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Thursday, February 3, 2011

Nightlife / Books Lynn Shelton, Megan Griffiths, and Lindy West File Book Reports about What They Were Reading at the Reading Party Last Night

Posted by Christopher Frizzelle on Thu, Feb 3, 2011 at 3:34 PM

Last night at Frizzelle's ridiculously charming silent reading party, I dug into The Meaning of Smekday, a selection of "young adult" fiction that I recently had the pleasure of observing my 12-year-old son chortling his way through. He's got a great sense of humor so I thought I'd give it a whirl. I found myself hoping that my occasional giggles were not disturbing the beautiful peace too much... Luckily Kyle's lovely piano playing generally covered my tracks.

Megan Griffiths (filmmaker):

It was weirdly not weird to read silently in public among strangers doing the same. I brought along my friend David Lipson's new script that I was dying to read, and it was amazing to just sit and really focus and enjoy it. Enforced reading time might have to become a regular part of my schedule.

Lindy West (Stranger film editor):

The title of the book I was reading is not important. Let's just say that dragons are involved. And squires. Also zombies are coming over the north wall! Everything is fucked! Anyway, I enjoyed some fortifying quiet time and ate Crab Macaroni & Cheese, which should really be called Cheese Macaroni & Crab because there was a LOT of crab in it. Crab is my favorite food.

Who will the special guests be for the March 2 silent reading party? (Which isn't so silent anymore, now that Kyle O'Quin is playing classical piano for the first hour.) The whole lineup isn't set yet, but one of the confirmed special guests for March 2 rhymes with... REBECCA BROWN!

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Winter is coming Lindy...

Posted by CodyBolt on February 3, 2011 at 3:51 PM

I heart Smekday. Really fun. Lynn, next up, try An Abundance of Katherines

Posted by Ancient Sumerian on February 3, 2011 at 3:59 PM

A ten-year winter and a wench is searching for Sansa

At least, that's the part where I'm at.

Posted by coda on February 3, 2011 at 4:10 PM

At this point I have a feeling that series is never going to be finished.

Posted by Sudden Nut on February 3, 2011 at 4:16 PM

I love that series with an unhealthy passion, Lindy, but beware: George R. R. Martin has been working on the latest installments for years. Plus, he's getting up there in age and is a big man (read: I am terrorized by danger of him dropping dead from a heart attack). The story may never be completed.

Posted by plsgivegrrmanewheart on February 3, 2011 at 4:19 PM

It's also not so silent because some people start taking really loudly once Kyle finished playing. I wonder if the piped in music needs to be slightly louder to discourage the post "concert" chatter?

Posted by josh

on February 3, 2011 at 4:29 PM

I'm (re)reading book 3 as we speak, with 4 ready to go on my kindle. I haven't read 4 yet, but was forced to re-read 1-3 because I'd forgotten so much. I just hope 5 doesn't take so long that I have to re-read 1-4.

Posted by rudedog on February 3, 2011 at 4:45 PM

@ 6 -- that's a good thought, Josh. Or we could have Kyle play from 7 to 8, instead of 6 to 7, so the first hour is piped in music while people quietly read, and the second hour is Kyle playing, and then at 8 people could start talking amongst themselves... It does seem like as soon as he stops, people can't help talking.

Posted by Christopher Frizzelle on February 3, 2011 at 5:22 PM

I would point out the bit of inaccuracy in Lindy's synopses of the story, but I'm afraid that I might give something away by doing so if this is her first read through.

Posted by Knat on February 3, 2011 at 7:05 PM

The 7 to 8 plan sounds ideal, people arriving should already be pretty reading focused. Then 8 could be more for transitioning to quiet book talk.

Posted by Josh Bis

on February 3, 2011 at 7:11 PM

I would pay to read a Lindy West review of Song of Fire and Ice.

Posted by -ink on February 3, 2011 at 9:36 PM

@6, @8: YES. It is aggravating the way people forget all about the "silent" part as soon as the pianist is finished. STFU, people!! We're reading here!

Posted by kate on February 3, 2011 at 11:17 PM

Lindy, I want to have your babies.

Posted by Spike1382 on February 4, 2011 at 12:34 AM

@6 @8 @12 - I've also been super irritated by the increased chatter after the music stops. I'd love to see the piano hour swapped.

Posted by girlstyle on February 4, 2011 at 8:40 AM