So I thought about this... and then I talked about it a little... and then I thought about it some more... and finally I decided that I would (try to) re-start the tradition of Zoners reading and discussing a book every month. Or "Book of the Month Club" as you humans call it. Originally suggested and overseen by our late comrade-in-arms, teh Balm, the club has sort of fallen by the wayside. And I've got big shoes to fill with no realistic chance at ever filling them. Also, I am functionally illiterate (albeit really enthusiastic!), but I want to forge ahead in an effort to revive the club regardless of my numerous un-qualifications. Though it may not always inspire discussion, I think it has its place in the Zone alongside the ZONE MOVIE CLUB as a fun way for those who participate to do what we do best: talk about stuff and further immerse ourselves in pop culture through the exchange of ideas. And who knows? Maybe we'll discover enlightenment along the way. At least that's what the brochure will say.
So... like the ZMC, and as per the rules of the club when Adam oversaw it, each book of the month will be chosen through the process of voting. Taking some cues specifically from the Movie Club as I think the way it's been set up is pretty efficient, there will be some slight tweaks:
-for starters, the list of candidates will probably be relatively short -- although that may change.
-for after starters, the thread for each month will be put up on or as close to the 1st as possible. The process of voting will take a week, at which time the winner will be announced. People read at a different pace, and so you shouldn't feel rushed to discuss the book ASAP or even in the same month, although you can begin posting on it whenever you want.
-another idea cribbed from the ZMC: theme months. The list of candidates could all be from one author, they could be about a certain holiday or from a certain time period, they could all be related to a TV show, or feature some sort of man-eating lizard monster, you name it. Or they could just be thematically similar: redemption, alienation, obsession, depression, entropy. The good stuff.
Since September has already started and I still need time to get some things organized, the first Month of the Book of the Month won't be until October. What this thread is for is all of your suggestions on potential candidates -- what books do you want to see up here? What themes? Which authors? I seriously have very few ideas of my own in this regard, and though I will try to cull together a few more in the coming weeks, I'd be happy -- relieved is really the better word for it -- to get some from the rest of y'all.
I'd also be interested in, and receptive to, any suggestions about handling the club that you may have. And although this is sort of an all-purpose "suggestion box" of a thread, if you have any ideas or suggestions or long lists that you want to keep (relatively) private for whatever reason, feel free to PM them to me.
I guess I'll try to be the "emcee," so to speak, of the club. I think it's more organized and tends to work better if there's one person handling those kinds of things instead of just making it into a free-for-all. However, if any of you ever get the urge to take the wheel for a month, just let me know beforehand and it's all yours.
Like I said before, there might be high points, there might be low points. There may be times when the thread is active and there may be times when there's barely any discussion at all. But no matter how any people buy or read the winner on a monthly basis, I will try to keep the club going. I believe that this can be a good thing, and with some elbow grease and some great books, I hope that it will.
Anyway! Thanks for reading my long-winded long-windedness, please please please make as many suggestions as you can. Help yourselves to the hors d'ouevres, and I'll see you in October.
Seacrest out!
