That's ok! Since I chose it, I consider it partly my fault :)

After reading it, I was a bit surprised that it was a Booker finalist (as I have partly eluded to before)---it wasn't great by any stretch of the imagination, but it wasn't bad either. I read the other book I proposed---In a Strange Room, which was better and would have offered more to discuss. Oh well!

Did you like American Gods?

briandmyers, mk, b_b, sounds_sound, winston, JakobVirgil, AnSionnachRua, lessismore, caio, thenewgreen, insomniasexx

It's August---anybody else finish the book and have thoughts? Did you like it? Are you still interested in the book club? Who is going to pick next?

I agree totally. In fact, I was trying to figure exactly how to articulate what my disappointments were and you did it so precisely. I do agree that I think the character development could have been much better, which would have made the story more satisfying. Although I must admit I was very moved at times, I wasn't really impacted at the end of the book or its characters (although I feel a certain fondness for them).

briandmyers, mk, b_b, sounds_sound, winston, JakobVirgil, AnSionnachRua, lessismore, and caio, thenewgreen

I hope everyone has or is enjoying the book. I know JakobVirgil finished it and liked it, anyone else any thoughts???

I enjoyed it quite a bit too, it was just what I anticipated---a good summer adventure. Look forward to hearing what everyone else thinks.

-Having a strong cup of black coffee in the morning

-Taking hot baths

-Fall

-Putting my child to sleep at night-which is one of the few moments I am actually "in the moment"

-A great cappucino with lots of foam and a fresh biscotti

-Making things--anything really, just as long as I finish it

-Reading a book that is so good, I don't want to put it down and want to stay up all night to finish it

-A great cocktail (or a few great ones)

-Watching a good movie in bed

I just finished it last night---I know way ahead of schedule, but that must say something great about the rest of the book, right? I really enjoyed her writing, it was fun and imaginative...looking forward to what you think of the rest.

I would choose either volvo or subaru that have an awd/4wd feature for the options you are interested in and the climate you live in

Definitely wouldn't suggest VW, too many mechanical pitfalls

great idea--it will make things much easier

I have checked-out both books from the library and I am going to read both. But, I think Jamrach's menagerie seem more like a summer adventure book, so that is the one I have chosen to kick-off the book club. Keep me posted when you start reading---I am looking forward to this very much!!!

AnSionnachRua, insomniasexx, b_b, JakobVirgil, sounds_sound, lessismore, mk, winston, caio, scrimetime, cgod, briandmyers

Alright :) Well, if you ever have a non-fiction title to share, please do.

Well, you can have your turn at the dictatorship and I will look forward to reading your non-fiction pick.

I agree. I think it is front loaded with suffering, but still all interesting thoughts to ponder (for me). And, yes, sports and suffering are the news, well maybe american idol and dancing with the stars should also be included as a more well rounded assessment.

Do you recommend it?

Ok, every other month it is! We can discuss it as we read it or have one finale discussion the last week of the second month (or both). So, for the first book, we should be finished by the end of July. Since I prefer fiction, I am choosing that. Here are three novels to choose from...hopefully, we can find one that nobody has read. I picked them all from among the Booker finalists from 2010 and 2011:

Jamrach's Menagerie

Parrot and Olivier in America

In a strange room

I have tried to read Midnight's Children several times, but could never really make it past 2/3 of the book...

Since you obviously agree fiction is good for us, want to join my book club? :)

http://hubski.com/pub?id=31623

Not that I know anything about any of these, but here are a couple of ideas:

-1Q84

-The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer

-The Storytelling Animal: How Stories Make Us Human

Here is my stance on this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0L9cPiSh5aE

What is even worse is that North Carolina already had a law banning gay marriage. The sole purpose of this amendment was to ban civil unions, but obviously the ignorance of the electorate once again serves to deprive citizens of equality.

What about this?

http://www.forbes.com/sites/greatspeculations/2012/02/28/app...

me too!!!

I like this article, I think I have a bi-modal sleeping tendency....too bad I don't have 14 hours in which to maximize my benefits :)

Keep us all posted, I'd love to hear how it is and if it is any better than your first class.

So cool!!! Also, I was looking up Sebastian Thrun and came across this article on CNN, which I thought was really interesting---lots of cool tech things coming in the future:

http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2010/technology/1007/gallery....

I agree, but I like the RCT data :)

I've actually lived in Miami and the upscale communities are extravagant, but, just as the article says, outside of those, it is very slum-like

Big time--I totally agree with you about Chicago!!! It's a great city.

Good article, but Codeacademy is really cool, I just completed the first 7 lessons and am looking forward to more

Thought to ponder:

How many of those "independent" companies are funded, in part, by the pharmaceutal industry?

Me too--he's clever!!!