Summary: A novel that won't be read for 100 years; reading goals (or not) for the fall, and two books of nonfiction that we can't wait for you to read. Why I'm exploring human cryogenic preservation Margaret Atwood has been invited to be the first author to participate in The Future Library (http://www.katiepaterson.org/futurelibrary/) project. Atwood will write a new book for the project. However, it won't be printed and published until 2114. This is a very cool project, undertaken by Scottish artist Katie Paterson, and I'm just sad that I won't be around to read Atwood's book. (http://booksonthenightstand.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/audiobooks.jpg)Audiobook of the week (08:17) (http://www.audiobooks.com/audiobook/giver/196674)(http://covers.audiobooks.com/images/covers/full/9780062331878.jpg) The Miniaturist (http://www.audiobooks.com/audiobook/the-miniaturist-a-novel/217554) by Jesse Burton, read by Davina Porter, is my pick for this week’s Audiobooks.com Audiobook of the Week. Special thanks to Audiobooks.com (http://www.audiobooks.com/freebook) for sponsoring this episode of Books on the Nightstand. Audiobooks.com allows you to listen to over 40,000 audiobooks, instantly, wherever you are, and the first one is free. Download or stream any book directly to your Apple or Android device. Sign up for a free 30-day trial and free audiobook download by going to www.audiobooks.com/freebook (http://www.audiobooks.com/freebook) Looking backward, looking forward (12:49) in this segment, Michael and I look back on our summer reading, including Beach Blanket Book Bingo (http://booksonthenightstand.com/2014/05/botns-282-beach-blanket-book-bingo.html), and talk about our reading in the months ahead. We are going to keep the Bingo cards up, but we won't be doing another official Book Bingo challenge until next summer. We'll announce our plans and take suggestions for categories in February. Basically, Michael and I are not making reading promises this fall. We're going to read whatever we want, with no particular reading goals. Michael will also be reading for his Coursera class on The Graphic Novel (https://www.coursera.org/course/comics) that starts on September 22nd. Two books we can't wait for you to read (23:46) (https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1395000716l/20170991.jpg) (http://images.randomhouse.com/cover/9780385348843?&height=281&maxwidth=190) The Teacher Wars by Dana Goldstein is the book that I can't wait for you to read this week. I recommend it for anyone who has kids or is interested in the public education system. It's first a history of teaching, but it also shows how we got to the place where we are now, with the controversies and turmoil that are in the news right now. Michael recommends The Happiness of Pursuit by Chris Guillebeau, a book that looks at the benefits that come from working toward a quest, whether big or small -- something that is challenging but has an attainable goal. This book has Michael thinking about undertaking a quest of his own.
