MobileRead November 2014 Book Club Nominations

[HomeInMyShoes]

Although I am somewhat averse to nominating an author that has been previously read in the bookclubs, there's a book on my shelf that needs a little help getting off the to be read list so here it is:

I'll nominate Hard Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World by Haruki Murakami

From Amazon:

Spoiler:

In this hyperkinetic and relentlessly inventive novel, Japan’s most popular (and controversial) fiction writer hurtles into the consciousness of the West. Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World draws readers into a narrative particle accelerator in which a split-brained data processor, a deranged scientist, his shockingly undemure granddaughter, Lauren Bacall, Bob Dylan, and various thugs, librarians, and subterranean monsters collide to dazzling effect. What emerges is simultaneously cooler than zero and unaffectedly affecting, a hilariously funny and deeply serious meditation on the nature and uses of the mind.

I lent it to my mom to read. She said it was weird and didn't like it. I'm thinking that makes it even more intriguing.

[HomeInMyShoes]

Five days and only three nominations and only one fully nominated. We could have the first non-vote I've ever seen.

[Dazrin]

Originally Posted by HomeInMyShoes

Five days and only three nominations and only one fully nominated. We could have the first non-vote I've ever seen.

Has this really been up for 5 days? I don't remember seeing it before Monday.

I see the date in the first post, but don't think that is correct. Maybe it was started then and not actually posted till Monday? Not sure how that works.

[crich70]

Originally Posted by sun surfer

This is written in English despite its French title, so it's unfortunately ineligible (otherwise I would second it).

I nominated it based in part on JS wolf's posting in # 5. And you have to remember that it's not written in modern English whether UK, Austraian, Canadian or US. It was published back in 1485 which makes it even older than the KJV of the Bible. And Mallory didn't invent the stories he translated and compiled them from French prose.

[Dazrin]

Originally Posted by HomeInMyShoes

Although I am somewhat averse to nominating an author that has been previously read in the bookclubs, there's a book on my shelf that needs a little help getting off the to be read list so here it is:

I'll nominate Hard Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World by Haruki Murakami

From Amazon:

Spoiler:

In this hyperkinetic and relentlessly inventive novel, Japan’s most popular (and controversial) fiction writer hurtles into the consciousness of the West. Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World draws readers into a narrative particle accelerator in which a split-brained data processor, a deranged scientist, his shockingly undemure granddaughter, Lauren Bacall, Bob Dylan, and various thugs, librarians, and subterranean monsters collide to dazzling effect. What emerges is simultaneously cooler than zero and unaffectedly affecting, a hilariously funny and deeply serious meditation on the nature and uses of the mind.

I lent it to my mom to read. She said it was weird and didn't like it. I'm thinking that makes it even more intriguing.

I am not even sure I understand the blurb but it sounds interesting and I have been meaning to try Murakami. I will second this.

Links: Amazon US | Overdrive

[JSWolf]

I'd like to nominate a book that's in my TBR pile.

I shall nominate The Bat by Jo Nesbø

Inspector Harry Hole of the Oslo Crime Squad is dispatched to Sydney to observe a murder case. Harry is free to offer assistance, but he has firm instructions to stay out of trouble. The victim is a twenty-three year old Norwegian woman who is a minor celebrity back home. Never one to sit on the sidelines, Harry befriends one of the lead detectives, and one of the witnesses, as he is drawn deeper into the case. Together, they discover that this is only the latest in a string of unsolved murders, and the pattern points toward a psychopath working his way across the country. As they circle closer and closer to the killer, Harry begins to fear that no one is safe, least of all those investigating the case.

Overdrive: https://www.overdrive.com/media/1233750/the-bat https://www.overdrive.com/media/966603/the-bat
Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/the-bat-11
Google: https://play.google.com/store/books/...d=NJUZuzYlW8oC
Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Bat-First-Harr...e+bat+jo+nesbo

[HomeInMyShoes]

I doubt Goodreads synopsis would make any more sense:

Spoiler:

'A narrative particle accelerator that zooms between Wild Turkey Whiskey and Bob Dylan, unicorn skulls and voracious librarians, John Coltrane and Lord Jim. Science fiction, detective story and post-modern manifesto all rolled into one rip-roaring novel, Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World is the tour de force that expanded Haruki Murakami's international following. Tracking one man's descent into the Kafkaesque underworld of contemporary Tokyo, Murakami unites East and West, tragedy and farce, compassion and detachment, slang and philosophy.

[WT Sharpe]

Originally Posted by HomeInMyShoes

Five days and only three nominations and only one fully nominated. We could have the first non-vote I've ever seen.

That "10-17-2014, 07:37 PM" date on the first post can be deceiving. I knew I would be out of town on the 20th, so I created the nomination and discussion threads in advance and stored them in a secret underground vault known only to moderators and administrators. On the morning of the 20th, I simply moved them into place in the Book Club sub-forum.

[HomeInMyShoes]

Cheeky moderator, messing with my tiny brain.

[WT Sharpe]

Originally Posted by HomeInMyShoes

Cheeky moderator....

You've got me pretty well figured out!

[John F]

I'll second The Bat.

[treadlightly]

I'll third The Bat. I'm too slow.

[WT Sharpe]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I'd like to nominate a book that's in my TBR pile.

I shall nominate The Bat by Jo Nesbø....

I 2nd that one.

[WT Sharpe]

Originally Posted by John F

I'll second The Bat.

Originally Posted by treadlightly

I'll third The Bat. I'm too slow.

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

I 2nd that one.

Looks like I was a bit slow on the draw on that one. Oh, well. Got my vote back and I third that bit of weirdness, Hard Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World by Haruki Murakami.

[John F]

Originally Posted by crich70

I nominated it based in part on JS wolf's posting in # 5. And you have to remember that it's not written in modern English whether UK, Austraian, Canadian or US. It was published back in 1485 which makes it even older than the KJV of the Bible. And Mallory didn't invent the stories he translated and compiled them from French prose.

I see we voted on it in January 2014. Is there a one year rule?

As far as the language question, I say let the nominations sort it out.