Anteater Book Club

Welcome Back!

2011-09-21T20:36:00.001-07:00

Hey everyone! Fall quarter is approaching and it's time for another year of book club! This quarter, the theme is "Books to Movies." As usual, we will be reading three books a quarter and this quarter we selected the following:

1. Water for Elephants by Sarah Gruen
2. Watchmen by Alan Moore
3. Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides

As with every "Books to Movies" theme, after we read each novel, we will have a small party where we will be watching that particular movie.

Our meetings this year will be Wednesday 5:30-6:30 in the bookstore starting week two (October 5). Be sure to be there the first meeting! We will raffle a FREE copy of Water for Elephants!

Our presidents this year are Tiffany Giordano (tgiordan@uci.edu) and Lauren Smith (lnsmith@uci.edu). Contact them with any questions or go to the A.B.C. group on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=5356316843&v=info

We look forward to meeting all of you this coming quarter. Can't wait to start reading! :)

A.B.C. Party! White Elephant / Happy Graduation, Irine / Bon Voyage, Jen

2010-12-14T20:05:00.001-08:00

Here are just some of our creatively wrapped gifts....

Updates!

2010-11-19T18:31:00.000-08:00

Some news about the club meetings and events for the remainder of the quarter:

1. Week 9: Thanksgiving week. Since many will be out of town Wednesday for Thanksgiving weekend, it was decided last meeting that the meeting in Week 9 will be rescheduled. Please meet us at the Anthill Pub in the Student Center for our "Pre-Thanksgiving Dinner" Monday, November 22 at 7pm where we will also be discussing the first 2/3 of Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill (the book is divided by 3 - Black Dog, Ride On and Hurt. We will be reading up to Hurt).

2. Week 10: The Bookstore is having one of their sales on Wednesday, December 1, so we will need to relocate. Details are to be determined.

3. Fall Quarter / End of the Year Party: A combination of Irine's farewell, Jen's bon voyage, and White Elephant gift exchange. It will be at Irine's apartment (at Stanford Court) and it is Harry Potter themed! It will be on Friday night, December 10. Details later.

4. Rocky Horror Picture Show: We will be attending Rocky Horror on Saturday night, December 11. Pre-show activities begin at 11pm, the show begins at midnight. Expect a two-hour show. Members pay $7, non-members pay $10. Details about transportation and fee due dates later.

2010-11-03T20:46:00.000-07:00

&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br /&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br /&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br /&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br /&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Loading...

A.B.C. Fall 2010 - New Announcements!

2010-10-01T13:28:00.000-07:00

Our apologies for the late start, but A.B.C. meetings will resume in Week 3! We have a lot of new things planned this quarter and I hope you all can join us.

A.B.C. Meetings

When: Wednesdays 4:30-5:30 (first meeting in week 3)
Where: UCI Bookstore

Membership fees are $10/quarter and $20/year (optimal). You do not have to be a member to join our discussions, but events and activities are covered for those with memberships.

We are proud to announce the new theme for this quarter: Twisted Tales, in honor of Halloween. The following is the book list in the order we will be reading them:

1. Haunted: A Novel of Stories by Chuck Palahniuk
Summary: Twenty-three of the most horrifying, hilarious, mind-blowing, stomach-churning tales you’ll ever encounter—sometimes all at once. They are told by people who have answered an ad headlined “Writers’ Retreat: Abandon Your Life for Three Months,” and who are led to believe that here they will leave behind all the distractions of “real life” that are keeping them from creating the masterpiece that is in them. But “here” turns out to be a cavernous and ornate old theater where they are utterly isolated from the outside world—and where heat and power and, most important, food are in increasingly short supply. And the more desperate the circumstances become, the more extreme the stories they tell—and the more devious their machinations become to make themselves the hero of the inevitable play/movie/nonfiction blockbuster that will surely be made from their plight.

2. Macbeth by William Shakespeare
Summary: Macbeth is among the best-known of William Shakespeare's plays, and is his shortest tragedy, believed to have been written between 1603 and 1606. Often regarded as archetypal, the play tells of the dangers of the lust for power and the betrayal of friends. It also includes a reach out to the paranormal, on ghosts and witches, their warnings and their curses.

3. Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill
Summary: Aging death-metal rock legend Judas Coyne is a collector of the macabre: a cookbook for cannibals...a used hangman's noose...a snuff film. But nothing he possesses is as unique or as dreadful as his latest purchase off the Internet: a one-of-a-kind curiosity that arrives at his door in a black heart-shaped box...a musty dead man's suit still inhabited by the spirit of its late owner. And now everywhere Judas Coyne goes, the old man is there—watching, waiting, dangling a razor blade on a chain from his bony hand.

We are planning to accompany our readings of perverse, horror-inspired stories with different activities / events such as taking a ghost tour or one-time course on the paranormal, attending a Shakespeare play, or watching horror films based on novels. Please drop by the first meeting for more details! We will also be discussing what we have read so far in Chuck Palahniuk's Haunted.

UCI Ranks No. 2 in MFA Program

2010-08-02T13:51:00.000-07:00

In a new ranking done by the Huffinton Post, UCI's MFA program came in No. 2!! The Huffington Post article compiled what its editors consider the best master's of fine arts writing programs and based much of the decision on the success of writers from the school. Did you all know Alice Sebold ("The Lovely Bones") and Michael Chabon ("The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay") are both UCI alumni?!

Medieval Times

2010-06-04T17:33:00.000-07:00

Medieval Times Farewell Party!

2010-05-21T19:30:00.000-07:00

Because many of our officers will be graduating at the end of this quarter, we have decided to celebrate at Medieval Times on Monday May 31 (it’s Memorial Day so no classes). Dinner and show start at 6pm and we can carpool there from UCI. HOPE TO SEE YOU THEN!

WHEN: May 31, 2010 @ 6pm
WHERE: Buena Park, CA
COST: They are running a special right now, so tickets are only $35. If you would like to join us, please drop off that money at next weeks meeting or pick up your own ticket online.
TRANSPORTATION: Let us know if you need a carpool

Save Our Seeker Campaign

2010-05-09T18:31:00.000-07:00

Do you have a TV show based on your favorite books? Well, if you read the Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind, you will know that the beloved series, Legend of the Seeker (based on the books) is in danger of being canceled. After just 2 seasons, the show has built a cult following so fans are not going to let it go down without a fight. In the past, our very own Christine Antonios has reviewed the series, and has now been following the campaign and decided to fill you in! Most recently, the author has issued his full support for the cause and further rallied the fans.

If you know the books, join the cause. And if not, it's about time you became confessed.

~~~~~~~~Christine's Campaign tips~~~
Legend of the Seeker is in crisis and fans have risen to the challenge. Now, we all know that I love projects and to have something to fight for, so come on people THINK OF THE SOLUTION... NOT THE PROBLEM! For full coverage and updates on the campaign, visit SaveOurSeeker.com and follow the twitter feeds!

What you can do to help:

1) TWEET!: We are trying to trend, so be sure to tweet and Retweet! Specifically, tweet #SaveOurSeeker at 8am EST, #LegendoftheSeeker at 12pm EST, #BridgetRegan at 8pm EST on Saturdays and #MotherConfessorDay on Mother's Day. See here for best tips on how to trend. If you can't tweet live at those times, set your TwAitter to tweet for you!

2) DONATE: Fans have started a brilliant idea to buy a "Thank you/ Please reconsider" ad in Variety and Hollywood Reporter. Variety ad ran Friday May 7th (see ad here) and Hollywood Reporter ad will run later this month. The ads thanks the cast and crew for an amazing 2 seasons and also asks the execs to reconsider renewing for a season 3. In just over one week, fans have raised over $10,000 and counting. Every bit counts so click here to donate!

3) SIGN: Petitions have been circulating ever since Tribune pulled out of season 3, but now it's serious. Sign the petition here.

4) WRITE: This is the most time consuming but possibly the most helpful. Most importantly, make people aware of the commotion and of the fan demand. At the moment, fans are trying to get The Ellen Show to bring LOTS star, Bridget Regan, on her show to support the campaign. If it works, millions of people may be interested enough to tune in.

Also, see below for a sample of what to write the executives and SEND emails to Chandler.hayes@abc.com, anne.sweeney@disney.com or here for how to contact ABC and Disney.

5) WATCH: There are only a few episodes left in the second season, but it is VITAL that those episodes bring in big numbers. The studios need to know there is a solid audience for the show. If you have never seen Legend before, catch up here and watch the final episodes starting this weekend (check your local listings)

LA Festival of Books 2010

2010-04-27T20:48:00.000-07:00

Author Meg Cabot

Helen with Dave Cullen

Jennifer with Megan Whalen Turner

Jennifer kind of fell in love with Yann Martel

Christian with Yann Martel

Bloody Fiction Panel

Jessica talks sex with Seth Grahame Smith

Christian with Seth Grahame Smith

LA Times Festival of Books 2010

2010-04-12T20:11:00.001-07:00

IT'S FINALLY HERE! The biggest event of the year- the LA Festival of Books at the UCLA Campus! This year promises to be even bigger and better than usual, so we hope you can JOIN US! For a taste of what's in store, check out our photos and videos from last year! Also, check out this years Author List and let us know which authors you want to see!

Unfortunately, this year ABC cannot make this an official club event. However, many of the club members and officers are going so we hope you also attend and meet up with us there! A majority of us will be driving up on Sunday but let us know which day you plan to be there and we'll make sure to look for you.
WHEN: April 24 and 25
WHERE: UCLA
COST/TICKETS: Free! However, you need tickets for the indoor panels! They are free (but ticketmaster has a ~$1 transaction fee) but be sure to log on to ticketmaster on April 18th at 12pm to get them.
TRANSPORTATION: ABC cannot provide transportation because this IS NOT an official event. However, if you want to go and will have trouble getting there, contact us and we will get you in touch with someone who may be able to carpool!

For the first time, ABCers are going to collectively read a book by one of the authors at the Festival!! If you are going on Sunday, you all have a choice between any Meg Cabot's Airhead [her newest is called Runaway and is the 3rd in the Airhead series] (11am panel) and Seth Grahame-Smith's Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter (12 pm panel). Most likely, it will be impossible to attend both panels so be sure to get panel tickets for the author you are reading!

Meeting Information

2010-03-15T22:10:00.001-07:00

Meetings/ Discussions for Fall '10
October 13- December 1st, 2010

Location: UCI Bookstore
Date and Time: every Wednesday. 4:30pm- 5:30pm

*special events will be scheduled separately

SPRING QUARTER BOOK LIST

2010-03-15T21:59:00.000-07:00

BANNED BOOKS- Spring 2010

Catcher in the Rye by JD Saliger (277 pages)
Summary: Since his debut in 1951 as The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield has been synonymous with "cynical adolescent." Holden narrates the story of a couple of days in his sixteen-year-old life, just after he's been expelled from prep school, in a slang that sounds edgy even today and keeps this novel on banned book lists. It begins, "If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you'll probably want to know is where I was born and what my lousy childhood was like, and how my parents were occupied and all before they had me, and all that David Copperfield kind of crap, but I don't feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth. In the first place, that stuff bores me, and in the second place, my parents would have about two hemorrhages apiece if I told anything pretty personal about them." His constant wry observations about what he encounters, from teachers to phonies (the two of course are not mutually exclusive) capture the essence of the eternal teenage experience of alienation.

Slaughterhouse-5 by Kurt Vonnegut (186 pages)
Summary- Kurt Vonnegut's absurdist classic Slaughterhouse-Five introduces us to Billy Pilgrim, a man who becomes unstuck in time after he is abducted by aliens from the planet Tralfamadore. In a plot-scrambling display of virtuosity, we follow Pilgrim simultaneously through all phases of his life, concentrating on his (and Vonnegut's) shattering experience as an American prisoner of war who witnesses the firebombing of Dresden. Don't let the ease of reading fool you--Vonnegut's isn't a conventional, or simple, novel. He writes, "There are almost no characters in this story, and almost no dramatic confrontations, because most of the people in it are so sick, and so much the listless playthings of enormous forces. One of the main effects of war, after all, is that people are discouraged from being characters..." Slaughterhouse-Five (taken from the name of the building where the POWs were held) is not only Vonnegut's most powerful book, it is as important as any written since 1945. Like Catch- 22, it fashions the author's experiences in the Second World War into an eloquent and deeply funny plea against butchery in the service of authority. Slaughterhouse-Five boasts the same imagination, humanity, and gleeful appreciation of the absurd found in Vonnegut's other works, but the book's basis in rock-hard, tragic fact gives it a unique poignancy--and humor.

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck (107 pages)
Summary- Steinbeck refuses to allow himself to be pigeonholed. This is as completely different from Tortilla Flat and In Dubious Battle as they are from each other. Only in his complete understanding of the proletarian mentality does he sustain a connecting link - though this is assuredly not a "proletarian novel". It is oddly absorbing - this picture of the strange friendship between the strong man and the giant with the mind of a not-quite-bright child. Driven from job to job by the failure of the giant child to fit into the social pattern, they finally find - in a ranch - what they feel their chance to achieve a homely dream they have built. But once again, society defeats them. There's a simplicity, a directness, a poignancy in the story that gives it a singular power, difficult to define. Steinbeck is a genius - and an original.

Catch-22 by Joseph Heller (453 pages)
Summary- There was a time when reading Joseph Heller's classic satire on the murderous insanity of war was nothing less than a rite of passage. Echoes of Yossarian, the wise-ass bombardier who was too smart to die but not smart enough to find a way out of his predicament, could be heard throughout the counterculture. As a result, it's impossible not to consider Catch-22 to be something of a period piece. But 40 years on, the novel's undiminished strength is its looking-glass logic. Again and again, Heller's characters demonstrate that what is commonly held to be good, is bad; what is sensible, is nonsense.

Literary Orange

2010-02-14T00:16:00.000-08:00

We are SUPER excited to be a part of the 4th Annual Literary Orange at UCI! This is an all day event with authors, speakers, and signings! This is an all day event, presented by Public Libraries, UCIrvine and UCI Libraries.

ABC members have the chance to volunteer at the event and attend for free. We need volunteers to run shifts from either 8:00AM- 12:00pm or from 1:00pm-5:00pm, or both. Volunteers will need to show guests in, collect name badges, pack books, etc. Please comment below if you can volunteer and which shift you can work.

What: Literary Orange
Where: UCI Student Center
When: April 10th 8AM-5PM
Keynote Speakers: Dean Koontz and Karen Joy Flower
Authors and Books: http://www.literaryorange.org/authors.php

Wizard's First Rule

2010-01-04T16:05:00.000-08:00

I realize that I am a little late jumping on the Terry Goodkind bandwagon but never being a huge "fantasy genre" fan, I did not know they even existed until the TV came out. It really was all a turn of fate because I just happened to come across the show on Saturday night at 11pm, when looking for something to fill my normal "Friends reruns" slot. I began obsessing over the show (based on the books) early in season 1 and then a friend bought me the first book for Christmas. Little did either of us know the consequences of her actions. With that one purchase, she ruined me life- subjecting me to the emotional distress and financial investment that is this 12-part series. Basically, I have done NOTHING else for the past 3 weeks and don't know how I'm going to get through me school classes with 9 books to go. Humor me a moment while I tell you of my new love:

Sword of Truth: Wizard's First Rule
Book Review by Christine Antonios

While the TV show is solid, it does not even come close to the understanding of the main characters that the reader experiences in the text. The story follows Richard Cypher's journey to save the world. He is accompanied by a Confessor, Kahlan Amnell, and a Wizard of the First Order, Zedd. Though the setting is completely made up, the reader learns all about the rules of magic and of the land through Richards eyes, because he is discovering this world along with us. He is named The Seeker and was prophesied as the only one who defeat Darken Rahl. For those just joining us, this may sound identical to most other fantasy stories. It is not uncommon, considering they all stem from Tolkein's Lord of the Rings- therefore carrying much of the same language. Richard must wheeled the Sword of Truth to defeat evil and free the Midlands.

Though the summary seems unoriginal, it is the captivating characters that keep the reader interested. Richard and Kahlan quickly fall into a forbidden love and the magic that defines their existence is a perfect contrast to their characters. Kahlan is feared by everyone who encounters her, yet she carries the burden of Confessor with grace and respect. Her fragility as a woman counters her persona as a Confessor and the power she holds as the highest rank in the world. The reader (as does Richard) goes almost 500 pages before learned what Kahlan is, and by that time, we have fallen in love with her so much that it would not even matter. It's brilliant on the writers part, because we learn enough to know she is a force to be reckoned with, but not enough to prevent us from knowing her as a person first. Richard, on the other hand, has the character necessary to every hero. He is quick and intelligent, learning fast as he goes and reasoning his way out of mind-tricks. He is, again, a perfect contrast to the Sword he carries because he has a knack for befriending ever creature that he encounters but is forced to carry the burden of death. The author also ties Richard's background to the magic- balancing his destiny and his choice that allow him to accomplish his quest.

The most fascinating part of the book is Richard's capture by the Mord-Sith. The text presents an interesting psychology into the character that will continue to alter his actions for books to come. The Mord-Sith are a unique kind of evil that specialize in torture. and enslavement They are women trained to use capture one's magic and break them into submission. It is one of the most terrifying and interesting portions of the text. Through Richard's 'Mistress', Denna, Goodkind describes a kind of madness that is created deep in Richard's psyche. Like Richard, the reader is brought to an understanding of the woman, blaming her yet never being able to hate her. The weird mix of subtle love/ compassion and frightening pain works to further character development rather then plot development.

Lastly, the flow of the text itself is it's saving grace. From the very beginning, the book moves at an even pace and there is a constant mix of danger and pleasant humor. The reader is never overwhelmed by the information- but is constantly learning new things that fit in with and complete previous knowledge. The novel chooses a few key characters and switches the point of view periodically. It never re-tells any information, but it allows the reader insight into other characters while progressing the story with key information. I have no complaints about the book because its arch is just right and the ending/climax is neither too quick nor too slow. The author resolves all parts of the text but opens new possibilities to carry us into the sequels.

WINTER THEME AND BOOK LIST!

2009-11-28T20:38:00.000-08:00

Congrats to everyone who voted for our Winter Quarter theme and book list! Believe it or not, Graphic Novels only won by ONE VOTE! Because of the great response, we will be doing Banned Books in the Spring.

I am excited to announce out Graphic Novels book list for Winter. These novels obviously run long (though quick to read), so I encourage you to start reading over winter break. Also, the UCI bookstore will be ordering the books, so all will be in stock once January comes, but these tend to be a little pricier, so you may want to order from Amazon. Depending on how we do with time, all other readings will be from online graphic novels (TBA).

Winter 2010 Graphic Novels
1.Watchmen by Alan Moore, Illustrated by Dave Gibbons (416pgs)
2.Blankets by Craig Thompson (582pgs)
3.The Complete Maus: A Survivor’s Tale by Art Spiegelman (296pgs)
4.Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth by Francois Voltaire (380pgs)

Fall '09 Annual Party

2009-11-13T19:44:00.000-08:00

VOTE for Winter Book Theme

2009-11-10T14:43:00.000-08:00

We narrowed down next quarter's theme to "Banned Books" or "Graphic Novels". Many of you asked to look at lists for each theme before voting on one, so I have attached two book lists on our facebook discussion. Each one has many MANY books to chose from, but it should give you a good idea of what kinds of books we may be reading next quarter. Please reply with your vote within the next week so I can get a finalized list to the bookstore.

Also, once you have chosen your preferred theme, please give me a few books within those themes that you would like to read. I cannot promise to include all your books, because it depends on how we can fit within the 10 weeks but your feedback would be greatly appreciated.

HAPPY READING,
abc

"Bright Star" by John Keates

2009-10-13T10:21:00.000-07:00

John Keates is remembered as one of the greatest Romantic Poets, but is the new movie about his most famous poems worthy of his legacy. Find out what Christine thought of the BBC Collaborated film:

Bright star, would I were stedfast as thou art--
Not in lone splendour hung aloft the night
And watching, with eternal lids apart,
Like nature's patient, sleepless Eremite,
The moving waters at their priestlike task
Of pure ablution round earth's human shores,
Or gazing on the new soft-fallen mask
Of snow upon the mountains and the moors--
No--yet still stedfast, still unchangeable,
Pillow'd upon my fair love's ripening breast,
To feel for ever its soft fall and swell,
Awake for ever in a sweet unrest,
Still, still to hear her tender-taken breath,
And so live ever--or else swoon to death.
~ John Keats

The movie, by the same title, tells the story of John Keats during the time he wrote this poem- from the love that inspired it, until the time of his death. The story itself is a powerful one- if told in 14 lines, but in 2 hours, it looses its beauty. The BBC collaboration attempts to put together all the right elements: 18th century costumes, social restrictions on marriage, good-looking actors, passion, and romance. Yet, it does not develop any of them enough to keep us invested. The first half of the movie fails to create character that we fall in love with. We are never given any reason as to why these two have fallen in love- let alone a reason for us to fall in love with them. Without this key investment in the characters, we cannot feel for them when everything falls apart. Although the second half of the film is solid, I find myself laughing at the most devastating moment because I honestly did not care.

The most moving moment was a summary at the end... "John Keates died thinking he was a failure..." Now, he is considered one of the greatest romantic poets. Unfortunately, this probably would not even have been so touching if it were put into the movie. Perhaps John Keats was meant to remain within the confines of the written word.

abc Fall '09

2009-10-02T21:48:00.000-07:00

First Fall 09 Bookmark!

2009-09-20T20:34:00.000-07:00

Check out the amazing bookmark that Jolene created for Sense and Sensibility!! Become an official member and come to our first meeting to get yours!!

Tweet Us!

2009-09-01T19:43:00.000-07:00

ABC has hit twitter! Be sure to follow us @anteaterbooks for updates on book reviews, upcoming author signings, book releases, book deals and club information!

http://twitter.com/anteaterbooks

Currently Reading

2009-09-01T19:35:00.001-07:00

Winter 2009: GRAPHIC NOVELS

1.Watchmen by Alan Moore, Illustrated by Dave Gibbons (416pgs)

2.Blankets by Craig Thompson (582pgs)

3.The Complete Maus: A Survivor’s Tale by Art Spiegelman (296pgs)

4.Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth by Francois Voltaire (380pgs)

SE Hinton Panel Video

2009-05-04T11:58:00.000-07:00

Please check out our video from the SE Hinton Panel!

LA Festival of Books 09

2009-04-27T12:31:00.000-07:00

ABC Membership

2009-04-15T16:57:00.000-07:00

We welcome anyone into the club and no membership fees are required to attend our meetings and book discussions, but being a member of ABC is often beneficial. Membership is either a 1 quarter or a 1 year commitment and includes free designer bookmarks for all books covered in the club, 1 ticket entry into a book raffle for every book we read, free entry into club parties, event discounts, etc.

Membership fees

1 Quarter= $10

1 Year= $20 BEST DEAL**

*remember, the 1 year membership is a year from whatever point you pay your dues** this deal is only available in the Fall

Membership fees are accepted at any ABC Meeting or event.

Autographed Copy of The Shack

2009-03-17T15:34:00.000-07:00

Recently Reviewd by our very own Jessica DeSalva and critically acclaimed! Now win a signed copy of the Shack by William Young!

Contest over by April 30th, 2009

The Shack

2009-03-02T00:13:00.000-08:00

Book by William Young

Review by Jessica DeSalva

After spending 39 weeks on the New York Times best seller list and currently holding the #1 spot, one would have to admit that The Shack by William Paul Young has swept the nation. What was written as a story for his children, with no intention of being published, has soared into selling over 5.5million copies and will soon be appearing in over 30 languages around the world. Not bad for a guy living a simple life in Gresham, Oregon, working three jobs (janitor, general manager, and sales representative), raising 6 children, expecting two grandkids and maintaining a marriage.

One must first recognize that the novel was written as theological fiction. This makes it difficult for the reader to discern what the author is saying and decipher whether it is holds evident with Holy Scripture. Keep in mind that the novel isn’t meant to be a Bible lesson. With that being said, The Shack is written as a personal testimony of the protagonist, Mackenzie (Mack) Philips, coming to terms with God. His youngest daughter, Missy, was abducted three years earlier during a family camping trip. Although her body is never found, police find evidence in a shack hidden deep within the forest that reveals she has been viciously murdered by a notorious children’s serial killer. Mack immediately dispatches into “The Great Sadness”, the constant guilt he holds for not saving his beloved daughter. At the height of Mack’s “Great Sadness” he receives a letter from God, inviting him back to scene of the crime or the shack. Although skeptical, Mack goes and experiences the unbelievable: a weekend-long encounter with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. From this point on, the dialogue focuses around topics that theologians have debated for centuries. Young provides anthropomorphism of the Trinity. God is a vivacious African American woman whom goes by the name “papa”, Jesus is a middle-aged man of Jewish descent, and the Holy Spirit is a sylph like Asian women by the name of Sarayu. At this point, the reader feels the urge to close the book and be done with it , but if that’s the path they choose then they are truly missing out. Once you get past the personifications, the reader dives into deep stimulating ideals that surround the Trinity, submission, free will, forgiveness, redemption, love, salvation, and judgment. Most of the communication between Mack and the Trinity focuses around his inability to trust God. One of the most touching parts in the novel is when Mack is working in a garden that is a complete mess; full of weeds, dead flowers, just plain ugliness. Sarayu reveals to Mack that, “this garden is your soul. This mess is you! And it is a wild and beautiful and perfectly in process.” Whether one reads this as a religious lesson or not, it’s a nice metaphor of how every once in awhile we go through periods of time where we have to first internally cleanse ourselves in order to make our external world enjoyable.

Even for non-religious readers, The Shack is a great read because it opens you up to topics you may not usually contemplate. The author provides answers without forcing his opinions upon the reader and stimulates one’s own morals and beliefs. At times I found myself setting the book down and pondering what I just read, internalizing it, thus re-discovering myself. When reading this book it’s all about openness. It’s not about whether you believe in God or not. Allow Young’s creativity and imagination to take you on a journey into self discovery and dap into the divine.
The story line isn’t truly original, yet again this novel wasn’t written for the purpose of simply telling a story. Rather the content and teaching it contains sparks a deep, spiritual and emotional impact upon the reader.

What makes us want to leave the book at this point? Are the characters not believable? Is the theology over out head?

Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim

2009-02-04T18:51:00.001-08:00

Book by David Sedaris

Review by Christine Antonios

David Sedaris’ Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim is largely a collection of short stories based on Sedaris’ real life and family. His humor is mostly self-deprecating and mainly pokes fun of his middle class, dysfunctional family. From early childhood in North Carolina to adulthood in Paris, Sedaris continues to recount awkward moments that leave the reader laughing while contemplating the similarities in their own lives. With over 7 million books already sold, Sedaris has had widespread success among American readers and critics alike. Sedaris’ humor has often been compared to Oscar Wilde, Mark Twain or Woody Allen, so the general consensus is that he has promise and his success is not going to diminish any time soon.

The reader quickly realizes that the source for Sedaris’ material will be his awkward childhood (that lasted well past his elementary school days), different occupations, homosexuality, and living on his own. As a child, Sedaris contemplates getting his sister hit by a car, “her life handing by a thread as [his] parents paced the halls of Rex Hospital, wishing they have been more attentive”. He rationalizes, “It was really the perfect solution” to getting back at his parents. As an adult, Sedaris traveled the world, trying to learn about different countries from taxi drivers. He would ask what any normal person asks in a foreign country: “‘What do roosters say?’…as every country has its own unique interpretation”. With further explanation, the reader learns more about a certain country and their customs from Sedaris than they would actually traveling there. In such accounts, Sedaris mixes side-splitting humor with a touch of warmth and understanding about the world around him.

Sedaris began his career on the radio, telling stories from his personal life in five to ten minute readings, so it is no surprise that his autobiography reads the same way. The short, single-event chapters make for a quick read and leave the reader curious about the realities of his upbringing. Sedaris’ style serves his purpose well because each chapter is like a new story and can be read as if it were a fresh start with each character. Sedaris does not worry about having a coherent plot line for the entire 257 pages and can focus on the humor between each incident. The downside is that readers looking for some character growth or dynamic may be disappointed. Once the novelty of the humor wears off around chapter 10, the character stagnates and the author begins to rely on his absurd situations to capture the audience. However, do not underestimate the effect of such absurd situations. Readers will find themselves appalled as well as laughing until their sides hurt when Sedaris is mistaken for an erotic housecleaner or is driven out of his apartment by a nine-year-old girl.

It is clear that nothing is off limits to the author, much to his family’s dismay. Sedaris clarifies that his family’s “personal lives are the so-called pieces of scrap I usually pick up, and they're sick of it. More and more of their stories begin with the line, 'You have to swear you will never repeat this.'”. Fortunately for us, he does not keep his word. The autobiography is filled with embarrassing stories of his siblings, his parents, and often the crazy neighbor everyone hopes to never encounter. Some have even criticized Sedaris for trying to bring humor to topics that are anything but funny. Issues like Anne Frank and pedophilia are fair game for Sedaris. The effect on the reader is a feeling of discomfort and slight shock, but these chapters succeed because the novelty of Sedaris’ humor is continually wearing off. The provocative topics add material for him to explore. When visiting Anne Frank’s hiding place, Sedaris confesses that “the first words that come to mind are not ‘I still believe all people are really good at heart,’ but ‘Who do I have to knock off in order to get this apartment?’”. However, do not misunderstand me. To say the book is based on awkward moments and a dysfunctional family is not to say it is without heart. Sedaris takes moments to remember saving his brother from drowning or to remember his brothers wedding. They are well written reflection on the author’s experiences that go beyond the humor of Sedaris’ commentary, but in the end, the books humor out ways any other positive or negative qualities it may posses.

Special Promotion

2009-02-04T09:09:00.000-08:00

ABC is promoting the New Jonas Brothers Movie called The Jonas Brothers: 3D Experience that comes out Feb 27. Click below to get your tickets now.

Newspaper Column

2009-01-28T18:41:00.000-08:00

The Anteater Book Club will be featured as a regular column in the New U (UC Irvine's campus news paper!). We will be bringing a new book review to students every other week so be sure to pick up a copy, on stands every Monday!

This means that we will be looking for authors to write book reviews each week. If you are interested in being published in the school paper, please contact us.

Something Wicked This Way Comes

2009-01-19T23:39:00.000-08:00

Book by Ray Bradbury

Review by Jessica DeSalva

After attending Ray Bradbury’s panel at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books in association with UCLA last April I was eager to read more of his novels. Of course I had already read his internationally acclaimed science fiction novel, Fahrenheit 451, which deals with censorship and defiance, but still I was ready to dive into another one of his worlds.

Each time I read a book, I always ask myself, “I wonder what inspired the author?” Fortunately, Bradbury answered my question. He spoke about each life experience and inspiration that led to each of his brilliant creations. However, there was one story in particular that intrigued me. When Bradbury was 12 years old he had an encounter with a carnival magician named Mr. Electrico, who was part of what could be classified as a “freak carnival” in which the most obscure of human oddities is displayed. Each character he witnessed as a child was integrated into his 1962 novel, Something Wicked This Way Comes. The title itself may sound familiar if you have read Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth, in which the title is directly quoted from "By the pricking of my thumbs / Something wicked this way comes". As Macbeth may be rendered as a tragedy of moral order so may Something Wicked This Way Comes

The novel opens on a stormy October 23rd night in which the two thirteen year old protagonists, Will Halloway and Jim Nightshade are introduced by an encounter with a bizarre lighting rod salesman, who claims a storm is heading in their direction of Green Town, Illinois. Ironically, promptly at 3AM, the hour of the dead, Cooger & Dark's Pandemonium Shadow Show rolls into town. From the beginning Bradbury sets a sinister tone that continues to echo throughout the novel. Bradbury reveals each of the boys in different ways. Although the boys are best friends each represent entirely different personalities. Will takes on the realistic, reserve, empathic little boy who is not eager to grow up. However, Jim is quick to act and flawed by his tunnel vision, therefore, finds himself in drastic danger with the carnival. The boys soon discover the carnivals secret as they witness Mr. Cooger (co-partner of the carnival) ride the merry-go-round backwards, causing him to de-age into a young boy. From this point on the action picks up as the boys are discovered watching and chased the rest of the novel by the lead evil character, Mr. Dark, the illustrated man. He is covered in tattoos each representing a figure he exerts control over.

The chapters are short in length, making the novel an easy read and a page turner. His usage of rich imagery is amazing. At times I found myself re-reading pages just because of the rich language he uses to describe simply things, such as the library. A lot of the novel is written as a stream of consciousness for each character. Making it hard to keep track what is being said out loud and what isn’t.

I have to say what I love most about the novel is the satire on human nature. Bradbury has the ability to use his characters in order to evoke deep flaws that are present within individuals. The only thing that frightens the carnivals evil characters is happiness, the sound of laughter. Each figures feeds off of fear from its captive. The key as Charles Halloway discovers when faced with the evil Witch is belief that the magic doesn’t work. His laughter serves as a testament of how ridiculous her powers are. The same is evident in Mirror Mazes, once he accepts that what he is seeing is not the real image the mirrors crack and lose all their illusion hold. The power of belief is more powerful than even magic.

The novel is wonderful for those who relish in science fiction and a love for carnivals.

Twilight Book Review

2009-01-12T15:04:00.000-08:00

Book by Stephenei Meyer

Review by Irine Fabringas

About three things I was certain, concerning Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight:

1. It’s a book about vampires.
2. A part of it, and I’m not sure how dominant that part is, is incredibly cheesy.
3. It has irrevocably become one of my favorite books.

But that’s just me.

Twilight begins simply enough, laying down a necessary foundation as Bella Swan narrates how she ends up in Forks, Washington with her father, after having lived in Phoenix, Arizona for most of her life, with her mother. While the story may drag for some when it starts, action quickly picks up with the introduction of the Cullens—five students at Bella’s new high school who redefine beauty.

For a new author, Stephenie Meyer does a pretty good job with setting up her story, and introducing new and seemingly inconsequential characters. Her choice of perspective, through the eyes of Bella, is important to the story and the way the characters are viewed. She manages to capture the naivety of a 17-year old girl who just wants to escape and find true love.

Of course, the perspective, and Meyer’s writing style has its disadvantages. For those who aren’t so romantically inclined, certain scenes in the book may be too “sappy,” “corny,” and/or “cheesy,” which does get annoying, but holds true to the age-group and mentality of her characters. However unbelievable Edward Cullen and his interaction with Bella may be, it’s best to remember that Twilight is a love story about two star-crossed lovers, who for one reason or another are finding it difficult to be together (sound familiar?) and Stepehnie Meyer makes it clear from her own description of the book that it’s a fantasy that has to do with vampires.

Having fallen in love with other fantasy stories (Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter at the very top of that list), yet at the same time not accepting the romantic side of me, I first read Twilight with a critical mind. For someone who enjoys JK Rowling’s series and JRR Tolkien’s classics, Twilight may be the next book/series to conquer, now that the previous two have come to a close. I loved the way Meyer sets her story in an actual place, with circumstances and events occurring that are appropriate to the story’s setting. There’s a reason the Cullens are in Forks, just as there’s a reason Bella has to move there. Is it fate? Or is it just a series of events that lead two teenagers (one a teenager for almost a century) to find love in an unexpected location at an unexpected time? I like to think of it as such an outrageous fantasy that it just might be true; who knows? Maybe there really is an Edward Cullen wooing a Bella Swan somewhere in the wilderness surrounding Forks; or maybe a Jacob Black enjoys moonlit walks on La Push beach? I can dream, in any case—much like countless other mothers and daughters (and some reluctant boyfriends) who have gotten caught up in the world that Meyer has created.

I also really liked her new and original spin on the vampires themselves. Meyer keeps enough of the myths that allow readers to recognize the danger associated with keeping the company of such creatures, yet at the same time changes enough so that reading this vampire story is different from reading countless other stories before that dealt with the same subject. She may make them more beautiful, but they are just as deadly and vengeful as the characters in Bram Stoker’s work.

While the story is focused on Bella and Edward, the other characters are definitely not lacking whatsoever. Meyer gives life and voice to the other Cullens (some are focused on in greater detail in the later books), as well as some of Bella’s high school friends. While I would have liked to see a little more from those characters, any lack of depth in that arena is due, once again, to the point of view from which the book is written; Bella isn’t as omniscient or all-knowing as some of the other characters in the book turn out to be. Readers see the world the way Bella sees the world, and that view proves incredibly biased.

Twilight is, by no means, a story that makes you think incredibly deep thoughts (though, that of course can be argued). It is not a story that challenges you to rethink your morals, or the way the world works, or anything epic like that. It is, however, a story that will take you away from yourself for a while, into a world where vampires exist—a world where not all vampires want to be monsters and are actually kind of attractive…without the “kind of.” It’s a story that can either uplift your views on love, or ruin them because Edward is just that good.

It’s a fairy tale, that doesn’t necessarily begin with “Once upon a time,” or end with “happily ever after,” but it might just leave you with some warm happy feelings, or the need to avoid candy because that book was just too sweet for you.

Of course, you might end up like me, and avoid garlic instead of candy in the hopes of finding your own Edward Cullen.

LA Times Book Festival

2009-01-04T16:27:00.000-08:00

ABCers hit UCLA to attend the LA Times Book Festival. They met tons of authors, actors, singers, and watched a lecture by Ray Bradbury! Be sure to join us for the 2009 Festival!

The Kite Runner Advanced Screening

2009-01-04T15:45:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Jolene, ABC won a free advanced screening to the Kite Runner. We hosted the movie for over 150 people in Irvine and became the third largest online group in the country. Because of our success online, we were featured in the LA Times!

Book Lists

2009-01-04T14:35:00.000-08:00

Fall 07: Books Made into movies

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

Winter 08: Plays

Twelve Angry Men by Reginald Rose
Don Juan by Moliere
Inherit the Wind by Jerome Lawrence and Robert Edwin Lee

Spring 08: Political Journalism

Fear and Loathing: On the Campaign Trail by Hunter S. Thompson

Fall 08: Fantasy Books

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury

Winter 09: Autobiographies

Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Spring 2009: Books in Translation

The Reader by Bernhard Schlink- translated from German by Carol Brown Janeway
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery- translated from French by Katherine Woods
Tranquility by Attila Bartis- translated from Hungarian by Imre Goldstein
Blood Wedding by Federico Garcia Lorca- translated from Spanish by James Graham-Lujan and Richard L O'Connell

Fall 2009: Classic Literature

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austin
A Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allen Poe
Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne
All My Sons by Arthur Miller

the five people you meet in heaven

2009-01-04T14:24:00.000-08:00

Book by Mitch Albom

Review by Christine Antonios

Albom's book is an interesting read and could have even some of the toughest critics crying by the end. The story begins with the death of the main character and follows his journey in heaven where he meets five people of the past. These five people teach him lessons that help explain his life. It is a moving life story told in an unusual way. In the end, we do not know everything about Eddie's (the main character) life, but we know the important events and emotions that made up his past. We learn bits and pieces and the frequent encounters with new characters keep us interested in Eddie's past as well as his future.

The five people that Eddie meets get more and more interesting although the themes of the book are fairly predictable and un-unique. Eddie has daddy issues and lost the love of his life too early. He feels like his life was meaningless and he has wasted it on a job he never liked. Early on, the reader realizes that these issues will be solved before the book is over but that does not leave the book predictable. Although I was never invested enough in the character to try and guess the outcome, there were a couple of noteworthy twists that keep the book alive. Certain truths are revealed about Eddie's time in the war and about Eddie's father that give the character a full life and are revealed in interesting ways. It was also interesting to see the progression of the lessons learned. The novel presents them as if the next lesson is more important than the previous, beginning with the importance of life itself and leading to sacrifice, love, etc.

As one reads the book, however, there is little left for the reader or the character to figure out on their own. Each lesson is fully explained by these five people and (perhaps this is a benefit in heaven) but Eddie is never left to internalize the lesson and gradually change his mind about his life. Although each lesson is interesting, thorough and presented well, the reader does not have much to interpret. In the end, the most moving part is as Eddie remembers his wife's death and last two people Eddie meets in heaven make it a worthy tearjerker.

Contact Us

2009-01-04T13:59:00.000-08:00

We love to get comments, questions and feedback so please feel free to contact us!

Club e-mail: anteaterbookclub@clubs.uci.edu

Officers
President Christine Antonios: cantonio@uci.edu
VP Jolene Ung: ungj@uci.edu
Secretary Irine Fabringas: ifabriga@uci.edu
Public Relations Jessica Desalva: jdesalva@uci.edu

*also, look us up on Twitter or facebook

About Us

2009-01-04T13:15:00.001-08:00

Welcome to the Anteater Book Club! This is the official Book Club at the University of California, Irvine and we hope this site helps tell you a little bit more about us. The club is structured mainly for book discussions that take place on the UCI campus weekly. Books are selected by the officers each quarter based on a theme that rotates quarterly. Check out our past quarter themes and book lists! We also plan an event each quarter that follows our theme.

Our purpose is to introduce people to new books that they probably wouldn't have read otherwise. Maybe you learn something new! You don't have to be a reader to join! A lot of people are intimidated by reading or are "too lazy" to do it, but this club gives you a chance to explore new books and helps you make the time to read something besides a boring text book. Feel free to leave comments, questions, and reading suggestions, as well as things you'd like to see our group do :]

Many of our members have taken the time to write book reviews about the books we are reading or just about the books that have interested them recently so please leave them feedback whenever you get the chance. Happy Reading!

abc Reader,
Christine