New book discussion?

Um... did we discuss/select a new book for the group to read? After slogging my way through all of the Elantris posts and multiple threads, I cannot recall if we are on the way to reading another book yet. Can someone help me out here, and pass the artichoke/jalapeno dip, please?

We've discussed Children of Hurin as a group read, and I'm all for that. Anyone else?

Bah, wonky touchstones...

I'm in!

I'll pass on the Tolkien, but y'all enjoy!

I'd like to read that one with the group, especially if we can get the author involved!

:)

Okay, you call Christopher, and I'll get out my Ouiji Board and call The Professor...

I'm up for Children of Hurin, but I gotta finish For a Few Demons More, first. Oi...plus I gotta read up on some rpg stuff, since my group is going to start Deadlands soon.

I think Children of Hurin would be nice but I plan to wait 'til the paperback so I'm out if this is the next read...

Good luck with the oija board, Groo!

I'll pass on that one as well. Did not like LotR as much as most people... am I allowed to say that in here?

Sounds good to me!

I'll pass as well for now, can't afford the hardcover. I do plan to get it in paperback, but I imagine that won't be out for a year or so.

I'll also passing. Not my type of book.

Wow, I'm surprised at all the passes here. It is "The Green Dragon", so I figured most everyone but me was rabid for Tolkien.

I'm in for it if we reach consensus, though, makes sense that this group would read it.

I guess I understand the price thing, though ordering it from Amazon, for instance, it's only 14 bucks. I'll bet the paperback is gonna be at least eight, when it comes out.

So, I do have an alternative selection, The Time Traveller's Wife that is sitting here staring at me, that I'd like to read.

Two others that call to me from the bookshelf, that aren't exactly fantasy, but sorta, are:
Contact by Carl Sagan
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay

Just throwing 'em out there for thoughts.....

I may lose my GD Membership Card but I really don't like reading Tolkien.

Let's face it. Most of us here because of the atmosphere. In my case it's all the free flowing Guinness. ;o) Oh, yeah... and because it was my idea to start the group.

I adored Tolkien as a 'yoot,' and because of that love and my fond memories I still enjoy reading him now. Other than that, 90% of the Fantasy I've read in the last 20 years I read because of the group reads we've had in here. *blush* My preferred genre is Literary Fiction.

I've already read and enjoyed all of the books Atomic has listed, so anything the rest of you chose is okay with me. No matter what you agree on, I will be starting a The Children of Húrin discussion thread at some point. Enough of us have shown interest to fill one thread at least. ;o)

Edit: The touchstones are on vacation. ;o)

I'm happy to group read Children of Hurin, though if something else comes up, then I'll be happy with that too (Temeraire is my choice to throw into the hat)... and that, ladies and gentlemen, is how to sit on the fence ;-)

I'd also pass on Children of Hurin - I'm not a big fan of buying hardbacks, and if I'm going to struggle through Tolkien's non-LotR stuff, I should go finish Unfinished Tales.

I'm putting a vote in for the Temeraire series... I already have a copy of His Majesty's Dragon sitting on top of my TBR pile.

I'd go with His "His Majesty's Dragon" as I haven't read it yet and think it would be good.

I am afraid I wouldn't be up for the children as I can't afford hardbacks and I had a hard time with just the simirillion.
I had to listen to the audio in the end.

I'm all for reading another book too. Any excuse to buy, oh, I mean read, another book!

I've read The Time Traveller's Wife and liked it. I would certainly enjoy reading it again.

His Majesty's Dragon is one I've never read, but the title intriques me.

#17 - Unfinished tales is the very reason I'm not too enthusiastic about Children of Hurin... I never ever managed to finish the book, it was such a disappointment after LoTR which I loved as a kid (and still enjoy).

I'd definitely participate in a discussion of The Time Traveller's Wife.

I'll join in on The Children of Hurin if I'm able to get a library copy, but it's not something I'd consider buying new in hardcover.

Or what about Anansi Boys from Neil Gaiman? It's out in paperback and I heard him read from it at a literature fair and it sounds awesome!

I'll turn that down... I really REALLY disliked it, even though I tried to give it a fair chance.
Maybe I wasn't in the right state of mind when I read it, I know people whose choice in reading material I respect (and share) who think it's a good book, but... no.
Sorry.

I'm not up for any more Neil Gaiman, maybe ever. So crushingly dissapointed in American Gods, I can't get over it. I had heard so many good things, and man, did that book blow chowder. Maybe after a while, but the wounds are still fresh for me. :)

OK, so that's a bit dramatic. But I might have a look at His Majesty's Dragon, though.

Seems to me like our finalists thus far are (meaning books that more than one person seems to be interested in):

Children of Hurin
His Majesty's Dragon
Time Traveller's Wife

There could be a couple more, before we set it to an "official" vote, I'd think......

I'd like to do His Majesty's Dragon. I've read Time Traveler's Wife too recently to want to read again.

#15 Clam, no wonder we have a 97% on that annoying box thingy that they won't let me turn off. I'm exactly the same re: fantasy and literary fiction. Although I did love Jonathan Strange and the Otori series. And Elantris was pretty good.

I would also give a pass to Time Traveller's Wife. Overrated, imo. Couldn't get through American Gods. Dragons aren't a big thing with me, but I could be persuaded if that one is picked.

Actually, since this is the Green Dragon, I think we should let the Tolkien-ers read that and those of us with less enthusiasm for fantasy can wait for the next round.

I'd only join Children of hurin in paperback, I just don't have room for any hardbacks...

I'd second Contact as it's a great book, though it is fairly long for a group read. There are lots of philosophical issues that can be raised in the discussions, not just technical writing details.

I don't know any of the others, so its a matter of if I can find them (I've banned myself from internet book buying, not even a GD read will persuede me). I'm not uber keen on Neil Gaiman but not put off yet either.

Thinking back now, I found American Gods ok and interesting, not great. But I just read Gaiman's Stardust which I did really enjoy. I find Gaiman quite diverse. That said, I'm not really into reading the sequel to American Gods, Anansi Boys, right now. And I'll pass on The Children of Hurin. The other ideas sound good though.

I'd like to do Children of Hurin, but it seems to be sold out for now, so I would have to beg, borrow or steal one.

I'm not going to do any other fantasy reads right now, I'm committed to several other reads and fantasy isn't my favorite genre.

I liked American Gods ok, though didn't think it was as revelationary as others were making it out to be. Yes, I just made up a word :P

Not that I would expect people to change stuff just for my opinion or circumstance, but if the next book isn't Children of Hurin, then I won't be participating unless the choice just happens to be in my collection already. I'm on a self-imposed embargo on buying new books with a few exceptions right now.

The only book I would break this embargo for is Good Omens by Gaiman and Pratchett, though even that, I'm trying to stay away from for now.

I'm in for Children of Hurin - (what is it with the touchstone for this?), or The Time Traveler's Wife or His Majesty's Dragon. I'm reading Children right now and listening to Dragon on my iPod. I really enjoyed our discussions about Elantris so it'll be great to do another book together.

Pass on Children of Hurin for me. Sorry. It's not that I have anything against Tolkien, it's just his books always require a big commitment from me, and I can't between working full time and school part time.

However, I am reading His Majesty's Dragon right now, and I LOVE it. Not in the same way I loved Elantris, but still a really good book.

Equally, I've already read The Time Traveler's Wife and I loved that one as well, so whatever you guys want to do I'm in as long as they're relatively light and fluffy.

I would be willing to do His Majesty's Dragon or Children of Hurin (though because it's unavailable in PB will reduce those willing a lot) I have a copy of Good Omen' sitting on my shelf near the top of my TBR so that one would definately get my vote.

I have not participated in a group read yet, but I would be up for His Majesty's Dragon as well, it looks interesting. I will also wait for Children of Hurin in paperback.

I'm also with Morphy (#25) in having read Time Traveler's Wife too recently to really go in for a re-read. Plus, I don't have my copy with me this summer.

Sadly, probably not recently enough to really remember enough details to have a whole lot to contribute if that's what we go for. :(

Way back at message #5 I indicated that I would be "in" for Children of Hurin. I would also be happy to read/discuss His Majesty's Dragon, even though it it the beginning of at least a trilogy. Just wanted to add that into the consideration.

:)

#36, I just discovered that His Majesty's Dragon is part of an ongoing Umptillionology or something. That also gives me pause about reading it.

Can anyone here vouch for it as a stand alone? I'm really leery of multivolume extravaganzae..........

#37,

I just finished reading His Majesty's Dragon, it's got kind of slow pacing as this one is largely world-building and presenting the deepening relationship between the two main characters. But there is some plot. I did want to go out and buy the rest when I was done, but the book didn't end on a cliff-hanger or anything, so it wasn't imperative that I run out and get the next one NOW.

I've just read both His Majesty's Dragon and The Time Traveler's Wife, so I'd be happy to participate in a discussion of either. I had a look to see if I could get Children of Hurin sometime soon from a library around here, no luck, so I'll be out for that for sure.

The problem with picking the Tolkien book is that the first printing sold out in the first week or so here in the US. Although I have seen copies at Target I hear B&N is back ordered, as is Amazon. In fact the Amazon site says there is 2-5 week wait.

So, although I still plan to start an official GD discussion thread on this book, it will be a strictly "post in it as you read it" thread, because those of us who already finished it are afraid that if we wait too long, we'll forget it all. And some of you won't get to it for months.

So, now we have to chose between the Novik book, the Niffenegger book, and um... what was the other one? Was there another one? I see some folks wanted Contact, and some another Gaiman book. I DO NOT want to read another Gaiman book! ;o) Any other nominations?

Hello. New to the group, but have been lurking for a few days and was intrigued by the idea of reading a book with people that I have been enjoying their online commentary. I'm putting in a vote for His Majesty's Dragon, as I love re-imagined history.

Little, Big by John Crowley and Storm Front by Jim Butcher are coming up on my TBR list.

I'd also do His Majesty's Dragon or Contact.

If it was the one I brought up, it was Good Omens by Gaiman and Pratchett. I've heard it's very good, but they've both said they won't be collaborating in another book again. Not sure what's behind that statement, but that's what I heard/read somewhere. I just think it would be interesting to see how they mix it up.

I don't want to force Gaiman on anyone, but Good Omens is one of my all-time favorite books. It's very different from American Gods or Anansi Boys. You feel that he hasn't written it by himself. I love Gaiman, but for those who love Pratchett, it is definitely also a treat. I think they complement each other perfectly.

Good Omens is indeed very very good! More Pratchetty than Gaimanesque, though. I've read it megamultiple times!
But I don't believe it would do for a lot of interesting debate other than "did you get that reference" ;-)
You COULD have a serious discussion on religion; the concepts of angels, demons, God and Satan, humanity and destiny. However while I think a lot of people would enjoy the book for its humour I don't think those issues would do for a sane nice talk...

Well, we already did a Gaiman book, so I won't be putting anything of his on the voting list just yet. There are too many authors out there we have yet to sample together.

>45 Busifer:: I think you're right. I just wanted to say that Good Omens is not a typical Gaiman book for those who don't want to read it because they don't like the other books by him.

I would love to read a book I don't know yet, therefore His Majesty's Dragon would be my favorite choice. I can also read Good Omens again for myself. Well, I will do that anyway. Like Busifer I've read it megamultiple times :-)

And Thalia, you are more than welcome to start a thread about any book in here as well. Or author, too. Just try to spell it right, though. Tee hee. (A little *wink-wink" over that "Stephan King" thread someone started.) You can't edit those new thread headings.

Okay, I'll start a voting thread. This one has wandered so far I can't keep track of who wanted what, and most folks picked three choices.

Well, I might whenever I get a chance to re-read Good Omens. Right now I have a tbr pile that reaches the moon. I have to work through that before I re-read anything (unless it's a group read here...).

I should read the whole messages before I freak out. I try to spell everything right, so I got worried before I finished your message and read through mine about ten times going, "I don't see what I've misspelled!" :-)

#42
Morphy... Little,Big is a book I've been meaning to read for a very long time... we'll have to remember to nominate it for the next book read after this one ;-)

Right, Little, Big was one of the books we voted on back when we picked the Susan Whatserface books... right?

It's certainly been mentioned before... and I've made a mental note for next time ;-)

#48 - Hey, what's wrong with Stephan King?

I'm a big fan of his books, especially Slalom's Lot, Carry, The Dark Towel series (especially The Gumslinger) and The Stained.

Heee heeeee, sorry to tease, I've made my share of typos and mispellings, too!

Very funny, groo. I'm a typo-typerer too, and, sadly, the topics can't be edited! But the person who made that mistake never even realized it, methinks. ;o)

*laughs hysterically at The Dark Towel series*

Are they very dirty, or dark to begin with? That is the big Q!

Knowing Stephan (sic), VERY dirty...