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| | | Reading Group | | | 
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This is a collection of readers who participate in the regular discussion of books. It consists of several members who meet online each month to talk about a specific work. With that in mind we are going to start an informal reading group; one which, at this point, will not be too structured. If it becomes popular we will put some structure to it at a later date.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Each month a book will be chosen, initially by the members agreeing on a recommended book. (I see no other way than majority rules) The members will then have approx. 4 weeks to read the book and at an agreed time, after the 4 weeks have past, a new discussion thread for that book will be created and the discussion can commence.
Once the members come on board the second book will be chosen in advance so as to give visibility of what is coming up next. That way we will be 2-3 months ahead. It will also give plenty of time to choose the next book.
The criteria will be as follows:
* The book/work must be in print and available in paperback.
* The book/work must be available at relatively low cost. Due to cost constraints choosing a book that is readily available at a library would be beneficial. If a recommended book is a new publication that requires the members to purchase it, the group will discuss the merits of its inclusion and decide whether or not to select it.
* The book/work must have some literary merit.
* Reviews and reading guides are readily available and work is reviewed well.
* Members of the group must be prepared to compromise and read outside of their regular areas of interest.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Current Reading Group Book: "The Demolished Man" “The Demolished Man” was written by Alfred Bester and won the first Hugo Award in 1953 and is regarded as one of, if not the finest Sci-Fi novels of all time. Acclaimed for its stylistic methods, cultural ideals and 3 dimensional characters this novel is regarded as the prototype of the style that would later be known as cyberpunk. Please note that I am not a fan of Sci-Fi novels but this crosses many genres and is hugely enjoyable.
Set in 24th century society where telepaths provide peace and order, “Reich” an impetuous young owner of a commercial cartel; when faced with bankruptcy decides to wipe out a rival cartel owner. However, the presence of telepaths or “peepers” as they are colloquially known has prevented murder for the last 70 years.
He hires a telepath to hide his thoughts and has a songwriter teach him a jingle to block any other telepaths, to enable him to commit the crime.
Lincoln Powell is a Class 1 Esper and police prefect. He is a highly talented man expected to become the next president of the Esper Guild. His job is to capture Reich; however, telepathically gathered evidence is inadmissible in court, and Powell is obliged to assemble the case using the traditional process of establishing motive, opportunity, and method.
This is a small book, at only 250 pages, but as a start to the book club it has enough areas to discuss and should be available in most libraries. I just purchased this book from Amazon (I can’t find my old copy) for £4, delivered.
The group discussion for this book will begin week commencing 14th of August.
Hope you enjoy the book and look forward to discussing it with you.
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This page was last modified on Monday, October 22, 2007 08:05:31 PM
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