21st Century Literature discussion

Nominations are now open until January 22nd for the April 2021 Open Pick.

Nominating guidelines:
- Fiction (original & translation, if applicable) first published between January 1, 2000 and April 1, 2020. 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 the group bookshelf or the Index of all Group Reads here)
- A book that is not better suited to the wild card (genre) category

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

The discussion will start on April 1st

I nominate The Second Coming of Mavala Shikongo by Peter Orner.

Thanks Linda. Still thinking about whether to throw one in myself.

I'd love to renominate lori's nomination from last month, Behold the Dreamers, since I got excited about reading it and found it at my used book store.

I nominate The Sorrows of an American by Siri Hustvedt, because I would like to reread it.

Just a quick reminder that tomorrow (Monday) is the last day for nominations.

I am going to nominate Such Small Hands, Andrés Barba. My intent here is to offer a shorter alternative, since March and April will probably be a busy reading time with Women's Prize and Booker International Prize releasing their longlists.

Thanks Sam, and belated thanks to Bretnie.

Mind everyone that my choice is only in anticipation of everyone having a busy schedule. If the members are not planning to read either of those longlists, I encourage the other options.

Nominations are now closed. The poll is up here, and will run until March 1st:
https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/2...

This poll is now deadlocked, with two votes for each of the four books. So if you have not voted yet and would like to influence the decision, please do so. I have extended the deadline to March 2nd, and will extend it again if necessary (we can't have a run-off poll without eliminating at least one of the choices).

Linda, The Second Coming of Mavala Shikongo has won the poll. Are you happy to lead the discussion?

I can't see myself participating in this one because copies are thin on the ground in the UK.

Second Coming kindle version is on sale today in US for $1.99.

Hugh wrote: "I can't see myself participating in this one because copies are thin on the ground in the UK."
If it makes you feel any better, U.S. Amazon is selling The Life of an Unknown Man paperbacks for $978. The Kindle version is $9.99.

Sure Hugh, I'll lead. FYI, on Abebooks, I see 2 copies of the book for sale. One is pretty reasonable at 4.95GBP from Love2Love Books in London. Shipping to US is prohibitive, but shouldn't be too bad in UK.

Thanks for the info on Kindle price in US Marc.

Hugh wrote: "I can't see myself participating in this one because copies are thin on the ground in the UK."

Not available new in the US according to my local independent book seller who works hard to find things when asked - but I found a few used copies on Biblio.com for anyone looking.

Are you interested in reading e-books ? I found this book as well as This thing of Darkness free e-books on a website.

In the U.S. it's currently $2 on Kindle. And on Abebooks there are many, many used copies for $4 or less.

I saw that copy on Abe but didn't want to deprive anyone keener of the only cheap one. I was not criticising the choice, just explaining why I won't participate. I am not against ebooks in principle but I prefer to avoid Amazon where alternatives are possible and don't have a kindle.

I voted for it & will be able to read a library copy. (So, I don't need access to one of the affordable ones to buy if that is holding Hugh or anyone else back....)

Hugh wrote: "I saw that copy on Abe but didn't want to deprive anyone keener of the only cheap one. I was not criticising the choice, just explaining why I won't participate. I am not against ebooks in principl..."

There's over 20 cheap copies available on Abebooks. And if anyone wants the ebook and (justifiably) hates Amazon, it's also $1.99 on Kobo.