All About Books discussion

We've decided to go for a 'carte blanche' again, so instead of picking a theme you can nominate any work of non-fiction you like.

We had originally thought about choosing Dostoyevsky or Russian lit as a theme (biography or literary criticism) to accompany the group read of The Brothers Karamazov which is running in June and July, but thought we leave it up to you whether you want to pair classics and non-fiction or whether you'd prefer something different and/or lighter instead.

Nominations will run for a maximum of 7 days or until 7 poll-contestants are chosen. In order to move into poll a book needs to receive a second vote. So second if you are not nominating!

Please stick to one nomination OR one second vote per person.

Should you have a question, feel free to ask in this thread!

We've also added a poll to decide whether we stick to having the choice between two books per theme (first and second place), or whether you'd prefer to stick to just one. You can find the poll here

The poll will end on the 30th of April, so just in time for the book poll to go up.

I propose a biography of an interesting character, Madam Curie. The title: Obsessive Genius: The Inner World of Marie Curie.

I second Obsessive Genius: The Inner World of Marie Curie

I like your choice too, Dhanaraj!

Chrissie wrote: "I like your choice too, Dhanaraj!"

Thanks....

And thanks to Diane S. too for seconding it. The science and scientists have always intrigued me. I had in mind another book too (a book by a lady zoologist) and finally decided to this one. Maybe we will have time to suggest it later.
It is by Jane Goodall and the title is In the Shadow of Man.

I have that one sitting on my shelves, Dhanaraj :) There are lots of photos in it too.

Both sound great Dhanaraj!

My nomination is Descartes' Error: Emotion, Reason and the Human Brain by neuroscientist/neurobiologist Antoninio Damasio.

I would like to nominate The Six Wives of Henry VIII by Antonia Fraser

Heather wrote: "I would like to nominate The Six Wives of Henry VIII by Antonia Fraser"

Seconded

Heather I am a bit confused, isn't the book you are nominating by Alison Weir? Or is there another one?

Ooops, there is another one. The Wives of Henry VIII is what I meant to nominate (I don't own the Alison Weir copy).

Alannah; do you still want to second the above?

Sorry!

No problem! Good thing we've noticed before it would have potentially won the poll though ;) We'll wait to hear what Alannah says ;)

Can I nominate Sonic Wonderland: A Scientific Odyssey of Sound by Trevor Cox

Alright, so far we have 6 nominations, of which 3 are seconded

Obsessive Genius: The Inner World of Marie Curie by Barbara Goldsmith (seconded)

The Wives of Henry VIII by Antonia Frasier (seconded)

Ice Bound: A Doctor's Incredible Battle for Survival at the South Pole by Jerri Nielsen (seconded)

Descartes' Error: Emotion, Reason and the Human Brain by Antonio Damasio

Sonic Wonderland: A Scientific Odyssey of Sound by Trevor Cox

Little Princes: One Man's Promise to Bring Home the Lost Children of Nepal by Conor Grennan



Also a little reminder that there is a poll up currently, regarding the amount of books we choose per bi-monthly poll, you'll be able to find it here

I'd like to nominate Little Princes: One Man's Promise to Bring Home the Lost Children of Nepal.

Heather wrote: "Ooops, there is another one. The Wives of Henry VIII is what I meant to nominate (I don't own the Alison Weir copy).

Alannah; do you still want to second the above?

Sorry!"

Yes, sorry I didn't realise you had linked the Alison Weir copy.

The names are very similar. The Antonia Fraser looks great and has good reviews so glad you're still seconding

Great, I've edited the summary-comment accordingly

I nominate Ice Bound: A Doctor's Incredible Battle for Survival at the South Pole by Jerri Nielsen

I second that book Jean. Icebound

Just one day and a few hours before the poll goes up, so if you'd like to see another book nominated or seconded in order to go into poll, please do so!

As a reminder, so far we have 6 nominations, of which 4 are seconded

Obsessive Genius: The Inner World of Marie Curie by Barbara Goldsmith (seconded)

The Wives of Henry VIII by Antonia Frasier (seconded)

Ice Bound: A Doctor's Incredible Battle for Survival at the South Pole by Jerri Nielsen (seconded)

Little Princes: One Man's Promise to Bring Home the Lost Children of Nepal by Conor Grennan (seconded)

Descartes' Error: Emotion, Reason and the Human Brain by Antonio Damasio

Sonic Wonderland: A Scientific Odyssey of Sound by Trevor Cox

A Wolf at the Table by Augusten Burroughs


Also a little reminder that there is a poll up currently, regarding the amount of books we choose per bi-monthly poll, you'll be able to find it here

Petra wrote: "I'd like to nominate Little Princes: One Man's Promise to Bring Home the Lost Children of Nepal."

I will second this one.

Jean wrote: "I nominate Ice Bound: A Doctor's Incredible Battle for Survival at the South Pole by Jerri Nielsen"

Oooh, good idea for the Around-the-world Challenge :)

Ah, you clocked it Leslie! :D

I'd like to nominate A Wolf at the Table by Augusten Burroughs, if anyone is interested.

Thank you guys for all your nominations, the poll is up now and can be found here: https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/1...


Also, the poll about whether keep the choice between two reads per theme or to go for just one has closed:

A total of 18 people voted, 13 of which prefered just one book per theme, 5 wanted to keep the choice.

So as of now: ONE book per poll get's chosen to be the bi-monthly non-fiction group read.

Looking forward to see what wins.

Me too! Actually they all look good - as did the one by Trevor Cox which I've added to my TBR shelf (thanks Paul!) as I have a friend who once interviewed him for a tape magazine, and it was fascinating! He's an interesting and talented man.

But I've got to knock this "factual book about Antarctica" on the head! LOL

Jean wrote: "Me too! Actually they all look good - as did the one by Trevor Cox which I've added to my TBR shelf (thanks Paul!) as I have a friend who once interviewed him for a tape magazine, and it was fascin..."

You're welcome

And the winner is: The Wives of Henry VIII

I will set up the thread for it shortly!

Jenny wrote: " And the winner is: The Wives of Henry VIII

I will set up the thread for it shortly!"

Great! :D

I'm excited. Wanted to read this for over a year!

In june I should have time to joyin; and I love Tudors!!!

My local library has a copy. Will collect on Friday!

I had not been following the non-fiction group read but coincidentally had purchased The Wives of Henry VIII only a few weeks ago to read on my own. Now I'll have company, how serendipitous!

I have already read this, won't be reading it again. But I am really looking forward to discussing it with you guys.

That is why I seconded it in the first place.

;-)