“The Forensic Records Society” by Magnus Mills (Bloomsbury, 186 pages, $26).
In past columns I’ve mentioned I’m a collector. My collecting bug bit early. At age 5, I acquired my first postage stamps and books. That was also the year I obtained my first record, a 45-rpm, 7-inch single. I still have it. As collectors age they often become more selective. I collect books that are first editions autographed by the authors. I prefer engraved postage stamps. I have developed a keen interest in 45-rpm singles that were issued between 1955 and November 1963. You probably wonder, what is significant about that time period? Let me tell you.
Rock and roll music swept our land in 1955. For me, that carefree era didn’t end until November 1963, when the charismatic John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas. That was a brutal shock. It is also why I collect music singles from that time — from the birth of rock and roll to that death of our nation’s innocence.
I’m a pushover for books on stamp collecting, book collecting and record collecting. Books on those topics are usually non-fiction. I just discovered a gem of a novel about obsessive record collectors. How could I resist? “The Forensic Records Society” by Magnus Mills is a peculiarity. The cover is designed to attract the attention of those of us who love our music singles. It was made to look like a 45-rpm single in the sleeve.
It actually has a cutout for the record label.
The story begins as our narrator and his friend James are listening to records. These two men are enthusiastic collectors of 45-rpm singles.
After they finish listening, our narrator observes they are probably the only people in the world who just listened to that record and that “nobody else is interested. Nobody listens. Not properly anyway. Not like we do.”
It is the moment James decides the two of them should seek out likeminded listeners. He proposes “we could form a society for the express purpose of listening to records closely and in detail, forensically if you like, without any interruption or distraction.
“There would be regular gatherings, and membership would depend on some kind of test to make sure people are genuinely interested.”
The two men approach George, the proprietor of a local pub called the Half Moon and ask if they can hold meetings in his back room on Monday nights. George is enthusiastic about any proposal that might increase his traffic. He agrees.
Posters attract potential members. Attendees bring three 4- rpm records to play. Our narrator observes as their little group rises and falls. Quickly they have competition, rival listening groups with adversarial intentions. The author’s style is deadpan hilarious. The book is mostly about the music, though. They listen to stacks of vinyl. Their choices tend to be classics from the late 1960s and early ’70s — Jimi Hendrix, the Rolling Stones the Beatles.
Our narrator doesn’t seem to have much of a life outside of the group.
He obsessively sorts and categorizes his records. Every night he goes home and picks out a record that fits his mood and plays it three times. Did you know that the ideal length for a song is exactly three minutes? You do now!
Season 25 of ABC-TV’s “Dancing with the Stars” premieres on Monday, Sept. 18. So, what does this have to do with Miami Valley’s literary life?
Well, local writer Vickie Weaver has penned a biography of her father, Carroll Webster, who was a dancer in the vaudeville era and spent four years in 1930s dance marathons trying for a chance to break into show business.
Vickie says she is a fan of the modern-dance competition of the show, and that was part of her inspiration for writing her father’s biography. A bigger part of the inspiration was wanting to know more about this aspect of his life which she captures in “Dancing In The Stars.”
Vickie has also herself enjoyed the avocation of dancing, although with her editing business, Writestyle, and writing the biography, she’s taken time away from the pursuit.
“I’ve never really gotten over my father’s death,” Vickie says. “Writing this biography was a way to honor him and his career.”
Though writing about her father, his biography nevertheless took 4 1/2 years, explains Vickie.
“I researched the era and the world of dance marathons through books and internet sources. I really relied on the library for much of my research,” Vickie says.
Vickie began the book in 2010 and self-published it in 2015. Vickie is a lifelong Dayton resident. She founded her editing business, Writestyle, in 1996. Learn more about her business and her book at www.writestyle.com.
“Writing the book brought me some closure,” Vickie says. “I think the themes that really drive the book, and my father’s dancing career, are drive, persistence and religious faith.”
Vickie offers a tips for others interested in writing a biography.
The Dottie Yeck Good Life Award Writing Contest, run by the Washington-Centerville Public Library, is open to any teen enrolled in a grade 7-9 curriculum who lives or goes to school in Montgomery County. The contest awards a $3,000 cash prize to the top essayist.
Teens need to write 500 words or less on a specific prompt and enter their work online at https:// www.wclibrary.info/gla/
The contest, now open for entries, has a deadline of Tuesday, Oct. 10, 10 a.m. In addition to the top prize of $3,000, three Awards of Distinction (each $100) are given as well as $250 going to the winning classroom. There are also 21 Honorable Mentions and all the writers are honored at a program and reception at Centerville Library on Thursday, November 30, at 7:00 p.m. Winners appear in the Dayton Daily News.
Sunday, Sept. 17, 2:30 p.m., Wright Memorial Public Library, 1776 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood
— Writers’ Café, a casual hang out for writers ages 18 and up and of all experience levels, meets the first Friday (7 p.m.) and third Sunday (at 2:30) of each month.
Sunday, Sept. 17, 2 p.m., Books & Co. at The Greene
— Mike Lupica , often called “the greatest sports writer for middle school readers,” will introduce his newest novel, “Lone Stars.” Autograph line numbers will be given out beginning at 1 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 18, 6:308:30 p.m., Dayton Metro Library, Main (120 S. Patterson Blvd., Dayton), Community Room 2A, 2nd Floor
— Ed Davis, author of five books of poetry will offer a poetry refresher on the critical differences between poetry and prose.
Tuesday, Sept. 19, 7 p.m., Wright Memorial Public Library, 1776 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood
— Wright Library Poets meet in the library’s conference room to share work and hone craft; beginners are welcome. For more information contact Elizabeth Schmidt, schmidt@wrightlibrary.org, or call 294-7171.
Mondays, Sept. 25-Oct. 30 (no class on October 2), 6:30-8:30 p.m., Oakwood Starbucks, 2424 Far Hills Ave.
—Word’s Worth Writing Center (www.wordsworthdayton.com) offers “Memoir: Write Your Story” with author and creative writing instructor Katrina Kittle. This series explores techniques to focus personal stories, give them shape, and define their underlying themes. See the website to register.