Post: #1

RVF Book Club.

Every month we will read and discuss a book chosen by our members. There are no limitations to what genre or price of book can be suggested.

Rules.
1. The following month’s books will be voted for start the last week of the month, do not make suggestions in this thread until that time.
2. Only those who have contributed to previous month’s book discussions will be allowed to nominate the next month’s book, however anyone may vote.
3. The following month’s book will be selected based on the number of likes the suggestion receives, majority rules.
4. The rules of the forum apply here, no trolling, or being dicks to each other.


What Do We Talk About? (from BBC
Start with your reaction to the book - did you love it, loathe it or remain indifferent to it? Why?
Then think about what the book is really about - its themes. Are the characters real for you? Who do you sympathise with? Is there a particularly memorable piece of writing or scene in the book? Does the book have a message? What does it tell you about the author? Does it remind you of anything else? Do you want to read more by the same author? If it's a prize winner, did it deserve to be?
Discussion can often be even more stimulating if you disliked a book (though careful how you express it - see above). Did you lose interest in it? Why? The characters? The story itself? Too confusing - or too obvious? Too much or not enough description?
This month the book shall be Homage to Catalonia, available here for free

Post: #2

I like this idea.

I'm going to finish the two books I'm reading now---Influence and Crash--then start Homage to Catalonia. Should be within a few days.

Good pick for the first book.

Post: #3

Broken link.

Unbroken link:
http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks02/0201111.txt

Post: #4

It'd be good if others got on board so it isn't just Statsi and I.

^ Thanks for the link Thomas. I'm just going to order it on my e-reader for $11 since I can't stand reading for hours via backlit screen.

Post: #5

(12-03-2013 10:56 AM)Checkmat Wrote:  It'd be good if others got on board so it isn't just Statsi and I.

^ Thanks for the link Thomas. I'm just going to order it on my e-reader for $11 since I can't stand reading for hours via backlit screen.

You're going to spend $11 when there is free software available that can convert it to PDF and/or epub and/or kindle?

I'll happily convert the txt file to any format requested, if you don't know how to do it.

Anyway, count me in, this book looks interesting.

Post: #6

I'm interested for sure. However I am deep in to a book at the moment, so I'll join you next month!

Post: #7

(12-03-2013 11:56 AM)Thomas the Rhymer Wrote:  

(12-03-2013 10:56 AM)Checkmat Wrote:  It'd be good if others got on board so it isn't just Statsi and I.

^ Thanks for the link Thomas. I'm just going to order it on my e-reader for $11 since I can't stand reading for hours via backlit screen.

You're going to spend $11 when there is free software available that can convert it to PDF and/or epub and/or kindle?

I'll happily convert the txt file to any format requested, if you don't know how to do it.

Anyway, count me in, this book looks interesting.

No idea how to do that stuff. What do I have to do?

Post: #8

(12-03-2013 02:28 PM)Checkmat Wrote:  

(12-03-2013 11:56 AM)Thomas the Rhymer Wrote:  

(12-03-2013 10:56 AM)Checkmat Wrote:  It'd be good if others got on board so it isn't just Statsi and I.

^ Thanks for the link Thomas. I'm just going to order it on my e-reader for $11 since I can't stand reading for hours via backlit screen.

You're going to spend $11 when there is free software available that can convert it to PDF and/or epub and/or kindle?

I'll happily convert the txt file to any format requested, if you don't know how to do it.

Anyway, count me in, this book looks interesting.

No idea how to do that stuff. What do I have to do?

Firstly, right click on the link to the book and save as a .txt file on your computer's hard drive.

Kindle, as far as I know, can read .txt files. So just copy it onto your kindle and read away.

If you are unhappy with the way kindle handles .txt, then you'll need to convert. Some competitor e-ink readers also do not handle .txt, you have to convert to epub (see below).

To convert to kindle format, you'll need to download and learn to use calibre: http://calibre-ebook.com/.
Basically, you open the file with calibre, click 'convert', choose AZW for kindle format, and click start. After a while, it should spit out a kindle ready file.

You can use the same program to convert to epub. There are a few other programs available that can also convert to epub, and some online versions as well, but I'm only familiar with calibre.

For PDF, pretty much every modern word processing software will allow you to 'save as PDF.' Just open the file with Microsoft Word or Open Office and find the 'save as...' option and be sure to select PDF.

If you want to read a book on your smartphone, you can also convert the file to a .mobi format.

Anyway, once you have your desired format, connect your computer to your reader and transfer your file over.

If you use a tablet as an ereader, then it's easier just to find good free reading software. On my android tablet, I use coolreader and APV PDF viewer, and between the two I can throw anything at my tablet and it will be able to read it.

Post: #9

I'm in.

Post: #10

(12-03-2013 03:27 PM)Thomas the Rhymer Wrote:  

(12-03-2013 02:28 PM)Checkmat Wrote:  

(12-03-2013 11:56 AM)Thomas the Rhymer Wrote:  

(12-03-2013 10:56 AM)Checkmat Wrote:  It'd be good if others got on board so it isn't just Statsi and I.

^ Thanks for the link Thomas. I'm just going to order it on my e-reader for $11 since I can't stand reading for hours via backlit screen.

You're going to spend $11 when there is free software available that can convert it to PDF and/or epub and/or kindle?

I'll happily convert the txt file to any format requested, if you don't know how to do it.

Anyway, count me in, this book looks interesting.

No idea how to do that stuff. What do I have to do?

Firstly, right click on the link to the book and save as a .txt file on your computer's hard drive.

Kindle, as far as I know, can read .txt files. So just copy it onto your kindle and read away.

If you are unhappy with the way kindle handles .txt, then you'll need to convert. Some competitor e-ink readers also do not handle .txt, you have to convert to epub (see below).

To convert to kindle format, you'll need to download and learn to use calibre: http://calibre-ebook.com/.
Basically, you open the file with calibre, click 'convert', choose AZW for kindle format, and click start. After a while, it should spit out a kindle ready file.

You can use the same program to convert to epub. There are a few other programs available that can also convert to epub, and some online versions as well, but I'm only familiar with calibre.

For PDF, pretty much every modern word processing software will allow you to 'save as PDF.' Just open the file with Microsoft Word or Open Office and find the 'save as...' option and be sure to select PDF.

If you want to read a book on your smartphone, you can also convert the file to a .mobi format.

Anyway, once you have your desired format, connect your computer to your reader and transfer your file over.

If you use a tablet as an ereader, then it's easier just to find good free reading software. On my android tablet, I use coolreader and APV PDF viewer, and between the two I can throw anything at my tablet and it will be able to read it.

Awesome! I saved it as a text file like you said and copied it onto the Kindle. Easy, reads fine.

You saved me $11, thank you

I had no idea it was so easy to put .txt files on the Kindle. This opens up all kinds of new reading material.

Post: #11

I'm on board as well. Solid idea.

Post: #12

I was going to start talking about my reactions to the book so far but I think I'll wait until I finish it. It's an easy read and going down quickly. I'm on chapter 3 and should wrap up by the end of the weekend (reading about an hour a day).

How are you guys doing with it?

Sidebar about the title. I looked up the pronunciation of "homage" and found several different ones. "Oh-mawz" and "aw-midge". I know that's not the right syntax but was wondering if one was more correct than the other.

Post: #13

(12-05-2013 10:20 AM)Checkmat Wrote:  I was going to start talking about my reactions to the book so far but I think I'll wait until I finish it. It's an easy read and going down quickly. I'm on chapter 3 and should wrap up by the end of the weekend (reading about an hour a day).

How are you guys doing with it?

Sidebar about the title. I looked up the pronunciation of "homage" and found several different ones. "Oh-mawz" and "aw-midge". I know that's not the right syntax but was wondering if one was more correct than the other.

The pronunciation of that word is likely to vary greatly depending on which part of the world you come from. If you want to make sure other people understand you when travelling, it's best to pronounce using Standard English, which will be haw-midge.

I'm into Chapter 4, pretty intense book, but very readable.

Post: #14

Count me in. Good idea Statsi.

Post: #15

This book is George Orwell's account of fighting for the anti-fascists in the Spanish Civil War (which took place 3 years before WWII).

Interestingly - the danger of Fascism that people like Orwell could see was the inspiration for the following big hit by The Manic Street Preachers. It was inspired by the people who fought against fascism in the Spanish Civil War.

It is an unusual inspiration for a song. Since it is a song set in the past warning about a potential threat in the future - which is also in our past. From the point of view of somebody in the present.

There is a good chance that line only made sense to me.





Great song from one of Britain's best (and most successful) bands.

Here are the lyrics:

Quote:The future teaches you to be alone
The present to be afraid and cold
So if I can shoot rabbits
Then I can shoot fascists
Bullets for your brain today
But we'll forget it all again
Monuments put from pen to paper
Turns me into a gutless wonder
And if you tolerate this
Then your children will be next
And if you tolerate this
Then your children will be next
Will be next
Will be next
Will be next
Gravity keeps my head down
Or is it maybe shame
At being so young and being so vain
Holes in your head today
But I'm a pacifist
I've walked La Ramblas
But not with real intent
And if you tolerate this
Then your children will be next
And if you tolerate this
Then your children will be next
Will be next
Will be next
Will be next
Will be next
And on the street tonight an old man plays
With newspaper cuttings of his glory days
And if you tolerate this
Then your children will be next
And if you tolerate this
Then your children will be next
Will be next
Will be next
Will be next

Post: #16

You can read about the song here.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/If_You_Tole...ll_Be_Next

Quote:The song's theme is taken from the Spanish Civil War, and the idealism of Welsh volunteers who joined the left-wing International Brigades, fighting Francisco Franco's military rebels against the Spanish Republic. The song takes its name from a Republican poster of the time, displaying a photograph of a young child killed by the Nationalists under a sky of bombers with the stark warning "If you tolerate this, your children will be next" written at the bottom.

Various works on the Spanish Civil War were the inspiration for this song, and certain lyrics pertain directly to these works. For example, the line "If I can shoot rabbits/then I can shoot fascists" is attributed to a remark made by a man who signed up with the Republican fighters to his brother in an interview years later. This was originally quoted in the book Miners Against Fascism by Hywel Francis. Another work George Orwell's first-hand account, "Homage to Catalonia". "I've walked Las Ramblas/but not with real intent" brings to mind the account in Orwell's book of fighting on the Ramblas, with the various factions seemingly getting nowhere, with the fighting and often a sense of camaraderie overriding the vaunted principles each side was supposed to be fighting for. Wire has also acknowledged that he was also inspired by a song by The Clash, "Spanish Bombs", which has a similar subject.

Post: #17

Check in when you guys are finished with Homage. I'm knocking it out today (20 min left according to Kindle) and figured I'd wait before sharing my thoughts to prevent spoilers or whatever.

Post: #18

(12-09-2013 08:29 AM)Checkmat Wrote:  Check in when you guys are finished with Homage. I'm knocking it out today (20 min left according to Kindle) and figured I'd wait before sharing my thoughts to prevent spoilers or whatever.

Man you've powered through it, I've finished the other books I was reading at the same time, now it's just homage to get stuck in to.

Post: #19

(12-09-2013 01:51 PM)Statsi Wrote:  

(12-09-2013 08:29 AM)Checkmat Wrote:  Check in when you guys are finished with Homage. I'm knocking it out today (20 min left according to Kindle) and figured I'd wait before sharing my thoughts to prevent spoilers or whatever.

Man you've powered through it, I've finished the other books I was reading at the same time, now it's just homage to get stuck in to.

I'm just over the halfway mark.

Post: #20

I'm done. How long do we wait before starting the discussion?

Post: #21

(12-11-2013 02:19 PM)Thomas the Rhymer Wrote:  I'm done. How long do we wait before starting the discussion?

I guess once Statsi, Idlenations, roberto and randy are done.

For future books we should have a time limit. Three weeks to read with one week to discuss should be enough time in my opinion. That'll be a book per month.

Post: #22

Jumping in! I have to finish a book and start reading a small essay before reading this. I should be able to start sometime tonight.

Post: #23

I intend to start chatting about the book on the 14th, two weeks to finish the book seems reasonable, however feel encouraged to post reviews and comments whenever you're ready.

Post: #24

Damn, I just saw this. Might still jump in and just avoid the discussion until I'm finished.

Post: #25

Finished. Using those BBC prompts for structure, this is basically what I thought:

(12-01-2013 05:58 PM)Statsi Wrote:  Start with your reaction to the book - did you love it, loathe it or remain indifferent to it? Why?

I liked the book overall - it was insightful historically while not being dry. Though during that one stretch early on where Orwell went on about politics and the different parties, I basically tuned out. Otherwise was engaged.

(12-01-2013 05:58 PM)Statsi Wrote:  Are the characters real for you?

Orwell did a solid job describing how things were there, as far as I can tell, without any bullshit. That goes for capturing the characters as well.

(12-01-2013 05:58 PM)Statsi Wrote:  What does it tell you about the author?

The way things were perceived and written, I think Orwell would’ve been a guy I could get a drink with. This was the first I’ve ever read of his works - never even read Animal Farm in school. Regardless I liked how the ordeal was reported here. Will probably seek out more of his works.

(12-01-2013 05:58 PM)Statsi Wrote:  Does it remind you of anything else? Do you want to read more by the same author?

This might be because I hardly ever read war stories, but from the very beginning I was reminded of All Quiet on the Western Front. The correlation there seems a little too cliche though… maybe I just need to read and familiarize myself with more war literature.

But overall, yeah, I thought this was a quality read. It was kind of refreshing as this probably isn’t a title I’d choose on my own.