Thoughts?

Good luck to you on the job-hunt?

Also, I think a hiatus is a good idea.

Also, I've had some ideas about which books tend to generate better discussion here and which do not. I'll toss out some notions on that when I get a chance. Nothing inflammatory - just trying to work with the format here when we make selections.

I like the hiatus idea, because I haven't even had time to get the book, but less read. Honestly, at this point I don't even remember what book we're on. January sounds much better.

Good luck to you on the job-hunt?

Thanks. Admitting it on the board just makes it seem more real, y'know?

Also, I've had some ideas about which books tend to generate better discussion here and which do not. I'll toss out some notions on that when I get a chance. Nothing inflammatory - just trying to work with the format here when we make selections.

Love to hear 'em. I've enjoyed all the selections so far, but some definitely get a greater discussion response than others.

Admitting it on the board just makes it seem more real, y'know?

It's like a 12 step program.

I've enjoyed all the selections so far, but some definitely get a greater discussion response than others.

In brief, my observation is that the books which have generated the most discussion were things which people related to in a personal way. They wanted to discuss the characters actions and motives and relate them to things in their lives.

Now for some folks, that might seem like a big "Duh" - but that's not the way a lot of literary discussion goes (as we found out with The Intuitionist).

I just think a book like Russell Banks Sweet Hereafter which has ambiguities and human tragedy and muddled motives would provide space for speculation and discussion. I'm not pimping that particular book, mind you, it was just the first example that came to mind as the kind of book I think will work with this group in this format.

I think people enjoyed reading Small World but it's eventful, plot oriented structure didn't really open itself to discussion, and people weren't that keen on discussing its formal elements either.

I'm trying to think of some other examples of books which have a slightly more inward, character driven, psychologically astute approach, but also enough plot elements and complexity in the characters motives and decisions. Uhm, The Ice Storm?

Does anybody know what I'm getting at?

Wolfram, all the best to you. May you find exactly what you need, and find it better than you'd dared to hope.

I don't think most of us have the background/training to get into structural literary criticism. God knows if it gets beyond the basic progression of plot, I'm lost.

I'd kind of like to see somebody who understands that sort of thing use a book we've all read as in illustration of some of the points of lit crit. If I've got a point of common reference I can least try to follow the points being made.

I'd kind of like to see somebody who understands that sort of thing use a book we've all read as in illustration of some of the points of lit crit.

This is a good idea. Refer to something we all read at some point -- The Scarlet Letter or Catcher in the Rye, say -- as an example. Although I wouldn't want to limit conversation to that particular kind of crit. I don't read books with that in mind, to be honest -- I read them because I think I'll relate to them in some way, or because I think (hope?) the central conflict will make me look at some facet of life in a new way.

And then sometimes I just read to go somewhere completely different than my life, too, but that's another thing.

Finished Mr. Sandman. Can't wait to discuss.

So, is the consensus right now that for one of our upcoming books we should select something mainstream and/or popular that more folks can relate to?

Ah, forgot to look for book! Who's the author again?

Barbara Gowdy.

When in doubt, check the first post:

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