Independence Day (July 4th) Reading Poll

[Scheherazade]

Please nominate a book by an American author

for

our

Independence Day (July 4th) Reading

by June 15th.


As always, only the first 10 nominations will be included in the poll.

*edit*

Some information on the books nominated:

Maltese Falcon Dashiell Hammett (http://www.amazon.com/Maltese-Falcon-Read-Great-Movie/dp/0752865331/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3/002-7211632-3883229?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182030375&sr=8-3)

A Long Day's Journey into Night by Eugene O'Neill
(http://www.amazon.com/Long-Days-Journey-into-Night/dp/0300093055/ref=sr_1_1/002-7211632-3883229?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182030822&sr=1-1)
Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson (http://www.amazon.com/Winesburg-Ohio-Oxford-Worlds-Classics/dp/0192839772/ref=sr_1_2/002-7211632-3883229?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182030960&sr=1-2)

The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien
(http://www.amazon.com/Things-They-Carried-Tim-OBrien/dp/0767902890/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/002-7211632-3883229?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182031027&sr=1-2)
Independence Day by Richard Ford
(http://www.amazon.com/Independence-Day-Richard-Ford/dp/0679492658/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/002-7211632-3883229?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182031168&sr=1-2)
The October Country by Ray Bradbury
(http://www.amazon.com/October-Country-Ray-Bradbury/dp/0380973871/ref=sr_1_1/002-7211632-3883229?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182031255&sr=1-1)
Ragtime by E.L. Doctorow (http://www.amazon.com/Ragtime-Novel-E-L-Doctorow/dp/0812978188/ref=sr_1_1/002-7211632-3883229?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182031306&sr=1-1)

The Mysterious Stranger by Mark Twain
(http://www.amazon.com/Mysterious-Stranger-Mark-Twain/dp/1406951765/ref=sr_1_5/002-7211632-3883229?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182031408&sr=1-5)
One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey (http://www.amazon.com/Flew-Over-Cuckoos-Penguin-Classics/dp/0141181222/ref=sr_1_1/002-7211632-3883229?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182031473&sr=1-1)

The poll will close on June 23rd.


Book Club Procedures (http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?p=57103#post57103)

[NickAdams]

Invisible Man- Ralph Ellison

[Virgil]

That's a long read for a holiday. How about a fun read like Dashiel Hammett's The Maltese Falcon.

[NickAdams]

Oh! It's only to be read over the holiday. Let me think.

[littlewing53]

how 'bout painted bird - jerzy kosinski...

sorry, he's not an american author....i withdraw...it's just a really, really good book

[Schokokeks]

Yippiiiie, another reading ! :)
I'd like to nominate The Hairy Ape by Eugene O'Neill.
I'm totally behind my American Literature reading list, this is good opportunity then :D.

I do wonder, however, why we only celebrate the American (and the Irish) national day with a reading ? :) (In case I'm mistaken in this, let me know). Due to the majority of users here (though maybe not the majority of those participating in the Book Club) being from the US and Ireland, perhaps ? :)

[NickAdams]

I'd like to nominate a shorter work.
Out of Mailer's The Gospel According to the Son, Faulkner's Wild Palms and Anderson's Wineburg, Ohio ...

I would like to nominate Wineburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson.

[Virgil]

Ooh, Schoky good thinking, a Eugene O'Neil play. Actually I would love to do A Long Day's Journey Into Night.

Nick - I like the Winesburg Ohio stories too. but I wouldn't mind reading a Faulkner novel I've never read before either. Or is Wild Palms a collection of short stories?

[NickAdams]

Ooh, Schoky good thinking, a Eugene O'Neil play. Actually I would love to do A Long Day's Journey Into Night.

Nick - I like the Winesburg Ohio stories too. but I wouldn't mind reading a Faulkner novel I've never read before either. Or is Wild Palms a collection of short stories?

I've never read any Anderson.

It's the combination of two novellas I think: Wild Palms and Old Man, which alternate chapters. Faulkner perfered to call it If I Forget Thee, Jerusalem .

I don't know which to choose. Did The forum already read Winesburg for a book club.

[Scheherazade]

Nominations so far:

1. Virgil - The Maltese Falcon by Dashiel Hammett

2. Schokokeks - The Hairy Ape by Eugene O'Neill

3. NickAdams - Wineburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson
I do wonder, however, why we only celebrate the American (and the Irish) national day with a reading ? :) (In case I'm mistaken in this, let me know). Due to the majority of users here (though maybe not the majority of those participating in the Book Club) being from the US and Ireland, perhaps ? :)It is so interesting that you mentioned this, Schokokokeks :) Last night, when I decided to post this thread (actually, this is the first time we are doing a reading on July 4th), I wonder if we could do the same for other countries as well and realised that I do not know any other national holidays (apart from the Bastille Day (France) - July 14th?).

Also, since all Forum members are English speakers (and most either have or are still studying this subject), it seems like a good idea to pick books which are in English (rather than translated).

Having said that, I am not ruling out including books from other countries' literatures. If anyone is interested, please PM me the national holidays of your own countries and we will try to include those into our reading schedule. I think it is wonderful to have diversity and more choices available for everyone who follow the discussions. :)

Nick> Wineburg, Ohio has not been read by the BC and it is one of my personal favorites. :)

[_Shannon_]

I nominate The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien


http://www.amazon.com/Things-They-Carried-Tim-OBrien/dp/0767902890/ref=pd_bbs_2/103-0016651-7532645?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1181135997&sr=8-2

(If I am not supposed to put a link- can a mod please remove it??)

[bouquin]

I recommend Independence Day - by Richard Ford

[Schokokeks]

It is so interesting that you mentioned this, Schokokokeks :) Last night, when I decided to post this thread (actually, this is the first time we are doing a reading on July 4th), I wonder if we could do the same for other countries as well (...) Having said that, I am not ruling out including books from other countries' literatures. If anyone is interested, please PM me the national holidays of your own countries and we will try to include those into our reading schedule.
I'm glad to read that you're not utterly averse to the idea :).
Maybe we could take one national-day-reading per month, selecting only short novels or plays in addition to the regular author-per-month-reading ?
I think it would immensely add to this Forum, since being anglophone and/or studying anglophone literature need not be a hinderance to getting to know other international literature of merit. I've recently been introduced to African literature (written in English) and am still pursuing the goal of reading the entire "African Lit" shelf in my library :D.
But anyway, I hope enough people are interested in widening the borders so that we can get the whole thing started !

[Taliesin]

We'd like to nominate some short story or a short story collection by Bradbury but it is so hard to choose. Argh! At the moment, let it be the short story "The Emissary", or, if it has to be a book, then it is in the collection "The October Country"

[Virgil]

I'm glad to read that you're not utterly averse to the idea :).
Maybe we could take one national-day-reading per month, selecting only short novels or plays in addition to the regular author-per-month-reading ?
I think it would immensely add to this Forum, since being anglophone and/or studying anglophone literature need not be a hinderance to getting to know other international literature of merit. I've recently been introduced to African literature (written in English) and am still pursuing the goal of reading the entire "African Lit" shelf in my library :D.
But anyway, I hope enough people are interested in widening the borders so that we can get the whole thing started !

On this subject I've had Don Quixote on my reading list for years and have not gotten to it. I would love to read that as a group read. Any interest by anyone?

[nmolive]

On this subject I've had Don Quixote on my reading list for years and have not gotten to it. I would love to read that as a group read. Any interest by anyone?
__________________

I would love to read Don Quixote. I, too, have always wanted to read it and never quite made it.

[papayahed]

Ragtime by E.L. Doctorow

[NickAdams]

On this subject I've had Don Quixote on my reading list for years and have not gotten to it. I would love to read that as a group read. Any interest by anyone?

Count me in!:D

[kratsayra]

I've recently been introduced to African literature (written in English) and am still pursuing the goal of reading the entire "African Lit" shelf in my library :D.
But anyway, I hope enough people are interested in widening the borders so that we can get the whole thing started !

Well, I'm not at the point of being able to nominate books yet. But, I would be overjoyed if there was some African lit at some point. I study Francophone African literature mostly, but Anglophone is good too, or Francophone in translation. I'll keep my eyes out for when this happens. :D

[Il Penseroso]

The Mysterious Stranger, by Mark Twain

Anyone?

[Riesa]

how 'bout painted bird - jerzy kosinski...

sorry, he's not an american author....i withdraw...it's just a really, really good book


:thumbs_up that is definitely on my list of favorite books, and I just picked up a copy to re-read, which I then gave away, but I'll happily grab a new one...count me in. oh, it has to be an American author? nvm.


Ooh, Schoky good thinking, a Eugene O'Neil play. Actually I would love to do A Long Day's Journey Into Night.

Nick - I like the Winesburg Ohio stories too. but I wouldn't mind reading a Faulkner novel I've never read before either. Or is Wild Palms a collection of short stories?


Yeah! I was going to nominate A Long Day's Journey, until I saw littlewing's post. so I second that.

[_Shannon_]

On this subject I've had Don Quixote on my reading list for years and have not gotten to it. I would love to read that as a group read. Any interest by anyone?

Oh yes!! I don't know if I could get through it by myself...

[Scheherazade]

Nominations so far:

1. Virgil - The Maltese Falcon by Dashiel Hammett

2. Schokokeks - The Hairy Ape by Eugene O'Neill

3. NickAdams - Wineburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson

4. Shannon - The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien

5. Bouquin - Independence Day by Richard Ford

6. Taliesin - The October Country - Bradbury

7. Papayahed - Ragtime by E.L. Doctorow

8. Il Penseroso - The Mysterious Stranger by Mark Twain


Last two nominations...

[Scheherazade]

Last two nominations...

[Schokokeks]

Oh, I just noticed that the theatre group of my university will be playing A Long Day's Journey into Night next month, and would be much more fun to see it having read the play ;):

I'd like to change my nomination into A Long Day's Journey into Night by Eugene O'Neill.

[Penelope16]

I just received Tortilla Flats by John Steinbeck. A good friend loaned it to me for the summer. I'd like to add this to the list. He's mentioned it several times, mainly because he's from California where it takes place, and insists I read it over the summer. It's short, and would be a great read!

[Scheherazade]

I just received Tortilla Flats by John Steinbeck. A good friend loaned it to me for the summer. I'd like to add this to the list. He's mentioned it several times, mainly because he's from California where it takes place, and insists I read it over the summer. It's short, and would be a great read!Hello, Penelope! Unfortunately, only those members who have at least 50 posts can nominate/vote. If you increase your post count before the deadline, I will add your nomination to the list too! :)

Nominations so far:

1. Virgil - The Maltese Falcon by Dashiel Hammett

2. Schokokeks - A Long Day's Journey into Night by Eugene O'Neill

3. NickAdams - Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson

4. Shannon - The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien

5. Bouquin - Independence Day by Richard Ford

6. Taliesin - The October Country - Bradbury

7. Papayahed - Ragtime by E.L. Doctorow

8. Il Penseroso - The Mysterious Stranger by Mark Twain

[NickAdams]

I just received Tortilla Flats by John Steinbeck. A good friend loaned it to me for the summer. I'd like to add this to the list. He's mentioned it several times, mainly because he's from California where it takes place, and insists I read it over the summer. It's short, and would be a great read!

Posting on the shared haiku, guess who'll post after me and threads that are similiar, will quickly increase you post count.

[Scheherazade]

I would like to nominate One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey.

[Scheherazade]

Some information on the books nominated:

Maltese Falcon Dashiell Hammett (http://www.amazon.com/Maltese-Falcon-Read-Great-Movie/dp/0752865331/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3/002-7211632-3883229?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182030375&sr=8-3)

A Long Day's Journey into Night by Eugene O'Neill
(http://www.amazon.com/Long-Days-Journey-into-Night/dp/0300093055/ref=sr_1_1/002-7211632-3883229?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182030822&sr=1-1)
Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson (http://www.amazon.com/Winesburg-Ohio-Oxford-Worlds-Classics/dp/0192839772/ref=sr_1_2/002-7211632-3883229?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182030960&sr=1-2)

The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien
(http://www.amazon.com/Things-They-Carried-Tim-OBrien/dp/0767902890/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/002-7211632-3883229?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182031027&sr=1-2)
Independence Day by Richard Ford
(http://www.amazon.com/Independence-Day-Richard-Ford/dp/0679492658/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/002-7211632-3883229?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182031168&sr=1-2)
The October Country by Ray Bradbury
(http://www.amazon.com/October-Country-Ray-Bradbury/dp/0380973871/ref=sr_1_1/002-7211632-3883229?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182031255&sr=1-1)
Ragtime by E.L. Doctorow (http://www.amazon.com/Ragtime-Novel-E-L-Doctorow/dp/0812978188/ref=sr_1_1/002-7211632-3883229?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182031306&sr=1-1)

The Mysterious Stranger by Mark Twain
(http://www.amazon.com/Mysterious-Stranger-Mark-Twain/dp/1406951765/ref=sr_1_5/002-7211632-3883229?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182031408&sr=1-5)
One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey (http://www.amazon.com/Flew-Over-Cuckoos-Penguin-Classics/dp/0141181222/ref=sr_1_1/002-7211632-3883229?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182031473&sr=1-1)

The poll will close on June 23rd.

[Scheherazade]

http://img452.imageshack.us/img452/9352/cheerleader2ew4.gif (http://imageshack.us) http://img452.imageshack.us/img452/9352/cheerleader2ew4.gif (http://imageshack.us) http://img452.imageshack.us/img452/9352/cheerleader2ew4.gif (http://imageshack.us) Go, Kesey! Go, Kesey! Go, Kesey! http://img452.imageshack.us/img452/9352/cheerleader2ew4.gif (http://imageshack.us) http://img452.imageshack.us/img452/9352/cheerleader2ew4.gif (http://imageshack.us) http://img452.imageshack.us/img452/9352/cheerleader2ew4.gif (http://imageshack.us)

[motherhubbard]

I just voted for a long days journey since I just started it again last night, but the things they carried was a wonderful story. I feel like a kid at Christmas waiting to see which one wins.

[Scheherazade]

http://img452.imageshack.us/img452/9352/cheerleader2ew4.gif (http://imageshack.us) http://img452.imageshack.us/img452/9352/cheerleader2ew4.gif (http://imageshack.us) http://img452.imageshack.us/img452/9352/cheerleader2ew4.gif (http://imageshack.us) Go, Kesey! Go, Kesey! Go, Kesey! http://img452.imageshack.us/img452/9352/cheerleader2ew4.gif (http://imageshack.us) http://img452.imageshack.us/img452/9352/cheerleader2ew4.gif (http://imageshack.us) http://img452.imageshack.us/img452/9352/cheerleader2ew4.gif (http://imageshack.us)

[Virgil]

I just voted for a long days journey since I just started it again last night, but the things they carried was a wonderful story. I feel like a kid at Christmas waiting to see which one wins.

Thats the one I will probably vote for, but I'll wait.

[NickAdams]

I wouldn't mind Kesey, it's on both my shelf and reading list, but I had to go with Mr. Anderson ... not an intentional movie reference.

[turtlemom]

Shucks, I would have included something from the founding fathers. The declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the writings of Franklin, the Federalist Papers, something like that.

In terms of American authors of novels, how about some patriotic novels like
Once an Eagle by Anton Myrer
From Here to Eternity by James Jones
The Thin Red Line by James Jones
Run Silent, Run Deep by Edward Latimer Beach
The Caine Mutiny: A Novel by Herman Wouk
Battle Cry by Leon Uris

These are very appropriate for remembering what the Fourth of July is about - our Independence, our growth into a country.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*
~*~ And they who for their country die shall fill an honored grave, for glory lights the soldier's tomb, and beauty weeps the brave. ~Joseph Drake ~*~
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*

[Scheherazade]

These are very appropriate for remembering what the Fourth of July is about - our Independence, our growth into a country. Welcome to the Forum and thanks for your suggestions, Turtlemom. However, our members come from all around the world and we see our Independence Day reading is simply a chance to add variety to our readings rather than flexing our patriotic 'muscles'. :)

Hope you join our future readings! :)

[Brigitte]

I have a quiiiick question. When you mean to say that the winning book is to be read over the holiday, how long is that exactly? I'm almost torn by three books, but they're of varying lengths and I'd like to consider that when making my choice.

[Scheherazade]

There is no time limit, Brigitte, but the discussion usually starts a week before and carries on for a month or so.

[_Shannon_]

Shucks, I would have included something from the founding fathers. The declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the writings of Franklin, the Federalist Papers, something like that.

In terms of American authors of novels, how about some patriotic novels like
Once an Eagle by Anton Myrer
From Here to Eternity by James Jones
The Thin Red Line by James Jones
Run Silent, Run Deep by Edward Latimer Beach
The Caine Mutiny: A Novel by Herman Wouk
Battle Cry by Leon Uris

These are very appropriate for remembering what the Fourth of July is about - our Independence, our growth into a country.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*
~*~ And they who for their country die shall fill an honored grave, for glory lights the soldier's tomb, and beauty weeps the brave. ~Joseph Drake ~*~
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*

You could get your post count up and vote for The Things They Carried:brow:

[Virgil]

I've held back from voting. Given that I will be tied up with the July read (Wilde) and the Summer read (probably Woolfe's To The Lighthouse), and that I will be taking up Don Quixote for the summer (which I plan to set up a thread for anyone who wants to participate), I think my reading schedule is more than full. So I will have to skip this.

[Brigitte]

If the book I think is going to win, wins, then I'll be sooo delighted to add this to my list. :] Aha... that makes 3 books I'm going to be reading now. Wheee. xD;

[Schokokeks]

I've held back from voting. (...) I think my reading schedule is more than full. So I will have to skip this.
Me too, exam time looming ahead :sick: and essay deadlines keep popping up every day; I'm sure there must be a nest somewhere :goof:.

However, it would still be great if you guys did A Long Day's Journey into Night, I could need that for my paper :D.

[Virgil]

However, it would still be great if you guys did A Long Day's Journey into Night, I could need that for my paper :D.

Didn't you vote against that? :D

[Scheherazade]

Going once...

[Scheherazade]

Going twice...

[NickAdams]

Third time's the charm ... but, I'm going to need the Colbert bump for Winesburg, Ohio.:p

[Brigitte]

It seems very apparent which book is going to win. :p I can't wait to start readingggg (I didn't want to get ahead of myself).

[NickAdams]

Hopefully I can finish Molloy this weekend, so I can get started on the winner.

[genoveva]

Shucks, I would have included something from the founding fathers. The declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the writings of Franklin, the Federalist Papers, something like that.

In terms of American authors of novels, how about some patriotic novels like
Once an Eagle by Anton Myrer
From Here to Eternity by James Jones
The Thin Red Line by James Jones
Run Silent, Run Deep by Edward Latimer Beach
The Caine Mutiny: A Novel by Herman Wouk
Battle Cry by Leon Uris

These are very appropriate for remembering what the Fourth of July is about - our Independence, our growth into a country.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*
~*~ And they who for their country die shall fill an honored grave, for glory lights the soldier's tomb, and beauty weeps the brave. ~Joseph Drake ~*~
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*

:lol: Are you trying to say Ken Kesey's One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is not a patriotic book?

[motherhubbard]

I started last night. anyone else jump the gun?