APRIL BOOK

We've selected the short story collection Antarctica by Irish author Claire Keegan (link) for our April meeting and discussion.  Keegan's impressive debut was followed by several prize-winning books, including Small Things Like These which was adapted for film just last year.  It's Tuesday, April 8 at our regular Zawa Restaurant location (link) for all those interested in an evening of fine food, beverages and booktalk.  Opening kickoff at 7pm as usual.  The patio may even be a possibility if the spring weather continues to improve.

First published in 1999 and proclaimed "an impressive debut" by William Trevor, Antarctica introduced the world to Claire Keegan, whose short fiction has since captured readers worldwide and established her as "among the form's most masterful practitioners" (New York Times). Now with a revised titular story, this iridescent first collection of stories draws readers into a world of obsession and betrayal in Keegan's singular, commanding and award-winning prose.

MARCH BOOK

 Our book for March is The Big Sleep (wikilink), by Raymond Chandler, considered by many to be the doyen of hard-boiled detective/noir fiction.  The novel was filmed twice, first with Humphrey Bogart in the starring role followed by Robert Mitchum.  Join the bantering bookworms for another lively evening on Tuesday, March 11 at our Zawa (link) meeting spot.  Festivities commence at 7pm as per usual.  Newcomers always welcome.

A dying millionaire hires private eye Philip Marlowe to handle the blackmailer of one of his two troublesome daughters, and Marlowe finds himself involved with more than extortion. Kidnapping, pornography, seduction, and murder are just a few of the complications he gets caught up in.

FEBRUARY BOOK

 We'll lighten things up in February with our selection of War With the Newts (wikilink), a classic science fiction satire by the Czech author Karel Čapek.  The second Tuesday falls on February 11 this time around.  Join the burgeoning bevy of bibliophiles at Zawa (link) at our usual 7pm start time.  Everyone welcome as always.

War with the Newts (1936) is Karel Capek's darkly humorous satire of humanity, its foibles, pretensions and hubris. Captain van Toch discovers a colony of newts in Sumatra which can not only be taught to trade and use tools, but also to speak. As the rest of the world learns of the creatures and their wonderful capabilities, it is clear that this new species is ripe for exploitation - they can be traded in their thousands, will do the work no human wants to do, and can fight - but the humans have given no thought to the terrible consequences of their actions.

JANUARY BOOK

 And so another new year will soon be upon us, and we'll ring it in with our January selection of After the Quake (link), a collection of short stories by Japanese author Haruki Murakami.  Join the post-holiday frivolity on Tuesday evening of January 14 at our regular Zawa Restaurant location (at Commercial & Venables; Zawa).  It's a 7pm start time and all are welcome as always.  In the meantime, Ritual Solstice Greetings to everyone and best wishes this festive season.

The six stories in Haruki Murakami's mesmerizing collection are set at the time of the catastrophic 1995 Kobe earthquake, when Japan became brutally aware of the fragility of its daily existence. But the upheavals that afflict Murakami's characters are even deeper and more mysterious, emanating from a place where the human meets the inhuman.  As haunting as dreams, as potent as oracles, the stories in" After the Quake are further proof that Murakami is one of the most visionary writers at work today.

DECEMBER BOOK

Our book for December is The Yiddish Policemen's Union (link) by American author Michael Chabon.  This complex alternate history novel won both the Hugo and Nebula awards.  The second Tuesday of the month lands on December 10th this time around. The status remains quo for our location, Zawa Restaurant at Commercial & Venables (Zawa), as well as our start time (7pm).  As usual, all are welcome to join in for some pre-holiday book banter accompanied by feasting and libations.

For sixty years Jewish refugees and their descendants have prospered in the Federal District of Sitka, a "temporary" safe haven created in the wake of the Holocaust and the shocking 1948 collapse of the fledgling state of Israel. The Jews of the Sitka District have created their own little world in the Alaskan panhandle, a vibrant and complex frontier city that moves to the music of Yiddish. But now the District is set to revert to Alaskan control, and their dream is coming to an end.

NOVEMBER BOOK

November's selection is the extraordinary memoir Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup (link).  The second Tuesday of the month falls on November 12th and we hope to see one and all at our usual Zawa's location (Zawa) at the regular 7pm start time.  Plus ones welcome.

Twelve Years a Slave is a landmark work, not just for its historical significance but for its enduring relevance. Northup's eloquent prose and vivid descriptions offer a stark portrayal of a dark chapter in American history, challenging readers to confront the painful truths of the past while inspiring a commitment to justice and equality. This memoir stands as a poignant and unforgettable exploration of the resilience of the human spirit in the pursuit of freedom.

OCTOBER BOOK

Our book for October is The Lover by French author Marguerite Duras (link).  We're back to our regular second Tuesday of the month schedule, which means we'll be meeting at 7pm on the evening of October 8th at our usual Zawa's home (Zawa) but it looks like patio season is over.  All carbon-based bipeds welcome.

A sensational international bestseller, and winner of France's coveted Prix Goncourt, 'The Lover' is an unforgettable portrayal of the incandescent relationship between two lovers, and of the hate that slowly tears the girl's family apart. Saigon,1930s: a poor young French girl meets the elegant son of a wealthy Chinese family. Soon they are lovers, locked into a private world of passion and intensity that defies all the conventions of their society. A sensational international bestseller, 'The Lover' is disturbing, erotic, masterly. Here is an unforgettable portrayal of the incandescent relationship between the lovers, and of the hate that slowly tears the girl's family apart.