Book Discussion April 17 from 7-9pm - SOCIAL CONQUEST OF EARTH by E.O. Wilson - Central Market Community Room

[Alice Aman]

Hi everyone --

We will meet next week on Wednesday, April 17th from 7-9pm at Houston Central Market in the upstairs community room to discuss the second half of THE SOCIAL CONQUEST OF EARTH by Edward O. Wilson - Sections IV, V and VI (pgs 133 - 297).  Doesn't mean we can't bring up ideas from the first part of the book so for those who missed last month, it's not too late.

Also, the format of this discussion will change somewhat from our previous discussions just to try something new.  I've spoken with David and he has agreed to START OFF the discussion with our practice of going around the room, one by one and asking attendees to say something about topics or ideas they found particularly interesting in the book. This participation is optional of course and anyone can "pass" if they choose to.  And there still can be "back and forth" discussion both during the initial "round the room" process AND afterwards (as time permits) during our standard format. So please come with an openness to trying something a little different.   

For those who have attended at least twice, ballot entries are still being accepted for our election next week. Titles must be emailed in advance to me by Sunday April 14th. 

We will be electing three books.  Current ballot which includes 5 titles as I write this email is available for your viewing at: 

http://www.houstonbookclubs.org/HoustonNonfiction/ballot/apr17-2013.html

Ballot will be updated if more additions come in on or before Sunday.

For those who are not aware of the latest from the Houston Great Books Council, hope you find the following items interesting:

A Houston Great Books tour of the Houston Fire Museum is planned for Saturday, April 27th with a discussion following at a local cafe.  RSVP is required at which time you will be emailed the reading to be discussed.  More info including information about time and location and the reading can be viewed at:

http://www.houstonbookclubs.org/HoustonGreatBooks/fireMuseumEvent.html

And also, I've received from Bill Hord, the latest newsletter (March 2013) from the Houston Great Books Council which can be downloaded at: http://www.houstonbookclubs.org/HoustonGreatBooks/GreatReading4-1March2013.pdf  Accord11ing to Bill, "This issue includes information about our re-scheduled workshop (now in May), as well as a profile of a unique group and the latest activity of our Outreach Committee."  

See you next week.

 --Alice

http://www.houstonbookclubs.org/HoustonNonfiction/ (where you can always find our reading list.)

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Upcoming Readings:

Apr 17, 2013 - THE SOCIAL CONQUEST OF EARTH by Edward O. Wilson - Sections IV, V and VI [pgs 133 - 298] - discussion wrap-up.

  Note: Election of new titles at this meeting. Ballot at: http://www.houstonbookclubs.org/HoustonNonfiction/ballot/apr17-2013.html

Apr 27, 2013 (Saturday) - Houston Great Books Council Tour and discussion at the Fire Museum. 

  More info at: http://www.houstonbookclubs.org/HoustonGreatBooks/fireMuseumEvent.html

May 15, 2013 THE SWERVE by Stephen Greenblatt -  Preface and Chapter 1 thru 5 [pgs 1 - 134]

  Also please include in your reading an article about the author at:

  http://www.houstonbookclubs.org/HoustonNonfiction/Greenblatt-NewHistoricism.pdf

June 19, 2013 THE SWERVE by Stephen Greenblatt -  Chapter 6 thru 11 [pgs 135 - 263] FINISH

July 4, 2013 (Thursday Holiday) - Houston Great Books Council 11th Annual Independence Day discussion - 

   usually a discussion of an excerpt of the Constitution but reading has not yet been confirmed for this year so please stay tuned.