Chapter One Book Group
Chapter One is a community of friends committed to enriching our lives through shared experience of the written word and meaningful discussion. The group was established in January 2008 and is currently celebrating its sixteenth year.
Each month, Chapter One dives into a new book selected directly from group nominations. Selections can vary as much as our members.
The group continues to meet and celebrate literature each month in the Chillicothe area of Ohio.
November 2024
The Book of Elsewhere by Keanu Reeves & China Miéville
Fiction
Published in 2024
An action-packed and profoundly stylish epic from genre-bending pioneers Keanu Reeves and China Miéville, The Book of Elsewhere is at times a pulpy, adrenaline-fueled thriller and others a moody, experimental rumination on humanity, mortality and the slippery natures of memory and time. Set in the action-packed world of Reeve’s comics series BRZRKR, The Book of Elsewhere introduces readers to Unute, an impossibly ancient berserker who never forgets and never stays dead for long. Known by countless names and starring in myriad legends and myths over the span of human history, Unute has seen thousands of civilizations rise and fall over the millennia and has been left with one singular desire: to be able to die.
In the present day, a top secret black-ops group has promised Unute that they can help him, provided the ageless warrior is willing to help advance their own shadowy goals in return. But when an all-too-mortal soldier comes back to life, the impossible event ultimately points toward a force even more mysterious – and possibly even more deadly – than Unute himself.
This meeting for discussion of Book #203 is currently scheduled for November 9th at 5PM.
December 2024
Starter Villain by John Scalzi
Science Fiction
Published in 2023
In Starter Villain, John Scalzi delivers a witty and imaginative tale that blends humor with high-stakes adventure. The story follows the unlikely protagonist, a down-on-his-luck everyman who unexpectedly inherits a villainous empire after the previous owner meets an untimely demise. With a motley crew of quirky henchmen and an array of bizarre supervillain gadgets, he must navigate the chaotic underworld of crime, where he learns that being bad isn’t as easy as it seems. As he struggles to maintain control over his newfound empire, he quickly realizes that the line between hero and villain is thinner than he ever imagined.
As our reluctant antihero dives deeper into the treacherous waters of villainy, he encounters rival crime lords, incompetent superheroes, and the moral dilemmas that come with power. With Scalzi’s signature blend of sharp dialogue and inventive world-building, readers are treated to a satirical exploration of ambition, ethics, and the nature of villainy itself. Will he rise to the challenge and embrace his inner villain, or will his inexperience lead to his downfall? In Starter Villain, Scalzi challenges conventions and offers a fresh take on the classic superhero narrative, making it a must-read for fans of speculative fiction and dark humor alike.
This meeting for discussion of Book #204 is currently scheduled for December 14th at 3PM.