The Men's R&R Group

The Men's Reading & Recreation Group

We read, research and pursue interests ranging from politically correct to stereotypically male. Of course, our research is purely scientific and has included the rodeo, baseball, auto show, trip to Chicago, and whatever else was our fancy. Surprisingly, as it may seem, our "scientific research" is a thin excuse to get together. The Men's R&R meets at Beth Or.

Here is a listing of our upcoming  reading selections.  

January 13 - Ordinary Heros, Scott Turow. It looks like Turow is back at his best, in this novel set in World War II.  A David Karpf "best read." and  our first video: The Lives of Others.  A Karpf/Emerson "must see." Works on many levels: good movie making (excellent direction, music, set design, script), and an interesting social exploration
February 10 - Ex-Libris, Ross King. A rare book mystery set in England in 1660. A really fun literary thriller. A Mitch Kaplan (Books and Books) pick.
 
March 9 - Salman Rushdie, The Satanic Verses: A novel.  We decided it was time to read and discuss one of the classics.  (Link: http://books.google.com/books?id=LtOJ_nj6N6kC&dq=satanic+verses&pg=PP1&ots=Ijdi42Ja-

April 13 - Naming of the Dead, Ian Rankin.  This great mystery writer is not to be missed.  A potent mix of action and politics, set against a backdrop of the most devastating week in recent British history. 

 
 

Ongoing Book/Video Nominees (recommendations welcome at any time).  Next 4 selections to be made at April's meeting.
 

The Fencing Master, The Seville Communion, Club Dumas, Arturo Perez-Reverte.

Never Let Me Go, Kazuo Ishiguro.  Bold novel imagines a school where clones are trained for a terrible destiny. 

The Assassin's Gate: America in Iraq, George Packer

The Places In Between Rory Stewart. "You are the first tourist in Afghanistan," Stewart, a young Scotsman, was warned by an Afghan official before commencing the journey recounted in this splendid book.

The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals, Michael Pollan. …traces the origins of four meals - from a fast-food dinner to a "hunter-gatherer" feast - and makes us see, with remarkable clarity, exactly how what we eat affects both our bodies and the planet.