Sometimes the best books to talk about aren’t the best books to read. The Voyage Out Book Group just finished a three-month journey through French Literature. We began with J.M.G. Le Clezio’s first novel The Interrogation, moved onto Marguerite Duras’s The Ravishing of Lol Stein, and wrapped things up with Jean Cocteau’s The Holy Terrors. … Continue reading Three Months in France with the Voyage Out Book Club →

Here's all the week's book news that's fit to repeat, in no particular order: Large retailers are now pushing Amazon to pay state sales tax in places like Texas and California where the online retailer has vehemently refused. In Texas, Republican State Comptroller Susan Combs believes this would account for $269 million. Here's a fun … Continue reading As the Book World Turns…. →

  Ian Rankin is a master at creating characters. His law enforcement heroes are men we learn to accept despite their shortcomings. They brood through Edinburgh never truly understood by their colleagues and loved ones, and even when they catch the bad guy, true justice (like their peace of mind) is an elusive thing. And … Continue reading Review: Ian Rankin’s ‘The Complaints’ →

The amazing (and delicious) The Tiger's Wife cover cake created by Austin's own Blue Note Bakery. "This is an old soul who just picked up from a former life as a writer." - Cyndi Hughes of the Writers' League of Texas describing Téa Obreht When a new book is the focus of as much attention … Continue reading Our Evening with Téa Obreht →

It's give away time and in honor of SXSW, today's prize hinges on your knowledge of music trivia. Here's the question: In what literary work did John Lennon find the inspiration for his song I Am the Walrus, recorded for the Beatles' 1967 Magical Mystery Tour album? The first person who posts the correct answer … Continue reading I Am the Walrus and YOU May Be a Winner →

Someone (Frank Zappa, perhaps?) said that reading about music is like killing for peace. We, the humble proprietors of BookPeople's music book club This Could Be Your Life, beg to differ. We find that reading about what Bowie was really up to when he recorded Station To Station or about Hank's fateful last ride only … Continue reading Our Favorite Music Books (Wristbands Not Required) →