Reading The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass |
 Apr 5 2008, 09:39 AM
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#1
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One Half of the DDD  Posts: 8,476 Joined: 5:31pm August 30, 2006 Location: Siriusly Dreaming Somewhere   |
The Golden Compass Book Club has been fairly quiet, and we wondered whether it might be that people want to discuss themes across the whole series without the need for spoilers, rather than just one book, so here we have another poll. Would you like to keep the The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass as separate discussions, with another book in between, or would you prefer to combine them into the same month, after we've read Pride & Prejudice?
--------------------  November's book is The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger "THEN YOU SHOULD HAVE DIED!" roared Black. "DIED RATHER THAN BETRAY YOUR FRIENDS, AS WE WOULD HAVE DONE FOR YOU!" |
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Apr 5 2008, 10:08 PM
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#2
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Iconista  Posts: 1,291 Joined: 11:35pm January 7, 2007 Location: Forks |
well, it may be hard for some to finish both books in a month? maybe have both books in two months? I duno either way i've already read them both and wont mind how we read them. I think its so quite because some people were caught off guard with the start of it.. i didn't realize how soon it was starting, then again I never pay much attention...
 and maybe some people thought it was going to be more like the HP reading groups than a book club? that or lots of people just chickened out on the reading 
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Apr 5 2008, 10:34 PM
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#3
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Ollivander's Apprentice Posts: 1,994 Joined: 7:39pm March 11, 2007 Location: wandering in the Forbidden Forest, listening for the Phoenix song   |
I voted for 2 separate readings. My chief concern is that many of us are doing HP reading as well, and as The Subtle Knife is over 300 pages (don't know about The Amber Spyglass), we could well find ourselves with a hefty amount of reading in one month! (And this doesn't even take into account the other reading we all do). I'd like to do the books justice.
I thought this discussion had fantastic questions and responses; they were all challenging and creative! Can't wait to see what you all come up with for book 2........... -------------------- *thanks, twiddlethosedials, for the siggy* |
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Apr 5 2008, 11:23 PM
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Leaky Cauldron Napkin Folder Posts: 3,417 Joined: 3:30pm April 5, 2007 Location: In my Gringott's vault. The ride made me kind of....*turns green* |
I would like to examine the series as a whole, but I don't have the time to read both The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass.
 So, I go with "choice A".  Edit: Failure at spelling, and tags. 
This post has been edited by sherman: Apr 5 2008, 11:25 PM -------------------- "If you believed as he did. Could you take away his soul?" ~Carlisle, New Moon   Thanks to {{voldy}} for the awesome siggies! |
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Apr 6 2008, 06:02 PM
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Hogsmeade's Butcher  Posts: 6,454 Joined: 1:25pm July 10, 2005 Location: Sharpening my cleaver for photo-chopping   |
I also went with choice A. However, I might suggest abandoning the spoiler tags so the readers don't feel compelled to avoid mentioning what happens in the final book whilst discussing SK. My 2 knuts.
March/April are tough here in the states since so many students are on break and may be less inclined to pick up a book at that time.  I know I was back in the day! Really looking forward to the Austen, as I haven't had an impetus to read her until now. I know, I fail! 
This post has been edited by Hagiographer13: Apr 6 2008, 06:05 PM
Reason for edit: Ooh ooh--another thought!
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Apr 6 2008, 08:32 PM
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Fortescue's Spoon Polisher Posts: 3,628 Joined: 6:04pm November 6, 2005 |
I went for Option A. I think the books are too big to discuss together; there's lots happening in the next two books, too. I don't think we'll be able to do them justice if they're combined.
I haven't posted much in this Book Club, because I was caught off guard. I've only just finished re-reading Northern Lights, as I was already reading another book when I realised this Book Club was open (I tried stopping, and going straight on to NL, but I kept thinking about the other book, so had to finish reading it, even though I've already read it 4 times now ).
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Apr 7 2008, 11:49 AM
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Smart Cookie Posts: 3,111 Joined: 1:26am September 30, 2006 Location: Somewhere in time and space |
(I haven't been able to more than a lurker this time because real life suddenly got in my way, but I want to vote anyway.)
I went for the first option, too. I think, the books are too long to discuss them both in one month, however, I see how having to avoid mentioning the other books would hinder the discussion. I wonder, if it'd be possible to make it the discussion of one book, but also allow mentioning his ties with the rest, well, kinda assuming that everyone's read them all. Then people who have only read some of them would have to choose if they want to be spoiled about the rest or not. Or read the other book(s). If that's not possible perhaps there could be a two-month-long book club discussing the two books (and the series as a whole, maybe), or something. Don't know - just got this sudden rush of thoughts
This post has been edited by Mary Wanguard: Apr 7 2008, 11:50 AM -------------------- I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine. (P&P)
Images from hallonpaj, phistolemon_, alata_elentari @LJ.   |
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Apr 9 2008, 08:06 AM
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Professional Diagon Alley Window Shopper Posts: 60 Joined: 6:43am April 10, 2006 Location: NJ |
I voted for option "A" as well. I agree with the majority of the posts that both books in one month will be a bit strenuous. SK has great potential for wonderful character discussions and comparisons to NL. For those who had a difficult time with NL, I think SK will allow them to see Lyra in a different light and perhaps enhance the enjoyment of the series.
I don't think we should rush the readings. Additionally, as far as spoilers are concerned, I don't think it would be fair to those who have yet to finish reading the books. I know it restricts the discussions, but in order to promote a greater range of view points, I think it is necessary for people to discover the books on their own, digest the themes, and then join the dialog. By giving away too much information too soon, new readers may be sidetracked/influenced by the comments posted and never fully come to realize and examine their own initial thoughts/speculations/interpretation/significance of the books. If we interrupt the process of discovery and initial response, we may be stifling the thoughts of new readers. Anyway, this is, as always, "In my humble opinion," as MortonK likes to say. -------------------- "While you are experimenting, do not remain content with the surface of things. Don't become a mere recorder of facts, but try to penetrate the mystery of their origin." Isabel Allende |
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Apr 16 2008, 07:22 PM
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One Half of the DDD Posts: 8,476 Joined: 5:31pm August 30, 2006 Location: Siriusly Dreaming Somewhere |
Well the vote has gone to continuing to read the HDM books one at a time, so, after Pride & Prejudice is finished with, we'll read The Subtle Knife. This thread will now be closed. Thanks to everyone who voted.
-------------------- November's book is The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger "THEN YOU SHOULD HAVE DIED!" roared Black. "DIED RATHER THAN BETRAY YOUR FRIENDS, AS WE WOULD HAVE DONE FOR YOU!" |
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