January's Pick: Reading Lolita in Tehran

I was going to set up a poll to vote on potential club picks, but as there's only one, we'll skip that part. The next book club selection is Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi. It has inspired many people but also caused controversy, as any English-language book coming out of the Middle East is destined to. Despite the controversy and the politics, it appears to be a well-written memoir of one woman's experience. And it's about books, so, that's good.
The next book will be chosen for the end of January; keep those eyes and ears open for ideas.

October's Pick: The Flying Troutmans

It's a new month and as such a new book. Although it took us a while to read Spook Country, the next book shouldn't pose that problem. Our next book: The Flying Troutmans by Miriam Toews. Let's try for the end of November for this one, and maybe we can select a holiday book for December. You know, something Hanukkah-, Christmas- or New Year's-themed. I would throw A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby on there - it starts out on New Year's Eve - but I've already read that one. Something along those lines, however. And now... The Flying Troutmans.

September's Pick: Spook Country

September 1st is not technically the end of summer, but it is a good enough time to get the ol' book club started once again. The Siege of Krishnapur was the victim of circumstances, being the summer selection, and has been abandoned. We're not quitters, just realists. That book was never going to be read.
So on to the first book of the new era: Spook Country by William Gibson. Gibson's latest book (and newly in paperback) is about, well, I am not sure what it is about. But The Washington Post calls it "a devastatingly precise reflection of the American zeitgeist." And Hutty's already started it and has given it two thumbs up. Gibson's claim to fame thus far is coining the term "cyberspace" in his novel Neuromancer, which, according to Gibson's website, is "the novel that started it all, launching the cyberpunk generation." Learn more about Gibson from his website: www.williamgibsonbooks.com.


Spook Country.We'll read through September and then discuss toward the end of the month. Around the middle of the month, let's start pitching ideas for the next book. And then we'll vote.

June's Pick: The Siege of Krishnapur

After a false start and a new suggestion, we have all decided on The Siege of Krishnapur by J.G. Farrell as our next club selection. It's about war, so that's good, and it is on the shortlist for the Best of Booker prize to be handed out later this summer. Happy reading everyone! While we're waiting for everyone to read and review the book, feel free to post thoughts on everything from movies to the NBA Finals. Just keep it manly. That means no reviews of the Sex and the City movie - I'm looking at you, Hutty. And keep those thinking caps on for suggestions for July's selection.

UPDATE: The Siege of Krishnapur turned out to be our "Summer 2008" selection rather than a strictly "June" selection.

First book pick: King Leary

Okay, the first book is King Leary by Paul Quarrington. Here's the deal: the deadline for reviews of this book will be May 31st - everyone posts their own review with others commenting on each review in the comments section. After this, at the end of each month we will post reviews of the next book. The only other rule is don't talk about Book Club. Unless it's with us. Or with your significant other - that's unavoidable. Or if you have a friend who's really, really interested. Or if there's someone you think would enjoy the book being discussed. Other than that, don't talk about Book Club.