Stream of Consciousness after a Fever Dream

Meant to follow up late last week but I was still licking my wounds after our meeting and then I was in Atlanta over the weekend for my daughter's college graduation. Thanks again for the lively debate over Fever Dream.  We had several new participants as well as a few return visitors after extended absences. Great to have everyone there!  It was one of our larger groups, but I thought the discussion flowed pretty freely given the divided views on the book. I'm glad we read it!

Our next meeting will be on Wednesday, June 20th.  We'll be reading Gringos by Charles Portis, one of my all-time favorite authors and books.  I hope you can make it.

If you remember, at the meeting there was some extended conversation about a New Yorker piece that featured a selection of diary entries from George Saunders on his development as a writer. As promised, I'm passing on a link to My Writing Education: A Time Line.  Incidentally, Saunders's mentor, Tobias Wolff, is mentioned frequently throughout the article.  I recently found a copy of Wolff's memoir, This Boy's Life in our Used Book Cellar.  I highly recommend it.  It could be a future Book Group selection.

While I'm on the topic of notable recent reads, The New Yorker had a terrific article  on Rachel Kushner, here writing style, and her phenomenal new book The Mars Room.  You'll remember we read (and liked) The Flamethrowers a few years back. This is better.

Lastly, we are very excited to host Dave Eggers (Hologram for the King) on last minute's notice at the store next Wednesday, May 23rd for a pop-up book signing and meet-and-greet from 12 noon until 1:30pm.  I've met Dave several times, he's relaxed and very down to earth.  He wants to come in, hang out, and talk books in a casual, informal setting. If you can find some time to get there, I think it's well worth the effort.  (At the very least, you can explain the reason for your vote :) ) It would also help the Wellesley Books profile and our ability to continue to bring in big name authors for events.  A few years back, several of you stopped in to meet Rachel Kushner in a similar manner when she came by the store on short notice during her tour for The Flamethrowers.  I hope some of you can find the time to get there next week.

As always, I look forward to hearing from you all and hope you can make the meeting in June.

George and Paula in the early years