Monday, September 18, 2006

New Book Discussion Groups for Adults Starting at the Buena Park Library

Two new book discussion groups for adults, hosted by the Buena Park Library District, located at 7150 La Palma Ave. (between Knott and Western), will begin Thursday, September 28th, 2006.

The Thursday afternoon group meets the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month at 1:00 p.m. in the Library’s board room on the 2nd floor. Participants are encouraged to bring a sack lunch. Book selections for this twice-a-month group evolve around a predetermined theme. Participants are encouraged to read different titles, thus giving others in the group new ideas for future reads. The themes for September and October include a “classic” title that will be discussed September 28th, a book that has been made into a movie on October 12th, and a nonfiction book on October 26th.

The Thursday evening group meets at 6:30 p.m. in the board room on the 4th Thursday of the month. This is a traditional book discussion group in which participants read and discuss a pre-selected title. September’s selection is The Keep by Jennifer Egan. Upcoming titles that will be discussed include The Sea by John Banville, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See and Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer.

You are welcome to attend either or both book discussion groups. For more information, call the Library at 714-826-4100 ext. 125 and ask for Phyllis.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

The largest independent bookstore in the US, the Tattered Cover in Denver, recommends my book in its newsletter to 125 book groups in the metro area. Beyond the Summit has many layers for discussion.
Ir is especially relevant now because the Discovery Channel just began a 6 week series on the 2006 Everest season. My work is a perfect complement to the series because it tells the story from a unique angle,--that of the porters who carry to the top.
It was the pick of the week in last Friday's Rocky Mountain News. The Boulder Camera gave it an outstanding review in September. Every customer comment on amazon.com and Barnes & Noble on line has been 5 star. To see reviews, excerpts, and sample slides, please visit my web site at www.beyondthesummit-novel.com

I used to lead treks to the Base of Mount Everest and was a founder of the first hut-to-hut system in Nepal in 1990. There during a terrible storm, I was appalled a world press coverage of the foreigners who died with no mention of the Sherpas who also perished. I checked the major data bases and discovered that while many anthropologists had studied this tribe, no one had dramatized their lives in fiction.

Beyond the Summit has something for everyone: a love affair between an American journalist and Sherpa guide (very PG 13), an expedition up Everest from the porter's point of view, conflict between generations as the modern world challenges traditions, Tibetan refugees, avalanches and storms.

Being so unusual, the book generated interest immediately upon its release on May 29. Colorado and Company on Channel 9 invited me for a live TV interview. I was interviewed the next week on Colorado Public Radio. Last month, three radio stations interviewed me in northern CA--one a one-hour program called A Novel Idea.

I offer a slide show about the Sherpas and Everest region followed by an author signing if your library has an interest.

A number of book groups are using Beyond the Summit for discussion. I would gladly meet with them as well. The largest independent bookstore in America, The Tattered Cover in Denver, recommends my presentation and book in its newsletter to book clubs.

It is adult fiction but appropriate for YA's as well. I'm a YA librarian and kept my teens in mind during the writing

The book is available from Baker & Taylor, amazon.com, or from me directly. I offer a 30% discount to libraries and free shipping. If Baker & Taylor doesn't show enough inventory for your area, please issue a back order and they will contact me for shipment. This works but takes a few weeks. If you'd like the book sooner, reply to this email address and I will ship immediately. My web site has no provision for a discount or free shipping. If you'd like a signed copy, let me know.

Beyond the Summit
Linda LeBlanc
ISBN 0-9785353-0-8
Trade paperback $16.95
30% discount
$11.87 per book