Books on the Nightstand discussion

I have wanted to read this book since I heard the author interviewed on The Guardian. And now I really MUST read it!

I love the idea of discussing it in a group and comparing what people thought depending on which story was read first. Maybe it would be a fun BOTNS group readalong?

Jana wrote: "I have wanted to read this book since I heard the author interviewed on The Guardian. And now I really MUST read it!

I love the idea of discussing it in a group and comparing what people thought ..."

I'm in Jana. Especially if we can wait a few weeks. I'll have to see where I can find it and I have 2 books that I HAVE to read before the end of the month. I only work through next Thursday and then I have a month off.

First off, Ann - you did not spoil anything!! I felt so badly about the way the episode ended.

I went straight to my local bookshop where there were two copies, both beginning with George's story. Of course, now that I know there's a choice, I can't decide which one I'd read first. I left empty handed.

I like the idea of a BOTNS readalong. I really enjoy the real time aspect of the Ford audiobook club, where books are discussed as they're read.

I've also put You on my audiobook TBR. It'll be next up once I finish The People in the Trees!

I don't think it was a spoiler either! The author interview I heard talked about it being like a painting that another artist painted over. You could have seen it first in the original and it would be one thing, or you might have seen the later one. That is so intriguing! (The Guardian interview is great, but that's the general idea).

Fun that there is some interest in a read-along at some point.

It was not a spoiler. If you listen to any other book podcasts you have known how the book was written at least since it was long listed for the Booker. I believe it was out earlier in the UK.

I love that description!

Jana wrote: "I don't think it was a spoiler either! The author interview I heard talked about it being like a painting that another artist painted over. You could have seen it first in the original and it would..."

I'll add my vote to "no spoiler". I intend to buy the book without checking which story is first. Ali Smith is one of my favourite authors, and I recommend The Accidental and, especially, Hotel World.

Smith has a lively discussion about the writing of How to be both at http://www.cbc.ca/books/2014/10/write... though it would have been nice to slow her parts done a notch in order to follow her racing brain! 8^D I can't say for certain that this interview doesn't contain spoilers, but I feel that I got a good backgrounder to the novel.

I just finished How to be both and would love to chat with others who have read it. I am wide awake thinking about it and wondering if I would have liked it better reading it the other way around.

Tracey wrote: "I just finished How to be both and would love to chat with others who have read it. I am wide awake thinking about it and wondering if I would have liked it better reading it the ot..."

Tracey,

I have it in my pile and it will be my next book. Who started yours?

Linda wrote: "Tracey wrote: "I just finished How to be both and would love to chat with others who have read it. I am wide awake thinking about it and wondering if I would have liked it better re..."
Francesco started mine and I found it difficult to follow what was going on. I felt like I was only getting bits and pieces of what was going on. Following it up with George, many things fell into place. And it makes Francesco's part seem like it was something George made up.

I wonder which came first for Ali Smith, George's story or Francesco's.

I want to thank BOTNS for recommending "How to be both". Just finished it last night. Never read a book like this and would not have picked it up if I hadn't heard it discussed on BOTNS. Suffice to say that my mind is still spinning. My book started with Francesco's but I felt George's story had more emotional depth (maybe being a mom of a 12 y.o. daughter who is full of questions, I identified more with this stream :)). Will be checking out some author interviews. Can't get this book off my mind...How to be both

I was wary of this, thinking it might be too experimental for my tastes, but was curious about Ali Smith, so I've been reading her short story collection, The Whole Story and Other Stories, and really, really enjoying it. Her ideas are unusual, but her writing is accessible, precise, and smart.