The Velvet discussion

This is The Velvet discussion thread for Los Angeles: A Novel by Peter Moore Smith

This book, if people recall, is blurbed by Will Christopher Baer.

"A strange and beautiful mindscape that takes you by the throat and drags you down the rabbit hole." -- WCB

So, how exactly does one go about a group book read?

Through the month of July, we will all read the book. We'll go at our own paces, but the goal is to simply bring up and discuss topics based on the book. The format is pretty wide open (we don't have a reading guide or anything like that).

Basically, when you come across something while reading that you want to discuss, post it, and we'll swarm to it. It can be anything from the beauty of a specific passage to some hyper-intelligent commentary of how the book addresses social concerns. Or, "wow, what a great sex scene."

Well, the fact that WCB blurbed it, I'm in. Has he blurbed anybody else? I'm kind of shocked.

I think there was a story on The Velvet that described some sort of connection between Smith and Baer, but I can't recall what that was. Other blurbs on the book are pretty good too.

Richard, Having read the first few pages last night just to take a peak, I think this is right down some Disintegration alley. I don't see much in the Goodreads reviews, but overall, this appears to be a book that would slip through the Goodreads audience. I guess we will see.

If anyone is looking for the book on a budget, I see it listed in a very economic price range, if going the used route, so I hope people jump in.

I've never read a book in any group reading format either, so I presume this thing will find a life of its own.

Also, for anyone worried about affording a copy, I noticed that there is one copy available for a goodreads swap, here.

requested

Everyone have their books? Only 6 more days. I'll have to burn through the rest of Saramago's The Stone Raft to be able to focus all my attention on Los Angeles.

didn't get my copy yet, will try the library, but i'm down for sure

Got mine but need to finish The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest. Should be ready by the1st.

Also, remember that this book has a two month reading slot, so if you don't yet have a copy, or if you don't plan on starting right away, you will still have a lot of time to get that going and join any discussion. I still see plenty of copies floating out there for cheap, so snap one up and start when you can.

The novel(HC)clocks at 338 pages, but it looks to be a very fast read --certainly nothing that is going to consume someone's Summer reading time.

going to pick up my copy at the library tomorrow

"A strange and beautiful mindscape that takes you by the throat and drags you down the rabbit hole." --Will Christopher Baer

small excerpt from Los Angeles:

The light, if you’ve ever noticed, does things to the human voice. In bright light, people tend to speak through their teeth, unless their eyes are closed, which causes them to speak softly. In midafternoon light, people speak normally, their voices originating from inside their throats. As the light fades into evening, the human voice fades with it. Alcohol, I’ve noticed, can keep a voice bright and strong as the light disappears. In evening darkness, as the eyes become accustomed to moonlight or artificial incandescence, the voice grows quieter, steadier, more intimate; in total darkness, in complete black, the voice is often just a whisper.

Try it. Close your eyes and speak:

A loud voice in the dark is as unnatural as a scream.

only 17 pages in and wow, Boden...yes, many echoes of Disintegration - cat, loner, drugs (he calls one Reality), etc. - so far he's not nearly as adept as WCB but who is - and the light/dark aspect is a little heavy-handed, but there are moments of brilliance for sure

I'll be getting this book tomorrow at the library... Can't wait to join in the discussions.