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Alternate History
Alternate history is a popular sub genre of science fiction. At some point in the universe in which a novel is set history has diverged from ours. This event then creates a world that, because of its difference from ours, allows the author to explore unique and often inspired alternatives.
Hip-Hop Literature
Writing about the street life is nothing new. Donald Goines set the stage for writing from the African American perspective about the hardship and pain of living life on the inner city streets. Now some thirty years later a new generation of writers are delighting readers as they put pen to paper and weave fascinating stories about life on the gritty streets in places like New York, Miami, Charlotte and Cleveland. This new genre called hip hop, urban fiction or street lit has awaken a new, younger generation of readers giving them the opportunity to identify with the larger than life characters they read about. So if you find yourself bored with the romances, and mysteries and science fiction or just want to try something new….consider something new and fresh. Try out some of these hip-hop favorites.
Wisdom of the East
This month Reader’s Club presents reviews of books that feature Eastern philosophy. Please join us … there is much to learn from the Wisdom of the East.
Recommended Books:
View this month’s featured booklists and reviews
John Hope Franklin, Professor Emeritus of History, Duke University, reviews The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. Dubois
The Souls of Black Folk by W. E. B. Du Bois was published one hundred years ago! I first read it more than seventy years ago and now I read at least portions of it each year. There is something in it for most readers, most of the time. I especially like his essays "Of Our Spiritual Stirrings", "Of the Meaning of Progress", and "Of the Faith of Our Fathers." He closes with "Hear My Cry, O God the Reader, vouchsafe that this my book fall not still-born into the world-wilderness." It did not!
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Laurie R. King is the author of The Game. This native San Franciscan was a voracious library-lover as a child, and in her later years simultaneously raised children, traveled the world, did some construction work and somehow still found time to earn her B.A. in comparative religion, and her M.A. in Old Testament Theology. Her initial books, The Beekeeper’s Apprentice and The Game were instant blockbusters, and introduced her readers to the unusual relationship between Sherlock Holmes (yes, that Sherlock!) and her indomitable character, Mary Russell. Following these successes, she introduced homicide inspector Kate Martinelli in a new series of crime novels, where she takes on some of the worst of San Francisco’s criminal element. In addition to these popular crime novels, Ms. King wrote a very futuristic novel, Califia’s Daughters and even some short stories among other independent titles of distinction. Winning both the Creasy and Edgar awards for her excellence in writing, Ms. King now serenely lives in the hills and valleys of her beloved northern California with her husband of many years, a retired professor of religious studies and her family.
Read our Laurie R. King Interview
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This month Reader’s Club salutes Jim, who works at Main Library, by far the most prolific reviewer in Reader's Club history. Since 1999 he has written over 170 reviews! We asked Jim about his reading tastes, and here's what he had to say: "My all-time favorite book: Huck Finn beats out Tin Drum by the narrowest possible margin. Twain is the all-time master of American literature. The scene in which Huck decides that he'll risk eternity in hell to help Jim escape is worth the price of admission all by itself - and there is so much more. It is a timeless examination of the American psyche in all its various guises." Jim also told us, "Though I love non-fiction, all my favorites (and there are really too many of them) are fiction. Fiction educates the heart as well as the mind." Jim's advice on writing reviews? "Write reviews about books that have some central point, action, moral or character that jumps off the page for you and moves you in some way - build your review around that, and it will flow." Thanks, Jim, for your many wonderful reviews - they're very much appreciated!
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