In Tune With Books, Music

The latest innovation among book discussion groups is one that appeals to both book and music lovers. If you fit that category or are just curious, drop in on the Book and Song Reading Group at noon Tuesday at Barnes & Noble in Thousand Oaks.

Music department manager Matthias Becker leads the group.

The Ventura resident, who came up with the idea, also selects the discussion material. Previous subjects have been “Phantom of the Opera” and “Angela’s Ashes.”

This week, the topic will be the life of Eva Peron, with music from “Evita,” adapted for the musical motion picture by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

So far, the size and makeup of the group vary according to the topic. “Angela’s Ashes” drew many people with Irish backgrounds, Becker said, while “Phantom” brought in an older crowd.

He predicts that the “Evita” event may attract a younger audience.

“This is the first literacy event that our store is holding where they combine books and music,” Becker said. “I think it is a high-flying concept.”

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The position suits Becker--he not only loves books and music, but he worked his way through college in Germany as a disc jockey.

He often chooses the music first and then checks to see if there is a book to go with it. In the case of “Angela’s Ashes,” he read the book by Frank McCourt and was so impressed that he checked out the film’s soundtrack.

During the meeting, he compared the soundtrack to the book rather than to the movie. He wanted to see whether the tone that was set in the movie was the same tone that underlies the book, he said.

“John Williams actually wrote the soundtrack to the movie, not to the book,” Becker said. “The book always has a very positive and humorous undertone, even though it’s very depressing.

“The movie is actually very depressing, and that’s what the music is. Williams wrote a fabulous soundtrack, but it’s definitely a soundtrack for the movie and captures the essence of the movie.”

Becker said this week’s session on Eva Peron, who died in her 30s, should be interesting. He will get into discussions about the flow of the material and whether the musical captured the times it covered.

Looking ahead to next month’s meeting, he said he might choose “The Lion King,” although there is no book to go with it. Julie Taymer came out with a book that tells the history of the making of the Broadway show, so he might use that to see how a very successful movie was put on the stage, he said.

In his spare time, Becker admits to thinking up ideas for screenplays. Meanwhile, armed with a teaching credential and a love for books and music, he is happy to lead the Book and Song Reading Group. Check it out.

HAPPENINGS

* Sunday: 1 p.m. Dan Barton will discuss and sign “Killer Material.” Mysteries to Die For, 2940 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, 374-0084.

* Monday: 10 a.m. Paula Gunn Allen, a poet, essayist and scholar in American Indian literature, will discuss contemporary Indian writing. Her credits include “Life is a Fatal Disease: Collected Works,” “The Woman Who Owned the Shadows” and “The Sacred Hoop.” Samuelson Chapel, Cal Lutheran University, 60 W. Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks. Free. Sponsored by the CLU English department, 493-3151.

* Monday: 11 a.m. Storytime, followed by an egg hunt. Borders, 125 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, 497-8159.

* Tuesday: noon. The Book and Song Reading Group will discuss the life of Eva Peron and its adaptation into a musical by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Read the biography and listen to “Evita.” Thousand Oaks Barnes & Noble, 160 S. Westlake Blvd., 446-2820.

* Tuesday: 7 p.m. The Short Story Group will discuss Jean Toomer’s “Blood-Burning Moon” from “The Oxford Book of American Short Stories” edited by Joyce Carol Oates. Borders, 497-8159.

* Tuesday: 7 p.m. The Partners in Crime Mystery Group will focus on Robert Clark’s Edgar Award winner, “Mr. White’s Confession.” Borders, 497-8159.

* Wednesday: 9:30 a.m. Storytime about gardens and how to grow your own. Ventura Barnes & Noble, 4360 E. Main St., 339-9170.

* Wednesday: 10:30-noon. Bonnie & Arthur Geisert, who have just completed their fourth book, “Mountain Town,” will discuss and sign their work. Previous books are “Prairie Town” and “River Town.” Adventures for Kids, 3457 Telegraph Road, Ventura, 650-9688.

* Wednesday: 11 a.m. Celebrate Passover with “The Matzo Ball Fairy” by Carla Heymsfeld. Borders, 497-8159.

* Wednesday: 7 p.m. The Writer’s Workshop will meet to read and talk about writing, share ideas and discuss publishing. Writers of all genres welcome. Ventura Barnes & Noble, 339-9170.

* Thursday: 7 p.m. The American Girls Club will focus on Samantha. Thousand Oaks Barnes & Noble, 446-2820.

* Saturday: 10:30 a.m. The “Bear in the Big Blue House” and other stories. Thousand Oaks Barnes & Noble, 446-2820.

* Saturday: 10:30 a.m. Nathan Walpow, author of “Death of an Orchid Lover,” will appear, followed by John Shannon, author of “The Poison Sky.” At 2:30 p.m., Judy Mercer, author of “Blindspot” will appear. All will discuss and sign their books. Mysteries to Die For, 374-0084.

Information about book-signings, writers groups and publishing events can be e-mailed to anns40aol.com or faxed to 647-5649).