Announcing the Kevin's Watch Book Club

Post by **I'm Murrin** » Mon Dec 24, 2012 9:21 pm

Starting in January 2013, I am going to be coordinating a book club on Kevin's Watch in the General Fantasy & Sci-fi forum. Every month, members of the forum can help to nominate a work for us to read over the following month; then, when we're all done, we'll be discussing the book and getting ready to start the next one.

It's a way to share some great reads with fellow Watchers, and maybe broaden your reading material with the suggestions of other members.

If you're interested in taking part, I'm now seeking suggestions for our first book in January.

Just click this link to join in.

Post by **I'm Murrin** » Mon Dec 31, 2012 9:51 am

There are only a couple of days left to give your vote to the KWBC book selection for January.

There are four books under consideration - Vote here.

(Future selection processes will be given more time.)

Post by **I'm Murrin** » Wed Jan 09, 2013 1:09 pm

In January, the Kevin's Watch Book Club is reading Seized by Lynne Cantwell - our very own Aliantha.

We are currently seeking suggestions for a book to read in February.

Post by **I'm Murrin** » Tue Jan 22, 2013 6:28 pm

Voting is now open for a book to read in February!

Discussion of January's book - Seized by Lynne Cantwell - begins in less than two weeks.

Post by **I'm Murrin** » Tue Jan 29, 2013 7:06 pm

During the month of February, the Kevin's Watch Book Club will be reading Redshirts, by John Scalzi.

Ensign Andrew Dahl has just been assigned to the Universal Union Capital Ship Intrepid, flagship of the Universal Union since the year 2456. It’s a prestige posting, with the chance to serve on "Away Missions" alongside the starship’s famous senior officers.

Life couldn’t be better…until Andrew begins to realize that 1) every Away Mission involves a lethal confrontation with alien forces, 2) the ship’s senior officers always survive these confrontations, and 3) sadly, at least one low-ranking crew member is invariably killed. Unsurprisingly, the savvier crew members belowdecks avoid Away Missions at all costs.

Then Andrew stumbles on information that transforms his and his colleagues’ understanding of what the starship Intrepid really is…and offers them a crazy, high-risk chance to save their own lives.

If that sounds interesting, why not buy or borrow the book, give it a go, and come join us at the end of the month to discuss it.

*

Discussion of January's pick, Seized by Lynne Cantwell, has now begun over in the Gen SF/F Forum.

(I'm playing with the format of these announcements, see what works best. Hoping this thread doesn't seem spammy!)

Post by **Avatar** » Wed Jan 30, 2013 4:44 am

I liked this latest one. In terms of format.

And the book sounds like fun.

I don't know if I can get it this month, but it'll be on my list next time I order books. (Which will be as soon as I can get the last WoT book in paperback.

)

(You can delete this post if you want.)

--A

Post by **Krazy Kat** » Wed Jan 30, 2013 5:47 am

I like the asterisk. Nice touch. I'm now using two of them with my sig.

Post by **I'm Murrin** » Tue Feb 19, 2013 11:33 am

Voting for which book to read in March has now begun.

Discussion of John Scalzi's Redshirts begins next week.

Post by **I'm Murrin** » Mon Feb 25, 2013 12:09 pm

The poll to select a book for March ended in a tie. Click here to see the two options, and help vote which will be read.

The final selection will be declared tomorrow.

*

Discussion of February's read, Redshirts by John Scalzi, has begun here.

Post by **I'm Murrin** » Wed Feb 27, 2013 8:17 am

In March, the Kevin's Watch Book Club will be reading Life of Pi, by Yann Martel.

After the sinking of a cargo ship, a solitary lifeboat remains bobbing on the wild blue Pacific. The only survivors from the wreck are a sixteen-year-old boy named Pi, a hyena, a wounded zebra, an orangutan—and a 450-pound royal bengal tiger. The scene is set for one of the most extraordinary and beloved works of fiction in recent years.

Universally acclaimed upon publication, Life of Pi is a modern classic.

*

We still want to hear what you thought of Redshirts.

Post by **I'm Murrin** » Mon Mar 18, 2013 8:20 am

Voting is now open for the book we will read in April.

Post by **I'm Murrin** » Mon Mar 25, 2013 9:06 am

In April, the Kevin's Watch Book Club will be reading The Eye in the Pyramid by Robert Shea & Robert Anton Wilson.

It was a deadly mistake. Joseph Malik, editor of a radical magazine, had snooped into rumors about an ancient secret society that was still alive and kicking. Now his offices have been bombed, he's missing, and the case has landed in the lap of a tough, cynical, streetwise New York detective. Saul Goodman knows he's stumbled onto something big - but even he can't guess how far into the pinnacles of power this conspiracy of evil has penetrated.

Filled with sex and violence - in and out of time and space - the three books of The Illuminatus! Trilogy are only partly works of the imagination. They tackle all the cover-ups of our time — from who really shot the Kennedys to why there's a pyramid on a one-dollar bill — and suggest a mind-blowing truth.

*

Discussion of March's read, Life of Pi, has now begun.

Post by **aliantha** » Fri Mar 29, 2013 11:47 pm

Aw, crap. I'm not done with Life of Pi yet -- another 20% to go.

Post by **Orlion** » Sat Mar 30, 2013 12:19 am

aliantha wrote:Aw, crap. I'm not done with Life of Pi yet -- another 20% to go.

That's all right, I started a couple days ago

And I'll still finish before you

Post by **I'm Murrin** » Sat Mar 30, 2013 12:33 am

It's a 300 page book, it can't take that long.

20%? That's one sitting!

Post by **aliantha** » Sat Mar 30, 2013 2:14 am

Yeah, I'll likely finish it tonight. 86% done now.

Take *that*, Orlion!

Post by **Orlion** » Sat Mar 30, 2013 3:21 am

aliantha wrote:Yeah, I'll likely finish it tonight. 86% done now. Take *that*, Orlion!

Post by **I'm Murrin** » Mon Apr 22, 2013 7:14 am

Voting is now open for the book we will read in May.

Post by **I'm Murrin** » Mon Apr 29, 2013 9:42 am

The Kevin's Watch Book Club selection for May 2013 is dystopic science fiction Wool by Hugh Howey.

In a ruined and hostile landscape, in a future few have been unlucky enough to survive, a community exists in a giant underground silo.

Inside, men and women live an enclosed life full of rules and regulations, of secrets and lies.

To live, you must follow the rules. But some don't. These are the dangerous ones; these are the people who dare to hope and dream, and who infect others with their optimism.

Their punishment is simple and deadly. They are allowed outside.

Jules is one of these people. She may well be the last.

*

Discussion of April's selection, The Eye in the Pyramid by Robert Shea and Robert Anton Wilson, is now open.

Post by **I'm Murrin** » Mon May 20, 2013 9:39 am

Voting is now open for the Kevin's Watch Book Club's selection to read in June.