so if anyone else is interested...

Seana, feel free to ask for seconds if you'll find that useful now that more books have been suggested. You can choose the best way to move forward and when to cut off the process.

The Mad and the Bad is also a pretty good summer crime book. It's a fast-paced one!

Yes, if others want to second any, please go ahead. I like all the ideas so don't feel bad if I don't pick yours. I think I will let this go overnight (I'm on California time) and pick something tomorrow morning. Thanks, everyone!

I'd be keen to participate again, although I find the new nomination system a bit too confusing to actively participate in :/ but that's alright, happy to go with the flow!

It's a work in progress -- or maybe it's not progressing :-) .

No, it's probably just me - I just get a bit too overwhelmed by all the messages and stuff. Lol. Oh well ...

Can we keep this open for a few days as it's best if we can check out some of the books nominated? I sometimes find it difficult checking all these books on my mobile and therefore wait until I can get on my PC. Also, we're all on different continents so there's sometimes a delay between messages.

Certainly. I'm not in any hurry to choose.

I also haven't gotten to The Dud Avocado yet and I don't see it on your list of already read. I'd really like to finally read that one.

And The Pilgrim Hawk nominated above sounds good, too.

Jonathan wrote: "Well, I had a couple of books I was originally going to nominate but then a week ago I came across The Land Breakers by John Ehle which has piqued my interest. The cover's good as w..."

I was looking at Zweig to possibly put forth, there are a couple of his I would like to read.
But I kept being drawn back to John Ehle's book, The Land Breakers. Ehle's book gets high marks for his masterly use of the language, and the cover is kick ass.

Jonathan, I did not see your post until now, when I had decided on putting The Land Breakers up as my choice. It's a sign!
So, I second Jonathan's choice of, The Land Breakers for our July read.

http://www.nybooks.com/books/imprints...

I could do The Land Breakers.

Trish wrote: "I also haven't gotten to The Dud Avocado yet and I don't see it on your list of already read. I'd really like to finally read that one.

And The Pilgrim Hawk nominated..."

Is this list of already read for the group? I have read Dud Avacado. Where would I find this list of already read?

Trevor posted the list up in Message 2, Gary.

Seana, thanks for the help.
The group has not read Dud Avacado, so if that is picked I have no problem reading it again.
Gary

Seana wrote: "Trevor posted the list up in Message 2, Gary."



Gary wrote: "Trish wrote: "I also haven't gotten to The Dud Avocado yet and I don't see it on your list of already read. I'd really like to finally read that one.

And [book:The Pilgrim Hawk|458..."

qtasha wrote: "How about The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne by Brian Moore? Its a heartbreaking understated masterpiece in literature."

Judith Hearne just missed out several times last year so a few of us read it as a side-read here. I agree it's a brilliant book....and I love that NYRB cover.

I agree with others that The Pilgrim Hawk looks interesting...as does Indian Summer. I'm not that interested in the crime stuff though.

There are two NYRB covers for Pilgrim Hawk: . I think I prefer the wooden toy one.

The cover looks great too.

I should probably say that I've read Pilgrim Hawk and recommend it, but am unlikely to pick it this round. So keep it in mind for another time.

Seana wrote: "I should probably say that I've read Pilgrim Hawk and recommend it, but am unlikely to pick it this round. So keep it in mind for another time."

how about another g. wescott...'apartment in athens'? either this or 'hindoo holiday', which i recommended already (message 27), would be excellent for discussions.