Welcome to the final week’s discussion of….
Caucasia by Danzy Senna
For the final week, please finish the book if you haven’t already. Don’t forget to join us this Thursday, July 27 at 4:30pm EDT to discuss the book on Zoom. Come prepared to share your book recommendations for future readings!
Then, head to the comments below to share your thoughts about the book!
We’ll meet over Zoom to discuss the full book on Thursday, July 27th at 4:30pm EDT. Visit the “Book Club Discussion” event page for more details.
Here is how you can obtain a copy of Caucasia by Danzy Senna:
Borrow Online
Most libraries in the U.S. allow patrons to borrow e-books or audiobooks through online systems or applications you can download to your smartphone. OverDrive and Hoopla are two of the most popular services. Caucasia is currently available on OverDrive HERE. If you are in New York State, you can apply for a library card online HERE.
Order a Hard Copy
Contact your local bookstore to see if they are shipping books! We highly encourage you to support the independently owned bookstores in your area.
Or
Visit BookShop.org, an online bookstore with a mission to financially support independent bookstores and give back to the book community.
Or
Read on Your Smartphone, E-Reader or Tablet
Don’t have a Kindle? You can download the Kindle app for free on your smartphone or tablet!
Or
Don’t have a Nook? You can download the Nook app for free on your smartphone or tablet!
Having any issues getting the book? Call (888) 713-3495 for assistance!
Are you new to the book club? Joining is easy! Follow these simple steps:
- Obtain a copy of the current book.
- Read the book club article (updated every Tuesday) to find out the assigned chapters for each week.
- After reading a section of the book, share your thoughts in the comments section of this article below.
- Finally, at the end of the month, join us on Zoom for our group discussion with fellow readers. (July’s Zoom session will take place on Thursday, July 27 at 4:30pm EDT. Click here for more details!)
What did you think of the book? Comment below to share your thoughts!
COMMENTS
30 responses to “Senior Planet Book Club: Caucasia by Danzy Senna”
I really enjoyed reading this book. I hadn’t heard about it and am so glad the Book Club picked it for this month. I love reading and look forward to the next book!
I finished Caucasia today. I am ready for discussion! Engrossing read.
Hello! I am new to the group and will start participating when the next book is announced.
How far in advance are books announced? How do we recommend titles?
Thanks;
Harry Cohen
Welcome, Harry! We invite book club members to share their book recommendations during the Zoom discussions (the next one is this Thursday, July 27th at 4:30pm EDT). You can also drop your recommendations in this comment section. We’ll put a poll in next week’s book club article for everyone to vote for the next two books we’ll read (August and September). We’ll announce next month’s selection in the book club article on August 8th.
Hi Nicole ;
How will I be able to access the August 8 book club article so I know what the next book is?
Thanks!
Hi Harry! You can visit the Book Club articles page at https://seniorplanet.org/category/features/book-club/.
Thought provoking, enjoyable book. Quick read, & brought back memories of those turbulent times. Looking forward to the group discussion.
I was thrust into “the other world” in 1967. I had always been told I wouldn’t be able to keep up (in terms of academics.” The academics were not the most difficult part.
Being too black at a majority institution and not being black enough at a minority institution 3 blocks away was a challenge. I learned to “change” accordingly.
Wow, the physical difference was 3 blocks. Thanks for sharing your experience.
I finished Caucasia tonight. I have been engrossed in it this week, trying not to stay up too late. I loved her vivid descriptions of clothing, music, characters and places. This book will stay with me for a long time. It is a thoughtful interesting poignant look at unconscious and conscious bias and the conditioned obstacles to our connection with each other.
I finished reading Caucasia a week ago. I enjoyed this book immensely. Can’t wait for the discussion. Hope others enjoy reading this book as much as I have.
What a wonderful honest book! I am only halfway through the first section but I am totally engrossed. I am 76 and this story resonates so much with my own. Great choice. Brave author.
A heart wrenching account of the struggle to adapt, cope and adjust.
May I suggest a book for the future? The Twelve Tribes of Hattie by Ayana Mathis about the migration from the South to the North in search of a better life and the struggles faced by Hattie and her family.
I just learned of this book club a couple weeks ago and am excited for the opportunity to read books I likely would not have picked myself, and to then be able to read the reviews by other readers. I read the June selection, which I never would have personally selected, but I was pleasantly surprised to find it to be an enjoyable, and even enlightening read.
I’ve read only the first 25 pages so far of Caucasia but am already thoroughly engrossed in the story! Thank you for creating this club!!
Hi Carol! Wondering if you’re the same Carol in my Current Issues class in Md?
No, sorry! I’m in Colorado.
Your class sounds interesting though!
Amazing read…thanks for selecting this brilliant author …we Boomers had so much invested in the Age of Aquarius American Dream…but this depicts the shadow…the Aquarian Nightmare..at least in the first few chapters.
So many topics for discussion…identity, assimilation, class, body morph, standards of beauty, and how humans tend to stratify just about any aspect of being that makes ‘equality’ such a challenge. Best, Patti
Patti, I love the term “Aquarian Nightmare”. For me, the shadow links to the musing – “Something didn’t make sense. What was the point of surviving if you had to disappear?” p7.
I am struck by the theme of language in Pt 1. Elemeno devised by the girls, Black English taught at Nkrumah, father’s campaign “Papaspeak”, language of home school, white grandmother, and music. All provided coping mechanisms, cultural identity, and behavior cues as needed. When Birdie was abandoned, it was the lack of language that finalized the separation – “They stood side by side, leaning against the car, arms folded across their chests, not speaking.” p103.
Good points Sarah.. code switching a-go-go..identify, invisibility, standing out, not fitting in, (Birdie, Pony, Baby Lee, Patrice, Jesse, ..agrrr) and …loneliness..Senna sure has me invested in her characters..
Thanks for pointing out the different languages, an underlying ripple so relevant throughout that I missed.. Carmen’s shift reminded me of an experience I had in the mid-60’s. Even the speaking of the same language, communication among and between the players was often lacking.
What time of day are the zoom sessions?
Hi Liene! The Zoom sessions run from 4:30pm – 5:30pm EDT.
Thanks, Nicole.
Hi , did the time change, in the past the time was 4:30 to 5:30.
I have just ordered the book. This is my first time joining a Senior Planet book club and am looking forward to the discussion .
Welcome Katharynne! We’re glad you’re here!
Thanks. I finally found this page again! I have completed the book. Enjoy the comments in preparation for the 27th discussion.
I have started caucasia. It is well written and offers a lot of food for thought. Looking forward to discussion and have begun creating a playlist.
Hi Sarah! We’re glad to hear that you’re enjoying Caucasia. We look forward to you sharing your thoughts about the book as you continue reading.
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