Contemporary New Releases

[close] Welcome to the Smut Lair… We read, vent, chat and share about our passions and favorite reads.

[close] There is at least one reading challenge within the group per month as well as quarterly reading challenges, buddy reads, book of the month group discussions, non-competitive challenges, read to reviews, and more. Group Rules Please be respectful of this and other groups. Spamming other groups and other members will not be tolerated. Reviews must be original, new, and not be a synopsis of the book. Anyone not following these guidelines will be removed from the group after three infractions. If you have questions feel free to contact a moderator.

[close] Reading takes you places. Where in the world will your next book take you? If you love world literature, translated works, travel writing, or exploring the world through books, you have come to the right place! ATW80 began in 2009 as a challenge on TNBBC. The separate group was established in 2011. Anyone can join and participate in the challenges or readings at any time. Challenge participation is not a requirement of joining. Anyone who loves reading books from around the world is welcome here. The main purpose of this group is to travel the world through books, experiencing new authors and cultures along the way. Want to read about the world? We have close to 50,000 books cataloged by setting and more are added each week. I personally started reading around the world in 2008. This venture has introduced me to far off lands, fresh viewpoints, and many new authors I might not have discovered otherwise. Here is a record of my travels since 2009: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/18478768-diane-s-world-travels-by-book I have worked very hard gathering resources for others to use and coming up with new activities. Please ask permission before copying and please give appropriate credit. The copycatting is getting ridiculous and tiresome. "The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.” - Dr. Suess “There are too many books I haven’t read, too many places I haven’t seen, too many memories I haven’t kept long enough.” ― Irwin Shaw Globe Stand Photo: Daniel Loiselle/Getty Images

[close] "On paths unknown, we tread with wonder. Through a glass darkly, to brave new worlds and beyond we go." We seek to explore and do critical reading from any genre on challenging literature, both new and established, that links into themes of exploring ideas relating to various aspects of culture, society and technology, as well as what is loosely called 'literary fiction'; and in addition, non-English translated literature from around the world. We also discuss classics as well as avant-garde literature from all eras inasfar as they have challenged the world around them. Wherever necessary to give more background knowledge, discussion of non-fiction books are welcome. The idea is to provide not only a forum for discussion, but a database of book-ish information for the eclectic reader. Our threads all remain open indefinitely, so you can browse through and read and/or contribute at your own leisure.