For February: A Person of Interest by Susan Choi

For February, we have selected Susan Choi's novel of paranoia in the age of terrorism, A Person of Interest,

With its propulsive drive, vividly realized characters, and profound observations about soul and society, Pulitzer Prize–finalist Susan Choi’s latest novel is as thrilling as it is lyrical, and confirms her place as one of the most important novelists chronicling the American experience. Intricately plotted and psychologically acute, A Person of Interest exposes the fault lines of paranoia and dread that have fractured American life and asks how far one man must go to escape his regrets. Professor Lee, an Asian-born mathematician near retirement age would seem the last person to attract the attention of FBI agents. Yet after a colleague becomes the latest victim of a serial bomber, Lee must endure the undermining power of suspicion and face the ghosts of his past.

Listening to the Protest Singer

This month we are reading The Protest Singer: An Intimate Portrait of Pete Seeger by Alec Wilkinson.  This is a book you need to listen to with a soundtrack. Now, if your old Pete Seeger records are unplayable due to the fact that you no longer own a turntable to play them on, you can go to the Smithsonian-Folkways website and click on the "radio" button and chances are Pete will show up sooner or later and you'll discover some other unique musicians on your way there.

I'm sure many of our Loyal Readers have already seen the Pete Seeger PBS American Masters documentary The Power of Song, but take note that Smithsonian-Folkways offers three podcast series combining musical selections and interviews and each one has a special Pete Seeger episode available. You can listen online or search iTunes to download. 

The "Folkways Collection" series explores the history of Folkways records and an overview of the record label's vast holdings. Episode 12 is dedicated to Pete Seeger, but several of the others, such as those on music of the labor and civil rights movements and the episode on children's music also feature our friend Pete.  Well worth a listen.






Episode 20 "Pete Did That?" of the Sounds to Grow On series also explores the many sides of Pete Seeger's music. Loyal Readers may also be interested in some of the other programs in this series, for example "Songs of Struggle and Protest" or "Sacco and Vanzetti."

Finally, the Sound Sessions series also has a Pete Seeger episode in addition to features on Seeger friends Woody Guthrie and Paul Robeson. Happy listening!

Emmett Till Film to be screened in Pasadena

Those of you who attended our recent death penalty vigil, know that in my comments, I delivered a little "Black History Month" lesson about how Governor George Ryan of Illinois was influenced by Mamie Till, the mother of Emmett Till, who gave a speech to Murder Victims Families for Reconciliation, just prior to her death which occurred the very week Gov. Ryan made his decision to commute the sentences of all inmates on death row. Here's a chance to learn more about this important civil rights leader: the Huntington Library offers a screening of The Untold Story of Emmett Louis Till,  on March 2 (Thursday)  7 p.m. Also showing “An Interview with Rosa Parks.” $10 at the door.  Seating is first come, first served.  Information: 626-405-2205.  Friends’ Hall.