Join the Discussion!
Sean Nye will discuss the work of Orinda’s most renowned author\, Poul Anderson (1923-2001) and his probable influences on the highest grossing Hollywood blockbuster of all times\, Avatar. The impressive evidence regarding the possibility of Avatar’s origins in Orinda will be presented as a part of a general introduction to Anderson’s extraordinary life and legacy.
In 2009\, James Cameron’s Avatar was celebrated as a s science fiction masterpiece and landmark of 3D cinema. Cameron\, who wrote and directed the film\, presented Avatar as a story new to science fiction and film history. Yet on science fiction blogs a discussion broke out regarding the distinct possibility that Poul Anderson’s writing\, especially his novella “Call Me Joe\,” a classic of the Golden Age of science fiction\, was a major\, if not central\, influence on James Cameron’s film.
Spanning six decades\, Anderson’s career left a defining mark on the history of science fiction. He won numerous awards\; including 7 Hugos and 3 Nebulas. He lived in Orinda for most of his life and was a regular customer at Orinda Books. Join the discussion—explore the amazing career of Orinda’s icon of science fiction\, Poul Anderson
Sean Nye is a PhD student and research fellow in the Department of Cultural Studies and Comparative Literature at the University of Minnesota. He has published articles on science fiction\, technology\, and popular music history. Like Poul Anderson\, Nye has lived in Orinda\, Minnesota\, and Denmark. He grew up in Orinda\, and his mother\, Ann-O’Connell-Nye\, started The Orinda News in 1986.
The acclaimed author of The Space Between Us—still a favorite with local book groups—and The Weight of Heaven returns to Orinda Books to discuss her new novel\, a beautifully written story of four women and the unbreakable ties they forged when they were university students in Bombay in the turbulent 70s. Over the subsequent thirty years their paths changed as the demands of work and family tempered the revolutionary ardor they once shared. When they reconnect\, their reunion brings a confrontation between their early ideals and their lives in a compromised present.
Thrity Umrigar’s new novel offers an unforgettable portrait of modern India—a nation struggling to bridge economic\, religious\, gender and generational divides. The World We Found is a dazzling masterwork from this remarkable author who we are delighted to welcome again to the Orinda Bookstore.
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Orinda's Robert Etheredge has prepared the perfect reference book for Presidents Month!
"\;The American Challenge"\; offers a complete resource of American history\, civics\, government\, Americana as well as including famous speeches\, founding documents\, maps\, and much much more. You can read about heroes\, unsung and well-known\, explore details about national flags\, state flags as well as details about how each branch of the government works.
Amy Franklin-Willis will discuss and sign copies of The Lost Saints of Tennessee\, her new novel. Amy will be joined by Andrew Castro\, a singer/songwriter whom she commissioned to compose songs inspired by her novel. He will play selections from the nine original songs that complement the stories and characters in the book. His CD\, “The Lost Saints of Tennessee\,” will also be available at the author event.
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