Next week, BS is hosting the monthly meeting of The Bookclub. This is where women and men get together to drink wine (the post-Christmas gathering is prime timing due to holiday gifts) and eat food. Having mastered macaroni and cheese, we are moving on to a new recipe this year. Should be very exciting.
Hmm, seems like something else is happening. Ah, yes, we are supposed to talk about the book (never fear, we have done our reading). This month, we’re thinking of scaring our friends by inviting Orson Scott Card to call and join the conversation. He wrote the book; surely he can explain what he was thinking with that ending. This will catch those who “didn’t have time to read this month” off guard.
Card’s too busy, you say? Au contraire, mon frere. It is now trendy for authors to talk about their books with drunk readers*. Book tours are so last year. Authors, why leave the comfort of your home when you can make a simple phone call? And with Caller Id, you can rest assured someone will note your number and call back with future questions or just to talk.
“This is a perfect way to connect with more readers,” [John] Searles says. “Gone are the days when a publisher could take out an ad, count on a few reviews and have an author do a couple of signings. Nowadays, readers want to feel a connection with an author.”
* – That is not to suggest that all bookclubs overindulge; we are merely reminded about the time the husband returned home just as a-name-changed-to-protect-the-innocent member tossed her Manhattan on the front lawn. It turns out maraschino cherries do fly.
6 responses so far ↓
Joan Kelly // Jan 7, 2006 at 5:37 pm
I love the idea of book club members getting to talk to the writers whose work they just read, and I LOVE the idea of getting to ever be a writer whose work is selected for any book club, let alone where I should get to call in to their monthly meeting and get to talk about my writing (aka a version of me-me-me!). Like being on a talk show without the pancake makeup and unflattering camera angles. What’s not to love?
the husband // Jan 8, 2006 at 8:17 pm
And at some point the author will realize that half the book club hasn’t actually read the book, they’re just there for the wine.
For the record, there was a trail of martini olives leading up to the front door that night.
Karen // Jan 9, 2006 at 10:00 am
Orson Scott Card? What are you reading? My daughter gave me Ender’s Game for Xmas, said it was a good place to start.
Booksquare // Jan 9, 2006 at 11:05 pm
Ender’s Game. Can’t wait for you to read it. I want to talk about the ending. Really, really. Oh so much. If you’re in the ‘hood next Wednesday (bookclub was postponed a week), drop by. You’ll be fed, wined, and can possibly replace me as a learned reader.
Daughter is right, though.
squarefan // Feb 21, 2006 at 11:53 am
As a bonafide “Speaker for the Drunk,” I resemble those comments. Oh, and tell the husband that noting that half the group read the book is too kind, really, he must know it is too kind by half.
If you still want to come discuss the ending, come over and we can sit near the playground in the back growing between the giant’s toes.
Booksquare // Feb 21, 2006 at 12:05 pm
Dear Ms Squarefan (I may call you that?), the ending was duly discussed while someone was gallivanting near casinos. It was, shall we say, a highly intellectual discussion. There was wine.
The husband, of course, is protecting my intellectual credentials. Or bookclub’s. I’m never sure where his loyalties are.