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| Power Style Wellness Connections |
BOOKclub What Are They Reading?
By Elaine Rooker Jack and Janet C. Blake
Photos by Joon Kim
Who they are: SPIRITS (Sisters Putting Intellectual Reading Into Their Schedules)
Book Club: Tomarra Adams, Regina Bohanan, Monica Boynton, Stacy Cohen, Kendra
Garvin, Eugenia Hill, Sharon Jeter, Jackie Mayfield, LaWanda Page, Felica Rogers,
Dianne Samwaru, Camille Sanderson, Jannette Stewart.
First meeting: January 2001.
What they are reading this month: On Beauty, by Zadie Smith.
Why they picked it: Dianne, the hostess, chose it for the “dynamic things going on
between race and religion, and I thought it would be nice for us to enjoy something a
little off-beat, a little different.”
What it’s about: Written by a highly acclaimed young author of Jamaican-British
descent and set at a fictional U.S. university, it is the story of two scholarly families
from Great Britain involved in a public feud. It touches on subjects such as religion,
race, art, friendships and family dynamics.
What they thought of it: “It is more of an intellectually stimulating book, as opposed to
a drama.” — Jannette
“It does capture the social aspect of intellect. It takes you into their circle.” — Regina
“There’s a lot for 500 pages that she (author Zadie Smith) didn’t touch upon. There’s
a lot going on in this book.” — Felica
Some of their discussion about it:
On whether the two families could been seen as satirical: “I think they were believable.
To a certain extent, I feel like most families are dysfunctional in some way.”
— Kendra
On the significance of the title, which can be interpreted on many levels: “If you never
took the time out to define what beauty was to you, that would be sad to me.”
— Dianne
Their “Circle of Friends”: Since they meet only eight times a year, during the months
when they are not formally meeting, they have a “Circle of Friends” event. That’s
when they get together for a movie or dinner, or just sit by someone’s pool together
and read. Once, for Black History Month, they skipped a book but held a “Circle of
Friends” event at Central High School, where a teacher led them in a discussion of
African-American history. Another time, they went together to see Mel Gibson’s The
Passion of the Christ. They have also gone to hear authors Tavis Smiley and Sister
Souljah speak at the University of Louisville. “Circle of Friends is a time that we bond,
that we socialize, that we learn new things to strengthen our friendship,” Felica says.
Spirits: Is a group of young, professional African-American women who range in age
from their early 30s to early 40s. Several went to the University of Louisville together
or were sorority sisters; there are also two sets of actual sisters (Jackie and Sharon;
Dianne and Regina). LaWanda is the only original member of the club still in the club,
although Stacy, Eugenia and Felica have been with SISTERS since the second
meeting. LaWanda is proud to say that some members who left because they
relocated started similar clubs in their new locales.How the club has changed over the
years: SISTERS switched to the seven-book schedule two years ago when members,
many who were in graduate school, didn’t have enough time to read the books. As
schedules got tighter, the group also simplified their meetings, doing away with the
small gifts they would give or elaborate themes.
Fun meeting they had: Dr. Ricky Jones, chairman of the Department of Pan-African
studies at the University of Louisville, spoke at their meeting after they read his book,
Black Haze. PUNCTUALITY IS IMPORTANT TO THE SPIRITS BOOK CLUB, AND
MEMBERS ARRIVE RIGHT ON time and in quick succession to hostess Dianne’s
newly renovated circa 1905 Old Louisville home. They head straight for the open, airy
kitchen, where the aroma of Dianne’s family recipe, curry chicken, fills the air. She
has made the special dish — one her mother taught her years ago – in honor of one
of the characters in On Beauty who hails from Trinidad in the West Indies.
After filling their plates, they gather around the kitchen table for what is supposed to
be the informal part of their meeting. There are so many conversations going on at
once it is impossible to make out what is being said. But it soon becomes clear they’ve
begun talking about the book. “We can never wait,” Felica says with a sheepish grin.
As they finish the main course, LaWanda and Sharon clear the table. They, along
with a few others, did not read (or, in some cases, simply didn’t finish) this month’s
selection. “I’ll be the dishwasher,” LaWanda says as she carries the plates. “I guess
that’s the penalty if you don’t read.”
“That will be my reason to read all of ‘em!” Sharon laughs as she scrapes the plates.
The formal meeting begins once the table is clear. Dianne produces a list of reading
group guide questions and they pass them around the table, several members taking
turns reading them out loud. The questions are multi-faceted and the book, at almost
500 pages, was filled with so many details and subtle relationships that the discussion
is frequently peppered with necessary plot explanations from Felica. Often, members
are stunned to learn from each other points that they missed, such as which
characters were African-American and which were having affairs.
After the last question has been hashed out, Dianne queries the group: Would they
read another Zadie Smith novel?
“No!” They all say, laughing. But those who haven’t finished vow to keep reading.
Books they recommend:
1. Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Souljah
2. No Disrespect by Sister Souljah
3. Thieves’ Paradise by Eric Jerome Dickey
4. A Love of My Own by E. Lynn Harris
5. A Drummer’s Beat to Mend by Kei Swanson
6. Black Betty by Walter Mosley
7. The Maintenance Man by Michael Baisden
8. Hand-Me-Down Heartache by Tajuana Butler
9. The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
10. Tears for Water by Alicia Keys
11. I Know I’ve Been Changed by ReShonda Tate Billingsley
12. Leaving Atlanta by Tayari Jones
Books they give mixed reviews:
1. Don’t Play in the Sun by Marita Golden
2. Casting the First Stone by Kimberla Lawson Roby
Elaine Jack at elainej@iamtodayswoman.com is a regular feature writer for Today’s
Woman magazine. Janet Blake is filling in for her as Elaine recovers from an accident.
By Elaine Rooker Jack and Janet C. Blake
Photos by Joon Kim
Who they are: SPIRITS (Sisters Putting Intellectual Reading Into Their Schedules)
Book Club: Tomarra Adams, Regina Bohanan, Monica Boynton, Stacy Cohen, Kendra
Garvin, Eugenia Hill, Sharon Jeter, Jackie Mayfield, LaWanda Page, Felica Rogers,
Dianne Samwaru, Camille Sanderson, Jannette Stewart.
First meeting: January 2001.
What they are reading this month: On Beauty, by Zadie Smith.
Why they picked it: Dianne, the hostess, chose it for the “dynamic things going on
between race and religion, and I thought it would be nice for us to enjoy something a
little off-beat, a little different.”
What it’s about: Written by a highly acclaimed young author of Jamaican-British
descent and set at a fictional U.S. university, it is the story of two scholarly families
from Great Britain involved in a public feud. It touches on subjects such as religion,
race, art, friendships and family dynamics.
What they thought of it: “It is more of an intellectually stimulating book, as opposed to
a drama.” — Jannette
“It does capture the social aspect of intellect. It takes you into their circle.” — Regina
“There’s a lot for 500 pages that she (author Zadie Smith) didn’t touch upon. There’s
a lot going on in this book.” — Felica
Some of their discussion about it:
On whether the two families could been seen as satirical: “I think they were believable.
To a certain extent, I feel like most families are dysfunctional in some way.”
— Kendra
On the significance of the title, which can be interpreted on many levels: “If you never
took the time out to define what beauty was to you, that would be sad to me.”
— Dianne
Their “Circle of Friends”: Since they meet only eight times a year, during the months
when they are not formally meeting, they have a “Circle of Friends” event. That’s
when they get together for a movie or dinner, or just sit by someone’s pool together
and read. Once, for Black History Month, they skipped a book but held a “Circle of
Friends” event at Central High School, where a teacher led them in a discussion of
African-American history. Another time, they went together to see Mel Gibson’s The
Passion of the Christ. They have also gone to hear authors Tavis Smiley and Sister
Souljah speak at the University of Louisville. “Circle of Friends is a time that we bond,
that we socialize, that we learn new things to strengthen our friendship,” Felica says.
Spirits: Is a group of young, professional African-American women who range in age
from their early 30s to early 40s. Several went to the University of Louisville together
or were sorority sisters; there are also two sets of actual sisters (Jackie and Sharon;
Dianne and Regina). LaWanda is the only original member of the club still in the club,
although Stacy, Eugenia and Felica have been with SISTERS since the second
meeting. LaWanda is proud to say that some members who left because they
relocated started similar clubs in their new locales.How the club has changed over the
years: SISTERS switched to the seven-book schedule two years ago when members,
many who were in graduate school, didn’t have enough time to read the books. As
schedules got tighter, the group also simplified their meetings, doing away with the
small gifts they would give or elaborate themes.
Fun meeting they had: Dr. Ricky Jones, chairman of the Department of Pan-African
studies at the University of Louisville, spoke at their meeting after they read his book,
Black Haze. PUNCTUALITY IS IMPORTANT TO THE SPIRITS BOOK CLUB, AND
MEMBERS ARRIVE RIGHT ON time and in quick succession to hostess Dianne’s
newly renovated circa 1905 Old Louisville home. They head straight for the open, airy
kitchen, where the aroma of Dianne’s family recipe, curry chicken, fills the air. She
has made the special dish — one her mother taught her years ago – in honor of one
of the characters in On Beauty who hails from Trinidad in the West Indies.
After filling their plates, they gather around the kitchen table for what is supposed to
be the informal part of their meeting. There are so many conversations going on at
once it is impossible to make out what is being said. But it soon becomes clear they’ve
begun talking about the book. “We can never wait,” Felica says with a sheepish grin.
As they finish the main course, LaWanda and Sharon clear the table. They, along
with a few others, did not read (or, in some cases, simply didn’t finish) this month’s
selection. “I’ll be the dishwasher,” LaWanda says as she carries the plates. “I guess
that’s the penalty if you don’t read.”
“That will be my reason to read all of ‘em!” Sharon laughs as she scrapes the plates.
The formal meeting begins once the table is clear. Dianne produces a list of reading
group guide questions and they pass them around the table, several members taking
turns reading them out loud. The questions are multi-faceted and the book, at almost
500 pages, was filled with so many details and subtle relationships that the discussion
is frequently peppered with necessary plot explanations from Felica. Often, members
are stunned to learn from each other points that they missed, such as which
characters were African-American and which were having affairs.
After the last question has been hashed out, Dianne queries the group: Would they
read another Zadie Smith novel?
“No!” They all say, laughing. But those who haven’t finished vow to keep reading.
Books they recommend:
1. Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Souljah
2. No Disrespect by Sister Souljah
3. Thieves’ Paradise by Eric Jerome Dickey
4. A Love of My Own by E. Lynn Harris
5. A Drummer’s Beat to Mend by Kei Swanson
6. Black Betty by Walter Mosley
7. The Maintenance Man by Michael Baisden
8. Hand-Me-Down Heartache by Tajuana Butler
9. The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
10. Tears for Water by Alicia Keys
11. I Know I’ve Been Changed by ReShonda Tate Billingsley
12. Leaving Atlanta by Tayari Jones
Books they give mixed reviews:
1. Don’t Play in the Sun by Marita Golden
2. Casting the First Stone by Kimberla Lawson Roby
Elaine Jack at elainej@iamtodayswoman.com is a regular feature writer for Today’s
Woman magazine. Janet Blake is filling in for her as Elaine recovers from an accident.