Swing and a miss

I've made it through about a third. I guess I need a long flight or something to really get through Dunces.
Speaking of Ignatious, I'm really picturing John Candy's character in "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles." I think he even wears a similar ear-flap hat. I would even say it is his same type of comedy, funny on a late tuesday night, but generally skippable for a rerun of MythBusters. On the other hand, have we been ruined by all the imitators to really appreciate the original? Should this be regarded higher than it's more recent peers because it was a maverick of it's time?

I'm fine with choosing a new book, but if we choose a real snoozer, I'll probably keep chipping away at Ignatious\John. Maybe I could start doing like I did in high school and only read the first and last page of each chapter. :)

Let's Choose Another Book

Here are my suggestions:

• The Road to Serfdom
• Marxism: Philosophy and Economics
• 1776

I am reading The Hobbit, by Tolken for another book club this month... yes my book heart is spread between Renaissance and another. Last night I was conversing with Jake about how I just can't get into it. How now the last two reads of mine, The Hobbit, and Confederacy, were just not really my style, and how I should return to what I love most.... dark, ugly, non fiction. His reply was that I likely didn't like them both, because they are very similar. Why yes indeed they are Jake. Both Odyessy like epics, both odd and akward and fat heros surrounded by other stange characters. Both authors attempt at a quiet humor that I just don't fall in love with. Both highly awarded and acclaimed of course as well. Just a note.

Are Jake and I the only readers here or are others just not posting. It seems if I remember correctly this was the case in the 2002 original chapter of Renaissance as well, plus a Mindy. Commit folks, it ain't that hard.

Oh Fortuna - I Finished

I finally finished reading the Confederacy - I say finally, but from the lack of posting by the rest of yous, I can see I finished it before many of you. To start off, I must say that I am usually a plot driven man. I grew up on John Grisham, who writes books that are purely plot driven without any memorable characters. The lack of strong plot in Confederacy was the most disappointing thing. At first, I thought it might stop me enjoying or even finishing the book. The book starts slow. But as I got to know the characters, I found that I really did enjoy the book. By the end I was sad to see Ignatius go.

Throughout the book, I tried to figure out why Ignatius got himself caught up in so many crazy situations. I think Ignatius sought out trouble just so he would have something to write about. It's like journal writing. For those of you LDS church goers, I think the church has us write in journals because when you have to write about what you do each day, you try to make cool stuff happen during the day so that, at least on paper, you seem awesome. Ignatius thought himself a writer, so he created crazy situations that would give him something to write about.

My wife found a little tidbit about Confederacy on Wikipedia. It seems that the writer's curse lives on.
"There have been repeated attempts to turn the book into a film. In 1982, Harold Ramis was to write and direct an adaptation starring John Belushi and Richard Pryor, but Belushi's death would prevent this. Later, John Candy and Chris Farley would be touted for the lead, leading many to ascribe a curse to the role."

King Magneto

Nobody has commented for some time and my guess is that some of us are having a hard time with the book, or maybe a lack of motivation. We should have read A Once and Future King. I just can't get into this book, but I'll keep trying...By the way, again, I was watching X-Men 2 the other night and that Magneto guy was reading A Once and Future King, provocative.
By the way, again, another book I suggested earlier was The Count of Monte Cristo. Just read it for the first time and loved it! Another side, has anyone read Little Women? You may grunt first before admitting it if you have. I am a girl and I like the color pink, but this book is so sickening sweet that I don't think I can bear another chapter. Does it get any better? Okay, okay! I'll put it down and get back to the Dunces book.

Done with Dunces

I know that our book club now is more offical than before... with it's blog and all. And perhaps this time more people other than women who were at the time yet to be recognized in the title of said club will read the chosen book, but I thought I would report in and let everyone know that I finished the read.... and you all have no excuse for not doing so, because I read Toole's comedy while enduring night after night of contractions. Although I had hoped a birth would interupt my efforts, it failed to do so. Unfortunatley due to the somewhat unpleasant circumstances under which I read, I neglected to see the proported prize winning humor. Three stars from me.

Crystal

A Confederacy of Dunces

We have our first reading— The Pulitzer Prize winning book A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole. 

Me too, me too!

Dear Bookclub,
I haven't heard of these new-fangled "books" that have been suggested, but I'll bone up and cast my vote soon enough. It's kinda like that bumper sticker you see on the back of red-neck pickup trucks, "My vote cancels out your vote!"
Sincerely,
Carl

The Slacker Chimes In

Well, I guess that leaves me.

I've read about half the suggestions everyone has given. I'd vote for Atlas Shrugged - it's on my list anyway. Beyond that I'd like to suggest a biography of a President or General, or a history of a major event (Pearl Harbor, Civil War, Declaration of Independence, etc.) Or something like the Federalist Papers (I know, yawn)

Anyhoo, that's my 2 cents.

Hey Gav-man. Maybe you should just put the list on one of those poll sidebar things and we can vote. Or give those stragglers, like Chris, a deadline. Let's read before I start reading Twilight again!!!! Just kidding, really, well maybe :).
-Becky

Are we going to vote on this?

I am one who has not read a copious amount of literature so I am willing to go with what ever is decided upon. I suggest we vote soon before I lose my new years resolutions. If it is too difficult to vote then I nominate Gavin to choose one and then we move on to the next order of business.

Ammon K. Padeken

Suggestions:

Hello friends (and new friends),

I've also read Ender's Game, The Count of Monte Cristo, and 1984, so I too would prefer something new. I'd love to read A Confederacy of Dunces, or (and this may be a little large for a book club to muscle down) Atlas Shrugged.

Oh, and I love the name of the book club. It's inspirational.

Jeff

Suggestions: Confederacy of Dunces; Empire Falls

Hey all,

Has anyone read O'Toole's Pulitzer winning A Confederacy of Dunces?

How about Pulitzer winner Empire Falls by Richard Russo?

Those are my two suggestions, although I'd vote for the Arthurian fantasy The Once and Future King, suggested by Becky.

As for The Count of Monte Cristo, The Republic, 1984, and Ender's Game, I've read them (and love them) and I'd prefer something new. Of course, I submit to the decision of the majority.

Hey Gavin
Sorry it took me so long to get signed in. I have two friends here that are interested in joining. One is a librarian and the other is a Marine who served in Iraq. If you are cool with it I would like them to join the club.
Any way the book I was going to suggest is called The Soul of a Citizen. Its not what I would call good literature but I does highlight some interesting ideas about social activism, many of which I'm sure you are opposed to.
Thanks

Oh! One more from Becky that she (I've) always wanted to read:

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas.

Because I'm not sure of the kind of books you are wanting I will give you a few and await your response to my choices. I've discovered upon review of my book collection that I am a big time fantasy fan. I would have never guessed that of myself. So if anyone likes that route I would suggest the following based on Arthurian legend:

Once and Future King by T.H. White

If we are thinking along the brain strain lines:

The Republic by Plato

To go along with 1984 and the sci-fi route:

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

There are others that I would suggest but I fear would be stereotyped as too feminine for some of the gentlemen of this club (that is not an insult just a general observation as to what men are willing to read or at least admit to reading). Please let me know if you would like this list and I will share.

-Becky

Suggestions for our first book

For our first book, let's each submit a suggestion or two and each vote on which one we want to read.
Here is my selection:

1984, George Orwell

P.S. I am still waiting for some other people to join our book club before we get officially started.