BellaOnline Forums Travel and Culture English Culture Book Club....another go?

I tried to do a book club last July, but nobody seemed to be interested. Perhaps summer is not the best time to do these things. So, what I would like to know is, would anyone be interested in doing a book discussion for March? We can go with my last pick - The Virgin's Lover by Philippa Gregory - or we can go with something else. I'm open to suggestions. Should we go with an English classic? Should we do Shakespeare? A.S. Byatt's Possession might be an interesting choice (and it's a wonderful book). I want to know what you think!

I would like to get this set up as soon as possible, to give people time to find the book. Not to mention, I would need time to acquire it, if I don't already have it.

If I have at least one interested person, I'll go forward with it. Tbunny - interested? Anyone else?

I would be interested in getting in on the discussion. Maybe you could come up with 2-3 choices and we could vote. I was an English Major in college and I think Shakespeare or an English classic might be hard for some to get into.

I used to read Philippa Gregory a lot but I'm not familiar with the other book you mentioned. In recent years, I've read mostly mysteries or non-fiction.

I used to love my lit classes where we discussed books and haven't had time to do a book club before.

Keep me posted.

Joan

Thanks for your input, Joan. I agree that Shakespeare or the classics might be difficult, but I thought I would throw the idea out there in case that might interest anyone. I'm perfectly happy doing contemporary fiction!

A.S. Byatt's Possession, which I mentioned in my initial post, is a bit...academic. That might pose a bit of a problem too. But I think everyone who wants to participate can handle it if they give it a careful reading.

Let me come up with some choices and I'll post a poll on here.

Okay, since I have apparently not been able to figure out how to post a poll to this thing (despite following directions), here are 3 choices I came up with. Feel free to come up with your own. I would like to make a decision on the book by February 15, in order to give everyone time to order a copy. Once we decide what title we want, I will post a Book Club page with a link to where you can purchase the book.

If you need more information about any of these titles, just feel free to look them up on amazon.com:

The 199 Steps - Michel Faber

Katherine - Anya Seton

I, Elizabeth - Rosalind Miles

I'm in!
I think my preference would be (although any would be fine):

1. 199 Steps (for no good reason other than Whitby on the cover)
2. I Elizabeth
3. Katherine

If we did "I Elizabeth" we could always read it, then see the movie and compare them.

And Whitby is precisely the reason why I am interested in doing 199 Steps! They were selling that book absolutely EVERYWHERE when I was there.

Of course, Bram Stoker's Dracula is inspired by Whitby too, but I don't think that's a particularly English book.

I'm in too, 199 steps looks good I've just read the reviews on amazon.
Waiting to hear your final choice.

Well, so far that seems to be the preferred title. I'll let you know in another week or so. I posted about this on my latest newsletter, so I'm hoping to get some more people involved.

I might be interested, and I'm always looking for something new to read! Can you post a link to info about 199 steps here? I found it on Amazon, but can't seem to find any reviews or info.....

Sian, tired of nightmares in which she meets a grisly end, decides she needs to get out more. Joining an archaeological dig at Whitby Abbey, she uncovers a mystery involving a long-hidden murder. Faber's novella is in turn thriller, romance, ghost story and meditation on the nature of sincerity.

Found here:
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