We are seven handsome and charming* guys who meet at a different restaurant every month or so, having read a book in common, and discuss whatever we want--generally the assigned book, but usually many other timely topics as well. We rotate the responsibility to suggest titles, but the group has the final say. Our book club rules: 1) Anything goes, fiction or nonfiction; 2) paperbacks are preferred; and 3) staying under 300 pages is desirable (N.B., we violate this one all the time). We rate all books and restaurants on a 5-point scale.

* All other adjectives were vetoed.

August 15, 2006

Red Azalea by Anchee Min (The View)

Anchee Min's Red Azalea, a personal account of life in the waning days of Mao's China, got pretty high marks for insights into totalitarian societies. Some thought it dragged a bit near the middle or end (particularly in its focus on the author's various relationships), and some were disappointed that it didn't connect very well the author's personal experience with the larger political/social upheavals that were wracking China in the 1970s. But overall, the group judged it a darn good book. Krista Tippet's MPR interview with the author is also worth listening to. The View didn't fare as well as the book, getting a well-below average score from the group (the halibut disappointed). Next book: Edward O. Wilson's Future of Life. Next picker: Bill. Save the date: Thursday, September 14. Other books considered but not chosen: Michael Pollan's Botany of Life and Jonathan Weiner's Beak of the Finch (which Roger particularly likes).
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