August 20, 2003

'Bel Canto' Kicks Off Fall Literature for Lunch Series

Bel Canto, selected by the Log Cabin Literary Center for its city-wide reading project, kicks off the fall season of Literature for Lunch, a monthly book discussion group supported by the English department at Boise State University. The public is invited to attend the book discussions, held from 12:10-1 p.m. at the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, 720 West Washington St. The discussions are free and no reservations are required. This fall’s selections include: Monday, Sept. 8: Bel Canto, by Ann Patchett. A spellbinding story of 57 men and one woman taken hostage by terrorists in South America, precipitating a series of life-altering events. Patchett is also the author of The Patron Saint of Liars, named a New York Times Notable Book of the Year, and The Magician’s Assistant. Monday, Oct. 6: Atonement, by Ian McEwan. Adolescence, class, love, war and the imagination come together in this story about stories. McEwan won the Booker Prize in 1998 for his novel Amsterdam. Friday, Nov. 7: The Shell Collector, by Anthony Doerr. A collection of short stories, one of which is set in the North End and at Boise High. Others are set around the globe. Engrossing and beautifully written. Winner of the 2002 Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers Award. Friday, Dec. 5: The Idea of Perfection, by Kate Grenville. In this novel of small-town Australia, no one gets anywhere near perfection, but their efforts are compelling and sometimes laugh-out-loud hilarious. Grenville won the Vogel/Australian Award in 1985, and the Talking Book of the Year Award in 1986. Books in the series are available at the Boise State Bookstore for a 25 percent discount; parking validation with your purchase can be used at the visitor’s lot behind the Student Union building. Books are also available at the Vista Book Gallery, 890 S. Vista Ave. in the Vista Village shopping center, for a 20 percent discount.     For more information, contact Boise State English professor Carol Martin at 426-1179 or e-mail her at cmartin@boisestate.edu, or contact Boise State English professor Jan Widmayer at 426 1233 or e-mail her at jwidmayer@boisestate.edu. -30- Contacts Carol Martin                    Jan Widmayer English                 English 208 426-1179                    208 426-1233 cmartin@boisestate.edu          jwidmayer@boisestate.edu Media Contact Kathleen Craven communications and marketing 2078 426-3275 kcraven@boisestate.edu       TROIKA BALALAIKA BRINGS RUSSIAN FOLK MUSIC TO BOISE STATE    The folk music group Troika Balalaikas will perform traditional Russian music at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26 in the Boise State University Special Events Center. Admission is $10 general,      $5 students, faculty, and staff. Tickets are available through Select-a-Seat. Troika Balalaikas brings time-honored Russian music to the stage with their high-energy performance of Russian folk melodies and rhythms. Using traditional Russian instruments, the balalaikas and the gusli, supplemented with authentic percussion instruments, this ensemble sings in Russian, Ukrainian and Romany, dresses in conventional costumes, and represents a flavor of Old World Russia.        This performance is sponsored by the Boise State Student Programs Board. Call 426-1223 for more information. Contact Autumn Haynes Student Activities 208 426-1223 Media Contact Kathleen Craven communications and marketing 208 426-3275 Return to News home