Manc Book Club - an open invite

[Wookey]

It's a v.good book I must say!

*growls*

... anyone noticed that The Line of Beauty is coming soon onto BBC2??? I CAN'T wait to see this one!

I know! But they won't look the same as what was in my head!! And they'll make a big play out of the small bits, and a minor play out of the important bits, and I'm sure they'll screw up the architecture of it. it was too finely woven to unpick into a TV series, I honestly wonder how they'll replace that in the medium.

 

[chio]

I saw a few clips of it on one of those poncy "review" shows, and it didn't look that bad - perhaps I'm just too conditioned to telly but the bits they showed looked almost like I imagined when I read the book.

 

[Wookey]

I saw a few clips of it on one of those poncy "review" shows, and it didn't look that bad - perhaps I'm just too conditioned to telly but the bits they showed looked almost like I imagined when I read the book.

I think we subconsciously turn the fiction we read into three-part TV serials in our heads!

 

[Fledgling]

Hello everyone!

Well, I expect that I'll miss the adaptation of The Line of Beauty , although a book of that length and depth would only disappoint me on-screen, given that my favourite scenes could not be captured fully. The scenes with Nick dancing with the Lady and Gerald's welly whanging are more than visual. But I'm sure it would be entertaining and interesting to see who would play Gerald.

Anyway...

As I have suggested the current book I thought I'd post to ensure Wookey arranges a date for the meet, even though I'm only an online member for now. Also, if there are any people thinking of coming along in person or online I thought I'd wade through the last few pages of posts and bring people up to speed, mainly beacuse I'm so selfless (actually I've got bored of Wikipedia articles on UK General Elections and looking at the heights of Welsh mountains, there is not much you can look at while at work).

Books the bookclub has read so far:

The Line of Beauty: Alan Hollinghurst
Shake Hands with the Devil: Lt Gen. Romeo Dallaire
I Lucifer: Glenn Duncan
Veronika Decides to die: Paulo Coelhio
The Rum Diaries: Hunter S Thompson

Current book (go read it)

The Ragged Trousered Philanphropists: Robert Tressell

And I hope people are liking this, I thought this would be a good urban book.

 

[Wookey]

USEFUL STUFF

Well done Fledgers. Good call.

I missed the Line adaptation last night on account of marrying a bloke who likes football. I shall not be making this mistake again.

As for Ragged, well, I'm finding it quite hard to start, not because of the book but because my mind is on so much other stuff. I'm really eager to get through it though, as what I have read is wicked - and the Ricky Tomlinson bit at the end makes it sound quite life-changing, in a working class identity type way.

Also, guys, I've had some suggestions made to me by some other members. Tell me what you think:

1) We set a date for book club, say the 1st of every month, and we stick to it. If I can't make it, or you can't make it, never mind, there's always next month. I think moving it about and having it flexible is all very laudable, but a few members have said a fixed date would make it easier for them to organise their lives (yes, they have lives!) around. It sounds like a good idea to me, so I'm putting it to the floor.

2) Three other members have asked if I could set up an email notification for the bookclub. They aren't urbanites, and (inexplicably) don't want to be urbanites - so it's been requested that we keep these people in the loop - as they aren't seeing this thread. This would mean getting a web-email address from each member, and each member having the password to access a bookclub acount. Updates etc will then be sent via email (although probably still posted here for us Urbs)

3) It's been brought to my attention that other book clubs allow one member to keep a list of the other members' addresses and contact numbers. This means new members can be sent a postal invitation to the venue, and we know that everyone is who they say they are. It's meant to protect the safety of all members, and is likely to deter scumbuckets and anti-socs. Thoughts on this one?

4) I'd like you to remember that fresh blood is important to the club, and if you have any good mates who like reading and talking, and you don't mind spending one evening a month with them - please consider inviting them to join!! They needn't be urbanites, in fact it would be nice to stretch our circle outside of Urbania, imo. Have a think on this one.

 

[chio]

1) We set a date for book club, say the 1st of every month, and we stick to it. If I can't make it, or you can't make it, never mind, there's always next month. I think moving it about and having it flexible is all very laudable, but a few members have said a fixed date would make it easier for them to organise their lives (yes, they have lives!) around. It sounds like a good idea to me, so I'm putting it to the floor.

Agreed - I work every Wednesday night so have never been able to show up. If it was the first of the month, every month, there'd be some I'd not make it to, but most people would be able to make it most of the time.

 

[chio]

I missed the Line adaptation last night on account of marrying a bloke who likes football. I shall not be making this mistake again.

If you can bear to sit and squint at it on a PC screen, it's being shown on the BBC2 website.

 

[silver]

Hello book club people, can I join in? I'm in Mancheter and I'm usually around on a week day evenings & I read quite a bit so it'd be nice to have some new books suggested

 

[handy1]

I have read The Ragged T.P. about 3 times.

My mam gave it me when i was 18,i think she must have bought literally dozens of copies over the years for young people she thought worthy or would benefit from the book.


Brilliant book well ahead of its time.

H

 

[chio]

Now that I've left the offending job, I can join in the book club too.

 

[AnMarie]

Silver, handy1 and chio it would be great to see ya at the next meet

Its Wednesday June 5th I think!

U'll all be most welcome

 

[Wookey]

Wading through it.

 

[chio]

Its Wednesday June 5th I think!

Won't be coming to this one as I didn't know I'd be able to be there so haven't read the book - once I find out what the next book is I'll join in

 

[silver]

Silver, handy1 and chio it would be great to see ya at the next meet

Its Wednesday June 5th I think!

U'll all be most welcome

If I get through the book I should be able to make it! (just arrived today, looks a bit of a hefty read!) Weds is the 7th June tho?

 

[Wookey]

Yes, Wednesday June 7th, just checked, sorry.

 

[misskitten]

Damn, away again! July is a definite tho, is it going to be the 1st or was that just an example??

The ideas for non-urbanites sound good as my housemates enjoyed it and would pop along again - and some other people I know too (who are put off by the whole internet thing but love books).

Let us know the July selection when you decide, and have fun discussing ragged trousers!

 

[Wookey]

Damn, away again! July is a definite tho, is it going to be the 1st or was that just an example??

The ideas for non-urbanites sound good as my housemates enjoyed it and would pop along again - and some other people I know too (who are put off by the whole internet thing but love books).

Let us know the July selection when you decide, and have fun discussing ragged trousers!

No, I think we'll go for the first of the month, barring any good reasons why not...also, your housemates were lovely, the email idea is meant exactly for people like that who aren't urbanites but wanna meet to chat lit!

I wish I travelled as much as you, btw.

 

[Fledgling]

Hey all!

I'm going to write a big(ish) post on the book as I am unable to make it in person. Watch this space. Enjoyed reading it though and there's a lot I have to say about the book. TBH I'll come out and say straightaway that I thought this was one of the best books I've ever read. Sure you'll have a good discussion but as I've said before you can still understand the book if you only read 100 pages. It's winter down under which means torrential rain! I think the ideas about keeping a list of members and meeting on 1st of the month are good too, although I'll be an online only member for a while. Anyhow, watch this space and I'll put up some thoughts on the book.

 

[misskitten]

No, I think we'll go for the first of the month, barring any good reasons why not...also, your housemates were lovely, the email idea is meant exactly for people like that who aren't urbanites but wanna meet to chat lit!

I wish I travelled as much as you, btw.

Yeah i know, tis great! But i am really working too this time... whole phd to write within 3 months (was 6 but spent first 3 having fun - oops!).

Housemates will be very happy to hear that btw. Books and beer are always a good combination in our house!

 

[Wookey]

TBH I'll come out and say straightaway that I thought this was one of the best books I've ever read.

Wow.

 

[sorearm]

won't be able to make it tomorrow, got a flat-clearing and packing to do....

 

[AnMarie]

^^^^

Wot he said...*sigh*

 

[avu9lives]

Interesting