Robert M. Pirsig (1928–2017)

Join us for a bite to eat and some bookish talk as we discuss our April group read Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig in the Community Room of Panera Bread in the Charleston Town Center Mall (Charleston, West Virginia), located on the first floor across from the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center. All meetings are from 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM ET. Discussions are generally led by librarians (active and/or retired) from the Kanawha County Public Library. Books are available at the Kanawha County Public Library - Main, just mention the Mall Book Group.

The meetings are free and open to the public. We hope to see you next month. Happy Reading! (BookDivasReads)… (more)

Readers looking for recommendations on books to acquire with their holiday gift certificates are encouraged to join debut urban fantasy author Bishop O’Connell, who will share cookies and refreshments as well as insights into his American Faerie Tale series. The Stolen opens with a mortal child kidnapped by faeries for the first time in more than a century. Bishop was a Navy brat, and long-time San Diego resident before his restless nature led him to explore multiple careers and residences across the nation.

In the giving spirit of the season, Bishop shared his experience with a life-changing book:

When I was fourteen, I was given a copy of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. It was the first book I was given. I don’t overstate when I say that book changed my view of the world. It was one reason I majored in philosophy in college. It’s an esoteric piece to be sure, and it would’ve been easy for someone to think I was too young to understand it. But that didn’t happen. I devoured the book, and have read it again countless times since then. It’s not a spiritual book. Rather it broadened my understanding, taught me to think, and to view the world in new ways. It’s kind of astounding if you think about it. A collection of words printed onto paper had that kind of lasting effect. Of course not every book will have that kind of impact, but some might. And it might just be a book you least expect, one you might not have bought for yourself.

Location: Street: 5943 Balboa Avenue Additional: Ste 100 City: San Diego, Province: California Postal Code: 92111 Country: United States (added from IndieBound)… (more)