Dom’s Book Club
This month’s choices:
Fiction
Carrie
By Stephen King
Normally I might wait until October to feature a horror novel, but April, 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the publication of “Carrie,” the debut novel from Stephen King. The man has had such an impact on the publishing world—many say he singlehandedly brought back the horror genre to the masses—that it deserves to be spotlighted.
Plus, the climactic scene of the book takes place at a high school prom, and ’tis the season.
Carrie White comes from an abusive home and is bullied at school. Her life is horrific. Then she discovers she has telekinetic powers, and a despicable prank at prom sets her off on a frightening path of revenge.
King originally intended “Carrie” to be a short story for a magazine, and even gave up on it at one point. But his wife convinced him that there was much more there, and man, was she right. The book went on to become a huge paperback hit and spawned an iconic movie starring Sissy Spacek and a very young John Travolta in just his second film role. (His third would be “Saturday Night Fever.”)
Between the surprise success of the book and the buzz of the film, Stephen King quickly became one of America’s most popular authors, following up in quick succession with “Salem’s Lot” and “The Shining.”
But 50 years ago this month, it was “Carrie” that introduced him to the world.
Find your copy here.
Non-Fiction
The Information
By James Gleick
It’s fascinating to think that, not so long ago, information was lost almost as soon as it was gained. There was no writing, and passing down information relied on the keeper of it remaining alive long enough to share it.
James Gleick undertakes an in-depth look at how our systems of information sharing have evolved through the years, from verbal stories to the celebrated drums of African tribes to today’s supercomputers and artificial intelligence.
For centuries, we relied upon great figures in history to help us gain a foothold on acquiring, storing, or passing along information. Today, with the internet and social media, a stunning amount of information—real and absurd—is communicated around the globe instantaneously. I’ll leave it for you to decide if that’s a good thing or not.
Gleick’s book takes us on a journey of discovery, examining the techniques and the technology that got us to this point, and explores where we may be going.
This book is not for everyone, but that’s okay. For information nerds, it’s a treasure chest. A well-written treasure chest.
You’ll find your copy here.
Past Selections
Magpie Murders
By Anthony Horowitz
A who-dunnit murder mystery.
Stolen Focus
By Johann Hari
Is our attention being manipulated?
The Mountain in The Sea
By Ray Nayler
Sci-fi and octopuses? Beautiful!
Big Magic
By Elizabeth Gilbert
Your creative energy could use this.
Primal Fear
By William Diehl
Courtoom drama with a serious twist.
Devil in the White City
By Erik Larson
A serial killer at the World’s Fair.
Lonesome Dove
By Larry McMurtry
A western that will make you suddenly love westerns.
The Boys in the Boat
By Daniel James Brown
A riveting story of true underdogs who shocked the world.
The Shadow of the Wind
By Carlos Ruiz Zafón
A beautiful - and haunting - story within a story.
The Power of Habit
By Charles Duhigg
The science behind why we do the things we do - and how we can change.
Project Hail Mary
By Andy Weir
Human existence depends on one man—and some alien help.
Bird by Bird
By Anne Lamott
Writing inspiration, sure—but sprinkled with life instructions.
The Graveyard Book
By Neil Gaiman
A delightful and poignant Halloweeen book for all ages.
In Cold Blood
By Truman Capote
Many proclaim this to be the first real true-crime blockbuster.
Slow Horses
By Mick Herron
Disgraced British agents star in a fun, exciting thriller.
Born Standing Up
By Steve Martin
The master of comedy through six decades tells all in this memoir.
Nothings Lasts Forever
By Roderick Thorp
The book that inspired the movie “Die Hard.”
Daring Greatly
By Brené Brown
One of the best books written on the topics of vulnerability and shame.
City of Thieves
By David Benioff
A fascinating tale of WWII, set in a bitter Russian winter.
Man’s Search for Meaning
By Viktor Frankl
A survivor of a Nazi concentration camp will change your view of life.
Rendezvous With Rama
By Arthur C. Clarke
A sci-fi thriller about first contact - with a twist.
All the President’s Men
By Bernstein and Woodward
The definitive account of the scandal that brought down a U.S. president.
I Am Pilgrim
By Terry Hayes
The kind of spy-on-the-hunt thriller that makes for great escapism.
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking
By Susan Cain
Well, hell - the title says it all.
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Happy reading!