In keeping with my character and nature, I'm floating this idea: what would you guys think about maybe starting up a book club? In-Game, Out-of-Game, what do you think? There are so very many brilliant and amazing minds on the Island (flatter, flatter, pet, pet) and I keep getting into conversations about book recommendations and the like, why not make it a group-type-thing?

We could be like the book clubs I've experienced and be horrifically boring, or we could do something else...opinions, if you don't mind? Or mockery, if it comes to that?

out-of-game would pose restrictions on whom might join, as(obviously) not everyone is familiar with english literature.


Some of us had to learn a second language to read Dickens you know.

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"Censure acquits the Raven, but pursues the Dove." "So, that means i'm -always- innocent, right?"

Don't let me join a book club. I'll just shout, "The enemy gate is down!" until someone gets it.

You were talking about "brilliant and amazing minds" - you get me instead.
Interesting idea, strikes me as the sort of thing that would work well in a dwelling once they're up and running.
I'm afraid I probably wouldn't turn up for it very often though, I'm trying to fit too many other things into my life at the moment.
Not totally convinced about the 'horrifically boring' idea though...

shouting will get you a yellow card; prolonged shouting will get you a red card

but that will get you an orson scott card!

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"tis better to be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt"

Ah, don't worry, I'd probably just keep shouting "Windmills? CHARGE!!"

And as for making it more interesting, I would have suggested bringing some of said characters to life, but I see my darling wife has already done so.

P.S. I currently have Duskrunner chasing me with a torch and pitchfork thanks to this.

I believe it would be a rather good thing to have once dwellings or tents or whatevery are up and running; we can all get together in a dwelling/tent called "Improbable Island Book Club" or suchlike and...well, execute the purpose of a bloody book club. Books.

YAY BOOK CLUB!!

I mean, uh.... i think it's a nice idea.

heee

I have a new best friend.

Righty-o. Either the splintered chat idea will go into effect, at which point I'll start up something in the Library Corral, or the Dwellings will come into being, at which point there will simply be a Library.

That work?

That sounds fantastic, I'd love to join as well. I cant wait to see what's first...

and I may join Duskrunner in that chase, Wives disappearing into books tends to frighten husbands! Badly!

*takes up his Riot hammer*

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Some people see the glass as half full, some people see it as half empty, I just spit in the cup until it isn't a problem anymore.

You get all the good ideas, Xane.

:gathers up the Card and Quixote references and stuffs them in a sack:

Mine.

Mine mine mine!

::cough::

But yeah, I'd be so in. And I promise not to chase people with pitchforks.

Often.

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`Twas brillig, and the slithy toves, Did gyre and gimble in the wabe: All mimsy were the borogoves, And the mome raths outgrabe.

It's not too late for me to put in my oar, is it?

Personally, I like the idea of an in-character book club. People could always brush up on whatever-book-it-is on Wikipedia instead of really reading it. It would also be much more comical (and thus fun) if we mixed in a few people who either couldn't read at all or didn't read the story and tried to make it up as they went. . .

Come on. Imagine the antics.

well, I think its possible to have one that's in AND out. And yes, there will be antics galore!

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Some people see the glass as half full, some people see it as half empty, I just spit in the cup until it isn't a problem anymore.

I love this idea. I'd make as many obscure Science Fiction references as possible, of course.

I'm diggin' the in-character bookclub, too. I'll try and think up some ideas, you guys do the same, post here!

And now a list of possible books, arranged by Genre(please respond with ones you would be interested in!)

Science Fiction(both realistic and fantastic):
Almost any of Orson Scot Card's writing(more specifically the Ender Series)
The Swarm By Frank Schatzing
The Berserker Series(I'm afraid I can't remember the author)
The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy series(yes, yes I know. Of course. Shush all of you, you thought it too!)
The Genesis Machine(I also cant remember the author for this one, apologies.)

Horror:
The TommyKnockers By Stephen King
The Hollower(Hey, another author I can't remember, I'm pretty bad at this!)
The Shining By Stephen King
Anything by Micheal Crichton aside from the Andromeda Strain(it was far too complex...I undestood it, but it wasn't a particularly fun read)
Salem's Lot By Stephen King

Fantasy:
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy(I realize many people have already read this, but will reading it again really hurt?)
The Dark Tower Series By Stephen King.

Well, thats all I can think of off the top of my head, but I'll update this list over time. Whadda ya think?

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Some people see the glass as half full, some people see it as half empty, I just spit in the cup until it isn't a problem anymore.

Among XaNe's choices, the scifi are of interest.

Have read quite a bit of both Stephen King and Michael Crichton, probably would prefer not to do any of those. You'll get me ranting about things about them that make me crazy, and Beeker channeling me ranting doesn't sound very entertaining for anyone involved.

Beeker: I can't figure out why I'm ranting, it seems so unlike me!

What about something in the fantasy genre, since the world we play in is all fantasticalish?

maybe...
Bridge of Birds by Hughart?
The Last Unicorn by Beagle?

I normally read nonfiction these days, but it sounds like we're aiming for fiction. I can do that.

Berserkers -- that would be Fred Saberhagen.

Pretty much anything by Saberhagen is worth reading.

(The Genesis Machine is James P. Hogan.)

Stephen King... doesn't do fantasy well. It's not his genre. I find he's just too self-conscious about it for my taste.

Bridge of Birds is right up there near the top of my Very Favorite Books list. It takes the Muppet Swedish Chef approach to Chinese mythology! I love it.