21st Century Literature discussion

Welcome, everyone!

This group is a place where we read and discuss 21st century fiction. We'll be periodically selecting a book to read as a group, but we hope you'll feel free to discuss anything else you're reading, particularly if it's contemporary fiction of any genre.

We encourage you to read the club's group read, but we understand that life sometimes gets in the way of reading. But please participate when you can, whether in the group read or other topics. The more people who post, the more interesting the group becomes!

So thanks for joining us, chat early and often, and have fun!

In another group I participate in, they encourage everyone to add to the bookshelf. I'm not certain what use that has beyond a jumping off place for discussions about what everyone's reading, but maybe it's a policy worth looking at.

Hi, by the way.

I think everybody might be encouraged to nominate things to read, but I'm not sure we just want to add them. There's an awful lot of groups, and I think (IMO) the attraction of this idea is the focus of time combined with the thought that we'll be exposed to things we might otherwise not be aware. The nomination process will perhaps weed out many books I might to read, but I will have never been aware of them had somebody just dumped them into a shelf. By considering whether or not the group will read them, then voting, I'll have to look into them.

Really happy to see this group continue with new moderators. I joined the last group just in time for it to go belly up...I love the concept and am really looking forward to reading and discussing the books we select!

I feel the need to apologize for signing up then not pulling my weight. Unfortunately I've had another relapse so although reading is no problem, writing about what I've read totally wears me out. This too shall pass.

Don't worry about it! That you're still here, reading with us, making it through another day is all it's about. Write when you feel like it!

Absolutely!

I'm glad you're still reading! Please don't feel guilty about not writing. "Group participation" should never feel like a burden. Hope things get better soon.

Welcome aboard!

why hello!

Hey there.

So excited to start reading mariukami book!!iveheard such good things about his writing style and really hope to dive into his hard boiled eggs title.

I've started pre-reading it to lead the discussion, and I'm blown away it's so good thus far.

Looking forward!

I am happy to be a (new) part of this group. I have have wanted to read 1Q84 but always had other unread titles in my "to-read" queue. I can't wait to start the discussion.

The Art of Fielding and The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay both blew me away, I'd go with those, but we're starting two fascinating books in a week.

I really want to discuss The Bone People

By keri Hume. Although.. It did come out in 1983 :/

If you're referring to The Bone People the booker prize winner, unfortunatly it was written in 1983, so is outside the scope of the group. I sympathize as there are a couple of books that year I'd love to group read.

OK, what about Middlesex??

Fine with me, but I believe many in this group read it as part of a group last year. But still, all you have to do is to nominate any eligible (based upon year of publication) book the next nominating period. That should be around April 2nd or so, and a week later we'll set up two polls for everybody to vote on the nominated books. I'll also send everybody a message when it's time to nominate, vote, and when they're selected.

OK soundsgood. I was just checking out the nomination discussion

Both great choices. If you want a more literary adventure (more word focused. I can't explain, just go with me) try My Name is Red

Hi. I'm always on the lookout for interesting new writers and I think I've found just the group to help in that search.

L.T.

Hallo and welcome! Yes, this is just the group :)

Hello! I am Tyas Effendi from Indonesia. Anyone from Indonesia too? ;D

Hallo and welcome!

I wonder how many different nationalities/countries we constitute in this group. (I'm from the UK, by the way).

I'm from the Bronx.

Ellie wrote: "I'm from the Bronx."

I knew I liked you!

Hello everyone! I am so excited to have found this book club! I have a book list a mile long, and it will be wonderful to have a few new books to read each month that I may never have heard of, or bump one up on my reading list! 11/22/63 is a book I have been wanting to read, maybe if I start it today, I can finish it before the end of the month!

Oh, that would be good! But it's a long, long book...

Danielle--I think we all have reading lists "a mile long." It is one of the symptoms :-) I have also wanted to read 11/23/63 since it came out but have not gotten to it yet.

I thought I already said hello from Ann Arbor Michigan

Cyn-definitely a symptom, that's why we're all here!

Hello all! I have been on GR for a while but just now really becoming more of an active participant. I love discussing books with other booklovers and I'm always excited to hear about another great novel to add to the my to-read list. Hoping through this group to do just that while making new friends!

Hello all,
I could use some 21st century book recommendations seeing as I often have my head in the old stuff... lol
I'm originally from Belgium but now live in the San Francisco Bay Area. Looking forward to browsing through the group :)

This is a great group. One of the best!

Helloe Everyone,

Just came across the group this morning and am looking forward to getting to know everyone a bit better and to learn and talk about some great books.

Jason

*smiles*

Under an assumed name, I hope!

Hi, I'm Stephanie :) I've also been on GR for a while, and I'm trying to make an effort to get more involved as well. I love to chat about books, and would love to chat with all of you and share opinions!

Hello Stephanie! This is as good a place as any. Look forward to chatting and sharing opinions.

Hi, I'm trying to read a broader range of books and this looks like the perfect place to do it

Hi, I'm Candiss. I'm another who found the group due to its being featured recently.

I love many types of literature - speculative fiction, works in translation, classics, contemporary lit, etc. The past few years, my reading lists have settled so that I seem to read far more speculative fiction than anything else, and while I do love it, I decided I needed to keep myself from falling into a rut. I thought it would be helpful and enjoyable to get involved in a group focused on recent/contemporary literature - a strata I don't dig about in nearly as often as I should. (I tend to avoid best-sellers, and thus I often miss something wonderful. I need to break this habit of eschewing books that are popular, because sometimes they are so for very good reasons!)

I'm looking forward to starting in with The Cave with the group as soon as I can get my copy from the library. As luck would have it, both of this month's group picks are speculative fiction, which should surely be a sign to me. (I just recently had to return 1Q84 to the library for another patron's hold, and I was only 1/3 of the way done, so I will be unlikely to be able to get involved with that one.)

Nice to meet you Candiss, that was a great intro! If you haven't read our earlier picks,

Then give them a consideration!

How right you are Candiss: both the April reads are great examples of speculative fiction. I look forward to hearing what you think about 'The Cave' when your copy arrives!

Hello all!
I'm looking forward to reading The Cave. I'm currently reading Skippy Dies and will give my opinion on iy=t as soon as I've finished.

Hello all, brand new to the group, found it while I was paging through discussions of The Art of Fielding. I had been saving this book for the start of baseball season, and the first 100 pages have been great. Looking forward to talking with all of you and hearing your opinions!

We're looking forward to hearing from you too – all of you!

hello guys! i am new :D