Booked
Sunday morning, I grabbed a large bottle of orange juice and headed over to my gal pal’s, for brunch. And maybe a little book club. The book club I’ve been looking forward to participating in for weeks!
As it turns out, this book club is small. Four ladies. Four racially diverse ladies. Four racially diverse and educated ladies. Four racially diverse and educated ladies who are from all corners of the United States. Four racially diverse and educated ladies who are from all corners of the United States who wound up in Chicago. Sitting around one dining room table. Discussing Caucasia, by Danzy Senna (go here to read an article this author penned for salon.com).
The story is simple. It’s about a biracial girl who, at different times during her childhood, is expected to embrace the different sides to her family. It’s about her navigating the blur between races. It’s about her search for family members and her own identity. (Editor’s note: I highly recommend this book!)
I wasn’t sure what kind of book club this would be. I’ve heard of far too many book clubs where the ladies use reading a book (or not reading it) as an excuse to get together, drink wine and gossip about everything other than the book. That’s not the kind of book club I was hoping to join. I wasn’t expecting this book club to be quite that lazy, but I also wasn’t sure.
I quickly realized we were a foursome ready to tackle the issues of the book. Over mimosas and eggs, we discussed race. How the actual color of your skin dictates what society expects of you, regardless of which race you identify with. The need to identify. Sexual exploration. The effect of divorce on children.
We discussed character development. Story lines. The author’s style of writing. Whether we personally identified with any of the characters. Minor disappointments with the book. Major impressions the book made on us.
After about 90 minutes of discussing the book, the conversation naturally flowed to other topics. But, the point was, we did it. We read a book. We discussed it. We were open to other opinions. We disagreed without attacking. We questioned one another about our own life experiences.
It was the first time in a while that I finally felt intellectually challenged. That I felt part of a conversation that really made me think about the world around me. About my place in that world. And about how I view that world based on my own experiences. For a time, I began to see the world through a different set of eyes. It was this existential feeling to see my body, my life, through someone else’s eyes.
And I take it the other ladies equally enjoyed their time around the dining room table, because we agreed to move forward with another book. Our next book is going to be interesting. Very interesting. It’s about one woman’s experience with abortion. 15 of them. Over a 17-year period. A book that will definitely enrage the pro-lifers. But, might also boil the blood of some pro-choicers, too. Go here to read a short essay by the author, Irene Vilar. I’ll be sure to report back in December after we discuss it!
October 26th, 2009 at 8:53 am
I would love to be part of a book club like this. I was just thinking the other day that I feel like I haven’t had an intellectually challenging converstaion in a while. One of those ones that challenges you to think about things before speaking and question your own beliefs. Your book club sounds fabulous, sounds like a great group of women. I am adding Caucasia and the new book to my reading list.
October 26th, 2009 at 9:33 am
I’m glad you had a good experience! I just can’t get myself into book clubs. I think having studied English and literature and writing for 6 years burned me out completely on reading for deadlines and discussing books. I guess I would fall into more of the wine and gossip category--but at least I don’t try to disguise it as a book club. ;)
October 26th, 2009 at 9:40 am
A couple friends and I started a book club 4 years ago and we have been meeting almost monthly ever since then. It’s a small group like yours, which I like. There are some months where none of us really have much to say about the book, but others where we talk heatedly about it. But it is definitely one of my favorite things in life, and something I’m very proud of.
October 26th, 2009 at 9:52 am
That’s awesome! I’m glad you found a book club that actually does what you were looking for. Have fun with the next book!
October 26th, 2009 at 9:54 am
Oh I would love a book club! My friends and I have talked baout it but haven’t taken the plunge. I miss the challenge of open discussion- articulating your point of view, and negotiating other people is definitely an art!
October 26th, 2009 at 10:35 am
I think that book would definitely spark some interesting discussions!
October 26th, 2009 at 11:02 am
I’m glad it turned out to be what you hoped/wanted it to be! I haven’t been going to my book club as of late because they tend to not talk about the books. Don’t get me wrong, I always enjoy the books they recommend but they aren’t nearly as intelligent as the ones it sounds like you guys are reading!
I’m curious to hear more about the next book you’ve chosen.
October 26th, 2009 at 11:25 am
you are so intelligent miss nilsa. if i belonged to a book club we would probably discuss US weekly.
October 26th, 2009 at 11:47 am
So glad you’ve found a book club that you enjoy! The one I joined a few months ago is a bit lazier than yours, but I love it for the social aspect, and because it makes me read books I would never pick up on my own.
Looking forward to hearing about the next one!
October 26th, 2009 at 11:57 am
I watched the Jane Austen Book Club yesterday (for like the second time) and thought how much fun it would be to join a book club (small one). Maybe I can move to Chicago and be part of your book club? ;)
October 26th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
Oh, that sounds like the type of book club I would love to be in. I’m so happy for you! And the next book does sound interesting, would love to hear about it. I’m really into the real life stories concerning such matters.
I once tried to form a movie club with some friends. The first meeting was small but good. We had all watched (independently) a movie out in the theatre and then one available on DVD (or at that time it was video for me). We really stuck to the business of discussing the movies. As I led most of the discussions, it was really fun for me. Too bad we decided not to proceed because of the low turnout.
October 26th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Woah, that’s some book list you’ve got going there. Not for the faint of heart! Good for you and your ladies for digging in and really discussingt the issues.
October 26th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed a hearty, interesting discussion!! I’ve long wanted to find that kind of book club myself. Maybe I’ll start following your book club virtually and reading along as well… :)
I am taking myself to the bookstore this weekend buying Senna’s book, though. And buying a copy for my sister, who is white, and who is married to a black man, and who is pregnant with a little one right this very minute, a little one who will be born to this world as “biracial.” In lieu of a club, perhaps just she and I can sit and discuss…
October 26th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
ok, now i really want to read BOTH of those books. just as soon as i finish my current one about the zombie apocolypse :-D
October 26th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
I am very excited to read both books you suggested. Both topics that I am rather interested in. Thanks for sharing!
October 26th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
I really need something like that. I am so used to NOT having intellectual conversations now, because I cannot find anyone to have them with.
Whoa, that sounded bad! Oops.
I am happy you had fun! :)
October 26th, 2009 at 9:45 pm
Yeah our book club does have good discussions but we take 10-15 minutes to talk about non-book club things and then get into a discussion. It tends to go pretty well.
October 27th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
I’ve never belonged to a book club, which is silly because I love reading and I love talking and I love brunch. You have inspired me to form a book club of my own :)
October 28th, 2009 at 8:56 pm
First of all, I’m glad to hear the book club meeting was such a success (it excites my nerdy self). Secondly, Caucasia? Um, that’s on my top 10 book list — LOVE it!
October 29th, 2009 at 9:52 am
I would love to participate in a book club like this! I’ve never been in one, and I, too, would be worried about some using it as an excuse to drink wine and gossip, while not reading the book. It sounds like the book choices are solid ones, and I’m excited to hear how the December meeting goes!
October 30th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
This book club session sounds great. I’ve been trying to find a good book club for years, but somehow haven’t found the right group. Enjoy!
October 30th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
A 90 minute discussion is admirable, especially over mimosas! We’re reading Portnoy’s Complaint. Well, I need to start, as our book club is on 11/5! I’m adding Caucasia to my Goodreads list!