CP Book Club - Dec 15 - Canada by Richard Ford

[troutman]

Nominate a book, and a short description.

Most thanked book gets selected.

Democracy!

[troutman]

Proxima by Stephen Baxter

http://www.amazon.ca/Proxima-Stephen.../dp/0451467701


Mankind’s future in this galaxy could be all but infinite.

There are hundreds of billions of red dwarf stars, lasting trillions of years—and their planets can be habitable for humans. Such is the world of Proxima Centauri. And its promise could mean the never-ending existence of humanity.

But first it must be colonized, and no one wants to be a settler. There is no glamor that accompanies it, nor is there the ease of becoming a citizen of an already-tamed world. There is only hardship...loneliness...emptiness, even as war brews in the solar system.

But that’s where Yuri comes in. Because sometimes exploration isn’t voluntary. It must be coerced.

[troutman]

Canada by Richard Ford

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada_%28novel%29

After his parents are arrested for robbing a bank, fifteen-year-old Dell Parsons is left to fend for himself. His twin sister Berner has run off, leaving him to a family friend that secrets him away to Saskatchewan, Canada. There Dell is to live with the American Arthur Remlinger, a man with a cool demeanor and a hidden inner violence that threatens Dell's well-being.

Critical reception for Canada has been overwhelmingly positive.

[troutman]

Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk - Ben Fountain

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_..._Halftime_Walk

Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk is a novel written by Ben Fountain, which was published in early May 2012.[1][2] The novel received highly positive reviews from critics and won several year-end awards, including the National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction.

http://www.amazon.ca/Billy-Lynns-Lon.../dp/0060885610

Three minutes and forty-three seconds of intense warfare with Iraqi insurgents has transformed the eight surviving men of Bravo Squad into America's most sought-after heroes. Now they're on a media-intensive nationwide tour to reinvigorate support for the war. On this rainy Thanksgiving, the Bravos are guests of the Dallas Cowboys, slated to be part of the halftime show alongside Destiny's Child.

Among the Bravos is Specialist Billy Lynn. Surrounded by patriots sporting flag pins on their lapels and Support Our Troops bumper stickers, he is thrust into the company of the Cowboys' owner and his coterie of wealthy colleagues; a born-again Cowboys cheerleader; a veteran Hollywood producer; and supersized players eager for a vicarious taste of war. Over the course of this day, Billy will drink and brawl, yearn for home and mourn those missing, face a heart-wrenching decision, and discover pure love and a bitter wisdom far beyond his years.

[troutman]

Tenth of December is a collection of short stories by American author George Saunders

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenth_...ember:_Stories

The book was selected as one of the 10 Best Books of 2013 by the editors of the New York Times Book Review.[2] The collection won the 2013 Story Prize for short-story collections[3] and the inaugural (2014) Folio Prize.[4][5][6][7]

[troutman]

There Goes Gravity: A Life in Rock and Roll by Lisa Robinson

http://www.amazon.ca/There-Goes-Grav.../dp/1594487146

Lisa Robinson has interviewed the biggest names in music--including Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones, John Lennon, Patti Smith, U2, Eminem, Lady Gaga, Jay Z and Kanye West. She visited the teenage Michael Jackson many times at his Encino home. She spent hours talking to John Lennon at his Dakota apartment--and in recording studios just weeks before his murder. She introduced David Bowie to Lou Reed at a private dinner in a Manhattan restaurant, helped the Clash and Elvis Costello get their record deals, was with the Rolling Stones on their jet during a frightening storm, and was mid-flight with Led Zeppelin when their tour manager pulled out a gun. A pioneering female journalist in an exclusive boys' club, Lisa Robinson is a preeminent authority on the personalities and influences that have shaped the music world; she has been recognized as rock jounralism's ultimate insider.

A keenly observed and lovingly recounted look back on years spent with countless musicians backstage, after hours and on the road, There Goes Gravity documents a lifetime of riveting stories, told together here for the first time.

[Eastern Girl]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hu...nd_Disappeared

"The 100 Year Old Man who Climbed out a Window and Disappeared"

I've wanted to read this one for awhile. The title intrigues me.

Plus:

The Plot: Allan Karlsson is about to celebrate his hundredth birthday, and a birthday party is planned at his retirement home. Allan is alert despite his age, but not so interested in the party. Instead he steps out the window and disappears. He gets hold of a suitcase of drug money and becomes chased by both drug dealers and the police.

[troutman]

That is a cute book, and was made into a movie I think.

[Eastern Girl]

Do we get multiple votes or do we have to be more selective and only vote for one book suggestion?

[troutman]

Votes for any of the books you would be interested in reading.

[Knut]

Ill have to decide later if I want to read abook this month. There is a new Dan Carlin - hardcore history podcast out. That will envelope my world for awhile. This one is about Persia and the King of Kings (Xerxes)

[Eastern Girl]

What about this:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...-winter-family

"The Winter Family"

It's got good reviews on Good Reads and Amazon.

Plot --

"Tracing a gang of ruthless outlaws from its birth during the American Civil War to a final bloody showdown in the Territory of Oklahoma, The Winter Family is a hyperkinetic Western noir and a full-on assault to the senses."

[troutman]

bump - nominate or vote for a book

[Burninator]

My vote would be for Canada or Tenth of December.

[BuckPunny]

Hi! I joined CP to give the book club a try. Looking forward to reading December's book! These suggestions all sound pretty good.

In other news, I just finished re-reading Maus and I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in history, comics, or both.

[troutman]

I will keep the voting open for one more day. I think Canada is in the lead . . .

[troutman]

Most votes = Canada by Richard Ford

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada_%28novel%29

[BuckPunny]

I'm a few chapters in. So far it has a nice folksy sort of charm. Normally I get bored with overly descriptive books, but this one paints a rich and satisfying picture in your mind. I have also been to Great Falls a bunch of times so that's kind of neat.

Not strictly book-related, but my Kindle seems to think this book consists of two giant chapters, which is pretty irritating. I love my Kindle but the progress bar is the worst. Not sure if the newer e-readers are better in that regard; maybe it's time to think about upgrading.

[troutman]

May contain SPOILERS:

Richard Ford: Why I called my new novel 'Canada'

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/...rticle4186807/

[woob]

Originally Posted by BuckPunny

I'm a few chapters in. So far it has a nice folksy sort of charm. Normally I get bored with overly descriptive books, but this one paints a rich and satisfying picture in your mind. I have also been to Great Falls a bunch of times so that's kind of neat.

Not strictly book-related, but my Kindle seems to think this book consists of two giant chapters, which is pretty irritating. I love my Kindle but the progress bar is the worst. Not sure if the newer e-readers are better in that regard; maybe it's time to think about upgrading.

What version of Kindle is it? I just got on board the Kindle train and after sending back a dud, am pretty happy thus far. My progress indicator is measured in percent, but that may just be a default preference.