Book Discussion - Thurs Oct 4th 6pm at Freed Montrose Library - short stories by Bradbury and O'Connor

[Alice Aman]

Hi everyone --

We'll be meeting next Thursday, October 4th at 6pm at Freed Montrose
library in the downstairs conference toom to discuss two short
stories. The stories will be used by Wendy to show us ways to improve
our discussions and provide tips on how to create questions.
Attendees are asked to read in advance two stories below:
1.) THE VELDT by Ray Bradbury [8 pages] available at:
http://www.houstonbookclubs.org/Montrose/bradbury_TheVeldt.pdf
and which is also available as an audio reading by Stephen
Colbert at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSoigRHHNLM]
2.) A GOOD MAN IS HARD TO FIND by Flannery O'Connor [8 pages]
available at: http://www.houstonbookclubs.org/Montrose/oconnor_GoodMan.pdf

Those who would like to socialize are invited to join us after the
discussion at the Houston Black Lab restaurant adjacent to the library
(you don't need to move your car).

As I mentioned at our last meeting, there could be some parking
problems because the Houston Annual Greek Festival begins Thursday at
5:00pm. The garage may be used for "event parking". The garage is
not owned or managed by the library so it is difficult to know whether
our parking will be limited or not. FYI - I came a bit early last
year and didn't have any trouble finding street parking.

And while I am mentioning festivals, everyone should be aware that
the Houston Italian Festival will be held October 11th thru the 14th.
Claudia Sims, a member of our book group is affiliated with this
event and would love for anyone who is interested to attend - More
info about events and tickets at:
http://www.houstonitalianfestival.com.

Hope to see you next week.

--Alice

===================================================

Oct 4 - Discussion and Leadership Improvement Mini-Workshop by Wendy
[yes, the Wendy who is a member of our group!]
In her words: "I like the word 'improvement' more than 'training'
because our group already does a very good job at discussion.
Basically I'll just do one session on improving discussion and one
session on how to create questions. Then we can spend any extra time
on talking about the stories."
Stories to include:
1.) THE VELDT by Ray Bradbury [8 pages] on line at:
http://www.houstonbookclubs.org/Montrose/bradbury_TheVeldt.pdf
and which is also available as a reading by
Stephen Colbert at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSoigRHHNLM]
2.) A GOOD MAN IS HARD TO FIND by Flannery O'Connor [8 pages] at:
http://www.houstonbookclubs.org/Montrose/oconnor_GoodMan.pdf
--Wendy leading discussion

Nov 1 - THE END OF THE AFFAIR by Graham Greene [publ 1951] 237 pages
Acclaimed by William Faulkner as "for me one of the best, most true
and moving novels of my time, in anybody's language."
Set in London during and just after World War II, the story of a woman
lost between two men, a husband and a lover, told from the lover's
point of view. The plot is dramatic, the characters unwittingly and
wittingly involved in one of the most common human stories beautifully
and compellingly told. Graham Greene's own affair with Lady Catherine
Walston played into the basis for this novel.
--Will leading discussion

Dec 6 - CAT'S CRADLE: A NOVEL by Kurt Vonnegut [publ 1963] 304 pages
Explores issues of science, technology, and religion, satirizing the
arms race and many other targets along the way. Chilling "end of the
world" classic.
--Alice leading discussion
[Note: election at this meeting - ongoing ballot at:
http://www.houstonbookclubs.org/Montrose/ballots/dec6-2012.html]

Jan 3 - NO MEETING THIS MONTH! [holiday week]
This gives us time to start reading next month's LONG book early!

Feb 7 - ALL THE KING'S MEN by Robert Penn Warren [publ 1946] 600 pages
Pulitzer Prize winner. Rated the 36th greatest novel of the 20th
century by Modern Library and one of 100 best novels since 1923 by
TIME magazine. Pronounced by Sinclair Lewis as "one of our few
national galleries of character."
Story traces career of a demagogue - loosely based on Governor Huey
"Kingfish" Long of Louisiana. An idealistic man of the people soon
becomes corrupted by success and is caught between dreams of service
and an insatiable lust for power.
[LONG BOOK CATEGORY - have more time to read if you use extra time from January]
--Marcella leading discussion

Mar 7 - NEUROMANCER by William Gibson [publ 1984] 288 pages
First winner of the science-fiction "triple crown": the Nebula Award,
the Philip K. Dick Award, and the Hugo Award.
The novel tells the story of a washed-up computer hacker hired by a
mysterious employer to pull off the ultimate hack.
--Wendy leading discussion