Bookclub?

I finished the book a couple weeks ago, it's a short book and, like lots of her work, it feels small until you start to think about it. And like her other novels I've read, it was a quick read *once I got into it* but I usually have to make a couple of tries at getting into UKLGs stuff. I spent almost a year struggling with the first couple of chapters of "Always Coming Home" before I was able to settle in and enjoy the book enough to finish it. If anyone else here has read that one, I'd love to chat about it. I grew up in northern California, where the book is set and I expect that impacted my experience of the book significantly.

For those looking for the lazy approach, play the audio book in your sleep. That way you'll get the subconscious themes in the book. I figure 4 replays ought to do it 😄

absolutely if its not too late

In if it’s not too late

I’m in

Yes! Yes! Yes!

Can’t believe how popular this book is with London libraries. Still waiting for a copy to become free, nice to see libraries so well used.

I'd be interested.

I would love to, it’s one of my few kindle books that I haven’t gotten to yet. Sorry I’m late!

Sure!

Probably! I'm not independently motivated to reread this book, but I'd be curious to do it so I can join in and listen to what other people are saying about it. I would be super duper interested in doing something like this for a history book in the future. I love hearing the all different questions and connections that other people bring to history, that I would never think of.

Pretty sure I have a copy, will peruse.

Would definitely be interested time and timezone permitting (AEST)

I would be interested!

I have thought before “I would love to join a book club run by Angela” ..I really love your acollieralso page as well and have bought several books bc of you (maybe 6 so far? including The Word for World is Forest! and most recently Grendel!) Absolutely down and I appreciate the generous timeline you gave us, bc I am an inconsistent reader due to my work schedule (feast or famine over here!) whereas you are I think the most prolific reader I am aware of. 😄 Side note, if you ever decide to do an event/meetup, that would also be cool! Live shows are great, but a book club type meetup would be so much fun too (and maybe you just moved to my state? I’d def go to any of our nearby major cities for a Collier event of any kind! And I bet you have a lovely community of fans, especially that overlap of Collier fans and book lovers?? Have mercy! 😄)

I don't think I will be able to read the book in time, and I probably also couldn't make the livestream anyway. But I would like to watch a recording! I always appreciate the insights from your book reviews.

Just bought a copy of Left Hand of Darkness from my local bookstore. Great timing I just finished "Orconomics" by J Zachary Pike. Strong recommend from me. A review said Orconomics reads like Terry Pratchett writing about the 2008 financial crash and I agree, very fun.

Not sure if I can make the stream, that's in the middle of the night for me. But I think I will give the book a shot. After some time wasting I am finally coming back to reading and gladly take the recommendation. I already read antimemetics division, so thanks for that. (edited for clarification)

Oh, I have read TLHOD many years ago, and I re-read it 3 or 4 times since then... so it wouldn't be a new read for me. Also I don't knit. :) But it's a good choice of a book. I think you will enjoy it.

Hmmm... no. I read "The Dispossessed" 4 months ago and I really didn't like it. It was partly a contrast of capitalism and anarcho-syndicalism, but it was so cartoonish that I couldn't get past that. Also, the main character, Shevek, was totally unconvincing as a physicist. He said a lot of silly pseudo science things throughout. I just couldn't take the book seriously. I want to give her another chance but not this year. I've heard that this book is good though. I just hope it doesn't have any physicists in it.

I think this sounds fun.

I've read "The Dispossessed" (a book so nice I read it twice), so this would be a welcome incentive to read more of the Hainish Cycle.

Yes please

I would absolutely love this!

yes! And I can't wait for your take on this book, one of my favorites

I would be interested. I just read my first Ursula K. Le Guin novel and felt like I had been missing out by not getting to it sooner (A Wizard of Earthsea).

I would love this, I actually just read the first three Hainish Cycle books and was about to start this one, but I'd save it for book club!

I'm excited for you to read a book by my favorite author. You get to meet Estraven who is such a great character! I feel vulnerable because UKL is so close to my heart and what if my fave YT person doesn't like her work? But literature is subjective.

Very interested! Have wanted to read it for a while and this sounds like a great reason to!

Well, I've just started that book so I'd definitely be interested.

Definitely interested. You might end up with a huge group, which is interesting for a book club.

It's in my TBR pile, so I'm here for it.

Sounds a hoot

yes pls!

I'd like to join!

Sounds like fun! I’m in.

Read it long ago and been meaning to re-read it. Book club sounds like a good excuse to do just that.

book club sounds great

Always wanted to read this. I'll read along with y'all.

Wow! It's a dream come true. 🙂 You said you might, we said good idea, and so I thought you would. My sense of the vote turnout is that the nay-sayers all stayed home. LoL. Assuming you want "the more the merrier" in the chat, I can do this. I got the 2-volume boxed set of the whole series. My plan was to start at the front cover of volume 1 and charge straight thru to the back cover of volume 2, skipping no pages in between. There. I just did it. 🙂 P.S. Le Guin advocated for SF saying: 1) children can understand the science, so if your excuse is that the science is too hard, that won't wash. And 2) what's good about SF is its beauty. My tl;dr on the beauty is that SF creation combines imaginative with disciplined. That's a kind of magic. Many other genres of fiction fail on one or the other of those counts. As for the cover credits. I'm sure Le Guin was in favor of crediting the art. That's a core value in SF culture. As well as in the SF industry. Later revelations don't dissolve earlier commitments. I take that as a fact of life.

Yeah I'd be down for that!

Yes!

Sounds excellent

I would be so in. It's been decades since I last read Le Guin but I've had it on the back burner to revsist this one. Also maybe an excuse to get back into knitting again, since you mentioned that. As for platforms really whatever you'd be most comfortable with.

I've never read uklg but I've only heard great things, so I'd be down. Finally give me the kick in the butt I need.

Yes please!

Yes please

I'm totally in!

I would be!

Down! I read Le Guin the Wizard of Earthsea as a kid and loved it. Very excited.

Assuming I can make time away from my other book club. We read this one a year ago, at least.

Great idea. And LHOD is top-drawer UKLG. Best of the best.

This book is apparently very popular in Oslo. All of the copies are borrowed with a waiting list. But I'll get it somehow and join!

Yep!

This timing is pretty great, I'm reading through the Hainish Cycle and The Left Hand of Darkness is the next book in line for me so I am in!

I’m in!

I read that one, last century. I still have it. I would have. to look to see if it is in paper or hard back. It is an intriguing read.

I've always intended to give Ursula K. Le Guin a go but never got around it it. No time like the present. Similar to him being on this book I got my Pratchett's A Stroke of the Pen around the time Gaiman was outed. Urgh. Don't want that on/in there.

For sure!

Sounds fun!!

Absolutely!

I would do this. Do you plan to do the entire book at one go? If you get too many people to be workable, I will step aside.

Sure, I'm in!

I just started reading this book 2 days ago! It has quite a few made up words so it's been challenging to keep track of everything, but it looks promising!

Yes please!

Sounds fun

Sounds fun!

oI’m late to the post because of my work schedule, but I’d absolutely be in! This is one of my favorite books! I actually own it twice hahaha. One of my copies is in an unwieldy collection of the whole Hainish Cycle that includes commentary and essays about each book from Le Guin, and I’d be happy to bring some of that external text too. One of my favorite things about Le Guin was how open she was about analyzing and reflecting on her own work as time passed and she learned more, so I always find those commentaries she wrote really interesting. They make for great conversation fodder.

Oh hell yes. I'm actually supposed to read some socialist sci fi for another book club, so this fits great.

Sounds fun, count me in!

Yes I’m down for a book club, I was planning on reading this one anyways.

Im already ready with "There is no antimemetics division" I've been waiting for a long time. by the way I've also been waiting your book updates. Ive started reading books that you like because you seem to find amazing books. I (I would have never read Im a Fan by Sheena patel if you didnt recomended. God that book was good)

Until I read your text, I was trying to figure out what "The Left Hand of Baby Ness" meant.

Been meaning to read it for literal decades. This would be as good a reason as any :)

I'm in!

I 90th this motion. It has been on my TBR for a while. Liene's Library does this with her patrons (Streamyards to YouTube?). Could ask her, she's a fan.

yes!!! I have read this book already. it’s one of my absolute favorites ever, and I think it’s specifically right up your alley. like if I had to pick one book that I think you would appreciate, based on what you’ve said about other books I’ve read, it might very well be this one.

Sounds cool!

yes!!

I’m definitely in.

Sound great, I'm in

Ohh, I have had that on the list for quite a while, yes, gladly! :)

This sounds nice.

If it's not already too popular/crowded I'd be interested.

Yes please I love LeGuin! Could you please please consider reading Dawn by Octavia Butler... I really want to know your opinion on it

This sounds great!

Oh, I’m so excited for this!

I actually bounced off LHoD the first time. Maybe I'll have to give it another go. Will be interesting to see folks who vociferously advocate for it.

Yes, please! I can read vicariously...

Yes absolutely! I've been reading tons of classic SF/F written by women. Last one was The Sparrow, and I so wish I was in a book club when I finished that

Sounds delightful

I have the book, If i have time. I would love to join

I want to believe I would participate in a book club, but I know I won't. Still a good idea, though.

Yes, i have a copy of this book but have not gotten far. Neil Gaiman also stains the Earthsea comp i own 😬

I'm currently reading Left Hand of Darkness and would love to join.

Yes!

Yes, fun idea.

I would be interested. Maybe I will join on the next book though. Trying to make it through The Martian and school/work/life is making it difficult rn.

Put a hold on a copy from my library just now!

I'm trying to start reading more again and this book was actually on my radar, so I'd be interested.

I'd join the book club, I've been meaning to read left hand of darkness

Yes! BTW, I've been wanting to recommend "The Light Brigade" by Kameron Hurley to you ever since your video that had Starship Troopers in it, so consider it finally recommended

I’m interested!

Yes please

I'd love to, I've in Portland and I've been trying to read as many books by local authors as possible these past years.

I mean, can we also talk about There Is No Antimemtics Division? I just finished it yesterday, purely on your recommendation, and it's fabulous! Also, I haven't read Le Guin in about 40 years... Like really, I think I last read her in high school. Time for a re-read.

By the way, Le Guin has written some of my favorite sci-fi. The Lathe of Heaven is a perfect 5/5 for me, being just so wacky and interesting. Looking forward to this if book club happens!

I have a copy of this that I've been meaning to read. I think it's the same edition, too! This would be a good excuse to bump it up my reading list.

Is that book about neutrinos being dark matter? Sorry, bad physics joke. I know they'd have to be right-handed. :P I could absolutely be down for something like this!

would love to do this! Felt about neil gaiman too, his name really sours my beautiful Dune hardcover (which you should read 😳)

Damn, I got another Patreon who's having us read The Dispossessed by the same author. Don't know if I can read both but either way I am finally getting around to reading some Ursula K Le Guin. ETA: Also, years ago I bought and read The Dragons of Eden by Carl Sagan for a book club that never happened. If you're interested in doing that at some point in the future, I think it could be another fun one.

I'd love to read it (or maybe listen to an audiobook of it), maybe the bookclub would make me go back to reading! I love hers Earthsea series and Tehanu (4th one) is one of my favourite books, even if a bit flawed.

Yes please!

Count me in, sounds great!

ooh that could be cool! ive been meaning to read lhod for a whilee lol

Sounds fun!

Sounds like fun! I've enjoyed other things she's written

This is one of my most favorite books ever! Hope this happens!

Sounds fun, I’m reading a different le guin right now and enjoying it.

Left hand of Darkness is so good—I think you’ll love it

What a great book, I’m excited for the discussion!

Yes please, just finished The Dispossessed, so this would be great.

I'm in. I'm currently reading her previous book so April works great.

The whole of that series of Penguin Galaxy SciFi books look amazing, particularly my favourite, Gibson’s Neuromancer. Unfortunately, Gaiman's intros stain them all.

I actually read that one already, more than a year ago I think, after you mentioned TWFWIF. I read them both, they were very good. Might join for a next round though!

I’m in! Been meaning to read this for awhile and it would be nice to do that in company

I hope that edition doesn't replace Ursala's forward with Gaiman. Hers is a great essay on how she viewed Sci-fi as a writer

I'm game! I have read it before, but that was so long ago that I don't remember much of it. (BTW If you get an older copy it won't be tainted by having an introduction written by a sex pest. The book was written when Gaiman was still in grade school.)

Yes. 5 hours ahead of EST so would have to stay up to catch the start of the stream while already asleep but that's how I watch 80% of my favourite streams already.

Absolutely! I've already read it, but a reread for a book club with bonus knitting would be amazing

Hell yeah

Would be interested!

You bet!

Oh my, yes.

That beautiful cover edition of "The Black Cloud" has a blurb by Dick Dawkins. Dommage!

nice! I think this is enough people to give it a go. More info in early April!

I'd be interested!

I'm in.

I'm interested, but I'll be crocheting, not knitting

Sure

Absolutely!

Yes! I would love to read along with your community. I had been thinking of creating my own book club but participating here would be more fun I think.

Super down for it! I tried to read this in college and didn't get far, and somehow never read any other le guin despite owning a bunch. This would be a great nudge to finally try again!!

This sounds like fun. Im interested.

Yes. In.

Yessss please! I've read the dispossessed and loved it and the first book of Earthsea, and I own a copy of the left hand of darkness but never quite got around to reading it!

Definitely would be interested. Haven't read any fiction in a couple months and haven't done a book club in a couple years or more.

I'm in, it's already on my shelf for this year's reading goal.

I would ABSOLUTELY be interested! The Left Hand of Darkness has been on my read list for quite awhile.

Yes, please!

Yes! I actually just picked it back up and brought it home from storage two days ago!

I've been meaning to read that book for ages! I'm in.

Just finished reading this aloud as a bedtime story (tastefully eliding some of the more graphic/conceptually difficult bits), and I'd be so happy to read it again.

My library (LA) wait is 7 weeks so mid April sounds great

I just started reading this the other day!

Yes.

I'm in

Count me in.

Yes! My wife got me Left Hand of Darkness for Christmas and it's been hanging around on my short term list to read - would be good to have a reason to bump it up.

I would enjoy a book club. I read Starship Troopers last year when I saw you mention it, and I think it’d be fun to do that more often.

I'm certainly interested!

Caught this at the right time I guess. Yeah I’m in, need to find a good place to buy it in rural CO.

Yes! I read There is no Antimemetics Division on your recommendation and really enjoyed it. Enjoyed the discussion podcast as well. Super down for a book club.

I'm down. I've been meaning to get back into reading and didn't know where to start.