It's Book Menage time!

Okay. Enough talk of vacations. Time to get back into the swing of things, and what better way to do that than with a November Book Menage?

If you've not joined us for any previous Menages, the concept is pretty simple. Our Menages are the swinging threesomes of the book club world; we read two books (two books + one reader = one wild and crazy threesome) and then we discuss them here over the course of a week. I thought now might be a good time to schedule one; perhaps we can squeeze it in before everyones' schedules go haywire with the holidays.

Last time we had discussed this, consensus was that we might want to tackle both some true crime and a graphic novel; the titles in consideration were Stacy Horn's The Restless Sleep: Inside New York City's Cold Case Squad, and any historical true crime graphic novel by Rick Geary. Does this still seem like a good plan? If so, please consider suggesting a Rick Geary you'd like to read, or I'll pick one of several options. I also have to go through the comments from the last Menage and pick a winner, who will receive the two books we'll be reading free of charge.

So? Please discuss in the comments. How about we settle on titles sometime next week, and plan to start the Menage the week of Monday, November 30? That way we can get through the Thanksgiving holiday and enjoy a good discussion before the true nuttiness of the Christmas holiday season starts. Good plan?

Comments

[Laura]

I just finished Restless Sleep a few weeks back, so I'd love a chance to discuss it! I haven't read any Rick Geary yet, but his stuff looks very interesting! I'd be especially interested in any of the Victorian Murders series, but I'm happy to read anything. Great idea! I just have to get one plug in, though, for Alison Bechdel's Fun Home, which is the best graphic book I've ever read and is probably in my Top Ten Books of All Time list.

[Beth]

I'd also very much like to read one of Geary's Victorian era books, preferably The Borden Tragedy. That one should be nice and gory ;)

And I second Fun Home as being in my Top Ten Books of All Time. It's incredible. Did you know that she took reference photos for every single panel before she drew them? She rocks my socks. But I mean, anyone who can write a comic strip called Dykes To Watch Out For has to be awesome.

[Citizen Reader]

Okay! I'm leaning toward Lizzie Borden, myself, because that might be a nice tie-in with Horn's "Cold Cases" title--did they ever decide, once and for all, that Lizzie was guilty?

I did read and enjoy Bechdel's Fun Home, although, boy, that is NOT a light read. That's fascinating that she took pictures for the panels she drew--now that's dedication. I also like Brian Fies, whose graphic novel "Mom's Cancer" is another great GN choice. There's more of them all the time...anyone read David Small's "Stitches" yet?

[Beth]

I have my library's copy of Stitches on my bedside table. It's supposed to be amazing, so it'll be read by the time the weekend's over for sure. And if you like Brian Fies you should try Whatever Happened to the World of Tomorrow. It's absolutely wonderful.

And no. Lizzie's guilt/innocence is still up in the air as far as I know.

[Beth]

update:
Read Stitches over the weekend and it was fantastic :)

[Venta]

Count me in on the menage!

[Citizen Reader]

Beth,
Agreed: Stitches was fantastic, if really, really, REALLY sad.

Venta,
I'm so glad!! I think we'll go with the Horn and the Lizzie Borden book by Geary; I'll announce it in the next couple of days!

[Tripp]

Whatever is chosen, count me in.

[Jessica]

Yay menage! Can you just pick one of Geary's to recommend? My library doesn't have any of his stuff. If I'm going to buy one I'd rather know it's one of the better ones.

I agree about Fun Home and Stitches. There's something cathartic about these heavy, dark memoirs. The beauty of the art eases the pain of the story.

I'd like to add Disappearance Diary as a recommendation on that theme. Absolutely terrific.

[Care]

OK! Great plan!!