A Magic thing happened on the way to the next chapter

My very good friend, and fellow reader, D. mentioned that I should probably tell you the magical story of my journey to find a hardcover of this novel, which believe me wasn't an easy task... or so I thought.

First I went to Munroe's, who only had one paperback copy for $20...pfft. I knew I could do better (not because I didn't want to shell out the cash, but because I wanted a hard cover, mind).

I walked two blocks and came upon a man drawing with chalk on the sidewalk. He was drawing The Kiss by Gustav Klimt, one of my most favourite paintings in the world. No foolin'. I chatted with the man for a few moments, put all my spare coins in his basket and looked up, only to see the words "Yates Street" in front of my eyes. I blinked, thinking my mind had begun to give me visions. Nope, I remembered, there really IS a Yates street in Victoria. Right. 'This is my street,' I thought. 'There is a bookshop on this street and I will find it. And when I do, it will have a hardcover copy of The Futurist waiting for me.'

Now yes, I do realize I am an idealist. I truly understand this. However, there is something that you must understand as well. If I think something feels right, I usually get what I want (quite gratefully and remembering the thank whatever is responsible for helping me along the way) surrounding that.

So I begin walking down Yates, and I realize I want a photograph of D. holding the book over his head with Yates Street proudly displayed above. So I begin walking looking for the perfect corner for this to occur. Then I see that the streets have plaques stating which street is crossing. 'This is perfect,' I think, and continue my search. Then I find it. The plaque. And across the street, diagonally, is the Serious Cafe, which holds a special vote of confidence for D. and I (the first person I knew I wanted to reda this novel). I walk inside and ask where the nearest bookshop is. "There is a Chapters half a block down on the right," says the barista.

Normally, I would shy away from a bookshop that is not locally owned, but Iwas on a mission. I thank the man, and continue my search. "This is it," I think as I cross the street and walk into Chapters.

They don't have it on prominent display. This disappoints me. A lot.
I really wish this book were a NY Times best seller, instead of a pretty much unknown. It's far too good/strong a book for such low coverage. So under-rated. I look to my right and there is a copy of Black Swan Green by David Mitchell for sale that I consider buying for a moment, but hastily decline when I see, three shelves down, several copies of none other than The Futurist -- IN HARD COVER!! Not only in hard cover, but, due to the under-value of this impressive novel, inexpensive. I consider buying every copy in the store, but leave two in case someone else decides to buy a copy.

At the counter, the clerk (I am almost certain his name is David) and I exchange banter about how sad it is that really good books get placed on the cheap books rack, when they should be on the "YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK IMMEDIATELY" rack. I have another idea. This is the place my epiphany will begin. I will give this man a copy of the book, and then I will ask him to give it away to one of his co-workers or friends in recommendation. YES!
Oh, I love when things just fall into place, don't you?

So I tell this man, David, you must read this book. But I can't leave it there, so I say 'I know! I will give you one of these copies. It's that good that I must. And in return, you pass it along to one of your co-worker or someone and that way many people can read it!' The man looks excited. "Are you sure? Because I'm a really slow reader, so it will take me awhile." Yes, I'm sure, I say. I will come back tomorrow.

Upon the other hand

Once last thing and then that's enough out of me. When you either comment or post, please give your name (or a tag of some form), as well as your city and province (or state if you're in the States), so myself and others can read up on the journey of the book.

Thanks & enjoy!

*Mio*

Kinda like today, only better

Bula bula! If you've come this far, that means you have found a copy of The Futurist. Congradulations! And thanks to that wonderful (cute) chap at the bookshop, David, for passing them on!

I really wanted this book to be shared by the masses, but wasn't sure - other than posting random chapters and talking about how great it was to everyone I knew (I bought four copies at the bookshop to give to people - I'm not kidding. Ask the clerk there; he'll tell you). Then I had an epiphany. I've always had this fantasy of finding a random book in a cafe somewhere and discovering a letter form it's first owner giving me permission to take it, read it and pass it on. While, hopefully, also giving me a place to discuss the thoughts I had on it and possibly a method of contacting them, however anonymously they keep that.
I decided to be the person who does this with this book, so I took a few of my copies (I bought several more later on from another source), and distributed the among the public. Some are found in cafes, some I lent to librarians or book shop clerks, others I gave away with the pretense of passing it on once finished.

I hope you enjoyed the journey James & Yates took you on. Please feel free to discuss it here.

OR, alternatively, if you feel a need to discuss this, or other novels, even FURTHER with an intelligent group of people (one of which is the author, James P. Othmer), please travel here faster than a 30,000 year old ice cube can melt.

If you feel the need for a recommendation of another great book, or you just really need to send something to a person rather than a collective, you can e-mail me here:
the.future.is.the.new.black@gmail.com