GFY Book CLub - Book selection - GoFuckYourself.com

Libertine · 08-24-2004, 04:10 AM

Quite a few people seemed to be interested in the other thread, so here it is: the unofficial GFY Book Club.

I propose we shoot for about 1 book a month, that should be doable for everyone, yet not so much that everyone's forgotten all about the book by the time the discussion date arrives.

It would probably be best if we decided on books by voting from a selection of books, so we end up with books that most people are interested in. Other ideas are ofcourse welcome.

Meanwhile, please leave 1 or 2 suggestions for books in this thread, along with a tiny description of what the books are about (feel free to steal that description from amazon or whatever).

Here are my 2 suggestions:

Platform by Michel Houellebecq
A rather bleak love story about an emotionally empty man whose main - only? - interest is sex, this books features an excellent critique of modern society, western sexuality and the economic and cultural dichotomy between the western world and third world countries. Very controversial because of the sexual content and the way Islam is portrayed (Houellebecq actually got sued for insulting Islam).

The Plague by Albert Camus
An absolute masterpiece by a Nobel prize winning author, this story about a city which is struck by the plague is one of the main landmarks of French existentialism. It explores themes such as freedom, responsibility, human relations, death, love and religion, as well as the human condition as a whole.

SpaceAce · 08-24-2004, 04:43 AM

I recommend the following:

Blindness by Jose Saramago.
- A disturbing story about an inexplicable plague of blindness striking a society and how those who are not yet effected deal with those who are and how those who are blinded and quarantined get along. Blindness is very intense and very interesting.

Positively Fifth Street by James McManus.
- A narrative by a reporter sent to Las Vegas by Harpers Magazine to cover the 2000 World Series of Poker and the trial of Sandra Murphy and Rick Tabish, accused of murdering (in a very twisted way) Ted Binion, owner of Binion's Horseshoe Casino. This story has weird sex, violence, gambling, buried silver bullion and more.

Catch 22 by Joseph Heller
- The story of Yossarian, soldier in a World War II bomber group, and his superiors, inferiors and peers, every last one of whom is crazy as a loon.

Watership Down by Richard Adams
- The story of a group of rabbits who strike out on a grand adventure.

SpaceAce

SpaceAce · 08-24-2004, 05:49 AM

I am bumping this because I love to read and even if the book club doesn't get off the ground, I can use suggestions for reading material.

SpaceAce

Jakke PNG · 08-24-2004, 05:52 AM

I suggest Koran and next month Bible.

EscortBiz · 08-24-2004, 05:55 AM

The Art of Deception

Libertine · 08-24-2004, 07:22 AM

Bump.

kent_braincash · 08-24-2004, 08:49 AM

Nice to see you suggesting works from French novelists. Let's keep this international a little bit. "Coin Locker Babies", from Ryu Murakami and why not something from my home, like Hubert Aquin, if it's translated?

Nanda · 08-24-2004, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SpaceAce
I am bumping this because I love to read and even if the book club doesn't get off the ground, I can use suggestions for reading material.

SpaceAce

Bump

Libertine · 08-24-2004, 02:29 PM

Last bump before I give up on this thing. (why did interest so suddenly die off between the previous thread and this one?)

Fletch XXX · 08-24-2004, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by punkworld
Last bump before I give up on this thing. (why did interest so suddenly die off between the previous thread and this one?)

please link *other* thread, i am clueless

nofx · 08-24-2004, 02:37 PM

Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau

Libertine · 08-24-2004, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Fletch XXX
please link *other* thread, i am clueless

http://www.gofuckyourself.com/showth...adid=344982&s=

Clovis · 08-24-2004, 03:38 PM

How about Wicked by Gregory MaGuire, a book which at first glance appears to be a simple Wizard of Oz story and is in reality a complex discussion of the deepest meanings of life.

Mr. Jim · 08-24-2004, 03:47 PM

Atlas Shrugged

Libertine · 08-24-2004, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jimholio
Atlas Shrugged

Reading that right now. Still not sure if I find it as good as The Fountainhead or not.

KCat · 08-24-2004, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SpaceAce
I recommend the following:

Positively Fifth Street by James McManus.
- A narrative by a reporter sent to Las Vegas by Harpers Magazine to cover the 2000 World Series of Poker and the trial of Sandra Murphy and Rick Tabish, accused of murdering (in a very twisted way) Ted Binion, owner of Binion's Horseshoe Casino. This story has weird sex, violence, gambling, buried silver bullion and more.

I second Positively Fifth Street. Just picked that up but haven't started it yet.

Trixie · 08-24-2004, 04:44 PM

Hmmm.

If not nonfiction or business-related stuff, I hope we can find a happy medium between Dean R. Koontz and Albert Camus (or over five hundred pages of Ayn Rand).

Libertine · 08-24-2004, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Trixie
Hmmm.

If not nonfiction or business-related stuff, I hope we can find a happy medium between Dean R. Koontz and Albert Camus (or over five hundred pages of Ayn Rand).

Don't like Camus?

Gheenz · 08-24-2004, 04:51 PM

I second Blindness by Jose Saramago.

Libertine · 08-24-2004, 04:53 PM

For the people seconding books: The voting comes in another thread. Right now we're just gathering a selection of possible books.

Trixie · 08-24-2004, 04:53 PM

All Pulitzer winners:

Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides:
"In the spring of 1974, Calliope Stephanides, a student at a girls' school in Grosse Pointe, finds herself drawn to a chain-smoking, strawberry blond clasmate with a gift for acting. The passion that furtively develops between them--along with Callie's failure to develop--leads Callie to suspect that she is not like other girls. In fact, she is not really a girl at all."

The Known World by Edward P. Jones
"Henry Townsend, a black farmer, bootmaker, and former slave, has a fondness for Paradise Lost and an unusual mentor -- William Robbins, perhaps the most powerful man in antebellum Virginia's Manchester County. Under Robbins's tutelage, Henry becomes proprietor of his own plantation -- as well as of his own slaves."

Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri
"Traveling from India to New England and back again, the stories in this extraordinary debut collection unerringly chart the emotional journeys of characters seeking love beyond the barriers of nations and generations. Imbued with the sensual details of Indian culture, "

European Lee · 08-24-2004, 04:54 PM

Of Mice And Men - John Steinbeck

Regards,

Lee

Trixie · 08-24-2004, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by punkworld
Don't like Camus?

Hehehe. I actually love Camus, I love The Plague, and I'd love to read it again. For some reason I feel like we'd all wind up having snobby discussions interspersed with retarded remarks and it would "wreck" it for me or something. But it's not that I don't like the book. Just my two cents.

I think the book club is a great idea and I appreciate your suggestions and trying to organize it. Sorry to sound like a wet blanket. Bad Trixie!

Libertine · 08-24-2004, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Trixie
Hehehe. I actually love Camus, I love The Plague, and I'd love to read it again. For some reason I feel like we'd all wind up having snobby discussions interspersed with retarded remarks and it would "wreck" it for me or something. But it's not that I don't like the book. Just my two cents.

I think the book club is a great idea and I appreciate your suggestions and trying to organize it. Sorry to sound like a wet blanket. Bad Trixie!

I honestly don't believe GFY could ruin The Plague, no matter how hard it tried

I see your point though. I know that under the right situations, a book like that could really lead to a good discussion on GFY, but with a bit of bad luck it could just as well go awfully wrong. It would probably be a bit of a hit and miss situation.
Still, the fact that it's one of the greatest works in 20th century literature yet a very easy read could make it perfect for a broad audience that is interested in literature.

Libertine · 08-25-2004, 06:16 AM

Hmm...

Basic_man · 08-25-2004, 07:47 AM

I don't read books, only magazines !

Libertine · 08-25-2004, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Basic_man
I don't read books, only magazines !

And you probably don't visit museums, only titty bars, and don't eat at 3 star restaurants, only McDonalds.
Your point is?

Tera · 08-25-2004, 08:13 AM

I would be down for this, I don't have any suggestions yet but it's a cool idea, I love to read.

Libertine · 08-25-2004, 08:19 PM

And a final bump for the day.

EviLGuY · 08-26-2004, 01:56 AM

I really don't have any suggestions, but I am still interested..

basically any cool book I've heard about.. I've probably already picked up and read.

rickholio · 08-26-2004, 02:06 AM

I'd love to get in on this... I used to absorb books, particularly ones involving ancient religion and mythologies (yes, I may be the only person I know who read the Illiad and Aeneid just for shits and giggles).

Sadly, the only reading I do these days is either textbooks or news related things. Between family, work and the rest of life, I just don't have the chance to enjoy lit any more.

I think the latest fictional work I read lately was "American Psycho"... unless you count transcripts of anything that the Swiftboat Veterans for Obfuscation have put out.

:

SpaceAce · 08-26-2004, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jimholio
Atlas Shrugged

We want to read, not keel over and die from having the oppressive weight of an Ayn Rand tome on our chests.

SpaceAce

SpaceAce · 08-26-2004, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by KCat
I second Positively Fifth Street. Just picked that up but haven't started it yet.

James McManus is not the best author in the world but he is a decent storyteller. He goes out of his way to make unnecessary and obscure references, slip in big words, etc, but the pace of the book is good and both the murder trial and the World Series of Poker coverage provide good reading.

SpaceAce

V_RocKs · 08-26-2004, 02:42 AM

Stealing the Network series...

Libertine · 08-26-2004, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SpaceAce
We want to read, not keel over and die from having the oppressive weight of an Ayn Rand tome on our chests.

SpaceAce

Seriously, though, Atlas Shrugged isn't that huge. It's only ~1k pages, so a day or two of reading should be enough to finish it.

SpaceAce · 08-26-2004, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by punkworld

Seriously, though, Atlas Shrugged isn't that huge. It's only ~1k pages, so a day or two of reading should be enough to finish it.

Much like gravity, the issue isn't size, it's density. Reading Atlas Shrugged is like trying to swim in concrete.

SpaceAce

Libertine · 08-26-2004, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SpaceAce
Much like gravity, the issue isn't size, it's density. Reading Atlas Shrugged is like trying to swim in concrete.

SpaceAce

Think so? I'm reading it right now, and I honestly think it reads away quite nicely. Haven't read much of it yet though, so it could be that it's about to change.

Downtime · 08-26-2004, 06:51 AM

Siddhartha - Herman Hesse
One of my favorites!

Zerof8 · 08-26-2004, 07:00 AM

I like Elmore Leonard books but most of his books have been made into movies now. I love to read "good" books but they seem to be hard to find most of the time so I am definetely writing down your suggestions whether we start a book club or not

08-24-2004, 04:10 AM	#1
Libertine sex dwarf Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 17,860	GFY Book CLub - Book selection Quite a few people seemed to be interested in the other thread, so here it is: the unofficial GFY Book Club. I propose we shoot for about 1 book a month, that should be doable for everyone, yet not so much that everyone's forgotten all about the book by the time the discussion date arrives. It would probably be best if we decided on books by voting from a selection of books, so we end up with books that most people are interested in. Other ideas are ofcourse welcome. Meanwhile, please leave 1 or 2 suggestions for books in this thread, along with a tiny description of what the books are about (feel free to steal that description from amazon or whatever). Here are my 2 suggestions: Platform by Michel Houellebecq A rather bleak love story about an emotionally empty man whose main - only? - interest is sex, this books features an excellent critique of modern society, western sexuality and the economic and cultural dichotomy between the western world and third world countries. Very controversial because of the sexual content and the way Islam is portrayed (Houellebecq actually got sued for insulting Islam). The Plague by Albert Camus An absolute masterpiece by a Nobel prize winning author, this story about a city which is struck by the plague is one of the main landmarks of French existentialism. It explores themes such as freedom, responsibility, human relations, death, love and religion, as well as the human condition as a whole. __________________ /(bb\|[^b]{2})/

08-24-2004, 04:43 AM	#2
SpaceAce Confirmed User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Magrathea Posts: 6,493	I recommend the following: Blindness by Jose Saramago. - A disturbing story about an inexplicable plague of blindness striking a society and how those who are not yet effected deal with those who are and how those who are blinded and quarantined get along. Blindness is very intense and very interesting. Positively Fifth Street by James McManus. - A narrative by a reporter sent to Las Vegas by Harpers Magazine to cover the 2000 World Series of Poker and the trial of Sandra Murphy and Rick Tabish, accused of murdering (in a very twisted way) Ted Binion, owner of Binion's Horseshoe Casino. This story has weird sex, violence, gambling, buried silver bullion and more. Catch 22 by Joseph Heller - The story of Yossarian, soldier in a World War II bomber group, and his superiors, inferiors and peers, every last one of whom is crazy as a loon. Watership Down by Richard Adams - The story of a group of rabbits who strike out on a grand adventure. SpaceAce Last edited by SpaceAce; 08-24-2004 at 04:44 AM..

08-24-2004, 05:52 AM	#4
Jakke PNG ex-TeenGodFather Industry Role: Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Suomi Finland Perkele Posts: 20,306	I suggest Koran and next month Bible. __________________ ..and I'm off.

08-24-2004, 05:55 AM	#5
EscortBiz Fuck Checks, CASH only! Join Date: May 2002 Location: New York City Posts: 19,422	The Art of Deception __________________ Spanking, Medical Fetish, Sleeping, Strap-on Anal Lesbians, Girls Fucking Guys, Handjob site REAL HOT, Shemales, Anal and Ass Licking sites 100% Real EXCLUSIVE with amazing retention, ccbill payouts, lots of content FREE FTP HOSTING Promote the largest and oldest member paid escort site, Converts 10 times better then any dating site, CCBill payouts ICQ# 158802076

08-24-2004, 07:22 AM	#6
Libertine sex dwarf Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 17,860	Bump. __________________ /(bb\|[^b]{2})/

08-24-2004, 05:49 AM	#3
SpaceAce Confirmed User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Magrathea Posts: 6,493	I am bumping this because I love to read and even if the book club doesn't get off the ground, I can use suggestions for reading material. SpaceAce

08-24-2004, 08:49 AM	#7
kent_braincash Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Montreal Posts: 15	Nice to see you suggesting works from French novelists. Let's keep this international a little bit. "Coin Locker Babies", from Ryu Murakami and why not something from my home, like Hubert Aquin, if it's translated? __________________ kent - project manager - braincash [email protected] \| icq 274137356

08-24-2004, 02:29 PM	#9
Libertine sex dwarf Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 17,860	Last bump before I give up on this thing. (why did interest so suddenly die off between the previous thread and this one?) __________________ /(bb\|[^b]{2})/

08-24-2004, 02:37 PM	#11
nofx Too lazy to set a custom title Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Virgin Mary's womb Posts: 16,826	Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau __________________ Often times I wonder why There's love and hate, theres live or die. When sickness comes I must decide: When feelings go, theres suicide.

08-24-2004, 03:38 PM	#13
Clovis Confirmed User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Turtle Island Posts: 412	How about Wicked by Gregory MaGuire, a book which at first glance appears to be a simple Wizard of Oz story and is in reality a complex discussion of the deepest meanings of life. __________________ Thank God for little rebills www.jadecandle.com just fucking submit

08-24-2004, 03:47 PM	#14
Mr. Jim Confirmed User Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 4,372	Atlas Shrugged

08-24-2004, 04:44 PM	#17
Trixie Confirmed User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: near Seattle, WA Posts: 1,850	Hmmm. If not nonfiction or business-related stuff, I hope we can find a happy medium between Dean R. Koontz and Albert Camus (or over five hundred pages of Ayn Rand). __________________ WebWhoreBucks: Girls, a guy and a tranny -- unique indie porn!

08-24-2004, 04:51 PM	#19
Gheenz Here's Your Sign Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: MT, USA Posts: 2,410	I second Blindness by Jose Saramago. __________________ Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. -Voltaire

08-24-2004, 04:53 PM	#20
Libertine sex dwarf Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 17,860	For the people seconding books: The voting comes in another thread. Right now we're just gathering a selection of possible books. __________________ /(bb\|[^b]{2})/

08-24-2004, 04:54 PM	#22
European Lee Confirmed User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Daytona Beach Posts: 7,133	Of Mice And Men - John Steinbeck Regards, Lee __________________ YOUR TRAFFIC IS SAFE WITH US - CONDOM CASH PUTTING THE GAY ADULT INDUSTRY ON YOUR PC!! AFFORDABLE 2257 COMPLIANT GAY + BI CONTENT

08-25-2004, 06:16 AM	#25
Libertine sex dwarf Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 17,860	Hmm... __________________ /(bb\|[^b]{2})/

08-25-2004, 07:47 AM	#26
Basic_man Programming King Pin Industry Role: Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Montreal Posts: 27,360	I don't read books, only magazines ! __________________ UUGallery Builder - automated photo/video gallery plugin for Wordpress! Stop looking! Checkout Naked Hosting, online since 1999 !

08-25-2004, 08:13 AM	#28
Tera Confirmed User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Toronto Ontario Posts: 1,426	I would be down for this, I don't have any suggestions yet but it's a cool idea, I love to read. __________________ [email protected] ICQ 96593794

08-25-2004, 08:19 PM	#29
Libertine sex dwarf Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 17,860	And a final bump for the day. __________________ /(bb\|[^b]{2})/

08-26-2004, 01:56 AM	#30
EviLGuY So Fucking Banned Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: malta Posts: 12,745	I really don't have any suggestions, but I am still interested.. basically any cool book I've heard about.. I've probably already picked up and read.

08-26-2004, 02:06 AM	#31
rickholio Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Nor'easterland Posts: 1,914	I'd love to get in on this... I used to absorb books, particularly ones involving ancient religion and mythologies (yes, I may be the only person I know who read the Illiad and Aeneid just for shits and giggles). Sadly, the only reading I do these days is either textbooks or news related things. Between family, work and the rest of life, I just don't have the chance to enjoy lit any more. I think the latest fictional work I read lately was "American Psycho"... unless you count transcripts of anything that the Swiftboat Veterans for Obfuscation have put out. :

08-26-2004, 02:42 AM	#34
V_RocKs Damn Right I Kiss Ass! Industry Role: Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Cowtown, USA Posts: 32,409	Stealing the Network series...

08-26-2004, 06:51 AM	#38
Downtime Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: May 2004 Location: America. Posts: 7,320	Siddhartha - Herman Hesse One of my favorites! __________________ #27024067

08-26-2004, 07:00 AM	#39
Zerof8 Confirmed User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Kansas City Posts: 1,245	I like Elmore Leonard books but most of his books have been made into movies now. I love to read "good" books but they seem to be hard to find most of the time so I am definetely writing down your suggestions whether we start a book club or not __________________ SIG TOO BIG! Maximum 120x60 button and no more than 3 text lines of DEFAULT SIZE and COLOR. Unless your sig is for a GFY top banner sponsor, you may use a 624x80 instead of a 120x60. Let me repeat... A 120 x 60 button and no more that 3 lines of DEFAULT SIZE AND COLOR text.