Announcing the book club read for March...and April?

I have decided to go with Poison Study, based on numerous recommendations. Starting with book #1, I will likely try to complete the series via audiobook while becoming increasingly familiar with every bump and swerve on I-15 between Salt Lake City and Provo.

So is Poison Study okay? ...okay?....kay?...ay....

Ah, the echoes of cosmic web obscurity.

If I were to ever become a manager in a business setting (which I never would because I hate telling people what to do) I would probably be one of those people that needs the input of at least 3 different people before making a decision.

This whole choosing-my-own-book-for-the-book-club business is anxiety-inducing.

In light of that confession, it's never too early to decide on April's book!  What do you think about:

• The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
• Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
• Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John LeCarre
• The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

Let me know!

As always, feel free to suggest other books you're interested in or if you happen to be a member of another book club and you want to consolidate your monthly assignments into 1! (Like I said, I'm a bit of a push-over.)

The Life of Pi adventure continues

I have to issue a small warning about Life of Pi: Don't read this book while you're eating - especially if you've reached the part where Pi is at sea.

Unless, of course, you do not find the animal habits of eating, killing, or other bodily functioning unsettling. Because I do find them a little bit disagreeable when I am eyeing the food that I am about to bring to my mouth.

I know it seems like it takes a while for Life of Pi to get going. The first several chapters give beautiful descriptions of Pi's life and family and religious curiosities, but it kind of leads us to ask "so what?"

Once you come to the "inciting event" where Pi suddenly finds himself at sea with no one but a bunch of wild animals, you realize that all of those explanations were prepping you for this phase. Suddenly, the descriptions of animal mentality and interactions are super relevant to Pi's survival.

I do actually find this story interesting and sort of hair-raising (yes, even though there is no romance or magic). Yann Martel is a good describer of scenes and emotions. The way Pi describes being thirsty, for instance... didn't you suddenly start absolutely craving water? I did.

Being about halfway or so through the novel, what do you think? Almost at the end yet?

No, I don't think I'll be done by the end of February, either. ;) Though I am much closer now that I am listening to it every day during my commute.

What other descriptions or emotions stood out for you?

I also thought the description of the hyena was pretty vivid, even if it did give you a sense of abhorrence for the creature. There's more, but I can't think of them right now.

The reason I talk about the descriptions is because I suspect that they may be what I remember most about my experience with Yann Martel and the narrative voice. The insightful descriptions. He has a pretty distinct voice.

What stands out to you most, or what do you appreciate, about the narrative voice?

Book clubbing is for discussion, after all!

A book recommendation from my dentist...

My dentist in South Jordan recommended a book to me today, once he learned that I am an English major and a Book Hugger. (I just feel like my invented term should be capitalized for some reason.)

I love my dentist. Too weird to be a credible statement? Then I'll put it this way: I love that my dentist is also an avid reader and actually asked me for the web address to my magical book club!

He recommended a book that "we" (notice how I assume that this blog is not a one-man show) have already been considering: Poison Study. Apparently it is a series worth reading! I will officially submit my vote for March's read: Poison Study, including book 1 or the entire series, whichever you prefer.

Of course I'll still factor in everyone's votes. Everyone who does vote. (Wink wink.)

Otherwise I will probably save The Thirteenth Tale or another choice for April. I've also been recommended Unbroken and I do love to follow-up on recommendations.

I'm using the word "love" a lot today and I'm guessing it's the lingering after-effects of Valentine's Day yesterday. (Thanks for asking - my day was lovely.)

Sorry to put off discussing Life of Pi for another week, but I have not had much chance to sit and read lately. We're all human, right? The good news is that my audiobook is reserved for me at the library and I'm picking it up today so that I can start listening during my long commute! Yay!

If you have any interesting thoughts or questions about Life of Pi you want to discuss, let me know. There's plenty of February left. And I...love...discussing literature and analyzing! (Must be an English major thing.)

Hope everyone had a Happy Valentine's Day!

Have you started reading "Life of Pi"?

I have. And so far Life of Pi by Yann Martel is rather slow-going. But that's okay, because I've talked to others who have read it and they say that it picks up.

So hang in there with me.

You may want to keep this interesting tidbit in mind:
Apparently, the story is not as true as it would lead you to believe. Even the "author's note" at the beginning is all part of the overlaying narrative. However, this should not be a deterrent from appreciating the adventure.

(I could go into an abysmal exploration of how the different layers of narrative affect the story experience - I wrote an interesting paper about narrative voice in college. Interestingly enough, that paper was about Ian McEwan's Atonement. I will forbear torturing you with geeky analysis, for now.)

I am still very near the beginning, but I have already found a few passages that I just love.

As a writer, I like to pick apart how other authors build their story and their characters. For instance, chapter 3's primary focus seems to characterize the man called Mamaji by the narrator. Yet, we also get a few quirky little nuggets that teach us about Pi's family and himself.

For instance, I am inclined to think Pi's father is a comical character. Pi says, "It was the talk that Father loved. The more vigorously he resisted actually swimming, the more he fancied it" (chapter 3, page 10). Does this sound like someone you know?

And in chapter 4, when Pi describes his father's zoo.... what a wonderful description! He not only gave me an original perspective on zoo animals, he made me appreciate the sensory experience.

And I am not just referring to what is probably a pungent smell.

Pi pummels us over the head with detail after detail. We get colors, sounds, and exotic animals listed with almost a feverish excitement. You can almost picture Pi waving his arms as he is describing the zoo to you and becoming more and more excited - trying to convey all the wonderful and intriguing details.

The abundance of imagery in words represents the abundance of sensory experience in person. Doesn't it make you feel like you are there, looking around you in wonder as fast as you can, trying to take in as much of the zoo as you can? It's almost overwhelming. It reminds me of how a child might feel upon entering Disneyland for the first time.

I told you I haven't gotten very far. How is it going for you?

Don't get tired of the book club yet!

I promise to maintain this most magical book club blog - I could not stand for the book club to fall off into oblivion - since I recently went back to working full-time. I did the freelance article writing thing for a while and it was great for the experience, but not a permanent thing.

To the fortuitous fulfillment of my career hopes, I am now a full-time, salary copywriter at a marketing firm for fitness and beauty products. I know - it's SO me.

Anyway, I am now making a 45-minute commute to work (90 minutes total each day) and I might just be listening to our February read, Life of Pi, instead of reading it. I've got the hard copy at home until I can get an audio version for my i-pod.

It got me wondering - How do you prefer to read your books? I'm usually all for holding a book in my hands. I love the smell of bound paper, the feel of a book in my lap, the excitement of flipping pages... but that's me - The Book Hugger Forever. Feel free to answer the poll (above left).

Don't worry - I will still drive safely while listening to books in my car. I'm a fabulous multitasker.

It's already February 2 and we have a shorter reading month than usual, but I do believe we can manage. It is Leap Year after all.

Oh, and, I thought I would throw out some book club ideas for March, just so I can update my lovely book club images at the top of the page. How about:

• The Thirteenth Tale
• Poison Study

 ...for starters? As always, feel free to suggest books that you'd like to read or discuss.

Happy reading with Life of Pi!