Being new to a city brings with it certain challenges: Learning Dallas street names, only to have them turn on you moments later. Identifying the strange, elemental metal flavor in the tap water (current suspect: the rarely noted Ruthenium). And of course, the most pressing: meeting like-minded folks.
Book clubs are good for that.
Whether you're a transplant or native, you still want somebody you can high five about that book you've been reading -- even if it's pure smut.
In fact, sometimes especially if it's pure smut.
Check out the shortlist on the next page; that's where you'll find atheists, panty-droppers, sci-fi enthusiasts, and even people who just like regular old books. Somebody in there has got to "get" you.
The antithesis of a bible study, the Dallas Atheist Book Club, is reserved for those who want to explore the effects of religion on the world around them. This month's selection, Moral Combat: Black Atheists, Gender Politics, and the Values Wars, is billed as a celebration of Black History Month. Which seems odd, since the rest of the state/country/continent celebrates Black History Month in February, but leave it to the atheists to get an early jump on things.
The group meets next Wednesday at 7 p.m., so you still have time to gobble down the subject matter. Visit the link for meeting details.
Primarily female occupied, Great Books and Fresh Coffee is perfect for those searching for more artsy than fartsy. This month's selection, Leaving Van Gogh, views the painter from the sterile seat of his friend/physician, Dr. Gachet. You (as Dr. G) watch as then unknown Van Gogh unravels, and vanishes. Only to posthumously enjoy fame. The next meeting is on Monday, at 7 p.m., so get crackin' on that novel. Visit the link for meeting details.
Vampire-punctured nipples and trouser sausage are the stuff of literature, too. Well, maybe they're just just the stuff of books. Or maybe they're the stuff of books that focus on stuffing things into other things. Whatever you want to call 'em, trash novels are they daytime television of the literary world, and there is a support group for them: Smart Bitches. Trashy Books. Ideally, to join you would be A.) A smart bitch, and B.) be interested in trashy books.
If you're still confused, don't worry. I've created a pretty terrible Venn diagram that should remove any questions you may have.
The next meet-up is scheduled for Sunday, and the gals will be delving into the first book in Anne Rice's classic erotic Sleeping Beauty Trilogy: The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty. Sure, you have only four days to read it, but once you start smutting it up, you won't be able to quit. Follow the link for more details.
If you prefer your fiction seasoned with a heavy shake of science, check in to the Dallas Sci-Fi Book Club. The current selection is The Time Ships -- author Stephen Baxter's sequel to Wells' The Time Machine. Ships was created to mark the 100 year anniversary of Wells' classic work, and was done so with official authorization from the Wells' estate.
Still unsure?
It won the Phillip K. Dick Award (!!!) and the John W. Campbell Memorial Award in 1996, so approach it with open, robotic arms. You've got three weeks to knock this one out; the next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Januarty 25th. Follow the link for details.
