I thought recs were always open. People should rec carefully though so we don't end up having 100s of books on a list that can only accomodate 12 a year. Should we require new recs to have a second or something?

I have a rec that I mentioned in literary to resounding silence, but it is worth considering and is a recent book (1999). Say Goodbye: The Laurie Moss Story by Lewis Shiner. It is kind of a melancholy rock and roll journal. I liked it very much.

I would say wait until the old ones are used up first, or use them for a set period of time- dump them, and do it over again.

People should rec carefully though so we don't end up having 100s of books on a list that can only accomodate 12 a year. Should we require new recs to have a second or something?

I agree with this. I think it should be made retrospective too.

I would say wait until the old ones are used up first, or use them for a set period of time- dump them, and do it over again.

I think there were like thirty-something recs before. That's 3 years to use 'em up.

What if we limit it to 1 or 2 recs per person until that rec gets used or withdrawn by the suggestor?

I like the idea of adding to the list of recs as we go. This gives the selector a huge list to choose from. If this is too overwhelming, the selector can just look at the first 5, or 10, or whatever.

Regarding Asher Lev, I'm about a third of the way through, and am loving it. Which brings up an interesting thing re: The Intuitionist. Both are pretty completely outside of my experience, and yet I adore Asher Lev. I have always loved Chaim Potok's writing. I've got to think that the reason I didn't like The Intuitionist is because of the way it was written rather than the subject matter. Although I have nothing in common with 1940's and 50's Jewish boys from New York nor with black elevator inspectors who are women, Potok has a knack for drawing me in.

I've never read any of his work before, but I'm really really loving it, and looking forward to talking about it.

I loved it as well. Although I really liked The Intuitionist, it actually felt kind of refreshing because the style was so different.

I'd like for people to be able to continue to rec at will, but second the call for an exercise of judgement in not going crazy with it.

second the call for an exercise of judgement in not going crazy with it.

Third.