October Nominations

[Kell]

The nominations thread will remain open till the evening of Friday 12 September, after which a selection will be chosen for the poll.

Let the nominations begin!

A Note on Nominating and Seconding
If a book has already been mentioned here, then it has already been nominated and you need only second it (books with the most seconds get put through to the poll). To second a book, all you have to do is say, "I second {Name of book}"

Nominating is slightly different. If the book you would like to see chosen has not already been mentioned, you can nominate it. Please give the title of the book, the name of the author and a brief synopsis (usually fromthe back of the book) in this case. It can then be seconded by other members.

Please note this is not a voting thread - a poll will be set up after this one closes.

Thank you.

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- Please only make nominations and seconds here, rather than discussing the books nominated or going off-topic.

- Bear in mind that having hundreds of nominations makes it more difficult, so please limit yourself to a maximum of two nominations per person, although you can second as many as you like.

- Please also remember to post a synopsis of the books you nominate as it helps people to know what they're seconding!

- Please make sure the books you nominate are readily available in paperback (as we don't want to make it prohibitively expensive for members to take part in the reading circle).

- If the book you're nominating is part of a series, please make sure it is either the first one or a stand-alone (or the sequel to one already read by the reading circle).

- Think about how discussable the book is. It's great to try different genres, but it's important that there are elements to discuss (which is the point of a reading circle). The nominations don't have to be heavy literature, but they must have some kind of impetus to promote feeling and discussion (which many "fluffier" books don't really have). Bear this in mind when making a nomination: The most successful reading circles tend to be when the book provokes a reaction in the readers.
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NOMINATIONS:
1. Kes / A Kestral for a Knave by Barry Hines (nominated by Kell / seconded by FishAndChips, Checkoe )
2. Captain Corelli's Mandolin by Louis de Bernieres (nominated by Kell / seconded by Tambo)
3. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith (nominated by Kylie / seconded by Frankie, Checkoe)
4. A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole (nominated by Kylie / seconded by Tambo, Frankie)
5. Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha by Roddy Doyle (nominated by FishAndChips/ seconded by ii)
6. Footprints in the Sand by Sarah Challis (nominated by Lovesreading / seconded by Scottishbookworm, Louiseog, Madcow, Inver, KB Marsh)
7. The Chocolate Lovers' Club by Carole Matthews (nominated by Lovesreading / seconded by Scottishbookworm)
8. Notes on a Scandal by Zoe Heller (nominated by PrincessPonti / seconded by Lovesreading)

[Kell]

I'd like to nominate the following two books:

Kes / A Kestral for a Knave by Barry Hines:
Life is tough and cheerless for Billy Casper, a disillusioned teenager growing up in a small Yorkshire mining town. Violence is commonplace and he is frequently cold and hungry. Yet he is determined to be a survivor and when he finds Kes, a kestrel hawk he discovers a passion in life. Billy identifies with her proud silence and she inspired in him the trust and love that nothing else can. Intense and raw and bitingly honest, "A Kestrel For A Knave" was first published in 1968 and was also made into a highly acclaimed film, "Kes", directed by Ken Loach.

Captain Corelli's Mandolin by Louis de Bernieres:
It is 1941 and Captain Antonio Corelli, a young Italian officer, is posted to the Greek island of Cephallonia as part of the occupying forces. At first he is ostracised by the locals, but as a conscien-tious but far from fanatical soldier, whose main aim is to have a peaceful war, he proves in time to be civilised, humorous - and a consumate musician. When the local doctor's daughter's letters to her fiance go unanswered, the working of the eternal triangle seems inevitable. But can this fragile love survive as a war of bestial savagery gets closer and the lines are drawn between invader and defender.

[Tambo]

I shall second the Mandolin of Captain Corelli. Can't go far wrong with a classic like that.

[Kylie]

I'd like to nominate:

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith (synopsis from Amazon):
Francie Nolan, avid reader, penny-candy connoisseur, and adroit observer of human nature, has much to ponder in colorful, turn-of-the-century Brooklyn. She grows up with a sweet, tragic father, a severely realistic mother, and an aunt who gives her love too freely--to men, and to a brother who will always be the favored child. Francie learns early the meaning of hunger and the value of a penny. She is her father's child--romantic and hungry for beauty. But she is her mother's child, too--deeply practical and in constant need of truth. Like the Tree of Heaven that grows out of cement or through cellar gratings, resourceful Francie struggles against all odds to survive and thrive. Betty Smith's poignant, honest novel created a big stir when it was first published over 50 years ago. Her frank writing about life's squalor was alarming to some of the more genteel society, but the book's humor and pathos ensured its place in the realm of classics--and in the hearts of readers, young and old.

A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole (synopsis from blurb):
Meet Ignatius J Reilly: flatulent, eloquent and pretty much unemployable...

The ordinary folk of New Orleans seem to think he is unhinged as well. Ignatius ignores them as he heaves his vast bulk through the city's fleshpots in a noble crusade against vice, modernity and ignorance. But his momma has a nasty surprise in store for him. Ignatius must get a job. Undaunted, he uses his new-found employment to further his mission - and now he has a pirate costume and a hot-dog cart to do it with...


A Tree Grows in Brooklyn was the subject of a reading circle elsewhere and was very well loved by all who read it. I'm currently reading A Confederacy of Dunces and I think it's brilliant :mrgreen:

[Tambo]

A Confederacy of Dunces looks really good.

Are we allowed a second second? If so, I second that.

[Kell]

You can nominate 2 but second as many of those suggested as you like. :)

[frankie]

I second both of Kylie's nominations!
i.e. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole

[Kylie]

Woohoo! Thanks Frankie ;)

[frankie]

Woohoo! Thanks Frankie ;)

No problem Kylie :) I bought A Tree Grows in Brooklyn ages ago and if it would be October's book I would finally read it :lol:

I learned about John Kennedy Toole a week or two ago (maybe in this forum? I don't remember) and I put A Confederacy of Dunces in my TBR. I also noticed that you were reading the book just some days ago and it reminded me of the book and how I would like to read it. I already went and borrowed it from the library!

[FishAndChips]

I'd like to second Kes

and also to nominate:

'Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha' by Roddy Doyle

from amazon: Roddy Doyle's Booker Prize-winning novel describes the world of ten-year-old Paddy Clarke, growing up in Barrytown, north Dublin. From fun and adventure on the streets, boredom in the classroom to increasing isolation at home, "Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha" is the story of a boy who sees everything but understands less and less.

[lovesreading06]

Don't know if this is allowed because on amazon softback are imported.
Green metroplies has them in paperback.

Footprints in the sand by Sarah Challis

When Emily Kingsley arrives at the church, late and sad, for her Great Aunt Mary's funeral, she has no idea that her life is about to change completely. Still grieving for her broken relationship with the vain, mean and unfaithful Ted, and trying to come to terms with the cracks which seem to be appearing in her parents' marriage, she sobs her heart out in the church. At the wake afterwards, however, she and her cousin Clemmie are told that Mary has appointed them executors of part of her Will

[scottishbookworm]

I seconded "Footprints in the sand" by Sarah Challis

[Kell]

Don't know if this is allowed because on amazon softback are imported.
Green metroplies has them in paperback.

Footprints in the sand by Sarah Challis

There are currently 4 paperback copies in stock on Amazon with more on the way, and it's freely available 2nd hand, so it's definitely eligable.

[Louiseog]

I'd second that one, have read it and loved it.

[madcow]

I'll third Footprints In The Sand, I loved it too.

[lovesreading06]

I noticed i only nomanite 1 book i was going to nomanite 2.

Chocolate Lovers Cub by Carole Matthews

from fanficton

THE CHOCOLATE LOVERS' CLUB brings together four very different women with one thing in common: they can't resist chocolate. This is an irresistible novel for anyone who wishes they were a member! Lucy Lombard can't resist it - rich, creamy, sweet, delicious chocolate. For her there's nothing it won't cure - from heartache to a headache - and she's not alone. Sharing her passion are three other addicts: Autumn, Nadia and Chantal. Together they form The Chocolate Lovers' Club. They meet in their sanctuary, Chocolate Heaven, as often as they can, and with a cheating boyfriend who promises he'll change, a flirtatious boss, a gambling husband and a loveless marriage, there's always plenty to discuss!

[Inver]

'Footprints' for me too....although doubt if I would be able to read it when it supposed to be if it wins, but would put on my TBR pile.:D

[kb.marsh]

I'd like to second "Footprints"

[Kell]

5 more days to nominate and second for October, guys!

[checkoe]

Hi,

I second A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and A Kestral for a Knave by Barry Hines

Heather :readingtwo:

[scottishbookworm]

I first Chocolate Lovers Cub by Carole Matthews

[ii]

I second Paddy Clarke. I love that book!

[princessponti]

O!! Can I nominate Notes on a Scandel again please please please! I really want to read it as a discussion :)

[lovesreading06]

Can i second Notes on a Scandel please.

[Kell]

OK, I know it's a day early, but I worry that I'll be detained eslewhere in labour, so I thought I'ld just set up the poll now for the next reading circle, seeing as how we've had quite a response this time round in the nominations and seconds!