From Sonya
A wonderful night of discussion
Greetings Happy Bookers!
We had an absolutely wonderful time last night full of deep, meaningful discussions. This was an extremely enlightening and thoughtful group to discuss difficult topics with. I learned so much from you all!
Save the date
June meeting: My Friends
Before I get into that — our book for June is My Friends by Fredrik Backman.
We will meet at 3-6-9 Chinese in Winter Springs on Thursday, June 25 at 6:30pm. I'll send the reminder email a week before as usual.
Coming in July
Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman
Our book for July is Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman.
The library has just acquired many copies of this book but the popularity is rising. Christine put it on hold last night and the wait list is only two weeks. I highly recommend getting in line before everyone is trying to get hands on it.
This is the latest Harry Potter/Twilight/Hunger Games sensational read going viral right now. (Mary Fran, the audio book is phenomenal!)
We discussed some of the "New Achievement"s in literature with the emerging RPG genre (Role Playing Game). Liz recommends Operation Bounce House by Matt Dinniman.
Dungeon Crawler Carl
Operation Bounce House
Advance notice
A costume party for July
Liz wants to make our July meeting a costume party where we all come dressed as one of our favorite characters in the book so keep this in mind while you're reading 🤡.
She has also teased some possible fan art for us to enjoy.
Last night's book
Master Slave Husband Wife by Ilyon Woo
Most of us read Master Slave Husband Wife by Ilyon Woo. This was a thoroughly researched and thoughtfully written book.
We were expecting a good story with some history thrown in. We were not expecting a full blown history lesson on Civil Rights, Jim Crow and the notable Abolitionists and opponents.
Moreso than The Personal Librarian, this book shared a keen insight into the plight of common people and slaves in America, many doing remarkable things.
Thanks to the personal experiences and relationships that Louisa and Christine have we got a glimpse into the psyche and mindset black individuals have to maintain even in the modern era.
Louisa recommends
Ragtime by E. L. Doctorow
Louisa recommends Ragtime by E. L. Doctorow.
It is a book that has been made into a movie and into a Tony Award winning stage show. The movie was nominated for eight Academy Awards.
Louisa's own Jamaal and Riley were in a local performance of the show.
Ragtime
The hard conversations
Generational trauma and inequality
We talked about generational trauma and how it changes DNA of those who have experienced overwhelming events such as systemic oppression and abuse which is passed down from one generation to the next.
Louisa recommends What My Bones Know by Stephanie Foo for more insight to this sad phenomenon.
We discussed inequality and the human tendency to need to feel above another group. Looking for someone to be able to put down to feel better about who we are.
Without using the actual term "white privilege" our discussions very clearly laid out situations and environments where we had no idea someone else might be on high alert, concern about perceptions and worse, concerned about safety.
So much has remained the same for the black community despite the progress that has been made. So much history has been lost. It's all very sad.
- What My Bones Know by Stephanie Foo Visit link
From the discussion
Other resources we discussed
- One Mic History A YouTube channel with short clips of little known segments and people of black history. I love this channel! Visit link
- Black AF History: The Un-Whitewashed Story of America by Michael Harriot "From acclaimed columnist and political commentator Michael Harriot, a searingly smart and bitingly hilarious retelling of American history that corrects the record and showcases the perspectives and experiences of Black Americans." Visit link
- Judge Stone Written by Viola Davis with James Patterson — we should short list this for one of our book club picks! Visit link
- Dispatches from Pluto: Lost and Found in the Mississippi Delta by Richard Grant Looks at a Brit recently moved from NYC to the deep Delta of Mississippi. Visit link
- The Deepest South of All: True Stories from Natchez, Mississippi by Richard Grant This is Mississippi's "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" with characters as rich and real as any in Savannah, including Prince Abdul Rahman Ibrahima Sori, an African prince who was captured in 1788 and sold as an enslaved man in Mississippi. He spent 40 years enslaved on a plantation in the Natchez area before he gained his freedom in 1828. Visit link
- We discussed the declining birth rate and how that affects the economy and other factors. Visit link
Screen adaptations
From page to screen
- Remarkably Bright Creatures Out on Netflix starring Sally Field. It's very well done! We either loved it or can't wait to see it. Visit link
- Project Hail Mary Nancy finished Project Hail Mary and Louisa is starting it. We're jealous that they're getting to experience the joy of reading it for the first time. The movie is as delightful as the book! Both are highly recommended! Visit link
From Liz
All things Joe Abercrombie
Liz loves all things Joe Abercrombie (as do Ed and I) — his latest book, The Devils, is her most recent read and it does not disappoint!
Joe is the master of snark and witty one liners.
The Devils
More to explore
Historical fiction and Nordic noir
Christine recommends The Undertaker's Assistant by Amanda Skenandore.
Likewise, Viveca Sten and the Åre Murder Series set in Sweden. Christine recommends these.
The Undertaker's Assistant
Historical fiction about Effie Jones who escaped slavery and learns medicine. She returns to New Orleans as an embalmer. This one looks fascinating!
The Harry Hole series
This is also a new series on Netflix. If you like The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series you'll like this one, too. Also set in Norway.
Viveca Sten
The Åre Murder Series
The round-up
More titles we shared
Playground
I can't remember who recommended this one — Louisa? "Set in the world's largest ocean, this awe-filled book explores that last wild place we have yet to colonize in a still-unfolding oceanic game."
The Overstory
"This book is amazing, like a Tree Of Life! It grew out of the need to verbalise the imminent threat to our species and its unique ability to LOVE nature in all its forms."
When Clara and the Sun Enduring Power of Hope Lives
This book is about artificial friends — like, real artificial friends you can buy in a store.
How to Stop Time
Oh how we love Matt Haig's books like The Midnight Library! How to Stop Time is soon to be a movie starring Benedict Cumberbatch and, oh, how I love me some Benedict Cumberbatch!
Topics we love
Art, fakery, and a murder trial
We also talked about topics we love to explore through historical fiction, fiction and even non-fiction books.
Laura in particular loves all things art, especially how and why it's faked. This reminded me of the Brian Walshe murder trial. Before the murder, Brian was convicted of art fraud, which is equally fascinating.
This is a 40 minute video providing a thorough recap of the art fraud case involving stolen authentic Andy Warhol paintings as well as faked versions of the paintings.
Club news
Around the club
Christine's brother's team is in 2nd place overall in the world sailing race he's been in for the past year. Next stop is Panama, then the family will meet up with him and his team again on the East Coast. They will be in RVs and have limited space, so no traditional Chicken Cordon Bleu this time, but as the sailing team is composed of members from all over the world there will be quite the smorgasbord of amazing food. We can't wait to hear all about it!
Laura's new knee is set to arrive on June 9. Send her all the good vibes, juju, prayers, etc for a quick and smooth recovery. Liz is working toward her new knee as we cheer her on!
One of our coworkers has a plan she's following trying to avoid having knee replacement since her husband had a tough time with his. Nancy is going to get more information from Theresa to share with Christine and anyone else who's interested.
Oh, and those of you who missed last night also missed out on the most deliciously moist, mouth watering, heavenly scented chocolate brownies cooked by Riley and Audrey, delivered by Louisa!
For the curious
Links from this issue
Until next time
See you next month
I think that's everything. If I missed something please let us know.
I hope to see you next month!
Kindest, Sonya