An evening with Matt Ruff

So, last night I had the pleasure of hearing Matt Ruff read from and talk about his novel, The Mirage.  This is not the first time I've gone out to see Matt, and it's always worth the trip.  I've been reading his novels for, gosh, a very, very long time now.  I discovered him with the very bizarre Sewer, Gas, & Electric--which is still my favorite--and I've been a fan ever since.  (People who know me are nodding and saying, "Yes, Susan, we see the shark on the cover.")  He's not the most prolific writer, but that makes me value each of the novels even more.  Learning that a new book is about to be published is a real cause for celebration.

One of the most awesome thing's about Matt's work is that you never know what you're going to get.  So many writers revisit the same territory or the same themes.  In the worst cases, they rewrite the same novel over and over.  Not so here!  Each of his books is completely different.  But this book is really different from what's come before, one of several subjects I bring up with Matt in the Q & A session recorded below.

I haven't reviewed this novel yet (hopefully soon), but it's extraordinary.  There is so much going on, on so many levels!  I mean, it's a brilliantly realized alternate history, but it's also got an interesting thriller plot going on.  Plus, there's a fantastic element.  And a bit of a satirical edge.  What I'm trying to say is, there's a whole lot to think about here. 

Anyway, enough prattling from me.  In the film clip above, you'll see a few opening remarks Matt made before he began reading.  In the next three clips below, you'll hear him reading from the novel.  I'm afraid I cut off the first couple of words he spoke.  The opening sentence of the novel is, "This is the day the world changes."  I mean, it's an awesome opening line, and you should know what it is.  Also, I'm afraid there's a very brief gap between, I think, the second and third reading clip.  Sorry, quick battery change. 

These last two film clips are of the Q & A session after the reading. Given the unusualness of the story he's telling, I think this is especially interesting. You'll hear me ask a few questions on the tape, and truthfully, I could have discussed this book all night. (Actually, The Mirage would make a great book club selection, now that I think of it. In fact, it would be especially interesting read back to back with Amy Waldman's excellent post 9/11 novel, The Submission. Just a thought.) I got to ask the final question of the evening, "What are you working on next?" And Matt was unusually forthcoming about an idea he's been thinking about. I'm so glad I have this on tape, because one day I'm going to hold a book in my hands, and go back and listen to this germ of an idea.

I was sitting in the front row, so as better to hold up a Flip Cam right in this poor man's face. When I finally turned around to get in the signing line, I had some pleasant surprises. First was running into my friends Lynn & Evan, who I haven't seen in ages. And second was running into novelist S. G. (Scott) Browne. I run into Scott often enough that we chat whenever we see each other. I love that he comes out to support other authors on tour. As it happens, Scott will soon be on tour himself for the forthcoming Lucky Bastard, which is getting amazing advance reviews.  So, hopefully we'll have video of him on the blog in the not too distant future.

For now, anyone who needs a copy of this thought-provoking novel, I know where you can get a pristine signed copy... Feel free to contact my awesome friends at The Booksmith. Their customer service can not be beat, and--say it with me--we love to support our local independent booksellers!

And, if you're not familiar with Matt's work, maybe start by exploring his website, which has a lot of interesting content. Or just dive into the novel that intrigues you the most. I recommend them all.

Mailbox Monday: The I'm grateful it's not snowing here edition!

Major snowstorm in October--that is one of the signs of the apocalypse, right?  I'm sorry, New York!

So, the past week wasn't as productive as I might have hoped in a variety of ways.  The one thing I did accomplish was attending the Northern California Independent Booksellers' Association Trade Show over the weekend.  I've been attending NCIBA for about a dozen years now, so none of these trade shows are really that exciting at this point.  But it's still nice to see friends in the industry.  I especially enjoy chatting with the publisher's reps about what they're excited about.  Obviously, their job is to sell titles, but you can tell when there's a book they're genuinely excited about.  And as you get to know them, they'll give you the straight dope.  They're just great people to talk books with.  No one works in publishing for the money.  They do it for love.

Speaking of talking (and talking and talking) as the show was winding down Saturday afternoon, trade journalist Bridgette Kinsella wound up sitting down beside me, and the two of us got into the most epic conversation of all time.  What a delightful lady!  Seriously, the highlight of the show for me.  The other highlight was grabbing a galley of Lauren Groff's forthcoming sophomore novel, Arcadia.  It's the single book that I'm most excited about, but is only one of many, many galleys I grabbed.  I'll post a full accounting here once I have one.  Maybe next Monday?

I'm not sure how much literary stuff I have coming up this week.  The Bay Area Festival of Science is going on right now, so science may trump art this week.  One exception may be a midweek appearance by novelist Hillary Jordan.  Her new novel, When She Woke, a near-future dystopian take on The Scarlet Letter, scared the hell out of me.  In it, the US has basically become a fundamentalist Christian theocracy--literally my worst nightmare.  I may have to go hear her speak.

Oh, you'll notice below that I finished 1Q84--late last night as it happens.  Wow.  It's an amazing (and yes, weird) achievement for Murakami.  Nearly 1,000 pages of Murakami in the course of a week was a lot more challenging than 1,000 pages of Neal Stephenson over a long weekend.  By the end, I was taking mental breaks with a YA novel, which worked well for me.  Now I must make one of my friends who has lived in Japan read the novel so we can discuss.

And on that note, even without NCIBA, this was an awesome week for books!

Sacre Bleu
by Christopher Moore
Release date: April 3, 2011
Source: the author

I'm such a big fan of Chris's.  Even though I've already read an unbound galley, I just love having a bound galley of each novel in my collection.  Of course, I will purchase a first edition of the hardback as well.  The finished book will be especially exciting in this case.  I can't wait to see the color reproductions of all the artwork in this book!

The Mirage
by Matt Ruff
Release date: February 7, 2012
Source: Gift from Chris Moore

Chris and I have been discussing Matt Ruff's novels for years.  Chris thought that I would really enjoy this thought-provoking novel.  He warned me not to expect Ruff's typically comic tone.  I can't wait to read it!  Sewer, Gas, and Electric has been a favorite satire for years.

The Complete Works of Oscar Wilde
by Oscar Wilde
Release date: January 28, 1900
Source:  my book group

I forgot to include this lovely hardback edition on last week's list.  The book group that I run likes to bring books to give away and share with each other at every meeting.  The lovely Valentina brought this one, I think.  I've really been wanting to read The Portrait of Dorian Gray, so this is perfect!

Smut: Stories
by Alan Bennett
Release date: January 3, 2012
Source: Electronic galley from publisher

Alan Bennett is an awesome playwright, and I loved his novella "The Uncommon Reader."  This slim volume is made up of two novellas entitled, "The Greening of Mrs. Donaldson" and "The Shielding of Mrs. Forbes."  This is going to be a pleasure to read!

The Innocent
by Taylor Stevens
Release date: December 27, 2011
Source: Amazon Vine program

Ms. Stevens' debut was impressive, but I was left uncertain whether I liked her protagonist enough to want to read a continuing series.  This is the novel that's going to help me decide.  Based on her own childhood being raised in a nomadic cult, it should be fascinating regardless.

The Orphan Master's Son
by Adam Johnson
Release date: January 10, 2012
Source: LibraryThing Early Reviewers

Yes, a third copy of this galley that I still haven't read.  (I'll get to it before January!  I'm thinking over Thanksgiving.  It'll make me thankful for my life in this country.)  The good news is that I'll have a copy to give away here.  I have to tell you, I heard raves about this title from a bookseller over the weekend. 

In Other Worlds: SF and the Human Imagination
by Margaret Atwood
Release date: October 11, 2011
Source:  Paper galley from publisher

I was so delighted to see this galley show up because the book hadn't really been on my radar yet.  It looks very interesting, but also kind of dense and intellectual.  I will probably read it one essay at a time between other books, but I'm really looking forward to it!  I love Margaret Atwood.

The Devil's Elixir
by Raymond Khoury
Release date: December 22, 2011
Source: Electronic galley from publisher

You know I love a good thriller and I've never read Khoury.  This could be a pleasant holiday diversion.

The New Republic
by Lionel Shriver
Release date: March 27, 2012
Source: Electronic galley from publisher

I was shocked to learn, over the weekend, that this is a satirical novel.  It's not what I would expect from the author of We Need to Talk About Kevin.  I think Shriver is awesome, and I look forward to seeing a different aspect of her writing.  I doubt I will wait til next year before reading this.



Books finished this week:

1Q84 by Haruki Murakami (It was a marathon, not a sprint!)
Crossed by Allie Condie (I liked it a lot better than Matched, actually.)


Currently reading:

Why Read Moby Dick? by Nathaniel Philbrick


So, what have you guys been reading?  What awesome books have you acquired over the past week?  Please let us know in the comments!