Christmas Reading Poll '09

[Scheherazade]

http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/6512/ruddie.gif (http://img28.imageshack.us/i/ruddie.gif/)

Even though most of us will be dashing through the snow in one-horse open sleighs as the bells jingle, why not try to read another book during the Christmas madness?

Post your nominations for our Christmas reading in this thread by December 5th.

Please remember that:

- Only those members with 50+ posts can nominate.

- One nomination per member.

- Only the first 10 nominations will be included in the poll.


The Book Club readings are for those who would like to read and discuss books together with other members.

If you are not able to take part or unwilling to (re)read your own nominations, please refrain from nominating books.

[papayahed]

Holidays on Ice: Stories ~ David Sedaris

[Virgil]

Not sure if this is Christmas themed, but let put out Lost Paradise: A Novel, by Cees Nooteboom. Fifthelement gave a great endorsement of this novel in one of her blogs. You can look at a review on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0802143881/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance or read about the author here: http://www.nypl.org/research/chss/pep/pepdesc.cfm?id=3436. Another plus, it's only 160 pages. ;)

[Jozanny]

The Turn of The Screw by Henry James. In some of his shorter novellas the religious import is significant, and the bracketing narrator who sets the scene up for us in this masterpiece begins this hair raising adventure on Christmas Eve and ends it with the dispersion of his listeners on Christmas Day for a reason.

[Lokasenna]

What about Sir Gawain and the Green Knight? That begins on Christmas, and is a cracking read!

[Eryk]

Hercule Poirot's Christmas by Agatha Christie

Cold-blooded murder in a dysfunctional family. And you thought your holidays were stressful.

[Scheherazade]

I nominate Christmas Memory by Truman Capote.

Nominations so far:

1. Holidays on Ice: Stories ~ David Sedaris

2. Lost Paradise: A Novel by Cees Nooteboom

3. The Turn of The Screw by Henry James

4. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

5. Hercule Poirot's Christmas by Agatha Christie

6. Christmas Memory by Truman Capote

[Red-Headed]

I keep trying to read The Turn of the Screw, but something crops up & I never get to finish it. I'm at chapter nine, does that count? :santasmil

[Dark Muse]

A Christmas Carol and Other Christmas Writings by Charles Dickens

[Gladys]

I keep trying to read The Turn of the Screw

I'm entranced reading the final pages of The Golden Bowl by Henry James - what a subtle masterpiece! The thriller, The Other House, was rather disappointing but I loved the understated Washington Square. Have you read The Bostonians yet, Scheherazade?

Surely The Turn of the Screw would make my Christmas. :redface:

[Jozanny]

Gladys, though I need to shut up (not because I am in a prattle-post mood but because this Wednesday could be a good working day if I could stop having after thoughts) let me connect you to my friend Dr. Hathaway's Henry James scholar (http://www2.newpaltz.edu/~hathaway/) web site.

I was going to try to explain Jamesian fanaticism to Red-Headed, but I am a life-long devotee...

[Dark Muse]

I might re-read the Turn of the Screw for this, it was a good story and not too long.

[Jozanny]

I have been bugging the Jamesians to help me pull some old discussions, and I will keep mum until I can figure if I can pull the data I am after, but it will assist in shedding some light on what parts of Christian theologies were uppermost in Henry's mind when he chose to highlight them. Neither he nor his family were Catholic, but James had an attraction to Catholicism which was most evident in "The Altar of The Dead", which for me is one of my most beloved of his shorter tales, along with "The Beast in The Jungle". Both are sheer and utter masterpieces without equal. They almost make Maupassant look like a crass materialist, by way of comparison, and would send Dickens back to junior high.

Among the lay people I am a Jamesian fanatic, and with the Jamesians I am a hostile revisionist. Why, alas, Jozanny, art thou thus? :)

The answer isn't all that difficult, but I won't provide it.

[Virgil]

Yay, Jozy, it looks we'll do a James together. Whatever happened to that nice young man who's lit net name was Jamsian. I haven't seen him in ages. I bet he wold like to read this along.

[Scheherazade]

Not sure if I want to read something so ghostly (!) during the Christmas holidays... Was hoping for something more heart warming.

[Dark Muse]

Not sure if I want to read something so ghostly (!) during the Christmas holidays... Was hoping for something more heart warming.

I tried to compromise between hartwarming and ghostly with Dickens lol

[LitNetIsGreat]

I tried to compromise between hartwarming and ghostly with Dickens lol

Yes I voted for Dickens too, but The Turn of the Screw is very interesting and classic Freudian stuff to boot.

[Jozanny]

Yay, Jozy, it looks we'll do a James together. Whatever happened to that nice young man who's lit net name was Jamsian. I haven't seen him in ages. I bet he wold like to read this along.

I would not know, but I think the Occasionals, who do not need to post, are perhaps healthier for it; if I had not become a regular here (and it took me more than a year because my first impression led me to believe I would be kicked out on my arse) I would have wound up as a gadfly somewhere, even though I chastise myself.

In any case, I will see if I can pull those informative details, though they are old, and I once left the Jamesians and then returned, because one of the scholars wrote an article in HJR and referred to me in not very kindly terms, though she did, however, cause an uproar with the whole group. I have forgiven her though, as she is going blind, and that is a hard thing for scholars who love this field.

I am in the archive, but I do not know how to call up anything earlier than 08, and will have to wait for a business day to ask. It is an older list serv, and not as easy to access as Yahoo Groups, or the like.

Drats! I will see what I can do next week.

[Virgil]

Anyway I guess I need to search for the book. I know I have it in the basement somewhere.

[Jozanny]

Anyway I guess I need to search for the book. I know I have it in the basement somewhere.

I am going to use my print edition, but it is available online, if this might help (http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/toc/modeng/public/JamTurn.html).

It is in the authors list too, you know.

[Virgil]

I am going to use my print edition, but it is available online, if this might help (http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/toc/modeng/public/JamTurn.html).

It is in the authors list too, you know.

Thanks. No way I can read a novel off a computer, but I will probably use that to copy/paste for quotes in our discussion.

[naser56]

i will find that latter

[Agatha]

I go for 'The Turn of the Screw'. I'm pretty sure that I have this book at home. When I'll be back home for my christmas break, I think it's perfect opportunity to read this. Especially taking into account the fact that it's been ages since I read something by James, although I love his works.

[Scheherazade]

Going once...

[Paulclem]

I haven't read any James, and so i voted for him.

[Virgil]

I haven't read any James, and so i voted for him.

Thanks Paul. I was getting worried there for a while. ;)

[downing]

Wow...I didn't know what to read this holiday and The Turn of the Screw is excellent for me! I read a couple of James' books and loved them all so I'll just go to my bookcase and start reading it. :)

[LitNetIsGreat]

Looks like Turn of the Screw then, which is ok, it was my second choice, I'll have to dig up my notes on this one and Freud. :cold:

[Paulclem]

I just bought Turn of the Screw for 40% off as Borders are shutting down. I had half an hour to pick and choose. Not enough by far.

Pity about Border's demise in the UK. I heard they are staying open in the US.

[Virgil]

Hey I just bought it a Borders as well. I did find my old copy but it was falling apart and the print was so small. I got a nice new book with much larger print and footnotes for seven dollars.

[Jozanny]

Pity about Border's demise in the UK. I heard they are staying open in the US.

I have always considered Borders the most sheik in terms of the consolidation of book sellers. I cannot really fault Amazon-- they are fast, efficient, make me feel like they consider me, and I have purchased some of my medical equipment needs from them-- this in itself still amazes me-- but their size, their power, and my implicit faith in my significant investment in their ereader technology, this makes me nervous.

I have done book clubs at B&N, and got some of my science readings from them, (still unfinished heady work), and I like my branch and their coffee shop, but Borders was most akin to my literary espirit, and I am not sure they will survive, even in the US, though I've read my work there, as a local author.

It is sad in some ways, and I have to depend on my ability as a writer now, and it is a bad time for it. I am reading fairly competent genre authors for free, authors whom I am not quite on parity with, and by any deity one can name, or not, where this leaves me I can only surmise with no small amount of trepidation.

Be that as it may, I hope you like James Paul; he is an acquired taste on both sides of the pond, and I have spent my life in pursuit of decoding him.:p

[Scheherazade]

Going twice...

[Paulclem]

I have always considered Borders the most sheik in terms of the consolidation of book sellers. I cannot really fault Amazon-- they are fast, efficient, make me feel like they consider me, and I have purchased some of my medical equipment needs from them-- this in itself still amazes me-- but their size, their power, and my implicit faith in my significant investment in their ereader technology, this makes me nervous.

I have done book clubs at B&N, and got some of my science readings from them, (still unfinished heady work), and I like my branch and their coffee shop, but Borders was most akin to my literary espirit, and I am not sure they will survive, even in the US, though I've read my work there, as a local author.

It is sad in some ways, and I have to depend on my ability as a writer now, and it is a bad time for it. I am reading fairly competent genre authors for free, authors whom I am not quite on parity with, and by any deity one can name, or not, where this leaves me I can only surmise with no small amount of trepidation.

Be that as it may, I hope you like James Paul; he is an acquired taste on both sides of the pond, and I have spent my life in pursuit of decoding him.:p

Thanks Jozanny. I do like a challenge. I also have a big opinion of myself.:lol:

I've just ordered some stuff from Amazon tonight - some books for my wife. I travelled on the bus and spent half an hour looking for one of them in Borders. I couldn't find them. It took me 5 mins to find three by the same author on Amazon and buy them. No wonder they are shutting. Still a pity though.


Hey I just bought it a Borders as well. I did find my old copy but it was falling apart and the print was so small. I got a nice new book with much larger print and footnotes for seven dollars.

Mine's Turn of the Screw and Other stories. No notes or introduction though. It was the last one on the shelf. I've seen it mentioned a lot on the forum, so I'm looking forward to it.

[Virgil]

Mine's Turn of the Screw and Other stories. No notes or introduction though. It was the last one on the shelf. I've seen it mentioned a lot on the forum, so I'm looking forward to it.

Mine is the Modern Library Classics and it's The Turn of the Screw & In the Cage.

I've never hear of In The Cage before.

[Jozanny]

I do not have quite everything James wrote, but I have mostly everything, but my Signet edition with his novellas is literally falling apart; that is how much I read it even with everything else on my plate. I have my James seizures, drop everything, and go to whatever caused the glazed craze in my eye. At the moment my aesthetic is at war between The Ambassadors, because I am arguing with a professor's interpretation, and The Awkward Age-- the only novel before The Ivory Tower which I haven't read, but I am good for another round with the governess and her keeper.

Paul--if my opinion was big enough I'd cut down on my posting activity and do my damn job--but I am cutting down on how much I avoided working in the past, which my former associates at my writing community would only be too pleased too learn--but that's what I mean about Amazon--can't beat em!

I will start TOS tomorrow ;)!

If those of you joining us will forgive me one further indulgence before we start reading, James Senior was a theologian, and like most theologians who study the language of the spirit too deeply, his beliefs went a little off the deep end, and he became a follower of Swendenborg.

Wiki is about as accurate as the scholars with whom I continue to debate and learn from, re:


Theologically, Henry James Sr. was out of sympathy with the naturalism of much of the religious thought of the nineteenth century. He regarded creation itself as "a purely spiritual process, falling wholly within the realm of affection and thought." The fundamental theological problem, in his view, is theodicy, or the problem of evil. His Swedenborgian solution to the problem of evil relied on breaking the bond between God and nature, or, put alternatively, between nature and reality. True reality (or God) is, in James's view, thoroughly spiritual, in a way that denizens of the natural world can scarcely comprehend. But through intuition of this true reality, James thought, liberation from the illusions of natural appearances—which include time, space, and selfhood—is possible. In such liberation lies salvation, in James's view, whereas evil—more specifically, spiritual evil, since James distinguishes this from "physical" and "moral" evil—arises from action based on the delusion of selfhood. In James's thought, "the principle of hell is selfhood and the principle of heaven is brotherly love," as C. Hartley Grattan puts it in The Three James: A Family of Minds: Henry James, Sr., William James, Henry James (N.Y. Univ. Press, 1962 [orig. ed. 1932], p. 75). But James was not a slavish follower of Swedenborg. Rather, it was in Swedenborg that he found the most fecund exploration of his central insight that the source of all evil was in attachment to the self.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_James,_Sr.

This is key to understanding some of his son's religious implications in some of his novels and major shorter works, including The Turn of The Screw. I will post on this more later, but keep in mind that the father was a significant influence on all three of his surviving children, very much so on Henry and William.

[Gladys]

The correct link is: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_James,_Sr.

[kasie]

Thanks, Jozanny, for that info on James snr. What a man! What a family! I wonder what conversation over the breakfast table was like in the James' household?

I didn't vote in the poll as I wasn't sure I would have time to join in the discussion: I'm still not sure - I have a houseful of visitors over the holidays and will be Chief Cook and Bottlewasher - but I have dug out my rather elderly Everyman edition and will drop in from time to time to listen in (as is my habit). It's years since I read a James - don't know why because he was a revelation to me when I happened upon him way back when. I suspect that, despite my rave revues to any friend I could buttonhole, I failed to convert anyone to share my enjoyment.

Paul - I shall sadly miss Borders: they can't say I haven't done my best to help them stay solvent. My local store is a jumble at present - and it was only 20% reduction when I went a couple of weeks ago, I'd like to go again but I really cannot justify the time. I must do some cooking, I must re-hang the curtains in the spare room, I must do a bit more than nominal cleaning, I must.....go away and get on with it. :)

[MarkC]

"The Girl Who Played with Fire" by Stieg Larsson.This will be the reading material for me in this Christmas..:-)

[Paulclem]

"The Girl Who Played with Fire" by Stieg Larsson.This will be the reading material for me in this Christmas..:-)

I read the first one - The girl with the dragon Tattoo. I enjoyed it, though I was surprised that, despite the title, so much attention was paid to the chap - I have forgotten his name - in the novel. He became the protagonist for me, even though she is the most interesting character and saves him.

it was only 20% reduction when I went a couple of weeks ago, I'd like to go again but I really cannot justify the time. I must do some cooking, I must re-hang the curtains in the spare room, I must do a bit more than nominal cleaning, I must.....go away and get on with it. Kasie

It was 40% last night, with some going for 60%. Can you not spare an hour? If you've been a good customer - you deserve to benefit a bit.

[motherhubbard]

I know I have a copy of this somewhere and I've been wanting to read it AND i just finished a book. I think I can do this one!

[Virgil]

Wow, it looks like we're going to have a great turn out. Should be a wonderful discussion. Hopefully I will start reading tomorrow night.

[Janine]

Why this novel....just curious...does it take place at Christmas or holiday time? I read it ages ago and I forget. Like I said I am just curious. I think I own the book but I have no idea where I put it. Maybe it's in my compiled edition of James - I will look. I know it's a neat story.

[Virgil]

I think it does take place on Christmas Janine.

[NickAdams]

This is the perfect book to get me back into the reading group.:thumbs_up

[kasie]

I read the first one - The girl with the dragon Tattoo. I enjoyed it, though I was surprised that, despite the title, so much attention was paid to the chap - I have forgotten his name - in the novel. He became the protagonist for me, even though she is the most interesting character and saves him.

it was only 20% reduction when I went a couple of weeks ago, I'd like to go again but I really cannot justify the time. I must do some cooking, I must re-hang the curtains in the spare room, I must do a bit more than nominal cleaning, I must.....go away and get on with it. Kasie

It was 40% last night, with some going for 60%. Can you not spare an hour? If you've been a good customer - you deserve to benefit a bit.

Paul - you wicked tempter, you! I really shouldn't but...

re: Girl with Dragon Tattoo - the series is called The Millennium Trilogy and is as much about the magazine, Millennium, as about the two main protagonists. The Plot thickens in Part Two, which has scenes that are just crying out to be filmed, especially the last but one section - but I wouldn't dream of spoiling it by going into details! I'm very tempted to buy Part Three in hardback but I'm teasing myself and waiting for the paperback.

[Gladys]

Why this novel....just curious...does it take place at Christmas or holiday time?

The novel begins, Janine:


The story had held us, round the fire, sufficiently breathless, but except the obvious remark that it was gruesome, as, on Christmas Eve in an old house, a strange tale should essentially be, I remember no comment uttered till somebody happened to say that it was the only case he had met in which such a visitation had fallen on a child.

[Paulclem]

Paul - you wicked tempter, you! I really shouldn't but...

re: Girl with Dragon Tattoo - the series is called The Millennium Trilogy and is as much about the magazine, Millennium, as about the two main protagonists. The Plot thickens in Part Two, which has scenes that are just crying out to be filmed, especially the last but one section - but I wouldn't dream of spoiling it by going into details! I'm very tempted to buy Part Three in hardback but I'm teasing myself and waiting for the paperback.

I quite like scandanavian writiers, though I am unsure why. I read Tove Jansson's Moomin books when I was a kid, and a Henning Mankell recently. I wonder if it's a stylistic thing.

[Jozanny]

Does the discussion start here or does the holiday selection too get its own reading thread? At the risk of appearing impatient, I thought I would plum for some surety on procedure :)

[Scheherazade]

I am sorry, Jozzany. Usually the threads are started immediately but I got carried away with the daily worries.

The discussion thread is here: http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?t=49425

[Jozanny]

I am sorry, Jozanny. Usually the threads are started immediately but I got carried away with the daily worries.

The discussion thread is here: http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?t=49425

Oh bosh, don't apologize Sche. I no longer work, and I still would not even consider moderating a community this large, and even though I am not big on these seasonal sentiments, happy holidays to ya:santasmil!

[Scheherazade]

Oh bosh, don't apologize Sche. Did you know that the expression "bosh" comes from the Turkish word "boş" meaning "empty"?

:D

[Jozanny]

Did you know that the expression "bosh" comes from the Turkish word "boş" meaning "empty"?

:D

Well whadda know, I learn something new in this forum every day:idea::p

[Paulclem]

Did you know that the expression "bosh" comes from the Turkish word "boş" meaning "empty"?

:D

What about pish pash posh?

[Scheherazade]

Well whadda know, I learn something new in this forum every day:idea::pIt is all part of the service! :p
What about pish pash posh?I think that is from Gnomish, meaning "Whadaloda rubbish!"

[Paulclem]

It is all part of the service! :pI think that is from Gnomish, meaning "Whadaloda rubbish!":lol:


Great service.

[andrewparkin]

I know not everyone celebrates Christmas, but in plenty of countries, there is a giant break coming up, and I thought I would share some lovely vacation-type reads. So put these on hold at the library now to prepare for a long timeframe for relaxation and lovely reading.

1. His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman
(The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, The Amber Spyglass)-I read this series one time over a break and it is fantastic. Deep and significant while still a speedy read. The 2nd one is my favourite.

2. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
This is probably a challenge for plenty of people, but it is one of the most wonderful books I have ever read. I tackled this one over a Christmas break and done in a small over a week. It is a lovely book to go for when you have a long stretch of time to devote to it.

3. Inheritance series by Christopher Paolini
(Eragon, Eldest, Brisingr) This is a lovely chance to catch up before the 4th book comes out. (Someone know when that is, btw?) People may laugh at this pick, but the books are simple reads and addicting. You'll get in to them quickly which is ideal for the holidays. You require to relax after all!

4. 1984 by George Orwell
If you have been putting it off, now's your chance to read this timeless classic!

5. Watership Down by Richard Adams
I do know a book about rabbits on a search sounds ridiculous but this book is wonderful. You'll get through it in no time.