Nonbelieving Literati Update for May 3, 2008
Lynet has been kind enough to pick our next selection: Zadig by Voltaire. It has two things to recommend it highly to our group: (1) It’s very short, and (2) it’s by Voltaire, f’cryinoutloud.
Evo has suggested that I add to the Nonbelieving Literati feature in my sidebar the names of the people responsible for picking each book. I'll do that if enough members would like me to.
If it were up to me — which it’s not — I’d rather have each book just stand for itself, rather than as an indication of a specific member's taste. There’s a slight danger in associating a book with one of us, rather than just reading every new selection in a "vacuum." None of us wants fellow members to ever feel like, for instance: "Gee, last time I really hated OG's book, but I like OG a lot. So I'll try to say something nice about this one."
I think listing the members with their selections can potentially inhibit free discussion. What does everybody else think?
Hey, Exterminator, I enjoyed reading this.
11 comments:
Well, let me be the first to vote - NO to my own idea. I agree entirely (though I do KNOW who recommended each book, unlike SI who is showing his age a bit more than I am).
Once I was reminded by being hit over the head, I remembered what book you picked, Evo.
But I agree with Ex. No need to know who recommended the book.
BTW, Project Gutenberg has a free downloadable copy of Zadig, for those who may be interested.
http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/18972
I also vote "No."
Mr. Speaker, with unanimous consent...
Might I recommend "Isabelle" by Andre Gide (as a newcomer, I'm saying)?
Will:
We'd love to have you in the Nonbelieving Literati. Individual members choose the books, and that honor is predicated on their having been participants. If you'd like to begin taking part when we read Zadig, feel free to email me or leave a message here, and I'll add you to the blog roll. When it becomes your turn to choose a book, you'd be welcome to select Isabelle if it's still on your list.
I vote with the majority, or with Ex, whoever wins. Especially since I almost certainly won't get around to reading this one either. Is there a classic comic version?
Sweet! One I've already read, though I'll have to reread it, it's been so long.
And as someone whose choice was roundly hated, I say no - give my next pick (everyone will have forgotten by then, considering how many of us there are) a fair shake!
Even if we hate every one of your books, we'll still love you Ridger! Free-thinkers roll like that.
Hmmm... that does make me wonder when it will come back around to Ex again. Or maybe that's Ex's plan, to get members to join every month so he'll never have to pick another book.
apologies for not doing the last book- real life took over for a month or so :) hopefully I will get this one read at least :)
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