It's been six months since we started having a regular book review on Saturday evenings.
That first week focused on science fiction and that's the genre that's gotten more attention than any other in this slot (after all, SEGO does stand for "Saturday Evening Geek Out"), but we've also had nights devoted to fantasy, military, sea stories, westerns, horror, mysteries, and romance.
We've been fortunate to have the participation of many of the Daily Kos editors. If you look back through the weeks, you'll see that the highest level of participation has often been for "issues" that I didn't write. I'm not surprised by that. Far too many of my entries boil down to some literary figure who has crossed my path by happenstance (hey did you know that I've shared a meal with John Crowley, gone to a party with Neil Gaiman, shouted across a table with Harlan Ellison, sat for two hours next to Ray Bradbury, and terrified Peter Straub in an elevator? -- it's likely that you do, because by now I've bored you with those stories in some edition of Saturday Evening Filler Material). Not only has the bulk of these pieces too often been filled with my miscellany remembrances, the selection of books for the evening has been as haphazard as something that happened to be lying within twenty feet of my desk, for which I could quickly gen up a framing tale. And really, you deserve better than that.
So, now that we have a few dozen of these things behind us, it's time to get a bit more professional about them. (I'd say "starting now," but this evening is clearly excluded from "professional").
Book Reviews
Rather than just dredging up a few of my favorites, I'm going to be looking for new books -- books that you'll likely to be able to find on your local shelves without overturning dusty piles at a used book store. I'm hoping to rope others into continuing their contributions, so the number of reviews should stay fixed at around the number it has been -- around four books a week.
I'm also looking to all our Kossacks for ideas of books deserving of review. Either in comments or via email, tell me those books that you think deserve wider attention. Mystery or mainstream, best seller or sadly obscure, young adult or triple X, all genres accepted equally. There's only one rule -- try to avoid political nonfiction. Those books are likely to get their coverage in other areas. Preference in this time slot goes to novels and short story collections (though books of poetry will also be looked over -- and the themes of them completely missed, as I really am the dullest clod on Earth).
Film Reviews
Back when I actually thought I could make a living writing, the first thing I did was indulge myself in a year of film school (don't worry, I didn't meet anyone at all whose name you'd recognize) and I'd very much like to see more regular reviews of films. We've done a few of these, but only a few. Expect that to change in the future as I'm asking you to note films you've enjoyed, both those in the theaters and being distributed for home viewing.
Book Club
This is a biggee -- once a month we're going to all read a book together. This may be a new book, or one that's been around for awhile (though if you're making suggestions, it should be one that's readily available in both libraries and book stores). And one Saturday evening each month we'll focus discussion on that book.
I realize that there are already some groups doing book clubs on Daily Kos. I'll make a deal with you -- if you'll read my selection, I'll read yours and participate in your discussion when it comes around. Good enough?
The selection for the Daily Kos Saturday Evening Book Club is...
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer.
Into the Wild tells the story of Christopher McCandless, who disappeared only weeks after his graduation from college. A few months later, McCandless' body was found in Alaska. On first blush, the story of Chris McCandless appeared to be nothing but an eye-rolling example of a greenhorn who wandered into the woods unprepared. But Krakauer's examination of McCandless' papers reveals a moving portrait of someone searching to reconnect with themselves, and with others, by seeking out challenge and solitude.
If you haven't read this book you'll have no trouble locating a copy. If you have, I'm expecting you to brush up on it before we meet back here in four weeks time.
Okay, that's it. Better reviews of more recent books, more frequent film reviews, and a once-a-month book club. That's my thought on where we should go from here. I'd very much like to hear yours.
One other thing: I think everyone is aware that DK4 is in the home stretch, and soon we'll all be "living" in a platform that has some surprising new capabilities. When that time comes, I expect all these things -- book reviews, film reviews, and book club -- to go on as their own features, backed up by their own crews of editors (you'll have to see the new system to understand). I'm looking forward to that day, but until then let's lay a good foundation for those features starting next Saturday.
So what do you want me to read this week?