June 2018
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Hello AW'ers! First, I just want to take a minute to get mushy for a second (you know this comes over me now and then), and express my gratitude for having such an interesting, likable group of people to spend a little time with here and there. Despite being a large group with people from many different backgrounds, languages, philosophies, we often manage to be civil even when we disagree. Not always of course (we are humans after all), but it's often good to see people behaving well and treating one another with respect. Someone recently said to me that "real friendships are only in person" and I disagreed, vehemently. Okay, gush over. For now!
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On my side of the world (that would be Wisconsin U.S.A.), things are heating up, and there is much talk happening in the Gardening Geekery thread. Whether it is your Spring or Fall (feels like summer to me!), feel free to swing on by and chat plants with us!
The Apocalypse Whenever book club: vote for the July book!
We have a great list of nominated books, the challenge is to choose just one! Have no fear though, the August/September books will come from the same list, then we start all over again with new nominations for October through December.
Please note, do not vote unless you will read and return to discuss the book. It's unfair to participants to have their book club selected by hit and run voters. I would also like to encourage not voting on a book simply because you have read and enjoyed it, unless your memory is very fresh and you will return to discuss it. Looking forward to seeing you in the discussion!
NOW: Shades of Grey, by Jasper Fforde
Swan attacks, lightning strikes, colortocracy, oh my! Take a look at that cover, and yes, it fits the story! If you're up for a little satire, check out this quirky and unusual book and feel free to jump in on the discussion anytime.
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"Part social satire, part romance, part revolutionary thriller, Shades of Grey tells of a battle against overwhelming odds. In a society where the ability to see the higher end of the color spectrum denotes a better social standing, Eddie Russet belongs to the low-level House of Red and can see his own color—but no other. The sky, the grass, and everything in between are all just shades of grey, and must be colorized by artificial means.
Eddie's world wasn't always like this. There's evidence of a never-discussed disaster and now, many years later, technology is poor, news sporadic, the notion of change abhorrent, and nighttime is terrifying: no one can see in the dark. Everyone abides by a bizarre regime of rules and regulations, a system of merits and demerits, where punishment can result in permanent expulsion.
Eddie, who works for the Color Control Agency, might well have lived out his rose-tinted life without a hitch. But that changes when he becomes smitten with Jane, a Grey, which is low-caste in this color-centric world. She shows Eddie that all is not well with the world he thinks is just and good. Together, they engage in dangerous revolutionary talk."
JULY 15th off-topic BONUS READ: Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger
Say what now? Uh, this is a group for apocalyptic and dystopian topics, right? So...
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Well here's the thing. We have been talking about this book for a while, because for many people it falls into the Love It or Hate It category. Many of us read it so long ago that we don't remember much, and thought it might be worth a reread. (My thought is if we hate it, our shared misery will bring us closer together, lol.) Also we can explore why it is considered a "classic", and why people have such a strong reaction to it.
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If you'd like to join us for this off-topic read, the discussion will begin July 15th. Plenty of time to get the book (not available as an ebook!) and read it.
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For now, feel free to swing by and let us know which of the many covers you like (or hate).
MAY BOOK GIVEAWAY
Authors: If you are interested in a giveaway, here is the signup page for 2018.
LAST CHANCE TO ENTER! Du Bois by T.J. Mines
"Set in a frozen wasteland, Du Bois is the last city before the ice cap starts. One of the last democratic societies in the world, trade and entertainment thrive in Du Bois. Freedom of speech and religion make it the only known place where all are welcome. But for how long?
Follow Ismael on his quest to protect Du Bois from Al Bari attacks, from within and without. Aand Abdul, who is visiting the city for the first time and finds the last thing he expects there.
See how far the corruption of the world goes."
Quotes from readers:
"This is like the prelude to the Mad Max series!" - Richard
"I need to know how it continues, give me the sequel." - Maria
FREEBIES​
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Unshaken: a Sanctuary Novel by Pauline Creeden
Demons by Perrin Briar
Divided Serenity (Divided World Book 1) by G.L. Cromarty et al.
Aftermath: EMP Post Apocalyptic Fiction- Book 0 by J.S Donovan
Awakening: Forever Winter (Episode 1) - A Dystopian Survival Adventure by KM Fortune
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-That's all she wrote.-
I hope you enjoyed the newsletter — if you have any questions or notice any errors, just send me a message! Freebies are available at the time of this mailing, but are temporary.
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Apocalyptically yours,
Gertie