Book has been "baggsied"

I've looked it up, it is indeed a nasty insult. federica, ignore... he's just envious

if you join and BEHAVE I promise that when it's my turn I'll make you read Ulysses

(but you're certainly right to think that we are all nebbish in comparison with Beatrice Dalle - she should have got an Oscar for Betty Blue)

I think it could go both ways...either "timid, meek" (i.e. a little nerdy) or "weak-willed", so both positive and negative

Nah, it's quite entertaining, except that you all are distracting me from my German homework...oh, well

Apparently, a movie is in the making, but will be released only October this year.

On another note, I am so pleased to see there is quite a bit of interest in the book club! Cold and awful weather...cup of tea and book!

Fede you should buy a cat.

I'm at the Mascotte tonight enjoying live international stand up comedy. Put the book down and lipstick on. The human condition is never better celebrated than through laughter.

Hope you had fun, just saw this now.

My evening reading plans went a little differently (in a great way) because I have a visiting friend from California. So hairdresser + capuns and sausages + lots of beer.

But I did read some this morning with a nice cup of coffee, while my friend was knocked out and asleep

I like people, but I am secretly an all-time wannabe loner (book + coffee on the couch)

Cheers!

I am on page 50 of Midnight's Children and I'm loving it. It had to grow on me, though, because initially I was just bored by it. Quite the opposite now. I especially appreciate the sensuality of Rushdie's language. I chose to ignore political allusions, though.
I read it once many years ago, but completely forgot what it was about. Back then I used to devour books, but now things have changed and I have begun to savour them.

Sometimes legends make reality, and become more useful than the facts. - I love that quote.

Can the next book be MrShev's book? I get 20% commission on EF-related sales.

Sagitta, thanks for the contribution. I linked your post on the discussion thread, and added a bit of my own.

Saw people relaxing by the lake today, having ice-cream . Spring is definitely in the air. I pictured a picnic edition of the bookclub in the months to come.

I haven't finished the book yet...well I'm a third into it.

I'm relieved to hear I'm in good company, also at about 1/3 - please no spoilers for us tomorrow

i would like to join the next session

LAILA TOV

Gammadelta, we'll post next book, etc. after tomorrow's meeting, when we decide who chooses the next book.

See you soon! (and laila tov* to you)

*"Laila Tov" means "good night" in Hebrew, as opposed to "Boker Tov", which means "good morning"

Quick update, my fellow readers: I just talked on the phone with the very nice people at Kafischnaps - they cannot make a reservation for that many of us, but they believe that, at 7pm on a Sunday, there should be no problem accommodating a big group such as ours. Obviously, they cannot guarantee - but I am fairly optimistic. I told them all about the book club, and that I love their place, so they were happy about that and I am positive we'll all find a spot

On another note, don't feel bad if you've not read the whole thing - I've got about 80 pages left to read, and I hope I can "kill" them tonight - but, just like Kafishnaps, no guarantees

P.S. I find this book fascinating, I wish I had at least 15 hours of free, reading time per day...alas...

See you all tomorrow!

Sorry gang,

I've had some really bad news and wont make it tonight.

It was a very promising first meeting although I didn’t contribute much myself, which I regret (shyness is a diesease ). I am in awe of everybody’s perceptiveness and I am looking forward to our future sessions.

While I see a lot of value in a freestyle discussion, I also think we would benefit from a little structure. The value of such meetings lies, in my opinion, in unique perspectives that we all bring. At the beginning of each meeting I would allocate each participant a few minutes during which he/she would have a chance to share his/her unique perspective, uninterrupted by others. It’s hard sometimes for the quieter of us (*cough, cough*) to come through with their views, especially if they do not tie in with the previous speaker. After listening to everybody we could have a freer discussion and comment on each other’s contributions.

Thank you, BokerTov for organizing it!

Thanks Sagitta, I really appreciate the insight, we can definitely try this on the next meeting (I am sure Venice, next meeting organizer and picker of the next book, won't object) - a few minutes each, followed by free style. The book club is what the participants make of it and with it, so it is a learning, adjusting experience for all of us

Thanks again to everyone who came, I loved it, and look forward to the next one - we might have even recruited a new member, as my OH cannot stop talking about the book club, how much he enjoyed your company, and how nice you all are

good morning fellow bookworms - I had such a great evening!
THANK YOU BokTov for organising and to all for lovely and relaxed atmosphere.

Sagitta, "still waters are deep"! so I actually think shy people often have more interesting things to say than "chatty" ones like me...

I agree with Sagitta's "structure" proposal, very good idea. Although I must say that I managed to "take home" a few recurring themes which will help me appreciate the book even more - even if the discussion was a bit "unorganized"

I am very honoured to be allowed to choose the next book - one which has a great personal significance for me: I am looking forward to your insights to Friedrich Dürrenmatts "Das Versprechen"/ "The pledge".
I think the main problem last night was that the place was a bit too loud (music & crowd) so it was difficult to hear the others and concentrate.
So maybe a private venue will be a good solution (unless there is a big crowd!)

it was nice to meet Mr BokTov, even nicer if we had recruited a new bookworm there

I will be posting the new meeting on 15 april as a social event very soon, watch out and sign up!

oh, and how could I forget to thank Rail for sharing his spooky masked adventures scaring innocent indigenous girls at the carnival in Venice!
a talented "tale teller" with an unsuspected dark side...

I really count on you to share them with the Italian Conversation Group, too.