COMMENTS

24 responses to “Senior Planet Book Club: Vote For Our Next Book!”

1. And my comment is where?

   Reply to anna

   1. I guess we won’t read “1984.”

      Reply to anna

   2. Hello. If your comment has been removed, it is because it did not abide by our community rules of conduct. You can review our community guidelines here: https://seniorplanet.org/about/rules-of-conduct/

      Reply to Senior Planet

2. I had just discovered Senior Planet’s book club when I attended the last book club meeting for “The House on Mango Street.” Although I had only read a portion of the book, I thoroughly enjoyed the discussion–both the commentary on literary aspects of the book (by several knowledgeable and observant participants) and the discussions based on connections between the social/historical context and issues of our contemporary society. I was impressed by the level of and focus of the discussion. What a friendly, supportive group they seemed to be! (I am particularly interested in reading China Dolls and The Vanishing Half, but I too will refrain from voting, knowing they had been discussing some choices connecting to diversity prior to reading Sandra Cisneros’ book.) I look forward to seeing what they select!

   Reply to Kathy

   1. No need to refrain from voting. We welcome all votes :) So happy you enjoyed last month and hope to see you again for this month’s discussion!

      Reply to Rebecca Altneu

3. I belong to several book clubs; each book club has a different focus. I have been participating in this book club for a few months now. This book club focuses on authors from minority cultures, both American and International. In recent months we have read, and discussed, books by Hispanic authors, Native American authors, Black authors and have recommended books by Asian authors. Each month book club members suggest some titles for the upcoming month and 4 or 5 of those titles are then voted upon in an open, and public, online voting process. The title with the most votes is then selected to be discussed the following month. Each author under consideration has well well reviewed in the library and literary fields. If anyone doesn’t like the focus of this book club, I would suggest contacting his, or her, local public library for suggestions for other book clubs that might be more of interest.

   Reply to Janice A.

   1. Well, nothing is more amusing than a confirmation of some stereotypes, such as “If this is Monday, we’re in Spain. If this Tuesday, we’re in Japan.

      Reply to anna

   2. And the point of such reading? There seems to be a condescending approach: all cultures are so simplistic that one book will be enough to know … what exactly?

      Reply to annd

4. To date, I haven’t thought too much about joining this or any other book club. I never seem to find the time. However, I love to read and am a writer, so it comes naturally to me. That said, it might help if a couple more choices were added to the list. Equally important, and based on these comments, Senior Planet needs to have diversity, aka race relations, discussions on a regular basis. Some of these comments reveal some deep-seated issues that need to be brought to the light and fully explored. I believe that Senior Planet has now partnered with AARP. That organization might have the resources to address these issues and begin a meaningful discussion. Society or civilization if you prefer, needs its elderly to be leaders using wisdom and compassion. Based on these comments, we might need to add books about how to be griots to the young to this list.

   Reply to Loretta H. Campbell, NYC

   1. I most certainly can offer diversity, but my lengthy comment was just canceled.

      Reply to anna

5. The last book club meeting was my second. The discussion flowed re the book and then turned to politics and what seemed like a political rehashing. I left as that is not what I am interested in doing in a book club. Certainly people can find other places online or in person to discuss politicians and their problems. In addition a couple speakers were cut off abruptly. Zoom calls can be difficult but people can learn how to avoid that if they try.
   Thanks.

   Reply to DK

   1. Oh, there is a problem. You participate in a club (and a place) that is designed as a political tool. You participate in an activity that is clearly political and you are not interested in it?
      I am relatively new here, but it didn’t take me long to notice that the selection of books serves only one purpose – the promotion of the far left (frankly, very destructive) agenda of the day. I don’t know how one can not notice this.
      December: we read only BLM because BLM is wonderful
      January: we read only BLM because BLM is wonderful
      February: we read only BLM because BLM is wonderful (the fact that it is a designated Black history month doesn’t make BLM wonderful, but OK…)
      March: we read only BLM because BLM is wonderful (not a Black history month, but … it doesn’t matter in a political place)

      In March, BLM locked up some 100 supermarket shoppers (otherwise known as “civilians.” I would like to discuss this instead of this or that manipulated “story”

      Reply to anna

6. Most books promoted here (with some convenient tokens) talk about anti-Black racism (not only this time)
   I have a couple of questions:
   – Does it mean that other forms of racism, such as anti-White, don’t exist? Obviously not true, since we have charmers as Farrakhan, Rev (my ass) White (and his company), etc. So, it must mean something else.
   – Does it mean that some order is to promote, distract, manipulate with this perpetual talk about anti-Black racism? Doesn’t this mean that the seniors are used and abused and the society is endangered by constant manipulation?

   Reply to anna

   1. I meant, of course, the “charming” Rev. Wright.

      Reply to anna

7. I am voting for “1984”
   Great book, seriously relevant.

   I am also voting for a film – “Idiocracy” – just because of its relevance.

   Reply to anna

8. Most issues on this planet are about RACE and HARDSHIP. We need to constantly learn and share stories so maybe one day we can read/discuss something else.

   Reply to Leah Tyus

   1. Oh, really? I thought that most issues on this planet are about the human condition and human limitations.
      When you replace the wisdom of the Bible (and I am an agnostic) with the constant psychobabbling and manipulation (race, woman, transing, etc.) and you live in the most powerful country, you endanger the entire planet.
      Replacing wisdom, knowledge of history, and understanding of the human condition with the prescribed set of cliches, platitudes, slogans, and marching orders, results in what we have now – something that is embarrassing and most importantly – scary. No country, not even the lucky one – between water and water – can survive so much idiocy.

      Reply to anna

9. something more than women or race relations.
   seems these dominate so many book clubs now it would be nice to have a fresh topic. for example, history, nature, geographic culture

   Reply to J Canada

10. A friend introduced me to James McBride a few yrs. ago w/”Deacon King Kong”. I absolutely loved that bk. – the story and his writing. I went on to read “The Good Lord Bird”. I haven’t read his above bk. but am sure it would be worth reading.

    I did read “The Vanishing Half” this past yr. and also found it a good book! And read Lisa See’s “The Island of Sea Women” recently. It was excellent and I want to read more of her bks.!

    Reply to Judy Mueller

11. SURELY there’s something other than race and hardship thereto. ENOUGH already.

    Reply to Maggie

    1. Oh, Maggie.
       You must be new here (just like me) and not totally “reeducated” yet. It takes some time and soon we all will be marching and chanting in unison as ordered: “War is Peace: Charlatan is an Angel, Saint, Messiah, God (he is still “leading”), etc.

       Reply to anna

       1. Correction.
          I wanted:
          “War is Peace, Charlatan is an Angel, Saint, Messiah, God (he is still “leading”), etc.”
          Actually, I wanted “leading from behind” but I am behaving.

12. I love all the choices and being new would defer the choice to others. I would like to know when the meetings take place so I can join

    Reply to Carolyn Blackman

    1. Welcome, Carolyn! We welcome votes from those new to book club and veterans alike :) Hope to see you at our zoom meeting at the end of the month!

       Reply to Rebecca Altneu