Little bit of Colson Whitehead trivia. Before he wrote The Intuitionist (his first novel) he was the tv writer/critic for the Village Voice -- and a Buffy fan.

Here's an essay by Colson titled I Worked At An Ill Conceived Internet Start Up And All I Got Was This Lousy Idea For a Novel. (It's about his second novel, John Henry Days.) There's also a picture of him there if you want to take a peek.

I like Wolfram's suggestion, but it's hard to follow.

Tell me about it. Just re-reading it gave me headache.

So glad this wasn't just me.

Kate, I was off looking, and it looks like they have it one town over. I'm going away soon, so I'll just hop over there tomorrow. I can use my local library card, there. I would actually buy it, but it would come while I'm away, and that's no good.

Heather, it would be really nice if you could pick book 2 really soon, just for my selfish reasons.

FYI, I've decided not to do the book club after all, largely because the last thing I need right now is another time commitment, but also because upon reflection I realized that the only way I'd ever be happy in a book club is if it had a focus related to something I'm naturally interested in--like the science book club I would've joined at my old workplace if only I'd discovered it sooner than two weeks before I left. Or maybe a Georgian/Regency book club combining history and fiction from and about the era, which I just thought of and decided would be lots of fun. So if anyone ever wants to start a book club where we read Austen, O'Brian, Heyer, a good Wellington biography, etc., let me know.

But anyway, the reason I'm posting this is because I figured I should let people know I was leaving so the books I suggested ( Jaran and Persuasion) could be taken off the table unless someone else wants to champion them.

So, would we need to be able to finish a book in two weeks? Because that seems a little fast to me.

This is the part I can't seem to explain right. If implemented right we will always have at least a month's notice on each book. Unless people think they literally can't read more than 12 books a year.

Susan -- I imagine that everyone doesn't have to read every book. Why not join in for the books that interest you and skip the others?

I'll make a choice tomorrow Cindy, or had you rather I did it sooner. I can maybe do it by 6, but it would be hasty and done while boss-man's not around.

We'll miss you Susan! Check the Press for the next books, maybe something you like will come up, or maybe you'll have more time later.

We'll miss you Susan! Check the Press for the next books, maybe something you like will come up, or maybe you'll have more time later.

Thanks! I'll keep an eye out in Press.

I'll make a choice tomorrow Cindy, or had you rather I did it sooner. I can maybe do it by 6, but it would be hasty and done while boss-man's not around.

Don't be hasty. I think we can wait a few days on book 2 if we have to.

Susan -- I imagine that everyone doesn't have to read every book. Why not join in for the books that interest you and skip the others?

I know that's what I'll do, either because of interest, or just plain old time. I'm sure there will be times when we read Austen, etc. There might even be times when we're reading something you've just read. I wouldn't want you to feel like you shouldn't play, even when Annabel and work allows.

This touches something I wanted to broach with the group, regarding the possibility of doing the pairings. I am a very fast reader. But I need quiet when I read. I have 3 kids and a husband. Quiet time when I'm conscious is elusive. Would it be objectionable to people, when we read a pair of books, if some of us end up reading only one? Would it detract from the conversation?

Heather, never mind and thank you. I was getting calendar confusion. I mean, I am going away, but when I am away is way before the other book will be due. It would be nice to pick them up at the same time, but it's not even important, if I can't. Sorry for the confusion.

Would it be objectionable to people, when we read a pair of books, if some of us end up reading only one? Would it detract from the conversation?

I don't have any problem with that. I don't think anybody would.