I'm not trying to play obtuse or give you a hard time, Hec. I truly do not understand.

Well, I can only speak to how I'd do it. If I were leading on J.G. Ballard's Crash, for example, I would probably link to his introduction to the French edition, since that's a famous essay on what inspired the book. I'd specifically discuss his radical use of language in the book (he uses medical and technical language for literary purposes) and how that affects the story. I'd talk about the British science fiction scene in the late sixties/early seventies and which authors shared similar concerns and approaches. I'd talk about Ballard's influence on not only cyberpunk, but on social thought. Stuff like that. As the discussion got going, I'd try to address specific questions about what was happening in the plot, or what the author was trying to do or why certain elements weren't working - but mainly I'd expect to let the discussion evolve naturally after the framework I gave it.

(Note: I wouldn't pitch Crash because I don't think there's a wide interest here to support it.)

Also? I think Hec likes saying "winnow." Winnow winnow winnow. Try it!

Did I say "winnow"? I meant minnow. It's all about Gilligan's Island in my head.

And from the other extreme, I'd say it could be as little as throwing an initial post out there stating why you love/like/think it worthwhile, along with some questions or major themes that occur to you. It doesn't have to be a huge deal.

Gar, your last para is making my head explode. Seriously, I don't think it'll be nearly as complicated in practice as we're all anticipating, but ten-day lag times could easily drive us all insane, as would a unanimity requirement.

Did I say "winnow"? I meant minnow. It's all about Gilligan's Island in my head.

Possibly "window." I don't hear so good out of my left ear, ever since the cold snap of nineteen-ought-two....

Unfortunatly Gar's entire well thoght out and lovely post is making my head explode. I say (seriously) people volunteer to pick a book. We go in random order. They pick a book. We read a book. They either lead or don't lead as they see fit. They announce the day the discussiuon s starting. We discuss. Then we move on to the next book.

I'm not sure you'd have to lead. I think once the date came around people would come in saying something like "Dude. His use of language was blahblahblahbrainybuffista talk." And then you'd probably talk about the stuff you know about the book and we'd argue and discuss.

I want to read Sci-Fi with JenP, specifically. That is all. Oh, and that book Teppy's friends' cleaning lady found with...um... yeah.

I'm thinking like Sophia

probably because I am bent to her will

It's starting to make me cramp up.

Oh, and that book Teppy's friends' cleaning lady found with...um... yeah.

Curse your memory!

I could lead a discussion on that, you betcha.

Well, there you go. And if the person who picked the book wanted to throw out discussion points, or link to other useful reading, or whatever, great. If not, then a simple, "So, what'd you think?"

Now, the only thing ... I'd want to make sure we didn't pick five of the same kind of book in a row. But, that's an easy enough thing to ask of people.