Been looking at my copy of "Telegraph Avenue" for a couple months now. Time is in short supply, maybe some external deadlines would help me tear into it. There's no excuse, really- between "The Amazing Adventures of Cavalier and Clay" and "The Yiddish Policemen's Union," Michael Chabon can do no wrong. Come to think of it, either one of those would be good runners-up as well.

The "Patrick Melrose" trilogy might be neat, as it carries an appeal to people at every generational juncture. As long as those people are British Aristocrat junkies, I guess. Anyhow, I'd read 'em again.

What about short stories? I've put these gigs off in the past because I just don't have time to dig through the material. "Tenth of December" is supposed to be great, and from what I hear, George Saunders' pathway to authorship is a good story unto itself.

Anyhow, all of those options enjoy the status of ownership by me. Which means I wouldn't have to dish out money I don't have on books I might or might not enjoy. Another reason I wasn't so hot with past book club forays.