shades Magazine (finally) launches its book club
We’ve been talking about it for months and are excited to announce the beginning of our book club for all you avid readers out there!
We are kicking it off with one of our favorite authors – Octavia Butler – and two of her books – Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents. The books were written as part of the Earthseed series; sadly, her death in 2006 left the last book – Parable of the Trickster – incomplete and unpublished.
Our first discussion on Sower will be Friday, Oct. 4, at 6 p.m., and the Talents discussion will take place also at 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 1. We realize this may be a short window for some, but wanted to finish (and or get deep into both) before this year’s presidential election on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
Why now?
Butler’s ability to share stories about her future in the Parable stories is beyond uncanny as ~ Slate.com reporter Rebecca Onion wrote on Sept. 19, 2020:
“Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents contain many plot elements that seem to have “predicted” our current circumstances. But because Olamina’s story is also the story of a prophet — and because Butler is interested in how people might retain their humanity and direction through conditions of extreme chaos and change — the Earthseed books are instructional in a way that other apocalypse fictions are not. They are not prepper fiction, though reading them will teach you a thing or two about go bags and the importance of posting a night watch.
“According to people who love the books, myself included, they offer something beyond practical preparations: A blueprint for adjusting to uncertainty.”
To register (BOOK 1)
When: Oct. 4 at 6 p.m. Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance* for this meeting at https://bit.ly/shadesbooks-parable.
*After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Learn more about the books/author:
- Goodreads.com (A helpful website to read about books, but doesn’t sell them.)
- Octavia E. Butler on Wikipedia
- OctaviaButler.com
Purchase books:
Free from the library:
- Check out in person
- Libby (app+your local library card) for ebook or audiobook (or your library may use a different app such as Overdrive or Hoopla)
- If your local library has limited options, many libraries allow you to get a card even if you are not local. NY public library – any New York Resident. San Jose public library – any CA resident. Or try a neighboring city or county. Google for your location.
Purchase options other than Amazon
- Your local independent or chain book store will order for you if they don’t have it in stock.
- Order from Bookshop.org and choose which Indie Bookstore gets the sale.
- Order audiobooks from an Indie Bookstore of your choice using the app Libro.fm (subscriptions available, but not required).
Book 1 summaries and analysis – FREE DIGITAL