I still say have a choice of two books. This will appease those who want something a little more highbrow and those who read more for pleasure.

well i just counted about 27 people so far have chimmed in on this discussion. 27 is pretty damn close to 1/4 of those 100 active posters. now i also counted about 7 people who mentioned that they would prefer to start off with more accessable material. however, since 2 of them i consider to be of above average intelligence, we can just say 5. so there is approximately another 1/4 who either think its above their reading level or beyond what they would call entertainment\enjoyable thinking. plenty of others have mentioned that they either can't find the book, arn't willing to read that book, or just dont wanna do it anymore (yourself... the person who came up with the idea). so my "scientically sound" estimate actually was a pretty good one wouldnt you say?

Jackhammer, I don't mean this to sound snippy at all, but appeasement in this case might not be ideal. I think we should stick to our guns and go for broke.

The way I see it is this, Anticipation and myself have already said we'd like to read it but we can't because we've got other things. So you know two books down the line you're getting two more readers than whatever you start with.

And I can't believe I'm agreeing with him this much, but he also made the point that no ones being forced to read this. As much as I apprecaite a gadfly sometimes you have to know when to give them a second thought, and when not to. In this case, I'd listen to Sam after we've done the Idiot.

Does he make a good case for not slipping into the doldrums? yes. Does that mean we should hit up Opera's top 10? no.

I don't see his comment as bitching about "the idiot" I see it as a "its not going to be strictly pretentious, is it?" And theres nothing wrong with that. Don't be afraid of his saber rattling. theres good logic in there.

I'd also like to attempt to refine the point if I haven't bored you yet. I'm currently reading this book on Lincoln. I bought it, I wanted it and I'm enjoying it. but its dense as holy hell and I'm really feining for some fiction right now. For one reason or another I'm way into books about Chicago.

I think this is the point. is the idiot beyond comprehension? no. Not to mention it becomes easier to grasp as other people talk about it. I don't know if we're all bringing up its potential lack of enjoyment, or its sludgy-thick material.

Even the eastern europe trash himself said its got about 900 characters. I'd say go forward with the idiot, discuss it then kick out a collection of short stories for the second book (coughThe Things they Carriedcough.)

An Ethan, don't be a god damned quitter. You're better than that. You're not above telling me to **** off, don't let the new upstarts scare you.

i have a feeling for each book there will be twenty pages of argument over whether or not it should be read and one page of actual discussion. the only recommendation i have is to stick to books under 400 pages, i guess i might be able to make an exception for the idiot if i stumble across it.

Hey, I'm the only East Europe trash here and I didn't say nuthin' about no characters.

But hey, isn't it wonderful how chatty we all got even before the goddamned thing has even begun? I'll betcha the actual discussions won't be half as interesting...;)

Edit: Goddamn you dutchboy...>.>

My apologies. It was Old Man Track.

by the by, that would be an amazing name if you played blues harmonica.

My point remains.

My suggestion of having two books is yet another indicator of my nice guy persona and wanting to appease all sides. Perhaps in 2009 i should stop being quite so polite and saying what I really think! I have said that I will be getting The Idiot on Friday but my comments will not be erudite enough for some of you (I left school @16), so I just wanted more people involved.

Anyhow. Enough of this. Let's stop talking the talk and lets walk the walk. Start date is 15th Jan, so get it in :D

What book is it then?

gotcha..