The Bowie Book Club discussion

Rules for submitting your nomination:

- Each member can nominate just one book.

- The book must fit in one of the following group bookshelves: 100 must read (https://www.goodreads.com/group/books...) or Bowie references (https://www.goodreads.com/group/books...).

- In case you think of a book to nominate that is not part of any of those two lists, you must explain why you are suggesting it. For example, if you saw Bowie mentioning it before, send the reference. If it is part of a Bowie song, name it...

- Keep in mind that our goal is not to read books about Bowie. Our goal is to read books that were admired by him as the avid reader he was.

On March 1st, I'll upload the list with the contestants for April book. The list cannot have more than ten books and less than 5. The terms for a book to make the list are:

1st - The ones mentioned more times.

2nd - In case there is a tie between nominees, the one to make the cut will be the one mentioned first.

The poll will remain open until March 10th. Once the voting ends, if there is a tie on the first place, a new poll will open from March 10th to the 15th to reach a final decision.

Well... I know many members want to read Julian Barnes' Flaubert's Parrot. That is why I would like to suggest Madame Bovary as April reading, , because, as someone pointed out, Barnes' book spins the classic story, and it sounds appropriate that we read it before going to its "reimagination".

I'd like to nominate The Master and the Margarita for our april reading :)

Han wrote: "I'd like to nominate The Master and the Margarita for our april reading :)"

Thank you, Han...

Sexual personae

Samanta wrote: "Sexual personae"

Thank you...

Mr Norris changes trains (Christopher Isherwood).

My copy of Awopbopaloobop Alopbamboom: The Golden Age of Rock just arrived last week. Coincidentally, a great review was posted about it on the Guardian. And it's about pop music:)

I'd like to nominate Billy Liar. After 1984 and In Cold Blood, it might be a nice change of pace to read something more on the comedic side. Plus the protagonist's habit of constantly fantasizing about reinventing himself to escape his tedious daily life seems particularly relevant to thinking about the early days of young David Jones...

I know it's not on the list, but being that he got it published, maybe it should be...
(http://www.davidbowie.com/news/willia...)

Nat Tate

Great April Fools read!

Erma wrote: "I know it's not on the list, but being that he got it published, maybe it should be...
(http://www.davidbowie.com/news/willia...)

Nat Tate

Gre..."

Why not? That's so funny :-) We would be constantly laughing our heads off. Lol.

Cynthia wrote: "Mr Norris changes trains (Christopher Isherwood)."

Thanks...

Peter wrote: "My copy of Awopbopaloobop Alopbamboom: The Golden Age of Rock just arrived last week. Coincidentally, a great review was posted about it on the Guardian. And it's about pop music:)"

Thank you...

Sara wrote: "I'd like to nominate Billy Liar. After 1984 and In Cold Blood, it might be a nice change of pace to read something more on the comedic side. Plus the protagonist's habit of constant..."

Great idea, Sara...

Erma wrote: "I know it's not on the list, but being that he got it published, maybe it should be...
(http://www.davidbowie.com/news/willia...)

Nat Tate

Gre..."

Makes sense, Erma... I'll add to the bookshelf of Bowie references and put it on the nominations...

Lidiana wrote: "Makes sense, Erma... I'll add to the bookshelf of Bowie references and put it on the nominations..."

Awesome! Thanks!

Marguerita. (Sorry guys, these are my last four days in lisbon and i have been reading loads of fragments of books for my thesis and i'm craaaazy!)

Suellen wrote: "Marguerita. (Sorry guys, these are my last four days in lisbon and i have been reading loads of fragments of books for my thesis and i'm craaaazy!)"

I didn't get it hahahaha. Are you nominating The Master and Margarita?!

I think so, Lidiana! (Or maybe I need tons of margueritas haha!) Yes, this is my chosen one! :)

I think so, Lidiana! (Or maybe I need tons of margueritas haha!) Yes, this is my chosen one! :)

Suellen wrote: "I think so, Lidiana! (Or maybe I need tons of margueritas haha!) Yes, this is my chosen one! :)"

After staying up until late to see Gaga's tribute yo Bowie, I also need many margueritas hahahahahah

I would like to nominate The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea by Yukio Mishima.

Thanks, Sirena...

I nominate Billy Liar also. I am in need of reading something light and with a group it would be more fun to talk about.

Sandra wrote: "I nominate Billy Liar also. I am in need of reading something light and with a group it would be more fun to talk about."

Thank you, Sandra...

Just a curiosity... We are almost a week away from closing the nominations and so far we have 8 books making the cut. From these 8 titles, 6 will be on the list for the first time...

I would like to nominate A Clockwork Orange

Isabela wrote: "I would like to nominate A Clockwork Orange"

Thanks, Isa :)

I would like to nominate Billy Liar.

Wendy wrote: "I would like to nominate Billy Liar."

Thank you, Wendy...

I would like to nominate The Outsider by Colin Wilson

Pedro wrote: "I would like to nominate The Outsider by Colin Wilson"

Thank you, Pedro...

Well, guys, I suppose I can "close" our nominations... We already have 10 books running for our April book spot. An incredibly diverse list, must I add... Bowie would be proud...

The poll will start tomorrow :)

Lidiana wrote: "Well, guys, I suppose I can "close" our nominations... We already have 10 books running for our April book spot. An incredibly diverse list, must I add... Bowie would be proud...

The poll will sta..."



Just a quick reminder: April poll closes tomorrow. There is still some time to vote, if you haven't.

So, there is a tie... Let's go to the final battle between Billy Liar and The Master and Margarita...

Guys, April's book poll is so neck to neck that you can use this thread to "campaign" for your favorite :)

I, for example, voted for The Master and Margarita because:

1- It is in my all time top 10 favorites!
2- Even if I order Billy Liar before the poll ends, it won't arrive in time for me to read.

I voted for Margarita because I haven't read it, whereas I read Liar in school (still keen to see what I think of it as an adult and voluntary reader though!)

I nominated and voted for Billy Liar because Master and Margarita would be the third re-read in a row for me, and I'd like to jump into something new, plus I like the idea of reading something not-so-serious after two very heavy reads. Additionally, it seems like a book that must have spoken to Bowie pretty directly back when he was still a young David Jones, so I'm really curious about it on that score.

That said, Master and Margarita is terrific so I certainly can't begrudge it!

I voted for Billy Liar for the same reason I nominated it. I need a good light-hearted read, especially after reading In Cold Blood. Also, because I've already read Master and Margarita.

I voted for Billy Liar because I need a lighter read.
And I do not have the time to read the Master and Margarita at the moment (I know very selfish reason there).
Billy Liar is so British and is reminiscent of Britain in the 50s, it will bring me closer to Bowie :-)

I voted for Master and Margarita because I actually have a copy of it and will not have to go in search of the book.

The Master and Margarita is one of my all-time favorite books; I just picked up a new (used) paperback since my copy is totally falling apart... but it's been some years since I've reread the book and this is a good excuse to dig in again.

Almost closing our tiebreak poll. The one with most votes so far :)

Marguerita plus great novel = seems legit