View Full Version : Manc Book Club - an open invite
OK, my best mate and I have decided to start a book club here in Manchester. We're desperate for some intellectual distractions, and X-factor just don't do it for us anymore.
Only thing is, after going through all our friends, we've realised we'd much rather start a book club with new people with wholly different atttudes and outlooks, otherwise we'll know what people are going to say before they've said it.
So far, we're looking at meeting every 2 weeks or so, for a few hours in a weekday evening, wine to drink, good books to yap over, spicy Indian starter selection in the oven, ya know the score.
We agreed that I would put in an exclusive invitation on the Northern Forum to see if any of you lovelies fancied joining us?
There are no rules are regs at all, we're just kicking it off and seeing what happens. :)
OK, my best mate and I have decided to start a book club here in Manchester. We're desperate for some intellectual distractions, and X-factor just don't do it for us anymore.
Only thing is, after going through all our friends, we've realised we'd much rather start a book club with new people with wholly different atttudes and outlooks, otherwise we'll know what people are going to say before they've said it.
So far, we're looking at meeting every 2 weeks or so, for a few hours in a weekday evening, wine to drink, good books to yap over, spicy Indian starter selection in the oven, ya know the score.
We agreed that I would put in an exclusive invitation on the Northern Forum to see if any of you lovelies fancied joining us?
There are no rules are regs at all, we're just kicking it off and seeing what happens. :)
I'm in Leeds but near a station with regular services to Manc Victoria.
I might be interested!
killer b
07-09-2005, 15:26
yeah, i'd be interested... might not be able to make every meeting though - would that be necessary?
Throbbing Angel
07-09-2005, 16:25
same here as I am moving away from Mcr City Cntr in about a month
More details Wooks
Well, it's gonna be dead informal. The idea was to meet here in Eccles, home of the church, but at a push it could be a city centre venue. As long as it wasn't too booze based, this is supposed to be a journey of literary enlightenment!!
We'd start in maybe three weeks, after nominating a book to kick us off. And then see what happened, but ideally every coupla weeks, so we can get some intellectual momentum going.
It's really something that two worried thirty somethings think might be a nice distraction in the long evenings after work, that might involve meeting half normal people and having a nice conversation about the art of the novel - etc. :p ;)
PS: Throbber, it would be WAY cool if you would come.
:)
Throbbing Angel
07-09-2005, 21:31
Well I hope I have the time, starting my Masters soon y'see so I am gonna be a busy lil bee
Sounds like it'd be a lotta fun to be honest Wooks
Also good if you can get a hardcore of regulars
Suggestions for books people????
Did anyone ever watch The Book Group on Channel 4 by the way?
Well I hope I have the time, starting my Masters soon y'see
Ahh, blimey you will be busy. What's it in again, computermebobs?
Did anyone ever watch The Book Group on Channel 4 by the way?
I saw a few early episodes, it was quite good in a way. I've never been to a book club, so I dunno what their like, I imagine they just compose themselves uniquely out of the different characters who go along.
Book?! Yeah, that's the other thing, you have to choose good books. I would want everyone to read what I like, of course. ;)
But I tend towards reading the classics that passed me by. A new author would be cool enough, but I've never read Catch 22 all the way through, frinstance, so that would be a hit for me. Or a bit of Greene, or a French translation, a Camus say (of course I'd read it in the original :p :D ).
I quite like quick books as opposed War and Peace, we'd get bored silly imo.
Throbbing Angel
08-09-2005, 14:49
Ahh, blimey you will be busy. What's it in again, computermebobs?
nah, Creative Writing in Manchester :)
quick books huh
Hmmm
UTZ by Bruce Chatwin
THE LEOPARD by Giuesppe de Lampadusa
ummm any of Magnus Mills first 3 Novels are easy to read, all 1st person, all 200 ish pages, AND funny
Eccles? Where the hell's that?
Can you think of a decent Manc centre venue?
tbh we have had the same sort of problem with the writing group in Bradford. Trying to find somewhere you can actually hear yourself talk!
Throbbing Angel
08-09-2005, 14:58
Eccles is 15 minutes from the centre of Mancr, not too far at all and it is the unnatural habitat of the Wookster.
I am shortly to depart the city centre unfortunately, otherwise we could have had them here
:rolleyes:
Wookey - whaddabout a venue near a train station? for those further afield than Salford like?
veracity
08-09-2005, 15:32
:)
Oooooh a book club, fantastic!
I'd be up for this - as long as it doesn't clash with me knit nite! City centre would be best for me if poss.
Keep us posted!
Eccles? Where the hell's that?
As TA says, it's not far from town, at the end of a tram line even! It's where I was invented, so it'll be famous any time soon, just hang on.
nah, Creative Writing in Manchester
Go on, that's brilliant! If you need a reader for feedback you know where I am, I'm dead honest. :)
Can you think of a decent Manc centre venue?
Like you say Mads, it's diificult finding somewhere where you can talk, and that won't cost us each a fortune in coffees. And that isn't a global chain, and that allows smoking, and that has music we like, and...well, I envisioned it in my front room coz it's cozy...! ;)
That said, if the only way people can make it is in central Manc, then so be it. Like I say, let it grow organically, I hate Red Coats who plan everything and make name cards.... :rolleyes:
Throbbing Angel
08-09-2005, 20:36
suggest more books people!!!!!!
Perfume by patrick suskind (?spelling)
veracity
09-09-2005, 08:23
, I hate Red Coats who plan everything and make name cards.... :rolleyes:
If there's no name cards I'm not bloody coming.
;)
veracity
09-09-2005, 08:26
Like you say Mads, it's diificult finding somewhere where you can talk, and that won't cost us each a fortune in coffees. And that isn't a global chain, and that allows smoking, and that has music we like, and...well, I envisioned it in my front room coz it's cozy...! ;)
Actually thinking about this, you're quite right. I had a difficult time finding somewhere suitable for my knitting meet ups as can't have round at mine due to most of knitting group being pretty anti smoking :o
AnnO'Neemus
09-09-2005, 15:59
How about checking out The Basement?
Not sure what time it's open till though, used to close pretty early-ish, may have extended its opening hours as it's become more established, but I can't say for sure.
There's a cheap and cheerful vegan/organic cafe, really reasonable prices. Not sure about smoking though.
24 Lever Street (just off Piccadilly)
Tel: 0161 237 1832
Here's some pics so you can check out what it looks like:
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/manchester/2004/12/302692.html
Wow Ann, that looks really cool. Just the type of place you'd want I guess?!
I thought you meant the Buddhist place near Piccadilly, I know you can't smoke there. Nice grub though.
How important is it that people can smoke? I mean, I can go without, but the more relaxed and happy everyone is thet better, I wouldn't like to exclude anyone who needs a fag while they're thinking. Not that there are queues of literary-types dying to join this book club, I see. :p :D
If there's no name cards I'm not bloody coming.
OK, YOU can have a name tag!
I can't say fairer than that then (said the man with no teeth and a lisp).
That place looks cool and central to get to
*expresses an interest*
Right, my other founding book club member is coming round in a hour to help paint me spare room. I shall put to her the ideas of the assembled good re: centralised venue.
:)
Throbbing Angel
10-09-2005, 08:53
If there's no name cards I'm not bloody coming.
;)
Hmmm 'real' names or Urban Names?
Urban names - outsiders think you've gone mad.... :cool:
Two other ideas that just occured to me:
1) We could make it a 'cyber-live' bookclub, where we launch and discuss a book here in the Northern Forum, then meet up every coupla weeks for a real-life discussion. That way we could have lots of input running all the time, plus a face-to-face with the best we can bring to the table (which is what this is all about really, meeting face-to-face).
2) We could make it a specifially northern book club - choose local literature, or books with the North featured in heavily. One danger is that we end up reading foreign novels or some such, and not really having much factual ground to compare with. It might also be good to hold one or two of the meetings actually at places featured in the books, see where that random commitment takes us!
Just thinking out loud, what does anyone reckon, daft?
:confused:
Throbbing Angel
10-09-2005, 10:06
daft?
NO-fucki' brilliant idea[s]
You could start with Gwendoline Rileys 'Cold Water' that's set in Manchester-ester-shire
On the down side [for me that is], I got my MA enrolment stuff thru this morning and I hvae to read a novel a week for about 20 weeks as of end of Spetember, which is going to make attending these jaunts and reading the novels involved pretty much impossible, plus I have to write about the novels and discuss them at Uni weekly
damn shame that, I may turn up at the meetings to see people if that's OK, but I may have little input :(
Wooks
are we really having name badges with things like Throbbing Angel on them? we'll get beat to death with our own footwear in some gaffs in Mcr ;)
I think it will be hilarious with our urban names
....*envisages meeting*
"well hello mr Throbbing Angel, pleasedtameetya, I'm Sorearm"
"hello wookey, I'm snuffyzee"
mad! :D :D
I think it will be hilarious with our urban names
....*envisages meeting*
"well hello mr Throbbing Angel, pleasedtameetya, I'm Sorearm"
"hello wookey, I'm snuffyzee"
mad! :D :D
Flippin eck people will think we're a cult..
Not that I'm going to make it to manchester for your book club, but isn't every two weeks a bit too frequent? I was in a long-running book club when I lived in London and meeting once a month seemed to suit, and still about half of us had to skim the book at the last minute.
If you fancy a trip to Bradford we could do Room at the Top
yeah once a month may be all i can manage, life is hectic hectic hectic for me, but a monthly one would be cool
Not that I'm going to make it to manchester for your book club, but isn't every two weeks a bit too frequent? I was in a long-running book club when I lived in London and meeting once a month seemed to suit, and still about half of us had to skim the book at the last minute.
Probably a good idea, actually. Gives us a bit of time to do the reading!!
veracity
11-09-2005, 15:07
Yes I agree, monthly is more realistic.
The Basement looks a really nice place, I'm not arsed if I can't smoke for a bit - could always decamp to the pub later!
So now all we need is a blazing argument about our first book!
Can I suggest Never Let me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro. It's a bit along the lines of the 'handmaids tale' well the content isn't but that's the nearest thing I can compare it to??
I'd happily read it again. (A bit hard to recommend a book I haven't read an'all)
I take it we're going to read modern stuff???
Quick post - off to work!!
I prefer modern stuff, and I do think a geographic theme, or some sorta theme, would be a good idea.
Once we've got a final list of readers, I guess the fairest thing would be to let everyone choose a book each?
I love the idea of a book club, being a bit of a bookworm meself...nothing too heavy tho!
Can we invite Norris and Rita off Corrie to open our first meeting? :D
chriswill
12-09-2005, 07:14
What about the Da Vinci code?
:)
What about the Da Vinci code?
*shudders*
I have a phobia about that book. :(
I possibly won't be able to get to this, having become aligned with the evil Midlands axis, but I'll probably nick the book listing from here! All depends how things go when starting uni settles down a bit :)
veracity
12-09-2005, 11:50
I love the idea of a book club, being a bit of a bookworm meself...nothing too heavy tho!
Can we invite Norris and Rita off Corrie to open our first meeting? :D
Yay! Let's read 'Hard Grindings'!
Yay! Let's read 'Hard Grindings'!
I thought that too!
killer b
13-09-2005, 18:14
hows about, we arrange the first meeting, then everyone who wants to suggest a book can state their case at it, and we decide at the end? might be a good idea for us to meet and get to know each other a bit before ploughing straight in with metaphysical analysis of enid blyton's 'famous five' series or whatever... :)
veracity
15-09-2005, 14:56
hows about, we arrange the first meeting, then everyone who wants to suggest a book can state their case at it, and we decide at the end? might be a good idea for us to meet and get to know each other a bit before ploughing straight in with metaphysical analysis of enid blyton's 'famous five' series or whatever... :)
Yes this is a good idea!
Fledgling
15-09-2005, 19:01
Well I like the modern novel idea but I'm certainly not averse to a local book so to speak. This would be a great idea as I wanted to explore Camus and Greene more anyway.
Went to the Basement once about 3 weeks ago and looked for anarchist literature but was not able to find what I wanted so left straightaway but it looked quite nice and definitely good for this sort of thing. Plus it's in the city centre just of Piccadilly Gardens (gardens-ha ha ha!) so easy for people to meet in.
Throbbing Angel
15-09-2005, 20:17
Yes this is a good idea!
seconded
marco mark
15-09-2005, 20:34
Totally irrelevant & wrong thread etc etc, but i am feeling homesick, have you all seen the tv comedy 'black books' just received series 1 & 2 on dvd, best giggle in a long time.
I used to work in a book shop many yrs ago :) ummm memories
Throbbing Angel
15-09-2005, 20:38
oh yus very funny that Moran fellah
So has anybody thought up a date for the first meeting yet? and the time?
citydreams
15-09-2005, 22:12
Is there room for Hollis?
killer b
16-09-2005, 12:25
someone name a date, and we'll take it from there...
wookey?
*waits in anticipiation*
*gets dosh ready for book*
Right - here goes!!!
Mancurbanite Bookclub - Chapter The First
Meeting for kwoffee and throwing ideas on the table, hard.
Whichever gets the most votes goes:
Wednesday 28th Sept
Wednesday 5th October
AT THE BASEMENT (which has been checked by Throbber and found good)
Dunno why i chose Wednesday, just seems like a nice mid-week kinda day. I'm leaving it that late so we've all been paid some dosh (hopefully).
If I'm way outta line just let me know.
:)
Wiiiheeeeeee!! We're off!
killer b
16-09-2005, 14:50
5th would be better for me, as it's after payday & i'll need to come from sunny preston...
right, first in best dressed!!
5th also slightly nicer for me, money wise.
gives us some time to root around for some idea books, I only have one idea at the mo, but it's quite a corker.....
Worth noting that if anyone cannot make the first meet, we'll post up any decisions we make here so you won't get left behind. :)
Throbbing Angel
16-09-2005, 15:12
BOLLOCKS
just checked the website
they close at 6pm unless there is a meeting on - and if there is a meeting on, we won't be able to disuss books innit - and if we arrange for a meeting, I assume we pay for hire
feel a venue change coming on here
quiet pub ya think? Wednesday won't be mad busy in town - a pub betwixt the 2 main train stations ya thinks???? Woooooookkkkkkkkkkkkkeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee hellllllllllllllllllllppppppppp
killer b
16-09-2005, 15:21
the peveril of the peak has a couple of side rooms, and is pretty quiet (near oxford road). plus nice beer...
Where is this place then????
Bugger bollox. Well spotted though TA.
Erm, you're right, the Pevril is a lovely pub. Would it be easy for out-of-towners to get to though? Isn't on a main drag really is it?
killer b
16-09-2005, 16:32
its 5 minutes from oxford road or deansgate stations - plus any 'main drag' pubs are going to be pretty useless any night of the week, i would have thought.
5th is better for me - after pay day
peveril is an ace pub, not been there for AGES! it's got a nice atmosphere too, I'll be up for that....
so name tags are off then....? :D
its 5 minutes from oxford road or deansgate stations - plus any 'main drag' pubs are going to be pretty useless any night of the week, i would have thought.
Right! I'm convinced then.
Peveril of the Peak Peveril of the Peak
127 Great Bridgewater Street, Manchester
Tel: 0161-236 6364.
The Peveril of the Peak is a famous traditional Manchester pub dating from about 1829 and named after the stagecoach which made the run to London. Distinctive green ceramic tiles adorn its exterior, and as a Grade II Listed Building, it is fortunate to survive the new building taking place around it (the Bridgewater Concert Hall is immediately next door). The interior has 3 rooms around a central bar displaying more ceramic tiles, mahogany and leaded stained glass. It is a friendly pub of some character, and offers lunches between 12noon and 2.30pm, and serves Real Ales, with one or two guest ales. Traditional Irish and Scottish music and dancing every Tuesday night. Games Room, bar football, and darts. Claimed to be haunted by a local ghost. Open 11.00am-3.00pm and 5.00pm-11.00pm Mondays to Saturdays, and 7.00pm-10.30pm on Sundays.
This appears to be a fantastic venue in my addled mind. Very Manc.
So, 5th of October.
If you're up for this, please confirm. :) :)
Wednesdays are no good for me whatever happens with uni, cause I'm at work.
did y'all decide on a book?
Fledgling
16-09-2005, 19:43
Right! I'm convinced then.
This appears to be a fantastic venue in my addled mind. Very Manc.
So, 5th of October.
If you're up for this, please confirm. :) :)
Sounds like a good idea but what time? Have to work until 5 and then get train a couple of stations up the line.
Throbbing Angel
16-09-2005, 19:59
Bugger bollox. Well spotted though TA.
Erm, you're right, the Pevril is a lovely pub. Would it be easy for out-of-towners to get to though? Isn't on a main drag really is it?
we can meet 'em at the station innit :)
I'M confirmed barring lightning strike!
Peveril, 5.10.05
Throbbing Angel
___________________________________
Too much Ha Ha, pretty soon Boo Hoo
Throbbing Angel
16-09-2005, 20:03
Right! I'm convinced then.
This appears to be a fantastic venue in my addled mind. Very Manc.
So, 5th of October.
If you're up for this, please confirm. :) :)
hilarious - I live around the corner from here, but I'm moving about 9 miles away before the 5th
always the way innit :rolleyes:
@Sorry - we are picking a book at the first meet I believe-bring ideas and change for juke-box :)
Fledgling
16-09-2005, 20:13
we can meet 'em at the station innit :)
I'M confirmed barring lightning strike!
Peveril, 5.10.05
Throbbing Angel
___________________________________
Too much Ha Ha, pretty soon Boo Hoo
sounds like a good idea,
Sounds like a good idea but what time?
Let's say 6pm onwards, and the first meeting is to discuss the books, everyone should bring one idea for a book.
we can meet 'em at the station innit
Yes, lack of knowledge of The Pev is not an excuse, we will come and find you!
:D
I'm gonna phone the Pevril to check it's quiet enough for us.
Just discovered this thread. I'm well in if you'll have me folks. Live right in the City Centre too, which is handy. Have you set a date and venue cos I ain't got time to trawl this thread right now...
If the Pev's too crowded we could take over one of the rooms at the Briton's Protection just down t'road.
Throbbing Angel
17-09-2005, 19:16
Just discovered this thread. I'm well in if you'll have me folks. Live right in the City Centre too, which is handy. Have you set a date and venue cos I ain't got time to trawl this thread right now...
If the Pev's too crowded we could take over one of the rooms at the Briton's Protection just down t'road.
yeah, was thinking the same, the side rooms away from the bar are real quite some nights - ideal for this
plan B is sorted too now - how organised is that huh? Book Club roolz :p
yeah, was thinking the same, the side rooms away from the bar are real quite some nights - ideal for this
plan B is sorted too now - how organised is that huh? Book Club roolz :p
What is plan B? I'm not even clear on plan A...
Sorry. Thick.
Fledgling
18-09-2005, 21:54
Well I will come along providing I can get away from work on time.
How will I recognise people, sorry to sound a bit stupid but will they all be carrying books?
golden tulip in the lapel?
all carrying a 2 week old copy of the Economist?
Throbbing Angel
19-09-2005, 03:14
What is plan B? I'm not even clear on plan A...
Sorry. Thick.
Plan A = PEV
Plan B = BRIT if PEV is full
killer b
19-09-2005, 08:56
right, i'm unlikely to be able to do 6pm, but i'll be there by 7. i don't have the faintest idea what any of you look like though...
so, peveril of the peak or briton's protection - my 2 favourite pubs in manc. all good. :cool:
veracity
19-09-2005, 09:13
I'll do my best to be there!
Plan A = PEV
Plan B = BRIT if PEV is full
I'm thicker than I realised! Cool. Will be there.
http://local.google.co.uk/maps?li=d&hl=en&q=from:+Manchester+to:+127+Great+Bridgewater+St,+Manchester,+M1+5JQ
Please can somebody confirm that the map on this link is showing me to the correct place?
I would be travelling back to Nelson in the evening, and my bus starts from Chorlton Street, so I don't wish to be too far away from there, although any volunteers to walk me back for my bus would be mucho appreciated...
Actually that link doesn't appear the same as it did when I clicked it, but here's another..they all mention Chepstow Road, so I'm assuming that Great Bridgewater Street is just off that? :confused:
http://rp.rac.co.uk/routeplanner;jsessionid=82C86BE9E81B66E7C2A435755CDCE93A
Dammit! forget those links, they're not helping at all...or maybe I'm just up too early...I take it that the directions from Chorlton St. Bus Station are Left onto Portland Street, Straight on? to Chepstow Street and then Bear Right onto Chepstow North, and Great Bridgewater Street crosses it at this point? Please, am I right? :(
Hi Pushka
Its looks like u need to walk upto Portland St, across Oxford Rd onto Great Bridgewater St. Not far atall.
Erm hope the map helps
AM
AnMarie...thanks very much for the map...don't know what was happening each time I tried to save the links showing the maps and directions this morning...I'm familiar with the Chorlton St./Oxford Road area, so shouldn't be very difficult for me to attend.
So I'm assuming it's 5th October, and time still to be agreed upon? Please confirm time as well as date/venue so that thickos like me get it all straight...lol...
Thanks for all your help..:)
I'm up for it, but maybe we'll have to get someone's mobile no. so we can send a text from the bar, something like "where the feck are you? and what do you look like" :D
*imagines walking up to some random stranger*
"hello, I'm sorearm, are you here for the bookclub?"
*confused look on punter*
"No I'm bloody well not, now kindly fuck off!"
*edited for crap spelling*
citydreams
20-09-2005, 16:21
Take a book with you. Then proceed to walk around with it clutched tightly to your chest until you see someone doing similiar. Well, it worked for me :)
We've normally got the book of the month propped up on a pile of booze.
veracity
20-09-2005, 17:13
Is there any criteria for the book suggestions?
killer b
20-09-2005, 17:44
nope - you just need the best argument for your choice being the correct one...
Take a book with you. Then proceed to walk around with it clutched tightly to your chest until you see someone doing similiar. Well, it worked for me :)
We've normally got the book of the month propped up on a pile of booze.
lol that sounds like a good idea, propping up the bar
so if we see a collection of books on the table then that's the one eh!
Have we any idea how long this first meeting is likely to last...that is, do some people have to leave after an hour or so, and the others will just stay and see how they feel about leaving later?
I'm just wondering because of my need to catch a bus home from Chorlton St. I will look into the timetables and see what the later buses are like, but might need some friendly person to volunteer to walk me back if it's going dark and I'm not used to the place...would that be likely? :)
Well see how you're bus timetable is pushka, I don't want to stay out for an all-nighter, seeing as its a school night and all lol, a couple of hours should be fine. I don't mind staggering back to the coach station as I live in central manc anyway and can catch a bus back home from piccadilly anyway.
I'm just wondering because of my need to catch a bus home from Chorlton St. I will look into the timetables and see what the later buses are like, but might need some friendly person to volunteer to walk me back if it's going dark and I'm not used to the place...would that be likely?
It's a definite, we'll look after you.
Is there any criteria for the book suggestions?
Well, we had the idea about local novels of any era; summat with a Manc connection.
But if you can't choose one, as was said, just be prepared to really convince us why we should go for it!! :D
As for time, we'll kick off at 6pm, and we'll pencil an end in at 8pm. That's be the introductions, a chat about our new bookclub, book suggestions, laughing at book suggestions, organising the next meet, swapping numbers and stuff.
Anyone staying after that is plainly trying to get pissed, and will earn extra merits for doing so.
:)
Thanks very much for the offers to walk me back to the bus station folks...mucho appreciated! :D
Fledgling
23-09-2005, 19:30
all carrying a 2 week old copy of the Economist?
Don't read that anymore, have moved on to the Spectator.
Is a non-fiction recommendation ok? Thoughts?
I got pissed in the Pev last night. I feel like shit. Although that's no reflection on the pub, which is ace.
oooh v good. i'm in, even if only to see what manc u75ers look like.
A few friends of mine, from The Burnley Voice and other forums are going to attend this first meeting with me on Wednesday...hopefully they will be interested in attending others too...
We will have to leave around 6.45pm however, as the meeting clashes with a Meeting in Support of the Gate Gourmet Workers which starts at 7pm...
Anyone wishing to combine the 2 meetings in the way we are doing above, welcome to attend with us!!!
(hope this is all right everybody...promise to stay for the remaining hour on future meet ups!)
Details of the Gate Gourmet Workers meeting...however, I'm not sure that meeting is going ahead now!!! will let you know if it's cancelled, sorry to be so confusing...lol
A Public Meeting will be held by the
Greater Manchester Trades Council
Wednesday, 5th, Oct, 2005
Commencing 7pm, till 9pm, it will be held at the Manchester , Mechanics Institute,Princess St.
Speakers will be Susan Machin,(Barrister for M/C Electricians.)
Dave Mcall, Regional Secretary of the T&G Workers Union and two members of the Gate Gourmet Strike Committee.
Fledgling
01-10-2005, 21:34
I still can't think of any books to bring.
I still can't think of any books to bring.
lol, I'm just so goddam nervous at going to my first offline meet that I'm just bringing the current book I'm reading and throwing myself at the book club mercy!
Fledgling
03-10-2005, 19:28
That is a good idea but I have just finished reading my current book so I will have to rethink, I don't think I've met anyone from here before, though I could be wrong.
Throbbing Angel
03-10-2005, 20:13
ROLL CALL
who is having this then?
Not me as I currently work Weds nights. If circumstances change, then I probably will. :)
ROLL CALL
who is having this then?
*waves hand*
this wednesday yeah at the peveril from 6 onwards? I'll come straight from work.
... how are we going to know who we all are???
*looks for pile of books*
killer b
04-10-2005, 09:19
i'm coming, but i can only make it for 7 - is that going to make it pretty pointless as i'll miss most of the discussion?
veracity
04-10-2005, 10:42
Oh bugger not sure I can come this time - have just moved and cannot find anything never mind books! Will do me best though.
Will you be posting up the 1st book choice so if I don't come I can read up for next time?
Yup, I'm coming.
And I have a book in mind.
I also have an apology from someone who has to see their mother, who will read whatever we choose and come next time.
Don't worry about not recognising each other, if it's like any other Urbanite meet I've been to we tend to know each other instinctively. :D
Even if only two people show up, a book will be chosen. And even if you only turn up for the first meeting, it is still all cool to meet other Urbanites, so no matter.
So we're saying 6 onwards at the Pevril, with some other place as bounce joint if it's too noisy - whoever had that idea better turn up!
*dons reading glasses*
Fledgling
04-10-2005, 21:10
I work just outside Manchester but am on the train line to Deansgate so provided I can escape from work I will come along with a (last minute) chosen book. I will be wearing a suit and probably carrying a plastic bag full of stuff.
god will we have to recognise each other by clothes descriptions?
OK I'll be wearing grey/black north face fleece top, blue jeans, black shoes and whatever T-shirt takes me fancy in the morn!
.... or maybe I should come au natural .... http://performit.co.uk/paul/images/Rab_and_Elephant.jpg
Nice! :p
ok really am kinda short n blonde, prolly be in black, carrying the Da Vinci code lol
Will someone post up the book that gets chosen, so I can read it anyway? I'm in need of a suggestion! :)
I'll probably be coming. I'm on the ugly mug thread if you want to know who to look for.
killer b
05-10-2005, 10:44
just realised i've double booked - i'm actually going to see the fall tonight... i'll come next month though.
sorry... :o
Three double bookings so far!!
You people need DIARIES!!!!
:rolleyes: ;)
killer b
05-10-2005, 10:52
to be honest, it was a triple booking - i was supposed to be doing a radio show tonight too... :o
Throbbing Angel
05-10-2005, 11:05
Three double bookings so far!!
You people need DIARIES!!!!
:rolleyes: ;)
I know I know
I canna make it either due to train station duty
ffs
Big apologies from me and me mates from Burnley and Pendle who were gonna come with me.
Our driver has developed a big abscess on her tooth..and feels like poo!
I've been burning the candle at both ends, celebrating me birthday and am just totally shattered now...falling asleep everywhere I go.
Please post the choice of book, and I will get it and read it...and comment back...and will hopefully be up for the next one!!
Hope you enjoy yerselves! :)
OOOOOO!
*puts hands on hips and shakes finger both at same time*
OK, OK, you'll all get a chance to catch up.
But you'll never be able to call yourself a founder member, like what we will.
:p
veracity
05-10-2005, 13:36
Is it a bit cheeky to suggest a book when I can't make it tonight? My mum's just recommended this book to me
Taken for a Ride by Neil Roland (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1899235892/qid=1128519235/sr=1-3/ref=sr_1_10_3/202-0278095-6067840) - it sounds pretty good and has a Manchester theme.
veracity
05-10-2005, 13:37
I know I know
I canna make it either due to train station duty
ffs
Train station duty? I'm intrigued! :confused:
Is it a bit cheeky to suggest a book when I can't make it tonight? My mum's just recommended this book to me
Taken for a Ride by Neil Roland - it sounds pretty good and has a Manchester theme.
I'll make your representations Snuff.
Train station duty? I'm intrigued!
You know that man in the blue peak-cap who blows and whistle and waves the trains off? That's him that is....
;)
sounds like a good book, i always liked Vurt and stuff by jeff noon....
veracity
05-10-2005, 15:40
sounds like a good book, i always liked Vurt and stuff by jeff noon....
Yeah I really like Jeff Noon as well, shame he decided to leave Manchester really (think he lives in Brighton now) - thought his stuff was quite different from others writing in the sci fi genre.
veracity
05-10-2005, 15:40
I'll make your representations Snuff.
Thank you Wookey that's v. kind considering I am a no good no shower :o
Who's the guy who wrote a book about a new kind of music, set in Manchester - a bit sci-fi. I wanted to suggest that but I can't find the bloody thing on the net, and I only recall scant details....
Throbbing Angel
05-10-2005, 15:51
never heard of it
I think you are making it up
any more from you and I'll blow my whistle!:mad:
http://www.legofigs.com/images/studios/Subway_Train_Conductor.jpg
Quick, you'll be late for the 4.14 from Crewe....
:p
Right, leaving-the-office-agram, going-to-the-Pev-agram.
See whoever turns up soon-agram.
:)
Fledgling
05-10-2005, 17:30
I turned up and there was no one there. I asked a random guy and he seemed a little surprised. I'm gonna go back and look again but was there at 6 and couldn't see anyone who may be involved in this.
I am perhaps a bit stupid for not asking everyone there but no direspect organisation is not good, although I may now arrive late and be proved wrong for which I apologise in advance.
Was wearing a suit, holding a book and look quite young.
Edited:
(in a small voice) sorry, should have asked around, thankfully I met everyone in the end, organisation was good.
Good job you apologised in advance you cheeky suit wearing youngster!
It was cool to see you anyway, when you eventually arrived. If you want organisation go to Scouts. :p
Well done all others who came. I'm currently far too fooked to remember your names, I've had two jionts, and on top of the drink it's gone to me head.
Let me search me paper out, I've gotit all writtendown.
:) :)
Throbbing Angel
06-10-2005, 07:12
good time was it?
many turn up?
*rubs head*
my fookin head is shocking!
It was a great night - we carried it on to the temple of convenience (not that I saw much, standing in a bleeding cash point queue!), THEN on to night n day cafe, wicked!
poor fledgling is currently crashed on my couch, poor soul, he's lucid but confused :D
I'm going back to bed for a wee while
Nice to meet you all, I'm no longer an offline virgin!
*necks paracetemol*
veracity
06-10-2005, 08:10
Sounds like a good time was had by all!
What was the book choice then?
killer b
06-10-2005, 10:39
Who's the guy who wrote a book about a new kind of music, set in Manchester - a bit sci-fi. I wanted to suggest that but I can't find the bloody thing on the net, and I only recall scant details....
sounds like something by jeff noon, i'd say...
what's the book then?
http://www2.aya.yale.edu/clubs/hongkong/images/hollinghurst.jpg
This is the first book, for those who fancy catching up. Author website here. (http://www.contemporarywriters.com/authors/?p=auth48).
The second book is this:
http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/0099478935.02.LZZZZZZZ.jpg
...a non-fiction book about Rwanda. Website here. (http://www.canadians.ca/more/profiles/d/d_romeo_dallaire.htm)
We had 6 Urbanites turn up, with apologies from a further three. I'm hoping they will catch up and come to the next meet.
Attendees were:
AnnoNemus
Wookey
sorearm (did you have a fag??)
Fledgling, when he eventually found us
mancboy?
AnMarie
It was an excellent meet, very cool people, and we chose books no problems. The best bit for me was hearing everyone's choices, I could do that all day and not bother reading owt....
:)
sounds like something by jeff noon, i'd say...
If I remember through the boozy fog, that was the conclusion we came to last night.
AnnO'Neemus
06-10-2005, 12:17
Maybe I should change my username to sorehead? Ouch! That was a bit of a session. :D
Great to meet you all, looking forward to discussing the books.
P.S. Wookey, any chance of your putting up the details of all the other books? There were some I really liked the sound of that I'd like to read at some point, even though they didn't get picked this time round. Cheers.
Throbbing Angel
06-10-2005, 12:18
sounds like you had fun
soooo jealous I couldn't make it
the first book looks good!
Ironic, really that by the time it was all over, none of us could have read a fucking bus timetable. Apart from AnMarie, who had the foresight to drive.
But a great idea, well executed.
I'm off to CloneZone to buy this month's choice.
Throbbing Angel
06-10-2005, 12:32
yeah that was another thing, i would have had to drive and miss the fun [some of the fun]
*sigh*
I'm off to CloneZone to buy this month's choice.
I'm off to Waterstones, I can't go in Clone Zone without spending hundreds of pounds on Triga films.
:o
ALERT!!
The Hollinghurst book is on the 3 for 2 shelves at Waterstones - I have mine and Olivia's, but if two others teamed up you could get it for half-price plus a free book (I got the Life of Pi, just for the giggle like).
:cool:
Great to hear you all had such a good nite!!! A friend of mine went to see a Punk band in Manchester on Tuesday, at Satan's Hollow...and visited a few of the bars around Canal St. said it was a great atmosphere in that part of Manc.
Well, the first book choice does appeal to me more than the 2nd, are we supposed to just choose 1 out of the 2 to read? or attempt both? and are we still gonna do an online part by part review, or just read as much as we can until we meet up again?
Any date planned for meeting no.2?
Well done for pulling this off btw! :)
Fledgling
06-10-2005, 15:06
oooooooowwwwwwww
I woke up on sorearm's couch this morning and realised that weeknight drinking has a cost. It all started off so well and then everything went to my head, I will always be grateful to sorearm, quite strange waking up and eating muffins with someone I've only just met, but fun.
But it was nice to meet people and discuss the books and put faces to posters as such. Definitely liked the choice of books too as there's some really diverse material there. I have now bought Hollinghurst and will start to read but tbh all the books sounded interesting and I look forward to the next discussion.
I still feel rough but had a good time.
Great idea wookie and I'm glad I eventually found the place.
Oh dear sore heads all round :D
Really enjoyed the evening, thanks everyone. Soz if I was a lil quiet but Im pretty shy when I first meet people :o
Anyway Ive bought the book and have read a whole chapter-woohoo! :p
Heres her lil penguin pressy for Woooki....
They're in love. They're gay. They're penguins... And they're not alone.
Wendell and Cass, two penguins at the New York Aquarium in Coney Island, Brooklyn, live in a soap opera world of seduction and intrigue. Among the 22 male and 10 female African black-footed penguins in the aquarium's exhibit, tales of love, lust and betrayal are the norm. These birds mate for life. But given the disproportionate male-female ratio at the aquarium, some of the females flirt profusely and dump their partners for single males with better nests.
Wendell and Cass, however, take no part in these cunning schemes. They have been completely devoted to each other for the last eight years. In fact, neither one of them has ever been with anyone else, says their keeper, Stephanie Mitchell.
But the partnership of Wendell and Cass adds drama in another way. They're both male. That is to say, they're gay penguins.
This is not unusual. "There are a lot of animals that have same-sex relations, it's just that people don't know about it," Mitchell said. "I mean, Joe Schmoe on the street is not someone who's read all sorts of biology books."
One particular book is helpful in this case. Bruce Bagemihl's "Biological Exuberance," published in 1999, documents homosexual behavior in more than 450 animal species. The list includes grizzly bears, gorillas, flamingos, owls and even several species of salmon.
"The world is, indeed, teeming with homosexual, bisexual and transgendered creatures of every stripe and feather," Bagemihl writes in the first page of his book. "From the Southeastern Blueberry Bee of the United States to more than 130 different bird species worldwide, the 'birds and the bees,' literally, are queer."
At the New York Aquarium, no one suspected Wendell and Cass were gay when they first bonded. Penguins don't have external sex organs, so visually there's no surefire way to tell whether they are male or female. But over time, people began to wonder.
In all the years they had been together, neither Wendell nor Cass laid an egg. This was unusual because the keepers knew they copulated regularly. They had often seen Wendell submit to Cass, the more dominating of the two. But one day, a keeper saw Wendell on top.
When penguins have sex, the female lies on her belly and the male climbs on top with his feet and puts his rump around her rump. Then their cloacas (sexual organs) meet, and the sperm is transferred into the female. It's called the cloacal kiss.
Wendell and Cass were clearly kissing both ways. So in 1999, the aquarium did a blood test to determine their gender. It proved they were both male.
Today, they are one of the best couples at the aquarium. "Sometimes they lie on the rocks together," Mitchell said. "They're one of the few couples that like to hang out together outside their nest."
http://www.jrn.columbia.edu/studentwork/cns/2002-06-10/images/gaypenguins.jpg
:cool:
Woooki....
wookie
Are people taking the piss here? :D
Love the penguins!
:cool:
http://www.angelfire.com/hi5/gay_lions_3/e76bc805.jpg
Even the lions are at it.
sorearm (did you have a fag??)
NO! I was very very very good - last fag was on friday morning and I knew the real test would be in a pub.... hence the chucking pints down my neck like they were going out of fashion!
It was desperation at one point, I was actually sniffing your empty fag packet :eek: :rolleyes:
And I'm glad I turned down the offer of a nicotine gum from that lass who crashed a couple of rollies off mancboy too!
... mind you, when I heard that Hazel Blears (*spit spit*) was in the house, I would have loved to have had a fag just so I could stub it out in her friggin' smug face! :mad: :mad:
Hazel fucking Blears! I completely forgot!!!
:eek: :eek:
oooooooowwwwwwww
I woke up on sorearm's couch this morning and realised that weeknight drinking has a cost. It all started off so well and then everything went to my head, I will always be grateful to sorearm, quite strange waking up and eating muffins with someone I've only just met, but fun.
But it was nice to meet people and discuss the books and put faces to posters as such. Definitely liked the choice of books too as there's some really diverse material there. I have now bought Hollinghurst and will start to read but tbh all the books sounded interesting and I look forward to the next discussion.
I still feel rough but had a good time.
Great idea wookie and I'm glad I eventually found the place.
he he, tell me about it - may have to change my name to 'sorehead' :D :D
glad to be of assistance matey, glad you got back OK.
... btw where the bloody hell did a bottle of red wine (a cheeky little 2001 merlot) appear from? I have NO recollection of this at all - was it a present from mancboy or AnnO'Neemus?
... just looking at the bottle makes me gag :(
Hazel Blears! :eek: :mad:
Good job I left early! :p
AnnO'Neemus
06-10-2005, 18:05
Hazel fucking Blears! I completely forgot!!!
:eek: :eek:OMG, so had I. :eek:
*has flashback of haranguing the woman about how cr@p government policy is* :o
:D
Sorearm - I don't know where the wine came from. In Night and Day, wine appears. It's one of those immutable laws, like.
I have the book sitting in front of me now. It's a big 'un and no mistake. Can't wait to get my teeth into it.
Anyway. Enough of the double entendres. Off to celebrate twenty years of the Cornerhouse by getting so fucked I can't remember my own name.
Well, the first book choice does appeal to me more than the 2nd, are we supposed to just choose 1 out of the 2 to read? or attempt both? and are we still gonna do an online part by part review, or just read as much as we can until we meet up again?
Any date planned for meeting no.2?
Well done for pulling this off btw! :)
First book for the next meet (no date yet)
Second for the one after.
It's gonna be Wednesday, November 9th for the next meet. It's a Wednesday, like the last one, but the 2nd is too close to get the book done IMO. Anyone?
Yeah 2nd prob a bit too close - and I'll have to make sure the alcohol intake is less than the last meet, especially on a skool night!!!
...I've got the lurgy terrible, friggin' freshers and their bugs
Can I have some TLC everyone please?????
Yeah 2nd prob a bit too close - and I'll have to make sure the alcohol intake is less than the last meet, especially on a skool night!!!
...I've got the lurgy terrible, friggin' freshers and their bugs
Can I have some TLC everyone please?????
http://www.scsd2.k12.in.us/test/TLC.gif
Erhuck, erhuck...
I could give you a bit of Cleopatra, sorearm. They're more local.
Weds 9 sounds good for me.
Seriously, get well soon mate.
AnnO'Neemus
07-10-2005, 13:11
(((sorearm)))
No hobnobs for you.
*passes lemsip, lucozade and grapes*
I loved Cleopatra, where did THEY go?? :(
Thanks guys n gals, I feel a a bit spaced out at the moment, just felt seriously wiped out all day with a racking cough... not good.
Think I'll just get meself off to bed now and hibernate....
hopefully I'll be OK to pop into the horror that is town tomorrow and peruse Waterstones
laters
Aw, mate, you're really not well? :(
Aw, mate, you're really not well? :(
:(
but my waster "it's friday" head must be on cos I'm eyeing the bottle of red that appeared as if by magic on wed night and it's looking very tempting....
well bugs are supposed to be killed by alcohol yeah?
*glug glug*
Fledgling
07-10-2005, 19:51
:(
but my waster "it's friday" head must be on cos I'm eyeing the bottle of red that appeared as if by magic on wed night and it's looking very tempting....
*
Well I can vouch that I didn't bring it along although you also had an open can of cider on the table which was NOT a nice sight to wake up to.
I didn't realise about Hazel Blears until too late but by then I'd probably started to talk all sorts of rubbish, cannot remember the last 1/2 hour of the Peveril at all. Anyhow I shall now read, looks really interesting.
an open can of scrumpy
Looks like we got ourselves a live one here.... :eek:
Fledgling
07-10-2005, 20:29
I don't follow
Did I not mention that I necked a can of scrumpy before leaving for the meet....
*hency my inane ramblings*
Thanks for the updates everybody...sorry to hear some of you were so hungover...LOL!!! :D
Looking forward to meeting you all on the 9th then... :)
Well I just about survived the horror of manc city centre, I forgot the England match was on at old trafford, it pissed it down constantly, the crowds were out getting in the friggin' way gggggrrrrr :mad:
noticed some poor soul had been knocked over by a tram just outside of debenhams :(
anyway, after being served by one of the most surly bastard of a staff at Waterstone's :mad: I also picked up on the 3 for 2:
We need to talk about kevin (Lionel Shriver)
The five people you meet in heaven (Mitch Albom)
:D ;)
I haven't been near a bookshop since Wednesday! Going to see if Webberley's have it tomorrow (and there'll be hell to pay if they don't :p)
Fledgling
09-10-2005, 18:55
I haven't been near a bookshop since Wednesday! Going to see if Webberley's have it tomorrow (and there'll be hell to pay if they don't :p)
So will we be meeting you next time for discussing the book?
So will we be meeting you next time for discussing the book?
Probably not, unless I can get my work to change things around. I'd just like to read it anyway :)
Throbbing Angel
09-10-2005, 20:14
anyway, after being served by one of the most surly bastard of a staff at Waterstone's
wasn't her on the ground floor with glasses and prematurly greying hair was it?
FFS - some people should just get a job they like :mad:
wasn't her on the ground floor with glasses and prematurly greying hair was it?
FFS - some people should just get a job they like :mad:
No it was a youngish lass, longish black hair tied back, black clothes, slightly podgy, she was a miserable fucker, hope she gets the sack :mad: :mad:
Throbbing Angel
10-10-2005, 06:56
'kinnell, calm down - it's only a book club! :D
'kinnell, calm down - it's only a book club! :D
:D :D
Throbbing Angel
10-10-2005, 19:35
:rolleyes:
I'm just jealous
:p
Not strictly book related but if any of you clubbers want to go to a gig, my band's playing Matt and Phred's next Monday.
Don't worry. We're not jazz.
Getting into the book properly now. I say, he's not a bad little writer, is he??!!
:cool: :D
Also, I had the idea that maybe we could each bring our favourite sentence from the book to the next book club? The most striking paragraph or phrase, one that really stands out
I for one would be dead interested to see which specific parts really struck you as "Wow" - from a stylistic viewpoint, or a construction viewpoint, linguistic, fictional, whatever...
Matt and Phred's? Where's it?
And what kind of band are you then?
:)
Tib Street, near Centro.
alt-country/folk sort of stuff. All chiming guitars and songs about booze and heartbreak.
http://www.mattandphreds.com/home
Lovely website they have.
Whassit called your band then, and what time are you on and is there a cover fee?
Tib Street, near Centro.
alt-country/folk sort of stuff. All chiming guitars and songs about booze and heartbreak.
Sent you a PM mancboy, what time are you guys on and how much is entry?
Throbbing Angel
16-10-2005, 15:34
I loved Cleopatra, where did THEY go?? :(
:confused:
comin'atchya!
mancboy is last on, but aiming to get to matt n phreds for 9-9.30
see you guys in there (although I only recognise a few of you from the book club lol!)
Which book are you reading again. Dunno if I'll be able to make Manc but there's no reason why I can't read the book in question?
The Line ofg Beauty, by Alan Hollinghurst. Well worth trying. :)
Chorlton
18-10-2005, 21:15
Not strictly book related but if any of you clubbers want to go to a gig, my band's playing Matt and Phred's next Monday.
Don't worry. We're not jazz.
i refuse to go to see them as they refused my flyer design.... that goth market won't exploit itself.... oh wait....
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v426/chorlton/LittleNemoFlyer.jpg
I loved that suit as well. Ah.
BTW Neemo has two 'e's in it'
I'd deffo have used that flyer if I'd seen it!
AnnO'Neemus
19-10-2005, 18:51
P.S. You were rather brilliant mancboy! :)
Wookey, what happened? You asked where M&P's was, which kind of indicated you might amble along. You missed a good night.
P.S. You were rather brilliant mancboy! :)
*nods*
loved the gig mancboy :)
*big round of applause*
fantastic gig mate, you guys were the best by miles!
Well pleased you lot turned up!
You've just made me blush in company. you heathens...
But ta.
Wookey, what happened? You asked where M&P's was, which kind of indicated you might amble along. You missed a good night.
To be honest?
I HAD A FUCKING BIG BOOK TO READ!!!
:D :D :D
Fledgling
23-10-2005, 01:05
To be honest?
I HAD A FUCKING BIG BOOK TO READ!!!
:D :D :D
I've only read 50 pages!
Better get skates on.
I've only read 50 pages!
Better get skates on.
*guiltily shuffles shoes*
Fledgling
25-10-2005, 21:52
Err,
When are we meeting again?
(I've now read 150 pages!!)
farmerbarleymow
26-10-2005, 16:14
I'd be up for a book club thingy - when is the next one due then? Any homework for me to do beforehand?
I don't tend to read fiction books as a rule - prefer fact-based stuff. But don't suppose there would be many takers for books on evolutionary theory or plate tectonics :D
Farmer! Welcome back mate! We've all missed you lots!
Next book club is 6pm, on wednesday the 9th.
2005
Get the book and come!
:) :cool:
farmerbarleymow
27-10-2005, 15:14
Get the book and come!
What book is that then? :confused:
I can pop to waterstones at dinnertime and pick up a copy :)
The Line of Beauty -Alan Hollinghurst (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0330483218/qid=1130428708/sr=8-1/ref=pd_ka_1/202-2727861-1711804) :)
REMINDER - 9th of November, usual place, for the next meeting...
*almost finished book*
*almost finished book*
Stop showing off or I'll come round and brick your office windows.
It is rather good though, isn't it?
It is rather good though, isn't it?
It's splendid, darling! ;)
REMINDER: Meeting on the 9th (tomorrow) at 6pm Pevril. Are you all organised enough to have remembered this I wonder? :confused:
(sorearm posting under AnMarie's login)
Happy 5000th post wookey!
:D :cool:
Won't be able to get there until about 7ish at the earliest
*rubs head remembering last piss up , *cough cough* serious intellectual debate*
:mad:
Wahahaye!
I didn't even notice! And on such a cool thread too! And now I've ruined it by posting again!
That's cool, get there as fast as you can. Run, if necessary, because given half a chance the assembled will face down under the optics by 9 o clock.
Actually, I'm on halfs this month, I've got work the next day so up at 6am.Bolox.
Still, the book, the boook! Hahah. Wonder what people made of it....
:cool:
Fledgling
09-11-2005, 13:42
(sorearm posting under AnMarie's login)
Happy 5000th post wookey!
:D :cool:
Won't be able to get there until about 7ish at the earliest
*rubs head remembering last piss up , *cough cough* serious intellectual debate*
:mad:
it will be serious and intellectual, I'll be there :D
farmerbarleymow
09-11-2005, 13:48
Sorry everyone - won't be able to come to this one. Not feeling too well after my flu jab and recovering from my injuries sustained last weekend :rolleyes:
I'll come to the next one though - post what the chosen book is and I'll sort myself out :)
Well done everyone, fascinating chat. Fucking fascinating.
Let's all meet up again on the 14th of December at the Pev, with a view to drinks at Mancboy's if the crowds clamber too closely.
*hic*
Well done everyone, fascinating chat. Fucking fascinating.
Let's all meet up again on the 14th of December at the Pev, with a view to drinks at Mancboy's if the crowds clamber too closely.
*hic*
I've already started wiping the chairs down.
Great start, everyone. See y'all soon. (And maybe a few more of you too)
Can mancboy or wookey post up the book again to remind us ...
*promises to finish the book this time* :rolleyes:
'Shake Hands with the Devil'
General Romeo Dallaire
in t'History room at Waterstones, loads of copies, confusingly filed under 'Zimbabwe' on the shelves.
meh.
x
Sorry I couldn't get there again this Wednesday, but will definitely try for the December meet up...was invited on a last minute holiday and a well earned rest for me left shoulder that's been giving me jip for a few weeks...
Fraid I haven't managed to get thru much of the book either, altho I've really enjoyed what I've read up to now...
Are we gonna wait till everyone has finished this first book before discussing it online? so's not to give the plot away?
Would love to discuss it at some time on here, since I missed the meeting...Will let you know when I've finished it, and hopefully started on the next one...sounds very interesting..
Bye all :)
'Shake Hands with the Devil'
General Romeo Dallaire
in t'History room at Waterstones, loads of copies, confusingly filed under 'Zimbabwe' on the shelves.
meh.
x
Ordered it from play.com - £6.99 inc delivery
Noticed it was another biggie :eek: :mad:
farmerbarleymow
11-11-2005, 17:28
'Shake Hands with the Devil'
General Romeo Dallaire
oh god this one sounds extremely depressing. Just looking at the reviews on the Waterstones website makes me wonder whether it is something I could bring myself to read - too much information about the horrors of the world perhaps.
I know someone who has been to Rwanda and the stories she told were bad enough - I don't know whether I want to read about them as well.
I'll think about this one and decide in a couple of weeks whether I'll read it or not.
Would love to discuss it at some time on here, since I missed the meeting...Will let you know when I've finished it, and hopefully started on the next one...sounds very interesting..
Well, although a couple of peeps at the BC hadn't finished it, we went ahead and discussed it anyway. Everyone marked it highly, and a couple agreed it had 'started off a seven, turned slowly into an eight, and then finished as a nine'.
Which does describe the arc of the book somewhat perfectly....
:cool:
Just to post up details of the rampant lion gig as promised (sorry it's a bit ahead but I'm working away next week or so and might not be near a computer...
Gig at Rampant Lion, Upper Lloyd St
Thurs 24/11
Doors 8pm and I think we're on fairly soon after that.
Also www.myspace.com/littleneemo for some downloads if you want a listen
fledgling - good to randomly bump into you last night.
See y'all soon
Fledgling
12-11-2005, 22:39
Just to post up details of the rampant lion gig as promised (sorry it's a bit ahead but I'm working away next week or so and might not be near a computer...
Gig at Rampant Lion, Upper Lloyd St
Thurs 24/11
Doors 8pm and I think we're on fairly soon after that.
Also www.myspace.com/littleneemo for some downloads if you want a listen
fledgling - good to randomly bump into you last night.
See y'all soon
and good to bump into you too! Hopefully I'll be able to make this.
It was interesting to listen to people's opinions on the book and about the fear over AIDS in the 80s, will buy the next book soon; we seem to be choosing some powerful but all the same depressing reading. I think I'll try and look into the background to Rwanda a little too, and watch Hotel Rwanda.
farmerbarleymow
14-11-2005, 11:41
Well I've had a think about this over the weekend and decided I won't read this book, but I'll happily pop along to the meeting in December to say hello to everyone.
The reason I won't read this book is that I have never been one to read books about killing of any kind, be it serial killers or genocide. Simply not my thing, and something I've always found quite disturbing. I know that these things happen, through reading the gist of them in the news and so on, but I just don't want to read about it in detail. Too unpleasant by far for my liking.
How about something nice and light for the next one - The Magic Faraway Tree? :D I like that book - it makes me happy :)
How about something nice and light for the next one - The Magic Faraway Tree? I like that book - it makes me happy
The next book will be like you, Farmer, short and sweet.
;)
farmerbarleymow
14-11-2005, 16:19
The next book will be like you, Farmer, short and sweet.
;)
Bless you :)
at least you didn't say it will be thick tome as well :D
I loved The Magic Faraway Tree when I was a kiddie...was told off at infant school for reading the Brer Rabbit stories...anyone interested in those? :)
veracity
16-11-2005, 09:31
I loved The Magic Faraway Tree when I was a kiddie...was told off at infant school for reading the Brer Rabbit stories...anyone interested in those? :)
YES! My dad read me the Brer Rabbit stories when I was a nipper - doing all the different voices etc, they were great. Not sure how they are viewed in these days of PC though.
Apologies to the book club generally, I ordered the Alan Hollinghurst book via the library and it arrived far too late to get any read in time for the meeting and the next book... well I feel the same as farmerbarleymow, don't really want to read this one TBH. So what's the one after then?
Shit, that's a good question - we were sposed to choose the next one at book club and we all forgot (hic*)....we'll have to choose one at December's meet. :o
can we have a thinner book this time please!!!!!!
Fledgling
16-11-2005, 23:11
can we have a thinner book this time please!!!!!!
just cos you were a lazy sod! :D
(smug mode) Some of us managed the 500pgs,
just cos you were a lazy sod! :D
(smug mode) Some of us managed the 500pgs,
*shakes fist* :D
AnnO'Neemus
17-11-2005, 14:53
Well I've had a think about this over the weekend and decided I won't read this book, but I'll happily pop along to the meeting in December to say hello to everyone.
The reason I won't read this book is that I have never been one to read books about killing of any kind, be it serial killers or genocide. Simply not my thing, and something I've always found quite disturbing. I know that these things happen, through reading the gist of them in the news and so on, but I just don't want to read about it in detail. Too unpleasant by far for my liking.
I'm not going to try to persuade you to read it, because you've already decided it's going to be quite disturbing and that won't be your cup of tea. And tbh, it probably will be disturbing, and depressing, it's not going to be light-hearted, but what I did want to say, is that I don't think it will be unnecessarily gratuitous either. You commented about not reading any writing about serial killers or genocide. I'd normally steer clear, too.
[BTW, who are those people who buy the kind of thing that's advertised as: "Now in 52 weekly parts, the A-Z of serial killers, featuring a new serial killer each week, from the Yorkshire Ripper to the chap who killed people at Rillington Place to Rosemary and Fred West to Harold Shipman. All for £4.99 each week, a free binder with issue 1!" Who on earth buys those things? Scary people!!! :eek: ]
Anyway, I don't think the book is written in that kind of vein, (I certainly hope not). I think Chris suggested the book, but I also voted for it, because coincidentally, a couple of weeks previously, I'd happened to catch a documentary on telly about Romeo Dallaire, a really extraordinary character who was profoundly, irreversibly, and adversely affected by his experiences, it was actually quite moving to see the lasting impact it had all had on him, how his hands had been tied by red tape, how he'd felt helpless to intervene as predictable and stoppable events unravelled before him and his staff. The documentary I saw was extremely powerful, and in a kind of perverse way, it was somewhat heart-warming and uplifting, to know that there are decent people out there in the world who try to do the right thing against all the odds...
So when Chris suggested the book, well, I was intrigued to read the writings of such an incredibly noble and valiant individual. I just wanted to explain why I, for one, voted to read what might seem like a curiously depressing book about a deeply unpleasant subject matter.
Throbbing Angel
17-11-2005, 20:55
nice post Ann
Yup, that's what I thought. It's not salacious, and sometimes you should show yourself the dark side of life in order to be able to appreciate the light.
Anyone started the Devil book yet??
Anyone started the Devil book yet??
Yep Wookles I have :D
Anyone started the Devil book yet??
yeah man (sorearm posting btw), fucking tough reading, but interesting.... :eek: :mad:
Well done lad, you might finish this one! (He said, not having started himself)
Anyone else?
[BTW, who are those people who buy the kind of thing that's advertised as: "Now in 52 weekly parts, the A-Z of serial killers, featuring a new serial killer each week, from the Yorkshire Ripper to the chap who killed people at Rillington Place to Rosemary and Fred West to Harold Shipman. All for £4.99 each week, a free binder with issue 1!" Who on earth buys those things? Scary people!!! :eek: ]
Hmmm...'fraid you can count me in as one of those scary people who like to collect grisly, gory books/true accounts of serial killings etc. I haven't managed to purchase any part works yet, although I envied a bloke at my criminology class, who's older than me, by about 20+ years, and who claimed to have a massive collection of those sorts of materials about criminal behaviour.
I must admit to having quite an appetite for gore, but I certainly don't read these true accounts to 'get off on em', I'm more interested in the psychology behind the crimes, what makes the criminals tick.
Hey
Back from the Dam, hard worked and definitely the worse for wear. As sorearm/anmarie will confirm having seen the state I was in last night.
I'm rereading the book - and while that means I'm getting through it faster, it's no less of a tough read than the first time.
God it's fucking freezing. may have to spend the rest of the day in the pub.
Hey another cool gig last night! Cheers http://www.xboxworld.com.au/forum/images/smilies/beer.gif
Hope your feeling better soon! :)
Fledgling
25-11-2005, 20:24
Hey another cool gig last night! Cheers http://www.xboxworld.com.au/forum/images/smilies/beer.gif
Hope your feeling better soon! :)
Darn, missed this, had to work late.
Think I'd better buy the book soon and get reading. I don't think this is something I'd normally read but I'm going to read it as this is a subject we need to learn about.
Shame u missed the gig J :)
Im well on my way with the book...up to Chapter 10 so far.
I was interested in finding so archive footage of Dallaire and came across an number of clips here. (http://archives.cbc.ca/IDD-1-71-1686/conflict_war/romeo_dallaire/)
misskitten
29-11-2005, 14:13
This sounds like a great idea - sorry ive been missing it! But I cant bear 10 pages of planning so can someone fill me in with a quick summary!? Whens the next event and whats the book!?
Im in Salford so not too far away :)
Fledgling
29-11-2005, 15:41
This sounds like a great idea - sorry ive been missing it! But I cant bear 10 pages of planning so can someone fill me in with a quick summary!? Whens the next event and whats the book!?
Im in Salford so not too far away :)
Be glad to............
.......late one evening a group of urbanites convened at the first Urban75 Manchester book club meet and after initial confusion and late arrivals (me n sorearm) and quickly amended rude posts about organisation sat down to discuss the books they had brought to put forward. After discussions, beer and Hazel Blears we decided on The Line of Beauty by Alan Hollinghurst set in 1980s London. Won Booker prize 2004. Other books suggested included Shakes Hands with the Devil, The Fall, and something called the Da Vinci Password or something (apparently this is popular). After beer and further conversation we headed to the depths of the Temple and some of us continued to talk books and lots of other topics before contributing heavily to the private economy of our great and prosperous brewing industry before putting arms in our coats and setting off with a smile wherever good fortune would take us joyful revellers (i.e. drunk to much and wandered off before passing out).
2nd meet dicussed Hollinghurst and found out that: The book improves towards the end, the style was excellent and that some people didn't read the book. They were sent home in disgrace. Then decided to read Shake Hands with the Devil which concerns Rwanda and did not drink as much so went to work the next day.
:D :D
excellent summmary my dear fledgling, especially the brewery bit - *rubs head*
This book is a bit of a toughy and that's for sure, I've got the film Hotel Rwanda and debating whether to watch it or not.....
misskitten
29-11-2005, 20:26
Be glad to............
.......late one evening a group of urbanites convened at the first Urban75 Manchester book club meet and after initial confusion and late arrivals (me n sorearm) and quickly amended rude posts about organisation sat down to discuss the books they had brought to put forward. After discussions, beer and Hazel Blears we decided on The Line of Beauty by Alan Hollinghurst set in 1980s London. Won Booker prize 2004. Other books suggested included Shakes Hands with the Devil, The Fall, and something called the Da Vinci Password or something (apparently this is popular). After beer and further conversation we headed to the depths of the Temple and some of us continued to talk books and lots of other topics before contributing heavily to the private economy of our great and prosperous brewing industry before putting arms in our coats and setting off with a smile wherever good fortune would take us joyful revellers (i.e. drunk to much and wandered off before passing out).
2nd meet dicussed Hollinghurst and found out that: The book improves towards the end, the style was excellent and that some people didn't read the book. They were sent home in disgrace. Then decided to read Shake Hands with the Devil which concerns Rwanda and did not drink as much so went to work the next day.
Thank you, most concise and illuminating!
I would love to come to a future meeting, probably with some housemates too (although im a little embarrassed as i say a lot on here under the guise of anonymity!) - im not sure whether i'd be able to handle the book this week but will see how i go... i have loads of suggestions too :p
Tomorrow, 6pm, Pevril on the Peak!
Please bring next book sugegstions, so we can chat about them and choose a (smaller?) book....
;)
farmerbarleymow
13-12-2005, 15:42
Shit - can't make tomorrow night - working late this week. Sorry...
Won't be able to make it until 7 at the earliest..... sheesh, what a depressing book (but a thought provoking and maddening one too)
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