Brain Pain discussion

Mala wrote: "Jim wrote:"Okay, flag is flying, let's see who salutes... "

While I admire this outpouring of love for poetry on Brain Pain,I would like to sound a note of caution– are we biting off more than we can chew..."

My current plan is to reduce our novels for 2014 by a third or more. The poetry would be done similar to how we're doing the Borges short stories. A different poem(s) every other week. This way the poetry is sprinkled here and there between the novels, and so, easier to join in.

Jim wrote: "Mala wrote: "Jim wrote:"Okay, flag is flying, let's see who salutes... "

While I admire this outpouring of love for poetry on Brain Pain,I would like to sound a note of caution– are we biting off ..."

My current plan is to reduce our novels for 2014 by a third or more. The poetry would be done similar to how we're doing the Borges short stories. A different poem(s) every other week. This way the poetry is sprinkled here and there between the novels, and so, easier to join in.

I love the way we're doing the Borges short stories. I think two weeks is a perfect amount of time to read and discuss the stories, and the great thing about it (for me, with my crazy work schedule) is that if I miss a story, or even if I miss three stories in a row, I always know that there's going to be another one just around the corner.

As I mentioned in a previous comment in this thread, I never really had an opportunity to read the "great" and the experimental modern and contemporary novels (and I missed out on a lot of classics as well), and I definitely never had an opportunity to take poetry classes (with the exception of Shakespeare's sonnets), due to the fact that I filled all my college lit requirements with drama classes. (So I've read ALL the great plays -- both classics and contemporary.)

This group has been the BEST learning experience for me. The eclectic selection of books that have been chosen are amazing, and the discussions are great.

BUT, again, my schedule is a pretty crazy one, so I miss out on many of the great novels that are read and discussed here. It would be FANTASTIC to have a full year of poetry (a poem every other week, the way we're reading the Borges stories). It's a way of staying connected on a regular basis with the group even if I miss out on some of the long novels.

Also, this group fills a gap for me (the "gap" being all the great modern literature that I missed in school). I've been wanting to learn more and understand more about all the great poems and all the different forms of poetry, and this group is a great place to learn, so I'm definitely looking forward to this!

Anyone up for the Joseph Books by Mann? Even if only the first. I started Zeno's Conscience last summer and had the book stolen from me, so that would be good too. I've had the Man Without Qualities sitting on my shelf for a while as well.

Jim wrote: "Mala wrote: "Jim wrote:"Okay, flag is flying, let's see who salutes... "

While I admire this outpouring of love for poetry on Brain Pain,I would like to sound a note of caution– are we biting off ..."

I would love for us to reduce the amount of novels we read-at this point, I am overwhelmed by the number of (all excellent) choices to be made and can hardly make any. Plus, by the time I finish one, you're all halfway through 3 more!

I suspect suggestions = brainstorm, and thus only a small selection will actually become a part of a final plan. I forget where exactly, but Jim already indicated a desire to make a relatively small selection of books and projects for 2014. So fear not!

Meanwhile, my own reading habits have not yet made it possible for me to participate in an active discussion on *any* novel in *any* group. Well... I made it a third of a way through The Aeneid. Other than that, it's short stories.

I hoped to jump on board for Lolita... maybe I'll join late, but I'm tied up reading Cancer Ward, and I've made the fool error of sneak peeking a chapter of Raymond Rousel's Locus Solus, which is so instantly awesome that I can't imagine postponing it for Lolita... still, I'll do what I can do. So I'm glad this is a no-pressure, jump-in-when-you-can kind of participation program. Browsing the suggestions is rewarding in itself, even when I can't sync with others' schedules. I may occasionally pop into a conversation four months late with useful comments such as "sux" or "r00lz."

Ellie wrote: "Jim wrote: "Mala wrote: "Jim wrote:"Okay, flag is flying, let's see who salutes... "

While I admire this outpouring of love for poetry on Brain Pain,I would like to sound a note of caution– are we..."

Totally agree. The amount and pace is unsustainable. I don't bother reading with the group. If something is worth reading, it's worth reading slowly.

Arnie wrote: "Ellie wrote: "Jim wrote: "Mala wrote: "Jim wrote:"Okay, flag is flying, let's see who salutes... "

While I admire this outpouring of love for poetry on Brain Pain,I would like to sound a note of c..."

I agree with Arnie. I'm new, but I can see few people take part in particular threads, for such a big, interested group! just because the timing is so narrow and difficult to match.

Humbug. Use more brain.

Gimme yours.

Zadignose wrote: "Humbug. Use more brain."

Some people have lives, friends, families, jobs etc. that are more important to them than an internet book club.

I'm teasing a little. I hardly read as fast as most others, and I just participate as I can, which is all that's expected. It's not necessary to keep up. I have no complaints about the way things flow around here, and cutting the reading volume in half or tripling it won't hurt me either way.

Zadignose wrote: "I'm teasing a little. I hardly read as fast as most others, and I just participate as I can, which is all that's expected. It's not necessary to keep up. I have no complaints about the way things f..."

Good point. All this needless competition. So..capitalista.

I don't think it's necessarily about competition. I see a list of books, all of which I want very much to read and here is my chance to read something difficult with others. But there are too many books to choose from; I try to read too many and end up finishing nothing.

My problem, of course. But fewer choices might lead to more consistent groups with greater focus and participation.

Ellie wrote: "I don't think it's necessarily about competition. I see a list of books, all of which I want very much to read and here is my chance to read something difficult with others. But there are too many ..."

I'm with Ellie, Arnie, and Tracy. Definitely too many choices, and there is NO WAY that I can keep up with the pace.

Like Ellie, I see a list of great books that I've been wanting to read, but if I try to read more than one book at a time, I can't keep up with the pace in the group discussions. And if I post a comment in a thread that's a week or two (or more) behind the group's schedule, I usually do not get any responses to my comments.

BUT, I do have to give Jim credit for coming up with a very awesome list of books to read!! Thanks to this group, I've finally read books that I've been meaning to and wanting to read for many years.

I may not be able too keep up with this group's reading pace, due to work constraints, but I am so very grateful for the suggestions that I will put on my "future vacation" list. Thank you all!

Debra wrote: "I may not be able too keep up with this group's reading pace, due to work constraints, but I am so very grateful for the suggestions that I will put on my "future vacation" list. Thank you all!"

You're welcome!

As for the rest of you you, quit your whining and crack the books, LOL!!

Actually, I agree with the others. I'd rather see fewer books and much more focused, informed comments and work on the text.

You can either read a lot with a little discussion. Or read less with more discussion. I vote for less reading and more -- on the subject -- discussion.

But then I realize, Jim, that may not be what your interest is, and it is your group.

Bill wrote: "Actually, I agree with the others. I'd rather see fewer books and much more focused, informed comments and work on the text.

You can either read a lot with a little discussion. Or read less with m..."
Oh, I think that is a very good point, Bill! Now that you said it I realize I was subconsciously thinking that very thing.

Bill wrote: "Actually, I agree with the others. I'd rather see fewer books and much more focused, informed comments and work on the text.

You can either read a lot with a little discussion. Or read less with m..."

There's no evidence that reducing the number of books would increase discussion. Most people just don't show up at all, no matter how many books are listed.

I have more than enough suggestions to plan out next year, so the thread is now closed.

Thanks for everyone's contributions!