Thread: Ship of Fools Book Group - 2018 Board: Heaven / Ship of Fools.


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Posted by Sarasa (# 12271) on :
 
A new thread for a new year Could a kind admin close the one for last year, please?

So far for 2018 we have:

January - 'How to Stop Time' by Matt Haig - led by Sarasa
February 'The Warden' by Anthony Trolope - led by Andras

The January thread will be opening shortly, but in the meantime any more suggestions for the year? I was thinking Philip Pullman's The Book of Dust 1 - La Belle Sauvage for later in the year and I know Brenda Clough had the idea of doing Modesty Blaise or something similar. Only problem with that is finding a title that would be easily available. Any ideas BC?

Anyone is welcome to suggest books and to lead and join in discussions so if you haven't kaen part before don't let that stop you joining in.

[ 01. January 2018, 22:53: Message edited by: jedijudy ]
 

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Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
Here's a list of all the Modesty Blaise novels.
They're none of them recent publications (the author died in 2010) so it depends on availability. Are they on the shelves in libraries in Britain? Paperbacks are readily available used.

I'd suggest I, Lucifer or The Silver Mistress as reasonably typical examples of Modesty action-adventure.
 

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Posted by Sarasa (# 12271) on :
 
Thanks for those suggestions Brenda Clough for Modesty Blaise novels. I'll have a look and see what might be available in the UK. I must admit to not having seen any around in our local second-hand bookshop.

BTW I've done it again, and pressed send without properly checking my posts. Could someone kindly change the title of this thread to Book Group rather than Bok (maybe I should make a resolution to proof-read better in 2018 ).
 

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Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
Your wish, my command!
 

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Posted by Sarasa (# 12271) on :
 
Thank you JJ for closing the 2017 thread and correcting the title on this thread.
 

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Posted by Trudy Scrumptious (# 5647) on :
 
I have a suggestion for later in the year (looks like it comes out in paperback in the UK in March -- I'm not seeing a lot of info on whether a pb will be available in North American then too or not; I read it as an e-book last year). One of the best books I read in 2017 was Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie; a story about terrorism, families, love, and also a modern take on Sophocles' Antigone (which I would have thought impossible till I read this book). There's a lot in it to think about and discuss. Anyone interested?

[ 02. January 2018, 22:15: Message edited by: Trudy Scrumptious ]
 

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Posted by Trudy Scrumptious (# 5647) on :
 
Also, if anyone is looking for the book club discussion threads for the last part of 2017 -- August to November -- I moved them to Limbo as part of the year-end board clean-up.
 

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Posted by Marama (# 330) on :
 
I like the idea of Kamila Shamsie Home Fire - it sounds interesting. I also remember last year someone suggested Precious Bane which I've also never read, but which I remember being on my grandfather's bookshelf. I'd be prepared to lead a discussion it in the middle of the year, if it's approved by others.
 

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Posted by Sarasa (# 12271) on :
 
I'm interested in both the Kamila Shamsie and Mary Webb's Precious Bane. Any preferences on months for leading the group TS and Marama?
 

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Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
I love Precious Bane and would happily participate.
 

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Posted by Trudy Scrumptious (# 5647) on :
 
I'm good for, let's say May or June for Home Fire?
 

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Posted by Marama (# 330) on :
 
I could do Precious Bane in April or May.
 

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Posted by Sarasa (# 12271) on :
 
Thank you Trudy Scrumptious and Marama for offering to lead with your books. How about this for a tentative programme for the first part of the year?

January - 'How to Stop Time' by Matt Haig - led by Sarasa
February 'The Warden' by Anthony Trolope - led by Andras
March - ?
April - 'Precious Bane' led by Marama
May - 'Home Fires' led by Trudy Scrumptious.

I've been trying to track down Modesty Blaise book Brenda Clough. Of the two you suggested The Silver Mistress seemed the most easily available. Well at least it was the cheapest in paperback. They don't appear to be published as ebooks and my local library system (which covers a large chunk of London) doesn't have them in stock. Maybe a rethink. Any similar authors where the books might be easier to obtain?
I was also wondering about Philip Pulman's The Book of Dust - 1. La Belle Sauvage for March. What do people think? You cna find out more about it here.

[ 17. January 2018, 09:56: Message edited by: Sarasa ]
 

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Posted by andras (# 2065) on :
 
Can I suggest I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith (better known for 101 Dalmatians)? It's been described as The Book Every Girl Ought To Read, but it's actually a lot better than that, and it has one of the finest opening sentences in English. (Look it up for yourselves!)

I think I'll skip Precious Bane; - Cold Comfort Farm ruined it for me!
 

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Posted by MaryLouise (# 18697) on :
 
I'd be keen to reread both Mary Webb's Precious Bane and Dodie Smith's I Capture the Castle. I loved the latter when I was about 14. And I might try to get to Anthony Trollope too.
 

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Posted by Nenya (# 16427) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by MaryLouise:
I'd be keen to reread both Mary Webb's Precious Bane and Dodie Smith's I Capture the Castle.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Sarasa:
Anyone fancy leading on I Capture the Castle?

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I'll give it a go. There's a first time for everything.
 

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Posted by Sarasa (# 12271) on :
 
Thank you Nenya, that's great news.

Programme so far this year:

January - 'How to Stop Time' by Matt Haig - led by Sarasa - open now
February 'The Warden' by Anthony Trolope - led by Andras
March - 'I Capture the Castle' by Dodie Smith led by Nenya
April - 'Precious Bane' led by Marama
May - 'Home Fires' led by Trudy Scrumptious.

Kepp those suggestions coming.
 

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Posted by andras (# 2065) on :
 
Just heard about the passing of the wonderful Ursula K LeGuin, and wondered if one of her books might be an interesting addition to the list for later in the year. The Left Hand of Darkness, perhaps?
 

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Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :
 
I would rather do LATHE OF HEAVEN. A lit friend has argued, to my mind convincingly, that LATHE is the better-written book.
 

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Posted by andras (# 2065) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Brenda Clough:
I would rather do LATHE OF HEAVEN. A lit friend has argued, to my mind convincingly, that LATHE is the better-written book.

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I'll go along with that!
 

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Posted by Trudy Scrumptious (# 5647) on :
 
That would be great. I read it many years ago and I know it left an impression on me at the time, but I don't recall much now, so I'd like an excuse to reread it.
 

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Posted by andras (# 2065) on :
 
From what I recall of it it's a bit uneven, but then that's all grist to the bookgroup mill!
 

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Posted by Marama (# 330) on :
 
I noticed recently that Morris West's books have been reissued, and wondered if anyone was up for a discussion of one of the Vatican novels. 'Shoes of the Fisherman' might look a little different now we've actually had a Pope from behind the Iron Curtain.
 

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Posted by Sarasa (# 12271) on :
 
Marama - Shoes of the Fisherman would be an interesting read. I read it years ago and I wonder what I'd make of it now.
Would you be happy to lead?
Lathe of Heaven sounds a good choice too. Who fancies leading it. Andras/Brenda Clough?
 

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Posted by Marama (# 330) on :
 
I could do that later in the year, say July or (preferably) August
 

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Posted by Sarasa (# 12271) on :
 
Thanks Marama.

Updated programme:
January - 'How to Stop Time' by Matt Haig - led by Sarasa - open now
February 'The Warden' by Anthony Trolope - led by Andras just open
March - 'I Capture the Castle' by Dodie Smith led by Nenya
April - 'Precious Bane' by Mary Webb led by Marama
May - 'Home Fires' by Kamila Shamsie led by Trudy Scrumptious.
June - 'Lathe of Heaven' by Ursual LaGuin led by ?
July - ?
August - 'Shoes of the Fisherman' by Morris Webb led by Marama
 

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Posted by Sarasa (# 12271) on :
 
Just bumping this up before we abandon ship for the new vessel.
Any more suggestions?

Programme so far

pdated programme:

February 'The Warden' by Anthony Trolope - led by Andras -now open
March - 'I Capture the Castle' by Dodie Smith led by Nenya
April - 'Precious Bane' by Mary Webb led by Marama
May - 'Home Fires' by Kamila Shamsie led by Trudy Scrumptious.
June - 'Lathe of Heaven' by Ursual LaGuin led by ?
July - ?
August - 'Shoes of the Fisherman' by Morris Webb led by Marama
 

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Posted by Trudy Scrumptious (# 5647) on :
 
I've copied this list over to a new Book Group thread on the new board, so it'll be there waiting for us.
 

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Posted by Sarasa (# 12271) on :
 
Thank you Trudy Scrumptious - that's great. Can't wait to see the new look.
 

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Posted by Nenya (# 16427) on :
 
I've been missing for a while but am looking forward to starting March's thread for "I Capture the Castle." I've checked in this evening to find The Big Move is planned for tomorrow so I will need to register and get my head round it all tomorrow evening before starting the thread. Thank you in advance for your patience.
 

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Posted by aliehs (# 18878) on :
 
You could try "CLOUD STREET" by Tim Winton. later in the year.
 

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