Hi there!
I am thinking about joining the TT book reading and discussion club, but unfortunately I will not be able to make it to the meeting in November. Do you already know when you will meet again in December and do you already know what book you will be discussing then?
You are viewing a low-graphics version of this page. Click the headline to view full version:
TT book reading and discussion club
Discussion archive
Normally UpQuark will put the information for the next book club here after our meeting, so you can check this out later.
One suggestion for the book in December. Would anyone be interested to give Orhan Pamuk a try? He is the Nobel Prize 2006 winner and a Turkish writer. I was in Istanbul in September, and found Turkey a very interesting place. I would love to read one of his most famous works, such as My name is red, etc.
One suggestion for the book in December. Would anyone be interested to give Orhan Pamuk a try? He is the Nobel Prize 2006 winner and a Turkish writer. I was in Istanbul in September, and found Turkey a very interesting place. I would love to read one of his most famous works, such as My name is red, etc.
Just to check-- when and where is the next meeting? Are we sticking with the 12th? I haven't started the book yet but should be getting it today from Amazon so should still be able to finish it by next week...
ps -- starting earlier would be preferable to pushing the date back for me as I may be having a baby on the 19th...
ps -- starting earlier would be preferable to pushing the date back for me as I may be having a baby on the 19th...
Cannot make it for the november meet but would love to join for the december one. Do post opinions on the november book though.
QUOTE (UpQuark @ Oct 16 2006, 9:11 am) 
The book will be Saturday by Ian McEwan.
Edit: If we do meet at a public location next time, there's a free drink for every y chromosome in attendence. Tired of being the only dude at these things.
Edit: If we do meet at a public location next time, there's a free drink for every y chromosome in attendence. Tired of being the only dude at these things.
By pure chance, I just finished reading "Saturday" last week. In fact, I also read "Crime and Punishment" a few months ago and thought it was really good, but that's just me.
If I can make the next meeting, I'm coming to collect my free drink.
Meeting this Sunday will be at 3:00 (15:00) at Spatenhaus an der Oper. Please let me know via PM if you're coming and I'll book a table based on those numbers. The offer of a free drink to any male in attendence still stands.
While there, we'll be discussing Saturday, by Ian McEwan. Have you read it? Think you could read it by this Sunday? Feel like chatting about it? Feel free to come along. We'll also sort out the next two books to be discussed (picking two in an attempt to have these things sorted out two months in advance). I've proposed Factotum by Charles Bukowski. Contrary opinions welcome.
While there, we'll be discussing Saturday, by Ian McEwan. Have you read it? Think you could read it by this Sunday? Feel like chatting about it? Feel free to come along. We'll also sort out the next two books to be discussed (picking two in an attempt to have these things sorted out two months in advance). I've proposed Factotum by Charles Bukowski. Contrary opinions welcome.
Just finished this evening. A few reviews if you want to steal someone else's insight. Reviewers seem to gush over this thing. I'm less convinced, though I did enjoy it for the most part.
Hi,
As I coud not attend Sunday's meeting, I unfortunately do not know which book you chose for the December meeting.
Please let me know which book it is, so that am not bored in my free time any more.
When will December's meeting be?
As I coud not attend Sunday's meeting, I unfortunately do not know which book you chose for the December meeting.
Please let me know which book it is, so that am not bored in my free time any more.
When will December's meeting be?
The book for December will be- as threatened- Factotum, by Charles Bukowski. Date and location to be determined. In January, we will be discussing My Name is Red by Orhan Pamuk.
I would recommend the next meeting time in the evening of December 11th (Monday) or 14th (Thursday). Can we meet a bit later, say 7:30pm somewhere in the city center? I normally have German classes, but can skip one hour.
The 11th would be fine for me, but the 14th is out, as I have another book discussion that evening! 7:30 is also fine as a time, city center as a location.
Either of those days work for me as does the time and location. More to the point, this is precisely the sort of behavior that I like to see: the book club inspiring truancy.
As long as it's truancy from German class and not from another book group!
These days it is getting harder to skip the classes, because I really enjoy them. I am already on an advanced level and the teacher is brilliant! But I really like this book club too! Anyway, I can't have everything.
Already bought the book "My name is red" and I like the first chapter. And I ordered a factotum from Hugendubel, which comes on Friday. When can we decide on a date?
Already bought the book "My name is red" and I like the first chapter. And I ordered a factotum from Hugendubel, which comes on Friday. When can we decide on a date?
Next meeting will be Monday 11 December. Location TBD, though likely somewhere city centre [sic]. Meeting location suggestions welcome. The book to be discussed will be (as previously mentioned) Factotum, by Charles Bukowski. If you're feeling lazy, there is a film of the same name.
Finally got my copy of Factotum in the mail today (on account of how I was away from Munich all last week). Still waiting for suggestions as to location.
I finished "Factotum" today and it was perfect for the mood I'm in - lots of moaning about work and getting drunk. I think I'll allow UpQuark to choose all the books I read in the future.
I'm not in Munich so this is not really something I should be concerned about but still:
Why oh why do you choose those old books, most of which I had to read in school or read when I was 16. As in Bukowski.
This is a serious question, btw. Do you feel that there are no quality books after 1976 (date picked at random, you know what I mean)?
Why oh why do you choose those old books, most of which I had to read in school or read when I was 16. As in Bukowski.
This is a serious question, btw. Do you feel that there are no quality books after 1976 (date picked at random, you know what I mean)?
The book before this one was Saturday, first published in 2005. Pope Joan, 1996. My Name is Red, 1998. The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, 1994. The Unbearable Lightness of Being, 1984 (still a bit old, but after the 1976 cut-off).
Zard's baby has arrived! I heard from another source that she had a girl, on November 23.
I don't want to step on anyone's toes and give more information here, but since I was happy to read about the new arrival, I thought that others in the reading group might like to get the news. I suppose zard has been a little busy to make the announcement herself.
Congratulations, zard!
I don't want to step on anyone's toes and give more information here, but since I was happy to read about the new arrival, I thought that others in the reading group might like to get the news. I suppose zard has been a little busy to make the announcement herself.
Congratulations, zard!
Hi everyone, here is some more info:
Julia Erika Guenther, 51 cm, 3470 grams, arrived right on time on Thanksgiving Day, November 23, at 10:27 am, 3 minutes before our appointment to consider inducing her birth.
I was very lucky that labour/delivery was very easy -- only about three hours from start to finish! But my sleep deficit is really adding up since I often can't nap when the baby sleeps as I need to play with my toddler. She is a bit jealous, and gets impatient when I nurse (can't blame her for that, it does take a while!), but also wants to hold and touch the baby. Julia looks like she's been in a catfight as Diana keeps trying to grab her face and scratching it, but hopefully eventually she will understand that she is NOT supposed to touch the baby's face, only pat her head or hold her hand, etc.
I only have time to post now because a friend has taken Diana for the morning--and really I should be sleeping!
Julia Erika Guenther, 51 cm, 3470 grams, arrived right on time on Thanksgiving Day, November 23, at 10:27 am, 3 minutes before our appointment to consider inducing her birth.
I was very lucky that labour/delivery was very easy -- only about three hours from start to finish! But my sleep deficit is really adding up since I often can't nap when the baby sleeps as I need to play with my toddler. She is a bit jealous, and gets impatient when I nurse (can't blame her for that, it does take a while!), but also wants to hold and touch the baby. Julia looks like she's been in a catfight as Diana keeps trying to grab her face and scratching it, but hopefully eventually she will understand that she is NOT supposed to touch the baby's face, only pat her head or hold her hand, etc.
I only have time to post now because a friend has taken Diana for the morning--and really I should be sleeping!
Hi, Zard, congrats!
Forgot to ask Cinzia, are you also coming? I will bring the book Metroland back to you.
Hi! Yes, I'll be there. See you tonight!
For anyone who doesn't yet know, "there" will be Das Blaue Haus at 19:00.
At our meeting last night, we discussed choosing a book for February by a female author. I suggested Jane Hamilton's A Map of the World, which is still up for debate.
Today I read a good review of a debut novel from another writer: Special Topics in Calamity Physics, by Marisha Pessl. I'd like to nominate that, as well. The paperback is available at Amazon.de for 12,90 EUR, so it's also probably available elsewhere. I think I saw it at English Hugendubel a couple of weeks ago. From the Amazon review:
Today I read a good review of a debut novel from another writer: Special Topics in Calamity Physics, by Marisha Pessl. I'd like to nominate that, as well. The paperback is available at Amazon.de for 12,90 EUR, so it's also probably available elsewhere. I think I saw it at English Hugendubel a couple of weeks ago. From the Amazon review:
QUOTE
Pessl's stunning debut is an elaborate construction modeled after the syllabus of a college literature course—36 chapters are named after everything from Othello to Paradise Lost to The Big Sleep—that culminates with a final exam. It comes as no surprise, then, that teen narrator Blue Van Meer, the daughter of an itinerant academic, has an impressive vocabulary and a knack for esoteric citation that makes Salinger's Seymour Glass look like a dunce. Following the mysterious death of her butterfly-obsessed mother, Blue and her father, Gareth, embark, in another nod to Nabokov, on a tour of picturesque college towns, never staying anyplace longer than a semester. This doesn't bode well for Blue's social life, but when the Van Meers settle in Stockton, N.C., for the entirety of Blue's senior year, she befriends—sort of—a group of eccentric geniuses (referred to by their classmates as the Bluebloods) and their ringleader, film studies teacher Hannah Schneider. As Blue becomes enmeshed with Hannah and the Bluebloods, the novel becomes a murder mystery so intricately plotted that, after absorbing the late-chapter revelations, readers will be tempted to start again at the beginning in order to watch the tiny clues fall into place.
I would gladly read either book mentioned above, but just to throw in a couple more options: we could also consider something by Zadie Smith, say "On Beauty" or "White Teeth".
Having read the two Zadie Smith books recommended by adrian t, I'd say White Teeth would probably produce a better discussion. Both are good, though.
Oh, if you've read both books already it would be no fun to choose one of them. I'm behind the Pessl book now...
I've suddenly changed my mind and am now neutral between Hamilton and Pessl.
The Pessl book sounds really interesting, so I'll second the nomination for that. I'll be at the February meeting and am looking forward to meeting everyone.
Please don't choose books or not on my account!
The books are under consideration for February, and my last meeting before moving will likely be January's. Feel free to include the Zadie Smith books in the list of nominations.
The books are under consideration for February, and my last meeting before moving will likely be January's. Feel free to include the Zadie Smith books in the list of nominations.
Hi, Cinzia, I think the idea of reading Pessl can be also good. Here I would like to recommend another book, maybe for the future: The Sheltering Sky by Paul Bawles. I happend to see the film based on this novel last night on 3sat, and the beauty of the Sahara desert is simply stunning. The reviews on Amazon are also quite promising.
Oh, just to back up my recommendation on the meeting regarding A.S.Byatt. The book I mentioned is called The Whistling Woman. It is the latest book of a series, but I guess we don't need to read them all. I like Byatt from her most famous "Possession", which has been made into a movie.
@Younvruer: it's a pity you've already read Possession, because I'd be behind that. How much of a series are "Whistling Woman" etc? If the books can really be read as stand-alone stories, I'm interested...
I have started reading my first TT book 'My Name is Red' and i am really struggling :-(
(just thought i share that with you, however looking forward to my first book club meeting)
(just thought i share that with you, however looking forward to my first book club meeting)
Just for the record, we will be discussing My Name is Red by Orhan Pamuk at the next meeting, Sunday 14 January at 5:00 P.M. Location TBD.
The book for February will be Special Topics in Calamity Physics, by Marisha Pessl.
The book for February will be Special Topics in Calamity Physics, by Marisha Pessl.
@ adrian_t (you are the one who identifies yourself with Bucowski at the moment ), I wouldn't mind reading Possesion again. In the past we do encourage people to suggest the books that they have read, so that someone knows for sure what it is. But anyway, since I am leaving at the end of March, and the book of Feb is already chosen, guess the chance that we will read and discuss Byatt when I am present is small. So you can still support the choice.
), I wouldn't mind reading Possesion again. In the past we do encourage people to suggest the books that they have read, so that someone knows for sure what it is. But anyway, since I am leaving at the end of March, and the book of Feb is already chosen, guess the chance that we will read and discuss Byatt when I am present is small. So you can still support the choice.
Each time I post a message to someone on this thread, they leave the country. So I suppose we (ie the remaining ones) could consider Byatt's "Possession" and Smith's "White Teeth" in the future if nobody else has read them.
Anyway, I think I'm going to have a whole lot of book suggestions for next year judging by the size and shape of my christmas presents.
Anyway, I think I'm going to have a whole lot of book suggestions for next year judging by the size and shape of my christmas presents.
If no one objects, I would like to offer my flat for our January 14 discussion of My Name is Red.
I plan to hold a "Book and DVD Sale 'n' Swap" just before our meeting time that day, so everyone is welcome to come by from 15:30 on and bring books to swap or sell, or buy our books and DVDs.
I live about 5 minutes' walk from Karl Preis Platz, in Ramersdorf (U2, buses from Ostbahnhof.) I do have cats, so if there are allergy issues, I can also suggest Alter Wirt Ramersdorf, across the street, for our meeting. They have a non-smoking room.
I plan to hold a "Book and DVD Sale 'n' Swap" just before our meeting time that day, so everyone is welcome to come by from 15:30 on and bring books to swap or sell, or buy our books and DVDs.
I live about 5 minutes' walk from Karl Preis Platz, in Ramersdorf (U2, buses from Ostbahnhof.) I do have cats, so if there are allergy issues, I can also suggest Alter Wirt Ramersdorf, across the street, for our meeting. They have a non-smoking room.
Was just about to ask when and where to meet for the next meeting, when I saw Cinzia's post. I think it is a great idea to meet at her place, and I would love to meet Hillary and Clinton (cinzia's cats) again. They are very cute and rather "weighty".
Re the swap and sale of DVD, anyone has good GERMAN movies with GERMAN subtitles? I want to get as many as I can.
Re the swap and sale of DVD, anyone has good GERMAN movies with GERMAN subtitles? I want to get as many as I can.
Tee hee. The cats are Hillary and Bill.
Some of the DVDs I have are German films. They don't all have German subtitles, though. They are:
Sonnenallee
Kaspar Hauser
Vaya con Dios
Lola Rennt
Bin ich Schoen?
Nirgendwo in Afrika
I also have Der Letzte Kaiser (The Last Emperor) in German only.
Some of the books are also in German.
Some of the DVDs I have are German films. They don't all have German subtitles, though. They are:
Sonnenallee
Kaspar Hauser
Vaya con Dios
Lola Rennt
Bin ich Schoen?
Nirgendwo in Afrika
I also have Der Letzte Kaiser (The Last Emperor) in German only.
Some of the books are also in German.
Very cool! See you then!
I assume we'd be starting at 17:00 then. Hopefully I'll be able to resist making tired jokes about a third cat called Monica...
If I remember correctly, they got the cats long before the existence of Monica.
Yes, we did. Bill and Hillary came to my home on December 28, 1992. They've shared their space with some other pets, including ferrets, but the only other cat was a male named Monster. Close!
A reminder that all are welcome to come a bit early with books/DVDs to swap or to have a look at our books/DVDs that we're selling before our move.
A reminder that all are welcome to come a bit early with books/DVDs to swap or to have a look at our books/DVDs that we're selling before our move.
so, I just happened to be reading My Name is Red when I saw it was the current discussion book - I'm hurrying through to finish it, and thinking I'll join you guys. Cinzia - I'll PM for directions. Let me know if there's something I can bring!
I'd like to join you this Sunday, just started speed-reading My Name is Red.
I think speed-reading is the only way to do it, owl.
I certainly haven't found myself less befuddled by reading carefully!
I certainly haven't found myself less befuddled by reading carefully!
Reminder: if you plan to come to the discussion and/or sale'n swap on Sunday, don't forget to PM me for my address and directions, and to RSVP!
Sale 'n Swap: 15:30 - 17:00
Discussion begins: 17:00
Sale 'n Swap: 15:30 - 17:00
Discussion begins: 17:00
You are viewing a low fidelity version of this page. Click to view the full page.