Announcing the CDI Book Club! First book. . .

[GracefulLion]

Hi!   

So I guess I will take the initiator's perogative  and pick the first book.  Since I am reading it anyway, and it is going to take me a while, I am going to pick the book by my friend.  His name is Vikram Chandra and it is called "Sacred Games".  It is very long, so I know I will need about a month to get through it.  Should we plan on discussing at a particular date?  If so, is March 20 good? 

I think it would be neat if we do this monthly and we each take turns picking a book each month.  I think everyone should pick what they like, rathering than trying to appeal to everyone, because this way we wil get a taste of different kinds of a literature (modern, classic, Harry Potter  ).  Sound good?  Let me know if there are other suggestions, and also let me know if you are planning to participate, so you can be a part of choosing the next books!

Off to get cracking!!

[Snooper]

OH!! YES!!!! I'm in!!! I'm going to buy the book tomorrow providing Borders has it!!!!!!!!

I too think we should take turns picking our book.   Since this is your idea I'm all for it!!

I think we should wait to see who's all in for sure before we start, that way we can find a deadline? I would PM the book club members?? I'm IN I'm IN!!!

[kleinkath]

Oh boy!!!  I will see about getting my copy GL!  I am really excited

[robin]

Hey, Graceful Lion!  How do you know Chandra?  That's very cool!  This novel is being published with a ton of buzz!  He's either very lucky, very talented... or both!! 

I see that the reviews have been mixed, but the novel sounds intriguing, and Indian and Indian-American lit. is, I think, the next big thing for folks who study lit. of the diaspora.  (JMO...)  I bought Kiran Desai's "The Inheritance of Loss," but haven't read it yet, and I ADORE Jhumpa Lahiri!

I am so far behind on my reading list that there's no way that I'd get this done by the end of March, but I am eager to hear what y'all think!

-Robin

[GracefulLion]

Hey Robin,
Glad you are joining us!  Must say I am a bit intimidated by your creds!!!!!  I was saying a month because I did not want to hold anyone up longer, but the truth is, it will probably take me a bit more because I just do not have that much time.  The book is heavy in Hindi words and phrases, so it also takes some flipping to the glossary if you want to catch everything.  Totally worth it so far, though.

I know Vikram because he is married to one of my oldest friends, who is about to have her first novel published, hopefully within a year.  They are both professors at Berkeley.  This is his third novel (he wrote "Love & Longing in Bombay" and "Red Earth & Pouring Rain") and he is very talented, so that is the biggest part, but luck is always huge, right?

Borders should definitely have it - that is where I got my first (of three) copy.

I like Jhumpa Lahiri too.  Never read the other.

Anyway, I am going to PM the others so they know about the thread and we'll go from there.  YAY!!!!

[Snooper]

I just got my book!! Dan went out and bought it.  It only comes out in HB, but that's cook.  It's HUGE!!!!!!!!!! This will take me a month and some I think.. But YAY! I'm excited!

[Rubymu]

I'm going to see if my local library can get this for me....I know I should buy it...but i'm trying to NOT buy things at the moment........moving house and all that.

Ok, this is exciting.....