THURSDAY, OCT. 30 — I hope all of you have been to ArtPrize 2014. Being in the middle of it every day is what I miss most from my days in the former Schuler Books Downtown. It'll always remain a yearly "must see" for me, no matter where I roam. Here's what we're reading:
THE ZONE OF INTEREST
Martin Amis
When an original mind and master wordsmith like Mr. Amis takes on an event as frequently visited in literature as the Holocaust, it's difficult to know what to expect. What we get is something truly unique and chilling to the bone.
The phrase "banality of evil" stayed with me through the entire novel. Mr. Amis doesn't use the phrase himself, but he shows just how powerful and accurate it is by focusing his story on the men and women whose jobs were to run a concentration camp as efficiently as possible. The day-to-day workplace politics, the personal intimacies and dramas, logistical problems to overcome and financial constraints are disturbingly familiar to anyone in a typical workplace. The horror of the book is the constant reminder that the "workplace" in this case is one of unspeakable cruelty. Most of the characters are Nazis focused on how to do the job right, while maintaining their positions of trust and loyalty within the regime. Most remain convinced in the mission that puts them in this place. The story takes its most dramatic turn around the lives of the few who begin to question both their own actions and those of the Reich. There's even a central love story of sorts, in the most unromantic of circumstances. A disturbing, powerful take on what are (we certainly hope) the limits of the human condition. kobo eBook
THE WAY INN
Will Wiles
Take all the elements that make up a classic gothic-style haunted house story - fluid spatial relationships within the structure, spooky noises with no obvious source, characters who may or may not be ghosts - and transplant them to an ultra-modern, high-tech business hotel and you have the scenario behind Mr. Wiles odd and unnerving new novel.
Neil Double is a convention surrogate; businesses hire him to attend industry and sales conventions so they don't have to. He attends the chosen sessions, wanders the convention hall to strike up conversations and picks up all of the brochures and tote bags that come his way. A few days of crowds and mediocre food and the client gets a full report about everything they were only too happy to miss. The mind-bending part of the story commences when Mr. Double finds himself staying at the Way Inn - all the conveniences and amenities the modern business traveller needs, and more than he could have possible expected. He spots a young red-headed women he remembers from previous Way Inn stay halfway across the world, and his attempts to connect with her leads him to discover the hotel's many mysterious and confounding layers. Original and nicely done. kobo eBook
THE HALL
Forward by Tom Brokaw
So here's what I would suggest to celebrate the start of the baseball postseason: hop in your car and make the drive to Cooperstown, NY for a visit to the Baseball Hall of Fame. James Fenimore Cooper's hometown sits in the middle of the rolling hills of upper New York state so the drive is scenic in any season, but if you go now you're likely to see some fabulous fall colors. Once there, you can visit the Cooper house, enjoy the sights along picturesque Otsego Lake and, of course, visit baseball's national shrine. I've made the trip, and I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
Can't make it this year? Then this new coffee table overview of the Hall of Fame will do nicely for now. Photos from the collection, bios, plaques, original essays by living Hall members, stats and surprises galore. This one will truly satisfy the baseball fanatic until that essential road trip can be made. And when you're there, have lunch at the Short Stop Cafe - tell 'em Neil sent you.
I heard this baseball trivia question many years ago and it stuck with me. It's simple, not too easy, but with an obvious answer once you know it. This one isn't about reading, but I hope there's a sports fan or two out there that'll take a shot. Whose name is in the Baseball Hall of Fame the greatest number of times?
Until next week,
Neil
NeilNeil Rajala is Currently Director of Community & Business Services for Schuler Books, Neil's decade with the company has included the wearing of many different hats - and lots and lots of reading.
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