IN THE CITY // Red:books
I thought I would switch it up a bit and talk about something a little closer to home, something that I with my lovely partner in crime, Charis run - book club. I'm really excited about the next 6 months and the next 6 books we're about to read for Red:Books.
Charis Wylie and I painstakingly chose books over coffee and yogurt while lounging on my couch last week. We aimed for an eclectic group of books. Ones that you should have read in grade school. Ones that people pretend to have read but ‘ages ago so I don’t remember all the details’, classics, a modern classic, some local crime fiction to satisfy the sleuth in all of us. We’ve thrown in a well loved children’s book for those who are young at heart, as well as a graphic novel in hopes of capturing a geek or two.
Our intention was to have something for everyone. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, February’s book, speaks to both the romantic with it’s classic tale of girl meets boy, as well as the bitter cynic with the, well, zombies. I’ve started reading it, and it actually seems really natural and normal to have zombies roaming around in the 1800’s.
We’ve already read a Colin Bateman book, but seeing as March holds St Patrick’s day we thought we would pay tribute to one of our own. Divorcing Jack one of his first novels, has everything a great crime novel should - murder, mystery, and scandal!
Forging onward to spring time, we chose a modern classic that only high school boys seem to read and love… Hunter S Thompson with Fear and Loathing in Los Vegas. I’ve always wanted to read this, but never got around to it. A drugged up commentary on the American dream - great!
Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest made the list. We wanted to introduce either some poetry or a short story, and opted for a play. If we get a good turn out of ambitious people we may even act it out! Kidding. Mostly.
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance the review in the Guardian was great, and it’s been around since the 70’s, it’s stood the test of time, so it must be good!
Mrs.Frisby and the Rats of NIMH brings us to the end of term, so we’ll give everyone a break with a children’s book. I read this when I was a little girl, well my dad read it, and he thoroughly enjoyed it.
Into the Wild was made into a movie a few years ago, and the soundtrack was written and performed by one of my top 3 favorite musicians, Eddie Vedder. One mans journey through the wild to find himself, or to escape the world. Which is it, you’ll have to come and discuss.
If you didn’t read Brave New World in school., you should have. Maybe it’s not mandatory in NI, but it is in Canada. So, now’s your chance!
This was actually Charis’s suggestion and I think it was a bold move. I’m really looking forward to reading V for Vendetta. So for those of you with an inner geek, or outer, whatever, I hope you’ll come and join us for this one.
Already we’re back to Autumn, man alive, and in remembrance of those who gave their lives for our freedom, we’re reading Unbroken - A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption
Lastly, for December in keeping with the themes, we’re reading Winter’s Taleby Mark Helprin. Filled with love, and death, New York City, and an Irish burglar, it is sure to be the perfect novel to curl up cozy with.
I am really quite pleased with our book selection. I hope I’ve sparked some interest. Even if you aren’t a book person come along to any of them you deem interesting or suggest it to someone you know. Book clubs are a great place to start community, and meet people you normally otherwise wouldn’t.
IN THE CITY is a weekly article written by
Leah Gallant that looks at city life, culture,
music and events in Belfast.
Tags: Belfast, Community, groups, IN THE CITY
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Caption: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
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