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So here it is, our first ever Themed Group Read!

The theme is: INSECTS

The idea is this: I pick a theme, we each nominate a book that in some way reflects the theme. The group votes on a book for the next Group Read. We read & discuss the winning book! Easy.
All the nominated themed books will go up on a group shelf afterwards too.

THEMES
The book you nominate for the group read doesn't have to reflect the theme in a literal sense. The connection between book and theme can be anything at all, as esoteric a connection as you like. Just post an explanation with your nomination to let us know why you think the book speaks to that theme.

NOMINATIONS - ONE BOOK PER PERSON
You can nominate a book by replying to this thread with a book link and your explanation for how it fits the theme. Please try to keep in mind things like: the length of the book, how easy/hard it is to get a copy in different countries, price, whether it's something that would make for a good discussion etc etc. I'll put as much detail up about each book as I can so that people can make an informed choice.

I won't set a definite time frame for this group read until the book's chosen, and we know how long it is etc. but I'm guessing it will be late July or early August for the start of the discussion.

My nomination is: The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks.

In this case, it's a literal connection to the theme. It's in the title and there are wasps featured in the book also.

Nice! Have you read this one?

Is The Metamorphosis too obvious of a nomination? I've yet to read it and I feel, it being one of those great works of the 20th century, that I'm missing out.

Theo wrote: "Is The Metamorphosis too obvious of a nomination? I've yet to read it and I feel, it being one of those great works of the 20th century, that I'm missing out."

I'm smiling because I came over here to give an anti-nomination to the Kafka classic. In all honesty though, I read it in high school --- I might see it differently. I remember thinking the best thing about the book was that it was short.

First instance of "bug punk" that I've seen - lots of insect-based technology and a strong female lead - action-packed, too: God's War by Kameron Hurley

The Bug Wars mostly because I haven't the slightest interest in horror.

Memoir from Antproof Case , which has absolutely nothing to do with insects other than the fact that the case is insect-proof.

LOL - So which do you want to nominate? I should have been clearer - one nomination per person! [I'll go back & edit the first post]

I am hoping we get a good cross-section of genres too.

Derek wrote: "The Bug Wars mostly because I haven't the slightest interest in horror."

It's funny, but I didn't think of The Wasp Factory as being "horror". I remember it as being more of a "literary thriller". I just checked though, and about 150 people say otherwise and have shelved it as "horror". It has been over ten years since I read it though, so I don't remember it all that well.

Derek wrote: "The Bug Wars mostly because I haven't the slightest interest in horror.


I second The Bug Wars because I very much enjoyed it when i was 13 or so.

Any 21-month olds in the group? That could be the most chaotic group read EVER!

Dana wrote: "Theo wrote: "Is The Metamorphosis too obvious of a nomination? I've yet to read it and I feel, it being one of those great works of the 20th century, that I'm missing out."

I'm smiling because I c..."

I have to agree with the anti-nomination of The Metamorphosis.

Lauren wrote: "I have to agree with the anti-nomination of The Metamorphosis."

How could anyone dislike soul-crushing works of alienation, hopelessness, and futility? Or is it that you turn somewhere else for a good wallow in existential despair?

Probably not a good nomination since it's just a short story, but Sandkings is excellent. Very different from the poor "Outer Limits" adaptation that was done of it.

Dune- it contains sandoworms so ties into the insect theme.

The Amityville Horror - I remember reading this when I was 14 or 15 and the sudden infestations of flies freaked me out.

Unearthed by Gina Ranalli. It has giant bees in it.

Ruby wrote: "Derek wrote: "The Bug Wars mostly because I haven't the slightest interest in horror."

It's funny, but I didn't think of The Wasp Factory as being "horror". I remember it as being more of a "liter..."

No, The Wasp Factory isn't - no matter what those 150 people say! - but many of the others were.

Memoir From Antproof Case wasn't a serious nomination :-) I was just wondering how far I could actually get from insects while sticking to the theme.

There's nothing insectile about Sandworms (though Sandkings are, iirc, insects, and yeah, that was a great story).

Prophets of the Ghost Ants Can't get more insecty than this.

Whitney wrote: "Lauren wrote: "I have to agree with the anti-nomination of The Metamorphosis."

How could anyone dislike soul-crushing works of alienation, hopelessness, and futility? Or is it that you turn somewh..."

I haven't read "Sandkings" but I very much enjoyed that episode of "Outer Limits"...So i might change my vote to that.

Lauren wrote: "Dune- it contains sandoworms so ties into the insect theme."

I am going to agree with this one. Dune is an amazing book, and the indirect connection of Sandworms is quite clever

Cool - I'm hoping we get some that don't actually HAVE insects in too. There must be stuff about hive minds, or butterfly metaphors or something! 1Q84 had chrysalides, but I definitely wouldn't recommend it for a group read!

Also, a good one. The Silence of the Lambs

It has a vague adition of the moth left on the bodies of victims, or should I say, in the mouths.. Mwahaha..lol

So, Chrissy - Which book are you nominating?

Can people please watch the spoilers too? Thanks. I know there's probably nobody whose reading experience was spoiled by that.... but...... ya never know.

Ruby wrote: "Cool - I'm hoping we get some that don't actually HAVE insects in too. There must be stuff about hive minds, or butterfly metaphors or something! 1Q84 had chrysalides, but I definitely wouldn't rec..."

Also, The Chrysalids

Whoops.. sorry. If I have to pick out of the two, I think I'll go The Silence of the Lambs.

I haven't read this one, but it seems to be getting decent reviews - Wuftoom.

Ruby wrote: "Cool - I'm hoping we get some that don't actually HAVE insects in too. There must be stuff about hive minds, or butterfly metaphors or something! 1Q84 had chrysalides, but I definitely wouldn't rec..."

Oh, of course - I recommended Hellstrom's Hive to you once before (of course, I can't nominate it...)

You know what - nominate whatever you like! Just pick one and let us know by the time nominations close. (I'll give some warning).

Melki - I've been wanting to read that for a while (again, based on the strength of reviews).

I would second The Silence of the Lambs. It's been on my reading list for awhile.

Dune Because it has worms. And I haven't read it in a couple of years. A refresher would be nice.

The Adventures of Maya the Bee a wonderful classic children story. Available on librovox

(Maya the Bee also had a cartoon show back in the 80s...)

Dana wrote: "Theo wrote: "Is The Metamorphosis too obvious of a nomination? I've yet to read it and I feel, it being one of those great works of the 20th century, that I'm missing out."

I'm smiling because I c..."
I read it and thought it was certainly interesting and something to discuss.

A short story - "The Case of Death and Honey" by Neil Gaiman, which can be found in the book A Study in Sherlock

Excellent! I think we've almost got enough for a poll, so I'm sounding the 2 day warning. I'll close the nominations Sunday afternoon (my time), so please get your nominations in by Saturday night (your time) to make sure you get in before the deadline.

Please make sure you've picked only one book each, and I can tell which one is your final pick from the thread. You might need to go back and strikethrough your extra suggestions, or just add a post to the end of the thread or something.

I'll post the poll with the details for all the books shortly after that - number of pages, availability etc etc

Thanks everyone :)

*peers around at bookshelves*

Empire in Black and Gold by Adrian Tchaikovsky. I haven't read it yet, but it has the Wasp Empire, and wasps are insect-y. :)

I don't think they're really an empire of wasps, though. Correct me if I'm wrong. ^^

Edit: They are insect-kinden, so each nation has aspects of the bug they are kin with (or something). I did some research. :D

Thanks everyone for your nominations. I'm closing the thread now, and the group poll will go up shortly :)