So today was the first lastbookclub adventure. British Library hosted a reading of The Information by James Gleick. I was slightly late but so was Gleick so it all worked out in the end.
The event started with a reading from the Information. Gleick chose to read a large section from the beginning, which I already read, and also added a few florishes. Next up were some student films - 45 second interpretations of The Information in a visual format. As there were 12 of them and no indication of who made what, it's hard for me to disect them properly but I did think they were hit and miss. BUT a great idea. How many non-fiction books get creative visual interpretations?
Rhys was able to capture the Q&A at the end with Audioboo. I find it's these sections that really bring out the real element of the author and his relationship with his work. A couple of the questions were a bit too self-important for my taste (it was the British Library after all). I wish there were a few questions on why he wrote the book and disected the process/ research but I guess that may be up to me to ask at future readings.
I loved reading a book (or some of it at least) and hearing from the author. Getting the book signed was a bonus - like an author's way of saying thank you. Or at least it is to me. So for future lastbookclub books and events, we'll be picking books (as often as possible) that coinscide with readings by the author. You can read any book by any one but connecting it with events gives our book club endevours a unique flavour.
Want to get reading? Start with The Information and we'll go from there.
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