Fahrenheit 451 (Ray Bradbury): This book contains a lot of topics to discuss just by itself; so first, think about when you had an opinion on a controversial issue that was different from those around you. How did you feel? Why do people tend to support conformity ("going along with the crowd")? If you read this book, you should examine Faber's three necessities for happiness; in our society, do we have them? The book is also separated into three sections with very specific titles; why do you think Bradbury named each section the way he did? Do you approve of banning books? If so, when do you think it's ok? Who do you think should decide it? How do you think "political correctness" relates to this book and today's society? Do you see much value in Fahrenheit 451 for today's world?

The Crucible (Arthur Miller): It's very important that some of you brush up on the McCarthy Era and The Red Scare, aka American in the 1950s. Specifically, understand the connection that Miller tried to make between his play about the Salem Witch Trials and the Red Scare. What does he tell us about a government not ruled by reason? How do we (or how would you) prevent that from happening today? Under what situations do events like this unfurl? Why do you think Miller chose the Salem Witch Trials as a time to highlight, rather than other events?

Have Spacesuit, Will Travel (Robert Heinlein): This book is often called by older folk (like myself!) the graduation from Harry Potter books. It's not a book about wizards and witches, but it does take you to far-off places for sure. Do you think captivating the audience with science instead of fantasy works? What do you think attracts youth today? Have Spacesuit, Will Travel was written years and years ago -- does it still have a place in a young adult's reading career? If you've read other Heinlein books, how does this compare to his other writing?

And naturally, always think about literary analysis! For example, did the author make smooth transitions when presenting his story? Were things "too obvious" for the audience he/she was reaching? Do you prefer the format of the tale, whether its in short story, novel, or play form? What are the various symbols throughout the reading? And naturally, what was the author's higher purpose in writing the work?

I hope this starts you guys thinking on the right track for an excellent club meeting. We will of course be talking about things well beyond the questions written above -- wherever our minds take us. So be there for the Critique Club!

In the meantime, I thought I should post my July 26th featured reading. As suspected, the featured books for this week includes the Hot Zone by Richard Preston. You can pick this book up cheap at a bookstore -- I found a copy for $7 in the store, and about a buck at an online service -- although it's high quality stuff about real medical and biological dangers. In addition, we are reading Outbreak by Robin Cook, writer of several very popular medical thrillers. Learn about the facts and the fiction of the Ebola Virus with this set of reading!

Hot Zone: Most of you probably heard of the fear-striking virus known as Ebola, but how much do you really know about it? Take a step inside this book, and Richard Preston will show you a world of viruses, at times explaining in horrifying detail. As he does this, you are led on a story about an Ebola virus outbreak in a suburban Washington, D.C. laboratory -- what the scientists went through, what happened to the bystanders, etc. The thing that separates this story from most of what's out there right now is that it's all true.

Outbreak: This book actually was not critically acclaimed and very many readers feel the movie is far better than the book (you should rent it and check it out for yourself -- but get your parents' permission, since it's rated R for language). Like The Hot Zone, this book focuses on the deadly virus Ebola. Unlike the previous novel, it is a fictitious tale that describes an outbreak in a hospital in L.A.. The Center of Disease Control sends out Marissa Blumenthal to investigate. As the plot unfolds, more Ebola outbreaks occur in major cities around the country. Marissa finds out the virus only affects physicians and their patients. When Marissa asks how and why, she is trapped in a conspiracy with, it seems, no way out.

I hope you take the time to do the upcoming reading. In the meantime, get ready for the critique club's first meeting on Saturday afternoon and check out the newly-updated Summer List! (To ask for more books to be added to the list, contact me; in the meantime, write reviews and analytical essays about your favorites, in order to persuade the Times Editor and I some more. ;-) )

Summer Literature List (in no particular order)

Chaos *, James Gleick
20,000 Leagues under the Sea ** , Jules Verne
Joan of Arc ** , Diane Stanley
The Moon Lady and The Chinese Siamese Cat, Amy Tan
Eyes of the Dragon, Stephen King
Isle of the Dolphins, Scott O'Dell
A Wrinkle in Time, Madeleine L'Engel
The Bone Detectives: How Forensic Anthropologists Solve Crimes..., Donna M. Jackson
Stargirl, Jerry Spinelli
The Phantom Tollbooth, Norton Juster
The Once and Future King, T.H. White
Death of a Salesman, Arthur Miller
The Call of the Wild ** , Jack London
The Hobbit, JRR Tolkein
Lord of the Rings, JRR Tolkein
Harry Potter, JK Rowling
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court ** , Mark Twain
The Count of Monte Cristo ** , Alexandre Dumas
Watership Down, Richard Adams
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, Robert C. O'Brien (made into a brilliant though dark animated movie)
Earth Abides, George R. Stewart (read mimiru's review!)

* These books are planned to be featured readings, so pick them up and enjoy!

** For younger readers or people without much time, you may read the abridged versions. However, the unabridged versions are the best for the discussion.