NYRB Classics discussion

Which book would you like to read for our October book club pick? I'll definitely be adding Act of Passion to the poll, any other titles look interesting?

I think several Simenon titles have already been mentioned. Or are you thinking of non-Simenon books?

I think we should probably add some of the unpicked titles from the September poll back into the equation, as they had their adherents.

Good idea. For a light read, Dud Avocado.

Dud Avocado has been recommended to me a lot, and a light read might be good right about now.

I'm voting for that awful mess on the via merulana by carlo emilio gadda since it seems like such a fitting october & spooky read.

I'm up for anything. However, I'm in agreement that a spooky read would be fitting for October and am thinking that if not Gadda, maybe Simenon's "The Strangers In The House" might still be a good pick.

For a Halloween read, how about The Pumpkin Eater by Penelope Mortimer. Don't know about the story, but the title fits.

Strangers In The House is fine with me as well.

I should point out that Act of Passion is not available until October 18th for non-subscribers.

I'd be interested in any Simenon. I read one of his a few years back, but I'd read it again.

Strangers in the House wouldn't work for me since I don't subscribe. Yet.

Jean wrote: "I'd be interested in any Simenon. I read one of his a few years back, but I'd read it again.

Strangers in the House wouldn't work for me since I don't subscribe. Yet."

I just changed my post. Strangers In the House is available. I actually have it at home. Act of Passion is the one that isn't available until October 18th.

Yes, Act of Passion is out for this month. In the October theme, how about Don't Look Now: Selected Stories of Daphne Du Maurier? Short stories, but scary. Also, we do have an edition of The War of the Worlds, though it's hardcover and therefore slightly more expensive (but has Edward Gorey illustrations).

I like Selena's suggestion of That Awful Mess on the Via Merulana, or I would like to go with one of the Simenon books.

I vote for Simenon.In terms of Halloween, it's a fun idea, but it will be at the end of the month and we'll be done reading and discussing by then.

I own The Strangers In The House already, but then also ordered That Awful Mess on the Via Merulana last night.

Nick, Don't Look Now is a definite "to-read" for me as I love short stories. Might be squeezing that in during October too.

Did I miss something somewhere? What do you mean by "subscribing" and what does that do for one?

Let's see...too many good titles is a problem. I would say Don't Look Now or The Strangers in the House. Both sound properly fabulous.

New York Review Books wrote: "Yes, Act of Passion is out for this month. In the October theme, how about Don't Look Now: Selected Stories of Daphne Du Maurier? Short stories, but scary. Also, we do have an editio..."
Yes to Don't Look Now!

Trish wrote: "Did I miss something somewhere? What do you mean by "subscribing" and what does that do for one?"

Hey Trish!

Yes, if you look on the NYRB website, they offer a subscription book club where one new title is sent out each month. A person can choose from a 6 or 12 month plan. I don't belong...yet, but it's so tempting.

I just ordered and received Don't Look Now and will be reading it in October as well as whatever other title is decided upon. I seriously need an intervention.

Also, if we are completely diving into Halloween theme, there is The Haunted Looking Glass: Ghost Stories, a collection of Edward Gorey's favorite scary tales.

I do want to read The Pumpkin Eater, but it's not a Halloween themed.

I'll set up a poll soon, and of course write-ins are always welcome.

Nick

Just got a copy of The Strangers in the House. Can't wait. Did we decide already? :>

The poll is up in case you haven't seen it. I can't decide...

I have voted.

I voted also but was really torn...

Okay, I voted, but in the end I don't really mind which we read.

It looks like a landslide for Don't Look Now. I didn't vote for it, but I'm happy to read it. I decided to vote for a book which I already own. Oh well, what's one more book?

I like the way you think, Anne!

Thanks Cindy.

How, I wonder, did the words "Awful Me" get in before the title of That Awful Mess on the Via Merulana? It can't have helped its chances of getting picked as awful me seems to be the only one to vote for it!

Too funny, Declan!

well, i know i can't decide. and i'm feeling flustered because i still haven't managed to read Skylark...hopefully no one here has problems with reviving "dead" threads? because i'm sure Miss Chatty Me will have something to say once i've read it...

now to focus on October. Just tell me what to read. :P

I just put in my order for , so it had better win!

I think I've read most of the short stories in the collection before, and they are fantastic. Great choice for October.

Cindy wrote: "I just put in my order for , so it had better win!
Great minds think alike Cindy. I also ordered my book. The poll results so far made me do it (besides, I heard that these stories are great).

Just got my copy of . When do we begin?

I had extended the poll date to October 6th because I got the poll up slightly later than I would have wished.

Can't figure out how to adjust the date, but let's say that the end date for the poll is October 1st--leaving Don't Look Now in a commanding position. Perhaps there will be some Halloween costume ideas in it..

About the error in Awful Mess--full responsibility is mine. I think I started to type the title, and then realized I should be using Goodreads book link function.

Worse things have happened.

Nick

p.s.
Just finished The Mangan Inheritance and really enjoyed it. Anyone who has an interested in Ireland or Irish poetry should check it out.

New York Review Books wrote: "Perhaps there will be some Halloween costume ideas in it.."

Lovely, smart, seafoam green, early 60's suit with matching hat.... and birds attached all over - maybe some birds on wires, coming in for a swoop.

Cindy wrote: ".... and birds attached all over - maybe so..."

YES! please! do put a bird on it.

Nick, the Mangan Inheritance is one of hte books currently staring me down that i am itching to read...

Marieke,
that clip is hilarious. How did you just so happen to have that available?

Anne wrote: "Marieke,
that clip is hilarious. How did you just so happen to have that available?"

ha! because i love to tell people to "put a bird on it" when they say anything about birds on things...and in this medium, i can link to the thing that makes me want to put birds on things! otherwise, people are like "what the heck are you talking about?!"

Haha! I'd never seen that before. I agree with Anne, that's hilarious! And so apropos.

Marieke, what the heck are you talking about?

I happen to be reading a different book by Brian Moore, The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne. All of his books looks good. I think we need a group just to read his books. I like the title of this one: The Emperor of Ice Cream.

I think we should put a bird on the Emperor of Ice Cream. pretty.

i have yet to read anything by Brian Moore, but now i am even more intrigued. i just have the Mangan Inheritance because of my NYRB Classics subscription, but he is totally new to me. so good to hear all his stuff seems good.

Marieke wrote: "I think we should put a bird on the Emperor of Ice Cream. pretty.

Ha Ha. I was thinking the same thing. But you want the birds to be pretty. I was thinking that they should be scary, like all the birds in the Hitchcock movie which is based on one of the stories in Don't Look Now called......The Birds.

I think bird dioramas in tribute to du Maurier are in order!

Marieke has birds on the brain today. That's not the same thing as having a bird brain.

Guilty as charged. :D

Marieke wrote: YES! please! do put a bird on it."

Oh, gosh, that's the best and I will be stealing your saying of "put a bird on it" and watch people's reaction -- to see if they get the reference or just laugh because they're unsure of how to respond. It's such a random thing to say!

Anne, I just ordered The Pumpkin Eater so maybe we can get it back on the poll for November. Think Thanksgiving and Pumpkin Pie. :D

Mmmmm piiiieeeee....

Oooh, The Pumpkin Eater looks really interesting. The description reminds me of the TV show In Treatment.

Cindy wrote: "Oooh, The Pumpkin Eater looks really interesting. The description reminds me of the TV show In Treatment."
This isn't a bad comparison, actually, although I can't remember if you ever "hear" the psychologist.