Christmas 2007 Reading Poll

[bazarov]

Baz, i am thinking of voting for F&S too..but i'll do so only if i am sure that i'll find the time to participate I am thinking of poor Scher..it's like we have combined forces to disappoint her

Are you afraid of ban?

Manolia, yes; I am one of the Sons.

[Alexei]

I voted for F&S too, as you know I am feasting on the Russian literature right now, so it is exactly for my current reading list and in addition I wanted to read some of Turgenev's works for a while. I hope I will menage with it though, yesterday I found out that the books i am currently reading could be arranged in two not very large (but not very small too) piles and I am in panic right now , especially after I am starting M&M tomorrow

[papayahed]

The controversy comment caught my eye and I went back and read. I'm not sure what the problem is, this certainly isn't the first time that people have commented on nominations and probably won't be the last.

[bazarov]

Papayahed, is something wrong?

[Janine]

Papayahed, is something wrong?

Let's just drop all that today. I don't have time or energy for it and all of it is so unimportant now, quite silly.

I voted for F&S too, as you know I am feasting on the Russian literature right now, so it is exactly for my current reading list and in addition I wanted to read some of Turgenev's works for a while. I hope I will menage with it though, yesterday I found out that the books i am currently reading could be arranged in two not very large (but not very small too) piles and I am in panic right now , especially after I am starting M&M tomorrow

Hi Alexei, You are unbelievable! Now you have 2 piles of books you are currently reading. You put me to shame! So glad you may be taking part in this book discussion. I really admire your concentration. I wish I had as much dedication and apparent energy, as you do. What book is M&M?

[Dori]

What book is M&M?

I'm guessing Alexei is referring to the Book of the Month, The Master and Margarita (hence M and M ). It would make sense, anyway.

[Janine]

I'm guessing Alexei is referring to the Book of the Month, The Master and Margarita (hence M and M ). It would make sense, anyway.

Thanks, Dori, yes - that would make sense. Probably exactly what she meant.

[Alexei]

Hi Alexei, You are unbelievable! Now you have 2 piles of books you are currently reading. You put me to shame! So glad you may be taking part in this book discussion. I really admire your concentration. I wish I had as much dedication and apparent energy, as you do.

Huh, I can't believe it either. I just get too impatient, I hope the next time I decide to make stunts like this someone will tell me to stop and not being foolish I have no idea how I am going to menage with all this stuff So now I am really ashamed

What book is M&M?

I'm guessing Alexei is referring to the Book of the Month, The Master and Margarita (hence M and M ). It would make sense, anyway.

Yes, I am sorry, I meant The Master and Margarita. I get used to writing/reading the title M&M in the Book Club December poll discussion. I read it a few years ago and I am impatient to reread it.

[Shalot]

Hi all

I was going to try to actually participate in this for the month of December but I wasn't sure what the book is - does it say somewhere what we've decided on?

(I was going to try to do something on Lit Net other than post in games and blog about my cat so let me know)

Edit: Nevermind. I see the poll doesn't close until the 9th. I was thinking the vote ended in Nov for some strange reason.

[papayahed]

Hi all

I was going to try to actually participate in this for the month of December but I wasn't sure what the book is - does it say somewhere what we've decided on?

(I was going to try to do something on Lit Net other than post in games and blog about my cat so let me know)

Edit: Nevermind. I see the poll doesn't close until the 9th. I was thinking the vote ended in Nov for some strange reason.

The book for December is The Master and Margarita. This poll is for the Christmas read.

[Janine]

Papayahed,

Shalot probably does mean the Christmas read; she voted on one of the books.

[Scheherazade]

Scheherazade, I don't mean this degragatorily at all, but could you back up this statement? I really did not understand it.

I am not sure what "degragatorily" means, Janine, but I would like to state that I was simply expressing my unwillingness to read F & S at this point: I feel like reading something more recently written, not a "classic" in its traditional sense.

It is true this is a personal opinion, but I don't think it should have been said until the voting was done. What if something negative was said about all the entries, I don't think that would seem fair or respectful. After the voting I think any opinions could be expressed, if people wished to do so, but now there is active voting going on. Just my own opinion. I don't want to annoy anyone but I really did not understand what was meant by "new and different". Does this mean that authors from another century should not be considered? I am miffed.

As you have stated, this is your opinion; however, I am, like all the members of this Forum, entitled to my opinion as well. Having said that, I did not say that F & S was not a good book; I simply said that it did not attract me (especially at this point in time). The fact that I am not keen on reading it does not mean I do not think it is a good book but even if I did think so, that would be my opinion and we would merely have to agree to disagree on the merits of this particular book.

During the book club polls, we always have (and will) discuss our choices and try to "encourage" each other to read certain books (even offer bribes!). These are, I would like to believe, very light-hearted banters and rarely affect the outcome of the polls or aim to offend anyone.

OK, now... Who feels like having some KitKat?

[Granny5]

I am not sure what "degragatorily" means, Janine, but I would like to state that I was simply expressing my unwillingness to read F & S at this point: I feel like reading something more recently written, not a "classic" in its traditional sense.As you have stated, this is your opinion; however, I am, like all the members of this Forum, entitled to my opinion as well. Having said that, I did not say that F & S was not a good book; I simply said that it did not attract me (especially at this point in time). The fact that I am not keen on reading it does not mean I do not think it is a good book but even if I did think so, that would be my opinion and we would merely have to agree to disagree on the merits of this particular book.

During the book club polls, we always have (and will) discuss our choices and try to "encourage" each other to read certain books (even offer bribes!). These are, I would like to believe, very light-hearted banters and rarely affect the outcome of the polls or aim to offend anyone.

OK, now... Who feels like having some KitKat?

I wish you'd offered the KitKat before I voted.

[Janine]

I am not sure what "degragatorily" means, Janine, but I would like to state that I was simply expressing my unwillingness to read F & S at this point: I feel like reading something more recently written, not a "classic" in its traditional sense.As you have stated, this is your opinion; however, I am, like all the members of this Forum, entitled to my opinion as well. Having said that, I did not say that F & S was not a good book; I simply said that it did not attract me (especially at this point in time). The fact that I am not keen on reading it does not mean I do not think it is a good book but even if I did think so, that would be my opinion and we would merely have to agree to disagree on the merits of this particular book.

During the book club polls, we always have (and will) discuss our choices and try to "encourage" each other to read certain books (even offer bribes!). These are, I would like to believe, very light-hearted banters and rarely affect the outcome of the polls or aim to offend anyone.

OK, now... Who feels like having some KitKat?

OK, no problem. Sorry, I used those words 'degratory' and I forget the other one. I probably was just feeling grumpy that day and didn't like the thought of your moldy sandwich. But your statement was pretty funny and creative; I have to admit that. I was actually going to respond with a phrase like "I don't want to read a book that is a 'human blood-bath' at Christmastime", (that would merely be my opinion), but I really thought I was not allowed to say that, so I changed it. Seems I would have been more justified from what you explained above.
I didn't know about 'bribes' were allowed either; seems strange to me, but I will keep that in-mind from now on.
I guess I still have a little difficulty with your statement and your wording of the phrase - "let us choose something new and different". I underlined 'let us' not you. I am not sure they were your exact words, but I know they were close to that. It sounds like a command or at least a strong suggestion; I guess that is allowed though.

Scheherazade, when does the offical voting end? Some one mentioned the 9th, someone else mentioned the 10th to me. It will be fun to get underway with the novel.

[Scheherazade]

OK, no problem. Sorry, I used those words 'degratory' and I forget the other one. I probably was just feeling grumpy that day and didn't like the thought of your moldy sandwich. But your statement was pretty funny and creative; I have to admit that. I was actually going to respond with a phrase like "I don't want to read a book that is a 'human blood-bath' at Christmastime", (that would merely be my opinion), but I really thought I was not allowed to say that, so I changed it. Seems I would have been more justified from what you explained above.
I didn't know about 'bribes' were allowed either; seems strange to me, but I will keep that in-mind from now on.
I guess I still have a little difficulty with your statement and your wording of the phrase - "let us choose something new and different". I underlined 'let us' not you. I am not sure they were your exact words, but I know they were close to that. It sounds like a command or at least a strong suggestion; I guess that is allowed though.

Of course, English is my second language and I often make mistakes but I have always thought that "let us", used in this sense, expresses a suggestion and a wish rather than a command. Eg, "Let us have a cup of tea." or "Let us watch a movie tonight." When I said (quoting myself directly) "Please, please, please, let us try something new and different this time!", I was simply expressing my desire not to read another classic, another Russian book (since we are reading Bulgakov in December as well).

Scheherazade, when does the offical voting end? Some one mentioned the 9th, someone else mentioned the 10th to me. It will be fun to get underway with the novel.

It depends in which part of the world you are but we have another 9 days to vote.

PS: What does "degratory" mean? I cannot seem to be able to find it in Cambridge online.