I started our modest little book club as a means to motivate SF fans to pick up a book or two, share my love of reading with them, introduce them to authors they may be unfamiliar with and, whenever possible, shed the spotlight on some of the new up-and-coming talent out there. One such writer is Christopher Barzak who will be joining us in April to discuss his Nebula-nominated The Love We Share Without Knowing (You can read a little more about it here: http://christopherbarzak.wordpress.com/the-love-we-share-without-knowing/). Another is Spanish-born author Carlos J. Cortes who will be dropping by in May in support of his Philip K. Dick Award-nominated novel – and May Book of the Month Club selection:
The Prisoner, by Carlos J. Cortes
From the publisher: “2049. Earth’s prisons are shut down and all inmates placed in massive hibernation tanks. In the ten years since then, no one has broken out…until now.
When prisoners check into Washington D.C.’s maximum security “sugar cube,” they don’t check out. Here lie suspended not just the planet’s most dangerous criminals, but also half a million so-called “center inmates”—troublesome activists whose only offense is to challenge those in power.
Laurel Cole was one of those inmates—and now she’s on the run. After pulling off a meticulously executed escape plan, she and her team must elude the police by descending into the tunnels that run like poisoned veins beneath the city. Pursued by a ruthless mercenary who knows these sewers better than anyone, Laurel seeks help from a group of renegades who live huddled in the fetid darkness. But if she ever hopes to see daylight again—and expose the government’s lies—she’ll have to go even deeper. . . and the clock is ticking.”
Discussion the week of May 1oth with author Carlos J. Cortes (who also has a blog dedicated to the novel which “tracks the gestation and execution of the novel, from concept to the bookshop shelves”: http://cortes-theprisoner.blogspot.com/).
Well, with the Olympics drawing to a close, I feel it’s time to offer up my list of The Most Memorable Moments of the 2010 Vancouver Games –
The I.O.C.’s hysterical reaction to the notion of women smoking cigars, drinking beer and – horrors of horrors – celebrating their win: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/talkofthegames/2011191562__the_ioc_will_investigate.html
That damn cauldron. First, one of its four arms fails to rise during the opening ceremonies resulting in all sorts of awkwardness, then it’s fenced in like some dangerous wild animal – for our protection of course: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/oly/6878788.html
At the Olympics, dreams truly can come true. Unless, of course, you turn your cellphone off: http://www.nesn.com/2010/02/german-speed-skater-misses-chance-to-race-for-medal-because-his-phone-was-off.html
Bronze medalist Scotty Lago enjoys the Vancouver nightlife. And is subsequently sent home: http://www.tmz.com/2010/02/21/scotty-lago-olympics-apology-bronze-snowboard-photo/ Reports that the I.O.C. also sent him to bed early with out supper have yet to be confirmed.
Those ridiculous outfits. Aaaah, my eyes!!! http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/18022010/58/winter-olympics-vancouver-worst-dressed-list.html
Russian bobsledder celebrates a wipeout by the Canadian team. Then realized he was on t.v. and tried to cover. Sort of. http://deadspin.com/5480239/russian-bobsledder-a-little-too-pleased-by-canadian-wipeout
Back to work tomorrow for our final week of prep before we start production on SGU’s second season…
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