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by **Maui** on Wed Dec 12, 2007 10:35 pm

Ummmmmmmmmm, okay.

by **Ribbons** on Wed Dec 12, 2007 10:40 pm

Maui wrote:Ummmmmmmmmm, okay.

I shouldn't have skimmed the description. I saw "soccer moms" and swing voters and got the wrong idea. But yeah, that... that sounds pretty interesting too. Excuse me, I'm going to go die of embarrassment now.

by **Maui** on Wed Dec 12, 2007 10:41 pm

Ribbons wrote:
Maui wrote:Ummmmmmmmmm, okay.

I shouldn't have skimmed the description. I saw "soccer moms" and swing voters and got the wrong idea. But yeah, that... that sounds pretty interesting too. Excuse me, I'm going to go die of embarrassment now.

Hey, I didn't send you to the corner. You're still in my good graces!

by **thomasgaffney** on Thu Dec 13, 2007 9:06 pm

DaleTremont wrote:Would anyone be up for Collapse?

I will second Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed and say that I heard good things about Jared Diamond's other book, Guns, Germs, & Steel.

by **Dee E. Goppstober** on Tue Dec 18, 2007 12:09 am

DaleTremont wrote:The World Without Us sounds pretty neat. There's a science fiction book called "Earth Abides" about the world after humanity is all but wiped out and has some beautiful passages on the way nature slowly takes over the remnants of civilization (but I digress.)

Would anyone be up for Collapse? I haven't read it but I've heard it's incredible. Basically about the collapse of civilizations and what leads to it.

Of course there's also.....Easy Riders, Raging Bulls

All three tickle me. I thought we'd go with Easy Riders, Raging Bulls - but now the mention of Collapse just changed my preferences, methinks.

Ever since I could spell the word 'cyclical' I've been fascinated by grand historical theories. And we could drag anything into it- from Cicero to Nietzsche to Battlestar Galactica!!! How exciting.

Let's do that one, yes, yes?

But The World Without Us sounds cool too.

by **thomasgaffney** on Tue Dec 18, 2007 1:48 am

So far the following four books officially have nominations and seconds:

Any that I'm missing?

by **thomasgaffney** on Wed Dec 26, 2007 12:33 pm

thomasgaffney wrote:So far the following four books officially have nominations and seconds:

Pegasus Bridge
The World Without Us
Collapse
and again...Easy Riders, Raging Bulls
Any that I'm missing?

I am bumping this because January is almost upon us. Are there any other nominations/seconds for non-fiction books for the January Book of the Month selection? I realize that not many people have logged in today (Christmas hangover?), so I'll wait until Thursday or Friday to put up a poll. Only one poll for the January BotM selection this time, winner take all...

by **Maui** on Wed Dec 26, 2007 1:43 pm

The Omnivore's Dilemma

Can you add that Gaffney?

by **thomasgaffney** on Wed Dec 26, 2007 4:30 pm

Maui wrote:The Omnivore's Dilemma

A New York Times bestseller that has changed the way readers view the ecology of eating, this revolutionary book by award winner Michael Pollan asks the seemingly simple question: What should we have for dinner? Tracing from source to table each of the food chains that sustain us -- whether industrial or organic, alternative or processed -- he develops a portrait of the American way of eating. The result is a sweeping, surprising exploration of the hungers that have shaped our evolution, and of the profound implications our food choices have for the health of our species and the future of our planet.

I'd read that. Seconded and added.

by **Ribbons** on Wed Dec 26, 2007 5:05 pm

God, I had a nonfiction book that I thought would make a good nomination like a week ago, but now I'm drawing a blank trying to remember what it was. Ah well, at least the list is pretty impressive as it is.

by **thomasgaffney** on Wed Dec 26, 2007 8:25 pm

Ribbons wrote:God, I had a nonfiction book that I thought would make a good nomination like a week ago, but now I'm drawing a blank trying to remember what it was. Ah well, at least the list is pretty impressive as it is.

There's still time if you think of it...

by **Ribbons** on Wed Dec 26, 2007 10:01 pm

Bah! That ship, she has sailed...

(But I'll try)

by **thomasgaffney** on Fri Dec 28, 2007 2:12 pm

Sorry, been sick the past couple of days...

Since January is almost upon us, I'm reseting the poll to include the following non-fiction books. If anyone *cough*Ribbons*cough* has any last minute additions, let me know asap.

Vote away!

by **DaleTremont** on Fri Dec 28, 2007 2:16 pm

thomasgaffney wrote:Sorry, been sick the past couple of days...

Since January is almost upon us, I'm reseting the poll to include the following non-fiction books. If anyone *cough*Ribbons*cough* has any last minute additions, let me know asap.
Pegasus Bridge
The World Without Us
Collapse
Easy Riders, Raging Bulls
The Omnivore's Dilemma
Vote away!

Look at the dilemma I put myself in! Now I don't know what to do.

by **Maui** on Fri Dec 28, 2007 2:19 pm

Nice Dale, very nice!

MAUI EDIT: Back to the nominees!

by **thomasgaffney** on Fri Dec 28, 2007 2:26 pm

In case this sways anyone's votes:

Pegasus Bridge - 208 pages
The World Without Us - 304 pages
Collapse - 592 pages
Easy Riders, Raging Bulls - 512 pages
The Omnivore's Dilemma - 464 pages

by **Maui** on Fri Dec 28, 2007 2:31 pm

thomasgaffney wrote:In case this sways anyone's votes:

Pegasus Bridge - 208 pages
The World Without Us - 304 pages
Collapse - 592 pages
Easy Riders, Raging Bulls - 512 pages
The Omnivore's Dilemma - 464 pages

Is that hardback or paperback?

by **thomasgaffney** on Fri Dec 28, 2007 2:33 pm

Maui wrote:
thomasgaffney wrote:In case this sways anyone's votes:

Pegasus Bridge - 208 pages
The World Without Us - 304 pages
Collapse - 592 pages
Easy Riders, Raging Bulls - 512 pages
The Omnivore's Dilemma - 464 pages

Is that hardback or paperback?

I'll doublecheck for ya, but I believe they are paperback, except for The World Without Us, which is still only in hardcover...

EDIT - Okay, it's hardcover World, Penguin paperback Collapse, Penguin paperback Omnivore, Simon & Schuster paperback Riders, Bulls, and Simon & Schuster paperback Pegasus.

by **Maui** on Fri Dec 28, 2007 2:34 pm

thomasgaffney wrote:
Maui wrote:
thomasgaffney wrote:In case this sways anyone's votes:

Pegasus Bridge - 208 pages
The World Without Us - 304 pages
Collapse - 592 pages
Easy Riders, Raging Bulls - 512 pages
The Omnivore's Dilemma - 464 pages

Is that hardback or paperback?

I'll doublecheck for ya, but I believe they are paperback, except for The World Without Us, which is still only in hardcover...

I'm joking Gaffney - wuhuh!

by **thomasgaffney** on Fri Dec 28, 2007 2:37 pm

Maui wrote:
thomasgaffney wrote:
Maui wrote:
thomasgaffney wrote:In case this sways anyone's votes:

Pegasus Bridge - 208 pages
The World Without Us - 304 pages
Collapse - 592 pages
Easy Riders, Raging Bulls - 512 pages
The Omnivore's Dilemma - 464 pages

Is that hardback or paperback?

I'll doublecheck for ya, but I believe they are paperback, except for The World Without Us, which is still only in hardcover...

I'm joking Gaffney - wuhuh!

Go to the corner!

by **DennisMM** on Fri Dec 28, 2007 2:43 pm

Not going to type it ...

by **DaleTremont** on Fri Dec 28, 2007 2:44 pm

Maui wrote:

Nice Dale, very nice!

That's how I always look when I'm zoning.

thomasgaffney wrote:In case this sways anyone's votes:

Pegasus Bridge - 208 pages
The World Without Us - 304 pages
Collapse - 592 pages
Easy Riders, Raging Bulls - 512 pages
The Omnivore's Dilemma - 464 pages

Bah. But you can never tell. Like there's Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and there's Ulysses. Both monstrously long but I'm betting one would take much less time to read than the other for most people.

All right....I must vote for ERRB, because I really really really wanna discuss it with Zoners who would know about movies/movie history and have many heated debates about what Biskind implies with Star Wars and all the rest!

by **Maui** on Fri Dec 28, 2007 2:46 pm

DaleTremont wrote:That's how I always look when I'm zoning.

I guess it depends on what thread you are in.

by **thomasgaffney** on Fri Dec 28, 2007 2:46 pm

DaleTremont wrote:Bah. But you can never tell. Like there's Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and there's Ulysses. Both monstrously long but I'm betting one would take much less time to read than the other for most people.

That's true. I flew through Ulysses in, like, two days...

by **Maui** on Fri Dec 28, 2007 2:48 pm

thomasgaffney wrote:
DaleTremont wrote:Bah. But you can never tell. Like there's Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and there's Ulysses. Both monstrously long but I'm betting one would take much less time to read than the other for most people.

That's true. I flew through Ulysses in, like, two days...

Now, that has to be a joke!

by **DaleTremont** on Fri Dec 28, 2007 2:52 pm

thomasgaffney wrote:
DaleTremont wrote:Bah. But you can never tell. Like there's Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and there's Ulysses. Both monstrously long but I'm betting one would take much less time to read than the other for most people.

That's true. I flew through Ulysses in, like, two days...

Bitch, please. I tore through that shit in two hours. You ain't all that and a bad of potato chips.

:-P

Actually I haven't even tried reading it yet. Well, I got through two sentences when I was 11. I heard my dad talking about it all the time and wanted to impress him with my reading skillzz. But then I wandered away to watch Power Rangers.

by **Lord Voldemoo** on Fri Dec 28, 2007 3:17 pm

I voted for ERRB as well. I kinda want to read all of them, though...tough call. I'd love to read a book on 70's Hollywood. No matter which wins, I'll be happy, though.

by **thomasgaffney** on Fri Dec 28, 2007 5:05 pm

Maui wrote:
thomasgaffney wrote:
DaleTremont wrote:Bah. But you can never tell. Like there's Grande Rojo Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and there's Ulysses. Both monstrously long but I'm betting one would take much less time to read than the other for most people.

That's true. I flew through Ulysses in, like, two days...

Now, that has to be a joke!

It was... Never read it. :oops:

DaleTremont wrote:You ain't all that and a bad of potato chips.

And just how many chips are in a "bad"?

by **Maui** on Fri Dec 28, 2007 5:09 pm

DaleTremont wrote:You ain't all that and a bad of potato chips.

Ok Austin!

by **DaleTremont** on Fri Dec 28, 2007 5:26 pm

thomasgaffney wrote:
DaleTremont wrote:You ain't all that and a bad of potato chips.

And just how many chips are in a "bad"?

So much for my smack talk :oops:

by **lyra belacqua** on Fri Dec 28, 2007 6:31 pm

We just need to read ERRB if only to be done with it. It's been in these polls over and over again.
Not that I don't want to read it anyway, but it'd be nice to not have it to kick around for another 2 years.

by **thomasgaffney** on Fri Dec 28, 2007 10:38 pm

lyra belacqua wrote:We just need to read ERRB if only to be done with it. It's been in these polls over and over again.
Not that I don't want to read it anyway, but it'd be nice to not have it to kick around for another 2 years.

Excellent point. However, in case you weren't aware, for the next several months (or year, if this is a success) the months are going to be broken into "themes". So if ERRB isn't picked for January's BotM, it won't be eligible unless we do the Film Book month later in the year.

Not written in stone, but these are the ideas for the themes:

January - Non-Fiction
February - Poetry
March - Classic
April - Horror
May - Sci-Fi
June - Feminist Themes
July - Cult/Underground Classics (past and present)
August - Crime/True Crime/Mystery
September - World Literature (great books old and new translated into English)
October - Film books
November - Music (biographies, studies, etc)
December - General round up of the books Zoners read throughout the year with recommendations, reviews, etc

by **lyra belacqua** on Sun Dec 30, 2007 7:01 pm

thomasgaffney wrote:Excellent point. However, in case you weren't aware, for the next several months (or year, if this is a success) the months are going to be broken into "themes". So if ERRB isn't picked for January's BotM, it won't be eligible unless we do the Film Book month later in the year.

Not written in stone, but these are the ideas for the themes:

June - Female Authors (any genre)

I wasn't aware but theme months are a great idea-it'll definitely give each nomination cycle a focus that we need. And seeing as I clearly missed the discussion, feel free to tell me to shove off, but maybe we need to change June.

Since they're not written in stone, how about we change the June topic to a book that deals with feminist themes instead of books that just happen to be written by a human being with a vagina. Then I won't have to be offended and rally my Clit Club to protest! :lol:

by **tapehead** on Sun Dec 30, 2007 7:02 pm

I voted Easy Rider Raging Bulls for January.

by **thomasgaffney** on Sun Dec 30, 2007 7:12 pm

lyra belacqua wrote:I wasn't aware but theme months are a great idea-it'll definitely give each nomination cycle a focus that we need. And seeing as I clearly missed the discussion, feel free to tell me to shove off, but maybe we need to change June.

Shove off. :wink:

lyra belacqua wrote:Since they're not written in stone, how about we change the June topic to a book that deals with feminist themes instead of books that just happen to be written by a human being with a vagina. Then I won't have to be offended and rally my Clit Club to protest!

Hm. I do happen to like vaginas, but I see your point. We can do Feminist Themes for June...

by **darkjedijaina** on Sun Dec 30, 2007 7:16 pm

I voted ERRB, though looks like The World Without Us is in the lead, despite most people in the thread saying they voted ERRB. No matter. Both seem cool. I just hope we get the result before my trip so I can read on the plane.

by **thomasgaffney** on Sun Dec 30, 2007 7:18 pm

I voted Collapse. Remember, people, NO ALTS!!!

by **tapehead** on Sun Dec 30, 2007 7:30 pm

Good point Gaffers - I would encourage people to post who they voted for, lest the more paranoid amongst us (I'm including myself here) become suspicious.

Although, of course, we're all pretty suspicious of you already.

by **DaleTremont** on Sun Dec 30, 2007 11:53 pm

I would also encourage people to vote only if they plan on actually participating.

There were maybe one or two last time who didn't.

(aaaaaaand tapehead's av officially wins for most AWESOMEST. Or, most shagedelic...whatever. My point is it's off the hizzle)

by **Bob Samonkey** on Mon Dec 31, 2007 12:33 am

DaleTremont wrote:(aaaaaaand tapehead's av officially wins for most AWESOMEST. Or, most shagedelic...whatever. My point is it's off the hizzle)

Well I for one enjoy your serious face...

by **Lady Sheridan** on Mon Dec 31, 2007 2:48 am

I am going to try to participate this year, I really am. Being out of school has totally thrown off my reading habits and I need something to kickstart it. I can just pretend Gaffers is going to flunk me if I'm not prepared for discussion.

by **Ribbons** on Mon Dec 31, 2007 3:50 am

DaleTremont wrote:I would also encourage people to vote only if they plan on actually participating.

Oops...

Does it count if we plan on participating eventually?

by **thomasgaffney** on Mon Dec 31, 2007 9:16 am

Ribbons wrote:
DaleTremont wrote:I would also encourage people to vote only if they plan on actually participating.

Oops...

Does it count if we plan on participating eventually?

Yeah, it counts even if you're not participating this month. I'd like people to get into the habit of checking the Book Forum regularly and participating as much as they can. I realize that not everyone can read every BotM we do this year...

by **darkjedijaina** on Tue Jan 01, 2008 9:33 pm

oh, The World Without Us is ahead by one single vote. When will you announce the clear winner, Gaffney?

by **thomasgaffney** on Tue Jan 01, 2008 9:50 pm

darkjedijaina wrote:oh, The World Without Us is ahead by one single vote. When will you announce the clear winner, Gaffney?

When Collapse takes the lead, because I already have a copy of it. :wink:

I was thinking of sometime around Friday afternoon EST, actually

by **darkjedijaina** on Tue Jan 01, 2008 10:10 pm

thomasgaffney wrote:
darkjedijaina wrote:oh, The World Without Us is ahead by one single vote. When will you announce the clear winner, Gaffney?

When Collapse takes the lead, because I already have a copy of it.

nerfherder :-P

Website · by **Bayouwolf** on Tue Jan 01, 2008 10:55 pm

I'm down for "The world without us"
The prologue for "Collapse" sounds like a college professor that's phoning his lectures in...Yawn...

by **St. Alphonzo** on Tue Jan 01, 2008 11:06 pm

I actually just finished it (The World Without Us). I'm looking forward to the discussion!

Assuming it wins, of course... I've also already read ERRB...

by **Dee E. Goppstober** on Wed Jan 02, 2008 6:18 am

I just impulsively voted for The World Without Us. I think I'd find it a comforting idea to read about how it all goes on without our meddling. First I was rooting for Collapse- but now that I've looked it up I think it might depress me in my current state of mind.

Oh and Dale... - I AM going to read Easy Riders, Raging Bulls too... :oops:

I'll sneek some well disguised comments about it in here at some point... (shhhhh).

by **thomasgaffney** on Wed Jan 02, 2008 12:23 pm

Dee gives World Without Us a two vote lead with about 48 hours left (12:00 PM EST/9:00 AM PST/5:00 PM EWT English Wanker Time)

:wink:

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