Freeper Reading Club?

Self | July 19, 2002 | PJ-Comix

[PJ-Comix]

Have you ever heard about reading clubs? This is where readers read a particular book at the same time. I think it would be fun to do something like that here. A book could be assigned and Freepers who wish to join in could read the book at the same time. Following the deadline date for completion, we could post our commentaries on the book.

Since it is < proprietary mode> my idea < /proprietary mode> I suggest that I be the one to make the book recommendations. Some folks have flamed me for supposedly looking down my nose at Sci-Fi books. However, this is not the case. I have read most of the books written by the major Sci-Fi writers such as Heinleain, Asimov, Vonnegut, etc.. However, I do feel way too much emphasis has been placed on Sci-Fi at the expense of other literature. Therefore I will tend to recommend books other than Sci-Fi (although I will sometimes recommend Sci-Fi books if it has socio-political implications).

Anyway, if you think my first recommendation will be From Here To Eternity, or Invisible Man (Ellison, not Wells) or Ann Coulter's current best seller, I am going to surprise you.

Here is my first book recommendation: Shane by Jack Shaefer. Although not about politics, this book has a lot to say about character. In fact, this country would be a lot better off if every schoolkid was REQUIRED to read it. Yes, the movie was very good, but the book is much better. I am leading off the Freeper Reading Club Book list with Shane because it is actually a long short story and is very easy to read. Most folks should finish it in under 4 hours of reading. However, I am setting August 12 as the due date for reading it and posting commentary. I read Shane years ago and was incredibly impressed with its message but I will be re-reading it again for this assignment. Shane is easily available at your local library or book store.

[PJ-Comix]

I will tend to choose books that are both well written and important but are not all that well known. Therefore Stephen King and Tom Clancy books are off my list (although I enjoy reading them both) because they already have enough publicity for their books. I want my books to feel like surprising "discoveries."

[contessa machiaveli]

OK, i will abide with PJ's recommendation. i've read thousands, yes thousands of books but i've never read shane. let's do it! PJ..what is the timeframe?

[PJ-Comix]

Maybe I'll carry Shane around with me to read while I'm waiting in line...

It's only 85 pages in the hardback version and should take less than 4 hours reading time. It helps that it is an interesting read.

QUESTION: Can we listen to it on tape? Will that qualify? I spend a lot of time driving . . .

Good idea but try to listen to the UNABRIDGED version.

p.s. A lot of books on tape are available on the Web but I don't know if Shane is.

[PJ-Comix]

How can any movie compete with your own imagination?

I've only read two books where the movie version was better: The Loved One and Dr. Strangelove.

[mombonn]

The most insightful, helpful book I've read lately is "The Kneeling Christian", author unknown. I stumbled upon it in my Church library - it's wonderful.

While it's obviously not political, neither is there a more powerful force on earth to employ than prayer.

[PJ-Comix]

what is the timeframe?

August 12. About 3 weeks from now but since Shane can be read in about 4 hours or less, this is an easy deadline to meet. No posting about your impressions of Shane until August 12.

[Dusty Rose]

I've never joined a reading club, but I'm interested. Keep me posted. I'm off to get a copy of Shane .

[Non-Sequitur]

I'll give credit where credit is due, To Kill A Mockingbird came close.

[The Great RJ]

Let me recommend two books:

The Road to Serfdom by F. A. von Hayek
Comanding the Heights by Daniel Yergin

Far too many people lack even the most fundamental understanding of free markets and these two books are the best at giving this understanding.

[PJ-Comix]

One reason why I started off with Shane as an assignment is that I want to establish my credibility from the get-go. Yes, it is a Western and yet it transcends that genre so folks that hate Westerns will still enjoy it. My main requirements in the book assignments is that they be BOTH interesting and surprising. Yeah, I could assign yet more Clancey or King (and I enjoy them both) but where is the surprise? The purpose of this Freeper Book Club is to try out books that you might not be familiar with.

[SamAdams76]

Okay then. I will read Shane. It is available on Amazon.com for $5.99. That's less than the price of seeing a movie and if the book is half as good as the people reviewing it there say it is, it will be worth every penny.

[PJ-Comix]

The Road to Serfdom by F. A. von Hayek
Comanding the Heights by Daniel Yergin

For the present, I will be sticking with fiction. Also I want to assign books that are enjoyable as a read.

[another cricket]

I'll join. Who needs sleep anyway?

a.cricket

[PJ-Comix]

I have Shane as part of a larger book consisting of 4 Western stories including The Searchers. I bought it because I am interested in reading the book behind The Searchers movie but I will be re-reading Shane first for the assignment. Oh, and the book only cost me a buck.

[mombonn]

To Kill a Mockingbird is powerful. I graduated with an English/Spanish dual major.

I became a financial consultant. 'Splain that one, Lucy.

[MattinNJ]

A Freeper book club is an excellent idea. From what you said about the book, I think you made a good choise. Count me in.

[El Sordo]

Sounds interesting.

[PJ-Comix]

I'll try to pick books that will appeal to as many people as possible. For example, I enjoyed A Bright Shining Lie: John Paul Vann and America In Vietnam, however, I can see that a lot of folks wouldn't be interested in it so I won't be assigning it.

[BullDog108]

I'm in.

Is Shane as good as my favorite western by Zane Grey, Last of the Duanes, published post-humously after the author's death?

[stylin_geek]

I was thinking about starting a thread listing "The Worst Books Hyped as Classics," with the first book, on my list, being "The Catcher in the Rye." Count me in on the FR Book Club. By the way, I have read "Shane" already, several times. Great book. However, if you feel it is necessary I read it again, I will happily comply. In fact, I think I will read it again.