02-01-2020, 06:52 AM | #1 |
o saeclum infacetum
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Nominations for March 2020 • As You Wish: Anything Goes
By this time tomorrow, I'll be on tenterhooks about the morning constitutional of that rodent in Pennsylvania, which means it's time for us select the book that the New Leaf Book Club will read in March 2020. The theme is As You Wish: Anything Goes.
Everyone is welcome to join the nomination process even if they'd rather lurk during the voting and discussion; if that is still a little too much commitment, please feel free to suggest titles without making a formal nomination. Also, don't sweat the links. It's helpful to check availability and prices before nominating in order to eliminate anything that's out of the question, but ultimately our global members with different gadgets and preferences will have to check for themselves. The nominations will run through 7 AM EST, February 7, 2020. Each nomination requires a second and a third to make it to the poll, which will remain open for three days. The discussion of the selection will start on March 15, 2020. Any questions? See below, or just ask! FAQs for the Nomination, Selection and Discussion process General Guidelines for the New Leaf Book Club Official choices with three nominations: The Maltese Falcon, by Dashiell Hammett [Victoria, Bookpossum, gmw] Public Domain in Canada Spoiler:
213 pp.
As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride by Carey Elwes [Dazrin, issybird, Bookpossum] Amazon US $12.99 Spoiler:
259 pp.
Nation by Terry Pratchett [gmw, Victoria, Dazrin] US$9.99; CA$11.89; GB£4.99; AU$11.99 Spoiler:
367 pp.
The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal [Dazrin, Victoria, CRussel] Amazon US $4.99 Spoiler:
431 pp.
The Dollmaker by Harriette Simpson Arnow [Catlady, issybird, Bookworm_Girl] Amazon U.S., $15.99 Spoiler:
690 pp.
City of Djinns: A Year in Delhi by William Dalrymple [issybird, Bookpossum, Bookworm_Girl] US$4.99; AU$9.99; CA$11.99; UK£6.49 Spoiler:
352 pp.
Last edited by issybird; 02-06-2020 at 10:03 AM. Reason: Through post #40. |
02-01-2020, 06:52 AM | #2 |
o saeclum infacetum
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Choices with one or two nominations:
**Foreigner by C.J. Cherryh [CRussel, fantasy fan] AmazonUS $2.99; AmazonCA $9.99; Audible US (WS); AudibleAU Spoiler:
431 pp.
*The Water Rat of Wanchai (apa: The Deadly Touch of the Tigress) by Ian Hamilton [CRussel] AmazonUS $7.99; AmazonCA $11.99; AmazonAU $12.99; AmazonUK £2.99 Spoiler:
400 pp.
**The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender by Leslye Walton [Bookworm_Girl, gmw] Amazon US $7.55. Spoiler:
301 pp.
*Skeletons at the Feast by Chris Bohjalian [Catlady] Amazon U.S. $12.99 Spoiler:
386 pp.
Last edited by issybird; 02-06-2020 at 10:02 AM. Reason: Through post #40. |
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02-01-2020, 01:35 PM | #3 | |
Wizard
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I'm going to jump in early this month with two nominations.
First, because it needs to be done (and is a good read): As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride by Carey Elwes Amazon US | GoodReads It is available from Overdrive (where applicable) 259 pages, published in 2014 Quote:
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02-01-2020, 01:35 PM | #4 | |
Wizard
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Second, because I loved this series and it should have some great discussion (it's also cheap right now at $4.99):
The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal Amazon US | GoodReads 431 pages, published in 2018 Quote:
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02-01-2020, 01:54 PM | #5 |
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I wondered if someone would nominate As You Wish! I haven't read it, but I'll opine that contrary to the usual, the movie of The Princess Bride was far better than the book.
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02-01-2020, 01:56 PM | #6 |
Wizard
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I will definitely agree that the movie was far better than the book; I liked this memoir better than the book too though.
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02-01-2020, 02:08 PM | #7 |
Wizard
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I’m still cogitating, but in the meantime, I second The Calculating Stars, which sounds interesting. I have to confess that I never crossed paths with The Princess Bride.
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02-01-2020, 02:46 PM | #8 |
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It goes against my religion, but in line with what I said above my recommendation would be to watch the movie and skip the book.
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02-01-2020, 03:57 PM | #9 | |
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OK, I'm going to do something I don't usually do -- nominate two books. I honestly don't expect either of them to get "through" the process, but I'm looking at this month as a chance to introduce my friends to two of my favourite, but VERY different, series. So if even one of you takes advantage and tries one of them, I'll feel like I've succeeded.
First up, CJ Cherryh's classic Alien Contact science fiction book, Foreigner. This is the first book in what is now a 20 book series that explores the themes of language and biology as language. The whole concept of alien language and the risks of thinking you actually understand when you don't. But taken beyond just the differences, say, between one of the Latin languages and a First Nations language, but where the alien language lacks the basic concepts of "friend" and "love" because they are biologically non-existent. And the consequences of that, and how to address those consequences and control them. I've found this both a fascinating series, and one which has forced me to look beyond my own preconceptions when dealing with different cultures. Quote:
AmazonCA: $9.99CAD The audio book is narrated by Daniel Thomas May, and it's excellent. AudibleUS: 1 Credit or $7.49 WhisperSync AudibleAU: 1 Credit The book is available in Overdrive, but the ebook is sadly not available in Australia. However, I will personally buy our two Australian regulars a copy of the US book and make it available to them in a format they can read if they have issues getting it and it's selected. Length: 431 pages. |
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02-01-2020, 04:32 PM | #10 | |
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Next up, The Water Rat of Wanchai (apa: The Deadly Touch of the Tigress), the first of the Ava Lee series from Ian Hamilton. The Ava Lee books are pure good fun, with Ava being a young, Lesbian, ethnically Chinese, Canadian, forensic accountant skilled in Bak Mei and in the debt collection business. (And just how many boxes does THAT tick?!)
Part of what I like about these books is the various locations that Ian Hamilton, a career diplomat, sends Ava Lee to. Quote:
AmazonCA: $11.99 CAD(includes a prequel book, The Dragon Head of Hong Kong) AmazonAU: $12.99 AUD (as The Deadly Touch of the Tigress) AmazonUK: £2.99 (as The Deadly Touch of the Tigress) This is available on Overdrive, but there are no Audible versions, sadly. Some of the later books have Audible versions, some don't. Length: 400 pages |
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02-02-2020, 12:34 PM | #11 | ||
Grand Sorcerer
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I nominate The Dollmaker by Harriette Simpson Arnow (1954, 690 pp.). I first read this book more than 30 years ago; I reread it several times and it is one of my all-time favorites, though I haven't revisited it in many years.
I suspect I'm wasting a nomination and it won't get much support for quite valid reasons (expensive everywhere but the UK, with a jaw-dropping price in Canada; quite long; no audiobook), but it's a great book nevertheless. Quote:
Quote:
Amazon U.S., $15.99 Last edited by Catlady; 02-02-2020 at 02:29 PM. Reason: Fixed error |
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02-02-2020, 01:39 PM | #12 | |
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I have no idea what kind of mood I am in today. The books I considered were all over the map in genre. I decided on an award-winning Young Adult novel, The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender by Leslye Walton. Amazon US $7.55.
From Goodreads: Quote:
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02-02-2020, 01:44 PM | #13 | |
o saeclum infacetum
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Quote:
ETA: only $12.99 in Australia, though. Last edited by issybird; 02-02-2020 at 01:50 PM. |
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02-02-2020, 02:28 PM | #14 | |
Grand Sorcerer
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Quote:
P.S. But it's only £2.99 in the UK. Last edited by Catlady; 02-02-2020 at 02:33 PM. |
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02-03-2020, 12:33 AM | #15 |
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Well, at £2.99 that isn't so bad. But $33.99? That's insane.
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