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Thursday, October 23, 2008

Harriet the Spy Anyone?

The Barren Bitches Book Brigade fizzled a bit towards the end of summer, but it's time to inject new life into it again. And we're kicking it off Old School with a totally non-IF book:

Harriet the Spy
by Louise Fitzhugh

Because, seriously, what is reading blogs except lazy spying? At least Harriet crouched in a dumbwaiter to hear her stories. All I have to do is open Google Reader.

So, in honour of a girl who I believe would have been an avid blog reader, a story about friendship and what it means to hold someone else's story in your hands, one of the most important books of my generation that told kids that it was okay if they didn't fit in to existing stereotypes, and because we just need something that feels good and comfortable right now, I'm throwing Harriet the Spy out there as the next selection. I have a feeling it will get a good discussion going about blogging and commenting and reading blogs as well. And I'm asking something else--if you live in the NY area, to do the walking tour of the book and supply pictures and your experience on your blog during your post day for the book club.

So, if you are signing up (and this is the perfect book to join with if you haven't done the book club before because it's a quick read), I need your blog name, blog url, and an email address for the questions part of the club. You can read all about past book club selections here and get a sense of how the system works by reading the first post of any of the old book club selections. Oh, and if you live in NY and can provide the walking tour pictures or descriptions that I can link to in the main post, please leave that as well.

No date has been set yet, but it will be in mid-November (prior to Thanksgiving in the US). Leave a comment below if you want to join the book club.

And if this walk down memory lane is making you nostalgic and you think it would be fun to reread something after childhood again after this book, leave your suggestion below. We have to have a vote for the next few books soon.

21 comments:

Meghan said...

I loved this book as a kid. It'll be great to re-read it...I'm in!

Delenn said...

I'm in. (Although I will keep thinking about the movie with Michelle Trackenburger) --

You should have my information.

http://polantworld.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Me, too. I loved that book!

Anonymous said...

Yeah, okay then!

Anonymous said...

Since I think I'm partly responsible for this, you know I'm in. I wonder if my mother still has my yellow hardback copy...it would feel weird to buy a new one.


A.M.S.
http://ourowncreation.wordpress.com
Our Own Creation

HereWeGoAJen said...

Harriet would so have been a blog reader. She'd have multiple different aliases though, so she could remain spy-like.

I'd love to participate in this one.
Jen
http://jenniferelaineg.blogspot.com
Here We Go Again
jenniferelaine11 at yahoo

Annie said...

Oh my, I think I'll have to finally jump in for this. I loooove Harriet the Spy.

Annie
http://railyuh.blogspot.com
railyuh at gmail

loribeth said...

I'm still trying to wade my way through the end of the last pick... and November is going to be a crazy month for me at work... but what the heck, sign me up. I'll let you know if I have to drop out. I remember reading this as a kid, but I dont' remember much about it except that I didn't really like it for some reason? Not sure why?? So it will be interesting to revisit it through adult eyes!

Anonymous said...

I'm so in. There aren't really words to describe how much I love Harriet the Spy, and reading it with all you lot will only make me love it more, I think.

annarchyinjapan at yahoo dot com

JuliaS said...

LOL - I have to remember which box in the basement this is in! I think I kind of liked her friend Sport a bit better? I know they're around the dusty here somewhere . . . .

Count me in - could be fun!

Life After Infertility & Loss

JuliaS said...

LOL!

Guess what I had to enter in as my word verification thingy?

sucks!

I kid you not - it was sucks!

Yeah, I really do suck at deciphering the word verification thingy . . .

Journeywoman said...

I don't have to reread it...I practically have it memorized. This is one of my all time favorite books.

Journeywoman
http://journeywoman.typepad.com
celebrin_1996 at yahoo

As for other "children's" books.

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle
Blubber --Judy Blume or hell, we could all talk about our favorite Judy Blume book.
And Harry Potter

Lori Lavender Luz said...

Just reserved it from the library. Never read it.

Lori
http://weebleswobblog.blogspot.com
bestlightlori at the g mail place

Kristin said...

I am so in this one!

Kristin
http://thefertileinfertile.blogspot.com/
cruzowlpost at earthlink dot net

I love the idea of reviewing A Wrinkle in Time.

Baby Smiling In Back Seat said...

OMFG, I am so in.

Harriet inspired me to try my first egg cream as a child. It did not go well, but I won't hold that against her.

babysmiling.wordpress.com

babysmilinginbackseat at gmail dot com

Tara said...

I am in!

http://infertilitysisterhood.blogspot.com/
tara.smith.adkisson@gmail.com

Linda said...

Oooh, I'll do it!

Flicka
www.vacantuterus.typepad.com/vacantuterus
casa.vacant@gmail.com

But you knew all that. :-) I can't wait!

Anonymous said...

I'll be sitting this one out, but I think Journeywoman has some great suggestions - I know Judy Blume was an essential part of adolescence to me, and Harry Potter is great too - but my favourite nominee is
A Wrinkle in Time - such an amazing wonderful book.

Kir said...

I totally want to be in on This book club. It's exactly what I need lately.

JW Moxie said...

I love this movie. Believe it or not, as a middle school Lit teacher, I've never read the book. It's been one of the things on my To Do list for a few years, so now is as good a time as any!

Kymberli
http://www.smartone.typepad.com

Deb said...

I never could get a copy of the last selection. I am in for this one...

AllthingsDeb

www.all-things-deb.blogspot.com

allthingsdeb at gmx.us