Who wants to have a book club in SL?

This is sort of a spin-off from our "Celebrities in SL" topic, because so many people named there were authors. My idea is to conduct a kind of "Oprah's Book of the Month" show where we'd discuss a noted book in-world. And the kicker-- if we can pull it off-- is I'd get the actual author to create an AV and join us in-world, to take part in an interview/group conversation.

To make that viable, I think we'd need a fairly sizable group of people (say 30-40) who:

a) Are willing to buy the book and read it
b) Are "probably" able to come to the reading itself, which will be held at the most agreeable time/day.

So if that's you, post here, and offer your suggestions on books/graphic novels/etc. we could read. The author doesn't have to be in sci fi/fantasy, but I think it'd be best if he or she does work that has some relevance to issues involving SL. (Alternate worlds, games, personae, etc.) I have a few suggestions myself, of authors I know who I'm fairly sure would be interested, but let's see if there's even enough interest, first!

Oh me me me me! Good idea Ham!

I say Slaughterhouse 5 by Kurt Vonnegut. My favorite book.

Count me in Hamlet

Great idea. I'd be interested, although my tastes in books is a bit eclectic (excluding most popular fiction for example). I will participate when possible.

I'd love to join in -- that sounds like a lot of fun.

I love to read, sign me up Hamlet.

Wonderful idea, Hamlet. I used to read a lot before SL! haha

I'm game.

Why not? I need to start reading more anyway. All the authors I read are dead though... kinda kills the interview concept from my end

Fantastic idea!

I will definately be dropping by for some of these!

-Neil

Exceptional idea Hamlet! I love reading, but havent found much time for it while playing SL all day .

-Chris

I was hoping somone would start a book club. I'd like to join. I started a thread on the book "Plowing the Dark" by Richard Powers a while back that went nowhere fast. It's somewhere in "General Discussion - Off Topic". That would be my recommendation for the first book, since 1) it's somewhat relevant to Second Life, 2) the author is still alive and is probably interested in this kind of stuff, and 3) I already own it.

I would be interested. Although I will add the caveat that it depends on the individual books selected.

While I love to read, I love to read books that I like. I have a hard time "retaining" books that are just ... blah ... to me.

My first recommendation, of course, would be "Snow Crash" by Neal Stephenson.


Edit: Oops, spelled his name wrong.

All the Lindens were required to read that book before development on SL. That's what I heard anyhow.

Oooh, sign me up! I read all the time as it is...might as well make a little something of it.

Saw that thread, keep meaning to buy it next time I go to the bookstore. (Plowing the Dark, that is).

I'm game.

Excellent! About 15 affirmatives so far. 10-15 more, and we can start looking for candidates.

Richard Powers' book is a great suggestion-- if we have enough interest in a reading, I'll definitely try contacting him. I told someone yesterday that if we get at least 40 Yes-es, I'll even try contacting Neal Stephenson. His website is one long message that says LEAVE ME ALONE, but then again, he does have a coming out, so maybe he's going to be out there promoting it.

new book

I'd be interested if it's at a UK friendly time.

My bookshelves are already groaning but I'm sure I can find space.. somewhere.. hell, I'll buy another bookcase...

I'll put in a second vote for Neal Stephenson, since he's the primary reason that I'm here in the first place. He would be an ideal choice for at least three reasons:

1.) His book, Snow Crash, is largely about the implications of a world much like this one.

2.) He was listed in a recent interview as one of the primary influences for this world. Without that book, SL wouldn't be what it is today.

3.) He has a new book coming out this month (Quicksilver (YAY!!)), and this would be not only an excellent forum for the marketing of said book, but also an excellent tool for his own self-promotion. Picture the headlines he could get for being the first author to give a reading in a virtual world, since he was influential in its development.

I'm sure he could be convinced.

The book club is a great idea, BTW Hamlet. Count me in for sure.

I am most definitely in on this. Just tell me where, when and what book .

Zana

Another fine (and appropriate) choice might be one of Tad Williams' Mountain of Light Series, which is about a giant metaverse. He would definitely be up for the interview.
Another good choice might be a book by Lois McMaster Bujold, as Im pretty sure she knows about SL.

Interesting, David. Has Bujold mentioned SL before?

What's a Book?

Count me in.. i'd love to get in on this
(maybe even in "ebook" format lol)

--Water

If we're going to get into Tad Williams, I would suggest his doorstop series, _Otherland_. I've only gotten through Book 2, but it's -- well, really amazing. If you can tolerate the doorstop-ness and pacing, that is. It deals with the ramifications of an entire metaverse, natch, in cyberspace.