tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14097430327396390922024-03-12T20:43:32.734-07:00WHIRL BooksUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger192125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409743032739639092.post-5950883667013184982017-03-30T10:17:00.000-07:002017-03-30T10:17:06.063-07:00Literary Masters and Creatubbles: Exploring Books by Creating Art<br />
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Are you familiar with <a href="https://www.creatubbles.com/" target="_blank"><b>Creatubble</b>s</a>? It's a safe, secure, and <b>incredibly cool platform</b> where children (and grown-ups) can <b>save, share, and explore artwork from around the world</b>. Literary Masters recently partnered with Creatubbles so that LM members can now illustrate our monthly book and share it with other art lovers.<br />
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<b>Today Liz of Literary Masters is honored to be interviewed by Creatubbles</b> and highlighted on their <a href="https://stateoftheart.creatubbles.com/" target="_blank"><b></b></a><b><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" target="_blank">State of the Art blog</a></b>. We discuss how books can be deeply explored by appreciating and analyzing any illustrations in a work of literature as well as by creating our own art that illuminates what that book means to us. If you like <a href="https://stateoftheart.creatubbles.com/2017/03/30/literary-masters-connection-storytelling-visual-art/" target="_blank"><b>this interview</b>,</a> feel free to spread the word. More readers connecting deeply to books via artwork--that's a good thing!<br />
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Please visit the<a href="https://www.creatubbles.com/sharewith/literarymasters/details" target="_blank"><b> Literary Masters page on Creatubbles</b></a> and feel free to share your creative side with us!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409743032739639092.post-60017028497907237852017-03-26T10:47:00.002-07:002017-03-26T10:47:22.207-07:00Should Your Book Club Read Dear Ijeawele, or A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions by Chimamanda Ngozi Adicie?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Should Your Book Club Read Dear Ijeawele, or A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions by Chimamanda Ngozi Adicie? </b>Yes. Especially if your book club members have a month where there's a lot going on outside book club (did I hear you just say "That's every month!"?) because this book is SHORT but very, very thought-provoking.<br />
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The <b>book is a letter to Ms. Adicie's friend</b>, who has just given birth to her <b>baby girl Chizalum </b>and has asked Adicie for <b>advice on raising her as a feminist</b>. The book is that letter, offering 15 suggestions, each of which heads its own chapter. The entire book is only 63 pages and you can finish it well under an hour. Or you can savor it and think deeply as you read. Or you can return to it, dipping into its wisdom as and when you like. You may want to order copies to give as gifts to new--and old--mothers. Or to daughters. Or sons! To fathers and husbands.<br />
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I agree with much of the book, and there are parts of the book that I am still mulling over. One stark piece of advice that I disagree with, however, is under the suggestion <b>"Teach Chizalum to read."</b> Obviously I don't disagree with that advice! However, Adicie goes on to say, "If all else fails, pay her to read." I must say, I strongly disagree with this. <br />
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<b>There are many, many ways to teach a child to read and to foster the love of reading.</b> Paying money, in my opinion, sends the wrong message. I'd prefer children to be <b>intrinsically motivated</b> to read, rather than <b>extrinsically</b>.<br />
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As I said, this is my opinion. I am guessing, though, that there are studies with data out there about this. Just using common sense, though, <b>what happens to a child who has been 'rewarded' to read when that money is no longer paid? </b> I presume the argument is that the child will have developed the habit of reading and therefore will continue to do so even without remuneration.<br />
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Hmm. Maybe.<br />
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Contrast this idea, though, with a child who has <i>actually developed</i> the appreciation and love of books and reading for <b><i>their value</i>, </b>not because of the value of $$$. A child who finds books and reading worthwhile and a reward in itself will be a life-long reader. <b>That's my strong bet, anyway.</b><br />
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<b>You all know I am open-minded, however, so if you disagree, please feel free to weigh in--I'd love to hear from you!</b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409743032739639092.post-34899485483638046382017-03-19T18:39:00.000-07:002017-03-19T18:39:33.193-07:00AWOL Blogger: Buried Under Her Books!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Isn't this a great cartoon by Tom Gauld? What I'm wondering is--how did he get into my house to see my library? :-)</b><br />
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Have you been missing my posts? THANK YOU! I'm sorry that I haven't written any recently. No excuses, just the reality that I've been...<b>READING.</b> I will try to post at the end of the current <b>Literary Masters</b> season. I promise! Meanwhile, let me swiftly bring you up to date with <b>what's been happening with Literary Masters members.</b><br />
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<b>We've been enjoying THE LIST so far!</b> <b><i>The Underground Railroad</i> by Colson Whitehead</b> was a hit all around; even members who found it difficult to read at times still appreciated its worth. Some of us, including yours truly, loved the fantastical elements in it, which carried truth to the reader in an entirely new way.<br />
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Everyone agreed that <b>Rose Tremain's <i>The Gustav Sonata</i></b> is a little gem of a book. We found so much to talk about! I look forward to blogging about that one. Rose Tremain is a real crafts person; not a word is wasted. And there is so much beneath the surface!<br />
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December was our month for a classic, and we read <b>Graham Greene's <i>The Quiet American</i>.</b> Every time I read that book, I close it and say "That is SUCH a good book." Literary Masters members agreed! And it was the perfect book to read after last season's <b><i>The Sympathizer</i> by Viet Thanh Nguyen</b>. If you're looking for a pairing, this is a good one.<br />
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We then moved on to our nonfiction selection for the season: <b><i>Black Flags: The Rise of ISIS</i> by Joby Warrick.</b> Everyone agreed--this should be required reading. Everyone learned a lot and our discussions were <i>intense!</i><br />
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This month we are discussing the most gorgeous novel: <b><i>The Whistling Season</i> by Ivan Doig</b>. After a few pages, I sat back, relaxed, and thought "Ah...I am in good hands." This is "poetry under the prose"--so much so that I reread passages just to experience them again. I can't wait to "dig deep" into this book with all our wonderful Literary Masters members!<br />
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You can always visit the <a href="https://literarymasters.net/" target="_blank">Literary Masters website</a> to see what members are reading--or have read. <b>When are you going to join a Literary Masters book group?</b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409743032739639092.post-75819180447315041672016-09-30T18:58:00.000-07:002016-09-30T18:58:28.959-07:00Should Your Book Club Read The Lonely War by Nazila Fathi?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Should your book club read <i>The Lonely War</i> by Nazila Fathi?</b> The answer is absolutely yes! This wonderful memoir was the 2015-16 season's nonfiction selection for <b>Literary Masters book groups</b> <b>and salons</b>, and almost everyone loved it. I say 'almost' because some people only 'liked it a lot'. Some avid nonfiction readers said it was the best nonfiction book they had read in ages. Everyone agreed that it is worth reading and also important reading, considering what's going on in the world today.<br />
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<b>So, what can your book club discuss?</b><br />
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<b>Warp-speed plot summary:</b> Nazila Fathi was born in Tehran in 1970 and was all of nine years old when the revolution occurred and ushered in a whole new world for the Iranian people. Although many families fled the country, Nazila's stayed, and she grew into adulthood in the new Islamic state. Fluent in English, Nazila was eventually hired to write for the <i>New York Times</i> until she and her family (her husband and two children) were forced to flee the country in 2009. In this memoir, Nazila takes the reader through her journey as well as the journey of the country of Iran and its people. As the years progress, we witness the growing pains of each as they grapple with new identities.<br />
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<b>You'll want to talk about</b> <b>how/whether this book has affected your view of Iran and the Iranian people</b>. Literary Masters members are well educated and very engaged in world affairs, but still, almost everyone said they learned quite a bit about the revolution and the people involved--and<i> about what the Iranian people wanted</i>. You'll want to discuss the Iranians' desire for democracy--and what has happened to it since 1979. You'll want to think about how US and British historical actions (think
Moussadeq) affected the Iranian's attitude toward the West and helped contribute to bringing about the revolution. You'll want to connect all of this to today's world, of course--a long conversation in itself!<br />
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<b>Related to the above, </b>you'll want to discuss what you think Iran's main problem is. And you'll definitely want to discuss what it is that you admire about Iran. <br />
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<b>You'll want to discuss the class system</b> in Iran and how the regime used it to further their aims. Was is a mutually beneficial relationship? Who came out ahead and who came out behind as a result of all the tumult? Ask yourselves: How responsible is the class system for the revolution? Also ask yourselves: Does anything like this exist in America?<br />
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<b>You'll want to talk about the various ideologies vying for power in Iran. </b>Talk about how those who are in power get and remain there. Also, talk about the ways ordinary citizens survive or thrive under the various power structures. Also, talk about<b> university students and technology</b>--and the power that resides there!<br />
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<b>You'll want to talk about Iran in relation to its neighbors</b>. Talk about how you think Iranians feel about themselves in comparison to other countries in the region. And how they feel about their political leaders, both historical and current.<br />
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<b>You'll want to talk about national security vs. individual freedoms: </b>how do you feel about this debate with regard to our country after reading this book? How do we balance the two? If one side deserves more weight than the other, how do we keep it in check so we don't topple over?<br />
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<b>You'll want to discuss Ms. Fathi's parents and how they dealt with all the changes they were going through.</b> If there was one criticism of the book from Literary Masters members, it was that they wanted to know more of the personal experiences of the family. (Sequel, Ms. Fathi?)<br />
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<b>You'll want to talk about the experience of women in Iran.</b> Try to look at is AS a woman in Iran. And of course, look at it AS a western woman (or whatever you may be). This was quite the discussion in all Literary Masters groups! You will definitely want to discuss the veil!<br />
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<b>You'll want to talk about oil </b>and its effect upon the people of Iran.<br />
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<b>You'll want to talk about Ms. Fathi.</b> Do you think she offers a balanced view or is she biased in her telling of Iran's recent history? The subtitle is "One Woman's Account of the Struggle for Modern Iran." Is she acknowledging bias on her part? Does her memoir connect you to the Iranian people or to Islam or to Iranian culture or to anything/anyone else in a new way?<br />
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<b>You'll want to talk about the relationship between the author and her maid. </b> How do you feel about the choices Ms. Fathi makes? How do you feel about the choices the maid makes?<br />
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<b>Well, this should get you started! Let me know how your book club enjoys discussing this wonderful memoir!</b><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409743032739639092.post-43553682878995591802016-09-16T14:09:00.000-07:002016-09-16T14:09:56.595-07:00Literary Awards Season!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I just love this time of year, as you all know! <b>Long lists and shortlists</b> are out, and there is so much to 'dig deep' into! If you missed it, the <a href="https://literarymasters.net/book-groups/upcoming-book-groups/" target="_blank">2016-17 Literary Masters LIST</a> has been posted, and our <b>October selection <i>The Underground Railroad</i> by Colson Whitehead </b>has also landed on <a href="http://www.nationalbook.org/nba2016.html#.V9xAra21-2k" target="_blank">the long list for the National Book Award for fiction</a>, while our <b>May choice <i>The Sellout</i> by Paul Beatty</b> is now <a href="http://themanbookerprize.com/fiction" target="_blank">short listed for the Man Booker Prize</a>.<br />
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<b>Here are the long list titles for the National Book Award:</b><br />
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<i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0385542364/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=literarymaste-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0385542364&linkId=43cb7886c79c801cca1817ed50a1b6fa" target="_blank">The Underground Railroad</a></i> by Colson Whitehead<br />
<i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0062359983/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=literarymaste-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0062359983&linkId=7d225def8161497bf237e88ab9e1c80d" target="_blank">Another Brooklyn</a></i> by Jacqueline Woodson<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0393285545/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=literarymaste-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0393285545&linkId=17cd5d1716b074b9e92db89b7949e5a9" target="_blank"><i>Sweet Lamb of Heaven</i> </a>by Lydia Millet<br />
<i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0062409204/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=literarymaste-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0062409204&linkId=7c6ac1e23453a79c929571ef992141ac" target="_blank">News of the World</a></i> by Paulette Jiles<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0316261351/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=literarymaste-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0316261351&linkId=9638ac4c805583a17c04b9c302f45bc0" target="_blank"><i>Imagine Me Gone </i></a>by Adam Haslett<br />
<i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0525429638/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=literarymaste-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0525429638&linkId=44c06fb28df56a92495993bad28d06e9" target="_blank">The Association of Small Bombs</a> </i>by Karan Mahajan<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0393249468/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=literarymaste-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0393249468&linkId=671da759b69c0c4c2b49bfc63e6d7fd2" target="_blank"><i>The Throwback Special</i> </a>by Chris Bachelder<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0374288224/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=literarymaste-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0374288224&linkId=5766339d27c20e9f1ff6392dd74c12c4" target="_blank"><i>What Belongs to You</i></a> by Garth Greenwell<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0393241734/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=literarymaste-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0393241734&linkId=22821b5bad547df41412e7ae1c9f9f91" target="_blank"><i>Miss Jane</i> </a>by Brad Watson<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1594206856/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=literarymaste-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1594206856&linkId=f517f25aea7b77fdfc9e6c70ca02423a" target="_blank"><i>The Portable Veblen</i></a> by Elizabeth McKenzie<br />
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<b>And here are the titles on the short list for the Man Booker Prize:</b><br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1250083257/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=literarymaste-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1250083257&linkId=2016c5d369b0cb3991dca6e892dd2401" target="_blank"><i>The Sellout</i></a> by Paul Beatty<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1620406691/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=literarymaste-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1620406691&linkId=d55db61d99b1fda790760dd8c54b5873" target="_blank"><i>Hot Milk </i></a>by Deborah Levy<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1910192147/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=literarymaste-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1910192147&linkId=51213b41ee3a9a7622c0d332a0212781" target="_blank"><i>His Bloody Project</i> </a>by Graeme Macrae Burnet<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0143128752/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=literarymaste-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0143128752&linkId=ac11a65eabd5d97bc67a79493517e1a2" target="_blank"><i>Eileen</i></a> by Ottessa Moshfegh<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1555977537/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=literarymaste-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1555977537&linkId=96c58b00d3db281e493d8032deb7da79" target="_blank"><i>All That Man Is</i> </a>by David Szalay<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1783782668/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=literarymaste-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1783782668&linkId=217acbfa3420fc9e132bc376ae9453c9" target="_blank"><i>Do Not Say We Have Nothing</i></a> by Madeleine Thien<br />
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<b>Don't you just LOVE this time of year? Let me know what you're reading from the above lists!</b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409743032739639092.post-34345672169551272662016-09-13T18:48:00.000-07:002016-09-13T18:48:09.185-07:00Why Read to a Child?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am so moved by the story of a woman who passed away this week. And I didn't even know her. Anna Dewdney was just 50 years old, the mother of two girls, and an author of the very popular picture book series Llama Llama. This headline of <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2016/09/06/this-beloved-" target="_blank">a story in </a><i><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2016/09/06/this-beloved-" target="_blank">The Washington Post</a> </i>caught my eye: <b>"This beloved children's author didn't want a funeral. She said read to a child instead."</b> <br />
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The <i>WAPO </i>article refers to<a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2013/08/07/why-reading-to-children-is-crucial-not-just-for-literacy/" target="_blank"> an opinion piece</a> that Anna Dewdney wrote for the <i>The Wall Street Journal</i> in 2013. It's titled <b>"How Books Can Teach Your Child To Care,"</b> and it eloquently lays out the argument that we should read to our children, and promote their reading, not just for literacy's sake, but because<i><b> reading stories develops empathy in children</b></i>. Here is an excerpt:<br />
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="background-color: white;">"However, empathy is as important as literacy. When we read with a
child, we are doing so much more than teaching him to read or instilling
in her a love of language. We are doing something that I believe is
just as powerful, and it is something that we are losing as a culture: <em>by reading with a child, we are teaching that child to be human. </em>When
we open a book, and share our voice and imagination with a child, that
child learns to see the world through someone else’s eyes. I will go
further and say that that child then learns to feel the world more
deeply, becoming more aware of himself and others in a way that he
simply cannot experience except in our laps, or in our classrooms, or in
our reading circles.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="background-color: white;">
</span></span><span style="color: red;"><span style="background-color: white;">We learn empathy as children, through our interactions with the
people in our lives and by experiencing the world around us. When we
read books with children, we share other worlds, and even more
importantly, we share ourselves. Reading with children makes an
intimate, human connection that teaches that child what it means to be
alive as one of many beings on the planet. We are naming feelings,
sharing experience, and expressing love and understanding, all in a safe
environment. When we read a book with children, then children – no
matter how stressed, no matter how challenged – are drawn out of
themselves to bond with other human beings, and to see and <em>feel</em> the experiences of others. I believe that it is this moment that makes us human. In this sense, <em>reading</em> makes us human."</span></span><br />
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Perhaps this resonates with me so much because of what I do. Time and again in our <b><a href="https://literarymasters.net/" target="_blank">Literary Masters</a> Parent/Child book groups</b>, I see the ability of stories to open the eyes and minds of our members as we explore sometimes difficult issues via the safe space of fictional characters. Time and again we try to 'get inside the head' of the villain so we can understand his or her motivations. Time and again we ask ourselves "What would we do in this situation?" Having these discussions makes us think about ourselves <i>in relation to others; we become more empathetic as we imagine how it must it feel, or how it would be</i>. We explore our own feelings and as we come to know ourselves better, we become more curious about others' feelings. In essence, we are learning to care.<br />
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You can read Anna Dewdney's obituary <a href="http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-authors/article/71404-obituary-anna-dewdney.html" target="_blank">here</a>. And yes, instead of a funeral, she asked that you read to a child. <b>Wow. </b> Talk about empathy.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409743032739639092.post-25936004333318760242016-06-20T15:32:00.000-07:002016-06-20T15:32:55.201-07:00Summer Reading!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well, we've come to the end of <b>another wonderful season </b>of reading, sharing, and bonding over great books! And now it's time to kick our feet up at the beach--grab your sunscreen, your swimsuit, and don't forget that most essential ingredient of all: <b>your beach read! </b> Below you'll find some titles to get you through the long summer wait until<b> Literary Masters posts the 2016-17 season reading list!</b><br />
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<b><i>This Must Be the Place</i> by Maggie O'Farrell: </b>Ah...this may be a little unfair because this title hasn't been released in the States yet. However, by the end of July you should be able to get your hands on this wonderfully charming novel--highly recommended! You'll ponder marriage, parenthood, and the many selves each of us contain as you read what is, at its core, a thoroughly enjoyable love story.<br />
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<b><i>A Man Called Ove </i>by Fredrik Backman: </b>Another charmer, this time from a Swedish author, whose debut novel is taking the world by storm. About a grumpy man. Well, <i>really </i>about the stories each of us has hidden within, and about friendship, and connection. Enjoy!<br />
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<i><b>My Brilliant Friend by </b></i><b>Elena Ferrante</b><i>:</i> If you're one of the few people on the planet who hasn't read this gorgeous book about two Italian friends, you have a treat in store! Actually, four treats, because it's the first of four sumptuous Neapolitan novels. Be prepared to ignore loved ones for a long while.<br />
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<b><i>Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life</i> by William Finnegan</b>: Well, we <i>had</i> to put this book as a beach read, right? Even if you're not a surfer, you'll enjoy the journey this author takes you on in this autobiography that <b>won the Pulitzer Prize</b>. He opens your eyes to new cultures and to, yes, the wonderful world of waves. Have fun!<br />
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<b><i>Disrupted</i> by Dan Lyons</b>: No doubt you read an earlier WHIRL Books post about this <b>hilarious </b>memoir <a href="http://whirlbooks.blogspot.com/2016/04/should-your-book-club-read-disrupted-by.html" target="_blank">here</a>. For fans of the HBO series <i>Silicon Valley</i> (and if you're not a fan, <i>what is wrong with you???</i>) and also for everyone who looks around the beach and thinks, "where did all these young people come from, and just <i>how </i>do they think they are making the world a better place?" <b>Laugh out loud </b>with some serious questions explored.<br />
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<b><i>The Upstairs Wife: An Intimate History of Pakistan</i> by Rafia Zakaria</b>: If you can't visit Pakistan this summer, it can visit you. Exploring the personal as well as the public aspects of life in Pakistan, this eye-opener is a<b> great nonfiction choice</b> for the summer.<br />
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<b><i>Everything I Never Told You</i> by Celeste Ng</b>: A gripping novel about a family whose daughter is found dead. How much did they really know about her? How much do they really know about each other? One of those books that absolutely lingers for days after finishing it.<br />
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<b><i>High Dive</i> by Jonathan Lee</b>: Suspenseful and thrilling in its blending of fact and fiction. Remember the bomb that went off in Brighton, England, in 1984 in an attempt to assassinate the British Prime Minister and her cabinet? Meet the characters (invented by Lee) who will take you back there.<br />
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<b><i>The Nest</i> by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney</b>: We loved the writing
in this debut novel, and the four siblings, negotiating their lives
around a future inheritance (i.e. the 'nest') will make lots of our own
families look better by comparison. :-) A quick, breezy, enjoyable
read.<br />
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<i><b>I Do Not Come to You by Chance </b></i><b>by Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani: </b>This award-winning debut novel from Nigeria was part of our Literary Masters 2015-16 season, and it was a hit! You may not think you want to read a story about email scamming, but you will change your mind as the pages fly by! So funny but once again, important themes are mined. The best novel that book clubs don't know about. <br />
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<i><b>Zero K by Don DeLillo</b></i>: Weird, yes, definitely. But
compelling and thought-provoking and different for sure. Set in a
cryogenics facility in central Asia where bodies can be frozen until
cures for diseases are found, this novel will challenge you to think
about those deep questions--about life, about death, about meaning.
Call it a <b>cerebral beach read.</b><br />
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<b>Well, this ought to take care of your page-turning needs until we post our list! That should be some time in late August, so STAY TUNED!</b><br />
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<b> Do you have any titles you'd like to recommend for summer reading? We'd love to hear from you!</b><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409743032739639092.post-87557304481172017052016-04-07T13:35:00.000-07:002016-04-07T13:36:37.935-07:00Should Your Book Club Read Disrupted by Dan Lyons?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I don't always have the time to post about every book that I think book clubs should read. However, one book that I highly recommend is <i>The Circle</i> by Dave Eggers. Everyone who uses the internet or is involved with technology should read that book. Every night while reading it I would think, "This is science fiction," and then the next morning I would read the newspaper and realize, "Actually, <i>The Circle</i> is realistic fiction--this is all happening right now!"<br />
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<b>Another book that I think book clubs should read is <i>Disrupted</i> by Dan Lyons</b>. If you're a fan of the series Silicon Valley (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED), you may know that Lyons writes for that show. I 'binge-watched' the entire series in one go and then ran around telling everyone I know to watch it. So, when I saw that Lyons had written a book, I picked it up.<br />
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<b>Warp-speed plot summary: </b>This is a memoir about Lyons' time after he gets fired from his job as an editor at <i>Newsweek</i>. He's 52 with a wife and two children and his career has suddenly come to a screeching halt. He's a journalist and the world of journalism is done--as is he. So he does what many 'older' workers have to do: he reinvents himself and enters the unknown and surreal world of tech start-ups. He lands a job at Hubspot, a 'hot' start-up, as "marketing fellow," and his experiences there are what he writes about. Lyons takes the reader on an hilarious and eye-popping journey as he acts as anthropologist and tour guide visiting an exotic and possibly dangerous tribe.<br />
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<b>So, what can your book club discuss?</b><br />
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<b>There is a lot to talk about, so in no particular order: </b><br />
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<li>You'll want to discuss the <b>company culture</b> and what that means. What kind of corporate culture is good? It's fascinating to think about how companies used to treat employees and how much that has changed, especially at technology companies in the Silicon Valley. How did this happen? What does it say about us as people, as a society? Is the way things are now better than they used to be? Is labor, as Lyons states, still being exploited by capital, but this time while wearing a big smiley face? </li>
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<li>Related to the above, talk about how a company gets its employees to "<b>drink the Kool Aid</b>." And then discuss how a company gets its customers to guzzle the same drink down. Do you think many companies really DO <b>make the world a better place</b>?</li>
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<li>Also related to the above, talk about the <b>greed</b> involved in all of this. What is the motivation of the various characters involved? Also discuss the <b>flaunting of wealth</b>. What do you think of this? Areas such as the San Francisco Bay Area have been greatly impacted by the tech companies, in both good and bad ways. Talk about this. We always hear about the housing prices making it unaffordable for 'ordinary' people to live in the area, but what about the values of the City? <b> Is the immense wealth and its unabashed display impacting citizens' values and what they deem important, and how they behave?</b></li>
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<li> You'll want to discuss <b>ageism</b>. Well, you may not <i>want</i> to discuss it, but you should. It's real and it affects many people. Are <i>you</i> part of the problem? Do you think young people are smarter than old? Are they naturally better at understanding technology? Can they learn things that older people can't? How old is 'old' to you? How can we stop ageism? Or are the ageists right?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<li>You'll want to discuss<b> the elephant in the room</b>. How stupid do tech executives, their spin doctors, venture capitalists, and <i>their</i> spin doctors, as portrayed by Lyons, think we are? Do you think Lyons' depiction of these people is accurate? Is it high time someone pointed out the ridiculousness of the bubble, or is it, as a couple of execs claim in the story, not a bubble but "an unprecedented long boom"? What about the business model as Lyons describes it: <b>"grow fast, lost money, go public."</b>? How are companies (which are made up of people) getting away with this?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<li>You'll want to discuss the idea of marketing, PR, spin, and sales. <b>Can truth exist</b> in such an environment? Where is the responsibility of the press in all of this? Does an objective press even exist, or is every journalist also being 'spun'? </li>
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<li>There is a LOT of<b> psychology</b> in this book. People are playing 'mind games'--manipulating employees, investors, and customers. Other people seem to willingly let themselves be exploited. You'll want to discuss this. What are the motivating factors behind the roles the characters elect to play? What about the role you're playing? Lyons refers to a Silicon Valley adage-<b>-if we use online services, we are not the customers, we are the products--we exist solely to be packaged up and sold to advertisers.</b> How do you feel about that? </li>
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<li><b>You'll want to discuss the author.</b> Clearly, this is HIS story, and no one at Hubspot has a chance to speak up for him or herself. How much can we trust Lyons? Although he can be self-deprecating and admittedly acerbic, is he being completely honest with us? How about with himself? He criticizes the frat-boy culture, but then whoops it up with writers who don't seem any different. Is this a case of "Do as I say, not as I do"? Is<b> the "tribe"</b> that he feels more comfortable in vastly different when it comes to ageism, sexism, racism, and all the other --ism's? How much of what he goes through at Hubspot is his own fault? <b>Is he being fair to Hubspot?</b></li>
</ul>
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<li><b> You should also talk about how vulnerable we all are with regard to our data being online</b>. How do you feel about Lyons' statement: "Even the people who supposedly manage our data have no idea where all of it resides or who has access to it."? Does it make you want to bury your head in the sand further?</li>
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There is, of course, much more to talk about, but this should get you started! <b>Have a great discussion</b>, and let me know how it goes--if you get a chance!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409743032739639092.post-12863944164389545772015-12-03T11:39:00.000-08:002015-12-03T11:39:53.355-08:00Vendela Vida at a Book Talk: Sign Me Up!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I just returned from a local school's book fair where the featured speaker was Vendela Vida, author of the recently released <i>The Diver's Clothes Lie Empty</i>. What a lovely person Ms. Vida seems to be, which is, of course, irrelevant, but still--I think the world needs more lovely people. She read from her new novel, and now I can't wait to read it!<br />
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You'll remember from one of my earlier WHIRL posts that I loved her novel <i>The Lovers</i>. (Click <a href="http://whirlbooks.blogspot.com/2011/04/whirling-again.html" target="_blank">here</a> to see what I had to say about that.) This new book seems to be exploring themes of identity--of who we are and what shapes who we become. Written in the second person, this sounds like a book Literary Masters members would love to 'dig deep' into!<br />
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Have you read <i>The Diver's Clothes Lie Empty</i>? What did you think? Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409743032739639092.post-61049827120283801192015-11-24T16:09:00.001-08:002015-11-24T16:09:25.245-08:00I Loved Brooklyn the Movie! AND the Book!Further to my post<a href="http://whirlbooks.blogspot.com/2015/11/brooklyn-book-now-brooklyn-movie.html" target="_blank"> below</a> on the wonderful book <i>Brooklyn</i> being made into a movie, I can tell you it's terrific! If you're looking for a family film over the holidays, this one is a winner. Here's a video clip about the film you may enjoy:<br />
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I went with some women from my personal book club, and now we are re-reading the book for this month's selection. <br />
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Enjoy!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409743032739639092.post-86687242407540843632015-11-18T11:18:00.000-08:002015-11-18T11:18:10.942-08:00Wonder--ful Paris!You all know how much I love the book <i>Wonder</i> by R.J. Palacio, right? If not,<a href="http://whirlbooks.blogspot.com/2014/04/should-your-book-club-read-wonder-by-rj.html" target="_blank"> here's </a>my post on it--and my call for you to read it! There's a part in the book where Auggie's mom tells him that "...there are more good people on this earth than bad people, and the good people watch out for each other and take care of each other." I couldn't stop thinking about this when I saw the following clip on the news. A father is discussing the events of last Friday in Paris with his son near the site where people have been leaving flowers and candles:<br />
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How WONDERFUL is this? And WONDROUS! He made me feel better, too.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409743032739639092.post-28852651134965987932015-11-05T13:41:00.000-08:002015-11-05T13:41:08.228-08:00Brooklyn--the Book now Brooklyn--the Movie!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>This is exciting news!</b> I've often thought that it would be fun to devote an entire season of Literary Masters to reading<b> books that have been made into movies</b>. That way, we could all enjoy a multimedia experience of each story.<br />
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And how FUN to come up with the list! One outstanding book that has recently been turned into a film is <b><i>Brooklyn, </i>which was written in 2009 by Irish author Colm Toibin</b>. I read it and loved it; I even blogged about it. Click<a href="http://whirlbooks.blogspot.com/2010/08/brooklyn-by-colm-toibin.html" target="_blank"> here</a> for my original post.<br />
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The book won many fans and much critical acclaim. It won the 2009 Costa Novel Award, was shortlisted for the 2011 IMPAC Dublin Award, and made it onto the longlist for the 2009 Man Booker Prize. And now, in 2015, <b>it has been made into a film</b> by Fox Searchlight Pictures. It stars Saoirse Ronan, Emory Cohen, Domhnall Gleeson, Jim Broadbent, and Julie Walters, among others. <span class="st"><i></i></span><br />
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The film is <b>already garnering great reviews</b>. Here's one from <i>Flavorwire</i>:<br />
<a href="http://flavorwire.com/545905/brooklyn-is-a-portrait-of-leaving-and-finding-home-so-evocative-it-might-make-you-weep">http://flavorwire.com/545905/brooklyn-is-a-portrait-of-leaving-and-finding-home-so-evocative-it-might-make-you-weep</a><br />
<br />
And another one from the <i>New York Times</i>:<br />
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/04/movies/review-resettling-the-meaning-of-home-in-brooklyn-with-saoirse-ronan.html?_r=0" target="_blank"> http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/04/movies/review-resettling-the-meaning-of-home-in-brooklyn-with-saoirse-ronan.html?_r=0</a><br />
<br />
And according to the<i> Washington Post</i>, even <b>Colm Toibin loves the film</b>:<br />
<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/colm-toibin-loves-the-new-movie-version-of-his-brooklyn/2015/11/02/14db7ce6-8103-11e5-8ba6-cec48b74b2a7_story.html" target="_blank"> https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/colm-toibin-loves-the-new-movie-version-of-his-brooklyn/2015/11/02/14db7ce6-8103-11e5-8ba6-cec48b74b2a7_story.html</a><br />
<br />
I don't know about you, but I can't wait to see it! <b>Watch this trailer</b> and I bet you'll feel the same!<br />
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Let me know if you go, and <b>tell me what you think</b>! Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409743032739639092.post-63272035753215420372015-09-23T15:52:00.000-07:002015-09-23T15:55:04.518-07:00Literary Masters Reads I Am Malala!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">One of the books that <b>Literary Masters </b>members will be reading this month is <b><i>I Am Malala</i>, Young Readers Edition by the Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai</b>. Unless you've been living under a rock, actually <i>even </i>if you've been living under a rock, you know that in 2012, the Taliban shot this young Pakistani girl in an attempted assassination because she was advocating for girls' rights to an education.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is an extraordinary story told by a truly remarkable young woman. I encourage you to read the Young Readers Edition with your children; you will be amazed. And you may even wonder, "What can I do to help?" Indeed, a frequently asked question in the discussion of this book is <b>"What can be done to help Malala in her quest to help get more girls an education?"</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Well, every little bit helps. And as <b>Malala</b> is showing the world, one person really can make a difference!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Literary Masters</b> is thrilled to be teaming up with <a href="https://www.schoola.com/" target="_blank">Schoola</a>, the wonderful online school fundraising site, to benefit<a href="https://www.malala.org/" target="_blank"> the Malala Fund</a>. Malala-Schoola bags will be distributed at our Literary Masters meetings, and if the girls choose, they can fill the postage-paid bags with used clothing and drop them off at the post office or leave them on their front doorsteps for the mail man to pick up and bring to the Schoola warehouse. <b>Schoola</b> will sell the clothes online and donate 40% of the sale of every item to <b>the Malala Fund</b>, a non-profit organization whose aim is to empower girls through education.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="">
<span style="font-size: small;">Now, this is all very exciting timing because <b class="">the documentary film <i class="">He Named Me Malala</i></b>
is premiering during September and October, so if you want to have a
multi-media experience, watch out for the film coming to a theater near
you. Here is a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vE5gSHJkusU" target="_blank"> preview</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I hope you'll take the time to read this book with a young person, and even better--<b>talk about it with them! </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br class="" /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">Find out more about Schoola here:</span><br />
<div class="">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a class="" href="https://www.schoola.com/" target="_blank" title="https://www.schoola.com/">https://www.schoola.com/</a> </span></div>
<div class="">
<span style="font-size: small;">and find out more about the Malala Fund here:</span></div>
<div class="">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a class="" href="http://www.malala.org/" target="_blank" title="http://www.malala.org/">http://www.malala.org/</a></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409743032739639092.post-71556814715820294312015-08-29T14:37:00.004-07:002015-08-29T14:38:35.039-07:00The Literary Masters Reading List for the 2015/2016 Season is Posted!<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>The 2015/2016 Season of Literary Masters</b> is officially kicking off today with the announcement of the reading list on the <b>Literary Masters website</b>. You can visit and learn all about <b>Literary Masters book groups and salons</b> by clicking <a href="http://literarymasters.net/" target="_blank">here</a>. And if you just want to see the reading list, here it is below. Why not read along with Literary Masters? Enjoy!</div>
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<b>Controversy.</b>
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary app, controversy is “a
discussion marked especially by the expression of opposing views.” Well,
the 2015/2016 Literary Masters season is sure to be filled with all
sorts of viewpoints! As always, our salons encourage debate and a
spirited exchange of ideas. Our hope, of course, is that we come away
from each meeting having learned from fellow members and with a more
open, informed, and empathetic viewpoint. After all, isn’t that why we
read and gather to talk about our books? Get ready to wade into a few
controversies, fellow members!</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<b>Literary Masters 2015/2016 Season</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>October: </b><i>Go Set a Watchman </i>by Harper Lee. To call the publication of this book a <i>controversy</i>
is an understatement. Like it or hate it, Pulitzer Prize-winning Harper
Lee’s second novel has generated one of the largest (and divisive)
literary conversations in ages. And we’ll be taking part!<br />
<br />
<b>November: </b><i>Redeployment </i>by Phil Klay. This
time it’s the subject matter that is controversial; these stories
written by an Iraq war veteran will take us to a place that none of us
have been to—but where we’ve sent plenty of fellow Americans. <i>We should talk about this, right?</i>
What’s not contested is the merit of this book; it won the National
Book Award and the National Book Critics Circle Award, among others.<br />
<br />
<b>December: </b><i>The Children Act </i>by Ian McEwan.
Can you force a sick child to accept medical treatment? Should you? What
if that child’s religion forbids it? And who gets to decide? These and
other controversial topics will be covered in our salons during
December.<br />
<br />
<b>January: </b><i>The Sympathizer </i>by Viet Thanh
Nguyen. The protagonist of this thought-provoking novel will
undoubtedly make you look at the Viet Nam war (and America’s role in it)
in a whole new light. Just how much responsibility does America bear,
and how guilty should we feel? A controversial war, and a novel sure to
generate a lot of debate.<br />
<br />
<b>February: </b><i>Ragtime </i>by E.L. Doctorow. There
is universal sentiment that the literary world lost a lion when E.L.
Doctorow passed away this year. However, this novel is full of
controversy, both in its structure and its themes. We will have fun
“digging deep” into this literary treasure, which won the National Book
Critics Circle Award.<br />
<br />
<b>March: </b><i>The Lonely War: One Woman’s Account of the Struggle for Modern Iran </i>by
Nazila Fathi. Is there anything about Iran that isn’t controversial?
This memoir is our nonfiction selection for the season, written by a
native Iranian and <i>NY Times</i> correspondent. This is sure to open a few eyes. Ben Affleck isn’t the only one who can transport us to Iran and back!<br />
<br />
<b>April: </b><i>I Do Not Come to You By Chance </i>by
Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani. This debut novel won its Nigerian author the
Commonwealth Prize for Best First Book as well as the Betty Trask First
Book Award. Set in Nigeria, the hilarious story (with some serious
undertones) pits education against corruption as we enter the world of
Nigerian email scamming. With a controversial nod to Western affluence
and influence, this novel will, if nothing else, make you look at your
emails with new appreciation!<br />
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<b>May: </b><i>Purity </i>by Jonathan Franzen. Okay, just
the author’s name generates controversy. But we’ll be closing out the
season discussing the work of another literary…well, if not a lion, then
at least a literary cub. Perhaps we’ll have to don our feminist hats
to decide once and for all whether Franzen is a misogynist. Perhaps we
should invite Oprah to a salon?<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409743032739639092.post-31521681889112980862015-07-12T17:08:00.000-07:002015-07-12T17:08:00.070-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well, just in case you needed more evidence that <b>reading and being part of a book group are good for you</b>, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/10/opinion/david-brooks-building-attention-span.html?emc=eta1" target="_blank">here's</a> an article by David Brooks of <i>The New York Times </i>that should satisfy you and set you looking for the nearest Literary Masters book group or salon! <b><i>Feel free to pass it along!</i></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409743032739639092.post-12096038147798728242015-06-03T11:25:00.001-07:002015-06-03T11:27:21.845-07:00Bailey's Women's Prize for Fiction 2015: We Have a Winner!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well, I didn't see this one coming. Congratulations to Ali Smith for winning this year's Bailey's Women's Prize for Fiction for her unusual novel, <i>How To Be Both</i>! For more info, click <a href="http://www.womensprizeforfiction.co.uk/2015-baileys-womens-prize-for-fiction-winner-announcement" target="_blank">here</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409743032739639092.post-88288457691012341762015-05-29T06:33:00.001-07:002015-05-29T06:34:25.294-07:00Bailey's Women's Prize for Fiction<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.womensprizeforfiction.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Baileys-171_judges_website.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.womensprizeforfiction.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Baileys-171_judges_website.jpg" height="130" width="320" /></a></div>
There are a lot of literary prizes being awarded these days. I tend to look at prize-winning authors and books as a filter. I know this is a flawed method, but in a world with so many books and so little time, I have to rely on something to help me whittle down my choices.<br />
<br />
One of the prizes I follow is the <a href="http://www.womensprizeforfiction.co.uk/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Live+Streaming&utm_content=Live+Streaming+CID_514d1473f636f10ae9ac38af190da796&utm_source=Carswell%20Gould%20e%20marketing&utm_term=website" target="_blank">Bailey's Women's Prize for Fiction</a>. The 2015 winner will be announced June 3rd. The short list is:<br />
<ul>
<li> Rachel Cusk for <i>Outline</i></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li> Laline Paull for <i>The Bees</i></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li> Kamila Shamsie for <i>A God In Every Stone</i></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li> Ali Smith for <i>How To Be Both</i></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li> Anne Tyler for <i>A Spool of Blue Thread</i></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li> Sarah Waters for <i>The Paying Guests</i></li>
</ul>
Of these books, I had difficulty getting into two of them: <i>How to be Both</i>, and <i>The Bees</i>.<i> </i>In fact, I put them down after a few pages. If one of them wins on June 3rd, I imagine I'll pick it up again! I have a feeling Sarah Waters is going to take the prize, but we shall see!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409743032739639092.post-4016485308873068332015-03-21T12:34:00.000-07:002015-03-21T18:54:55.376-07:00Should Your Book Club Read A History of Loneliness by John Boyne?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I read this book in two days, and would have finished in one if other duties hadn't insisted upon my attention! Wow, you think a subject like the sex scandals of the Catholic Church have been done and dusted, and then you pick up a book like this and realize...<b>where is the outrage???</b> Yes, your book club should read and discuss this! Also, it's a very gripping and superbly crafted story.<br />
<br />
<b>So, what can your book club talk about?</b><br />
<br />
<b>Warp-speed plot summary</b>: It's Ireland, and we're taken by the narrator from his childhood through his time as a priest in both Ireland and Rome as he reflects upon the Church's sex scandals, pondering all the while the culpability of those involved.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Father Odran Yates</b> is our narrator, and you will no doubt spend a lot of time figuring him out. Is he reliable? Is he telling the reader the truth? Is he telling himself the truth? Is he the priest that his best friend Tom accuses him of being? Or is he someone else? Why does Odran join the priesthood, and why does he stay there? <b>What is he getting out of it?</b> Why is he telling us his story?<br />
<br />
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This may lead you to talk about<b> the role of priests and other religious leaders</b>. What is their appropriate role? What is their value? Are they anachronisms? What makes a good priest?<br />
<br />
You'll want to talk about the<b> structure</b> of the book. Does the form carry any meaning to the reader? Is the structure an integral part of what the book is saying? Would this be a completely different book if it were told as a linear narrative? How does the story's structure express<b> the theme of remembering</b>? Yes, you'll definitely want to consider the remembering that Odran is doing. What purpose does it hold? <b> Is it healing? Or does it re-tramautize?</b><br />
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<b>Should there be a collective remembering?</b> Or have we all heard enough about such scandals? Is this an important book to read?<br />
<br />
Why do you think <b>this book is titled</b> the way it is? Is there more than one explanation? What about <b>the epigraph</b>? How does this affect your understanding of the book? How does it inform Odran's telling of the story?<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>One of the themes</b> you'll want to 'dig deep' into is that of how our childhoods shape who we are. And how far can we take this as an excuse for our adult behavior? How long can we blame our parents for how they raised us?<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>What do you think of Odran's parents?</b> Are they simply doing what any Irish Catholic parents of the 1960's and '70's would do? Are they good parents? Or are they blind, unthinking sheep? And what about all the<b> parents of the boys</b> who were abused? Is it fair to say that no one could have realized what was going on except in hindsight? <br />
<br />
What do you think of <b>Odran's sister</b>? Why does he spend so much time telling us about her?<br />
<br />
<b>DENIAL.</b> You'll certainly want to discuss this. Who was in denial? Who truly didn't know? Is it even possible that one couldn't know? Or suspect? Or is that how we feel now because of everything we do know, now that the scandal has come to light? <b>You should also talk about the culpability of those who chose or choose to remain in denial.</b><br />
<br />
You'll certainly want to talk about <b>secrecy and its ability to protect those in power. </b>While you're reading the book, <b>count how many times the words "embarrass" and "shame"</b> show up. Talk about the psychology of using those very words by those <i>who should have been experiencing</i> embarrassment and shame--a colossal understatement, I realize--against their victims.<br />
<br />
<b>Power. </b> Oh, yes, you will want to discuss this. Who has it. How they get it. And how they keep it. What happens to those who have it. What happens to those who don't. <br />
<br />
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You'll want to talk about <b>Ireland and its relationship with the Catholic Church</b>. Oh, and you'll want to talk about <b>the Catholic Church</b>. This could, obviously, take up the entire meeting. Talk about <b>institutions</b> in general. Who is in control? The individuals within them or the system itself?<br />
<br />
Talk about Odran's experience in <b>Rome</b>. Why do you think he tells us about his time there? What do you make of what Odran tells us about his sexuality?<br />
<br />
Is the book excusing anyone? Is it explaining anything? Does it add to your understanding of the sex scandals? Does it make you more empathetic/sympathetic toward anyone? Does it make you angry and want to DO something? Is it indicting anyone? <b>Is it indicting YOU</b>?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409743032739639092.post-37579957232455890252015-03-13T11:00:00.000-07:002015-03-13T11:00:21.746-07:00National Book Critics Circle Awards: Winners Announced!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>I love the National Book Critic Circle Awards!</b> How could I not? On their website under <i>Mission Statement</i> it reads: "The National Book Critics Circle honors outstanding writing and fosters a
national conversation about reading, criticism and literature.<br />
<br />
"...fosters a national conversation about reading..." Hm...remind you of anyone you know?<br />
<br />
Literary Masters is all about<b> fostering the love of reading and the love of talking about what we read with others! </b><br />
<br />
Congratulations to the winners! For all the info on the NBCC, click<a href="http://bookcritics.org/" target="_blank"> here</a>. Make sure to check out how they select the winners.<br />
<br />
For a snapshot of the winners in each category, continue reading:<br />
<br />
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<b>Fiction: </b><i> Lila</i> by Marilyn Robinson. I can't wait to read this book! (I can't believe I haven't done so yet.)<br />
<br />
<b>Autobiography:</b> <i>Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant? </i>by Roz Chast. For my review of this wonderful, laugh out loud, cry all day, graphic memoir, click<a href="http://whirlbooks.blogspot.com/2015/01/should-your-book-club-read-cant-we-talk.html" target="_blank"> here</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>Criticism:</b> <i>The Essential Ellen Willis</i> by Ellen Willis<br />
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<b>General Nonfiction:</b> <i> The Problem of Slavery in the Age of Emancipation</i> by David Brion Davis<br />
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<b>John Leonard Prize</b> for outstanding debut book in any genre: <i> Redeployment</i> by Phil Klay. You know that I am a big fan of this collection of short stories! I will try to post about it sometime soon!<br />
<br />
<b>Biography:</b> <i> Tennessee Williams: Mad Pilgrimage of the Flesh</i> by John Lahr. (What a wonderful title!)<br />
<br />
<b>Poetry:</b> <i>Citizen: An American Lyric</i> by Claudia Rankine<br />
<br />
<b>Ivan Sandrof Lifetime Achievement Award:</b> Toni Morrison (I'm thinking it's time to read another of her wonderful novels!)<br />
<br />
<b>Nona Balakian Citation for Excellence in Reviewing:</b> Alexandra Schwartz
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409743032739639092.post-20082815994579463082015-03-03T09:51:00.004-08:002015-03-03T09:53:13.429-08:00Should Your Book Club Read The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton?<br />
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<b><i>The House of Mirth</i> by Edith Wharton</b>
was this season's classic selection for Literary Masters book groups
and salons. Most members loved the book, but not all. A few found the
writing too dense, too flowery, too old-fashioned. Hm...well, the <b>majority</b> of us<b> loved it</b> and thought it was <b>brilliant</b>. Many members said they can't wait to read more Wharton! So, YES, your book club should read this literary treasure!!!<br />
<br />
<b>So, what can your book club discuss? Please note there are some SPOILERS BELOW!!!</b><br />
<br />
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SO MUCH!!! but in order to have a reasonable length post, I'll just go over a few topics, just to get you started!<br />
<br />
<b>Warp-speed plot summary:</b>
It is the Gilded Age in New York City and the stunningly beautiful Lily
Bart is running out of time to find a rich husband who will secure her
future. Her options are plentiful and dazzling at first, but Lily is
holding out. For whom? For what? As the story progresses, Lily's
suitors become fewer and much less alluring. Complicating matters is
Lily's dire financial situation as well as the rumors swirling about her
behavior. Will Lily's Prince Charming arrive in time? Will Lily save
herself? If you think this story sounds vapid, you are seriously
mistaken! This novel is so layered and nuanced; it will get you
thinking--and keep you thinking!<br />
<br />
<b>AND DON'T TRY TO CHEAT BY WATCHING THE MOVIE! </b> Part of the pleasure of <i>The House of Mirth</i>
is the prose. You WILL want to discuss this. Wharton is witty,
ironic, satirical, but best of all she evokes visions in your mind as
you read. It's as if scenes are playing out, one after the other. All
inspiring writers would do well to study the craft of Edith Wharton! I
kept thinking about Jane Austen's writing as I read this novel, and I
also thought of the scenic quality of Somerset Maugham's <i>The Painted Veil</i>. It is no wonder that these authors' works are turned into films; they are masters at the "screenplay" style!<br />
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<br />
There
are many interpretations of this novel, so if you want to do some
research, you'll find feminist, psychoanalytic, deconstructive, and
Marxist readings of it, to name a few. It's not necessary to read any of them, of course; you can simply discuss your own "reading" of <i>House of Mirth</i>,
but I am highlighting here that your book club may all "see" the story
very differently. That's one of the beauties of the book!<br />
<br />
<b>You'll want to "dig deep" into Lily.</b>
What motivates her? What does she want and why? Does she even know
what she wants? Do her desires change over the course of the novel?
Talk about how Lily has been raised and how this has affected her. Talk
about the other influences in her life also. Who/what has defined who
Lily is?<br />
<br />
Is Lily a sympathetic character? The answer to
this seems to color a lot of how readers feel about the entire story, so
it's a simple but important question. What makes her sympathetic or
not? Does she have a moral compass?<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>You'll want to invite Lily to lie down on the couch!</b>
What is going on with her and the decisions she makes? Is she being
self-destructive? Why? Is her behavior being motivated by unconscious
desires? Is she an early feminist? How would she have become one? Is
she simply clueless as to the consequences of her actions? Or does she
know exactly what she's doing? Is she a case of arrested development?<br />
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<b><br /></b>
<b>Is Lily a victim of the times and society in which she lives? Or is she complicit in her demise?</b><br />
<br />
Does Lily end her life on purpose or accidentally?<br />
<br />
If there is one point in the novel where you would put Lily on a different path, where would that be?<br />
<br />
<b>You'll want to talk about LOVE in this story. Does anyone love anyone else? </b>
Connected to this, no doubt you'll talk about marriage and how it is
portrayed. How do the husbands fare? How do the wives fare? You'll
talk about the transactional nature of marriage, and who gets what from
the deal.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Power is a huge theme in this novel, so you should talk about this!</b> What gives the characters their power? Money? Beauty? Reputation? Personal contacts?<br />
<br />
Money is also prominent in the story. <b> Old money versus new money</b>
is one of the major themes and plays out in every way: how the
characters live, entertain, travel, dress, emote--how they come about
their money--in virtually every aspect of their lives. Yes,<b> you can "dig deep" into what the book is saying about money, class hierarchy, and their complicated relationship</b>.<br />
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<br />
Related to the above, you may want to discuss the time period of the novel and the changes that were going on during <b>the Gilded Age</b>. This may give you some interesting insight into the story. Ask yourselves, <b>what is the book saying about the values and mores and the high society people of the Gilded Age?</b><br />
<br />
You will of course want to discuss the other characters! How do you feel about <b>Seldon</b>? Does he truly love Lily? What does he desire and why? Is there any "good" character in the story? How do you feel about Carrie Fisher? How do you feel about <b>Rosedale</b>? Wow--these are complicated characters!<br />
<br />
<b>Here's something to debate:</b>
When Rosedale tells Lily he will marry her if she brings down Bertha
Dorset, the next morning Lily knows her decision. However, we as
readers do not. Does Lily decide to do what Rosedale has suggested?
What stops her from doing so? Or has she decided upon waking that she
cannot?<br />
<br />
You should discuss <b>Gerty</b> and her purpose in the novel!<br />
<br />
I
am leaving out SO MANY characters here that you'll want to discuss,
each one representing a different strata of society--make sure you "dig
deep" into each one!<br />
<br />
Save time to discuss<b> the imagery</b>
in the novel!!! Notice the theme of imprisonment, note the water
imagery, note the references to mythology! Note how nature is portrayed
and the characters' relationship to it. Note the architecture and the
clothing! <b>What about the names?</b><br />
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<br />
<b>What about the title?</b>
It is taken from Ecclesiastes: "The heart of the wise is in the house
of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth." How does
this influence your understanding of this book? The original title was <i>A Moment's Ornament</i>, and Wharton's working title was <i>The Year of the Rose.</i> What do you think of this?<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>We are just scratching the surface here!!! </i>
However, I've probably tried your patience by making you read this
far. One more thing, though: make sure to discuss what this book is
about. Why do we read it year after year? What is it saying? Is it
relevant to us today? (I think so!!!) Is it an important novel?<br />
<br />
Let me know how your book club gets on with this literary treasure!!!<br />
<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409743032739639092.post-78116552164435163862015-01-11T17:38:00.000-08:002015-01-11T19:49:30.081-08:00Should Your Book Club Read Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant? by Roz Chast?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Although I loved reading comic books as a child, I haven't read many graphic novels as an adult. I picked this up because I had heard so much about it, and <b>WOW, am I glad I did</b>. I spent an afternoon laughing out loud, weeping into my tissues, and sending texts to multiple friends imploring them to Run out RIGHT NOW and get this book!<br />
<br />
Roz Chast, a cartoonist for the <i>New Yorker</i>, has written a memoir about her relationship with her elderly parents. Let me<b> 'cut and paste' the description from the back of the book</b> here:<br />
"Roz Chast and her parents were practitioners of denial: if you don't ever think about death, it will never happen. <i>Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant?</i> is the story of an only child watching her parents age well into their nineties and die. In this account, longtime New Yorker cartoonist Chast combines drawings with family photos and documents, chronicling that 'long good-bye'."<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>So, should your book club read it?</b><br />
<br />
Hmm...not an easy question. You see, I think this book is important--we all should be talking about these things with our families, but I'm not sure that anyone, well anyone over the age of say 75, really wants to talk about these things with fellow book club members. Don't get me wrong--I think this is an important book that raises important issues. <b> I also think it's brilliantly done.</b> <i> As I said, I think everyone should read it, and I think all families should discuss it. </i> I think many book clubs would enjoy talking about it. But I also think that it may not be the best selection for book groups with elderly members.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>So what can your book club talk about?</b><br />
<br />
The book raises questions that you should be discussing with your aging parents, a conversation that will differ from the one you will have with your book group. The latter conversation will be more about the book itself--although as I type this, I can imagine that many of those thorny 'aging parent' issues will be talked about also! In fact, I think this is one of those books where the discussion will be about the book BUT ALSO about your own life. Yes, it's<b> a very personal story</b>, indeed.<br />
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You'll want to talk about <b>the form of the book</b> itself. Do you think, like I do, that the message could not have been delivered so brilliantly any other way? Take it from someone who has lived a version of this book: if you don't laugh along the way, you will do nothing but cry.<br />
<br />
I read somewhere once that it's a shame that grown-up books don't have pictures. You really should each take a turn discussing your<b> favorite picture from this book</b>--and say why it is. My personal fave: actually, more than one--all the real photos of the author with her parents. They are smiling for the camera while she looks like she'd like to murder them and then the photographer. A picture paints a thousand words...<br />
<br />
What do you say to your parents when their home (possibly your childhood home) is...<b>grimy</b>? Is this their sweet revenge for all those years you were a complete slob growing up? Now the tables have turned, but you can't threaten to ground them if they don't clean up their mess. So, how DO you handle this?<br />
<br />
I suppose the conversation with aging parents is so difficult partly because there is an uncomfortable<b> role-reversal</b> taking place.<br />
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No doubt you'll want to talk about that role-reversal and how to handle it. No right answer here. Definitely no easy answer.<br />
<br />
You'll want to talk about the relationship that Roz has with her mother and father. Does it affect how she deals with them as they age? Is she generous to her parents, especially when we consider how her mother treated her? Or is it her <b>duty</b>, as it would be any child's, to care for them? What is <b>motivating</b> her? What would motivate you?<br />
<br />
Perhaps you'll want to discuss the elephant in the room. Yes, that's right. <b>$$$</b>.<br />
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How does one plan for this? Whose responsibility is it to plan for aging parents? The parents? You? What if no one does? <b>What if there's not enough money? </b><br />
<br />
How can a child deal with the<b> resentment </b>of being put in the position of caretaker? How can that child deal with her <b>siblings</b> who may or may not be helping? How can that child deal with the<b> guilt</b> from having felt resentment for being put in the position of caretaker? Not everyone can write a graphic novel to process her feelings!<br />
<br />
You'll want to discuss whether this<b> raw, honest, personal book</b> goes too far. Are Roz's parents disrespected in any way?<br />
<br />
Perhaps you'll want to discuss how <b>our culture</b>--and other cultures--deal with the elderly and dying. Nursing homes, hospice care, keeping one alive as long as possible--all topics you can consider. Have other cultures figured out <b>a better way</b> than ours?<br />
<br />
This book hit home for me, but I wonder if there are people who will read it and not relate at all. How could that be? Perhaps you can discuss this.<br />
<br />
Rightey-ho, this should get you started. Don't forget: when you've wrapped up your discussion with your book club, you've still got the <b>MORE IMPORTANT discussion</b> to go. Call your parents! Or, if you ARE the parents, call your kids!<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409743032739639092.post-38229559666095775022015-01-08T08:48:00.000-08:002015-01-08T08:48:28.658-08:00Literary Masters Leads the Way and Facebook Follows!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The other day I posted a New Year's Resolution suggestion to join or start a book club. <a href="http://whirlbooks.blogspot.com/2015/01/happy-new-year-literary-resolutions-for.html" target="_blank"> Here's</a> the post. Then, this morning, I read that Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook fame, has done just that! I'm not claiming cause and effect or anything, I'm just saying...seems like a strong coincidence, doesn't it?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409743032739639092.post-27037362780921809032015-01-07T10:23:00.001-08:002015-01-07T10:23:15.200-08:00Language MattersThis came to me from someone who knows how I feel about the power of language. It is from the <i>Financial Times</i>, copy and pasted here. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<div class="" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420587623255_51932" style="background-color: white; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<h1 class="" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420587623255_52322">
And the Golden Flannel of the year award goes to . . . </h1>
<img alt="Lucy Kellaway" class="" src="http://im.ft-static.com/content/images/61fe6152-0950-11e1-8e86-00144feabdc0.img" /> <span class="" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420587623255_52369">Lucy Kellaway</span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420587623255_52265">
<span class="" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420587623255_52266"><br /></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420587623255_52370">
<span class="" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420587623255_52266"><br /></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420587623255_52371">
<span class="" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420587623255_52266">O</span>n
New Year’s eve, just before the final judging session of my 2014 Golden
Flannel awards, I put out a last minute plea on Twitter. What were the
most irritating new phrases uttered by business people last year? </div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420587623255_52372">
<br /></div>
<div class="" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420587623255_51972">
Reach out, lots of people replied. Lean in. Going forward. Push back. Space. Learnings. Passionate. Content. My ask of you.</div>
<div class="" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420587623255_52041">
<br /></div>
<div class="" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420587623255_52065">
As
I read these suggestions I started to get pretty irritated myself.
These phrases were aggravating in 2014. But they were also annoying in
2013 and earlier. Reaching out and going forward started grating back in
the last millennium.</div>
<div class="" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420587623255_52089">
<br /></div>
<div class="" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420587623255_52083">
Yet
the response proves something about the jargon space last year. If it
was a feeble one for innovation, it was one in which existing guff
spread wider and got more bothersome than ever. </div>
<div class="" data-track-pos="0" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420587623255_52082">
This
year I’m awarding a special prize to an organisation that ought to have
risen above jargon, but has been dragged down into it. Winner of the
inaugural Fallen Angel award goes to the Church of England, which in a <a class="" href="http://www.thinkinganglicans.org.uk/uploads/TalentManagement.pdf" target="_blank">paper</a>
on training bishops talked of “a radical step change in our development
of leaders who can shape and articulate a compelling vision and who are
skilled and robust enough to create spaces of safe uncertainty in which
the Kingdom grows”. Our Lord, looking down on a sentence in which His
Kingdom was obliterated by a dozen dreary management clichés, must have
found his genius for forgiveness sorely tested.</div>
<div class="" data-track-pos="0" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420587623255_52125">
<br /></div>
<div class="" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420587623255_52133">
My
next award is given to a big name chief executive who has delivered
standout services to guff during the year. One has to admire the
actually baffling way in which Randall Stephenson, CEO of AT&T said:
“We actually think that the industry is at a place where you can
actually see line of sight to the subsidy equation just fundamentally
changing in a very short period of time.”</div>
<div class="">
<br /></div>
<div class="" data-track-pos="1" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420587623255_52132">
But in the end the judges actually felt that <a class="" href="http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/4064a6fe-7fd7-11e4-adff-00144feabdc0.html" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420587623255_52141" target="_blank" title="Person of the Year: Tim Cook of Apple - FT.com">Tim Cook </a>—
who spookily was also chosen as the FT’s person of the year — deserved
to be the 2014 Chief Obfuscation Champion. Under his leadership, Apple,
hitherto the world’s only example of a successful company that uses
words elegantly, succumbed to drivel.</div>
<div class="" data-track-pos="1" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420587623255_52142">
<br /></div>
<div class="" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420587623255_52131">
As
he took the stage at Cupertino he declared “At the end of the
day . . . this is a very key day for Apple”, thus combining two empty,
clashing phrases. More bafflingly, when all those topless pictures of
stars escaped from their iCloud, he said: “When I step back from this
terrible scenario . . . I think about the awareness piece. I think we
have a responsibility to ratchet that up. That’s not really an
engineering thing.” Maybe it isn’t. But it makes Mr Cook my 2014 COC.</div>
<div class="" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420587623255_52190">
<br /></div>
<div class="" data-track-pos="2" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420587623255_52180">
One
of my favourite prizes every year is the best euphemism for firing
people; this year I’ve decided to withhold the award, as no entries were
worthy of it. ABN Amro fired 1,000 people to “<a class="" href="http://www.ft.com/fastft/236612/abn-amro-cut-up-1000-retail-bank-jobs" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420587623255_52181" target="_blank">further enhance the customer experience</a>”,
which was good, but nowhere near the brilliance of EY, which in 2013
sacked people explaining it was “looking forward to strengthening our
alumni network”.</div>
<div class="" data-track-pos="2" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420587623255_52191">
<br /></div>
<div class="" data-track-pos="3" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420587623255_52179">
Instead I’m giving a new prize for the least appropriate start to an email. <a class="" href="http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/013511fa-13dd-11e4-8485-00144feabdc0.html?siteedition=uk" target="_blank">Stephen Elop</a>
began a 1,200 word message in which he axed thousands of jobs at
Microsoft with “Hello there.” But he was beaten to the prize by Uber,
which started a message to customers concerned by the alleged rape of an
Indian woman by an Uber driver with the jaunty salutation: “Hey”.</div>
<div class="" data-track-pos="3" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420587623255_52205">
<br /></div>
<div class="" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420587623255_51924">
The
next category is the Communications Cup, given out for the ugliest new
way to describe the simple activity of talking to people. Here the
competition was fierce: during the year I was asked to “hop on a call” —
grating for its false jauntiness — and to “send me dates, and we can
lock in”. Better than either was “circle back with”, which though not
new, got worse in 2014 as the preposition “to” was replaced by the
cheesy and nonsensical “with”. But then, in an email from a PR, I found
something even better. To reach out is yesterday. The new and more
fashionable way of using this hateful term is back-to-front: “I’m
outreaching to you . . .”</div>
<div class="" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420587623255_52204">
<br /></div>
<div class="" data-track-pos="4" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420587623255_52069">
The next award is for the silliest job title. The judges admired the way that Tesla calls its car salesmen “<a class="" href="http://www.teslamotors.com/en_GB/what-to-expect#order" target="_blank">Delivery Experience Specialists</a>”,
but after fierce debate, have given the prize to PwC in Switzerland for
calling its HR head: Territory Human Capital Leader. The first three
words are intolerably pompous, and the fourth is a lie. HR people don’t
lead. </div>
<div class="" data-track-pos="4">
<br /></div>
<div class="" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1420587623255_52068">
In
choosing my overall Golden Flannel phrase of the year, I considered the
dementing “does that resonate with your radar?” but quickly saw it was
puny compared to the terrific new verb “to action forward” which I heard
an otherwise sensible manager utter last month. “Actioning forward”,
with its dazzling combination of two of the most irritating bits of
jargon ever, resonates with my radar so powerfully I fear I may have
broken it. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409743032739639092.post-9695772485374778652015-01-03T11:39:00.003-08:002015-01-03T11:39:37.765-08:00Happy New Year! Literary Resolutions for 2015!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Happy 2015! </b> Have you promised yourself you will eat better and exercise more? Good job--taking care of your body. But how about your MIND??? It is vitally important to exercise your brain, your mind, and your spirit, and here's <b>the perfect new year's resolution</b> that will enable you to do all three:<br />
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Join a book club! Or start one. It is scientifically proven that reading is good for your brain, and do you know what's even better? <b>Talking about what you've read with others!</b><br />
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Your brain will thank you, and perhaps even more importantly, your spirit will thank you! Being part of a book club checks off numerous "good for you" boxes, and my <b>Literary Masters members</b> constantly tell me that gathering with fellow members for our discussions <b>is a highlight of their month.</b><br />
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Whether you join a Literary Masters salon or start/join your own,<b> just do it! </b> (Thanks, Nike!) And if you need tips on how to do so, stay tuned for future posts!<br />
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<b>Here's wishing you and yours a wonderful 2015! </b><br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409743032739639092.post-38525125003163431972014-10-21T11:56:00.000-07:002014-10-21T12:03:19.861-07:00Should Your Book Club Read Life After Life by Kate Atkinson?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>YES.</b> In fact, I don't see how you could read this book and NOT discuss it--really digging deep like we do in our Literary Masters salons--with others. <b> <i>Life After Life </i>by Kate Atkinson</b> was the October selection for <b>Literary Masters book groups and salons</b>, and it was a hit!<br />
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This book not only cries out for a post-reading discussion, it also demands to be read twice. Honestly, the second reading makes all the difference--and makes the first reading worth the time. <b> So what can your book club discuss?</b><br />
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<b><u>THIS POST CONTAINS SPOILERS!!!</u> </b><br />
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<b>Warp speed plot summary</b>: <br />
Set mainly in England between 1910 and 1967, this novel tells the story of Ursula Todd and her family who live at Fox Corner. The thing is, Ursula is a very unique character; she keeps dying and coming back to life. Each time she returns, the life she leads is different from the one before. Sometimes it's slightly different, and other times it's radically different. <b> So what is going on? </b> We readers wonder this as we follow Ursula through her many lives and through the history of the time, especially the wars and the Blitz.<br />
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If this sounds like science fiction or fantasy to you, I would argue that it is not. This book is so well done--as a piece of realistic fiction that is also perhaps <b>a thought experiment</b>--I urge you to give it a try. <b>Twice!</b><br />
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<b>Your book club should "dig deep" into the following:</b><br />
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Two main things seem to be going on in this book: the exploration of philosophies or life beliefs, and a telling of the history of England. As for the first:<br />
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You'll want to really ask yourselves: <b>what is going on with Ursula?</b> Is she being reincarnated? Is she living parallel lives? Is there some sort of circularity happening, or is it more like a palimpsest? Is the book saying anything about all of the above? Or is it merely exploring all these concepts? <b>A good place to start is to ask yourselves: Is Ursula conscious of what is going on? Is she <i>consciously</i> making choices in her life that set her on a different course?</b><br />
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Or is she dreaming? Or crazy?<b> </b><br />
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Related to all of the above, you'll want to discuss <b>the idea of eternal recurrence</b>. Read the epigraph together and talk about the importance of <b>Nietzsche</b>'s concepts. (If you don't have a philosophy major in your group, just do a bit of googling!)<br />
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Whatever you decide is happening with Ursula,<b> is it also happening with the other characters?</b> Why, for instance, does Ursula's mother have scissors at one of the births? What does this mean if it is happening with all the other characters?<br />
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These questions will no doubt carry you into the area of <b>fate vs. randomness</b>. You'll want to discuss how much <b>agency or free will</b> Ursula and the other characters have. How much free will do you think YOU have? Is your life fated, or are you its master? <b>What is the book saying about this?</b> Is there a point to Ursula living her life over and over again? Does she learn to improve it in any way? Or is that irrelevant? Is she finding ways to have agency over her fate? Is that even possible?<br />
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Another major concept you'll want to explore is <b>whether there is a core or essence to a person</b>. Is there a core to Ursula? Is she essentially the same throughout all her lives? Or is her identity shaped largely by her experiences? <b>Which points in the book do you think are pivotal</b> with regard to Ursula's identity?<br />
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What about the other characters? Does each one change depending on the life that s/he is experiencing? <b>Two interesting characters to "dig deep" into are Sylvie and Izzy.</b> This touches on the history of England aspect of the book also. Think about the change from a traditional, pastoral, idyllic England (set in cozy Fox Corner) morphing into a modern, post-war, industrialized England. Where do Sylvie and Izzy fit in this picture? Where do the others fit, and what is the book saying about this change?<br />
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<b>This may take you into a discussion of the role of women and what choices they had at different times of history.</b> <br />
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You'll want to discuss how the wars and particularly the Blitz are almost characters in the book. There are graphic scenes of devastation in England but also in Germany, when Ursula and Frieda are victims of the Allied bombing. <b>What is the point of this juxtaposition?</b> Ursula has a crush on her Jewish neighbor in England but marries a German Nazi in another life. Izzy's son is adopted by a German couple so could be dropping bombs on England while Teddy is dropping them on Germany. <b>What point is the book making?</b><br />
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You'll no doubt want to discuss <b>the imagery</b> in the book. What significance does<b> snow </b>have? What about all the <b>animals</b>? Ursula means little bear, Teddy is a teddy bear, Hugh refers to Pooh bear--what's up with the <b>bears</b>? What about <b>foxes</b>? What does <b>Fox Corner </b>represent and why is it called that? Ursula's last name is <b>Todd</b>, which means fox! Yet she transforms into Miss Woolf on p.446--what does that mean? There are many <b>wolves</b>, especially in the German section. Adolf means wolf. However, Ursula marries Jurgen Fuchs, which means fox! And as I just mentioned, she admires and transforms into Miss Woolf! Foxes vs. wolves--significant?<br />
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There is much more imagery to explore--you will no doubt come up with many more questions than answers! Kate Atkinson seems to be, among other things, having fun with all the <b>names</b> in the book. And you'll want to discuss all <b>the literary references</b>. Is <b>Maurice</b> purposely named? Are we meant to think of E.M. Forster's "homosexual novel" and thus make the connection that Maurice is a closeted gay man whose repression of his true self has resulted in his being a mean person? Is <b>Pamela</b> purposely named? Are we meant to think of Samuel Richardson's novel <i>Pamela: Or, Virtue Rewarded</i>? Is she virtuous? Does she get her reward? Is the Miss Woolf mentioned above supposed to make us think of Virginia Woolf?<br />
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You'll want to discuss <b>Hitler.</b> What role does Hitler play in this book? Why does the book start with the scene that it does? Does Ursula kill Hitler?<br />
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You'll also want to discuss the book as a <b>meta-fiction</b>. Talk about how it's exploring the writing process itself. You can start with the chapters titled "Snow," where every story starts over; they are like a clean sheet of paper.<br />
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This book was like a <b>Rorschach </b>test. I think Stanley Fish would have enjoyed observing the many Literary Masters salons in which members read their own experiences into this novel. The interpretations were wide-ranging and fascinating--I could go on and on discussing this book and discover new ways of looking at it each time. In that way,<b> it's very much like life</b>.<br />
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There is so much more to this book, but time is flying and I must attend to other aspects of this life I am living. <b>Hopefully this will get you started in your discussion!</b> Let me know how it goes!<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1