The Zoner Book Club

[Adam Balm]

Okay, slightly stolen from Bluebottle. If you want to participate, here’s the thread where we’ll be picking a book to read and discuss together on a regular basis. The book should be either a new release or something timely, for instance we could have read the original King Kong this month to coincide with the movie.

So below, post your suggestions for the first Zoner Book Club book of the month, and I’ll edit this post to add a poll, and we can vote on it.

[DinoDeLaurentiis]

Is it a too early for a the It's Superman!: A Novel, by a the Tom De Haven?

The Dino, he's a been a wanting to read a this, eh? It's only out inna the hardcover right a now though, for those of a you onna the budget, eh?

[Adam Balm]

Okay, good one. So first out of the gate is It's Superman...

Any other suggestions?

[CheriBomb]

I suggest everyone read Elantris by Brandon Sanderson. It's his first novel, but it is wonderful!

[Adam Balm]

Interesting choice. Why that one specifically, Cheri?

And anyone else, when you suggest a book, please try and tell us a bit about it. What you like, why you think we should read it, etc...

[Ribbons]

This is a neat idea.

[Bean]

Ender's Game, probably the best sci-fi book ever written. 8 year old genius learns to lead an army to save the world from aliens (in space!)

[Shane]

|I'm gonna suggest something from my book shelf I have not read, just because I won't be able to buy a new book anytime soon. So I'll make suggestions of more popular books.


Requiem for a dream Hubert Selby Jr.
Naked Lunch william s. burroughs
welcome to the monkey house kurt vonnegut
The fuck up Arthur Nersesian

[Coldfire24]

I want in my suggestion is Everything is Illumated cause I just bought it and was about to start reading it.

[Shane]

I want in my suggestion is Everything is Illumated cause I just bought it and was about to start reading it.

Who's it by?

what's it about?

[Keepcoolbutcare]

I want in my suggestion is Everything is Illumated cause I just bought it and was about to start reading it.

Who's it by?
what's it about?

Jonathan Safran Foer.

Since I'm too tired to do it myself, I'll let the good people at Houghton Mifflin do it for me.

Hi, I'm a Link. Click ME!.

yeah, what they said.

[lyra belacqua]

I'd second Everything is Illuminated.

I own it but haven't read it yet and I want to.

[Retardo_Montalban]

Do the books have to be sci fi, fantasy, or movie adapted?

[CheriBomb]

I suggested Elantris because it is the only book in the past year that I literally couldn't put down once I started reading it. The characters he creates, the mythology and history that he weaves together, and the rich texture of the entire story make this one of the best I've ever read. I love it almost as much as I do The Lord of the Rings.

And for those of you who may not be able to afford to buy the books that are suggested here, check with your local library and see if they off an inter-library loan service. I know that our library offers the service for no charge, and I have never had a problem getting a book I requested.

[You Know My Name]

How about the Caves of Steel by Isaac Asimov?

[Shane]

I suggested Elantris because it is the only book in the past year that I literally couldn't put down once I started reading it. The characters he creates, the mythology and history that he weaves together, and the rich texture of the entire story make this one of the best I've ever read. I love it almost as much as I do The Lord of the Rings.

And for those of you who may not be able to afford to buy the books that are suggested here, check with your local library and see if they off an inter-library loan service. I know that our library offers the service for no charge, and I have never had a problem getting a book I requested.

I'm banned from the library so I buy my books.

[Bean]

I'd like to suggest Dharma Bums or On the Road by Jack Kerouac too.. great stories if you've never heard of them.

[Coldfire24]

So umm we need to pick one...we need a book club president

[Carolian]

Everyone just needs to read the Bible and stop typing so loud. I'm trying to sleep.

Let's all read the Bible, book by book! That's my suggestion, and I suggest it be implemented. We all know who's got my back on this one...

[buster00]

Uh...Aslan? Pat Robertson? Amy Grant? I'm guessing...

[buster00]

(My above post can refer to either of the two posts above it.)

[Carolian]

Oh man, Aslan should TOTALLY be the Book Club President!

[Shane]

I nominate Adam since he brought it up. and I think there should be a poll for the next few days to vote on the book unless a decision has been made.

[fried samurai]

How about The Baby Jesus Butt Plug by Carlton Mellick III.I've always wanted to read him.I heard he's like a cross between Vonnegut and Palahniuk.

[jgraphix]

Not sure if anybody has read or heard of this, but I'm trying to figure out what it's called....

It's written by some 15 year old teenager, about his mishaps with girls, camp, parents and life. A hilarious book, it came out about 6 or so years ago.

Any help?

[Petri]

Do the books have to be fiction?

[CthulhuKid]

Well, I'm a gutless douchebag but what if it's books currently in Development? The Prestige comes to mind. No idea what the book is other than turn of the century magicians competeing with each other. If it's got Nolan, Jackman, Bale, Caine, et al... It must be worth checking out.

[Petri]

So is Adam going to pick a book? Or is there going to be a poll or what? I need a new book and this seems like a good way to get one.

[JackKnight]

Any of the books from the Songs of Ice and Fire series by George RR Martin. It's a great series, probably the best I've read in fifteen years. I would be willing to start the series from the beginning if everyone wanted to, or just pick up the most recent.

That's my suggestion...

[havocSchultz]

i always enjoyed "where the wild things are"... it was some good reading... if not... then how about Garfield #47... i think that was the one with lasagna and nermal - if i'm not mistaken... oh - what is that... i'm not allowed in the book club anymore... dammit... B4NN3D from books... this is worse than that time i took a job as a Sneeze Guard...

[Adam Balm]

So is Adam going to pick a book? Or is there going to be a poll or what? I need a new book and this seems like a good way to get one.

Nah, I'm just the moderator of the book forum. We decide things democratically here. As soon as we get enough suggestions, I'm going to post a poll which will go for one week.

As for what to suggest, there is no wrong answer. In my opinion, the books should probably be fiction or entertainment related (I.e., a nonfiction book about Hollywood for instace). Basically just think about the kind of things AICN usually covers, and you can get an idea what we're looking for. Genre books (SF, fantasy, and horror), like the ones mentioned above are also very good ideas...

And remember, something timely or a new release would be helpful too. Does anyone have a list of what movies are opening in January?

[havocSchultz]

And remember, something timely or a new release would be helpful too. Does anyone have a list of what movies are opening in January?

here - this should cover some of the upcoming 2006 film releases...

http://www.film-releases.com/film-release-schedule-2006.php

[Adam Balm]

Ahh. Thanks man. Looking at Munich opening next month, I'd like to throw out there Vengeance: The True Story of an Israeli Counter-Terrorist Team by George Jonas.

[havocSchultz]

Ahh. Thanks man. Looking at Munich opening next month, I'd like to throw out there Vengeance: The True Story of an Israeli Counter-Terrorist Team by George Jonas.

looking at BloodRayne opening next month - i'd like to throw out "the complete history and utter brilliance of Dr. Uwe Boll" - written on the wall of the 3rd stall to the left...

[Adam Balm]

IPAMPILASH

[havocSchultz]

IPAMPILASH

i feel so special... that's my first IPAMPILASH... shhh... adam - i don't want word getting around that you popped my zone cherry... i kinda promised it burl... but he doesn't know it yet either...

[wonkabar]

Maybe HERO WITH A THOUSNAD FACES would be a nice place to start

[Adam Balm]

Nice.

[wonkabar]

Yeah when Carolian mentioned the Bible back there I thought, hey, it is that time of year. But maybe a study of mythology and beliefs would be more interesting than actual myths & beliefs. It's like we're startring with the basics of storytelling. Giving us a nice perspective on everthing we read after.

[Ribbons]

I'll throw the LIFE OF PI out there. This is a book I have already (sorry... ) that I was planning on starting, but it's also one that might be of interest to other Zoners if we're talking about reading up on examinations of different forms of spirituality and whatnot. Plus, surrealism. But I'm more than willing to participate in whatever else wins.

[brainiac]

Hero w/ 1000 Faces is good... nice beginning base if a bit academic.

A Feast For Crows -- G.R.R. Martin's latest opus in the Song of Fire and Ice series (I am getting this for "insert winter holiday of your choice here" and will be starting it the same day I rip the paper off.)

Frank Miller's graphic novel "300" about the Spartan's stand against the vastly superior Persian army at Thermopylae. Soon to be the movie "300".

[Adam Balm]

Well, graphic novels are kind of the domain of the comic book forum. But we could read Gates of Fire or Thermopylae: Battle for the West....

[John-Locke]

I'd suggest a nice easy book to get hold of, a classic with links to movies.

Maybe 1984 or The Heart of Darkness?

[Shane]

Well, graphic novels are kind of the domain of the comic book forum. But we could read Gates of Fire or Thermopylae: Battle for the West....

not gates of fire, I read it and wasn't impressed with it.

[DennisMM]

What about the original, actual Cheaper by the Dozen? It's got family warmth and time-study research, all in one little memoir.

[Shane]

What about the original, actual Cheaper by the Dozen? It's got family warmth and time-study research, all in one little memoir.

I want to read something a bit less wholesome

[DennisMM]

Okay, what about Fight Club? It's always topical around AICN.

Yes, I know the first rule of Fight Club. And the second. I read the book before the movie.

[Shane]

How about Steppenwolf by Herman Hess

[bluebottle]

I'll throw the LIFE OF PI out there.

the book everyone owns, but no one has read.

myself included.

[Shane]

Whatever it is we need to pick and set it up a bit.

I'll take charge if nobody else wants to.