Introducing: The Blind Assassin Meander

Some time back, a gaggle of ne-er-do-wells gathered together online to read challenging books in 50-page increments.

We commented as we went, checking in, sharing observations. All with the intent of securing for ourselves a magnetized collectible or similar specialized consumer good.

This was a thing we did. And we did it more than once.

Around New Years, we had the notion to rekindle this old habit, and just the other day we wrapped our first such fiesta in 10 years.

We called it: The White Noise Meander because we read a book called White Noise. And “Amble” didn’t have the necessary oomph.

The plan had been to try the next one in the Fall. But what with current circumstances, it seemed reading another challenging book en masse in 50-page increments, and etc., might be a welcome occupation.

All to say, April 5: The Meander. Is. Back!™

Wait, really?!
Really! MeanderTime!™

But what’s the book?! No less than Margaret Atwood’s The Blind Assassin (the Booker-Prize winning gothic suspense, romance, science fiction masterpiece, and I do mean “the” as in, there ain’t two….)

Figure Intro.1: The actual cover of the sci fi, suspense, gothic, romance masterpiece!

This does sound great. But what are the rules?

  • Read the book (50 pages or so assigned per week — don’t start before April 5)
  • Comment every week on the appropriate blog post
  • Make it to the end of the book
  • Get an exciting prize! (and you can double-bet it’ll be magnetized)
  • If you’re interested in joining, feel free to comment on this thread, or wait for the kick off. For now, all you have to do is get yourself a copy of the book — print, ebook, and audio all work.

    Last thoughts
    I’ll admit, I was surprised just how much I deeply appreciated The White Noise Meander. I’m super looking forward to diving into this next one, and would love to have ya along for the page-flip.

    Best!
    -Cecil

    Comments

    48 responses to “Introducing: The Blind Assassin Meander”

    1. Itto Ogami Avatar
      Itto Ogami

      Best virtual book club ever!
      Lazarus Long from the Future Herald called Cec’s virtual book club “a people first literary revolution in a brave new world”.

      FYI, http://www.archive.org has the book available for borrowing. I tried it. 14 days at a time. Book doesn’t seem downloadable, but there is a readable scanned version; not ideal, as unsure if one could keep re-borrowing, but it’s an option for some.

      Meander!

    2. Jennifer Avatar
      Jennifer

      Looking forward to being part of this!

    3. Amanda Avatar
      Amanda

      Thank you for the lead on the digital version, Itto!

    4. Jim Compton Avatar
      Jim Compton

      By an interesting coincidence, I just started Lady Oracle. If I haven’t had enough of Atwood after that, I’ll start TBA.

      Notes from the pandemic: My neighborhood Safeway’s muzak played “I Wanna Be Sedated” during senior shopping hour this AM. Yrs truly was the only person who sang along.
      “Can’t control my fingers, I can’t control my toes, oh no-oh-oh-oh oh…”

    5. KT Avatar
      KT

      I’m in

    6. Cecil Vortex Avatar
      Cecil Vortex

      Jim! What a joy it would be to have you on the trail!

    7. Cecil Vortex Avatar
      Cecil Vortex

      Yays! 🙂

    8. xian Avatar
      xian

      love it!

    9. blue_f Avatar
      blue_f

      This is it! It’s a thing!
      Ordered the book today.

    10. Cecil Vortex Avatar
      Cecil Vortex

      We. Are. Global!

    11. Alex Avatar
      Alex

      I’m in!

    12. Cecil Vortex Avatar
      Cecil Vortex

      🙂 welcome!

    13. Susannah Avatar
      Susannah

      Nice!

    14. Susan C Avatar
      Susan C

      Me too.

    15. Willem Avatar
      Willem

      In! Looking forward to it. Committed to earning a magnet this time.

    16. Cort Day Avatar
      Cort Day

      Dusting off my old trail gear now.

    17. Cecil Vortex Avatar
      Cecil Vortex

      he’s back! 🙂

    18. Robert Birnbach Avatar
      Robert Birnbach

      I’m in

    19. Josh Avatar
      Josh

      Dig it. I’m gamey.

    20. Lydia_S Avatar
      Lydia_S

      I’m in, too!

    21. Kathryn Hass Avatar
      Kathryn Hass

      I look forward to re-reading this book in this format with this crew.

    22. Faith Brill Avatar
      Faith Brill

      Would love to join, thanks for hosting!

    23. Gaya Brodnitz Avatar
      Gaya Brodnitz

      I’m in. Mom

    24. Cecil Vortex Avatar
      Cecil Vortex

      Yays! 🙂

    25. Chris Avatar
      Chris

      Hi, I’m ready!

    26. Dr. Vitz Avatar
      Dr. Vitz

      Afraid to say I’m out – I’m actually hellish busy at work because of the situation

    27. Jeff Kellum Avatar
      Jeff Kellum

      I’ve been waiting all week for today. Cracking the book open today.

    28. Sylvia Avatar
      Sylvia

      Great book choice

    29. Cecil Vortex Avatar
      Cecil Vortex

      join us Sylvia! Re-reads allowed/encouraged 🙂

    30. Cecil Vortex Avatar
      Cecil Vortex

      ok ok but don’t actually read it! Kick-off is tomorrow….

    31. Cecil Vortex Avatar
      Cecil Vortex

      understood! We’ll miss ya though. See you I hope on the next ride Dr. V!

    32. Cecil Vortex Avatar
      Cecil Vortex

      Woohoo! 🙂

    33. Cecil Vortex Avatar
      Cecil Vortex

      🙂 !

    34. Mike M Avatar
      Mike M

      I’m in like Martha Quinn!

    35. Mark Niemann-Ross Avatar
      Mark Niemann-Ross

      Atwood is the BEST. I’m IN!

    36. Shira Avatar
      Shira

      Do I still need to sign up over here?

    37. Cecil Vortex Avatar
      Cecil Vortex

      you are in! I’ll send out a note tomorrow when we kick off and the Week 1 post is live. Woot!

    38. Bob Myren Avatar
      Bob Myren

      I’m in!

    39. pete b Avatar
      pete b

      In!

    40. Guzmán Avatar
      Guzmán

      I’m in!

    41. Ute Avatar
      Ute

      We want in, too! We = Guzmán and Ute – THANKS!

    42. Realzorro Avatar
      Realzorro

      Sure, what the heck.

    43. Jeff Kellum Avatar
      Jeff Kellum

      Sorry, you’re 100% correct. I got my days mixed up. Don’t worry, I left it on my nightstand. I’m cracking open…….NOW!

    44. Jeff Green Avatar
      Jeff Green

      OKAY FINE I’M IN.

    45. e Avatar
      e

      i’m in too!

    46. Nikki Avatar
      Nikki

      Count me in!

    47. Whelmed Avatar
      Whelmed

      I’m in

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