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Posted by: Dreamteam Mar 15 2008, 06:30 PM

We'd like to know what sort of reading pattern you'd like to follow. We're now reading the first in the His Dark Materials trilogy, would you like to read the next book, The Subtle Knife, in the second month, the third month or at some time later? Reading it in the second month will mean we read that as soon as we finish Golden Compass/Northern Lights, reading in the third month means we have a break and read something else first.

Option A:
Month 1: Golden Compass/Northern Lights
Month 2: Subtle Knife
Month 3: The Amber Spyglass

Option B:
Month 1: Golden Compass/Northern Lights
Month 2: Something else to be decided on
Month 3: Subtle Knife
Month 4: Something else to be decided on
Month 5: Amber Spyglass

Option C:
Month 1: Golden Compass/Northern Lights
Month 2: Something else to be decided on
Month 3: Something else to be decided on
Month 4: Something else to be decided on
Month ?: Subtle Knife

We'll leave this poll open for a few days. If you decide on Option B or C we'd like to know what book you'd like to discuss next so we're looking for nominations please. You can choose any of the books that are on JKRs Recommendations List which you can find http://www.thecauldronshop.com/product.php?cid=186&l=uk. When we have some suggestions from you we'll open up a further poll for everyone to vote.

Posted by: MuggleQueen Mar 22 2008, 10:45 AM

I voted for Option B because I would like to discuss all three books fairly near each other, but I think it might get a bit too much to cover the whole series in three consecutive months. And also I think it would be a bit unfair to people who aren't a fan of the series to go with A. I think that B would be a good compromise though.

As for suggestions... I vote the Narnia series! This creates a new problem though for when to discuss each of those books as there are 7 So maybe there could be another poll for people to choose their three favourite books out of the series to discuss, because although I am a fan of the series, I wouldn't particularly like to spend a whole month discussing each book in turn.

Posted by: sver/nor Mar 22 2008, 10:51 AM

I voted for option B, because, although I would be fine with option A, it wouldn't be fair to those who are not big fantasy fans and had picked other books to read.

Posted by: Narya Mar 22 2008, 12:56 PM

Hmmm ... I chose Option A because I could easily read the trilogy in the three-month timescale, but I'm cool with reading it over a longer period because it's such a richly woven series.

Posted by: shadow_onthesun Mar 22 2008, 01:58 PM

A.
it allows for us to discuss linking themes over the trilogy more fluidly.
as for another series to read- i love narnia and have just reread them myself. but if we do do narnia please lets start at the begining- with book 1. some how the magicians nephew always seems to be overlooked yet its my favorite

Posted by: theonlysong Mar 22 2008, 02:13 PM

I can't decide, A because they are a set and should be read together but B because i've already read them and kind of want to read some jane austen which i have not read yet

Posted by: LizetM Mar 22 2008, 02:18 PM

Well, I can't vote. For some reason it says that I already voted, but I haven't. It also doesn't want to let me see the results.

I vote for option A. Simply because these books are meant to be read back to back. Its like LOTR, its a journey. Its NOT like HP. There isn't a break, there isn't like a new school year with new stories and situations. Its one continuous thing.

Posted by: sherman Mar 22 2008, 05:45 PM

I vote "Option B" because some people may not like the series, and they should have a chance to discuss the books that they like...and not only HDM.

Posted by: Rinzy Mar 23 2008, 03:28 AM

I voted for Option B, because although I'd like to do all 3 HDM in a row, I think a break in between each could be good. I'd like to study a Jane Austen book next month, doesn't matter which one

Posted by: Sethtaylorsummer Mar 23 2008, 03:39 AM

I chose B because I don't have this series and have no access to it at the moment but I'd like to be able to join in next time. I think the series should be covered but I think time out in between would give a nice balance to it

Posted by: Dreamteam Mar 23 2008, 06:24 AM

As we need time to read the next book, this poll will only be up for a short time (a few days) to get an idea of the reading pattern wanted. Unless Option A wins, we need to think about the next book and when we have some books to choose from I'll start a poll for those. So far we have suggestions for the Narnia books and a Jane Austen book, so if you have any others in JKR's you think we should choose from please post them, it would be good to have five or six titles to poll.

Posted by: Hagiographer13 Mar 23 2008, 05:32 PM

I chose option "B" since I, too, would like to mix things up a bit.

Pardon my ignorance, but is there a list of the JKR-influencing books that could be perused, and perhaps posted here?

Posted by: MuggleQueen Mar 23 2008, 06:11 PM

Yep, list is http://www.thecauldronshop.com/product.php?cid=186&l=us&p=1

Posted by: Hagiographer13 Mar 23 2008, 06:29 PM

Thanks!

I actually was hoping for more of a LIST, although the Cauldron Shop IS a great resource. *avoids at all cost due to shallow pockets*

Posted by: jaimedanser Mar 23 2008, 06:48 PM

I really think that we should either read a Jane Austen book or I Capture the Castle. The latter is a beautiful book that few people know about, and I would love to analyze it. Or, Jane Austen because analyzing her books is always much fun!

Posted by: hedwig2323 Mar 23 2008, 07:35 PM

I voted option A, but wouldn't mind mixing it up a bit. Especially if the next month was I Capture the Castle. But Jane Austen would be good too.

Posted by: Prenz13 Mar 24 2008, 07:25 AM

I voted for Option A because it gives more fluidity to the discussion, but I'm fine with Option B too. I'd love to discuss a Jane Austen novel too!

Oh, and I loved The Little White Horse too, I wouldn't mind discussing it! It's a beautiful novel!

Posted by: Dreamteam Mar 24 2008, 08:50 AM

The list can be just a reference rather than buying from there, I'm afraid I don't buy from it because I'm in the UK and can get them post free from closer sources, so I just use it to see what books are recommended, get the ISBNs etc.

Posted by: LadyCake Mar 24 2008, 03:48 PM

option b for me

Posted by: fidelia Mar 24 2008, 04:38 PM

First, let me say that I voted for option B. If we do the HDM series for 3 consecutive months, we may well lose some participants who just aren't that into Phillip Pullman! And that would be a sad loss. Alternating authors will let us maintain the Pullman conversation without too much time lost in between.....but keep our whole Leaky audience! And the more voices, the merrier!


As for the quote above, I have to second this! I adore "I Capture the Castle".....and Austen too.

*sigh of contentment*

Posted by: Deathly Hallower Mar 24 2008, 04:46 PM

I chose option B. I think that if we do all 3 Pullman books in a row interest might go down towards the end. And it wouldn't really be fair to those who aren't interested in HDM anyways. Having a break between each book would give those into HDM a quick break and let others have some discussion that they want to be a part of.

Saying that, I'd like to discuss the Narnia books because though I own all of them, I have yet to read them. It would be good motivation for me and I think that there would be some fun discussion.

Posted by: L.J Mar 25 2008, 04:26 AM

I voted for Option B. I love this series and wouldn't mind reading/discussing them back-to-back, but I agree with other posters who have said that it may not be fair to members who haven't read/don't like/don't want to discuss this series.

I had the new film edition books of HDM for Xmas and have yet to read them (since I already own 2 other copies of each of the books!), so this has given me an excuse to read them

Are we going to discuss Lyra's Oxford and Once Upon a Time in the North (which is out April 3rd)? They aren't long enough to discuss alone, but maybe we could discuss them after the trilogy?

I'd love to discuss the Sally Lockhart trilogy, too - but maybe that's a little too much Pullman?

I'd also love to discuss the Narnia books (though I'd have to find them!).

I've been meaning to read both I Capture the Castle and The Catcher in the Rye for ages!, so it'd be great to discuss either of those.

I love Jane Austen, so any of her books would be good, too.

But, the series I'd most love to discuss is The Lord of the Rings! I used to post loads on a LotR's forum, but haven't in a while, and loved discussing this series.

Posted by: Heidy Mar 25 2008, 06:32 AM

Hi everyone!

I agree with option B simply because it took me forever to get through NL the first time and then I needed a break. The Subtle Knife went a lot smoother, so getting into the Amber Spyglass was easier. People may need a break in between.

I have yet to read I Capture the Castle and my only concern is that as an older (29) person the whole teenage, angst, ridden, romantic novel may get on my nerves. That being said, I'm willing to read the book with an open mind.

Austen is one of my favorites. Just please not Northanger Abbey. There is much better character development, plot, and dialog in her other works.

The Narnia books are ok too. They are short and easy to read so they may workout between HDM.

LOTR would be great at any time.

Just being opinionated.

Posted by: Fawks7 Mar 25 2008, 02:08 PM

I voted for B, mostly because I would LOVE to to the Lord of the Rings Trilogy and the Hobbit. That would be AMAZING!!

Posted by: L.J Mar 25 2008, 08:26 PM

I just bought Catch-22 today - I have no idea if this is a good book for discussion in a Book Club, but it is on Jo's list

Posted by: AstridB Mar 26 2008, 11:46 AM

I voted for option B, because I think it is good to discuss any series without too much time between each book. However, I think it is good to have some time to process what you are reading before starting discussing it, especially if you are reading the books for the first time - I just finished Nothern lights a week ago

Also, that way those who don't want to read these books can still participate in the book club every other month...

Posted by: Moose_Starr Mar 26 2008, 12:14 PM

Ditto. Option B allows those reading this series to discuss all the books but it also allows others that dont have the books (& dont have access to them) to join in the discussion here.
Series that would be fun to read are the Chronicles of Narnia, Artemis Fowl, and LOTR (altho that one could take a long time to cover lol), JKR books that I'd like to see discussed are the Little White Horse (Because I actually own that book lol) & any Jane Austen books from JKRs list because my mom would probably have them so I could read which ever one was chosen, also I've never actually read one, I just watch the movie adaptations lol, so it would be a good incentive for me to read a Jane Austen book.
So, I would like to see a mix up of series so as everyone gets a chance to participate and feel included

Posted by: Dreamteam Mar 27 2008, 08:02 AM

I'm now going to close this poll and start a fresh one with the books suggested so far so that we get plenty of time for reading before we start to discuss.