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Freeper Reading Club?
Self | July 19, 2002 | PJ-Comix

Posted on 07/19/2002 4:54:20 PM PDT by 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.


TOPICS: Announcements; Culture/Society; Your Opinion/Questions
KEYWORDS: readingclub
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To: stylin_geek
I read Shane before but I'll be reading it again because I'm sure I forgot a lot of what was in there. I do remember that it was the BEST Western (without really feeling like part of that genre) that I ever read. Which is why I chose it.
41 posted on 07/19/2002 6:31:55 PM PDT by PJ-Comix
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To: 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."

Interesting fact. Salinger chose the name "Holden Caulfield" from the two stars of a postwar comedy movie. The stars were William Holden and Joan Caulfield. I don't remember the name of the movie right now but I believe Salinger chose that movie and the stars' names because the movie comedy was very middle America.

42 posted on 07/19/2002 6:34:49 PM PDT by PJ-Comix
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To: PJ-Comix
Diehard and Bladerunner were both better than the books they were based on. Along with "Forest Gump."

Shane is one of the few cases where the book and the movie are outstanding.

43 posted on 07/19/2002 6:36:52 PM PDT by stylin_geek
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To: stylin_geek
Shane is one of the few cases where the book and the movie are outstanding.

True but the book was MUCH better. A lot of the message of Shane didn't get into the movie.

44 posted on 07/19/2002 6:42:34 PM PDT by PJ-Comix
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To: stylin_geek
Sometimes I agree with a book's premise but becauuse it was poorly written I won't be recommending it. A good example is Blood Trail. It had an important message in there somewhere buried under the poor writing. Sometimes authors get so carried away with their messages that they forget the books have to be INTERESTING. Atlas Shrugged had a good message that just didn't get out to many people because of all the speechifying by folks with wooden personalities. Rand had much better books when she wasn't slamming folks with her message.
45 posted on 07/19/2002 6:48:24 PM PDT by PJ-Comix
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To: PJ-Comix
Yes, I agree with you when it comes to Ayn Rand. I did like Atlas Shrugged but, a lot of characters were not really developed. Which is why I think The Fountainhead is a much better book. Good message, and great characters that are fully developed.
46 posted on 07/19/2002 6:57:32 PM PDT by stylin_geek
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To: BullDog108
Here are some bits from an online review of Shane. I have posted just enough here not to give away the plot:

At first glance, it seems like a clear cut case of good versus evil, right versus wrong, good guys in the white hats, bad guys in the black. But every time I reread the book, I find myself intrigued by the multitude of layers Jack Schaefer has woven into this fast-paced, exquisitely written story.....

First of all, the book is written in the first person, from the point of view of Bob Starrett, Joe and Marion's young son. If Bob doesn't see or hear it, it's not in the book.....

But that first person point of view is incredibly effective. Since Bob is only about ten years old, there's an entire layer of the story that he overhears and sees yet doesn't understand. And in his innocence he merely reports the words said, reports the emotions in the room, yet he doesn't label or judge -- or condemn.....

But the book is called Shane, and it's Shane who leaves me breathless even after countless readings. Jack Schaefer leaves me breathless, too -- for creating such a perfect romantic hero. Shane is a multifaceted, complicated man, filled with countless contradictions. Each time I read the book, I am struck by how effortlessly Schaefer has created such a hero without ever writing from Shane's point of view!.....

And that review above was written by a woman so, you see, Shane isn't only a guy's book.

47 posted on 07/19/2002 7:03:17 PM PDT by PJ-Comix
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To: PJ-Comix
This is a great idea!! Ping me when the ball gets rolling!

PLEASE!!
48 posted on 07/19/2002 7:09:36 PM PDT by lizma
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To: SamAdams76
Here is some more interesting commentary about Shane:

For many readers, Shane strikes a deep personal chord. In his Foreword to the critical edition of the novel, for example, western historian Marc Simmons declares: "Shane has been an almost lifelong companion. I return to it whenever I need a bit of inspiration or a boost of energy." For him, as for countless others, the book's message is "as deep and vital as the man it describes."

49 posted on 07/19/2002 7:13:16 PM PDT by PJ-Comix
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To: PJ-Comix
Excellent. I'm on my way to the library now....
50 posted on 07/19/2002 7:13:54 PM PDT by BullDog108
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To: PJ-Comix
So glad to read someone else that didn't find Atlas that good. You were so right - overkill - redundant. She really needed a vicious editor to cut that book down.

Count me in.
51 posted on 07/19/2002 7:14:27 PM PDT by WHATNEXT?
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To: lizma
This is a great idea!! Ping me when the ball gets rolling!

The ball is rolling now. Just pick up a copy of Shane. It should be available at your local library. It is an easy and quick read so you should be finished by August 12. On August 12 we will start posting our impressions of Shane and then, if my credibility is still intact, I will assign the next book.

52 posted on 07/19/2002 7:15:35 PM PDT by PJ-Comix
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To: WHATNEXT?
Yeah, I would lose my credibility if I assigned Atlas Shrugged. I don't care if I agree with the message. If it doesn't hold readers' interest, it doesn't get assigned. I have my credibility here to protect.
53 posted on 07/19/2002 7:17:32 PM PDT by PJ-Comix
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To: PJ-Comix
I'll take your recommendation on Shane. Saw it as a kid and have watched it a dozen times since....but, never read the book. I'll give it a try.
54 posted on 07/19/2002 7:22:53 PM PDT by jumpstartme
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To: PJ-Comix
When you choose the next book - don't give reviews, opinions, details. That's what WE get to do. :^)
55 posted on 07/19/2002 7:23:59 PM PDT by WHATNEXT?
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To: PJ-Comix
Count me in too - though I typically do not like Westerns I'm more then willing to give this one a try.

I'll be ready with commentary on Aug. 12.

Brytani
56 posted on 07/19/2002 7:30:57 PM PDT by Brytani
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To: PJ-Comix
Isn't the internet wonderful? Just put a "hold" on Shane from the library. I'll pick it up Monday. So, easy. Looking forward to reading it. I also saw the movie as a child, never read it.
57 posted on 07/19/2002 7:31:40 PM PDT by WHATNEXT?
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To: PJ-Comix
I'm convinced! I will find a copy as soon as I can.

Count me in for the future and I have marked my calendar for Aug 12. I am sure I would forget by then.

You say 85 pages? Can it take 4 hours?
58 posted on 07/19/2002 9:37:30 PM PDT by 3D-JOY
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To: PJ-Comix
Great idea PJ! I love to read, but I've never read, or seen, Shane.
59 posted on 07/19/2002 10:39:43 PM PDT by Dianna
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To: PJ-Comix
Count me in. I'm off to the library tomorrow. Never seen the movie, either so that should help, right?

Illbay, care to join? I know you're a reader from the Discworld thread, if you have time.

Mrs K
60 posted on 07/20/2002 2:15:58 AM PDT by cgk
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