NYRB Classics discussion

Any thoughts on what to read in December?

One that I've heard is a good Christmas book is Rock Crystal, if anyone is interested.

Nick

I've read it. Nice book.

I haven't read it, but it looks interesting so I'll add it to my TBR regardless. Nick, I can't seem to find any books that have a Holiday feel. Should I just search for lighter subject matter?

letter killers club?

I too have read Rock Crystal. It's a very short book (I read it on a train journey) so I'm wondering if a short book is what would suit everyone, or will we have time for something longer? A friend told me the other day that Kaputt is very good. It certainly has a striking cover!

I have to say that Kaputt is probably one of the most graphic and horrific novels of "behind the scenes" of war ever printed.

So, are we going for a Christmas theme or whatever we want to read next?

Anne wrote: "I have to say that Kaputt is probably one of the most graphic and horrific novels of "behind the scenes" of war ever printed.

So, are we going for a Christmas theme or whatever we want to re..."

I take it that's a thumbs down then!

"I take it that's a thumbs down then! "

Not necessarily. Just a warning. I'll go along with whatever others want to read. I've read it, so I'll be happy to discuss it.

Nothing to do with the December choice, but I was amused to see that Hari Kunzru has the NYRB bug too. In The Guardian's Books of The Year section today he says: "As ever a lot of my reading has been books that haven't been released this year – many titles in the wonderful New York Review Books classics series, whose multicoloured spines now take up a good two feet of bookshelf in my apartment". The full feature can be seen here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/...

Thank you for the link, Declan. Two feet of NYRBs. Not bad.

Nice new picture Anne. It prompted me to change mine too, but I don't think it works. Yours is nice and clear. I might have to revert to the elegant chap I had before.

Hi Declan. Thank you. My avatar is almost invisible, I fear. Your new chap isn't. But both of ours are reading books.

I'd love to read Rock Crystal. It sounds like the right length and tone for the season.

I'd like to read Rock Crystal also.

It is a nice book for Christmas. It has the right spirit. I looked around NYRB and there is nothing else that is remotely Christmasy.

We don't have to do anything Christmas themed of course. I did ask around and the only other titles people thought were holiday appropriate were The Box of Delights (a children's book, to be clear) and The Fountain Overflows.

We could also do The Letter Killers Club, but its publication day is 12/6, so might be a bit late. The two most recent titles we have come out with are Alice James: A Biography and The Adventures of Sindbad. Neither of which I've read and would be down to. I'll put some on a poll soon and we can let the consensus decide.

Nick

I loved The Fountain Overflows, I'm a big Rebecca West fan.

I don't particularly care if it's Christmasy, but we're getting into a busy season, so I am voting for shorter.

I'd be happy to do The Fountain Overflows. Just picked it up today as a matter of fact.

I'd also like to nominate [Book: The Late Mattia Pascal]. It could be the version of Scrooge where he never wakes from his dream.

Mikki wrote: "I'd also like to nominate [Book: The Late Mattia Pascal]. It could be the version of Scrooge where he never wakes from his dream."

I want to read this!!

It's nearly December. When are we going to decide?

Nick will put up a poll once all nominations are submitted. We'll vote from there.

Ok, ok. I just have to be patient. Can you tell that I used to read all my English reading assignments during the first month of school?? Ha!

The wait is over, the poll is up. It's currently up till December 6th to give people some time, also that's the on-sale date of The Letter Killers Club so everyone should be able to find it if it wins. I also added some titles that were mentioned in previous months. And of course, write-ins are welcome.

Nick

Thanks, Nick!

I'm wondering if we could all vote for two books and then we'll have our December and january reads. Seems easier than voting each month.