The Rory Gilmore Book Club discussion

might we be able to nominate really long books by themselves?

Heather: I would think that if you wanted to choose one long book as your nomination, you should be able to. What do the other moderators think?

I definitely would vote for that. I've hesitated to nominate long books up till now because I can't imagine being able to finish them in one month, much less try to read a companion book at the same time. For example, I really want to read Anna Karenina but keep putting it off because I don't want a time limit on it.

I don't have a problem with that at all. I'm with Sarah -- some of them will take even longer than a month... at least for me. So I'm not sure how we'd work that.

Definitely has my vote.

I'd like that, too. I've wanted to read Vanity Fair for a long time (It was one of my choices for the very first nomination back in Sept.) but it's pretty long. If we had longer to read it (or others like Anna Karenina) maybe people wouldn't be so reluctant to vote for them. I think it would be interesting to tackle some larger books with this group. =)

Well, Michele, if we wanted to designate a month as "this one is really long" month, we could pick the book way early. Like, we could say NOW that June will be a book that's over, I don't know, 600 pages? Then people can nominate Anna Karenina, Vanity Fair, War & Peace, etc. several months early and have some extra time to start it. It would really take the pressure off, I think, and people can read it in the inbetween times when they've finished with the current month's picks.

Love it, as usual.

Great idea Sarah.

Yeah, I could go for the long book theme month as well.

Hear hear.

I like it, too. I would hesitate to nominate Anna Karenina with another book, but I would love to read it with this group as a lone choice.

What say the other moderators?

Should we do one over two months, or 3? I think even Oprah did Anna Karenina over a summer didn't she? It's taking me three to read David Copperfield. I know it took me three to read Vanity Fair, too.

I kind of like the idea of reading the longer book over the summer. It's a little bit like having a summer reading list when we were kids, only better of course.

I like that idea too. I think it might even be better than just picking it early. Because also people will have a lot going on in the summer so it'll be kind of nice not to have to read 6 books over June, July, and August.

Just a thought...how about nominating only ONE book for the three summer months (say June, July, August)...and then voting one long book for our "summer reading".

This way if there are members who don't want to read the long book, they're not left out for three months. Secondly, this would allow us to continue to get through the Rory list. We can continue to keep with the alternating classic/modern each month. Thirdly, we could keep the nomination dates the same so there isn't any extra work for the moderators. We could vote for June's one book AND the summer long book in May, giving members yet an extra month to get started?

We are all just full of great ideas!

Meghan, you should run for President, or at least be appointed a diplomat for our country. Again, love the idea, as usual.

Okeedokey.

Awwww, you know I love you ladies (and gents)!

Meghan - I like your idea best - it has my vote!

I like the Meghan's idea a lot too. I'd love to read some of the longer books on the list with everyone.

I love this idea! I have been dying to read Vanity Fair, Madame Bovary, etc and the extra time would be a boon! Perhaps we could throw in a classic short story or two as a break from the lengthy text and to give us something to talk about? I have several wonderful ideas and with sufficient time, could copy/scan the stories and send them out to anyone interested.

ooh I like the short story idea too. I'd be interested in hearing those ideas.

Oy with the choices already!

I mean, do I nominate a good long one like War and Peace (something that I would definitely require at least 3 months to get through)...or do I nominate a compilation/anthology type, like Dorothy Parker?

Good thing May is a long way off! heh

Love the short story concept Courtney. Can't wait to hear the details.

Yes, but the VOTING process for May starts on the 15th! Remember, we're starting the month ahead thing on the 15th!

Maybe people will actually vote for The Count of Monte Cristo since I've been trying to get that nominated from about the second month on!

We could also consider doing some of the plays from the list during those months...

Wait, I'm confused. So are we voting on the 15th of May for June's book or July's? If July, then we should nominate and vote for the summer book in April.

Nevermind. I see how you're doing April's. We're only two weeks ahead not a full month.

So, are we doing the long book for May, June, & July or June, July, & August?

I think June, July, and August would be best.

I have another question about nominations though. When we nominate a pair of books, aren't we supposed to nominate two that we can compare/contrast, and not just two books we'd like to read? Because some of the pairs this month don't seem to have a lot to do with each other. Maybe when people nominate, it would be helpful for them to say WHY they are nominating the pair. It might encourage more votes if people knew a little more about the books. Just a thought.

I second the vote for June, July and August.

I think June, July, and August would be better for the long book.