Help Me Pick My Next Read
ETA: the poll is now closed! Thanks to everyone who voted. :) The results: Jew in the Lotus wins nonfictin, with 14 votes to The 13th Element‘s 13. Claudine in Paris and The Weed that Strings the Hangman’s Bag ended up in a tie, with 19 votes each. So I let due dates cast the deciding factor, and The Weed that Strings the Hangman’s Bag is due first, so I shall start with it.
Hey guys! So I’ve just finished a fiction and nonfiction reads, and I can’t decide what to go for next. So I thought I’d leave it up to you…
Fiction:
The Weed that Strings the Hangman’s Bag by Alan Bradley
OR
Claudine in Paris by Colette
Nonfiction:
The Jew in the Lotus by Rodger Kamenetz
OR
The 13th Element by John Emsley
Because I have no clue how to embed polls, vote the old-fashioned way: in a comment! :) (Just to clarify: I’ll be starting one new fiction read and one new nonfiction read, so you have two votes to cast.) Whichever books get the most votes, I’ll start! Right now, I’m in the middle of several read-a-longs, so the poll will be open for at least twenty-four hours, if not more.
A Striped Armchair 
Oh, tough choice. I vote for Claudine in Paris and The Jew In The Lotus.
I vote for the Alan Bradley book!
I vote for Claudine in Paris, for the selfish reason that I really want to read some Colette (my writer at work “talks” so much about her!) but don’t own any of her books, and this way I’ll get to experience it vicariously through you :P As for the non-fiction, sadly I have heard of neither.
You should read Colette! She’s so fun! :)
Oh exciting, I couldn’t decide between fiction or non fiction so I love that we get one of each. I vote for The Weed that String the Hangman’s Bag as I read it just the other week and loved it. For non-fiction I vote for The 13th Element. It looks like it is full of intrigue :)
I can’t decide between fic and nonfic either! :)
I’ll vote for Claudine in Paris (because I’ve already read the Bradley book!) to hear your opinions on it. And as for non-fiction, I would choose The 13th Element because I’m a nerd (yes, I have the periodic table app on my iPhone) and because phosphorus is cool shiz.
LMAO
Because I’ve heard good things about his books:
The Weed that Strings the Hangman’s Bag by Alan Bradley
Claudine in Paris! Had those novels on my radar for a while so would be interested in what you thought of it!
I’d definitely recommend the first one, Claudine in School! :)
I’m voting for Claudine in Paris (because I’ve heard so many positive things about The Weed already and I’d like to find out more about Claudine, I know, selfish).
As for non-fiction, I’d go for The Jew in the Lotus.
It’s a close run between Alan Bradley and Colette, but I think Colette wins. It’s a long time since I read her books and I’d love to read your thoughts on her.
I think both fictional choices sound charming, but have you read the other Claudine books? I’d recommend starting at the beginning with Claudine at School, but maybe you already know that. :-)
Haven’t heard of either nonfiction pick, but I’ll be curious for your opinions.
Yep: I read Claudine at School last year! :)
Well, I’m going to be obnoxious and suggest finishing Nights at the Circus…
Failing that, you know I’d go for Colette; as for the non-fiction, I know nothing of either but am intrigued by the title of The Jew in the Lotus.
LOL I’ll finish it soon! :)
I feel a bit uncool as I have not heard of any of these books, but based on the cover and the title I vote for Claudine in Paris and The Jew In The Lotus.
Don’t feel uncool! They’re really random books, not bestsellers (except for maybe the Bradley).
I haven’t read it yet, but I’m voting for Alan Bradley.
I’ll vote for the Colette book as I want to read something by her later this year. And, for nonfiction I guess I’ll go with the Jew in the Lotus. Have fun!
I’m not familiar with any of these books, but I vote for Claudine in Paris and the Jew in the Lotus because the covers are beautiful! They look intriguing.
The Jew in Lotus lo0ks pretty interesting!
The Weed that Strings the Hangman’s bag AND The Jew in the Lotus. :)
I read several Colette books in French years ago and am curious to hear how you like her so I’m voting for that. For nonfic, I vote for The Jew In The Lotus because it’s such an intriguing title!
the alan bradley ,this series intrigues me and not really a crime reader ,warmest stu
I love more traditional-style mysteries, but I’m not a fan of the harder, crime fiction myself. ;)
Claudine in Paris!
I’ll vote for Alan Bradley – I loved it! It’s fun & light.
And then Colette.
I don’t know any of these books, but I have read some Colette. If you have never read any of her books, this one would get you started.
I’ve been wanting to read Colette and would love to read your review!
The Weed that Strings the Hangman’s Bag and The Jew and the Lotus, based solely on titles and nothing else :)
I vote for the Bradley book though have you read the first? I only ask because I am ridiculously anal with things like this and I have to read everything in order.
I have read the first Bradley book! I’m a bit anal about reading things in order too. ;)
I vote for Claudine! Colette is irresitible. Also, The Jew in the Lotus, mostly because it’s such a strange but intriguing title.
I’m voting for The Weed that String the Hangman’s Bag! I can’t find what Claudine in Paris is about :o(
The Weed that Strings the Hangman’s Bag by Alan Bradley and The Thirteenth Element.
They all look good but I would go for the Colette–I think I’m just in the mood to read her, though! I love the cover by the way–it’s sort of different than your usual classic novel.
I love that cover too! It’s not the one I get from the library, but it’s so pretty. :) (My library only has Claudine novels in omnibus edition.)
The Bradley book :)
I vote for Claudine in Paris. I haven’t tried Colette yet, but have always wanted to! Maybe you will finally push me to try her.
Definitely try Colette! She’s such fun. :) This’ll be my fourth book of hers.
I vote for The Weed That Strings…because I just read it & really enjoyed it, and if it’s a library copy, I’m betting there’s a waiting list! For the nonfic, I vote for The Jew in the Lotus–I’ve never heard of either choice, but I like that cover better :-).
I’m voting Alan Bradley as well, since that’s the one I most wish I could read myself.
For the future, to do a poll from the wordpress editing screen, at the top of the editing box there’s a row of buttons including a music note… the gray circle at the end will bring up the poll options. :)
Oh! Thanks Fyrefly! I didn’t even realise that was an option. :)
Definitely Hangman. And Non-fiction 13th Element.
I vote for the Alan Bradley too, because my mum got it for her birthday and REFUSES to finish it, and I can’t read it until she does. So basically I would like to live vicariously through you. :P
Oh, Collette! And The 13th Element (I’m adding that one to my TBR list).
I’m voting for the Bradley book and The 13th Element. :)
I’ve read several of Emsley’s books so I’d go for that, plus Bradley.
The 13th Element because it’s losing I think and I feel sad for it.
LOL I do the same thing!
The 13th Element because I just want to know about murder and phosphorus.
I don’t have any strong feelings about the fiction books, but I’ll cast a vote for the 13th Element!
The Bradley book and the 13th Element. Those sound like great reads!
*laughs*
I have this problem all the time! I spent a good ten minutes standing in front of my library this morning, dithering over what to read next. Too much choice!! (and yet … and yet … it is books…!) I would have happily handed the responsibility over to other bloggers but I needed one quick-smart! Besides, how do you narrow it down to just four books?!
I’d go with Colette for Fiction, only because I haven’t read any yet – I have Gigi and The Cat, that’s Colette isn’t it? – and I want to hear about it, plus what a cute cover!! That cat, it’s looking at me …
Non-Fiction, that’s tougher. I don’t know exactly what those books are about but I can hazard enough to say The 13th Element – plus, I love the movie! I know, it’s got nothing to do with it but they do share a title! It’s a sign, surely? ;)
lol! It was difficult to narrow it down to four books. :)
Both fiction books look good, but I cast my vote for Jew in the Lotus.
The Weed That Strings the Hangman’s Bag!!!! Have you read The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie?? Flavia is so cute!
I have! Flavia is adorable. :)
Shoot. Collette all the way would have been my vote.
I’m so behind on bloghopping! I missed this but I’m not really sure how I would have voted. I just keep hoping you’ll someday pick up The Help based on comments you’ve made elsewhere about your reluctance. I am just so curious how you would review/experience this book. someday, perhaps…