Book Buzz TONIGHT! Let’s start thinking about zombies.

So, in just a few hours I’ll be meeting up with some awesome readers at House of the Dead to discuss Feed, the first book in the Newsflesh Trilogy by Mira Grant.  I’m so excited to talk to people about this book!  Are you coming?  If so, here are some things I’m looking forward to discussing:

Was the future depicted in Feed realistic? Why or why not?

How did the infection affect how people access and interpret the news? Do you think the media outlets of 2040?

Georgia, Georgette, Shaun, “Irwins,” even using the term “zombie” to refer to the infected — what do you think of the use of current zombie lore being used in Feed?  Did it make things more realistic, or pull you out of the story?

Who was your favorite or least favorite character? What did you think about the relationships between the characters?

While Feed is a zombie novel, there is a lot more to it — do you think Grant is trying to make any statements about current culture?  What themes do you notice in the book?

The ending of Feed is…a little bit of a cliffhanger.  Are you excited to read the sequel?

(Oh, BTW — Geek Pittsburgh interviewed me about this book discussion! Read the article here.)

Not dead yet,

Karen

Get Your Coffee Buzz On

Sitting in a coffee shop with coconut macaroon cookies, cup of coffee (or tea or mocha or americano…), and a good book with people does sound like a great time, right? Luckily, we of CLP-Brookline found some like-minded comrades in our quest for alternative reading this past Thursday at the local favorite, Cannon Coffee, as well deciding on our first two reads!

This book will blow your mind.

First up, by an unanimous vote, the just-got-to-know-ya book group have selected our April book to be Fun Home by Alison Bechdel, an eye-opening graphic novel memoir about a young girl’s complex relationship with her father growing up while having to help out with the family business of running a (fun)eral home. She discovers things about her father she never knew until after his death, and strangely enough, she develops a stronger connection to him than ever before.

Do you enjoy graphic novels? Then you will love this.

Never read a graphic novel before? This is worth the chance. You should take it.

Heck, already read this a million times? You should probably come.

This book will also make you question everything you have ever done.

If this isn’t enough to sway you, our May book will be Downtown Owl (and on CD, how delightful!), written by Chuck Klosterman. While Chuck is usually the guy behind heavily intricate essays on pop culture and the what-of-it notion of understanding, this is his first fiction novel. Set in a fictional town of 1983 Middle America, he spins a story of several characters who eventually become intertwined due to a historically accurate snowstorm that led to a few deaths. While this is not a graphic novel, you will still become immersed with his affectionate irony and modern humor.

The next meeting for Brookline Book Buzz is scheduled for April 25th at 6 PM at Cannon Coffee, the hippest coffee shop off the I-79 corridor. Coffee is produced by Commonplace Coffee Co., and let me just throw this out there: They have a sweet outdoor patio in the back. Don’t you want to sit outside in warm weather, drinking your iced coffee, and talking about awesome books? I know you do.

The sweetness that awaits you

Book Buzz: South Side

Seriously, if there was ever the audience for a book club that meets in bars and coffee shops, wouldn’t you think it’s the South Side of Pittsburgh? It’s sort of a no-brainer. That’s why Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh- South Side is so excited to be part of Book Buzz!

Our first meeting will be Tuesday, March 26 at 6pm. We will be meeting at the OTB Bicycle Cafe, 2518 East Carson Street, 15203.

I am almost finished with the March book: Ready Player One by Ernest Cline and I am dying to talk to someone about it. You should join me and put me out of my misery. Don’t want to read the book? Listen to on MP3 or download the audio book (narrated by Wil Wheaton. Meee-ow.)

If I can’t tempt you with excellent reading material and/or my sparkling personality, let me also add that Tuesday night at the OTB is ONE DOLLAR TACO NIGHT.

No one should have to eat tacos alone.

-suzy

The Buzz reaches Brookline!

Greetings and salutations.

It’s happening!  Book Buzz will be coming to Brookline for your entertainment and enlightenment.  These particular Book Buzz meetups will be taking place at local business and community hot spot extraordinaire Cannon Coffee on the fourth Thursday of every month at 6 pm.

Our first meeting will be March 28 and we’ll be chatting, getting familiar, and selecting our first quirky, heterodox read.  Our books will be based on readers’ choice, as long they’re strange, uncommon and, yes… mind blowing.

{{heterodox}}

1619, from Gk. heterodoxos, from heteros “the other” + doxa “opinion.”

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Book Buzz: Pairings

So, “early next week” became “early two weeks from now…”  Sorry, folks.  However, I’ve got dates, I’ve got times, I’ve got titles…here’s what’s we’re going to be buzzing about in Lawrenceville this spring.

Each month we’ll meet twice to discuss two related titles: an old favorite and something a little more off-beat. Everyone’s welcome to come to one discussion – or the other – or both! Copies of each month’s titles will be available for check-out at CLP – Lawrenceville.

(Click on the dates to register!)

Pairing One: Cooks and Cooking

Child, Julia.  My Life in France
March 11, 2013 ** 7pm
CLP – Lawrenceville, 279 Fisk St.

The captivating story of Julia Child’s years in France, where she fell in love with French food and found “her true calling.”

Powell, Julia. Cleaving
March 25, 2013 ** 7pm
Perk Me Up Coffeehouse, 4407 Butler St.

This follow-up to Julie and Julia moves beyond French cooking and into butchery and heartbreak.

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Pairing Two: Dead or Alive?

Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein
April 8, 2013 ** 7pm
CLP – Lawrenceville, 279 Fisk St.

Scientist Victor Frankenstein creates a large and powerful creature in the likeness of man, but is disgusted by his own creation and he abandons the being to fend for itself.

Grant, Mira. Feed.
April 22, 2013 ** 7pm
House of the Dead, 4110 Butler St.

Twenty years after the zombie rising, bloggers Shaun and Georgia Mason are chasing stories that may not only change the face of American politics but also reveal the truth behind the infected.

**Books will also be available for purchase at the store.**

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Pairing Three: A Woman’s World?

Atwood, Margaret. The Handmaid’s Tale
May 13, 2013 ** 7pm
CLP – Lawrenceville, 279 Fisk St.

Offred is a Handmaid in the Republic of Gilead, once the United States, an oppressive world where women are no longer allowed to read and are valued only as long as they are viable for reproduction.

Jordan, Hillary. When She Woke.
June 3, 2013 ** 7pm
Church Brew Works, 3521 Liberty Ave.

In the near future, prisoners are genetically modified, not imprisoned. Hannah is a Red: for having an abortion, she has been forever marked as the most heinous type of criminal.  Her road to redemption and to safety forces her to question everything she’s ever believed.

** Please note special date.  Discussion will be held in beer garden, weather permitting. **

Spring 2013: It’s On!

Have you been waiting with bated breath to hear about the future of Book Buzz?  Well, I have good news for you: Book Buzz WILL continue this spring! Once the weather breaks, we’ll be meeting in more neighborhoods and partnering with more awesome local businesses, to talk about even more awesome books.  Some of the plans are still a little nebulous, but here’s what we know so far:

CLP – Lawrenceville will be hosting Book Buzz: Book Pairings.  Much like fine wines and great food, some books just fit together naturally.  Each month we’ll discuss a classic title at our 115-year-old classic Library.  Then, two weeks later, we’ll discuss a related but more contemporary book.  I’ll be revealing the dates, titles and locations early next week, so stay tuned for more info!

CLP – South Side is jumping on the Book Buzz wagon.  The estimable Suzy Waldo will be bringing a group together for Happy Hour at some of her favorite watering holes to discuss some amazing titles. She told me what they are yesterday, but I’ll let her post them here herself.  Be prepared to be amazed!

CLP – Squirrel Hill is already doing a great genre book club, and they’ll be talking about a couple of my favorite titles this winter and spring. If you need something to tide you over until March, check out their discussion of Going Bovine on February 20th.  But, they’ll also be joining us in Book Buzzing soon!  Hoorah!

CLP – East Liberty will be holding a monthly book discussion, and CLP – Mt. Washington and CLP – Beechview are currently planning quarterly discussion out on the other side of the rivers.  Stay tuned for more information about those programs, too.

Aaaaand…drum roll please…Book Buzz is moving BEYOND book discussions.  For 2013 we’re looking at Bad Craft Nights (because crafts aren’t just for the crafty) and, if we can pull it off, an epic Book Speed Dating Night sometime in the fall.

What do you think? Yinz excited?

LOCATION CHANGE!

Tonight, 12/18/2012, we will be discussing Sister Souljah’s classic street lit title, “Coldest Winter Ever.”  The location for this discussion has changed.  Meet us at the CLP Pop-Up in Allentown, 1206 Arlington Ave.