Even though mass transit fares are going up on October 2 for a second year in a row with single fares rising from $2 to $2.50 (25% increase), 30 day trip passes rising from $68 to $95 (40 % increase), and 20 trip passes rising from $34 to $42.50 (25% increase), the annual dues for MARTA Book Club remain the same – nil.
For those unfamiliar with the group, the MARTA Book Club is a loose— very loose— confederation of people who read while riding the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority’s public transportation. There are no meeting times, no organizational rules, no t-shirts, and no dues. Very convenient. The only requirement to be a member of MARTA Book Club is to read a book while riding public transportation, which for most riders seems to be a steep admission price.
If rising fares weren't enough, have you seen the movie “Contagion” where this mysterious virus spreads throughout the world killing millions? Did you see how the virus spread? Through human contact on public transportation (and Gwynth Paltrow's adulterous character eating some snacks while sitting at a bar). Oh yeah!
Nevertheless, the MARTA book club marches on just as it always has. We just don't burn our card in protest and quit riding public transportation, (which is what the civic leaders want, judging from the oppressive rate hikes), we just get on that train or bus, put our nose in a book, and read.
What We Are Reading
Either our main book spotter hasn't been doing his job or the admission price to belong to the club is becoming too high, but the latest offering is a noticeably short list of what we have seen people have been reading since the last posting: (See link on the right for a history of MARTA book club postings)
Characters of Lust by Karlyn LeBlanc
Light on Yoga by B.K.S. Iyengar
The Portrait of an Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce
The Hiding Place by Carl Weber
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
American Corrections by Todd Clear
A Road More or Less Traveled by Stephan Otis and Colin Roberts
Chi Running: A Revolutionary Approach to Effortless, Injury-Free Running by Danny and Katherine Dreyer
Norton Anthology of World Literature
Small Business Management: An Entrepreneurial Emphasis by Justin Longenecker et. al
Novels by George R. Martin, John Grisham
Next Assignment: Keep reading, get to work on time, watch for wet spots (of all kinds) and send us your book contributions and observations via comment or visit our Facebook page at facebook.com/thebookshopper.
Seriously words didn't do it justice, that picture is awesome. Also ever since seeing Contagion I am afraid of touching things in public places.
Posted by: Bonnybee | October 01, 2011 at 12:19 AM
i like the picture! As big of a public transportation advocate as I am, my parking pass is free and I have to pay $50 for MARTA. Last month, the MARTA machines ate my $20, and the staff promised me a check that I never received. I drive to work now, and sadly, haven't looked back. That means I'll have to carve out a different time of day to read.
Posted by: Jenna | October 03, 2011 at 01:07 PM
In Atlanta it is well worth tuning in to WAFS 1190AM on Sundays at 11:00 to noon for The Book Report. The show is a lively, fun and interesting combination of author interviews, readings and reviews.
Hopefully you don't find yourself on MARTA at that time, lol!
If you are not in Atlanta you could always check http://bookreportradio.com to see if the show is being broadcast near you.
Posted by: Anne Smith | November 27, 2011 at 10:51 AM
Ahhh Anne Smith thanks for that link. I always try and catch the show but NEVER get too. I should have checked for the website of course but it always slipped my mind. So funny I'm really about marta and saw a link for that show. I used to read the host's work in the Miami Herald. Thats how I know about it.
Posted by: Jonna | December 27, 2011 at 08:34 PM