Would anyone want to join me in reading and discussing

[Curmudgeoness]

The Master Butchers Singing Club by Louise Erdrich? I will be starting this book soon and if there are interested people to also read it and have a discussion, I invite you to join me. I will be reading it regardless of participation, but welcome people who would like to read it with me.

http://www.amazon.com/Master-Butchers-Singing-Club-Novel/dp/0060935332

From the book jacket:

"Having survived World War I, Fidelis Waldvogel returns to his quiet German village and marries the pregnant widow of his best friend, killed in action. With a suitcase full of sausages and a master butcher's precious knife set, Fidelis sets out for America. In Argus, North Dakota, he builds a business, a home for his family -- which includes Eva and four sons -- and a singing club consisting of the best voices in town. When the Old World meets the New -- in the person of Delphine Watzka -- the great adventure of Fidelis's life begins. Delphine meets Eva and is enchanted. She meets Fidelis, and the ground trembles. These momentous encounters will determine the course of Delphine's life, and the trajectory of this brilliant novel."

[fadedrose]

1. Would definitely enjoy your company....

But I have 12 books at home to finish and a couple in transit, and 14 more on my "reminder" list...

I only like mysteries (at this time in my life) and I see reading the Amazon reviews for the Singing Butchers that some sheriff found some bodies in somebody or 'nother's basement - and that qualifies as a mystery to me. But some of my books are already in renew status and can't take on any more.

Being down & out for 4 days didn't help; am happy to be back at Fiction...except for my usual bs, I am emptied of everything

I will come in and nose around your group, if I may, or if nobody joins, come and talk about it by yourself. I'm an eager listener, especially to people smarter than me, and that may include 99% of the group.

I hope that that Erdrich woman has some Native American tales in some of her books....something with a shaman, or a gay shaman?

[Curmudgeoness]

2. I am considering talking to myself on here about it, but we will see.

I figure even if someone doesn't read it for six months or a year, they still might like to check and see how others felt about it at a later date. I know that I always like to know what other people thought of books that I have read.

I have read a few of Erdrich's books, and the best one if you enjoy Native American tales is The Painted Drum....I was enthralled by that book.

Oh, and that smarter people comment----you have picked the wrong person for that. I am a little stung right now from having my ass handed to me by a bully.....when will I learn not to discuss anything outside the Lounge or Pets or Fiction!

[fadedrose]

3. You forgot "Birders"

Another place to take a deep breath and relax.... I'll look up that Painted Drum... By April it may find an opening in there..but then there's May and gardening...

[Curmudgeoness]

4. I haven't tried that one, but

I love places to hide.

[Little Star]

6. Hi Rose..

I'm glad your feeling better. What'd ya have that dang stomach virus? I heard that one is traveling around like wild fire. I was asked not to visit my mother in the nursing home this week because it's so bad there. So far she's escaped getting it (fingers crossed).

[fadedrose]

7. Must have been stomach flu

Walking around with a towel and bucket (that is, when I could walk), heating pad, etc., no part of my anatomy didn't hurt.

But I tell you what, after it cleared up, I have felt happy and cheerful.. My first painfree night I actually got 11 recs in GD for suggesting people go to Pets to see about their pets' food. .

[Little Star]

5. I hope some take you up on this...

but if not, I'm with Rose! I'd love to read your thoughts.

I'm just not one who's good at commitment but I sure am curious.

[Curmudgeoness]

8. If I do post my thoughts, it will be a spoiler.

Then, if it is a book I would want to recommend, people will already know too much. But I suppose that is a chance to be taken.

The commitment thing is why I am not doing this by trying to organize it. I will just open it up and if anyone wants to read with me, that would be nice---but I am reading it anyways. All I know is that this is one of those "discussion group" books that have a lot of discussions and comments online, so I figure it might be a book worth talking about. I have been in groups before (but never online), and some books just do not do well with discussion----they have to be more complex and possibly not liked by some readers. That seems to stir up more controversy and talk.

[Little Star]

9. Spoiler away is my view as long as you give the spoiler warning...

Besides the commitment hang-up I have, I've yet to see a book discussion 'anywhere' based on a book I might find interesting. Yet, in this group alone, I see many who enjoy the same books that appeal to me. So maybe your theory that books have to be more complex
to be good discussion books is true.

I like what you are presenting/offering. As one who doesn't think she'll participate this time, I will be happily reading no matter if there is just you or ten of you. Sometimes when people tell me about a book, spoilers and all, occasionally I find myself actually reading the book if it sound interesting.

[fadedrose]

10. me too

[fadedrose]

11. Hey Girl, will get it today...when do you start?

Don't know how or when I'll get to reading it; I had to renew another 4 books today and next week will renew 4 more...

When you start the book how many pages do you usually go?

Don't worry about spoilers. It'll save me the trouble of peeking in the back of the book. I usually do when I especially like a character, and I need to see his name in the last few pages to know he survivied the author's utter lack of regard of my affection for the character. Then, I breathe easy and start to enjoy the book....

So you begin when?

And, most important, Rules. Can I just say just what I feel like saying or do we stick to a formula?

[Curmudgeoness]

12. Glad to hear you will join me.

I just started reading it last night, and I am a slow reader----obviously more so then you are, since I could not possibly take 4 books out of the library at the same time!

I checked and there are 16 chapters. I will read through chapter 5, then post my thoughts through then as post 1. I will then read through chapter 10 and post a part 2. I will post part 3 after I finish. Or if anyone else finishes a section first, they are welcome to start an OP. By stopping and posting a few times through the book, we can make sure that everyone is at the same point and doesn't know anything that happens later in the book---and I wonder if we will change opinions of things and people at different points in the book.

This is just an experiment to see how this goes. Don't expect me to read fast, I have too many other things I have to do (like working and coming home tired) and just don't have enough time to just sit and enjoy books----like I would like to do. I figure that this setup could allow people to get into discussion, even if they read the book six months from now.

I am glad to hear you will join me. I hope I have chosen an interesting book---so far, so good though.

[fadedrose]

13. Maybe you can set it up a thread with the title and an OP telling us how much you'd love .

hearing our opinions no matter how dumb we are.

And add numbered posts correlating with the chapters you finished, unless the chapter is real teeny, your judgment required. That way I can put my two cents in as I go along -- you could be on #15, and I can comment on #2 or so. And unless I'm too much of an imbecile not to go and comment on stuff I didn't read yet, might be fun...especially if no one really has to keep up with you to join you. Duzat make sense?

And we can quit anytime we feel like it, no hard feelings?

Just thinking about that OP with all your remarks about each chapter, even if no one joins you. What a great reminder of the thoughts you had reading the book.

Curmudge, only suggestions. Am not running away with this - just say "down girl" (oops, doing it again)....you be da boss..

[Curmudgeoness]

14. So do you think that commenting at the end of every chapter is a good idea?

I thought that would be too many posts, but it is doable. I finished chapter 1 last night and could make comments now if you don't think that is too much-----16 chapters, 16 posts? One thing, all the chapters seem to be about the same length.

[fadedrose]

15. Sounds good

I may sneak in a chapter tonight, even tho I'm l/2 thru Force of Blood, and I am enjoying it.

But I will not read your post about it till I read the first chapter, and am not sure whether I'll go with or without reading yours.

It's gonna turn out like those blind people describing an elephant...

[Curmudgeoness]

16. Done---chapter 1 thread is started.

You don't have to rush into this----that is the whole point of how I am doing this. Just go in whenever you are ready. Who knows how long before I get to through with the next chapter!

[fadedrose]

17. I'm still with ya, Curmudge

I read till 2:30 last night finishing up Heywood's book and was too tired not only to read, even to just hold a book.

Have to get caught up on some stuff (from being sick last week), bake a cake, pick out another novel for the DUgosh list, and then read Chapter 2. Have not picked up the book since, was it Monday nite? Can't even remember....

Keep on going, tho, don't wait for me. When I join, you can always come back and talk ...

I do enjoy the discussion and unless the book actually starts to bore me to tears, would not consider quitting...just expect me at some point......talking about the book is more rewarding than reading it .....

[Curmudgeoness]

20. There is no rush...

I was out last night and posted Chapter 2 when I got home---a little rushed and a little tipsy. So I am sure there will be some time I will not be keeping up with you. The setup should allow for it.

[Curmudgeoness]

21. Just to warn you, I have not finished Chapter 4 yet

so I will not be ready to start that thread yet. If you happen to get to it before me, start the thread and I will catch up.

Remember, I am not a fast reader!

But I am enjoying this. And I am curious about this book---so far, it has my attention.

[zanana1]

18. Please let me know when you all start reading it.

I'm the book club type. It's alot better when you can share it.

[Curmudgeoness]

19. We just started, and I am posting discussion

on a chapter by chapter post. You will see the posts as we move along. I finished Chapter 3 last night and will add a post about it tonight after I get home from work. I think fadedrose is working on Chapter 2, so we are not sticking to a strict schedule. What this will do is make it possible for you to join in even after we have moved to another chapter. You can see our thoughts, add your own, and we can go back and add comments. At least I am hoping this works that way.

So just find the book, start reading, and add your comments. I find that up to ten people works to give lots of different perspective (above that and it gets too cumbersome). We only have two

[fadedrose]

22. Welcome zanana

If you post your comments at Chapter 1, comment on ours or not, I'll come round and remark on your comments.

We're enjoying this - no stress, no time limits...if you have a cousin who wants to start in September, tell him okay.....just start with #1.

We started reading at different times. I still have to start Chapter 3. Can you get hold of the book? I got mine real quick from the library didn't have to wait..