The die is cast. The 2007 NaNoReMo book, as decided by you, will be: Catch-22.
Wait, what? Really? Wow, I would not have predicted that. In fact, I don’t even need to use the conditional tense: I did not predict that. I was sure it was going to be 1984 or Catcher In The Rye. Shows ya what I know.
But Catch-22 is great–one of only two books on the list that I haven’t read already.
I’ll send out a syllabus next week. In the meantime, you may want to think about picking up a copy.
HAHA! Take that all you Catch-22 haters. But seriously, Catch-22 is a great read. So good I might have to read it again, for about the 5th time.
Posted by ctsc on October 10th, 2007.
That’s bloody convenient! I just got my copy of that book mailed back to me by a former roommate yesterday!
Also, for the cheaters: there’s substantial differences between the book and the movie, so if you cheat, you can’t play along!
Although, both are good.
Posted by deadlytoque on October 10th, 2007.
How about some love for the libraries? http://worldcat.org/oclc/271160&referer=brief_results
Posted by Owen on October 10th, 2007.
Nice. I still say that you aren’t going to get through it, though. I still have the bookmark half-way through my copy where I gave up four years ago, like a little failure flag in my bookshelf. I may have to try and tackle it again with you, if I can find the time.
Posted by Andrew Mudd on October 10th, 2007.
Andrew, me too! I could never understand the fuss about this one. When discussing it with a friend, I deemed to point out that to my mind it seemed that some sections were tiresomely repetitious.
“Yeh,” my mate said, patting me on the shoulder “that would be the humour.”
Posted by Davey on October 10th, 2007.
I’m in! I’m excited because I just finished a book and I didn’t know what to start on next. I guess I know now.
Posted by WalterBean on October 10th, 2007.
I’m in too – thanks to my ol’ friend Walter! I’m excited cause I have been slacking off in the reading department, so this shall be an interesting experience! *smile*
Posted by Unrequited Life on October 10th, 2007.
What the hell, I’ll read my favourite book again for the eleventy billionth time! *grins*
Posted by Alan on October 10th, 2007.
Rad.
That’ll be a little odd to re-read, since I just re-read it a couple of months ago. But it will be different with company. And its all into repetition anyway.
I am assuming you will then move on to the rest of the list if this works out, amiright?
j
Posted by Jeremy on October 10th, 2007.
bah.
Posted by megan on October 10th, 2007.
hooray for catch-22. i just got it off bookmooch a few weeks ago and i’ve been wanting to read it. now it will make it even more convenient.
Posted by Steph on October 10th, 2007.
I read it almost 2 years ago… Quite excited to pick it up again! Besides, I’ve needed a distraction from studying lately, I just didn’t know where to look.
Posted by Chelsea on October 10th, 2007.
I guess I will have to learn to read; and maybe write.
Seriously, I did not pick Catch-22 nor would I have read it on my own, so this will be an adventure.
Posted by Wayne on October 10th, 2007.
It’s been about a decade since my last reading of Catch-22. I shall read along with you, but I’m going to mix it up a bit. I will read the same number of pages that you assign, when you assign them, but I will choose pages at random from those that are still unread. I will be reading a completely disjointed mess, just like you.
Posted by Bryan Rankin on October 10th, 2007.
Man, is Catch-22 ever a brain twister. But amazingly relevant to our time.
Posted by John H. on October 10th, 2007.
Sweet! Just picked up my copy at the Nashville Public Library. There’s a second copy available, Middle Tennesseans!
Posted by Brian on October 10th, 2007.
Checked out a copy from the library today. Can’t wait.
Posted by Amanda on October 10th, 2007.
Awesome! Because I was going to feel really guilty not reading something that I actually voted for. Now I can not read this one, and still feel good about honoring the commitment I made. In this case it was: I will not read Catch-22. Off to mark that off my to do list! Thanks.
Posted by Dawn on October 10th, 2007.
Here’s a possible problem: while this is a fantastic book, it did take me about four false starts over six years before I got through it. And I’ve heard others tell a similar story.
Posted by Joshua Gruber on October 10th, 2007.
Just finished reading it a month ago, but I guess now is as good a time as any to pick it up again.
Posted by EDB on October 10th, 2007.
Just finished reading it a month ago, but I guess now is as good a time as any to pick it up again.
Posted by EDB on October 10th, 2007.
Yay! A perfect opportunity to get to the copy that’s been sitting languishing on my shelf.
Posted by Zed on October 10th, 2007.
Certainly agree with Andrew and Joshua, Catch 22 is a bugger of a book for false starts. I finally got through it a year ago out of sheer bloody mindedness. However, abide with it. It gets easier after the halfway mark when your reader-endorphins kick in and actually becomes quite poignant at the end. Worth the slog.
Posted by Lung the Younger on October 11th, 2007.
Oooh, I’m looking forward to this. I’ve tried to read it before and not gotten very far. Hopefully, I can stay motivated.
Posted by Candy on October 11th, 2007.
Ooh, exciting! Catch-22 is my favorite novel, so I’ll be very interested to hear your take on it. I hope you and/or some of the other folks vowing to read it along with you find it as hilarious and frightening and masterful as I did
Posted by Andrew on October 11th, 2007.
Drat. I wanted Augie March. I’m going to have to get a copy of it (I’ve already got Catch-22), and now I have to read two classics, and forego my beloved sci-fi for, like, weeks. Sheesh!
Posted by CamSavWin on October 11th, 2007.
Although I have gone on record as rooting for Lolita, I will be (in my case re-) reading along with you. I agree with Jeremy, it should be fun to read along with company.
jr
Posted by junior on October 11th, 2007.
I’m in, begrudgingly. Like so many others, I have pick this book up about 4 times, reached around page 100 and stopped. However, I did vote for it, so I guess I’m going to finish this time!
Posted by sarah coulson on October 11th, 2007.
It’s really too bad that I’m int he middle of The Fountainhead right now. I guess I’ll just have to speed up my pace.
Posted by Brendan on October 11th, 2007.
I went and bought this is in a real-life meat-space bookshop this evening. That’s always a bad idea for me, as I always end up leaving with my hands and bag full and wallet empty.
Posted by Rory Parle on October 11th, 2007.
This is so exciting! I have a feeling I’ll do much better with this group than the nike/Ipod running challenges that I keep joining and failing. curl up with a book instead of sweat? yes sir!
Posted by ally on October 11th, 2007.
Awesome! I’ve read Catch-22 twice. I voted for it so I wouldn’t have to read one of those other cruddy books on the list and still be part of the cool kids club. Score!
Posted by wolfe on October 11th, 2007.
Damn! I missed the voting. I just finished reading “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” a few weeks ago! Oh well. I also haven’t read Catch-22, so maybe I’ll join in.
Posted by wheat on October 12th, 2007.
I’m up for it…it was one of the few on the list I haven’t read yet
Posted by zosa on October 12th, 2007.
I’m too slow to play along, but I applaud the choice. It’s one of my favorite novels.
Posted by Nathan on October 12th, 2007.
Hey, that’s the one I voted for! I’ll read it again for the first time (it’s been 14 years, IIRC). It was good then, I hope it’s still good. BTW, if you wanna talk about multiple false starts, let’s talk about Gravity’s Rainbow. I can’t get too far into that one before putting it down and going to the kitchen to fix a banana omelet.
Posted by Phill on October 13th, 2007.
I love this idea, and since I’ve never read this book, I will definitely be participating!
Posted by lisa-marie on October 15th, 2007.
“Although I have gone on record as rooting for Lolita…” — Junior
Um, I don’t think you’re allowed to say that. I don’t even think you’re allowed to think it.
Posted by Pollo on October 15th, 2007.
Fantastic. Catch-22 has been on my to-read list forever, but I keep picking up other titles instead. This will give me the kick in the pants I need to get started on it.
Extra bonus: The library branch nearest my house has three copies of it.
I’ll be traveling the first few days of November, but I’ll make sure I catch up with you all.
Posted by czeltic girl on October 15th, 2007.
I’m definitely in. One of the funniest books ever.
Posted by Katie on October 16th, 2007.
Sounds fun! I’ve been meaning to read this forever, so I’m in. Now to hie myself to the local independent seller of books. . . .
Posted by shimmer on October 17th, 2007.
Too bad it went with Catch-22. I just read that earlier this year. So,I’m going to read Augie March, instead, and anyone else who decides to is welcome to post their thought or links to my comments on the post!
http://thefishmongersplace.blogspot.com/2007/10/nanoremo-augie-march.html
Posted by TheFishmonger on October 19th, 2007.
Checked it out of the library last week. I’ve been meaning to read it for years. I look forward to seeing the syllabus.
Posted by Elizabeth on October 23rd, 2007.