BYB offseason book club, anyone?
by Baroque on Oct 18, 2011 6:15 PM EDT
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A few weeks ago some Tigers fans on twitter were talking about the offseason and how abominably long it is until spring training starts, and we were chatting about books in general and sports books in particular. One thing lead to another and we thought it might be fun to read a book together, like a book club. I've never participated in one before, but anything that forces me to read instead of always putting it off because spending time reading a book that has nothing to do with work or class seems so frivolous can't be a bad thing, right? So I said it sounded like fun.
I found a description of a new novel, a debut novel, on npr.org and after reading the review and excerpt it sounded like it might be a possibility. We figured it would be a great thing to do once the offseason finally arrived.
And here we are at the beginning of the offseason. I've never been involved in anything like an organized book club, so this is going to be an interesting experiment. About a half-dozen people have expressed enough interest to purchase the book, so at least a few people will participate. If anyone else wants to, that would be fantastic.
The book is "The Art of Fielding" by Chad Harbach. I figured if we started reading around the end of the month it would be enough time for anyone who wanted to read along to get a copy themselves, paper or electronic or from a library. It's 512 pages and 82 short chapters, so at about 120 pages a month it would last until spring and should be able to fit in everyone's schedule.
(I'm assuming that many of you are like me - capable of reading quickly when we have time, but finding the time is the problem.)
I'm willing to toss up a new thread every couple of weeks do discuss the next 60 pages or so (depending on convenient chapter breaks), and if you all want I could put it up on the same evening every two weeks so everyone could treat it like a game thread and interact directly, while also responding to comments from others left in the thread at other times. Not sure how well it would work, but it works well for game threads, so it might be worth a try. We certainly all can't meet in the same person's living room, unfortunately. :)
So what does everyone think? I'm including a poll for which evening is preferred (I'm thinking around 9:00 pm) and please give any ideas you have in the comments, too.
If you aren't a literary critic, don't worry - I fully expect my own discussion to be on the level of "I really like this scene" or "I hope he has this character hit by a bus later, because I can't stand her." I'm not much for reading novels, so this will be a pleasant change.
So, anyone interested in some offseason reading to pass the time until pitchers and catchers report in 2012?
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Bless You Boys writing staff.
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Monday or Tuesday will probably be best for me, but it depends on when my children have practices and meets so I didn’t vote. I’ll participate when I can live and via comments at other times.
I did start this: http://baseballandnotbaseball.com/characters-in-the-art-of-fielding/ mostly for myself in case I forget who someone is when I put down the book for a couple weeks. Feel free to use it yourself or share the link. You can suggest additions to the page at the comments there.
Non-tender Delmon Young
good idea
After setting a book down for a while it can be tricky to remember who is who.
Random nonsense at @Baroque97
"It is a mistake to try to look too far ahead. The chain of destiny can only be grasped one link at a time." --Sir Winston Churchill (1874 – 1965)
You probably wouldn't
like my next book. I’m going with John U. Bacon’s new book Three and Out about the past 3 years of Michigan Football and all the behind the scenes drama and backstabbing and all that good business. Should be an..ahem..interesting..read.
Twitter: @gfraley05
I'll be reading that too
Just pre-ordered it today. I’m excited and terrified at the same time.
by Rob Rogacki on Oct 18, 2011 11:08 PM EDT up reply actions
From what I've
read on Mgo, it’s gonna be a great read though.
Twitter: @gfraley05
by Griffin Fraley on Oct 19, 2011 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions
I'd like to read along with you guys...
but my work schedule changes so much I doubt I could participate in discussion much so I may not be much of a presence.
that's okay
That is why I was thinking a new thread about every two weeks. I’m hoping that will be able to let people who are on different schedules still participate, but not let the discussion get too unwieldy. Every single week seemed too frequent, and monthly seemed too infrequent.
Heck, we keep discussions going for a long time in other threads. It isn’t as though we don’t know how things operate around here.
Random nonsense at @Baroque97
"It is a mistake to try to look too far ahead. The chain of destiny can only be grasped one link at a time." --Sir Winston Churchill (1874 – 1965)
I'll try my best to participate
As you have seen throughout this past season, I’m more than willing to put off school work for a good discussion thread.
I just have to say....
The random, amazing awesomeness of a bizarre little site devoted to the Detroit Tigers weirdly brings peace to an exiled Detroiter.
I’m a bit in awe. Count me in.
by Flying J on Oct 18, 2011 11:15 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
At this rate, we'd all be educated by the end of next season
just in time for another playoff run!
I don't care what the Chinese say, 2011 is the Year of the Tiger!
I'm in.
Most nights work for me, even if I have to work that night.
What did you mean by “discuss the last section” ?
Rooting for Tiger stripes, not pinstripes
by JerseyTigerFan on Oct 19, 2011 12:26 AM EDT reply actions
just talking about whatever part of the book was most recently read
Wasn’t sure how best to put it into just a few words, since it will be a bunch of chapters at a time.
Random nonsense at @Baroque97
"It is a mistake to try to look too far ahead. The chain of destiny can only be grasped one link at a time." --Sir Winston Churchill (1874 – 1965)
I prefer books with lots of pictures
something that I can understand while I’m drinking beer.
Perhaps you should check out the BYB drinking club
The threads get a little sloppy at the end of the night, but nobody minds.
The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel, 1981
I thought every thread was a byb drinking thread
by Kurt Mensching on Oct 20, 2011 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Yup
"You, on the other hand, make Eeyore look like Rainbow Brite." -johnmoz
"I think of you more as the blue book style essay of sports journalism."-Kurt Mensching
Contributor, Bless You Boys
by David Tokarz on Oct 23, 2011 7:21 PM EDT up reply actions
I read it in like three days
It’s really that engaging, so don’t be daunted by the size! Once you start going, you’re not going to want to put it down, so as not to miss the exploits of Henry Skirmshander and the Westish Harpooners.
"I believe in a good kick in the ass. This— I believe. " -- Walker Percy
I tweet about stuff sometimes @jackhitts.
Same
Book was one of those that was really hard to put down. I think those who truly love baseball (enough to visit a Tigers’ blog during the off-season) will immediately identify with the main character’s journey.
Baseball is like a poker game, nobody wants to quit when he's losing: nobody wants you to quit when you're ahead. ~Jackie Robinson
by LittleLeagueTiger on Oct 19, 2011 9:25 AM EDT up reply actions
And this
Is why baseball fans are a different breed of sports fan. Awesome.
Hugo Chavez and Mike Illitch: Fading rulers of many Venezuelans. Here's to 2011.
Looks like a lot of interest!
Get your books, everyone. You’ve got a week so that is time to order it. :)
Random nonsense at @Baroque97
"It is a mistake to try to look too far ahead. The chain of destiny can only be grasped one link at a time." --Sir Winston Churchill (1874 – 1965)
I'm in! (Hoping for Tuesdays, but I'll work it in as best as possible)
This is a great idea!
Those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it.
I'm in, too.
And I could probably make any night, though Thursdays would be my best. But since it’s not EVERY week and I’m usually home from whatever I’m doing by 9, I can adjust. I’m really excited about this!
"Some guy told me I should walk with the Lord. I'd rather walk with the bases loaded" Ken Singleton
I only said tuesdays because I have no tv shows to watch that night. ha.
I’ll have the book this weekend.
This book has been on my to-read list for awhile
I’d be down for a discussion thread or two, if you’re okay with bandwagon Tigers fans.
by ColossusOfRhode on Oct 19, 2011 12:28 PM EDT reply actions
of course!
I just thought of Tigers fans because that was who was discussing it at the time. :)
Random nonsense at @Baroque97
"It is a mistake to try to look too far ahead. The chain of destiny can only be grasped one link at a time." --Sir Winston Churchill (1874 – 1965)
I'm definitely interested
so I’ll look into getting the book and see how it goes. With a full-time job, a part-time job, and lots of other reading to do it may be a stretch, but I’ll give it a shot. :)
That's why I'm thinking 60 pages or so every two weeks.
Even if busy (as I am, too) that is more manageable. The quickest way to make it not fun is to make it more like a chore than something fun.
Random nonsense at @Baroque97
"It is a mistake to try to look too far ahead. The chain of destiny can only be grasped one link at a time." --Sir Winston Churchill (1874 – 1965)
count me in
the night of the week doesn’t really matter to me. if I’m home I’ll participate in the discussion and if I’m not I’ll just add my thoughts to the thread later. sounds like a great book…. excited to read it.
No longer the Founder, President and CEO of the Ryan Raburn Fan Club
It looks like Tuesday is most convenient for the most people.
Makes sense. Get the reading done on the weekend and Monday is too tiring.
Random nonsense at @Baroque97
"It is a mistake to try to look too far ahead. The chain of destiny can only be grasped one link at a time." --Sir Winston Churchill (1874 – 1965)
Reading this right now
Only about 40 pages left. As was mentioned above, it reads really quick. I think anyone who gives it a shot will really enjoy it. I’m looking forward to the discussions!
by Ryan in Brooklyn on Oct 20, 2011 11:30 AM EDT reply actions
beginning of November.
Looks like Tuesday is the winner, and since November 1st is a Tuesday that will be perfect. Gives people time to get the book if they have to order it and it takes a few days to ship.
Random nonsense at @Baroque97
"It is a mistake to try to look too far ahead. The chain of destiny can only be grasped one link at a time." --Sir Winston Churchill (1874 – 1965)
Cool, I will have my book by then
It was under $ 20 including shipping on Amazon.
King of Minutae...... fearless blog leader
Other baseball centric reads..
How about “Shoeless Joe” by Kinsella, or Malamud’s “The Natural”. I recently finished “The Art Of Fielding” and have a few things to say about it.
Why did you people wait so long to tell me about
The Art of Fielding? ??? It’s so good!
In a long distance relationship with the Tigers--and, yes, we're doing fine.
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