Discussion
Ann:
I have learned that I am currently unable to finish a book in a month despite my good intentions. However one should not start out a speech or an email with excuses so I will delve into what I did read. I am just to the part where the author discusses burkas and boy am I glad we don't have that custom here. I just can't imagine being hidden away like that. All discomforts of the burka aside, to be shielded from the world like that, and to be shielded from other burka'd women must be frustrating and suffocating. It's interesting because to a lesser extent it is beneficial to "shield" oneself from some worldly things that can be harmful to our minds and bodies, but then it's also important to contribute good to the world, which for me would be much harder to do from under a burka. I am always fascinated by the way people from other cultures live, so will toss out more comments as my brain digests Afghanistan a bit more. Did anyone make it through the whole book?
Jenn has been tagged to choose our book for May...
I just had to throw out a little flashback comment to Picking Cotton because just within the last week another guy was released after many years in prison when DNA evidence finally cleared him of the crime he didn't commit. There was an article in the paper about how now Idaho is the only state who doesn't allow DNA testing in criminal cases. Why? I don't know. Go figure.
Like Elisabeth's idea about announcing the book ahead of time. That means Jenn will need to tag someone asap.
I wasn't her favorite because I scored higher on the math section of the SAT than the English section. Christine was the favorite. Very interesting comment Lisa...I'm going to think some more about this. "Mulder" it over (so to speak).
Jenn:
The Bookseller of Kabul was a great book. The journalist who was inspired to write it is crazy. Most of the time it read like a period piece. But then I was shocked again and again to realize this is real life for millions today in the here and now.
I was thinking of a short book for May, but I think we might have already read it: Gift From the Sea by Lindberg. Help me out here, who has read it???
Micah:
I did not read the Bookseller of Kabul but I'm going to find it at the library right now. Sounds interesting. Like Ann, I don't know how the women can wear the burkas. I wouldn't have made it very well in that society. :)
And a shout out to Amy who says she reads all the book club emails. :)
Karen:
I got through the first chapter of the book, but then the copy of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society that I've been waiting forever for finally came and I switched. I still want to try to finish The Bookseller.
Great to hear from you Micah! Looking forward to the new book as well!
Amy:
Hey, all. Yes, a big shout out return. I truly do read all the bluestocking e-mails, but don't usually comment because...surprise, surprise...I am not worthy -- I haven't read the book! I was consoled that Ann occasionally cannot finish a book in a month either! :)
Lisa, how was Women's Conference?
Elisabeth:
I have a suggestion that might make it easier for us all to read the book in the chosen month. If we could announce the book a month before we start reading it. By the time my library had The Bookseller of Kabul on the hold shelf for me, I only had a couple of days to read it. I first checked out the book on DVD and was very disappointed that it had been damaged. Maybe the person for June could select the book now, so we can all work on locating the book.
Lisa:
Women's conference was wonderful. If anyone ever wants to go I'd love to see any/all of you there! I've gone the last 3 years...not having to work during it and living in the same state as it makes going a little easier for me than some....I only have to worry about childcare.
I started the Bookseller and echo the others, burka = no fun, although I didn't read as deeply as some. Way to note the shielding from the worldly symbolism, Ann. No wonder you were Mrs. Mulder's favorite.
I almost hesitate to send this next part, but, your all my friends and know me, right?
The thing that always strikes me as eeriest about these Middle East books, and others where the women are treated so poorly and as lower class citizens, is how it seems to mirror my life today far more than I'm comfortable admitting. In fact, I didn't finish this book because it made me uncomfortable. I add it to a myriad of other titles that stir up feelings I just don't like. Not that it was a bad book. It was interesting. And, in saying this, I don't mean to imply that my life is bad or situations we live in nearly so dramatic as this book portrays. I just wish I didn't relate as well as I do books in which women are treated as less than...well, just less. I don't think I felt this way when I was single, but being married and a mom plays into it. I think it's just one of Satan's ploys with me, but I have a really tough time not becoming angry, bitter and otherwise negatively effected by this type of literature. Maybe I just pick up on the nuances of unfairness in the world and blow them out of proportion. Am I the only one effected this way? Truly, maybe it's just an area where Satan knows he can bring me down.
I have heard of Gift From the Sea, and I've been meaning to read it for years. Now I have an excuse!
Robyn:
Like many of you, I read about half the book. I found it interesting, but also frustrating. I was uncomfortable with the way the author portrayed Sultan, as a hero championing free speech when in my opinion he was mostly an obsessive, selfish opportunist (maybe he redeems himself in the end?). I found it interesting how little regard he had for copyright. I also found the conversation about Salman Rushdie (pg 63) interesting. Sultan and his associates sat around condemning Rushdie and his work when none of them had actually read his work. Sultan was so concerned about censorship only when it was convenient for him. And like you all I was disturbed by how women are treated. I was uncomfortable with the double standards made by men in this society.
**Random thought: As I read your comments about women in middle eastern countries I remembered a book of beautiful and poignant short essays and poems, I read a few years ago called Tasting the Sky : a Palestinian childhood by Ibtisam Barakat, which relates one woman's experiences not of Afghanistan but of living in Palestine. I highly recommend it.
Check out Pingo a picture book by Brandon Mull (a Utah author). I think you will love it!
Recipes
Ann:
Creamy Fruit Smoothie
4 c fresh or frozen fruit
1 1/3 c instant dry milk
1 c water
1 c ice cubes
3 T sugar
1 1/2 t vanilla extract
Blend away.
Business
June Book: Gilead, by Marilynne Robinson
Chosen by: Christina Bowen
Ann:
I have learned that I am currently unable to finish a book in a month despite my good intentions. However one should not start out a speech or an email with excuses so I will delve into what I did read. I am just to the part where the author discusses burkas and boy am I glad we don't have that custom here. I just can't imagine being hidden away like that. All discomforts of the burka aside, to be shielded from the world like that, and to be shielded from other burka'd women must be frustrating and suffocating. It's interesting because to a lesser extent it is beneficial to "shield" oneself from some worldly things that can be harmful to our minds and bodies, but then it's also important to contribute good to the world, which for me would be much harder to do from under a burka. I am always fascinated by the way people from other cultures live, so will toss out more comments as my brain digests Afghanistan a bit more. Did anyone make it through the whole book?
Jenn has been tagged to choose our book for May...
I just had to throw out a little flashback comment to Picking Cotton because just within the last week another guy was released after many years in prison when DNA evidence finally cleared him of the crime he didn't commit. There was an article in the paper about how now Idaho is the only state who doesn't allow DNA testing in criminal cases. Why? I don't know. Go figure.
Like Elisabeth's idea about announcing the book ahead of time. That means Jenn will need to tag someone asap.
I wasn't her favorite because I scored higher on the math section of the SAT than the English section. Christine was the favorite. Very interesting comment Lisa...I'm going to think some more about this. "Mulder" it over (so to speak).
Jenn:
The Bookseller of Kabul was a great book. The journalist who was inspired to write it is crazy. Most of the time it read like a period piece. But then I was shocked again and again to realize this is real life for millions today in the here and now.
I was thinking of a short book for May, but I think we might have already read it: Gift From the Sea by Lindberg. Help me out here, who has read it???
Micah:
I did not read the Bookseller of Kabul but I'm going to find it at the library right now. Sounds interesting. Like Ann, I don't know how the women can wear the burkas. I wouldn't have made it very well in that society. :)
And a shout out to Amy who says she reads all the book club emails. :)
Karen:
I got through the first chapter of the book, but then the copy of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society that I've been waiting forever for finally came and I switched. I still want to try to finish The Bookseller.
Great to hear from you Micah! Looking forward to the new book as well!
Amy:
Hey, all. Yes, a big shout out return. I truly do read all the bluestocking e-mails, but don't usually comment because...surprise, surprise...I am not worthy -- I haven't read the book! I was consoled that Ann occasionally cannot finish a book in a month either! :)
Lisa, how was Women's Conference?
Elisabeth:
I have a suggestion that might make it easier for us all to read the book in the chosen month. If we could announce the book a month before we start reading it. By the time my library had The Bookseller of Kabul on the hold shelf for me, I only had a couple of days to read it. I first checked out the book on DVD and was very disappointed that it had been damaged. Maybe the person for June could select the book now, so we can all work on locating the book.
Lisa:
Women's conference was wonderful. If anyone ever wants to go I'd love to see any/all of you there! I've gone the last 3 years...not having to work during it and living in the same state as it makes going a little easier for me than some....I only have to worry about childcare.
I started the Bookseller and echo the others, burka = no fun, although I didn't read as deeply as some. Way to note the shielding from the worldly symbolism, Ann. No wonder you were Mrs. Mulder's favorite.
I almost hesitate to send this next part, but, your all my friends and know me, right?
The thing that always strikes me as eeriest about these Middle East books, and others where the women are treated so poorly and as lower class citizens, is how it seems to mirror my life today far more than I'm comfortable admitting. In fact, I didn't finish this book because it made me uncomfortable. I add it to a myriad of other titles that stir up feelings I just don't like. Not that it was a bad book. It was interesting. And, in saying this, I don't mean to imply that my life is bad or situations we live in nearly so dramatic as this book portrays. I just wish I didn't relate as well as I do books in which women are treated as less than...well, just less. I don't think I felt this way when I was single, but being married and a mom plays into it. I think it's just one of Satan's ploys with me, but I have a really tough time not becoming angry, bitter and otherwise negatively effected by this type of literature. Maybe I just pick up on the nuances of unfairness in the world and blow them out of proportion. Am I the only one effected this way? Truly, maybe it's just an area where Satan knows he can bring me down.
I have heard of Gift From the Sea, and I've been meaning to read it for years. Now I have an excuse!
Robyn:
Like many of you, I read about half the book. I found it interesting, but also frustrating. I was uncomfortable with the way the author portrayed Sultan, as a hero championing free speech when in my opinion he was mostly an obsessive, selfish opportunist (maybe he redeems himself in the end?). I found it interesting how little regard he had for copyright. I also found the conversation about Salman Rushdie (pg 63) interesting. Sultan and his associates sat around condemning Rushdie and his work when none of them had actually read his work. Sultan was so concerned about censorship only when it was convenient for him. And like you all I was disturbed by how women are treated. I was uncomfortable with the double standards made by men in this society.
**Random thought: As I read your comments about women in middle eastern countries I remembered a book of beautiful and poignant short essays and poems, I read a few years ago called Tasting the Sky : a Palestinian childhood by Ibtisam Barakat, which relates one woman's experiences not of Afghanistan but of living in Palestine. I highly recommend it.
Check out Pingo a picture book by Brandon Mull (a Utah author). I think you will love it!
Recipes
Ann:
Creamy Fruit Smoothie
4 c fresh or frozen fruit
1 1/3 c instant dry milk
1 c water
1 c ice cubes
3 T sugar
1 1/2 t vanilla extract
Blend away.
Business
June Book: Gilead, by Marilynne Robinson
Chosen by: Christina Bowen
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