From the author that brought you such titles as: Dune Messiah, Children of Dune, God Emperor of Dune....comes "Dune".

"I must rule with eye and claw — as the hawk among lesser birds."


So, I started to watch the theatrical version of "Dune" last night and was blown away by how awesome/horrible/awesome/hilarious it was and presume that the book(s) can only enhance our joke telling material while also teaching us important life lessons. Like, in reference to the spice melange, "The drug's dangerous, but it gives insight." Awesome. Anywho, read this, learn from this, laugh at this, and then we'll have a hilarious video chat about it. <3

T.S. Spivet Interlocutionary Event

So I believe everyone who is going to read it has finished. It was a trip of trains, bum stabbings and thirteen-year-olds who were so genius that they crossed the line into the totally incredible (the first time I meet a kid of that age who has accomplished those things, I'm going to kill her or him so that their genius is not tainted by the idiocy of our society).

Please offer some dates of availability for another online discussion. I propose that we hold the discussion on the evening of March 25 (a week from today). I know that it is Robo Greene's birthday, but if he's into it then I am. Otherwise give me some other dates (I think next weekend is no good for me).

Merry Equinox to all you pagans out there and I hope to discuss literary shit with you soon.

Bretito

The Selected Works of T.S. Spivet, Whenever We Get Around to It...

!!! ATTENTION !!!

Now that I have your attention, I'd like to ask a question: Are you reading Bluebeard? I sure hope so for two reasons. First, Kurt Vonnegut rocks balls, and deserves some discussion. Second, the next book in our book club lineup is quite the literary gem.

Now, I'm sure some of you haven't even started Bluebeard. That's okay. Not all of us have the spare time that is afforded to those individuals in the Montessori School of Podiatry and Magic. That being said, I urge you to finish for the sake of organized discussion, which has become an endangered phenomenon within the virtual sphere that is this club. Let's read these motherfuckers and talk about them!

Anyway, I've been asked to post a little blurb about the next book on the list, but I think that's a bit premature at this time. I'll do it anyway, just for kicks. The next book on the agenda is....

The Selected Works of T.S. Spivet

by Reif Larsen

Check out http://tsspivet.com/ for a closer look inside the marvelous mind of T.S.

I have written the following with utmost honesty: this may be my favorite book. Ever. It is both fresh and timeless. It speaks to the innocence and innate curiosity of childhood, and the opportunities that our minds offer to study the world around us. T.S. begs us to ask ourselves what thinking capacities we've undermined as we passed our inquisitive nature through the lens of academic institutions and research authorities. Our main character in this book is 12 years old, and has the great fortune that many of us have lost: he can examine the world without the approval or validation of an authority, be it a boss, supervisor or research grant.

Through illustrations, diagrams and maps on almost every page, Larsen constantly reminds us that our social, physical and biological environment is full of wonders, big and small. By the time you finish this book, you may very well begin to look at people and places in a new way. At the very least you'll better understand why I like to map things all the time.

As one of the more perceptive reviews claims, T.S. Spivet has hints of Mark Twain and Little Miss Sunshine. The plot is charming and adventurous; the character is brilliant. As you are reading this book, don't be surprised if you get distracted by ants on your kitchen counter or the length of time it takes for the mythical Oregon "sun" to emerge from a permanent cloud cover.

Also, the pictures are fun to look at when you're stoned.

Love,

Robbie

Book Club Discussion

A few of us are done with BLUEBEARD.

When would you like the discussion to take place?

And how?

Maybe Skype?
Maybe in 10 days?


Andrew

I fell off the wagon. Sorry guys, the Hullabaloo wasn't as fulfilling as I suspected. If Brett made it through, I believe he was the lone survivor of the Guava Orchard. Let us pretend that it never happened.

Onward to something new that WILL revive this god damned book club! For Festivus Andrew presented me with Bluebeard by Kurt Vonnegut. Read it! Someone announce a new book in about a month, and then we will be discussing this one fo' real.

Bluebeard

January 1st

and we're back!

After lengthy thought and debate, a decision has been made,

Hullabaloo in the Guava Orchard

the first novel of Kiran Desai. This is the book, the book that will revive us! Honestly there were a number of books that I contemplated throwing up all over this blog, although none of them are here are they? I finally found this book it practically landed in my lap. It's about a young man trying to escape the realities of adulthood, just like Robbie. Also it's a short read, 200 pages long, so I'm hoping all of you in "Med" school and such will have time to read it. Oh did I mention it's classified YA, not NA for those of you that don't know what that stands for its young adult, and non-alcoholic respectively. We are expanding what some "Graduate" students might call the diversity of this book club, and we are doing it monthly. Be finished with this book by Thanksgiving. For those of you that are going to be in Oakland for the holiday we can have a REAL book club meeting!

Happy reading to all.

BMB