Aliso Viejo Library Blog

On Tuesday, July 15 the topic for the Aliso Viejo Book Discussion Group was Joshua Ferris’ 2007 novel Then We Came to the End. (Book’s Website) This was Ferris’ first novel and is a finalist for the 2007 National Book Award.

The book looks at the absurdity present in the staff of a failing advertising agency, a victim of the dot-com bust.  Here’s the thing: The book is difficult to get into right away unless you have worked in a similar environment. Initially it is “small and angry” like the book one of the copywriters/aspiring authors is writing. It is also petty and lacking a plot, very much like a bunch of employees getting together around the water cooler or meeting up at a bar after work.

The group felt there are two barriers to this book: the number of characters and the anecdotal telling. The quirky subplots are the plot and are told through the characters as they gossip about the story to their colleagues. You can usually find someone like one of the characters that you worked with, but there are many voices here. The lack of a single voice — the whole thing is told in second person plural, in what Ferris calls the corporate “we” — either draws you into the group or turned off some members of the group.

The structure of the novel obscures the traditional story structure. There is no rising action, just a downward spiral towards the end referenced in the title. You already know the outcome and the reason for it, so plot becomes what the characters do in the meantime. Why don’t they abandon a sinking ship? They snipe at each other, gossip, and wonder who’ll be next to be laid off or as they put it, “walk Spanish down the hall.” So what’s the point?

The point comes in an abrupt change of voice, a chapter told in third person, and finally gives context. It takes place almost completely out of the workplace and brings a significant subplot to the forefront and gives it a human face and a sympathetic character. This chapter made the book for most of the group and made it feel more like fiction than office gossip and funny stories.

Final word: A worthwhile read, especially if you’ve worked in a large, competitive office environment or enjoy the TV show The Office. Read past p. 70. It gets better; we promise.

While summer reading is in full swing, take advantage of our free programs:

On Saturday, July 12, 2008 from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm the Aliso Viejo Library is proud to host local author Angelica Wagner as she leads a discussion of her book, “Are You Ready for a Miracle?”

 Angelica is the author of five books and has trained internationally with spiritual leaders in health and business. Currently the CEO of her own firm, Miracle Works, Inc, she works as a consultant, coach and trainer. She speaks on miracles, business, sales and marketing, networking, balance, and advanced techniques in real estate investing.

 Angelica is also well known and loved as a broadcast personality in radio, featuring millionaire investors/and entrepreneurs as “Secrets of the Millionaire Mind.” in California. Angelica resides in Lake Forest, CA.

Thursday, July 17, 2008, 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Peter DeGregori, CPA and President of Vertical Resources, leads an informative and educational seminar on protecting personal and family assets, including identity theft. Don’t get taken advantage of! There are resources available. There is no charge for this event, and as it’s the dinner hour, food is graciously donated by Sunrise Senior Living.

On Tuesday, June 17 the book group discussed Chris Bohjalian’s 2007 fiction novel The Double Bind. After a good hour and fifteen minutes of discussion, we had to call it. There was certainly more to discuss, and it’s a book I recommend for discussion. Weaving characters, settings, and even themes from Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby gives the book some good facets to explore.

There is a big plot twist — and it’s big, like the one in the 1999 film The Sixth Sense — so I won’t spoil it here by mentioning too many of the themes. Although if you look, Bohjalian puts enough clues to help you figure it out. The groups biggest complaint was the ending was too neat and didn’t justify the buildup.

One overriding theme is mental illness. This is fitting for a book dealing with researching a schizophrenic, homeless man’s old photos. As a member of the group pointed out, the style of writing is meant to duplicate the confusion and altered perceptions of someone suffering a mental episode. Whether you agree or not, the style did leave some of the group cold.

Another theme is that of the American Dream (definitely capitalized) shared with the Great Gatsby. If Gatsby represents the American Dream, so, too, does Laurel, the protagonist of Double Bind. She picks herself up from a terrible attack and makes something of her life. But, like with Gatsby, does it also ultimately need to end in tragedy?

Final Word: We recommend this book. It’s even better if you reread The Great Gatsby before delving into this book.

Summer Reading starts June 23rd!

Catch the reading bug this summer: Starting next week children and adults can participate in the library’s summer reading programs. Children can sign up at the library and then keep track of time spent reading. The more you read, the more chances to win. Read enough and you’ll take home a paperback book you chose from our prize book collection.

For those 18 and older we have our adult summer reading program. Read a book and fill out the info on one of our handy “catch the reading bug” bookmarks. You get a bonus entry if you submit a short review. You don’t need to register, just start reading. Each book is an entry to win one of three gift baskets donated by the Friends of the Aliso Viejo Library!

Teens, we haven’t forgotten you!  Experience metamorphosis through reading. Keep track of your reading time and you could also win prizes. Of course reading is its own reward, but we think the prizes are nice too.

Summer reading runs June 23 to August 17, 2008. We have programs for both teens and children scheduled throughout the summer. Check out our event calendar for details! Don’t miss it!

Due to unforseen circumstances, the Legal seminar on Starting a Business for May 6 is canceled. Mr. Alspaugh will include the May 6 topic in the final seminar on May 13 from 10:30 am to 1 pm. We are sorry for the inconvenience and hope to see you on May 13!

How to Buy a Home: Financing and Budgeting

Monday, April 28, 2008

10:30 am – 12:30 pm

 Realtor Sharie Hendricks is back with the second in her series on getting ready to purchase a new home. Last time she covered preparing financially and this time she’ll cover financing options and fitting them in your budget. There is no charge for this seminar.

How to Start Your Business: A Legal Seminar

Session #2: Banking and Records

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

10:30 am – 11:30 am

 Join Eric Alspaugh, Esq. in the second part of his series on how to navigate the legalities of starting a new business. This session is focused on financials and tax records for the new business. If you missed the first session, don’t worry; these seminars are designed to enable you to pick and choose the info you need. There is no charge for this seminar.

How to Start Your Business: A Legal Seminar

Session #3: Contracts & Insurance

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

10:30 am – 11:30 am

Join Eric Alspaugh, Esq. for the third installment in his series on how to navigate the legalities of starting a new business. This session covers types of insurances and filing claims. If you missed the first two sessions, don’t worry; these seminars are designed to enable you to pick and choose the info you need. There is no charge for this seminar.

How to Start Your Business: A Legal Seminar

Session #4: Funding

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

10:30 am – 11:30 am

Join Eric Alspaugh, Esq. in the last session of his series on how to navigate the legalities of starting a new business. The topic for this session is funding. Mr. Alspaugh will talk about funding types, including investors, financing, types of loans, and grants. If you missed any of the previous sessions, don’t worry; these seminars are designed to enable you to pick and choose the info you need. There is no charge for this seminar.

How to Buy a Home: Bookkeeping

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

10:30 am – 12:30 pm

The third in realtor Sharie Hendricks’ series on purchasing a new home covers the financing after the fact. Sharie will talk about keeping records and making sure you stay on top so you don’t end up another statistic in the housing market. There is no charge for this seminar.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm

First Time Home Buyers Seminar

Sharie Hendricks, Realtor with First Team Estates, will educate you on the basics of what you should do before you start looking for a home. Come to this informative seminar and find out what you need to know before you contact a realtor. Refreshments provided. There is no charge for this event.

 Tuesday, April 22, 2008, 10:30 -11:30 am

How to Start Your Business, a legal seminar

Seminar # 1: Entity Formation

Eric Alspaugh, Esq., will lead you through what you need to know to form your type of business from registering the name of a business entity through what you need from the local and state governments. There is no charge for this event.

This is a 4 - part series. You don’t need to attend all seminars, just those that fit your interest and need. The other seminars are:

#2 Banking and Records, Tuesday, April 29, 10:30-11:30 am

#3 Contracts and Insurance, Tuesday, May 6, 10:30-11:30 am

#4 Funding, Tuesday, May 13, 10:30-11:30 am

The Orange County Public Library kicks off its 7th Annual Teen Poetry and Art Contest, and invites local teens, age 12 to 18, to submit an original poem or drawing. The top three winning poems at each branch library will be included in Voices in Verse, an anthology published by Orange County Public Library. Winning artwork will become the front and back cover designs for the book.

Entry forms will be available through March 15 at all Orange County Public Library branches. The deadline for entries is March 15, 2008. Poems must be typed, no longer than 30 lines, and attached to an entry form. Artwork must be an original black and white design and can be either hand drawn or computer generated. Artwork must be no larger than 8.5 x 11″ in portrait orientation only. A complete set of contest rules is available at all branches of Orange County Public Library, as well as on the library’s website at http://www.ocpl.org/. Teens may also enter the contest at www.ocpl.org/poetry/.

Community members, educators, and/or local writers will judge entries. Winners will be announced during National Library Week, April 13-19, 2008. Voices in Verse will be distributed to winning poets, artists, and libraries. For more details, please call the Aliso Viejo Library at (949) 360-1730.

Best of luck!

The photos are now available for viewing on Flickr! Winners to be announced soon!