Wasn't Cheese Monkeys a novel?

Yup, but we were young and inexperienced.

And it wasn't a very succesful Book Club. Then we had Rant, and that just blew through the roof. So, that's why I'm ruling novels out. For the time being at least.

I recommend and would be willing to be the Book Club Editor of Screen: Essays on Graphic Design, New Media, and Visual Culture by the lovely Jessica Helfand. The introduction is by the interesting John Maeda.

The content is top notch and would provide an intense discussion. I'm willing to bet the authors would join in as they did in RANT. It's cheap ($14 new and $8 used at Amazon), and it's a joy to look at.

Here's an intro if you haven't seen it or read it yet.

"Screen" sounds good to me. I vow to behave myself and play nice.

I've read a couple of reviews of this book. Me likey. That's on top of the list right now Kiran... yes, there is only one book in the list and that's why this one is on top.

As I skimmed Heller's Citizen Designer I think that could be a really good one too. Tons of essays (Keedy, Heller) and interviews (Glaser, Wolfe, Lasn). But I may not be willing to be Guest Editor. Could change my mind though.

>I vow to behave myself and play nice.

Yeah Sam, whatever. First Fitzgerald, then Mr Tharp, who's next on your list?

I skimmed Heller's Citizen Designer I think that could be a really good one too.

Great choice too. Felix and I discussed it before we hit the Grandpa slush...

Oh, there's no list, I swear. I thought it was very cool of Prof. FitzGerald to participate.

One thing to consider--it seemed like with Rant, the number of essays meant that not all got covered evenly. Does Heller's book have more essays than Rant? It might get a bit unwieldy, discussionwise, and harder to go in-depth. I know Screen has essays, but it's all in one voice and presumably pointing all in the same general direction.

I know Screen has essays, but it's all in one voice and presumably pointing all in the same general direction.

True. What is nice is the division of the contents, as you can see by the above images. It may make for a more orderly discussion.

>Does Heller's book have more essays than Rant?

Many, many more. Point well taken.

I've got Screen sitting on my shelf making me look smarter so I'll vote for it (I might actually read it then). I like the idea that it's one author's point of view, instead of the fragmentation you sometimes get with an essay collection. I agree that would keep things on track a little more.

I’d like to read Screen.

Also, Chip Kidd by Véronique Vienne is about to be released!

Screen sounds great, and under $15 shouldnt gather too many complaints!

well i would say that is just about consensus. screen looks good to me too. though i think i'll pick up citizen designer anyways. want to make the call, armin?

Crap.

I'll sleep on it.

Maybe put this one in the queue:

"Obey the Giant" by Rick Poynor. Or wait for his new one in the fall. His writing is incredibly insiteful and inspirational to me.

Also, the new Emigre should be out soon...

Anything BUT the new Emigre

Oh, c'mon, it got us talking, didn't it? Something that gets a strong reaction (positive or negative) is always more interesting.

>Also, the new Emigre should be out soon...

>Anything BUT the new Emigre

Yeah, there might be an article in there by a little someone we all know that I wouldn't be too happy about you guys shredding to pieces. Especially if Sam's around, that's his thing.

Poor Sam, I'm making him look like the bad guy...

Oh and yes, Rant's Book Club is one of my personal highlights from Speak Up. That was one of the best discussions I have ever been part of.

No it maybe shouldn't be the Emigre book club, though it would provide for some sport, to be sure. (Excuse me while I speak in British.)

Unrelated to the book club but speaking of Chip Kidd, I highly recommend (if only there were a section of some sort...) Gum Magazine, which has a mini comic book starring Jon Spencer and Chip Kidd.

>Gum Magazine, which has a mini comic book starring Jon Spencer and Chip Kidd.

And a feature on Fred Willard?!?! Now that's good editorial content.

>if only there were a section of some sort...

Where could one find such a lovely feature, an open forum where you could recommend anything from books to movies to web sites? Where oh where?

Oh fine.

Did I mention it comes with gum? Of course it does.

i would much rather do the Heller book for that type of thing than to follow Emigre on regular basis.

That shouldn't stop any of you from posting a thread on the new Emigre so that Bad Sam can go hog-wild on Armin.

I look forward to the Chip Kidd book. Perhaps next time, after it's released?

Screen seems like a good choice.