Phonin' It In with Madison Smartt Bell

Despite having to reschedule our conference call with MSB, despite our usual meeting space being unavailable, despite not having access to a speaker phone and resorting to using my cell phone, the Eclectic Book Club's first experience with interacting with the author of the book we're reviewing was wonderful. We were able to talk to him for about 45 minutes and ask him all about our featured book, Save Me, Joe Louis, his work on Haitian books, his ability to write about "criminal and whores", and his Tennessee roots. Even if all of us didn't care for the book, I think we all enjoyed having face time with the author, and might consider reading more of Mr. Bell.

Here's how we rated Save Me, Joe Louis:
Amy W. - 1.5
Alycia - 2.5
Sean - 2.75
Kevin - 3
Barbara - 2
Will - 3.75
Val - 5
Cathie - 5
Stephenie - 2.75
Anna - 4 (unofficially)

When asked Amy's excellent question of "What would you recommend us reading in the future?" MSB had these titles to suggest:
Mary Gaitskill, Veronica
Robert Stone, Flag for Sunrise or Dog Soldiers
Carolyn Chute, Beans of Egypt, Maine
Anything by Cormac McCarthy

I hope we can have the opportunity to do this again. Wouldn't it be cool if we could get Margaret Atwood or Barbara Kingsolver on the phone?!? I would love to hear your comments - feel free to leave some!

Our next meeting is later this month, March 28th and we'll read The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini.