January 25, 2008

Books & Coffee warms February with novel selections

Books & Coffee, which is free and open to the public, begins at 4 p.m. when tea, coffee, hot cocoa and baked goods are available. The half-hour book talks begin at 4:30 p.m. and all are located in Stewart Center, rooms 302 and 306.

The discussions include:

* Feb. 7. John Duvall, professor of English and editor of "The Cambridge Companion to Don DeLillo," will discuss DeLillo's most recent novel, "Falling Man." The author explores how Sept. 11 affected people's emotions, memories and their perceptions of the world.

* Feb. 14. Bich Nguyen, an assistant professor of English and Literary Awards Committee Chair, will discuss the Pulitzer Prize winning "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay" by Michael Chabon. Chabon will be the speaker at this year's Literary Awards at 8 p.m. April 15 in Stewart Center Loeb's Playhouse. The novel is about two Jewish cousins - one who escaped from Nazi-invaded Prague - in New York City who create comic book heroes.

* Feb. 21. Julio Ramirez, professor of civil engineering, will discuss "The World is Flat" by Thomas L. Friedman. In this journalist's book on globalization, the author chronicles how the flattening of the world happened at the beginning of the 21st century and what it means to countries, companies and individuals.

* Feb. 28. Margie Berns, professor of English and faculty adviser for the Student English Association, will discuss Jack Kerouac's "On the Road." This work was selected by an online poll during the fall semester. The book, which is considered the epitome of the Beat Generation, was published in 1957 and re-released in 2007 to mark its 50th anniversary.

Attendees also may enter drawings for prizes, including books and sweatshirts. Books & Coffee is sponsored by the Department of English and the Purdue Student Union Board.

Writer: Amy Patterson Neubert, (765) 494-9723, apatterson@purdue.edu

Source: Angelica Duran, an associate professor of English and Books & Coffee coordinator, (765) 496-3957, duran0@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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