New Leaf Theme Suggestion Thread

[Bookpossum]

Or Town and Country?

[Catlady]

October seems a natural time for a nod to Halloween--maybe Thrills and Chills, or Something Wicked This Way Comes, or Things That Go Bump in the Night.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Catlady

October seems a natural time for a nod to Halloween--maybe Thrills and Chills, or Something Wicked This Way Comes, or Things That Go Bump in the Night.

Good idea. I'll second Something Wicked This Way Comes. And as a free entry in the vote, we'll start with Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury. It can go right to the vote with whatever else is nominated.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Bookpossum

Or Town and Country?

If we use this one, we can have books about cars, food, animals, veterinarians, estate agents, clothes, bands (music), insurance, natural gas, care homes, and lots more.

[Bookpossum]

Indeed - it should cover quite a lot of topics!

[Bookworm_Girl]

I have a new idea for a theme. Retellings. Defined by Goodreads as "A new version of an older story. Sometimes, a fairy tale or myth may be reimagined with a modernized setting or retold from a minor character's perspective." For example, I recently read Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie which is a retelling of Antigone set in modern London.

[issybird]

Originally Posted by Bookworm_Girl

I have a new idea for a theme. Retellings. Defined by Goodreads as "A new version of an older story. Sometimes, a fairy tale or myth may be reimagined with a modernized setting or retold from a minor character's perspective." For example, I recently read Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie which is a retelling of Antigone set in modern London.

Oh, I like that idea! Another recent example is the novels by Madeline Miller. And there's always Ulysses! (I kid, I kid.) Tons of possibilities.

And since it's been raised: I think we're set with themes through September. I thought maybe June would be a good time to hash out another six months. Thoughts?

[Catlady]

I tend to like themes that match the seasons, so something relating to Halloween/autumn for October, and winter/winter holidays for December.

[Bookpossum]

Originally Posted by Bookworm_Girl

I have a new idea for a theme. Retellings. Defined by Goodreads as "A new version of an older story. Sometimes, a fairy tale or myth may be reimagined with a modernized setting or retold from a minor character's perspective." For example, I recently read Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie which is a retelling of Antigone set in modern London.

I like this idea too. It could cover books like Home Fire, and also books that cover a well-known story from a different point of view. The first one I ever read was Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys, a brilliant version of Jane Eyre from the point of view of Mr Rochester’s first wife.

[Bookpossum]

Originally Posted by Catlady

I tend to like themes that match the seasons, so something relating to Halloween/autumn for October, and winter/winter holidays for December.

Well, for some of us it’s summer holidays at that time of year! However, Southern Hemisphere people are used to coping with the idea of two seasons at the same time.

[Catlady]

Originally Posted by Bookpossum

Well, for some of us it’s summer holidays at that time of year! However, Southern Hemisphere people are used to coping with the idea of two seasons at the same time.

Eek. I was trying to be inclusive (and brief) without specifying Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Solstice, etc. Can't win!

[Bookpossum]

Definitely not! However, as it would be winter for the majority of members, I’m sure we SH people could cope. It’s a bit like being a left-hander in a right-handed world.

I missed answering issybird’s query. June sounds about right to me for working out the next lot of themes.

[issybird]

Originally Posted by Catlady

I tend to like themes that match the seasons, so something relating to Halloween/autumn for October, and winter/winter holidays for December.

Originally Posted by Bookpossum

Well, for some of us it’s summer holidays at that time of year! However, Southern Hemisphere people are used to coping with the idea of two seasons at the same time.

The Antipodeans would be entirely justified in nominating Christmas books in July, when the topic is summer. They could get some of their own back.

Two of the next three topics (July and September) are seasonal at that.

[Bookpossum]

In Australia people do have "Christmas in July" dinner parties with the big traditional meals including flaming plum puddings with brandy sauce. It makes much more sense in winter than in summer.

But seriously, it's no problem as far as I'm concerned, and I'm sure gmw would be okay with northern hemisphere seasonal stuff too if people decided they want to go that way. I think we are the only Antipodeans in the Club.

[gmw]

I am no stranger to hot Christmas dinner even when it is 40C+ outside (and I hate to think what it was like for Mum to actually cook them!). And, as we sat there sweltering, all the Christmas cards on the mantelpiece showed snow, and Bing Crosby would be singing: "Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!". These were sentiments we could well appreciate, but the only chance of that was a beautiful tree outside my parents place that was called "Snow in Summer".

So, while I reserve the right to make digs about the contrast between north and south, I have no problem with reading themes that follow northern hemisphere seasons.