This is one of my favorite reads. I too couldn't put it down and I've referenced it often in regards to the #hubskibookclub. You are right that it is a bit slow at first but then it really gets moving and I too was hooked. I imagine that this could make for an amazing film and I'd be surprised if it wasn't in the works. kleinbl00, what's shaking with the book club?
I decided that since it was me pushing the rock up the hill, I'd get the stuff done that was easy and fun, so I pushed animeclub first. The plan is to narrow the fiction down to three for voting and the nonfiction down to three for voting, and then do the shorter one first.
That sounds like a good approach, thanks for doing it. I'd say, let's get Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrel in contention but it's a hefty book, pretty long but a quick read. You should check it out if you've not already.