What features would you like to see in the Beachwood Books section?

Maybe a definitive Chicago history books list? You pick a topic and then a book to match. Or maybe an updated "Read more about..." list that relates to current events (mob trials, governmental hijinx, etc.)

I recently read Gang Leader for a Day and am now reading The Jungle. Both are pretty interesting and relevant to news happening today.

I like the "read more about..." idea.

How about a list of great books on Chicago sports...?

I read "Playing for Keeps", by David Halberstam on Michael Jordan, a few months ago... I would put that on the list.

I like the idea of doing Chicago-based lists . . . it always generates discussion. The sports one would be a good start; will take it under advisement. Or, open now to suggestions. We can say "here's what the Beachwood Book Club came up with . . . "

We'll have an excerpt from Bill Wasik's "And Then There's This" this week. He invented the flashmob.

Piercing the Veil

I am not from Chicago, but know an author who is. His name is Eric Wentz and he recently published a novel entitled "Piercing the Veil." The book was reviewed by Simon Barrett, who commented that "This may be the hidden best seller of 2009." Though listed as action/adventure fiction, it has a great deal of "fact" or "truth" to it. The author is a Naval officer and full-time English teacher in Chicago. I have read this book twice now and will, no doubt, read it a third time with my book club here in the Seattle area.

The author's blog page is:
http://piercingtheveilbook.wordpress.com...

Simon Barrett's review(s) can be seen at:
http://www.bloggernews.net/122012

Mr. Barrett also interviewed the author on talk radio, which can be heard at:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/search/eric...

which was followed by another posting on his blog page:
http://www.bloggernews.net/122104

As he is from the Chicago area, you may wish to contact him to meet with all of you regarding his book. He is a Goodreads author also and sounded very captivating during his interview.

Good luck! And, for those of you who choose to read the book, I hope you enjoy it as much as I have!

Christina

For a good read on the history of Chicago and the Chicago river especially, I recommend "The Chicago River: A Natural and Unnatural History". (http://tinyurl.com/ma226h) I picked up this book after living in the city for a few years. Really well done... interesting even when the material gets a bit dry. So to speak.