This is a special, almost defining program for Writers Bloc, a program that explores the purpose of reading literature. David Ulin’s book, The Lost Art of Reading: Why Books Matter in a Distracted Time, is an intimate and personal exploration of reading novels (and for discussion’s sake, we’ll include the occasional nonfiction work) for the sake of enjoyment, enrichment, stimulation and intellectual engagement. David examines why reading matters, how thinking about ideas presented in literature can actually help us move forward as a civilization. At the same time, David gets into the things that distract us most—the siren call of emails, for instance—and while these distractions aren’t dreadful for humanity, we lose some footing as our attention is pulled elsewhere. Ebooks can broaden our reach, can increase our exposure to books and authors we might not otherwise meet. But before we talk about ebooks, we need to get back to reading, to literature, to engagement with story and author in the first place. David is a distinguished editor, having done time as Editor of the Los Angeles Times Book Review, and editor of several terrific anthologies of Los Angeles-based literature. Happily for Writers Bloc, David has been a moderator for many Writers Bloc programs as well.
Peter Guber is a master of the universe of pop culture. He’s behind some of the most successful Hollywood blockbusters, including Shampoo, Taxi Driver, The Way We Were, Midnight Express,Rain Man, Batman, The Color Purple,and too many more to name. But we’ve got to mention Sleepless in Seattle, Groundhog Day, and Philadelphia. He exerted enormous muscle in television as well— in sitcoms such as Seinfeld, Mad About You, and so many others. Game show fans will appreciate his revamping of Jeopardy. He’s run studios, production companies, record labels, and an NBA team with staggering success. In his spare time, Guber is a professor at UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television, runs Mandalay Entertainment, and has a new book coming out in March, called Tell To Win: Connect, Persuade and Triumph with the Hidden Power of Story.
7:30 PM at the MGM Building, 10250 Constellation Blvd., Century City. Park in the Century City Shopping Center (The Westfield Mall) directly across the street. Tickets $20 (cash or checks only please). RSVP TO THIS EVENT
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