Pam’s
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(group member since Dec 29, 2016)
Pam’s
comments
from the Our Shared Shelf group.
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Hello everyone!I reached out to the author, the wonderful Dr. Karen Tang, to let her know that we read her book in October and everyone had such wonderful things to say. And she was so happy to know that it made an impact that she wanted to know if she could screen shot your comments here to share on her social media accounts.
If you would like to opt out, please tell me here or by direct message.
If you haven't added your review here or on our discussion page, feel free to do it as well. Add a (Free to screen shot) or send me a note.
Thanks! See you around the forum!
Hello everyone!I reached out to the author, the wonderful Dr. Karen Tang, to let her know that we read her book in October and everyone had such wonderful things to say. And she was so happy to know that it made an impact that she wanted to know if she could screen shot your comments here to share on her social media accounts.
If you would like to opt out, please tell me here or by direct message.
If you haven't added your review here or on our discussion page, feel free to do it as well. Add a (Free to screen shot) or send me a note.
Thanks! See you around the forum!
Share your thoughts about Cunt: A Declaration of Independence. Ratings and reviews are welcome!
Share your thoughts about Girls Will be Girls: Dressing Up, Playing Parts and Daring to Act Differently. Reviews and ratings welcome!
Here's a few questions to get our discussion started! Feel free to answer any one of these or all of them. 1) What is the connection between dragoning and the feminine? Why are they considered taboo topics?
2) Barnhill poses the theme of abandonment with Aunt Marla, Mother (Bertha) and Father. Abandoning your ideals, your self, your loves, and your family. In your opinion (in this story or real life) which is the worst form of abandonment?
3) Consider the antiquated stigma of women in education: How does the study of mathematics and science intertwine in the story? Why is the pursuit of education crucial for Alex, Alex’s mother, and Marla?
4) What do you think Barnhill is trying to say about the fact that Alex never dragons?
5) The Greek myth of Tithonus is revisited a few times throughout the story. Why is it significant? Discuss the metaphor of memory, love, and selfishness within the poem.
6) “Anger is a funny thing. And it does funny things to us if we keep it inside. I encourage you to consider a question. Who benefits, my dear, when you force yourself to not feel angry?" This was asked to Alex, but how would you answer?
7) How would that question change if we substitute "silence" for "anger"? (Silence is a funny thing. And it does funny things to us if we keep it inside. I encourage you to consider a question. Who benefits, my dear, when you force yourself to be silent?")
8) Alex does an admirable job keeping in her temper with her father, her school teacher, and principal? Do you agree or disagree? Why do you think she was able to finally explode at the head librarian and her sister? How are those two moments connected?
9) Take this intersectionally, did the author leave anyone out? What would dragoning look from their perspective?
10) In what ways is or is not this book feminist?
11) How will you take up space in 2025?
12) Free Space! This is by far not all that we can discuss about this book. so use this number to ask the group a question of your own.
In the Acknowledgments in the back of the book, author Kelly Barnhill writes: I often say that I write my books by accident, and I almost always mean it. ... And then I, along with the rest of America, listened with horror and incandescent fury to the brave, stalwart testimony of [Dr.] Christine Blasey Ford, as she begged the Senate to reconsider their Supreme Court Justice nominee and make a different choice, and I decided to write a story about rage. And dragons. But mostly about rage.
Stories are funny things, though. We think we know what they will be when we begin, but they have a mind of their owns. ... I thought I was writing a story about rage in this novel, but it is more than that. In its heart, this is a story about memory, and trauma. It's about the damage we do to ourselves and our community when we refuse to talk about the past. It's about the memories that we don't understand and can't put into context, until we learn more about the world. And I thought I was writing about a bunch of fire-breathing, powerful women. And while those women are certainly in this book, it isn't about them. It's about a world upended by trauma and shamed into silence. And that silence grows, and becomes toxix, and infects every aspect of life. Perhaps this sounds familiar to you now - times being what they are.
This book is not based on [Dr.] Christina Blasey Ford, or her testimony, but it would not have existed without that women's bravery, her calm adherence to the facts, and her willingness to relive one of the worst moments of her life to help America save itself from itself. Her actions didn't work, but they still mattered. And maybe that is enough, in our fervent hope that the next generations gets it right.
What do you think about Barnhill's last notes? How does this sit with you after reading the book?
Use this space to discuss favorite (quote, symbol, phrase, scene, etc.) in When Women Were Dragons.Caution... there will be spoilers here. Turn back if you do not want to be spoiled.
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Last Warning!
Hello OSS Members, In this timely and timeless speculative novel, When Women Were Dragons, award-winning author Kelly Barnhill explores rage, memory, and the tyranny of forced limitations (1). Set in 1950’s America before women had the right to own a credit card or run their own business, this coming-of-age story follows young Alex Green as thousands of ordinary wives and mothers sprouted wings, scales, and talons before taking to the skies.
Barnhill exposes a world that wants to keep women small—their lives and their prospects— and examines what happens after they rise en masse.
As we move into December and January, we at Our Shared Shelf invite you to reflect on how you will take up space in 2025.
See you around the forum,
-OSS Mods
(1) Goodread's book summary
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This book was chosen by our Members. OSS will be reading the following book during December 2024 through January 2025.
Here we go! Share your thoughts about "When Women Were Dragons." What did you love? What did you want more of in the story?
Reviews and ratings welcome!
Did you see? It's Not Hysteria, our read for Oct. - Nov. '24, is one of the nominees for best Non-Fiction book of the year in the Goodreads 2024 Choice Awards!
Check it out here: https://www.goodreads.com/choiceaward...
And be sure to vote; not just for the non-fiction option but for all categories you read.
Shelby wrote: "Does anyone know if there is an OSS partner book club on StoryGraph? It’s a similar app to Goodreads"The amazing Brgntteva has compiled the list of it here:
Link: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reading...
Share your thoughts about "It's Not Hysteria: Everything You Need to Know About Your Reproductive Health."Reviews and ratings welcome!
Hello OSS Readers, For all those who are still interested in reading with us, we have a new book.
Reproductive healthcare, from abortion to gender-affirming care, is under siege. The onus continues to fall on patients to find and advocate for the care they need. Dr. Karen Tang is on a mission to transform how women and female identifying persons engage with their bodies and their healthcare. (1)
“There’s an interesting perception that women’s health is not real medicine, like, say, studying cancer or strokes, that periods and menopause are not as worthy of medical attention or research funding,” says Tang. “Even in terms of insurance coverage, women’s health has always been some of the poorest among all of the different types of medical treatments.”
This inclusive book is dedicated to anyone whose health has been harmed by the patriarchy. In it, she lifts the veil on problematic periods, pelvic pain, endometriosis, PMS, menopause, fibroids, and more — issues that, she emphasizes, are incredibly widespread, yet still pretty hush-hush. (2)
It's time to talk about these items and raise our voices.
-The OSS Mods
(1): It's Not Hysteria: Everything You Need to Know About Your Reproductive Health book blurb
(2) "In It’s Not Hysteria, Dr. Karen Tang Translates Her TikTok Ethos To The Page. The gynecologist’s 600,000-plus followers expect no-nonsense facts about women’s health." by Sara Stewart for Bustle Magazine. May 30, 2024.
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OSS will be reading the following book in October - November 2024:
It's Not Hysteria: Everything You Need to Know About Your Reproductive Health
With Emma Watson gone, much of the work was done by the moderators. When people stopped commenting and voting it seemed that people were not interested. If people are still interested, let us know if you are interested in a non-fiction or fiction book to read.
Shannon wrote: "How do we find a list of all the books that Emma suggested?"We have a full thread here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Oh boy, I'm still trying to normalize my period around my partner, let alone asking friends or strangers for supplies. I make announcements, I buy an indulgent cheat meal that he can partake in if he wants, and share what comforts I like to have during that time (heating pads, period meds w/ caffeine, etc.)But after finding out about menstrual cups, I have reduced the need for tampons, pads or other disposable period products. Therefore, I don't need him or another guy to have items on hand. And like you're other friend, if surprised, I would prefer to rely on the free access in public than to ask a guy for supplies if I didn't have any on me.
I suppose that boils down to self reliance more than anything. Same with condoms, if I wasn't in a steady relationship, I wouldn't trust a guy to have condoms, I would bring it myself.
This differs greatly from like a Kleenex or a band aid. If my partner or friend or stranger had those, I would be more accepting and willing to ask. But for things that I insert into my body, nah, I'll carry my own. I have the privilege of being choosy and I will flex that comfort and security.
Hello OSS!Use this thread to coordinate book borrowing between members! Hopefully everyone who wants to is able to read Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women that the Movement Forgot.
Please use this thread ONLY for offers of and requests for Paying It Forward. All other comments about the book and where you got it from can be posted in other relevant topics, such as the book announcement at the top of the discussion board.
Our Pay It Forward initiative is strictly with regards to LEGAL methods of book sharing (for example, sharing hard copies or Kindle sharing). Any posts regarding illegal scans/PDFs/file sharing will be deleted without warning
What quote resonated with you from our book Hood Feminism?
Share your thoughts and reviews of Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall. - What spoke to you?
- Where did you feel called out?
- What changed after you read this?
