April 2017 Recap

heirloom King Edward VIII tablecloth

Dear Bookclub,
Like a clan gathering from their enclaves near and far(Jan!) to be together in Kentucky, a huge turnout descended upon Lynne's beautiful backyard (hillbilly analogies end here), moseyed into the dining room filling plates with lovely food and eventually settled in the inviting living room to ponder J.D.Vance's story. Mountain Dew not invited.

Adoring Maggie

Agreed that Mamaw and Papaw get the top awards for J.D.'s success, Lindsay and Usha the best supporting loved-ones, we marveled at the thoughts and actions of the hillbilly culture and yet debated that strife can and does occur at any socio-economic level. J.D.'s discovery of and success in a much higher socio-economic level is not really a new story; the colorful personal stories surrounding that journey created the unique read.  As readers expecting explanation to larger movements in this country's attitude, Vance did reveal to us the distinct flavor of the undercurrent that elected President What's-his-name.

Lynne went above and beyond in researching and presenting ideas for an upcoming selection. We processed and whittled......

choices, choices

our fearless hostess

"Lincoln in the Bardo" George Saunders
"Small Great Things" Jodi Picoult *chosen
"The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane" Lisa See
"A Piece of the World" Christine Baker Kline

All great suggestions!!


Next up: "Dust Bowl Girls".

Happy reading,
LK

April 2017 Bookclub News

no disrespect meant but I couldn't resist

Dear Bookclub,

According to Wikipedia: "Hillbilly is a term for people who dwell in rural mountainous areas in the United State, primarily in Appalachia or the Ozarks. Due to its strongly stereotypical connotations, the term can be offensive to those Americans of Appalachian or Ozark heritage. The first known instances of "Hillbilly" in print were in "The Railroad Trainmen's Journal" (vol. ix, July 1892), a 1899 photograph of men and women in West Virginia labeled "Camp Hillbilly"and in a 1900 New York Journal article, with the definition: "a Hill-Billie is a free and untrammeled white citizen of Alabama, who lives in the hills, has no means to speak of, dresses as he can, talks as he pleases, drinks whiskey when he gets it, and fires off his revolver as the fancy takes him". The stereotype is twofold in that it incorporates both positive and negative traits: "Hillbillies" are often considered independent and self-reliant individuals who resist the modernization of society, but at the same time they are also defined as backward and violent. Scholars argue this duality is reflective of the split ethnic identities in white America."

 J.D. Vance has put the hillbilly culture onto our radars and it's eye-opening. Most compelling is that he is telling of today. Vance's official website includes a photo section of family and one caption that characterizes a noted trait in this culture:  "(Mamaw would murder me if she knew I put this photo on the internet.)" - not to be taken lightly.  http://www.jdvance.com/family.html  
I'm looking forward to a lively discussion!


Lynne's titles to consider for an upcoming selection:

1) "The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane" Lisa See
2) "Lincoln in the Bardo" George Saunders
3) "A Piece of the World" Christina Baker Kline

Please research for our vote this Thursday.

Happy Readin'!
LK