The Final Reckoning

Be sure to vote for the April book -- scroll down a couple entries. That poll will close in a day or two.

I had to share.

It's one of his favorite books. He mostly likes to say what he thinks is the title, then open it up and flip through the pages a lot. He also likes to go back to the cover many times. I think it's because he's developing a thesis about the art.

Planning ahead

Poll over!

Sendak's Opera ready to go -

Sendak reads from Brundibar (NYTimes).

Did anyone read it? I'd love to see the opera.

Early Bird

Hmmm.

I really enjoyed Will Weaver's writing, and I found Paul to be a very fully realized character whose journey is compelling. Yet this book sits uneasily with me, and I know it's because a thread of faith runs through it that I don't share. Is it possible that I cannot read a book suffused with religious belief without becoming uncomfortable? Is it because it's a contemporary book that I otherwise identify with in many ways? I am saddened by my difficulty with this book, and I think it comes from external sources. I feel uncomfortable with the direction religious conservatism is taking this country at the moment, and that's filtering through to my experience with "Full Service," which I don't think would have made me so uneasy if I'd read it several years ago. It's the same feeling I get when I see the American flag on bumperstickers -- it's a symbol that's become corrupted and that I can't perceive on its own terms anymore, at least not without some difficulty.

More soon. Would love to hear from religious book club members.

Edited to add: Honestly, I liked this book so much, especially because at first it seemed like it wasn't going anywhere, and I adored how specific and detailed Paul's observations of people and cars and things were, even when (in the case of mechanics and car parts) I couldn't visualize what he was saying. I was very impressed with how restrained and yet rich the writing was. And yet, at the end, I found myself just -- I don't know, hoping he would come to a different conclusion. I don't know why. I think it says much more about me than about the book, which is very intelligent and interesting. Stupid Reader Response experience.

For the few

As far as I know, only three people read Black Hole. I debated not doing a poll, but I want to see how it comes out.

Interview with Charles Burns

Bookslut posted this link. Thoughts? I'm still looking forward to hearing from our newest members. :-)