Ready for August! (The month, not the jerk in the book)

[Carter]

I just finished Water for Elephants tonight. A couple of my friends have read it, too, and expressed interest in going to August's discussion, so we may have some new blood there. Looking forward to it.

[Carter]

I realize I didn't really say anything in my thread-starting post, but it hit me at the last second that it was just TOO EARLY to be making comments about the book. So I didn't.

[JeffKamin]

Yes, if you do want to comment, please put SPOILER or something in the title. Don't forget we are meeting on July 10th, too. Bring your friends. Thanks for keeping the new blood flowing.

[Paulie262]

Completed the book for August as well, looking forward to the discussion. Couldn’t read much more of the PLM book so I read Elephants. But I’ll hold off any comments as not to spoil.

[mchaso]

Seems like several people are trying to bring some new faces in July and August -- I hope there is enough room for everyone!

I read Water for Elephants a couple of months ago -- I don't need to read it again, do I? Not that I have intentions of doing so -- I'm already behind on my reading...and my plan to re-read some Harry Potter isn't getting anywhere, either.

I think I need to quit working so I can focus on the important things.

Mia

[Carter]

[Paulie262]

You could always take another adventure in PLM if you have nothing else going on at work with the bosses out. Speaknig of PLM why is there no posts under PLM yet? Also does BLB hold 80+ people? Jeff a way to make a couple bucks is to start charging for the premium seats.

[JeffKamin]

From Shelf Awareness:

Sara Gruen's Water for Elephants "has muscled its way to being a big paperback read this summer," despite competition from two Oprah picks, according to a New York Times piece examining the surprising bestseller status of this "darling of the independent bookseller circuit."

Published by Algonquin, Water for Elephants has been a word-of mouth hit and a Book Sense bestseller, but the Times noted that its continuing success "is helping Spiegel & Grau, the author's new publisher, rationalize its decision in November to pay more than $5 million for Ms. Gruen's next two books."

"It seems to have a whole new life in paperback," said Linda Ramsdell, owner of the Galaxy Bookshop, Hardwick, Vt.

Algonquin publisher Elisabeth Scharlatt told the Times she "was happy for Ms. Gruen. But she added: 'All publishers think that they can make a best seller happen, but we don't hear about the ones that don't work.'"

[Carter]

Water for Elephants was fine and all that, but let's get real! Unless she writes Water for Elephants II: The Chamber of Secrets and Water for Elephants III: The Prisoner of Azkaban, that $5 mil figure sounds totally ridiculous.

[Paulie262]

I am actually looking forward to hearing what people thought of this book it was an enjoyable read which I finished pretty quick which is why now I am about half done with the September book trying to read that one slower. I thought the details that Sara Gruen used were very useful and painted a great picture of life on the train and in the circus. I have some thoughts and questions but will leave them for now as not to spoil for anyone not done with the book.

$5 Million is that what the publisher is giving to Ms. Gruen for her next book? If so I can see why Heather McElhatton would be a little envious of Gruen.

[JeffKamin]

BIG DRINKERS BE(ware) READY:

Due to a complication with the city and some legalese, we can't have alcohol for the discussion at M&Q, but it is readily avail. beforehand during happy hour (2-for-1s) across the street at The Independent. They are also saving space for us to socialize and drink as soon as we're done at M&Q.

Sorry for the slight inconvenience, but know that there are a couple of nice surprises to make up for it at M&Q on Tues. My people, we will take care of you. Get there early if you're hungry, later if you are too "thirsty". But know that'll it be great to check out the store and a new venue afterwards.

Looking forward to Tues.

[13Foxtrot]

I have a super secret parking spot for B&B at Bryant Lake Bowl, that allows me to not worry about parking and concentrate on the book for review. On the satellite map there are a couple of parking lots nearby M&Q, but are those full at the meeting time and are they open to the public (meaning free)?

Tom

[JeffKamin]

There is a lot across from Lucia's on 31st. Another lot at Calhoun Sq. Neither is free.

There are meters on the street and free parking on side streets nearby.

[dirtworship]

Tom, head south a block or two, then east or west a block or two (probably better east). Depending on how far you want to walk, you should be able to find free street parking.

Map of Area
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Fnord

[Jay Kangel]

Sequels seem like a real possibility. Sara Gruen must have a ton of circus stories. In the book Ringling Brothers is called a Sunday School outfit. There are likely a lot of stories about that. There must be a lot a zoo stories as well. That's two sequels.