21st Century Literature discussion

Nominations are now open until February 22nd for the April 2018 Open Pick.

Nominating guidelines:
- Fiction (original & translation, if applicable) first published between January 1, 2000 and April 1, 2017. For translations the latter date must be an English edition.
- One nomination per person (please do not nominate or vote for a book unless you are certain you can read and discuss if it wins)
- A book this group has not yet read (see group bookshelf)

If you are nominating, please begin your post by stating "I nominate [name with hyperlink to book]

I nominate Animal's People by Indra Sinha

Thanks Robert

I nominate Pachinko by Min Jin Lee.

Thanks Laurie

I nominate A Separation by Katie Kitamura

Thanks for starting this thread, Hugh. And thank you, Irene, for the most recent nomination.

I'd like to nominate the runner up book from March that Doug nominated -- The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne. I like Boyne but had not heard of this novel's publication. I acquired it when it was winning in March with only a day or two left.

LindaJ^ wrote: "I'd like to nominate the runner up book from March that Doug nominated -- The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne. I like Boyne but had not heard of this novel's pu..."

Thanx LindaJ .. I was too sheepish to re-nominate - but do still want to read it also!

I nominate Shalimar the Clown by Salman Rushdie.

Thanks for all of those great nominations - no problem with any of them so far.

I nominate All for Nothing by Walter Kempowski. First published in 2006. The GR blurb identifies Kempowski as one of Germany's most important and popular post-war authors. Intro by Jenny Erpenbeck.

Great choices!

Ami wrote: "I nominate Shalimar the Clown by Salman Rushdie."

Count me in for Shalimar. I recently heard Rushdie read from and discuss The Golden House, which re-interested me in reading his novels that I've yet to read.

I agree, Dan. Every book of his I've read so far has been brilliant!

Carol wrote: "I nominate All for Nothing by Walter Kempowski. First published in 2006. The GR blurb identifies Kempowski as one of Germany's most important and popular post-war au..."

Here is an interesting piece on Kempowski that appeared in my Twitter feed a couple of days ago: https://lithub.com/can-we-ever-escape...

Patrick wrote: "Carol wrote: "I nominate All for Nothing by Walter Kempowski. First published in 2006. The GR blurb identifies Kempowski as one of Germany's most important and popul..."

Thanks, Patrick! Very interesting and sobering.

Thanks Patrick and Carol. I’d be very interested to read All for Nothing. In fact I plan to, even if it doesn’t become our April choice.

Kirsten wrote: "I agree, Dan. Every book of his I've read so far has been brilliant!"

Dan wrote: "Ami wrote: "I nominate Shalimar the Clown by Salman Rushdie."

Count me in for Shalimar. I recently heard Rushdie read from and discuss The Golden House, which re-interest..."

Nice! I look forward to reading with you, if it wins! Funny enough, Dan, I heard him briefly talk about “TGH” last night, believe it or not? Can’t wait to get my hands on it either ;)

Thanks, Sue.

Me, too!

TGH isn’t among Rushdie’s finest. But it’s interesting and enjoyable, especially for readers following contemporary US politics and who are familiar with New York City.

I have the same view. I first thought it would be like fury, which i didn't like but i was pleasantly surprised

I nominate Three Daughters of Eve.

Ami wrote: "Kirsten wrote: "I agree, Dan. Every book of his I've read so far has been brilliant!"

Dan wrote: "Ami wrote: "I nominate Shalimar the Clown by Salman Rushdie."

Count me ..."
I read Shalimar long enough ago that I don't remember a lot about it, except liking it very much. I 5-starred Golden House - it isn't on par with Midnight's Children (what is?) but it was very satisfying for this Rushdie fan :)

Nadine wrote: "Ami wrote: "Kirsten wrote: "I agree, Dan. Every book of his I've read so far has been brilliant!"

Dan wrote: "Ami wrote: "I nominate Shalimar the Clown by Salman Rushdie...."

it isn't on par with Midnight's Children (what is?)
I'm smiling from ear to ear because of this comment, I loved "MC..." One of my all time favorites! So, fingers crossed you're wanting to reread "StC?" :P

Ami wrote: "Nadine wrote: "Ami wrote: "Kirsten wrote: "I agree, Dan. Every book of his I've read so far has been brilliant!"

Dan wrote: "Ami wrote: "I nominate Shalimar the Clown by [author:Salman..."

I never re-read books - with the exception of Midnight's Children ;) But I may have to re-think this policy......

Nadine wrote: "...I never re-read books ..."

Such pleasure you deny yourself, Nadine. (I basically never did either, until Eman (Western Canon moderator here on Goodreads) began preaching at us back on Barnes and Noble ~2007. I eventually folded. Still don't reread alot. But no longer never.)

Last chance to add to these great nominations

Nominations are now closed. The poll is up here:
https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/1...

This is looking very close again

Last day to vote on the April open pick poll

While I nominated The Heart's Invisible Furies, which appears to have won, it is really Doug's nomination and I hope you will ask him to moderate! (I will be reading it but will be traveling in remote areas in the second half of April and not lugging a laptop or PC.

Doug - are you willing to moderate?

I WAS planning on deferring to LindaJ, since this time it was her nomination - but since she's declined, I'd be happy to!

Thanks Doug

EXCELLENT! I'm excited to read this book.