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Well, I'm tempted by many of the things named, but since I've never read it:

King Suckerman, Pelecanos.

I want to read Homicide eventually, but I'm looking forward to jumping into a page-turner crime novel...

waiting a month to read a book, particularly a fast-reading crime book, seems a long time... anyone prefer if i announce the book club winner december 15th and we start to discuss it january 15th? if so, peeps gotta start sending in their picks...

I post this with the full expectation of being shouted down, but here's a bit of a curveball for the first reading suggestion: in every interview I've read with David Simon (The New Yorker and The Believer ones come to mind), he talks about the influence of Greek tragedies on the structure and plotting of The Wire. He talks a lot about "indifferent gods," represented in the show by the different forms of bureaucracy, and how the show is specifically not like other, more Shakespearean dramas like Deadwood (sorry Edan - he said it, not me).

So anyone want to start from the beginning and read some Euripides or Aeschylus to see what Simon is talking about?

Cory, I'd be game to do that. I've actually read them all already because I was a French major and the French just keep writing these stories over and over - and over... quite brilliantly somehow.

They're pretty quick reads (being plays) so I'm sure anyone who wants to could read them in conjunction with the monthly selection.

I'm actually really looking forward to dipping my toes into some contemporary crime/noir fiction. I've only read the oldies - Chandler, Hammett, Cain etc.

Cory, that sounds like an interesting idea..but I am pretty excited by the idea of reading crime fiction! Maybe we can do the tragedies in a few months?
What does everyone else think? Brian, have you compiled the list of book nominees? Get to work, Bunny!

Yeah, I think Kimley's got a good idea just to keep the Greeks on the side (like humus). It's probably enough to know that they were an inspiration without delving too deeply into them.

And I'd probably rather read King Suckerman or something anyway. What a great title - too bad he dies in Exit Ghost (wait, that's Zuckerman)

hey... sorry, i've been MIA. i fool myself into believing that because book reading/posting ain't television and/or scotch, it ain't a distraction. and it is. so i took a break to get some work done... light posting over the next month (assuming manny behaves himself) so i can hit some deadlines...

that said: SEASON FOUR came out today. watch it! it's every bit as good, if not better, than the preceding seasons.

also:

everyone keep throwing out titles and i'll post all the possibilities on december 10th. cast your vote anytime after that and on the 15th i'll post the winner.

ordinarily, i'd say two weeks would be more than enough time to read a crime novel, but what with the holidays, we'll start discussing the book on january 10th... cool?

Alright Brian, fess up - you haven't been working, you've been watching season 4!

Loving your new photo by the way. When it's small on the discussion boards, it looks like some glowing ethereal object. I had a good surprise when I saw the enlarged version!

I'm not familiar with any of the writers so no suggestions on my end but once you post the list I'll look all the books up and make a semi-informed decision.

And yes, holiday travel and family fun (oh my!) will zap much of my time very soon so January 10th is good for me.

Is it just me, or does anyone else see a full-body image of Jesus in the enlarged version of Brian's picture? I'm not trying to be funny here (though your appreciation of the Roth joke is in turn appreciated, Marshall). Maybe that's why it appears ethereal in the smaller version...

Someone let me know if I'm going crazy - it's the first night of Chanukah, but I'm seriously wondering if I should start my pilgrimage to what looks to be a dog's ass.

I was about to make a joke about butt holes and holy, but I will refrain.

Like Kimley, I have no opinions, but will do research once the nominees are announced.

Well, this was complete news to me, and very welcome:



I'm up for the Greeks (to return to comments above), but would rather defer 'til after the first read. I'm swamped right now, but it'd be easy to read a thriller (while grading). That said, I'm open to reading other Pelecanos, but Marshall named Night Gardener--and that's one of the two I've read. If not Suckerman, maybe Right as Rain or Hard Revolution? Or... when people rave to me about him they often rave about Shoedog.

What happened to our voting? Did I miss it?