Tag Archives: Bookish Chatter

Chatter about books, reading and anything related to either one.

Book Club Selection Meeting: Looking for Mind Shattering Goodness

My book club meets this Thursday to select our books for the year. There are about 15 members who regularly attend and we each get to pitch two titles to the group.

One of the requirements, is that the book is available in paperback. I hate this requirement because it sort of prevents us from exploring newer titles, but if it’s slightly new and will be available in PB later this year, then that would be okay.

The other thing is that they frown if the page length is too long. By too long, I’d say anything over 500 pages would have to be deemed fabulous before it made the list.

I’m not really into pitching books that everyone will like. I am more interested in pitching a title that will prompt discussion, be it good or bad. If we can talk about it, then I consider it good. If they happen to enjoy it too, then that’s a win-win.

Of course, the aim is to blow their minds but it doesn’t always work that way.

Here are some of the titles that came to mind:

Super Sad True Love Story by Gary Shteyngart

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

Matterhorn by Karl Marlantes

As you can see, these don’t necessarily fit the criteria I laid out above but I’ve been wanting to read them and might pitch one of them anyway.

I was also thinking about this one:

The Crying Tree by Naseem Rakha

If you have feedback on any of these titles or want to toss another title into the hat, please do so.

I try to add titles to my Goodreads list as I see them, but I know that there are a few out there that I meant to add, but missed. 

If you have a title you want to recommend, just let me know in comments and if possible, include a sentence or two on why you are recommending it. 

I’ll post an update post later in the month to let you know which ones I pitched and which ones made the list.

The Sunday Salon: Spring is in the Air

The Sunday Salon

I know some of you are still dealing with snow, but Southern California has been deliciously sunny and warm. I’m sure it won’t stick because it’s a bit early (even for us) to starting singing the praises of spring but it’s sure been nice.

This past week has been a bit of a busy blur. Basketball practices, homework packets that require deciphering, and lots of projects at work to keep me busy. So although the weather has been gorgeous, I didn’t get to enjoy it too much. However, I am usually done with whatever I am doing by dusk and there is nothing better than stepping out into a warm evening with the sun setting in the background. Everything is blooming too which makes me want to break out the flip-flops.

In between the craziness, I’ve been reading The Sweet Relief of Missing Children and I have to tell you, I am in love with this book. I could have finished it two days ago but I’ve been reading as slow as I can to stretch it out a bit.

The Indie Lit Fiction panel is finishing up their shortlist reading today and then voting on a winner. I must say, we had a very interesting batch of books. I loved the variety.

Today, The Girl was scheduled to have a playdate with her friend (the Tiger Mother would frown), but the mother never got back to me so I think we are just watching football today.

What do you have planned?