nextnextbook

Here are my suggestions for the next next book:

The Mysteries of Pittsburgh, Michael Chabon
at the risk of turning this into a gay-themed book club, I read this book a few months ago and liked it very much. This is Chabon's first novel, he wrote it when he was 24; Chabon won the pulitzer prize for a later book. It is the story of a young man's first summer after graduating college. It is about growing up and the search for self-knowledge and -understanding. It is a simple, relatively straightforward narrative -- boy meets boy, boy meets girl, boy gets boy, boy gets girl, boy is confused -- but I think there is plenty to talk about. I found it to be an engaging and fast read, Chabon's writing is terrific. And it's a mere 300 pages!

The Autograph Man, Zadie Smith
We read Zadie Smith's first novel, White Teeth, way back in the beginning, remember? This is her second. It could be fun to compare the two. I read this recently, and liked it a lot. The basic story is about the life of a professional autograph collector/seller and his quest for the elusive autograph of Kitty Alexander, a reclusive '40s movie actress. Of course, like White Teeth, it is multicultural -- the main character is half-Chinese and half-Jewish, his girlfriend and best friend are black Jews, the book is filled with quotes from and references to the Kabbalah, and there's quite a bit of zen buddhism. This book is funny, clever and entertaining, but underneath it is also dark and sad, about "deferred mourning and arrested development, the attraction to and repulsion from emotional engagement" (the guardian). Most importantly, Scott, there are references to Wittgenstein. It's only slightly longer than Mysteries at 330 pages, but there's a lot of interesting stuff going on with the narrative -- some reviewers think too much -- like chapter headings taken from the kabbalah, a few diagrams, a couple pop quizzes. In sum, there is a lot to discuss. It's definitely a more challenging read than Mysteries, but I found that the writing is so good that it moves fast.

I will post some links if i can figure out how.

funfinnishfood

Hi,
Linda & Scott are hosting and making a dish with meat. Heather is bringing a vegetarian dish (or two?) that is Finnish in origin and can serve as an alternate main dish. I am sure Lori has enough on her mind without worrying about what Finns eat, so I will bring salad, bread and appetizer. Christine could you please bring dessert. If someone thinks we need a starch in addition, let me know.
Asha

Good Bye, My Friends

Well, a few of you heard on Saturday night that Matt and I are leaving St. Croix. My father has just recently come home from the hospital after suffering from a gastric bleed. This is just one more thing in a line of health problems that he has developed over the past few years. So, after many tears, soul searching and discussion, Matt and I have decided to move home to Indiana where we can be closer to family. I have bought my plane ticket and will be leaving on Saturday, August 28th. I will be at Book Club on Thursday night and I hope I will get to see all, or at least most of you, there.
So, if any of you need televisions, books, potted plants, a TV stand, dishes, tupperware, etc. Please come over!!! We have several things that will not be going with us that we would love to find homes for.
Also, Matt and I are desperately trying to find a buyer for our 25' sailboat, Nau-ti-gal. We are asking $3,000, but we are really just looking for an offer. We would also be interested in a payment plan. Basically, make us an offer!

August Meeting

The August meeting of Das Book Club to discuss Troll: A Love Story will be held at Linda and Scott's house on Thursday,August 19, 2004. At the meeting Asha will be providing her book selections for the October meeting. If that date does not work please let me know asap. If that date does not work we can set the date earlier in August,wait until September, recruit someone else to host or meet at a restaurant. Please let me know one way or another via the comments.

Linda