BOTNS Books Podcast #82: Happy Anniversary, Scout!

Jun 16

BOTNS Books Podcast #82: Happy Anniversary, Scout!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 21:09 — 12.1MB)

In this episode, we read some listener email, talk about the 50th anniversary of To Kill A Mockingbird, and recommend two great new books that are just out: The Nobodies Album by Carolyn Parkhurst, and Blind Descent by James Tabor.

We love email!

We start this episode with two listener emails. Richard thanks us for recommending Stoner, and responds to our inquiry about novels with nontraditional reading structures. Richard suggests that we take a look at the novels of David Markson, who recently passed away. Richard suggests that we start with The Last Novel, Reader’s Block, Vanishing Point, or This Is Not a Novel.

Katherine wrote in to correct Michael’s pronunciation of a name in his recent recommendation of Operation Mincemeat. “Cholmondeley”, it turns out, is actually pronounced “Chumley.” Katherine goes on to say:

“As I was writing the above, I remembered a limerick Willard Espy included in one of his wonderful compilations on language, probably Words at Play. He noted several English names that were not pronounced as written, one of which was Cholmondeley and another Beauchamp, or “Beechum.” Then he wrote:

A naughty young fellow named Beauchamp
Said: “These jelly tarts–how can I reauchamp?
To my parents I’d go
But they always say no,
No matter how much I beseauchamp.”

The English language can be endless fun, especially in rhyme.”

Thanks to Richard and Katherine for taking the time to write in. We encourage all of our listeners to contact us at any time, using any of the methods in our About/Contact Us page.

Happy 50th to an American classic! (4:45)

July 11th, 2010 is the 50th Anniversary of To Kill A Mockingbird.

Both Michael and I are hoping to listen to the audiobook, which is read by Sissy Spacek. Harper Collins has a website set up for all information regarding the 50th anniversary. They also just released Scout, Atticus and Boo by Mary McDonagh Murphy, which is a compliation of essays from well-known writers and celebrities about the effect that To Kill A Mockingbird had on their lives.

There are many events around the US to celebrate the anniversary. A full schedule is at http://tokillamockingbird50year.com.

Two books we can’t wait for you to read (11:20)

I love, but cannot coherently explain, The Nobodies Album by Carolyn Parkhurst. In this novel, main character Octavia Frost attempts to reconcile with her estranged son Milo, a rock star who has been arrested for the murder of his girlfriend. Much of the story is told through summaries of Octavia’s successful novels, with newly-rewritten endings that make up her next novel. It sounds confusing, but the reading experience is not. And to add an additional layer of interest, author Carolyn Parkhurst has also created an author website for her novelist-character Octavia, where you can see book jackets, read a Q&A, and experience Octavia in a new way.

Michael talks about Blind Descent by James Tabor about two men who each believe that he has discovered the deepest cave in the world. It’s not a book for the claustrophobic, but if you’re a fan of Shadow Divers, you’ll love the adventure elements of this book. If you’ve ever wondered about the various ways you could die in a super-cave, this book is for you — turn immediately to chapter 4!

The Nobodies Album Blind Descent

http://carolinebyline.blogspot.com caroline starr rose

Aw, this makes me want to go bust up a chiffarobe! Happy birthday, Boo, Atticus, Jem, and Scout.
http://carolinebyline.blogspot.com caroline starr rose

Aw, this makes me want to go bust up a chiffarobe! Happy birthday, Boo, Atticus, Jem, and Scout.
Tanya

Oh wow! I LOVED listening to TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (narrated by Sissy Spacek!) When I was in high school, we had to read the book and I totally hated it. I didn’t get it or, appreciate the skill of Harper Lee. A couple of years ago, a mystery group I belong to (!) selected TKAM as a group read and I got the audio. It totally blew me away! It was one of those audiobooks that “opened up” the text of the book to me. I sat in the parking lot of my workplace hypnotized by the narrator’s voice, totally caught up in the tension of certain scenes (“mad dog”) and crying in others (“standing ovation.”) My mind finally grasped the balance of the scenes and the themes of the novel. It is also the audiobook that made me realize how much of the other stuff I had been listening to was, at best, dreck.

I saw the movie afterwards and I actually didn’t care for the movie that much, despite the fact that Harper Lee was on set during filming and was enthusiastic about the screenplay. That said, there was one scene that was written for the film that I thought was worthy of Harper Lee herself: Scout is on the porch asking about her mother… Dang, I’m tearing up a little just thinking about it!
Tanya

Oh wow! I LOVED listening to TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (narrated by Sissy Spacek!) When I was in high school, we had to read the book and I totally hated it. I didn’t get it or, appreciate the skill of Harper Lee. A couple of years ago, a mystery group I belong to (!) selected TKAM as a group read and I got the audio. It totally blew me away! It was one of those audiobooks that “opened up” the text of the book to me. I sat in the parking lot of my workplace hypnotized by the narrator’s voice, totally caught up in the tension of certain scenes (“mad dog”) and crying in others (“standing ovation.”) My mind finally grasped the balance of the scenes and the themes of the novel. It is also the audiobook that made me realize how much of the other stuff I had been listening to was, at best, dreck.

I saw the movie afterwards and I actually didn’t care for the movie that much, despite the fact that Harper Lee was on set during filming and was enthusiastic about the screenplay. That said, there was one scene that was written for the film that I thought was worthy of Harper Lee herself: Scout is on the porch asking about her mother… Dang, I’m tearing up a little just thinking about it!
Jackie Jones

Loved Nobodies Album! A must read for anyone that likes great character development. Multiple storylines converging perfectly.
Last year I borrowed a friends copy of To Kill A Mockingbird on audio. I cannot say enough how much I truly enjoyed Sissy Spacek reading this book to me. She really immersed me in the South and that Time period. I totally recommend everyone listen to this if they have a chance.
Jackie Jones

Loved Nobodies Album! A must read for anyone that likes great character development. Multiple storylines converging perfectly.
Last year I borrowed a friends copy of To Kill A Mockingbird on audio. I cannot say enough how much I truly enjoyed Sissy Spacek reading this book to me. She really immersed me in the South and that Time period. I totally recommend everyone listen to this if they have a chance.
Su

I’m hyperventilating just reading your words about Blind Descent. And I’m not making that up. Nooooooo thank you.
Su

I’m hyperventilating just reading your words about Blind Descent. And I’m not making that up. Nooooooo thank you.
Phillène Fiddes

I loved the limerick, thanx.
Phillène Fiddes

I loved the limerick, thanx.
http://silentsgirl.wordpress.com/ Graceann Macleod

The different ways you can die was Jon Stewart’s favourite thing on the Daily Show, too – not a book I’ll be able to read due to panic disorder, but I envy the author’s guts.

I had a terrible experience reading Dogs of Babel (bestseller or no, I was *not* a fan), so I have to admit I’m gun-shy regarding Nobodies Album.

To Kill A Mockingbird is the only book I ever read that I turned over and started again immediately upon finishing it. It is everything a writer should aspire to produce. Every person should read it at least once – you may adore it, you may hate it, but you should experience it. It will never be topped.
http://silentsgirl.wordpress.com/ Graceann Macleod

The different ways you can die was Jon Stewart’s favourite thing on the Daily Show, too – not a book I’ll be able to read due to panic disorder, but I envy the author’s guts.

I had a terrible experience reading Dogs of Babel (bestseller or no, I was *not* a fan), so I have to admit I’m gun-shy regarding Nobodies Album.

To Kill A Mockingbird is the only book I ever read that I turned over and started again immediately upon finishing it. It is everything a writer should aspire to produce. Every person should read it at least once – you may adore it, you may hate it, but you should experience it. It will never be topped.
jeff

Wow!! Talk about coincidence, not two hours before starting to listen to this podcast episode, I went to the library and decided to check out “A Gun for Sale”. I’ll be looking for the “Cholmondeley” part now.
jeff

Wow!! Talk about coincidence, not two hours before starting to listen to this podcast episode, I went to the library and decided to check out “A Gun for Sale”. I’ll be looking for the “Cholmondeley” part now.
http://www.booksonthenightstand.com Ann Kingman

OH, how funny!
http://www.booksonthenightstand.com Ann Kingman

OH, how funny!
http://www.booksonthenightstand.com Ann Kingman

Graceann, I wish I could advise you, but I never read Dogs of Babel. I really love Nobodies Album, but maybe you won’t like it then. Perhaps borrow it from the library and see — I think that you will know from the first 2 chapters if you will like it or not.
http://www.booksonthenightstand.com Ann Kingman

Graceann, I wish I could advise you, but I never read Dogs of Babel. I really love Nobodies Album, but maybe you won’t like it then. Perhaps borrow it from the library and see — I think that you will know from the first 2 chapters if you will like it or not.
http://ParagraphsBooks.com Joni

I am listening to the audio book of To Kill A Mockingbird (TY Random House for including in white box) and it is a genuine treat. Sissy Spacek reads Scout perfectly, a little precocious, part tomboy, full of questions and definitely southern.

I will be recommending this audio book!
http://ParagraphsBooks.com Joni

I am listening to the audio book of To Kill A Mockingbird (TY Random House for including in white box) and it is a genuine treat. Sissy Spacek reads Scout perfectly, a little precocious, part tomboy, full of questions and definitely southern.

I will be recommending this audio book!
Donna Clark

I immediately ordered Blind Descent for my Kindle and began reading–what a fascinating book! I emailed a caver friend in Arkansas–he knows some of the people in the book. He ran out and bought the book and we spent several days emailing back and forth as we were reading the book. What an adventure–but also a look at some truly brilliant scientists. Thanks so much for the recommendation.
Donna Clark

I immediately ordered Blind Descent for my Kindle and began reading–what a fascinating book! I emailed a caver friend in Arkansas–he knows some of the people in the book. He ran out and bought the book and we spent several days emailing back and forth as we were reading the book. What an adventure–but also a look at some truly brilliant scientists. Thanks so much for the recommendation.
http://toys4farms.wikispaces.com farm toys

It is awesome to find something worth looking at. Seems like everybody is starting a blog and tossing up whatever jumps into their head. Most of the time it does not make good sense. I am pleased to see that is not the case here.
http://toys4farms.wikispaces.com farm toys

It is awesome to find something worth looking at. Seems like everybody is starting a blog and tossing up whatever jumps into their head. Most of the time it does not make good sense. I am pleased to see that is not the case here.