Hello everyone,

I hope your holidays were relaxing and restful. I also hope you were able to spend some time with some good books. If you have a recommendation, leave a comment. I’d love to hear about what you’re reading.

Tonight, out at the Utah State Prison, we kicked off our Spring Book Club. Thanks to the Utah Prison Education Project, we are able to keep this going for another semester. Last semester, after finishing our semester of fantasy fiction, the group voted to migrate to another genre: spy and espionage fiction! To get an idea of what we’re after, here’s our official description:

Step into the world of Cloak & Dagger, where every conversation is a coded message and every story hides a secret. This book club dives into the thrilling realm of espionage fiction, a place of double agents, moral gray zones, and battles fought in the shadows. From the foggy streets of Cold War Berlin to the glowing screens of modern cyberwarfare, we’ll explore novels that expose the cost of secrecy and the allure of the unknown. With each read, we’ll unmask the hidden motives, shifting allegiances, and human frailties behind the tradecraft. Join Cloak & Dagger for an exploration of stories where truth is negotiable, danger is intimate, and no one can ever truly be trusted.

Sounds pretty exciting, right? Feel free to read along with us!

I dropped off our first book tonight, A Coffin for Dimitrios by Eric Ambler (sometimes referred to as The Mask For Dimitrios). We are reading 7 other novels this semester. And due to some generous folks at Soho Press and PRH, we have received many copies of the books we are reading. We still have some gaps, and this is where I ask for your generosity. The Lone Peak Book Club depends entirely on donations to make sure every reader gets their own copy, and we couldn’t do it without generous folks like you.

Here’s how you can help:

• Share this with your friends, coworkers, or anyone who loves a good book and a good cause.

• If you’d like to buy a book support a local bookstore, let me know—I’ll flag the book on our wish list.

• Used books? Absolutely! They’re more than welcome.

• If possible, include your name when you send a book so we can send you a thank-you card (we love saying thanks!).

• Want to get involved with UPEP in other ways? Let me know—I’d be happy to chat!

Here’s the link to purchase books for this semester. When ordering through that link, the books should automatically ship to my address. Let me know if you experience any hiccups.

Thanks for being part of this. You’re helping make our little corner of the world a bit brighter, one book at a time.

Take care,
E.

Published in: 2017
Plot: A dark, modern fairy-tale–infused novel about Apollo Kagwa, a New York City rare-book dealer whose life unravels after the birth of his son. Apollo’s wife, Emma, begins acting strangely—sleep-deprived, paranoid, and convinced that their baby isn’t really their child. In a shocking act, Emma commits a violent tragedy and then disappears. Devastated and desperate for answers, Apollo sets off on a surreal journey through hidden corners of New York—an island of outcasts, tech-obsessed witches, and mythic forces—to uncover the truth about what happened to his family. The novel blends horror, folklore, and social commentary as Apollo confronts both supernatural threats and the legacy of fatherhood.
Trivia: It was adapted into a television program by Apple TV+.

Hello folks. Sorry for the delayed newsletter. We met for the final meeting of our semester about 2 weeks ago and discussed the final 2 books of Mythic Realms. We then finished watching the film Stardust, which we’ve watched in bits and pieces over the last couple of months. So without further ado, here’s what they thought of The Changeling.

Most of the group finished the novel and enjoyed it. We talked a lot about the folktale/mythology aspect of the novel. A few of the readers even looked up the referenced texts and stories on their own, and sure enough, they were all real. The discussion leader read a passage that talked about a protective parent and he got choked up. He said, “That’s what a mama bear does.” It was on page 394, if any of you have a copy nearby (I have already given mine away). But it struck him, and he didn’t elaborate much on why.

The group also liked the comparison the author made of the internet to a vampire: a vampire will suck your life and energy, and not give you anything in return. And the internet/social media and the quest for validation can leave you in a weird trance, without the life you used to have. The main character is invested in his Facebook performance, and it impacts him! While many of the readers haven’t used much social media, they thought that was an apt description.

Overall, they really appreciated it. They’re eager to watch the TV adaptation of it and see how it compares.

If you would like to read The Changeling, here are some links:

• Penguin

• Amazon

• IndieBound

• Libro.FM

Published in: 1984
Plot: It follows 12-year-old Jack Sawyer, who embarks on a cross-country quest to save his dying mother. Guided by mysterious hints and a talismanic map, Jack discovers he can “flip” between our world and a parallel realm called the Territories, where people have magical “twinners.” Jack journeys through both worlds to find a powerful object known as the Talisman, which can heal his mother—and her twinner, the Territories’ queen. Along the way he faces monsters, tyrants, and dark magic, growing from frightened boy to determined hero. It’s an epic blend of fantasy, horror, and adventure.
Trivia: In 2021, it was announced that Amblin would adapt the novel into a Netflix series, with the Duffer Brothers joining the project to assist in its development.

So I saved our longest book for last. I knew there was going to be 3 weeks or so where we wouldn’t meet, and wanted them to have enough time to read this. But also, putting it as the final book I think left the group without a lot of juice left in their tank, so not as many people finished this book as the others. Which, to be honest, this group has traditionally loved Stephen King and burned through his books. But for some reason, this one didn’t pop as much.

The group leader said the story took a while to get into. He said it was an interesting premise, but the story was uneven and he found himself not really caring much about what happened. Another reader said they spent way too much time at the Boys School. He said that’s when the book hit the skids for a bit. Those that read some of the book really liked the character of Wolf. He added a fun dimension to the story.

The few readers that did finish said they weren’t super interested in the sequel (2001’s Black House). One reader said the “flipping” that the main character did reminded him of visiting the Upside-Down in Stranger Things. Which, once you hear that, it’s hard to unhear!

So that’s it for our Mythic Realms. Thanks for following along this semester. We do have a theme for next semester: Cloak & Dagger, or spy and espionage fiction. We have received some generous donations to get readers copies of books, but we may need a few more in the future. And if we do, I’ll e-mail out the wish list.

I hope you’re staying warm, wherever you are reading this from. Thanks for supporting the group and caring about what we’re reading and what our group thinks of the books. We really appreciate it. Hope you have a wonderful holiday season, and we hope you are reading something good.

Take care,
E.

If you would like to read The Talisman, here are some links:

• Simon & Schuster

• Amazon

• IndieBound

• Libro.FM

Published in: 1995
Plot: A royal bastard named Fitz is raised in the shadows of the Six Duchies’ court after being abandoned as a child. Trained in the deadly arts of espionage and assassination by the enigmatic Chade, Fitz learns to navigate the treacherous politics of the kingdom while secretly possessing a magical bond with animals called the Wit. As he grows, Fitz must choose between loyalty to his king and the dangerous power stirring within him—a conflict that will define his fate.
Trivia: The Dutch symphonic metal band Within Temptation drew inspiration from Assassin’s Apprentice for their song “Hand of Sorrow” on The Heart of Everything. A decade later, the British group Kitchen Party also looked to the novel, channeling it into their 2013 single “Fitz’s Poem.

This week looked a little different for our discussion. Our discussion leader wasn’t able to make class, but did pass along his thoughts and questions regarding Assassin’s Apprentice. So I’ve written those below. Many people in the group didn’t finish the book, so we didn’t have a lot to discuss. Below are the leader’s thoughts:

This was a great fantasy novel. (It is really weird typing those words). The story was gripping, I became really invested in the Fitz and Burrich friendship.😁

Scene: I enjoyed the Lady Patience, Lacey, Fitz scene on page 223 when she gave him the puppy. The anxiety in Patience dealing with her husband’ s child was well supported. A lesser woman might have blamed Fitz for Chivalrys downfall but she rose above it (as much as she could). Lacey acted as the Patience ‘higher self’ and it felt very cozy and real. While Fitz suffered from an inability to bond, this is expected with his constant abondonments, his being tossed around to ‘authority’ figures often and his confusion with the Wit and the Skill.

Quote: Page 103. Shrewd speaking “ It was my idea. Not his. He never approved of it. I insisted......(im short on time) Ending with... “ On that you have a King’s word.” The author captured an adult, running the Duchies trying to explain to a young, confused man that the buck stopped with him. The test almost broke Fitzs heart. At least the King owned it. Long live King Schrewd.

Questions: Did Regal mean to tell Fitz his power required Burrich’s strength? Did anyone realize Fitz needed Burrich and their shared wit for Fitz to kick b*tt at Skill? Will Fitz find Molly in the next book and will she be married?

Have you read the book? What did you think?

Due to my work schedule, our final discussion will be on Thursday, December 4th. We’ll be talking about The Talisman and The Changeling. So stay tuned for those! And we may even have our theme for the next book club ready to announce as well. Hope you’re reading something good.

Take care,
E.

If you would like to read The Buried Giant, here are some links:

• Penguin

• Amazon

• IndieBound

• Libro.FM

Published in: 2015
Plot: An elderly couple, Axl and Beatrice, set out across a mist-shrouded, post-Arthurian Britain to find their estranged son. The land is plagued by a strange forgetfulness that clouds people’s memories, leaving even their pasts uncertain. As they journey, they encounter warriors, monks, and mythical creatures, gradually uncovering the painful truths the mist conceals. The novel blends myth and memory, exploring love, loss, and the cost of remembering.
Trivia: In January 2023, director Guillermo del Toro announced in an interview with The Daily Telegraph his plans to write, produce, and direct a stop-motion animated adaptation of the novel. The following month, Netflix Animation and ShadowMachine—del Toro’s collaborators on Pinocchio—officially confirmed the project. Screenwriter Dennis Kelly joined del Toro in writing the screenplay.

The group was looking forward to this novel, as it seemed to be a somewhat subdued, more subtle take on the fantasy genre. The conversation didn’t disappoint: one reader wept when he finished the novel, and another said it was really hard to finish. And there were people in between those two who enjoyed the novel enough.

The group leader pointed to one passage that mentioned the burial of a giant, and he said he didn’t think he could find much else. He wondered why it was called The Buried Giant, and to be honest, the group was kind of stumped. Everyone thought it might be the dragon at the end, but nope, the dragon wasn’t buried. Some thought it might be metaphorical, like a history of warfare that’s been forgotten. We didn’t come to a strong conclusion either way, but the group really wanted to know!

Memory is a big part of this novel, as there’s a mist that covers the land and inhibits the memory of everyone. One reader said memory is so important, and it’s important that we don’t forget the past. “Our past it part of who we are,” he said. “There is no point in forgetfulness. We learn from our mistakes and deal with them.” The group agreed that as much as it’s a natural inclination to erase or forget painful parts of the our past, it would be a shame to waste opportunities to learn and grow.

Two readers in the group commented on the language used in the novel. One said he didn’t like what he called “the quaint niceties” of the novel, where Axl and Beatrice would use pet names or other “ye olde English” type terms. “It got old after a while,” he said. But another reader had to step in and say he felt the book was beautifully written. “Sometimes, I felt like I was reading poetry,” he said. There was a passage that resonated with the group. It’s towards the end of the novel, when Axl and Beatrice are thinking ahead about what might happen if the mist lifts and their memory is returned":

Should Querig really die and the mist begin to clear. Should memories return, and among them of times I disappointed you. Or yet of dark deeds I may once have done to make you look at me and see no longer the man you do now. Promise me this at least. Promise, princess, you’ll not forget what you feel in your heart for me at this moment. For what good’s a memory’s returning from the mist if it’s only to push away another? Will you promise me, princess? Promise to keep what you feel for me at this moment always in your heart, no matter what you see once the mist’s gone.

Yeah, that’s pretty good.

The group agreed the individual elements of the novel made it “cool.” The mist, the dragon, some King Arthur lore—it all made for an immersive read. We had our advocates, we had a detractor or two, and we had a few that, at the very least, appreciated it.

That does it for this week’s discussion. Next week, we’ll be hoping to finish the movie Stardust while the group read’s Robin Hobb’s The Assassin’s Apprentice.

Thanks for reading along. Hope you’re reading something good!

Take care,
E.

If you would like to read The Buried Giant, here are some links:

• Vintage

• Amazon

• IndieBound

• Libro.FM

Published in: 2006
Plot: The oppressed skaa live under the rule of the immortal Lord Ruler, a godlike tyrant who has dominated their world for a thousand years. A street thief named Vin discovers she possesses powerful Allomantic abilities—magic fueled by ingesting and “burning” metals—and joins a crew plotting to overthrow the empire. As Vin learns to master her powers and trust others, she uncovers deep secrets about the nature of power, faith, and the true history of her world.
Trivia: Mistborn has been adapted into a board game, a deck-building game and a Graphic Audio full-cast adaptation. There have been efforts to get a video game and film made as well.

Tonight was the night: we finally read and discussed a novel by Brandon Sanderson. He’s a local and national legend and many of the readers have read multiple titles from him. And the book was by and large a success. We had one dissenter, but everyone else enjoyed the book a lot.

The discussion leader shared a quote about a hero doubting themselves, saying something to the effect of wondering if people will see through the charade of who they are. He liked the quote because, in his view, we don’t get a lot of heroes who truly doubt themselves. He liked that insight into their psyche.

He then brought up a character who appears briefly in the novel, named Hoid. He said Hoid appears in all of Sanderson’s works, and he wondered if it wasn’t an avatar for Sanderson himself. We’ll be asking Sanderson ourselves! Hopefully we get a response.

We talked about the tropes in the book: a person of a lower class rising to the occasion, having a special ability, and lacking parents! And while these tropes are there, Sanderson injects some elements that make this stand out. This is a heist story. It’s a story of political intrigue. And the Allomancy magic system is awesome. It’s something the readers had never read before and made the novel feel fresh. It’s a good balance of fantasy elements/tropes, both old and new.

The readers found themselves warming up to characters over the course of the novel. One reader said he didn’t love Vin at the beginning but he quickly grew to care for her. Elend was similar—they didn’t love him at first but then the group cared for him. Although, one reader said, “It’s awesome that he goes to these fancy balls and just reads.” Yeah, we gotta respect that.

Lastly, the group, even the dissenter, appreciated that Sanderson didn’t try to do too much: the story was straightforward, the names weren’t complicated, and the writing was propulsive and engaging.

So there you have it, a Sanderson novel at last. The readers were hoping to have a chance to read the other novels at some point (and two of them have read the trilogy already).

That does it for this week’s discussion. Next week, we’ll be discussing The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro.

Thanks for reading along. Hope you’re reading something good!

Take care,
E.

If you would like to read Mistborn, here are some links:

• Tor

• Amazon

• IndieBound

• Libro.FM