Welcome to Litsy!

Megabooks @Addison_Reads @AmyG @amiable @BarbaraJean @Bkclubcare @BooksandCoffee4me @Bookbuyingaddict @booknaround @BookwormAHN @Bookwormjillk @Butterfinger @Cariashley @Caroline2 @CarolynM 2w

Woodworking | Emily St James

This was the tightest vote in a while - certainly tighter than my month last year (James/All Fours 😂) - but Woodworking won 25-18. In the end, I'm really pleased we had a month with great discussions about two books a lot of us enjoyed! Thank you all so much for participating and making this a fun month to lead! #CampLitsy25 @barbarabb @squirrelbrain

Megabooks @catgusmax @cbee @ChaoticMissAdventures @Chelsea.Poole @Christine @CogsOfEncouragement @Cseydel @Cuilin @Dabbe @Daisey @Debinhawaii @Deblovestoread @DGRachel @ErikasMindfulshelf 2w

Megabooks @flaneurette @fredthemoose @Gatheringbooks @gissy @Graciouswarriorprincess @Hooked_on_books @ImperfectCJ 2w

See All 26 Comments

Megabooks @JamieArc @Jas16 @Jenniferw88 @JenP @Jenreadsalot @Jess @Jhod @JoyBlue @JulesG @julieclair @KarenUK 2w

Megabooks @karisa @Kitta @Kristy-K @Kspenmoll @kwmg40 @Larkken @Laughterhp @LeeRHarry @Leniverse @Lesliereadsalot @maggie4483 @maich @Mcctrish @MeganAnn @Merelybookish @Meshell1313 @Monalyisha @Oryx 2w

Megabooks @peaknit @peanutnine @Prairiegirl_reading @PuddleJumper @quietjenn @Read4Life @RaeLovesToRead @reggie @rockpools @Roary47 @Ruthiella @Sace @Sapphire @Sarahbarnes @Soubhiville 2w

Megabooks @skygoddess1 @Suet624 @Susanita @texreader @TheBookHippie @Thekidupstairs @Triplem80 @TrishB @Vonnie862 @Well-ReadNeck @willaful @youneverarrived @zuhkeeyah 2w

mcctrish Both were winners imo ( last year not so much 😆😆) 2w

Ruthiella For me Woodworking was the clear favorite but it is awesome to see the enthusiasm for both! The reader is the real winner! 😅 2w

Suet624 Thank you!! 2w

Deblovestoread Yay for Woodworking but I enjoyed Death of the Author too. 2w

Bookwormjillk Great reading month. Thank you! 2w

BkClubCare I thought it would be even closer! 👏 2w

Lesliereadsalot Thanks for hosting! You‘re a rock star.🌟 2w

BarbaraBB Thank you Meg for a fantastic month and a great outcome! 2w

squirrelbrain Hooray - a great winner! 🏆 2w

TrishB Both worthy winners and great reads 👍🏻 2w

fredthemoose I‘ve been mostly reading and following the discussions and haven‘t been commenting as actively (mostly because so many people have already made the points I would have better than I was going to), but wanted to say thank you @Megabooks @squirrelbrain and @BarbaraBB for another great event herring me to broaden my reading horizons! 2w

GatheringBooks Awesome! Thank you soo very much for hosting. 🥰 2w

BarbaraBB @fredthemoose We‘re happy you‘re there and enjoying the discussion 💕 2w

squirrelbrain You‘re welcome! @fredthemoose 2w

TheBookDream How do I join Camp Litsy for August? 2w

Megabooks @TheBookDream hey @BarbaraBB can you add this new camper to our tag list? Thanks! I hope you enjoy Camp! 2w

BarbaraBB @Megabooks @TheBookDream I will add you! 2w

britt_brooke Loved this one! 2w

Sharronix I'm Sharon, a digital book marketer helping authors grow their audience, build visibility, and skyrocket book sales through smart, strategic promotion. Want to see how quickly I can fill your sales pipeline for your book? ask me how 2w

89 likes26 comments

Let's Go Camping! | Jan Mader

It is that time of the month! #CampLitsy25 readers please vote for your favorite book from July! It seems like many of us liked both books, so I'm curious to see which will come out on top. 🤔 Vote simply by putting the name of the book in your comment.

I hope all of you will be back for August! I think we may need to install AC first, though! (The corn sweat is killing us around here.)

@barbarabb @squirrelbrain

BarbaraBB It‘s a tough choice this month but my vote goes to

Megabooks @Addison_Reads @AmyG @amiable @BarbaraJean @Bkclubcare @BooksandCoffee4me @Bookbuyingaddict @booknaround @BookwormAHN @Bookwormjillk @Butterfinger @Cariashley @Caroline2 @CarolynM 3w

3w

BarbaraBB Meg shall I tag our campers? 3w

Megabooks @BarbaraBB Whoops! I'll tag them. I'm just...brain fogging it today! It's kind of a...you mean they can't read my heat-intolerant mind just by posting? (edited) 3w

See All 54 Comments

BarbaraBB @Megabooks 💝 3w

Megabooks @catgusmax @cbee @ChaoticMissAdventures @Chelsea.Poole @Christine @CogsOfEncouragement @Cseydel @Cuilin @Dabbe @Daisey @Debinhawaii @Deblovestoread @DGRachel @ErikasMindfulshelf 3w

Megabooks @flaneurette @fredthemoose @Gatheringbooks @gissy @Graciouswarriorprincess @Hooked_on_books @ImperfectCJ 3w

Megabooks @JamieArc @Jas16 @Jenniferw88 @JenP @Jenreadsalot @Jess @Jhod @JoyBlue @JulesG @julieclair @KarenUK 3w

AmyG Woodworking 3w

Megabooks @karisa @Kitta @Kristy-K @Kspenmoll @kwmg40 @Larkken @Laughterhp @LeeRHarry @Leniverse @Lesliereadsalot @maggie4483 @maich @Mcctrish @MeganAnn @Merelybookish @Meshell1313 @Monalyisha @Oryx 3w

Megabooks @peaknit @peanutnine @Prairiegirl_reading @PuddleJumper @quietjenn @Read4Life @RaeLovesToRead @reggie @rockpools @Roary47 @Ruthiella @Sace @Sapphire @Sarahbarnes @Soubhiville 3w

Kitta My vote is for

3w

Megabooks @skygoddess1 @Suet624 @Susanita @texreader @TheBookHippie @Thekidupstairs @Triplem80 @TrishB @Vonnie862 @Well-ReadNeck @willaful @youneverarrived @zuhkeeyah 3w

Megabooks @BarbaraBB My heat-intolerant body would like to take a vacation to the location of Wild Dark Shore for a few days. Even with Dom's strange behavior, it would still be preferable. LOL! 3w

mcctrish My vote

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DGRachel Definitely Woodworking for me.

3w

Deblovestoread

3w

Ruthiella No question about it. Books like this are the reason I love reading.

3w

ChaoticMissAdventures Oh goodness this is hard! I loved them both but I think for creativity and writing skills I have to go with

3w

Bookwormjillk I‘m with the crowd on this one.

3w

TrishB Death of the Author for me. Hard choice this one. 3w

ErikasMindfulShelf Death of the Author 3w

BookwormAHN Death of the Author 3w

rockpools Eek! I‘ve not finished, and they‘re both really good. I like Woodworking more, but I admire the scale and writing and sheer everything ness of DotA, so I think I‘m going

3w

Susanita I will pass on voting this month since I‘ve only read one of the books so far. 3w

jenniferw88 As I'm already recommending this one, I want a physical copy & and am planning on re-reading, it has to be

3w

TheKidUpstairs I like both selections this month, it's a clear winner for me. Okorafor crafted something extra special

3w

CBee How do I choose? I loved them both so much! I‘m going to go with Woodworking, mainly because it stuck with me the most, and taught me the most. 3w

vonnie862 It was a great month of reads, but I really enjoyed Death of the Author the most. 3w

squirrelbrain Very difficult to choose, but DotA was a bit outside my usual fare, so I‘m going to go with

3w

Chelsea.Poole A tough one for sure! I‘m going with

3w

Meshell1313 Ooh I loved them both! I‘ll vote for

3w

kspenmoll

(edited) 3w

ImperfectCJ Both good books, but this one's the clear winner for me.

3w

Jas16 Great month but

3w

Skygoddess1

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JenReadsAlot Both were great books! Going with

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Oryx Both awesome, but it's Woodworking for me.

3w

Christine Thank you for leading us in such great discussions! I loved the Okorafor but LOVED

3w

Lesliereadsalot Both were so good! Woodworking by a nose, it just got better and better. 3w

Hooked_on_books This one‘s easy for me, as I DNF‘d DotA at 12% and Woodworking is now on my permanent shelf, something I rarely do!

3w

GatheringBooks Hello! I vote for

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Texreader Death of the Author!! How I loved that book! 3w

Jess I have to go with Death of the Author. I was really surprised how much I liked it because I typically steer clear of books with robots. 3w

JamieArc I keep going back and forth but I think I will go with Death of the Author because I keep thinking about it and recommending it. 3w

Suet624 Oh boy. Such a tough choice. Kind of surprisingly (to myself) I‘m going with

3w

DebinHawaii This is such a tough choice! I‘d be happy with either book winning but I think I have to go with Woodworking by a hair because it is a book that‘s going to stay with me a long time.

3w

BarbaraJean Woodworking! Both were excellent, but Woodworking was the more enjoyable read for me. 3w

BkClubCare 🗳️

(edited) 3w

Maggie4483 This is such a hard decision. I‘m so grateful to #CampLitsy because I would never have read either of these on my own, and I feel like they both expanded my worldview. But I‘m going with Dea….no, Woodw…no option for a tie? No? Okay…😬😬😬:

Death of the Author (Deluxe Limited Edition)

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Butterfinger Death of the Author 3w

Roary47 I didn‘t get to read Death of an author so I guess I‘m voting Woodworking. 2w

Karisa I loved them both so much! Toughest choice ever. They are both so different and beautiful but it‘s DotA for me.

2w

Read4life I‘m going with

2w

61 likes54 comments

Megabooks @Addison_Reads @AmyG @amiable @BarbaraJean @Bkclubcare @BooksandCoffee4me @Bookbuyingaddict @booknaround @BookwormAHN @Bookwormjillk @Butterfinger @Cariashley @Caroline2 @CarolynM 3w

Woodworking | Emily St James

****THIS DISCUSSION WILL CONTAIN MAJOR SPOILERS**** Please be mindful of this if you choose to read it.

Brooke was certainly one of the most surprising and confounding characters in this book! I'm dying to know what y'all think! #CampLitsy25

@barbarabb @squirrelbrain

Megabooks @catgusmax @cbee @ChaoticMissAdventures @Chelsea.Poole @Christine @CogsOfEncouragement @Cseydel @Cuilin @Dabbe @Daisey @Debinhawaii @Deblovestoread @DGRachel @ErikasMindfulshelf 3w

Megabooks @flaneurette @fredthemoose @Gatheringbooks @gissy @Graciouswarriorprincess @Hooked_on_books @ImperfectCJ 3w

See All 61 Comments

Megabooks @JamieArc @Jas16 @Jenniferw88 @JenP @Jenreadsalot @Jess @Jhod @JoyBlue @JulesG @julieclair @KarenUK 3w

Megabooks
@karisa @Kitta @Kristy-K @Kspenmoll @kwmg40 @Larkken @Laughterhp @LeeRHarry @Leniverse @Lesliereadsalot @maggie4483 @maich @Mcctrish @MeganAnn @Merelybookish @Meshell1313 @Monalyisha @Oryx 3w

Megabooks @peaknit @peanutnine @Prairiegirl_reading @PuddleJumper @quietjenn @Read4Life @RaeLovesToRead @reggie @rockpools @Roary47 @Ruthiella @Sace @Sapphire @Sarahbarnes @Soubhiville 3w

Megabooks @skygoddess1 @Suet624 @Susanita @texreader @TheBookHippie @Thekidupstairs @Triplem80 @TrishB @Vonnie862 @Well-ReadNeck @willaful @youneverarrived @zuhkeeyah 3w

AmyG I was very surprised by Brooke‘s backroung. Didn‘t see THAT coming. I think it took alot for her to reveal herself. She was hiding for so long. To tell her children had to have been beyond hard. It absolutely affected Abigal and Caleb. I believe she felt that she could finally do some good…in her acceptance of Abigail and Caleb. All of the trans characters had their own unique struggles. (edited) 3w

Chelsea.Poole Same, @AmyG —I did a double take! Looking back, there were a few subtle hints but certainly didn‘t see it coming. I love when an author is able to get me like that! I really felt for Brooke, seems like she‘s had a full circle moment. She didn‘t handle things well but often humans do get it wrong. Showed authenticity. She must have been scared…Abigail and Caleb‘s relationship had the power to completely upend her carefully crafted life. 3w

Hooked_on_books I wasn‘t surprised because I had noticed some hints. I was glad that she embraced Abigail despite her own desire to pass; I know some people in that position would be even harder on someone who is out as an attempt to protect themselves. I‘m so glad she told her kids and could at least live openly with her family. 3w

BarbaraBB Like @AmyG and @Chelsea.Poole it took me by surprise. It made so much sense though - in hindsight. Brooke seeming uncomfortable with Caleb dating Abigail, turned out not to be because she disapproves of trans people — rather, because she sees herself in Abigail. That familiarity may feel threatening. Abigail is out, unapologetic, and visible — everything Brooke isn‘t. Her initial awkwardness isn‘t rejection, but internal conflict. I loved that (edited) 3w

willaful I had guessed it, from her history and reactions to Abigail. It reminded me of a biography I read of a trans woman who had no interest in any kind of activism and was disdainful of trans people who didn't pass. Brooke is a much more sympathetic portrait. She's done a lot of harm through her silence and conformity, but she's also greatly harmed herself.

Trauma Cleaner: One Woman's Extraordinary Life in the Business of Death, Decay, and Disaster

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Ruthiella I was surprised but I really liked the layer of experience her trajectory provided as well as her (mis)handling of Caleb and Alison. I would also say, in her defense, that when she transitioned, it was a different ere and more common for trans folk to not disclose. Whereas Alison‘s generation‘s approach is much more open. 3w

Bookwormjillk I was both surprised and not surprised at the same time. You could tell Brooke wasn‘t the conservative housewife she appeared to be. Of all the characters I worry the most about her. It seemed like she was trying to shove her past back into a box, but I don‘t think that will be sustainable for her. 3w

CarolynM I was surprised, and at first the unlikelihood of it rankled a bit but I got over it because it brought in a different aspect of the trans experience which enriched the message of the story. 3w

Susanita @Bookwormjillk I worry about Brooke too. She made a decision to hide her true self and then had to live with it for so many years. It‘s not all magically okay because she‘s finally sharing her story. But I think it wasn‘t sustainable anymore to keep it hidden either. 3w

Lesliereadsalot I was totally shocked by Brooke‘s story, did not have a clue. And it read so honestly and was so interesting, that it just really upended this book, for me. From that point on, I loved this book. When she saw how much Caleb loved Abigail, I felt like she could finally see how deserving of love a trans person could be. She needed to see that, not only for herself, but for Caleb and Abigail too. 3w

BarbaraBB @willaful I remember that book vividly! So good too. 3w

BarbaraBB @CarolynM I felt the same, the unlikelihood annoyed me a bit, but I got over it soon because of what it added to the story. 3w

Meshell1313 I was also shocked by this reveal! But I loved how the book showed a variety of experiences and perspectives- those that feel like they have to keep the secret and those who are more open. Both are realities. It really puts everything into perspective. 3w

TrishB I think it added good depth. And who knows how common it is 🤷‍♀️ I didn‘t guess this ahead of the reveal. 3w

Karisa I was surprised by Brooke. It seemed like Brooke and Victor were just being way too accepting of Abigail, so when that was revealed it all made more sense. Brooke‘s “woodworking” reminded me of one of the people in the hbo documentary Enigma. She was able to build a whole life without others knowing her past and worked as a teacher for many years 3w

mcctrish At first I was a bit like @CarolynM that the author was adding another trans person to the plot but then I thought Brooke was the more realistic version of trans in small town America, living with half of themselves buried to pass, the mirror version of Erica, slowly dying because of the weight of what has to stay covered. What a gift Abigail is to them 3w

CBee Slightly surprised but it ended up making so much sense for the story. I think “woodworking” is very common (sadly) and there need to be more stories about that. This book taught me so much. 3w

squirrelbrain Like @CarolynM @mcctrish I rolled my eyes at first as I thought it was very ‘unlikely‘ but, like @TrishB said, who knows how common it is. Like both of you though, I grew to understand why the author had included Brooke‘s experience as it added another layer to an already multi-layered story. (edited) 3w

squirrelbrain I agree @CBee - I learnt so much from this book. 3w

squirrelbrain @Karisa - I was worried by Brooke‘s acceptance of Abigail, I felt there was something sinister going on and I‘m glad it turned out not to be so. 3w

Megabooks @Karisa I love HBO documentaries, so I'll have to look that up!

I liked how St. James revealed a backstory for Brooke that made her woodworking make sense. I really felt Brooke's fear of her birth family, of not being able to fit in, of losing her kids, and her need to depend on Victor for her life and lifestyle. Still, I can't help but think she's a sellout who actively harms others, and that's not really excusable. (edited) 3w

Megabooks I like that St. James gave her a tinge of regret for Brooke not paying for the surgery on her own and being independent and not beholden to Victor and his beliefs. I think Brooke lets fear rule her life, and that is probably a very unhappy position to live in constantly! 3w

CBee @Megabooks I‘d almost like to see a continuation where Brooke goes even further and comes out to everyone. It was a good start when she distanced herself from Isaiah and called him out on his shitty politics. 3w

vonnie862 I was surprised at Brooke's revelation. I did not see that coming. It made sense why Caleb's parents easily accepted Abigail. 3w

Jas16 Like others, I was surprised and initially annoyed by the revelation but grew to appreciate the added depth her story added. I never warmed up to her as a character though and couldn‘t let go of my initial distrust. 3w

Deblovestoread Like others I was put off at first and thought it unlikely. And like @squirrelbrain I thought she was going to be the biggest back stabber. I was glad to be wrong about it all and loved it. 3w

Roary47 I was with @CarolynM in being surprised, and how unlikely it was. However, I liked seeing how life can be for someone who finds their true selves and doesn‘t get the support like Abbigail does. I had a student that provided me their true name, and the grandma refused us to use it. By law and parental rights we were forced to call them by their improper name (while I did this in formal communication, I didn‘t to the student verbally 🤫). 🤐 3w

Roary47 ⬆️While Abbigail didn‘t get the support from her family. She had a lot of other support and was brave. Like many of you I like how the author showed depth. It made the “woodworking” make sense for me too. 3w

JamieArc @squirrelbrain I was worried there was something sinister going on too, like it was all going to culminate in some really public horrifying shaming of Abigail. 3w

JamieArc Like many others here, I was completely surprised, and then annoyed - like “that‘s a convenient plot twist.” But also like others, I really liked that we got another trans perspective to go from totally out (Abigail) to transitioning (forgetting the teacher‘s name!) to totally woodworking (Brooke). It added another level of complexity but heart as well ❤️ 3w

Butterfinger @Roary47 NC has the same crazy law. Good point @Ruthiella I was surprised. I did think of Brooke and her husband as far right extremists. I wasn't mad reading the books, but analyzing Brooke and reading comments, if Brooke had not been woodworking, Abigail would felt more comfortable at their house. I still think Brooke was wrong in keeping the essay a secret. She knew the power of names. I understood completely why this upset B. 3w

Butterfinger Her story was used to get ahead. If he hadn't wanted her to read it, he shouldn't have bragged about it. The family did not respect her enough to ask for permission. 3w

fredthemoose Like others, I was initially annoyed by the Brook reveal because it seemed unrealistically convenient. Hearing the author say that she was based on someone from a real trans support group smoothed that out a little for me. 3w

Christine Yay, so happy for this question! I‘m with the throng of folks at first surprised by Brooke‘s identity and finding it convenient but then quickly growing to love it! And yes, mostly took away from it that this is likely MUCH more common than many of us realize. @TrishB @CBee @squirrelbrain 3w

Megabooks @Butterfinger I'm glad you brought this up because I almost asked a question about the essay. It was totally right of Abigail to feel betrayed by Caleb but especially by Brooke. Sometimes she helped A but when it came down to her kid getting ahead or Abigail's feelings and needs as another trans person, she gladly encouraged Caleb to throw Abigail under the bus. Disappointing! 3w

Karisa @squirrelbrain Me too! Especially with her involvement in the mean guy‘s campaign! I thought it was going to be a gotcha. So glad it was not! 3w

Karisa @Megabooks It‘s so good! The women highlighted all started out as performers/modeis in France/UK (they are gorgeous). Then life took them in different ways. Absolutely compelling! (edited) 3w

jenniferw88 @JamieArc I loved the different perspectives (and the portrayal of different relationships within the community), as well! As an aspiring writer who wants to make LGBTQ a major theme, they really helped me understand trans people more, and as I need to have at least one trans character in the book, I'll definitely be re-reading this one! 3w

jenniferw88 @Megabooks, but something had to go wrong at some point for Abigail. Otherwise, where is the drama? I'm just glad that it was betrayal of trust by Caleb & not anything to do with her parents - that would have been much worse, imo. Yes, it's bad, but hopefully Abigail can get over it, whereas if the issue had been with the parents, I fear Abigail would be scarred forever - she's craving support from her real parents (indicated by the 📞 calls). 3w

jenniferw88 ⬆️ and yes, I know there's the attempted abduction of Abigail, but nothing really comes out from that scene - we don't get to see the consequences to the parents. 3w

jenniferw88 Does anyone else want to see this turned into a movie/tv show?! 3w

ChaoticMissAdventures I think ultimately the title was about Brooke. No one woodworked the way she did. It had me thinking a lot about Gays for Trump and all of those other minority groups that will cling to a political ideology in hopes that either no one will find out they are the target of the bills, or that being friends with the people making the laws will mean they will slide through okay - as she points out later on “pulling the ladder up after herself“. 3w

ChaoticMissAdventures I was a bit surprised but looking back, like @Chelsea.Poole I think there were enough hints if I had been paying closer attention. I think she is a terrible person, I think that she betrayed Abigail the most (I am forgetting what she did to Erica?) I thought it was a clever way to get a large spectrum of trans people in the book, people who as A says will never pass to those so passing they go politically against the best interest of the community 3w

ChaoticMissAdventures @Hooked_on_books I think I was mostly surprised she came out to her kids. Especially that little girl who seems primed to be bigoted. But I think it probably was such a load off of herself, even if she has convinced herself she passes so well she doesn't need to think about others. 3w

ChaoticMissAdventures @Ruthiella I was thinking a lot about how the older generation was compared to Abigail, and how Brooke passing the way she did, wanting to stay woodworking no matter how that caused her to fit into the community and cause harm, and also Erica, and how scary it is in South Dakota to think about coming out. Abigail doesn't have the lived history of the older women, and how awful people can be. It was much harder for them. 3w

Zuhkeeyah I did not see Brooke‘s background coming. It made sense though why she was kind to Abigail but rude when Erica wore nail polish. I think she betrayed them both by woodworking so completely that she was unable to speak up. 3w

CBee @ChaoticMissAdventures or the Jews who voted for Hitler and then fought for Germany in WWII. They did it in the hopes they‘d be spared. (Sorry, I know that‘s heavy) 3w

JamieArc @jenniferw88 I would be so interested in seeing this as a show! 3w

GatheringBooks @JamieArc yes to everything you said - in terms of the continuum of woodworking among trans individuals. That being said, the plot twist made the story too fantastical for me - but the fact that it isn‘t all that credible did not diminish the entertainment value. After all, there are times when truth can be stranger than fiction. 3w

Suet624 @CarolynM I was reading these comments this morning wondering if anyone had the same reaction as I did. You‘re the first to say it. The unlikelihood rankled a bit (you‘re kidding me!). But I got over it. 3w

Kitta I was thinking based on the title that there wasn‘t actually a lot of woodworking happening in the novel and was pleasantly surprised to have Brooke as an example of it. I thought the novel would be much more focused on someone like Brooke tbh! Im so glad her conservative nature was just a shield, I was so worried she would be backstabbing and awful and it was nice to have more depth to her. 3w

Maggie4483 I think Brooke‘s storyline bridged the gap between Abigail and Erica. I loved the way that the chapters told from Abigail‘s POV were in 1st person, b/c she was the one who was the most authentically herself. Erica, who is not living as her true self, is spoken about in 3rd person (until she comes out to her boss and her POV switches…chills!). And Brooke‘s chapters are in 2nd person, b/c she‘s in her true body, but not openly. It was brilliant!!! 3w

Megabooks @Maggie4483 I initially had in my pool of questions to refine with Helen and Barbara a question about her use of voices in the book. I thought it was brilliantly done!! 3w

TheBookDream @Maggie4483 well put. I found the switching between perspectives confusing for a while, but it really was brilliantly done. Also, I adored the revelation for Brooke. I didn‘t catch it AT ALL and I think it added so much to the story. 2w

48 likes61 comments

Woodworking | Emily St James

Last week we talked about Abigail as Erica's “trans mom,“ which rightfully made a lot of readers uncomfortable with the teacher/student and adult/teen dynamics already present. Abigail is a kid, and she definitely needed a mom herself. Two women stepped up to fill that void in this book. What do you think of Jennifer and Brooke and mother-figure to Abigail? #CampLitsy25

@barbarabb @squirrelbrain

AmyG I think both women were there when Abigail needed someone to trust and stand up for her in a way her own mother didn‘t. In that respect she was lucky to have them. I have great respect for her sister who did her best to support Abigail. I can only believe that so many have no one to trust, lean on…no one to support them. 😢 3w

Hooked_on_books I think they are both important, one as a blood family member who accepts Abigail fully and the other who deeply understands Abigail‘s situation. She is fairly isolated but also very fortunate to have these women in her life as mother figures. 3w

Chelsea.Poole Her sister was fiercely protective of Abigail though I‘m not sure she was in the best position to mother her, as she was pretty young herself. Plus, the sibling relationship suffers when one steps into the parental role. And Abigail certainly didn‘t appreciate the fact that Jennifer failed to discuss adoption with her, and brought it up at family dinner. Not sure who is the best fit, but more support is always a good thing. 3w

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BarbaraBB I agree on what‘s said so far. Jennifer teaches Abigail how to survive, Brooke helps her figure out how to live. Abigail isn‘t asked to choose between them — instead, she pieces together her own sense of family from both of them. 3w

willaful @BarbaraBB Yes, well put. Abigail's need for her mother was one of the most painful parts of the book to me. She so desperately needs someone to care for her and just about everyone fails her, but I think in the end she learns to be more forgiving of people's mistakes when they're with her when the chips are down. 3w

Ruthiella I agree that neither woman quite fits but both do offer some modicum of parental figure. I agree with @willaful that Allison really missed her mother and that love and care a parent can provide. Let‘s hope that eventually she is able to reconnect with her mom. Sometimes it just takes time. And it was clear that Alison‘s mother also missed her, but was struggling. (edited) 3w

Bookwormjillk @BarbaraBB well put. And @willaful good point about Abigail‘s birth mom. Overall I was glad that she did have some sort of mother figures in her life looking out for her and that she could depend on. I liked that they were both flawed but truly were trying to do their best despite the impact “momming” Abigail had on their own lives. 3w

BarbaraBB @willaful You‘re right, her phonecalls to her birth mom were so painful and sad 😢 (edited) 3w

CarolynM Yes, @willaful it was painful to see how much Abigail wanted her mother‘s acceptance & how determined her mother was to insist that her own wants were more important. I feel raging fury at parents who try to direct their children‘s lives all the way into adulthood (& sometimes beyond) 🤬 (edited) 3w

Lesliereadsalot Jennifer loves Abigail the most and has come the farthest alongside her. Of course her birth mom would be ideal, but between her moms views and husband, and Brooke‘s past, and Erica‘s transition, none of them are whole enough to give her what she needs, that unconditional love we all seek. But maybe they can all be parts of a whole, a group hug. 3w

BarbaraBB @Lesliereadsalot I agree, Jennifer‘s love is so unconditional, that‘s worth a lot I think. 3w

TrishB @CarolynM same! You don‘t get your dictate your children‘s lives and choices. 3w

mcctrish I think Abigail had a lot of guilt over Jennifer having to change her life to help Abigail. Abigail worried Jennifer had ‘settled‘ with Ron so she‘d have the financial means. Although I thought Ron was pretty chill and absolutely what Jennifer wanted and chose - there were things alluded to that happened between Jennifer and her parents - I Hope Abigail can take comfort in the fact that her parents were shitty to all not just her. 3w

squirrelbrain Well said! @BarbaraBB 3w

Megabooks @willaful It was painful how deeply she needed her birth mother and how deeply her birth mother tried to force her to be someone she is not. @barbarabb - great observation!

I love Jennifer's fierce protectiveness, but I think in her need to placate their parents, she put Abigail in danger. I understand why she felt safer with Brooke in that part of the book. 3w

CBee Ugh, her mom 😡😥 I think both Jennifer and Brooke provided what she needed in different ways and at different times. The fact that she had so much support was wonderful - I wish it could always be like that for trans kids in real life 😔 3w

vonnie862 I felt bad for Jennifer on how angry Abigail got with her. She was doing her best to keep Abigail safe. 3w

Jas16 I loved how fierce Jennifer was in her love for her sister and how far she was willing g to go to keep her safe. She made mistakes but she is still so young and also dealing with the loss of parental relationships. Abigail finds things she needs from both relationships but Brooke also gets things she needs out of their relationship, 3w

Deblovestoread Her need for her mom was heartbreaking and the mom‘s continued lack of anything nurturing was infuriating. I think when a parent fails us it is almost innate to seek that through other relationships and if we are lucky there are others who care that help fill that void. 3w

BkClubCare I loved that the humans all felt so real; messy, guilt-ridden, fearful, but also wanting to give love. MOST of the characters, anyway. 3w

Roary47 I‘m not sure I can add much to the already great thoughts that I was feeling too. I just thought about Lilo and Stitch, where the sister stepped in and it actually hurt their relationship for a while. Abbigail was nearing 18 so all teens are really coming into their own at this time. Many need to find their own way. So while Abbigail didn‘t have her parents support it was great she had the support of others, and the group. Not all have that. 3w

Butterfinger So many great points. Abigail was able to fit in a created family, but that would never completely fill the birth mom shaped hole. 3w

Megabooks @vonnie862 I agree that was Jennifer's overall disposition, but it angered me that she pushed so hard for Abigail to have this dinner with their parents. It put Abigail in real danger and springing the custody suit without telling Abigail didn't seem to help the situation. 3w

willaful @mcctrish Yes, I agree. I think Jennifer was happy with Ron and Abigail was taking too much responsibility on herself. 3w

ChaoticMissAdventures @BarbaraBB this is so beautifully put, Jennifer teaching her how to survive and Brooke how to live, Thought I worry that Brooke will fall right back into that far right politics that hurt others, I think that Abigail was helping Brooke as much as Brooke was helping Abigail. But it was so good for A to see what type of life is possible for her. 3w

ChaoticMissAdventures @mcctrish I agree, I think A felt guilty about what she was putting Jennifer through, even if everything J did showed she was doing it willingly. Ron seems super cool, and seeing things through A's eyes it is hard to know if J settled, but she seems happy to have. I think the big mistake was not talking to A about everything before springing it on her in front of the parents. A had to fight so much for agency over her life, she needed a heads up. 3w

ChaoticMissAdventures I think the only reason A went to Brooke is b/c she felt she was losing agency of her life when J said she was going to adopt her. She needed someone outside of the family, and Brooke had been kind to her, and if I remember right she was the only phone number A had memorized? Desperation throwing them together. 3w

Zuhkeeyah I agree with all the above comments. Jennifer and Brooke spoke to different parts of Abigail‘s mothering needs. Jennifer is the unconditional, permanent safe harbor who is trying her best to protect Abigail the best way she knows how though a few methods were a little stifling. Brooke is a representation of what she wished her mom could be like. Fully accepting without needing to have all the nuances explained. 3w

GatheringBooks Great thoughts here. Loved Jennifer‘s role - deapite A being quite a challenging teen to work with on occasion. I don‘t know about you guys but I need a mom like Brooke who hands out a fat check like it‘s nothing. You go, A. 3w

Kitta @willaful I noticed once Brooke is more in her life she stops calling her mother so much. It‘s like more of her needs were fulfilled than with her sister alone. The phone calls were hard though. It was definitely painful to read. 3w

Maggie4483 I just loved all the adults rallying around Abigail and giving her the love her parents wouldn‘t. I think that falls into the “it takes a village” idea. Jennifer is a badass, and Brooke is so much more complex than I ever would have imagined. And I know that Erica‘s relationship with Abigail gave a lot of people the ick, but I truly believe A got just as much out of it as E. Could it have been handled differently, yes. But it was worth the risk. 3w

43 likes31 comments

Woodworking | Emily St James

This book had such fantastic characters, and I'm glad so many of you enjoyed it, too! Tomorrow, I'll make the post to vote for your favorite book of July. I have truly enjoyed leading these discussions for the 4th year, and thanks to all of you who make #CampLitsy25 so wonderful and enlightening!

I'll pass the mic to @barbarabb for August, which starts with Tilt by Emma Pattee next weekend. Hope to see you there! @squirrelbrain

AmyG I believe these two accepted Abigail for who she was. They also fought the good fight. Megan was her first girlfriend. They, hopefully, will be friends forever. And kudos for Helen for fighting for what she believed in when she had no chance to win at all. That is not easy. My husband ran in local politics in a county where he didn‘t stand a chance….and lost. What a thankless thing to do and yet we always need to fight for what we believe in. 3w

Hooked_on_books I think they‘re both great allies. They‘re both open-minded and willing to listen when Abigail or Erica mess up or are perceived as doing something problematic. I thought they rounded out the cast of characters nicely. It‘s always good to see friendships on the page. 3w

Chelsea.Poole Helen and Megan were great examples of allies. I agree @Hooked_on_books —it was nice to have them there! @AmyG thanks to you and your husband! Local politics can be incredibly tough! 3w

See All 54 Comments

BarbaraBB Once again I agree! Megan and Helen serve as great cisgender allies, offering stability, compassion, and consistency. Their allyship isn‘t performative or perfect, and I loved that. It‘s deeply rooted in care and I have high hopes for their future! 3w

willaful @BarbaraBB Again, I agree. I think Abigail really needed to get to know people whose offered true friendship and allyship, so she could accept frindship and help. 3w

Ruthiella I particularly loved Megan. How she showed Alison what friendship is and can be. 3w

Bookwormjillk The characters in this book truly were superb. I particularly loved Megan. I liked that Helen made an assumption about Erica and was able to pivot when she learned what was really going on. I also was glad that she was able to take some of the role of being Erica‘s best friend off Abigail since I still feel like it didn‘t belong there. Just a really great book overall. Anyone could have been the main character and I would have enjoyed the story. 3w

Bookwormjillk PS waaahhhhh I don‘t want camp to be almost over ***stamps foot*** 3w

BarbaraBB @Ruthiella Me too, she felt so real! Such a struggling adolescent herself too. 3w

BarbaraBB @Bookwormjillk Neither do I! We‘ve been reading the best of books and all you clever readers add so much to the experience for me (edited) 3w

Susanita I liked both of them as friends. They were supportive as much as they could be but also called them out when they were being jerks. I‘m also glad Erica found a friend in Helen so that she could stop relying on Abigail as much when she was clearly going through her own stuff. 3w

CarolynM They were both really strong secondary characters and added a lot to the story. I can certainly see them as long term friends and life long LGBTQ+ allies. Off topic but I need to mention this - was anyone else appalled when the principal tells Megan “voting is a privilege not a right”? If this is really how voting is perceived in the USA it explains a lot. 3w

Lesliereadsalot I was so happy to have these characters along for the ride, open and honest and dealing with everything that came their way. Which was a lot! Big thanks to #CampLitsy25 for opening my eyes to such diverse books this summer. 3w

Meshell1313 @BarbaraBB exactly!!! They, like me the reader, learned a lot! 3w

mcctrish I love love love how these independent, unique women came together & found friendship and support. It was a bit heartbreaking to see Constance leave but she was pushed and I applaud her for taking the chance after watching Erica, Helen, Megan and Abigail have courage. One true friend can save you and they all found one. Camp is making summer seem like it‘s flying @Bookwormjillk 😱😭 as I inhale my sections and wait, tapping my foot, for Saturday 3w

squirrelbrain I agree @Hooked_on_books - it‘s always great to read about successful friendships just as much as ‘romantic‘ relationships. 3w

squirrelbrain @CarolynM. Of course, it served the principal to say that because he was on the ‘right‘ side of politics in his red town so I‘m sure that‘s how many people must perceive the right to vote in the US 3w

squirrelbrain @Bookwormjillk - #wintercamp anyone?! 3w

squirrelbrain Yes, I agree @Ruthiella @BarbaraBB - Megan wasn‘t perfect (and neither should she have been) so it was great to see a ‘normal‘ teenage friendship between her and Abigail. 3w

Megabooks @CarolynM I think there are a lot of people in the US (especially folks who fear looking forward for solutions) that would like to solidify their hold by taking away the rights of others - that includes voting. There was a bill that was going around this winter that would've made it difficult for women who changed to a married name to be able to register to vote. There are also people tossing around “headship voting“ where (con't) 3w

Megabooks @carolynM a man would have control of the vote of his wife and each of his children (until they turn 18), so a married man with four children would have six votes to my one as a single woman. It's atrocious! 3w

Megabooks I loved how St. James lays out a map for these women continuing their friendships in college and being adult roommates. Megan standing up in a conservative school environment for all of these other characters especially impressed me. She was quite a fearless teenager in her defense of Abigail, Erica, and Helen. I hope real teens like her never lose their spark. We need them. 3w

CBee Loved them both. I almost wanted Erica and Helen to end up together! Megan was my fave of the two. She never gave up on Abigail. 3w

BkClubCare @Bookwormjillk 😁😂🤗 3w

Deblovestoread Everything felt so authentic to me as the friendships grew. I‘m so glad that Abigail and Erica were able to build friend relationships with Helen and Megan something they both really needed. 3w

BkClubCare @Megabooks - whoa, I had NOT heard of that headship idea! and yes, voting 🗳️ in the US is confusing and debated for who is worthy. And they (powers that be) prefer apathy and decreased access so they can stay in power. 3w

BkClubCare @CarolynM - I had to look that up, too. But yes, there are many blocks put up to make it difficult to vote; just making it confusing, bothersome, and “what‘s the point?” - it is infuriating to me. 3w

BkClubCare I loved all the characters and appreciated that many were messy and good-hearted. The author did an excellent job with all the major and minor characters. Plus the humor! This is one of my favorite books this year. 3w

Roary47 I think the realness of all the characters in this book were great. They made mistakes like all humans do. Thank you for this discussion. I learned a lot through the book and discussion. 🥰 3w

Butterfinger I'll be up for #winter camp @squirrelbrain @Bookwormjillk Everyone needs a friend like Megan. She didn't let Abigail get by with stuff, but she was right there when needed. 3w

Megabooks @BkClubCare Yeah, Vance has talked about it publicly. Just a crazy idea but a huge win for the quiverfuls if they can swing it. Someone like Jim Bob Duggar would have over 20 votes! 😱 3w

BkClubCare @Megabooks - shaking my head. 3w

ChaoticMissAdventures I think that we all need a Helen and Megan in our lives, these White Women who are more privileged and who will go hard for you. They are usually really dedicated, even if they can be a bit overwhelming, like with see between Megan and Abigail. I agree with everyone here, the relationships felt very authentic and I really enjoyed all of the characters, even the ones I think were terrible people St James really knows how to put a cast together. 3w

Christine @squirrelbrain Yes please!! ❄️⛺️ 3w

Christine @Megabooks 😱 is right re: Jim Bob having all those votes!! (And have you started watching Season 2 of Shiny Happy People?) 3w

Megabooks @Christine I saw it was available last week, but I haven't watched it yet! 3w

Zuhkeeyah The friendships were fantastic. I really appreciated Erica and Helen‘s since it took courage and understanding from both sides to get them over the initial misunderstanding. Megan and Abigail‘s friendship helped them both grow out of their comfort zones. Yes, I think Megan initially gravitated towards Abigail because she was trans, but something much more honest was built by the end. I hope all of them remain in contact. 3w

Bookwormjillk @squirrelbrain I would love a #wintercamp ❤️ 3w

DGRachel As someone who almost never reads LitFic outside of Camp, I can‘t believe I‘m going to say this, but the books this summer have been 🤯 and I would totally be game for #wintercamp @squirrelbrain 3w

DGRachel Also, I know I‘m late to commenting, but I just finished this, and I think what I loved most was the characters - not only how real they felt, as complex, individual human beings, but also in relationship to each other as friends, family-figures, lovers, allies, etc. These are all women I would love to have in my life, in all their messy complexities. 3w

Christine @Megabooks It‘s wild. I‘m just glad that I didn‘t know about Teen Mania as a kid (and that my parents wouldn‘t have been able to afford it anyway!). 3w

JamieArc I loved these characters too. They weren‘t perfect, but they were real humans doing their best and showing up in an honest and caring way. Yes for #wintercamp ! While there may be a couple I don‘t love, many of them end up being home run picks for me, and this month‘s books will probably end up on my favorite of 2025 list 3w

JamieArc @christine If we are talking about the same thing, I attended a big teen conference put on by Teen Mania. It set my life in a trajectory that I‘m now recovering from 🤮 3w

JamieArc @christine I just looked it up and it is! I can‘t wait to watch the next season of Shiny Happy People (and probably be pretty triggered, lol) 3w

Christine @JamieArc OMG really? Ugh, I‘m so sorry you went through that. I‘m sure we are talking about the same thing. Did you watch Season 1 of Shiny Happy People on Prime? Well now there‘s a Season 2 and it‘s about Teen Mania. Really rough watch but also really well-produced. 3w

Christine @JamieArc Okay I just saw your second comment! Yes if you can handle Season 2 I think you may find a lot of value in it. (I‘m Exvangelical myself but escaped Teen Mania, at least. Again, I‘m really sorry about how you were harmed. 🩷) 3w

GatheringBooks Loved reading all the thoughts here. I think my only peeve about the book was the seeming lack of intersectionality. But it didn‘t really matter in the end as the tale served its purpose: plus, better to have it this way than have tokenistic representations that do not ring true or seem authentic at all. 3w

GatheringBooks I‘m all for a #WinterCamp, too. Let‘s do it! 3w

CarolynM @Megabooks Absolutely disgusting 🤬 Every adult in a true democracy has a right to a vote of equal value. And I would argue they have a duty to exercise it. (edited) 3w

Suet624 Not much to add to these great comments. I appreciated these characters and the book. Without this Camp I‘d never had even heard of the book. So many thank you‘s to all of you. 3w

Kitta @squirrelbrain omg yes to a #wintercamp!! 3w

Kitta @Megabooks headship voting sounds insane 😳 3w

DebinHawaii I‘m behind & just finished the book yesterday & I‘m not doing a good job contributing to the discussions at all 😬 but I appreciate reading everyone‘s thoughts as they really enrich the books for me. I loved both Megan & Helen & their allyship for Abigail & Erica. The friendships were such a strong part of this wonderful book & I liked that no one was perfect & they made missteps along the way. 3w

Maggie4483 I agree with everything here. Of all the relationships formed (or changed) throughout the course of this story, those of Abigail/Megan and Erica/Helen will be the deepest and most enduring. I don‘t see any chance of them ever moving past platonic, which is good. There is nothing better as a woman than a really, really great best friend. I recently reconnected with mine after 10+ years, and it‘s like no time has passed at all. 3w

43 likes54 comments

Megabooks @Addison_Reads @AmyG @amiable @BarbaraJean @Bkclubcare @BooksandCoffee4me @Bookbuyingaddict @booknaround @BookwormAHN @Bookwormjillk @Butterfinger @Cariashley @Caroline2 @CarolynM 4w

Woodworking | Emily St James

Welcome to our first discussion of Woodworking! Don't forget there are two additional questions.

Helen, Barbara, and I all have busy Saturday's, but we will do the best we can to be present for the discussion.

I'm truly happy this book has seen such as positive response, and I hope everyone enjoys today's questions! #CampLitsy25

Megabooks @BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain 4w

Megabooks @catgusmax @cbee @ChaoticMissAdventures @Chelsea.Poole @Christine @CogsOfEncouragement @Cseydel @Cuilin @Dabbe @Daisey @Debinhawaii @Deblovestoread @DGRachel @ErikasMindfulshelf 4w

See All 58 Comments

Megabooks @JamieArc @Jas16 @Jenniferw88 @JenP @Jenreadsalot @Jess @Jhod @JoyBlue @JulesG @julieclair @KarenUK 4w

Megabooks @karisa @Kitta @Kristy-K @Kspenmoll @kwmg40 @Larkken @Laughterhp @LeeRHarry @Leniverse @Lesliereadsalot @maggie4483 @maich @Mcctrish @MeganAnn @Merelybookish @Meshell1313 @Monalyisha @Oryx 4w

Megabooks @peaknit @peanutnine @Prairiegirl_reading @PuddleJumper @quietjenn @Read4Life @RaeLovesToRead @reggie @rockpools @Roary47 @Ruthiella @Sace @Sapphire @Sarahbarnes @Soubhiville 4w

Megabooks @skygoddess1 @Suet624 @Susanita @texreader @TheBookHippie @Thekidupstairs @Triplem80 @TrishB @Vonnie862 @Well-ReadNeck @willaful @youneverarrived @zuhkeeyah 4w

Megabooks I want to say that the first time Erica and Constance have sex after Erica confesses her gender to Constance is one of the most affirming, beautiful sex scenes I've ever read. I love that they could come together and feel those emotions and that attraction for the first time in a true and honest way. I feel bad about the complications with John and C's pregnancy, but I'm happy for Erica and Constance. 4w

AmyG @Megabooks Yes. I felt that they could both be their authentic selves with each other. And by doing that, found that their love was always there and now had a space to grow. Constance with John, I felt, was HER being who she felt she was supposed to be. Erica and Constance were finally on equal ground. (edited) 4w

BarbaraBB Well said both and I do agree. I feel a bit sorry for John. He is used by Erica to stay close and/or in touch with Constance and by Constance herself too for becoming that supposed-to-be woman that @AmyG points out. 4w

Ruthiella I wasn‘t sure about Constance at first- should I (and Erica) trust her. But it does seem like John is not who she should be with as exemplified by him calling her Connie. I love how accepting of Erica she is when she knows and how this makes sense to her. 4w

Soubhiville I‘ve just started, but I look forward to joining in on the questions later today or tomorrow! So far I really like it! 4w

squirrelbrain Yes, I agree @BarbaraBB - I too felt sorry for John. I felt that Constance manipulated him slightly into a relationship, and that‘s why I too didn‘t trust her at first @ruthiella 4w

Lesliereadsalot Erica and Constance have known each other a long, long time. They have a history together, a transcendent love for each other that will always be there. The relationship between Constance and John would always have to be something different. I did feel sorry for him because that other relationship preceded him and he couldn‘t do anything about it. I was so happy when Constance finally knew the truth, as we all would be. 4w

Meshell1313 I kind of love that their relationship was always a friendship even when they weren‘t together. I‘m glad Erica has the person she can be completely herself and completely honest with. That‘s all anyone wants really. 4w

Butterfinger They are best friends. She made it clear there was something missing, and it turned out to be Erica couldn't/didn't/wasn't ready to reveal herself. It just shows that your gender identity doesn't dictate who you are attracted to. It's a lovely story. John is not a person to whom you can say no. The evidence lies in his gaudy set design. He wants to help but doesn't back down. I didn't like this character. 4w

Zuhkeeyah Erica and Constance had a strong friendship even when their marriage fell apart. Despite Erica distancing her, Constance didn‘t give up on their friendship. I was also uncertain whether Constance was going to be a safe harbor until she reacted well to Erica‘s revelation. John is being used by Constance so she can fit the traditional wife role expected by society. It‘s similar to what Erica did. 4w

BkClubCare Great comments, all! Agree agreed 👏 I really enjoyed this book 💖 Happy Saturday everyone. 4w

Suet624 I was happy for both of them that they were able to connect again on an honest level. I was surprised though by how quickly it happened. John seemed to take the changes very well, I must say. :) 4w

Megabooks @Meshell1313 @butterfinger @zuhkeeyah I love that their relationship is based in a deep friendship, too. I think there was never an end to caring about the other, but I can understand why Constance was upset and felt lonely and turned to John before Erica came out. Her relationship with John must have felt much simpler in contrast. I hated how he called her Connie though. I hate it when people call me Megan. (My Meg is not short for that.) 4w

ImperfectCJ I seem to have been dropped from the camp tag list. May I please be added back for next week's discussion? 4w

mcctrish I guess the two relationships show we hide things in every relationship - Constance not telling John she isn‘t Connie and Erica not telling Constance her name ( the power of names!) I LOVE that when Constance learned Erica‘s true name that made her happy and their love scene was ❤️❤️❤️ as a Patricia who uses Trish/Trisha ( what my parents called me) when people shorten to Pat I lose my shit #youaredeadtome 4w

vonnie862 I feel bad for Jon. But Erica and Constance feel right with each other. They just needed things to be cleared up. 4w

Deblovestoread I am loving this book! First one in a while that I haven‘t wanted to put down. I don‘t blame Constance for wanting out of the marriage. Erica‘s fear of sharing her true self had her checked out of the marriage. And John seems a bit over the top but a nice guy who is trying a bit too hard. But Erica telling Constance and her recognizing she has always loved Erica was ❤️❤️❤️ 4w

Megabooks @ImperfectCJ Idk why it's dropping people who are in the tag list. Last week it was @texreader the week before it was someone else. I think it is a Litsy problem because Helen and I have posted the same tag list every week. (We keep it in a communal email.) It's really frustrating for both you and us. I'm sorry! 4w

Megabooks @mcctrish I 100% feel that. My Meg is short for Margaret, and I just don't feel like a Megan, so it's very frustrating to me when people call me that, especially an adult when I was younger trying to call me by my full name to sound important. It just made it clear they didn't know me at all. (edited) 4w

Jas16 @megabooks @mcctrish I feel the same about being called Jenny. It is not who I am at all. 4w

Jas16 I agree that these relationships really demonstrated the importance of being with someone you can be your true self with and what happens when you compromise that to stay with someone or because you aren‘t even comfortable with your authentic self. 4w

Hooked_on_books @Megabooks I know it can be tricky to remember what happened in each half when you‘ve read the whole book, but please try to be more mindful of spoilers. It was very hard for me to put this book down after just the first half, and now because of your initial comment here, I know Erica and Constance have sex more than once and that there will be pregnancy complications, and I didn‘t want to know that yet! 4w

Hooked_on_books I liked seeing their relationship evolve both in the current timeline as well as getting to see how things went for them in the past. It seemed at first that things might be prickly, but really they were both trying to figure out being divorced. It‘s clear they have a deep connection and have maintained their love, as we see them drawn back together. It‘s lovely. (Poor John, though.) 4w

Hooked_on_books @ImperfectCJ I was dropped, too. It looks like the whole F-I block is missing from the tag list. 4w

ImperfectCJ @Megabooks No worries! I find tagging people, especially a LOT of people, challenging even without technical glitches. And I do check the hashtag, so I eventually see the posts anyway, so not a huge thing. 4w

Karisa Enjoying this book immensely. I do feel bad to be rooting so much for Constance and Erica when John seems like a nice person. If only Erica could‘ve trusted Constance more sooner. There‘s so much regret in her character‘s story arch. I‘m also wondering if you can be best friends while keeping such a big secret. Now that Constance knows and accepts her, they are a fun couple to cheer on. Greet writing to capture the complexities of this situation. 4w

Kitta I find it hard to comment on this without adding spoilers!! I couldn‘t stop myself and read the whole thing in two days. 4w

willaful I think I need to discover how to whole story comes out before knowing how I think. I'm kind of put off by how little thought either seems to be giving to John and if it turns out his part in the story is just to make is so they can have a baby, I'm going to be pissed off. 4w

Megabooks @Hooked_on_books oh I didn‘t mean it like that. As far as complications, I meant emotional entanglement for Constance between her new relationship with John and her old relationship with Erica and how having the pregnancy gives her this extra tie to John that she wouldn‘t have otherwise. The scene I‘m speaking about with sex is the one in the bathroom that is the final chapter of part 1. 4w

Megabooks @Hooked_on_books and by first time I meant as Erica and Constance rather than Erica presenting as male and Constance. I hope all this clears it up for you. 4w

Bookwormjillk @willaful I agree with you- I need to know the end. Right now halfway through I‘m happy for them but am also afraid they are clinging together for the comfort because they are so familiar to each other. 4w

GatheringBooks Loved reading everyone‘s take on the Erica-Constance-John triangle. I was pleasantly surprised about how Constance wholly embraced Erica‘s transformation - but didn‘t anyone feel that it seemed too good to be true? I loved that it all worked out for them but the skeptic / cynic in me cannot help but ask whether it is realistic at all, that there isn‘t any residual resentment on both sides for the many years that they missed out on. 4w

GatheringBooks Btw, i also did not get tagged for this round. 4w

CarolynM I‘m loving the book. I really like the very distinct voices of Erica and Abigail. I think it‘s great that the love between E & Constance is about them as people & that sexual expression flows from that. I don‘t think that gets talked about enough. I‘m interested in the E‘s feelings of not fitting in & the way she tried with John & his friends. I hate the whole “this is how men are” vs “this is how women are” thing. 4w

CarolynM I agree with @Butterfinger about John. I feel like he means well but is kind of unintentionally bulldozing over other people‘s ideas and feelings. I find people like that hard to like. @willaful If that‘s what happens I‘ll be annoyed too. 4w

CBee @Megabooks I agree - that was a beautiful scene. 4w

BarbaraBB @Megabooks @mcctrish Another American thing to want to shorten names to preferably one syllable 😀 - and especially men‘s names I guess. (edited) 4w

BarbaraBB @flaneurette @fredthemoose @Gatheringbooks @gissy @Graciouswarriorprincess @Hooked_on_books @ImperfectCJ Somehow one series of tags didn‘t come through which is why you weren‘t tagged for the discussion this time. We‘re sorry, please come and join us when you read this 💕 4w

jenniferw88 @Megabooks, because I don't really look at litsy profiles (except for ones I check frequently), I tend to call people by their litsy handles when talking to my parents about Litsy. I don't think I realised your name was Meg (sorry! 🤣), but I don't think I'd have guessed Megan or Margaret as your name, either! I don't know what I thought it was, though 🤣🤣🤣⬇️ 4w

jenniferw88 ⬆️ and even when I'm talking about Helen @squirrelbrain to my parents, I still clarify her as my friend who likes squirrels (especially if I just say her litsy handle) 🤣🤣🤣 4w

jenniferw88 @Jas16 interesting! I'm definitely a Jen or Jenny. I'm only Jennifer on social media to remain consistent across platforms and for hospital appointments. 4w

Chelsea.Poole @GatheringBooks definitely agree! I loved how Constance accepted Erica immediately —this seemed like the dream reaction we would all want in Erica‘s shoes. But how was she able to get there so quickly? And know exactly how to navigate the situation with care and be that perfect partner? Felt like she would have held some resentment towards Erica. Maybe it‘s one of those fairytale bits we should just be happy with, not often found IRL. 3w

Chelsea.Poole Also—names: my mom is Margaret and called Meg, like you. Some people (who don‘t know her) use Megan and it‘s so weird! There‘s a bunch of nicknames for Margaret…I always liked Greta! 3w

Megabooks @jenniferw88 I have that same issue, too! I talk about people occasionally using Litsy handles, and my friends think I'm nuts. 😂 😂 3w

Megabooks @Chelsea.Poole I hardly ever think of Greta as a nickname for Margaret, but it is a very nickname-rich name. My grandmother's name is Margaret (hers was never shortened), and when my mom wanted to name me after her, she liked Meg from Little Women, so that's why Meg was my nickname! 3w

BarbaraJean @Megabooks @Chelsea.Poole I'm super late to the party but have to chime in on names! My mother's name was Elizabeth & she always went by Betty Ann. People would constantly shorten it to Betty (which she hated). I was with her at the optometrist's once and they called her “Liz,“ trying to be familiar. She just about lost it. I'm still baffled as to WHY would anyone would assume a nickname from a name that offers 7 or 8 options of nicknames. 🙄 ⬇ 3w

BarbaraJean Relatedly, I loved the way this book handled names—deadnames and otherwise. So much identity is bound up in names—what people call each other reveals a lot (i.e. “Connie“). The way Erica's deadname is handled is especially masterful, showing it's not that hard to call people what they want to be called—not referring to them by deadnames/former pronouns—even in a novel with shifting perspectives and flashbacks, even when a character isn't yet out. (edited) 3w

Maggie4483 @megabooks @Chelsea.Poole @BarbaraJean I‘m also really behind, but figured I should comment as a fellow Margaret. That is my legal name, but my parents always intended me to go by Maggie (after Patricia Neal‘s character in In Harm‘s Way). I HATE when people call me Margaret, especially people who know me. At least, until a few days ago when I found out that maga is using Margaret as a sort of “liberal Karen” insult. Now I couldn‘t be prouder 🤣 3w

Chelsea.Poole @Maggie4483 I had no idea about the maga Margaret situation. My mom will be thrilled. 😆 3w

Megabooks @Maggie4483 OMG I love that!! I will take being a liberal Karen over a real Karen any day! I do not mind Margaret nearly as much as Megan. I think because Margaret is my grandmother's name it makes me feel close to her when people call me that but Megan just feels totally wrong! Every time he called her Connie, it just grated against my skin. Iykyk! 3w

53 likes58 comments

Woodworking | Emily St James

Helen Swee's quixotic campaign is a big part of the first half and a catalyst for Megan and Abigail's friendship. What do you think of Helen's campaign? #CampLitsy25

Megabooks @barbarabb @squirrelbrain 4w

AmyG Helen….fighting the good fight for what she believes in. Same with the girls. It has to be hard living in a “red” town when you have different beliefs and values. Never give up hope. Never stop fighting for what you believe in. 4w

Megabooks @AmyG I live in the reddest town of over 50k people in my red state. When I find someone who believes what I believe, it is a joy. One of my neighbors is a retired nurse, and we built a friendship that started on a belief in science and precautions around the time of the Covid vaccine. I think it's important to forge those connections to keep your sanity! 4w

See All 29 Comments

BarbaraBB This is such a rich thread - the Helen Swee campaign and the town‘s loyalty to Isiah Rose aren‘t just political details; they reveal the emotional and moral backbone of each character and the town itself. Erica‘s involvement is more personal than political (she admired Helen‘s strength and is in need of female friends). Abigail‘s involvement is hesitant at first but she really grows in her role. 4w

AmyG @Megabooks Agree. Also….misery loves company. 🤣 And how crazy to say you forged a friendship on a belief in science. 🤪 (edited) 4w

BarbaraBB Isaiah represents nostalgia, and the illusion of unity. The town‘s loyalty to him speaks to a deep resistance to change or to acknowledging past wrongs. His popularity isn‘t just about him; it‘s about the town protecting its comfort and identity. To question Isiah is to question everything they‘ve believed in for years. 4w

AmyG @BarbaraBB Welcome to America. Where anyone or anything new or different is “bad”. 4w

Ruthiella I loved Helen and her plucky campaign. She seems she could be a good friend to Erica if Erica had the courage to tell Helen the truth. 4w

Lesliereadsalot Erica and Abigail are living the nightmare of having someone like Isaiah out to get them. I loved Helen‘s character, someone to stand up for equality and a really good person. Abigail and Erica finally have someone who gets them, no small event where they live. 4w

Meshell1313 I love having this run parallel with the storyline- it‘s like seeing how politicians actions affect people in real time. Thought it was such a smart way to show the impacts! 4w

Butterfinger I love Helen and her campaign. She is against the popular choice but is still courageous to fight the hypocrite. Abigail and Erica know Rose is wanting them to disappear instead of getting to know them as an individual. The only thing I have against her is that she didn't protect Abigail when she read the texts. She should have made sure he wasn't a predator. 4w

Zuhkeeyah The campaign highlighted the societal challenges faced by the LGBTQIA community in small rural towns who equate church doctrines as political policies. Isaiah represented the majority view that does not welcome change. While Helen showed there is another group willing to be accepting of differences. The town‘s support for Isaiah becomes a reminder of why they need to be careful who they trust. 4w

Suet624 @Meshell1313 Great point. 4w

squirrelbrain That‘s a great point @Zuhkeeyah - whilst there are strong links between religion and politics in some areas of the UK, it‘s not as prevalent as in the US. 4w

Megabooks @AmyG @barbarabb Unfortunately, yes. America has far too much nostalgia for an imaginary past. 4w

Megabooks @Butterfinger I agree. With Rose and his ilk it goes beyond not wanting to know them. I think there are many that want transgender and other LGBTQIAP+ people erased - from culture, from books, from TV, from schools, from sports, from bathrooms, from politics. 4w

JamieArc Helen‘s campaign is really important. Even knowing she won‘t win, to have someone in the public eye who supports you and shares similar values is so important in a town like that. I really do hope that Erica tells Helen soon, though, or that part of the story is going to get really messy. 4w

mcctrish I think Helen will the next person Erica lets in on her identity ( I‘m sooo glad she told Constance) the quagmire of a church leader running for a political position 😬 it shouldn‘t really be fraught, the 2 positions should want what‘s best for all, we are only as strong as our weakest link but no, he runs on fear and shame. If Helen only rallies enough people to show Isaiah that there is another point of view 👍🏻👍🏻 4w

Deblovestoread @Butterfinger I agree. Helen should be sounding the alarm even though we the reader know it‘s fine, mostly. I love that Helen is fighting the good fight to offer a different view. 4w

Jas16 I love Helen and that even though she knows she is fighting a losing battle she is still out there using her voice and showing others that there people out there who see you and are willing to to stand up for you. 4w

Hooked_on_books I think the Helen storyline grounds the story in the reality of right wing politics and dark red parts of the country, especially in the lead up to the first election of the idiot orange, which is the backdrop of the book. I‘m also hopeful for the second half that Erica will come out to Helen and they will be able to form the adult friend relationship Erica really needs. 4w

Karisa I like Helen and Megan so much. It takes courage to stand up for what you believe in while so many others seem to be saying the opposite. Of course, their political views align with mine. I keep yelling at Erica to trust Helen more. She needs another friend. 4w

Christine @Hooked_on_books Agreed re: that important grounding! 4w

Kitta I like that Helen says something along the lines of « it‘s a fight worth fighting even if you know you‘re going to lose ». I feel it‘s so important to stand up for what you believe in and maybe there will be people unable to stand up for themselves who need to hear your voice. Agreed with @Jas16 (I just typed my comment and realized I‘m saying what you said less eloquently)! It means a lot to me an a queer person in the US right now. 4w

Kitta @Butterfinger I agree, Helen should have said something about the texts between Erica and Abigail. Even if she (Erica) says they‘re innocent, I‘d hesitate to believe her if I were Helen. 4w

willaful I love reading about queer people and allies in red states. It's important to keep fighting and to let people know they're not alone. 4w

Chelsea.Poole I don‘t always love reading about politics but I feel like this campaign and the way it brought the characters together felt authentic. The trans community is, unfortunately, thrust into politics (if they want to be or not) so I am sure it impacts many—something that is unavoidable for these folks and their families/friends. 4w

GatheringBooks I love how you described Helen‘s campaign as “quixotic” - the doomed to fail from the start element of it is self-evident; but i love the hope and light that it represents. Simply because you are up against city hall itself doesn‘t mean you stop fighting the good fight. 4w

CarolynM Seconding @BarbaraBB ‘s comments. Also, I know that church plays a big role in many Americans‘ lives, but in my view it is inappropriate for a clergyman to be in political office. Separation of church and state is an important principle. 4w

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Woodworking | Emily St James

In addition to wondering about their friendship and Abigail's role as Erica's trans mom, there is the teacher/student dynamic at play, too. I think there's also something to question whether the nature of their relationship as appropriate for a teacher and student.

That's all for this week. Hope to see you back next week when we'll talk about the whole book! #CampLitsy25

Megabooks @Barbarabb @squirrelbrain 4w

AmyG While I at first found the teacher/student relationship uncomfortable…I slowly began to understand it….becase it worked as a friendship. There was nothing about the friendship that made me uncomfortable because it was truly just that. A relationship between two people that needed and supported each other. A true friendship. 4w

Megabooks I didn't think much about the teacher/student dynamic until I started reading people's thoughts here. To me, it was obviously a support system and bond between two lonely, different people in a small town. I love how encouraging and affirming Abigail is and how she never uses Erica's deadname even when they're at school and it's hard. 4w

See All 53 Comments

BarbaraBB More than a “trans mom” I think Abigail and Erica form a beautiful example of chosen family. Neither of them started the story looking for the other—but they became exactly what the other needed: not saviors, not perfect mentors, just real people offering love and understanding in an environment that mostly denied both. Loved it. (edited) 4w

Ruthiella I thought the line was crossed a few times but also that Erica is aware that she shouldn‘t be getting her emotional support from a teenager. It‘s a tricky balance but the author handles it. That‘s what I loved about the book (or one of the things) - how every character is realistic and flawed but you still care about them. 4w

Bookwormjillk I like this relationship but it also makes me very nervous! Erica! Be careful! I‘m about to hit the road so will check back in with something more thought out later. I am enjoying this book very much. 4w

Lesliereadsalot Erica needs someone, anyone, to help her through this difficult time, and Abigail, while not the perfect choice, is someone who sees her. I thought the teacher/student thing was a little icky to begin with, but as the story evolved I loved their friendship and that they could be themselves. Who doesn‘t want to be with people who “see” us? My best relationships and friendships are based on that. (edited) 4w

Butterfinger I hate it. I hate it. I hate it. As a teacher, Erica knows she should not create a relationship with a student. I don't care how innocent it is. It shouldn't be done. The evidence she knows better is when she jokes about the texts being subpoenaed. I understand the deep need to forge relationships- like calls to like-but not with a child. Erica can Google support sessions. It just seems very unhealthy to depend on a child to keep you afloat. 4w

Butterfinger It may be that I am a teacher and know have seen how easily a reputation can be tarnished. I wouldn't have any qualms with a college student. I love how @BarbaraBB calls it a 'chosen family'. A beautiful sentiment. I guess this one time, my past and experiences affect how I am interreacting with the story. I will attempt to look at the issue from Abigail's sister's perspective (how would I be if I was a mom of a child who transitions) 4w

BkClubCare I both agree with @Butterfinger here AND @Ruthiella. Can I do that? 🤨 which is another reason books and book discussion is SO helpful, that literature brings out these opportunities for connections and navigating the gray areas. 4w

Zuhkeeyah The power balance was weird at first but began to make sense as the friendship began to blossom. Abigail began relying on Erica more than the other way around. It was important to them both to have someone properly see them. I like how both characters realized it was an unorthodox friendship not many would understand, but they still leaned into each other. 4w

Butterfinger I know I would want them to be accepted and valued and seen. How would I feel if my child had a close, intimate (sharing details) with a teacher? I have to explore and really evaluate my feelings. I also know I have major trust issues. 4w

Suet624 Desperation to be seen and known as who you really are can cause one to do things you know might not be the best thing to do. I felt that so much from Erica, the teacher, reaching out to Abigail, the student. Also, because it was a novel, I didn't have to really put much thought into it. :). (edited) 4w

Suet624 Now the great thing about this book is how much it makes you think of gender. I‘ve been wondering if IRL I would accept a male teacher being friends with a male student any easier than I would a male teacher being friends with a female student. I appreciated this novel because it really puts you in a position to feel into what it feels like to be trans - I‘ve not read another book that does it as well. 4w

squirrelbrain Great points @Suet624 - particularly about the genders of teachers / students and being friends. It‘s not something I‘d considered before. 4w

squirrelbrain @bkclubcare - so true! Fiction and the discussions around stories can really help us to understand our and others‘ non-fiction lives. 4w

Megabooks @Butterfinger Thank you for chiming in as an educator! I'm reading a book now where a student gets groomed and abused by a teacher and the student's friend murders the teacher. I can understand where that caution in extracurricular interaction comes from. I think I saw the relationship as not maliciously intentioned on Erica's end, but as a long-term teacher, she should've known better. 4w

Megabooks @Butterfinger I think it also speaks to Erica's deep confusion and being really unsettled by admitting this to herself. I think she's undone and making decisions she probably wouldn't have made while in the closet and presenting as male. @suet624 I think this is a good thing to think critically about, too. (edited) 4w

JamieArc Maybe I should have been icked out by the student/teacher power dynamic, but I wasn‘t. I thought of it as found family too. I wonder if people would be more comfortable with the friendship if Erica were female-presenting so that it didn‘t appear to be a male teacher/female student relationship (I hope I‘m wording this correctly). 4w

ImperfectCJ I've been trying to think up an analogous situation with an emotionally charged situation/need for support using different genders, and I imagined a story where a pregnant teacher has a student who's a teen mom who seems to be taking the role in stride. If the teacher approached the student and shared how scared she was about being a parent and asked for suggestions and support, I think that would clearly cross a line. 4w

ImperfectCJ While it's clear for the reader that Erica doesn't intend any harm, I think it's too much to have put on a teenager. Erica seems to realize this eventually (and Abigail knew it right away), but I'm not sure the author spoke to this imbalance as clearly as I would have liked. Just because you desperately need support doesn't mean you have a right to request it from just anyone in a similar situation, especially your student. 4w

mcctrish I was leery in the beginning but does Erica have any fucks left to give? And with Abigail‘s sister and partner, Constance and soon ( I just know it ) Helen, the group gets bigger and there is more support for both A and E. The absolute joy of this book ❤️❤️❤️ found family for the win 4w

vonnie862 This bothered me. As a teacher, I always make sure to draw a line. I know Erica was going through something, but it's not fair to Abigail. 4w

Deblovestoread I‘m leaning into the found family vibe and trying not to judge Erica and what is obviously an inappropriate situation. It is good she knows it‘s over the line and I think if Abigail had been a different personality it wouldn‘t have happened. 4w

Megabooks @mcctrish I think that's an interesting point about the “fucks“. I think Erica clearly knows her teaching career is toast (at least in that town) when people find out she's trans. 4w

ImperfectCJ To me, this is more about adult-child relationships than it is about teacher-student. Even if Erica weren't Abigail's teacher, it would be a boundaries issue. But it's possible I'm biased by being raised by a woman with no boundaries whatsoever who treated me like a "best friend" from day 1 and relied on me for emotional support through big adult stuff. It's unfair to treat a child as an adult; Erica having no fucks to give makes it no more fair. 4w

Jas16 I was in the disturbed by the boundary crossing camp. I was recommending this book to a co- worker and gave her a disclaimer about it. I understand the deep need driving Erica and appreciate what their friendship brings out of Abigail but I still said, “What the heck are you doing?” To Erica more than once as I read. Abigail is still a kid trying to figure out her own life with so much on her plate. 4w

Jas16 @ImperfectCJ It took me until about 3 years ago to set firm boundaries with my mother and she was shocked. I feel for you and am sorry you have had to go through that. 4w

Hooked_on_books It‘s clear to me that Erica sees the issues with her interactions with Abigail, but she so badly needs someone, and Abigail is like a searchlight in the darkness for her: an out, visible trans person in this very transphobic space. And there‘s something fabulous in the role reversal of Erica being the student. I think it‘s a great dynamic for fiction. If this was NF, I would have other feelings about it. 4w

Karisa @Butterfinger Agreed! (Teacher here too) wishing Abigail was a college age kiddo too. She‘s a senior but still so young. I keep hoping that Erica would reach out to Abigail‘s sister Jennifer and form a bond there with her family. It‘s clear that Erica has a unique point of view but the boundaries need establishing due to the power imbalance/nature of the job. I‘ve had at least a couple of students that remind me so much of Abigail… 4w

Karisa @Megabooks Yeah, I keep thinking “might be time to move back to California for Eric‘s and Constance.” But then I think, god this town needs a wake up though. How many other trans people live there and are “woodworking” (understandably)? How many small towns have Erica‘s they know and love but don‘t fully know? 4w

Christine Chiming in with some info from the Zoom author event I posted about the other day! St. James spoke about this in a number of ways (one of which I won‘t mention until next weekend because it could be considered mildly spoiler-y). I thought it was super interesting that she noted her own too-close relationships with HS teachers. She largely attributed it to being rural South Dakota (e.g., a teacher driving her hours away to a non-school event ⬇️ (edited) 4w

Christine felt normal because how else would she get there?). In retrospect she sees these relationships as not appropriate, even though nothing inappropriate happened within them. Made me further appreciate how important the setting is in this book! (edited) 4w

Kitta @BarbaraBB I agree about it being chosen family. Since Abigail uses the term Trans-mom for herself, it‘s an interesting flip on student-teacher roles. Erica being willing to learn from a student shows a bit how few role models there are in their lives and how desperately she‘s seeking guidance. Not to say Abigail is a bad teacher but it does put them in awkward situations. 4w

Kitta @Christine I wish I could have attended that! The hvac repair guys were still here and needed my input on some things and I missed it. It sounded really interesting. 4w

Kitta @ImperfectCJ oof my mom does that too and I‘ve only learning to set boundaries now in my 30s. With everyone. It messed up my understanding of what‘s acceptable and I prickled a bit at Erica‘s reliance on Abigail and the toll that must have taken on Abigail. 4w

Christine @Kitta It was great! They did record but haven‘t yet responded to my email asking if I can access the recording. If I can, I‘ll share! 4w

willaful As a mom, it disturbed me but I kind of got past that by thinking of the long history of queer people supporting each other. The main problem I see is that Erica keeps withdrawing her support, out of fear. 4w

Chelsea.Poole @Christine I was going to mention the discussion with the author too! After watching the zoom discussion I know how much thought and care was put into the Erica - Abigail relationship. Having listened to it before reading the book I was more at-ease going in, if that makes sense. 4w

Chelsea.Poole And I can agree with the small town nature that changes things for teacher-student interactions. Though in my experience it was always a bad thing: teachers were often at parties or “on the river” with students. Not a good look. It was a different time (but not that long ago!). Freaks me out thinking back on some things that went down in this small town! 4w

GatheringBooks Loved reading the thoughts here - especially the ones shared by the teachers. I am a teacher educator myself and can see the many ways in which the interaction between Erika and Abigail can be easily misconstrued. However, the entire novel for me seemed larger than life and improbable and feel-good (nothing wrong with that really), that the vulnerability shown by Erika to Abigail who is also struggling with her own shit seemed par for the course. 4w

CarolynM Really interesting input from the teachers amongst us - thank you all! I didn‘t think about this aspect very much, I think largely because Abigail is so good at pushing back. It might have bothered me more if A was in E‘s classroom which I don‘t think she is, unless I‘ve missed it (always possible!) To play devil‘s advocate - is A gaining through the experience of being the “trans mom”? Is this an unusual way of giving a kid some responsibility? 4w

squirrelbrain That‘s a really interesting point @CarolynM - although I don‘t think Erica was seeing it that way, she was only thinking of herself. 4w

squirrelbrain @christine - looking forward to hearing more about the author event next week and hopefully you can get the recording. 4w

DGRachel I think I may be the outlier on this book overall. I‘m struggling to make any progress in it because of this relationship. My whole body is screaming “NO!”, whether you consider it as an inappropriate adult/child friendship or as a “teacher/student”. Abigail seems to push back and hold her ground, but she‘s still a child and no matter the intention, there‘s still a power imbalance at play that I am struggling to get past. 4w

Christine @Chelsea.Poole You were in the Zoom? Fun!! I‘d have chatted at you if I‘d known. 😄 (Was fun that it was such a small group! I‘ll be checking out more of their events for sure.) 3w

Christine @squirrelbrain Got the link to the Zoom recording! 🎉 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oqRAV4GJQNY (edited) 3w

Chelsea.Poole @Christine yes! I saw your post and signed up. Thanks for sharing! 3w

Kitta @Christine oh perfect! I‘ll listen to that today! Thanks so much!! 3w

Christine @Kitta Hope you enjoy(ed)! 🩷 3w

Kitta @Christine I did! It was really interesting. That line the editor wanted to remove though… I agree 😂 3w

Christine @Kitta LOL! I was the inquiring mind in the chat needing to know what that line was!! 3w

Kitta @Christine no way! I‘m so glad you asked because I needed to know! Lol 3w

40 likes53 comments

Woodworking | Emily St James

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the #CampLitsy25 discussions about Death of the Author. They were better than I'd even hoped they'd be!

Next we'll turn to Woodworking by Emily St. James. I loved this book, and I hope everyone else enjoys it, too. And even if you don't, please join in the discussion!

July 19 we'll discuss through page 175, and then the reading for July 26 will start with “Abigail October 22“ on page 176.

Megabooks @Addison_Reads @AmyG @amiable @BarbaraJean @Bkclubcare @BooksandCoffee4me @Bookbuyingaddict @booknaround @BookwormAHN @Bookwormjillk @Butterfinger @Cariashley @Caroline2 @CarolynM 1mo

Ruthiella This one is 100% my favorite of the six. So many emotions! 1mo

squirrelbrain Looking forward to the discussions! 1mo

See All 24 Comments

Megabooks @catgusmax @cbee @ChaoticMissAdventures @Chelsea.Poole @Christine @CogsOfEncouragement @Cseydel @Cuilin @Dabbe @Daisey @Debinhawaii @Deblovestoread @DGRachel @ErikasMindfulshelf 1mo

Megabooks @flaneurette @fredthemoose @Gatheringbooks @gissy @Graciouswarriorprincess @Hooked_on_books @ImperfectCJ 1mo

Megabooks @JamieArc @Jas16 @Jenniferw88 @JenP @Jenreadsalot @Jess @Jhod @JoyBlue @JulesG @julieclair @KarenUK 1mo

Megabooks @karisa @Kitta @Kristy-K @Kspenmoll @kwmg40 @Larkken @Laughterhp @LeeRHarry @Leniverse @Lesliereadsalot @maggie4483 @maich @Mcctrish @MeganAnn @Merelybookish @Meshell1313 @Monalyisha @Oryx 1mo

Megabooks @peaknit @peanutnine @Prairiegirl_reading @PuddleJumper @quietjenn @Read4Life @RaeLovesToRead @reggie @rockpools @Roary47 @Ruthiella @Sace @Sapphire @Sarahbarnes @Soubhiville 1mo

Megabooks @skygoddess1 @Suet624 @Susanita @texreader @TheBookHippie @Thekidupstairs @Triplem80 @TrishB @Vonnie862 @Well-ReadNeck @willaful @youneverarrived @zuhkeeyah 1mo

Megabooks @Ruthiella Same! It's going to be one of the best of the year for me. 1mo

Megabooks @squirrelbrain ME TOO! 1mo

Hooked_on_books I‘m excited to actually be reading this one at the same time as the discussions. A rare event for me! I can‘t wait! 1mo

BarbaraBB Wow that‘s high praise! @Ruthiella @Megabooks 💖 1mo

Texreader Would you please add me to the discussions? @squirrelbrain @barbarabb Somehow I missed the post for Death of Author (edited) 1mo

Christine For sure a best of the year for me also! @Ruthiella @BarbaraBB 1mo

Bookwormjillk Looking forward to the discussion! I haven‘t started yet, but if it‘s anything like the rest of the books I know we‘re in for some good talks! 1mo

Prairiegirl_reading I‘m just over half way through and I can‘t wait for the discussion! Camp hasn‘t turned out the way I was hoping so far so I‘m excited to finish this one and finally get to join in! 1mo

JenReadsAlot Im really enjoying it so far! 1mo

vonnie862 I hope my hold comes in soon! 1mo

Reggie I loved this book so much. Ready to discuss. 1mo

GatheringBooks Like @Reggie i have finished reading the book! Very telenovela like! Enjoyed it, too. 1mo

Megabooks @Texreader Hey! I checked and you are on the tag list. Litsy can sometimes be glitchy unfortunately. I will try to remember to tag you twice next week to make sure you see it. I'm sorry!! 1mo

AmyG I look forward to it. I also loved it. 1mo

Meshell1313 I loved it and can‘t wait to discuss! 1mo

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Death of the Author: A Novel | Nnedi Okorafor

Welcome to the final week discussing Death of the Author! Please feel free to discuss these questions in light of the whole book. I have enjoyed leading the discussion on this book and hope you've found it as enlightening as I have! I will post the page breaks for our second July book, Woodworking by Emily St. James, later this weekend.

Everyone will only be tagged in this post, but there are two additional questions. #CampLitsy25

Megabooks @Addison_Reads @AmyG @amiable @BarbaraJean @Bkclubcare @BooksandCoffee4me @Bookbuyingaddict @booknaround @BookwormAHN @Bookwormjillk @Butterfinger @Cariashley @Caroline2 @CarolynM 1mo

Megabooks @catgusmax @cbee @ChaoticMissAdventures @Chelsea.Poole @Christine @CogsOfEncouragement @Cseydel @Cuilin @Dabbe @Daisey @Debinhawaii @Deblovestoread @DGRachel @ErikasMindfulshelf 1mo

Megabooks @flaneurette @fredthemoose @Gatheringbooks @gissy @Graciouswarriorprincess @Hooked_on_books @ImperfectCJ 1mo

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Megabooks @JamieArc @Jas16 @Jenniferw88 @JenP @Jenreadsalot @Jess @Jhod @JoyBlue @JulesG @julieclair @KarenUK 1mo

Megabooks @karisa @Kitta @Kristy-K @Kspenmoll @kwmg40 @Larkken @Laughterhp @LeeRHarry @Leniverse @Lesliereadsalot @maggie4483 @maich @Mcctrish @MeganAnn @Merelybookish @Meshell1313 @Monalyisha @Oryx
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Megabooks
@peaknit @peanutnine @Prairiegirl_reading @PuddleJumper @quietjenn @Read4Life @RaeLovesToRead @reggie @rockpools @Roary47 @Ruthiella @Sace @Sapphire @Sarahbarnes @Soubhiville 1mo

Megabooks @skygoddess1 @Suet624 @Susanita @texreader @TheBookHippie @Thekidupstairs @Triplem80 @TrishB @Vonnie862 @Well-ReadNeck @willaful @youneverarrived @zuhkeeyah 1mo

BarbaraBB To me Zelu‘s decision to go to space is a powerful culmination of her struggle for independence, personally and creatively. Her choice reflects a leap into uncharted territory, transcending her physical limitations and societal expectations. It‘s emblematic of her journey: from being defined by disability, culture, and familial roles to authoring her own narrative—quite literally. 1mo

Bookwormjillk I agree with @barbarabb that it was part of her struggle for independence. I also thought that it was a move towards equality for her since she wouldn't have to rely on legs as much in space due to weightlessness. I thought her family's reaction was over the top, and probably did have to do partially with her father's death, but also a lot with control. 1mo

Suet624 So much pressure was building up for Zelu and she seemed to have little to no support, other than Msizi. Her dad, who used to support her, was gone. I thought back to how much she loved to swim and how that felt for her. Free, weightless. I wondered if that was why she decided to go to space. To feel the adventure, to feel free and weightless. 1mo

jenniferw88 I also agree with @BarbaraBB . I just hope that if the story continues (as Rusted Robots is meant to be a trilogy!), Zelu doesn't reveal to Msizi she went into space knowing she was pregnant and had the treatment without consulting him. I think that could be the final straw for him, which would be a shame as they worked well together. 1mo

Chelsea.Poole I loved that she made it to space, a personal dream fulfilled despite the doubts of her family. For sure, all about independence and breaking the mold…agreeing with others on this! Zelu always went her own way. (edited) 1mo

Lesliereadsalot Once Zelu realized she could write, then she could walk, then she could travel to Nigeria, then she could go into space. It felt like a very natural progression to me, that of growing into her own person who was capable. I loved that she was making all her own decisions! 1mo

JenReadsAlot I loved it! 1mo

AmyG I, too, agree with her quest dor independance and freedom…from her body and disability. And yes, her family did seem controlling…especially after her father died as he was her biggest supporter. 1mo

mcctrish I love how @BarbaraBB summed it up. I was surprised how Msizi reacted, he was always so “you go girl” but if this is a trilogy then he‘s going to really freak over the pregnancy and Zelu not telling him @jenniferw88 is right with her predictions I think. I was happy zelu‘s siblings were “ of course you have to go” - taking on their dad‘s role 1mo

TheKidUpstairs I think her father's death greatly influenced her family's reactions, especially her mother. It was Zelu who helped her mother find herself outside of that partnership after his death, and I think her mother started her journey towards seeing Zelu after that. The conversation with her mother was so genuine, the fear and then the acceptance and "you're such an annoying daughter" was a wonderful moment. 1mo

CBee Zelu was always going to be Zelu. I just watched an episode of “The Resident” where a young guy with muscular dystrophy is at the end of his life and before it gets bad, he decides to do a zero gravity flight. The look on his face made me cry - this is what it was for Zelu, I think. To feel free, to “swim” in space. I loved it. 1mo

Reggie @BarbaraBB @Suet624 🖤🖤🖤 1mo

Jas16 I agree that after years of being told what her limitations were and fighting back Zelu was reclaiming her childhood dream. Her loved ones were already scared by all of the ways Zelu was asserting her independence and space is a scary unknown so I didn‘t expect them to be supportive especially after the death of her father and what happened when she went to his grave. 1mo

vonnie862 I agree with everyone. Going to space is something that she had dreamed of doing when she was a child. Going to space as an adult is a way to continue her road to independence and feeling equal. Plus, she wanted to get away from it all. 1mo

Butterfinger I totally agree with @mcctrish and @jenniferw88 about her decision to go to space without telling Msizi about the pregnancy. She wanted to go so badly, ever since she was a child. She was going to do whatever was needed, including more untested technology. I think the father's death affected the siblings' decision to finally accept her as she is and to stop trying to conform her to their will. They came together when they decided where to bury him 1mo

mcctrish @Jas16 her siblings fear all stems from them not wanting Zelu‘s choices for themselves and her dad‘s power was, to quote Mel Robbins “let her” - sometimes in hindsight Zelu can see they were right ( going to Nigeria) but a lot of good still came from it. I think going to space is important for her like @vonnie862 said 1mo

Ruthiella Great discussion! 👍 1mo

squirrelbrain @CBee - that‘s lovely, if rather sad. 😢 1mo

squirrelbrain I agree with @BarbaraBB @Bookwormjillk - it was definitely her showing that she could be independent and also a craving for the freedom that weightlessness would give her. I do think the pregnancy very much showed her selfish side. 1mo

CBee @squirrelbrain it was heartbreaking. And of course Zelu isn‘t about to die (I totally thought the entire book was going to end with her death, anyone else? 🤷‍♀️). But it encompasses the same headspace, I think. To want to feel that freedom when you‘re unable to use your legs on earth. 1mo

Suet624 @CBee totally thought she was going to die. 1mo

Deblovestoread Love all the points made and agree with everyone. Plus in space there will be no one to put limits on her. (edited) 1mo

ChaoticMissAdventures @jenniferw88 the pregnancy “twist“ didn't work for me. I am not fully understanding what Okorafor was trying to do there. I thought there was enough drama without it, and it wasn't something that was reflected on enough to move the story forward in any meaningful way. I would expect Msizi to leave her for that, messing with her DNA, not telling him at all, going to space pregnant. It's too much. 1mo

ChaoticMissAdventures @Lesliereadsalot love how you have laid out her progression of independence, it all started with rock bottom, and her expanding her imagination with her novel. Like @Chelsea.Poole points out, this was her original childhood dream. I am glad she made it there. 1mo

ChaoticMissAdventures @CBee I for sure thought she was going to either die, or go somewhere where she was good as to her family. All of the interview sections the family and friends spoke of her in the past tense. I am not convinced she comes back from space, or if she does maybe her new science experience on herself makes her not herself any longer. 1mo

ChaoticMissAdventures I think she had to go to space. As her mother said, Zelu and her father are Adventurers. Space is her dream, and more so with her current body. I am a black sheep of my family in the Adventure vein. I have spent decades solo traveling and my whole family are complete home bodies they do not understand so I related to Zelu in this aspect. If you have the Adventure gene you feel an intense pull, if you don't have it you cannot understand. 1mo

CBee @Suet624 glad I‘m not the only one! But I guess it would‘ve been too obvious - I mean the title of the book is “Death of the Author” 😂 (edited) 1mo

CBee @ChaoticMissAdventures agreed! Left it quite open ended. 1mo

JamieArc It felt like going to space was inevitable for her. I‘m not sure how I feel about the fact that the two biggest things of impact for her were provided by rich white men, but perhaps to do otherwise would have felt too far-fetched 😂 1mo

JamieArc I loved the flip of the family in support. When she told them about going to space, it seemed like it would just be another decision that brings shame and pain to the family, but it wasn‘t. That was a great chapter. 1mo

MeganAnn @ChaoticMissAdventures I agree, the pregnancy twist is unresolved. Although it does show how selfish she is @squirrelbrain . I also didn‘t realize this is intended to be a trilogy so I expect that may actually be something to set up reactions in the second book. It is interesting that her search for independence culminates in her childhood dream to go to space but then she gets pregnant. A baby is going to be the opposite of independence for her. 1mo

rockpools Her family‘s reactions to her going into space were one of the high points of the book for me, and showed how much they‘d all grown in their recognition of her as an independent and extremely able person. I particularly enjoy Chinyere‘s ‘OK, I quit. You‘re amazing‘ - total and long overdue acceptance (even if she doesn‘t understand Zelu). 1mo

MeganAnn @JamieArc agreed about her family! I fully expected them to berate her like before and was very happy they did not do so. I do think the death of their father had a lot to do with that reaction — they all became closer during that experience. I loved how they seem to be starting to see and understand her a little better now. 1mo

rockpools But I‘m with @ChaoticMissAdventures on the pregnancy twist. Enough, surely?! And @MeganAnn A trilogy? Really? That makes a lot of sense in terms of the hanging bits. And the fact that Rusted Robots was commissioned as a trilogy. But (as a very bad series reader) I‘ll be perfectly happy if it isn‘t. The ending was just-so, as-is. 1mo

MeganAnn @Butterfinger I agree she was going to anything necessary to go to space no matter what. And I think her doing so without telling Msizi about the pregnancy and DNA technology is true to her character while also pointing out how selfish she can be by not telling him. He already didn‘t want her to go and she knew the pregnancy would be the final straw. @BarbaraBB said it beautifully that her decision to go the space is emblematic of her journey. 1mo

TEArificbooks I agree with the main thoughts so far. Going to space was more about breaking boundaries and achieving a dream she never thought she could. I like what @thekidupstairs said about how zelu helped her mom gain a new identity without her husband and I think maybe going to space was zelu also trying gain a new identity without her dad learning to live with without him 1mo

Megabooks @BarbaraBB Very well said, B. A lot of this book can be read as a struggle to create one's own narrative and shape the story both on Zelu's side and the robots' side. 1mo

Megabooks @jenniferw88 that's an interesting thought about a trilogy! I think most of Okorafor's other books are part of a series, so I'm curious about this one, too. 1mo

Megabooks @Lesliereadsalot Her burgeoning independence was a joy to watch for sure! 1mo

Megabooks @TheKidUpstairs I loved those moments when Zelu helped her mother restyle her hair. I was please to read that scene and the evolution of their relationship and her mother as a character. 1mo

Megabooks @CBee I read Against Technoableism and the case the author made about certain disabilities making space travel easier for those people was really compelling. It was a fascinating book.

Against Technoableism: Rethinking Who Needs Improvement (A Norton Short)

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Megabooks @Butterfinger Yeah, I had very mixed feelings about her going into space while hiding her pregnancy. My first thought was the DNA damage, so I'm glad Okorafor wrote around that. I think to me it goes to whether decisions about pregnancy continuation or other health decisions belong to the pregnant person or both partners. I think it becomes murkier if the partners are in a committed relationship/marriage. @squirrelbrain (edited) 1mo

Megabooks @Butterfinger Because if there isn't a LTR between the partners, my feeling is strongly that the decision belongs to the pregnant person. @squirrelbrain (edited) 1mo

Megabooks @CBee I also thought it might end with her death. I was pleasantly surprised! 1mo

Megabooks @rockpools I agree. It showed a lot of growth in all their characters and their estimation of Zelu's abilities and independence. 1mo

BookwormAHN I was so glad she got to go and I think the pregnancy represented a jump in human evolution. 1mo

Well-ReadNeck The family connections is a theme that I can‘t stop thinking about. Initially, I felt that — like so often happens— her family put her in a pigeon hole that no amount of growth/change/time can get them to see her differently. But, in the second half, I felt like her parents esp. are bringing their trauma to how they see her. I think they feel guilt for not being able to protect her from her fall and are especially anxious/fearful for her …. 1mo

Well-ReadNeck … But, as her mother lets go a bit, she is able to separate from Zelu more. I think the key scene for me was when the two of them are taking an autonomous car together. 1mo

julesG Just because the fictional Rusted Robots was supposed to have sequels, doesn't mean Death of the Author will be part of a trilogy. 1mo

GatheringBooks Everything that @BarbaraBB noted - even though it initially did not happen for Zelu, I had a feeling the opportunity would resurface at a later point and it did. Zelu is literally too expansive for this small world that she has to explore the infinities of the universe. Plus, how can anyone pass up something like this? The support from the family was unexpected but refreshing. Agree with @ChaoticMissAdventures that the pregnancy twist only ⬇️ 1mo

GatheringBooks (Cont) serves to put Zelu in a morally ambiguous light yet again - but maybe perceived as essential to the even bigger twist towards the end, and the continuation of Zelu‘s story through her child, whom we have been reading about in the rusted robot story. How very meta! What a loop! 1mo

Suet624 @julesG great point
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BarbaraJean @CBee @Suet624 I absolutely thought this would end with Zelu‘s death! Like @ChaoticMissAdventures I thought the past tense of the interview sections supported that. Before starting the book, I assumed the title would be a reference to the concept in literary theory—that the author‘s intent is irrelevant to the text‘s meaning. But as the book went on (with the interviews, and so many events where she was in danger), I thought it might be literal. ⬇ 1mo

BarbaraJean (Cont‘d) In the end, I love the title & the questions it raises. Is Zelu the “author” of the title, or is it Ankara? Or is it Okorafor, indicating the reader must construct the meaning of the ending—whether Ankara is a character in Zelu‘s story, or whether Zelu is a character in Ankara‘s story. @Megabooks I love that insight about the book being read as a struggle to create one‘s own narrative. That ties the title and the ending together so well. 1mo

DebinHawaii As always, very late to the party, but reading the discussion is helping me understand & appreciate the book. Like @cbee @Suet624 @BarbaraJean I also thought due to the title & interviews that Zelu was going to die at the end. Also, maybe because of just reading Challenger, once the space trip was an option, I thought it would blow up in flight or on reentry. It‘s interesting if it is a trilogy & what will happen in the next book. I do think ⬇️ (edited) 1mo

DebinHawaii … it was in character for Zelu to do whatever it takes to go & achieve her dream. I also really liked the way her family relationships—particularly with her mother were evolving. 1mo

Suet624 @DebinHawaii these discussions always help me understand the book we‘re reading more deeply. I too enjoyed seeing her mother start changing her attitude. 1mo

Meshell1313 I kept thinking of the Katy Perry going to space controversy! 😂 1mo

50 likes65 comments

Death of the Author: A Novel | Nnedi Okorafor

We got into discussions about identity last week, and I hope you will all enjoy going deeper into Zelu's character and how Okorafor tackled identity in the book. #CampLitsy25

Megabooks @kitta Please lmk if if you don't see your handle tagged on the first question so I can rearrange where you are going forward. Thanks!! 1mo

BarbaraBB I think Zelu‘s plural yet fractured identity is both a burden that isolates her in many ways—but it also enables her to write a new kind of narrative, one not confined by tribal allegiance, tradition, or expectation. 1mo

Bookwormjillk I think it's true if Zelu says it's true. But again I agree with @Barbarabb that it's what let her break out of the box that people were trying to keep her in. 1mo

See All 40 Comments

jenniferw88 I do think it's true, and that on any given day, different identities come into play. So for one day it could be black and American, another Igbo and disabled. 1mo

Suet624 Good question. Not sure I have a good answer. We can closely identify with our different “tribes“ (I'm Irish, American, Vermonter, crone, etc.) or we can see ourselves as alone and individual in our experience and existence and that will affect how we navigate in our world. Zelu definitely seemed to have enough willpower to rise above any definition imposed by herself or others. Am I being too simplistic? 1mo

Chelsea.Poole I think it‘s freeing in some ways to be able to be her own person, but it also may be lonely there. We need community but at the same time, with so many different identities can anyone truly understand Zelu? Is this true of all of us, in some ways? Maybe it also speaks to personality, perhaps some just prefer to go it alone. Zelu always felt different in her own family so essentially she was raised to be her own person. 1mo

Lesliereadsalot I loved that she was a part of so many communities, that she could fit in with so many different groups of her life. I think it made her stronger to be able to identify with so many others on so many different levels. 1mo

AmyG I think Zelu was trying to find her own identity within all the other identities that had a hold on her. Find a balance. 1mo

mcctrish I think this is quite the social commentary - I personally feel/think being able to belong to multiple communities is fantastic. It connects you to and enables you to have more perspectives but if those communities don‘t feel the same way - you have to be only them - then your welcome isn‘t true or complete and becomes isolating. Zelu becomes more, as we all should, because of all her parts and because her ‘tribes‘ hold her apart 1mo

CBee Like I said in my comment on the first post, Zelu was always going to be Zelu. All of the identities she had of course made her who she is but only partially. Her true identity, to me, was just being herself and as she‘d say, “fuck this shit” 😂♥️ 1mo

vonnie862 @Suet624 you're not being simplistic. I agree with you. 1mo

vonnie862 @CBee 🤣 1mo

Jas16 There are nuances and different lived experiences even amongst member of the same sort of tribes that can leave you feeling just as isolated from others within that same tribe as you are from those of a different tribe. It helped Zelu understand she needed to carve her own place in the world. 1mo

Butterfinger Her uniqueness of the totality of the different parts make her a part of none. One part cannot define her. @BarbaraBB said it more succinctly. I'm also going to add birth order. Even though my siblings and I share the same experiences, our perspective of the experience will be different - I and Chinyere would be the elder daughter who has to take care of everyone, the middle children can be free to climb trees and go to space. 1mo

Butterfinger I also agree with @Chelsea.Poole and @Lesliereadsalot she desired support from her coomunities. Sometimes, the antagonism fueled her decisions, yet she would get support elsewhere like the MIT team. Or her social media followers. They saved her life. 1mo

squirrelbrain I think it can be both simple and complicated @suet624, depending on how we view ourselves and even how we‘re feeling / what tribe we‘re identifying with right at that moment. I‘m not being very eloquent but what I‘m trying to say is that our identity is always in a state of flux. 1mo

Deblovestoread I think she had a fighting spirit that may be took the best part of all those different tribes. Someone else with that experience might have given in to to the care, control and fear from family and had an ordinary life. As @CBee says Zelu was Zelu, uniquely herself. 1mo

ChaoticMissAdventures I think that it is true that others never see her as enough. This is a common theme with racial/national identities when you are not fully one thing. You are never seen as “enough“ of any of the things. It is a common feeling - that is reinforced by how others treat you. I think Zelu is special in that she straddles so many identities. It does make for a lonely life, and I think her family does not help. 1mo

rockpools Zelu is never going to be able to meet the expectations placed upon her by her many tribes, so you can totally see the “not-enough‘ness that @ChaoticMissAdventures describes, and that feeds into her anxieties. But your comment about going it alone really spoke to me @Chelsea.Poole - giving herself permission to do her thing and go it alone is really powerful. Hmm 🤔 1mo

TEArificbooks I think it shows how complex every person is. We are all more than one thing. We are more than our skin color, our religion, our nationality, our relationships, our abilities, our jobs, one bad moment when we put our foot in our mouth, etc. we are all unique and important to the world. And we should all give ourselves and others a little grace. 1mo

JamieArc I had the same thoughts as @ChaoticMissAdventures . Because she carries both sides of one identity (both not able to walk and able to walk for example), she is not wholly accepted by either side and becomes her own thing. This is just the case with her with many of her different identities. I like how the author further explored this with the robots. 1mo

Megabooks @Suet624 I don't think so. I like the idea of her (or anyone) rising against categories that others are using to limit them, but I also feel the ability to use your identities to build bridges with others is important, too. 1mo

Megabooks @Chelsea.Poole I like how you're bringing in how the way her family tried to limit her as a reason she transcended or broke out of the identities others imposed. 1mo

Megabooks @mcctrish Oooo... I like this thought!! 1mo

Megabooks @squirrelbrain I'm glad you pointed out that everyone is always in flux based on the situation we find ourselves in! 1mo

Megabooks @ChaoticMissAdventures I can see that, too. I think there was a special friction between her Igbo and Yoruba sides of the family. Even though these tribes live in the same country now, their traditions are so different. 1mo

Megabooks @TEArificbooks 100%!! So important that we give each other grace in life! 1mo

Christine Loving this discussion, so full of insights!! And I especially loved your comment, @TEArificbooks . 🩷 And yes, @Chelsea.Poole - I certainly think the complexity of how our many identities place us in relationship with others (and how this is often dynamic and messy!) is true for all of us. When I teach intro to sociology, one of the first things students do is complete the sentence “I am….” with as many identities as they can think of. After ⬇️ (edited) 1mo

Christine the obvious (race, gender, etc.), they quickly start recognizing the many, many identities we all hold. They branch off into interests and hobbies and personality characteristics and usually (as intended!) end up walking away from the activity with a deeper appreciation of how even the things that seem super individual actually connect us to others, and can be spaces for community, if we want them to be. 1mo

BookwormAHN I think that many different connections were too much and that it forced her to be her own person but I also think she would have liked to be closer to one of them. 1mo

BkClubCare @Christine - Love this. I have also had a similar group exercise in teaching teamwork, diversity and bias. It was fun and really opened eyes and allowed wonderful sharing and relatability. We are all complicated and can often find common ground or new respect. 1mo

Well-ReadNeck I‘ve thought a lot a lot these ideas during and after reading. Speaks a lot to intersectionality as well as how everyone also experiences things individually. Ultimately, I also think that her fame/visibility also leads folks to want to see her as an exemplar in each of these groups and that can make individuals in any single group hate or love her depending on their lives experience and how it compared to hers. 1mo

GatheringBooks Love reading the commentaries here. the last quote indicating that Zelu “belonged to none” is incomplete as she also “belonged to all” the identities listed. The hybridities/pluralities of our identities can never be pigeonholed into just one aspect, the coming together of complexities to build the person that we are is what makes life so fascinating. Zelu embraced this fully, and that is why she is set apart by others who think in a binary mode. 1mo

GatheringBooks @Well-ReadNeck yes to intersectionality! Exactly this. 1mo

Kitta @Megabooks Im tagged this time! Thank you!! 1mo

CBee @TEArificbooks yes!! 1mo

BarbaraJean I think this is definitely true. I relate to this aspect of Zelu‘s character—she both belongs and doesn‘t belong. This parallels my experience as a TCK—“Third Culture Kid”—I spent half my childhood growing up outside my passport culture. The idea is that you‘re from one culture, but you live in a second one, so you end up creating your own third culture that both is and isn‘t either one. I see that in Zelu—she both is and isn‘t a member ⬇ 1mo

BarbaraJean (Cont‘d) … of all these tribes, so she forges her own unique identity that both incorporates and transcends them all.

@Well-ReadNeck Yessss to intersectionality!! I love your insight that her fame leads others to adopt her as an example for whichever group they belong to. Those pigeonholed identities flatten and deny the complexity of humanity and the many, many layers of identities we all hold. 1mo

Christine @BkClubCare Well said! I‘m pretty convinced that building more shared identities is what we need most in this moment and fundamental to solving most of our current social problems. 1mo

DebinHawaii @TEArificbooks Love this point! 💙💙💙 1mo

42 likes40 comments

Death of the Author: A Novel | Nnedi Okorafor

IMPORTANT NOTE - This discussion contains **MAJOR SPOILERS** so please be warned if you choose to read it before finishing the book.

Thank you all for joining us and continuing to make this experience fun! Next week we will start discussing the first half of Woodworking by Emily St. James. I will post page breaks later this weekend. Can't wait to see you back at camp next Saturday! Bring a fan because it‘s hot! #CampLitsy25

Bookwormjillk I was very surprised. When I got to the last chapter I actually thought it was some kind of bonus interview with Okorafor and I had missed the ending. I went back and re-listened to the two chapters before it. The ending for me is what turned a just okay book (don't like story in a story as I've mentioned before) into one that I will remember for a long time. 1mo

Suet624 @Bookwormjillk I absolutely agree with you that the ending bumped the story way up for me. I was already a fan of the story, but as things unfolded I recognized the beauty of what the author was doing. 1mo

Lesliereadsalot Shocked would be more like it! I did not see that coming and I loved it. Really made it a memorable story for me. 1mo

See All 52 Comments

AmyG What @Bookwormjillk said….the ending was what made me love the book. I love a great surprise and this one was fabulous! Thr reader thought one thing and Bam! It was completely different. Because it‘s up to the reader to interpret the story….and the reader read it differently. Brilliant. (edited) 1mo

jenniferw88 It really demonstrates the danger of AI! 1mo

CBee Absolutely did not see the ending coming and I‘m still a bit puzzled, but in a good way. It leaves things open to interpretation and personally, I loved it. But Jill, like you, I went back and reread to make sure I hadn‘t missed something 😂 @Bookwormjillk 1mo

mcctrish @Bookwormjillk @Suet624 @Lesliereadsalot @AmyG SAME!! I was reading it in print and I still had to go back and reread to process what happened! How bloody clever NO is 🤯 1mo

Reggie Did anybody else think she was gonna die? The way the interviews were skewing I honestly thought she was gonna die in Nigeria, but then I thought she was gonna die in a shuttle explosion. And then I read the end and thought it was just a creative open ending on the robots part. I was bawling in the last couple parts because of what I thought was gonna happen to her but also the robots. The robots manage to do what it feels like us humans cant 👇🏼 1mo

Reggie do right now which is come together. I loved this book so much. 1mo

Bookwormjillk @Reggie yes, I absolutely thought she would die 1mo

vonnie862 I was taken by surprise a bit because I felt that it missed something. After going back to the audio, I was a bit confused. 1mo

Jas16 @Reggie yes! I thought she was going to die. From the title of the book to the interviews, I really thought I knew the ending. I was shocked by an ending I didn‘t see coming at all and completely in awe by jt. 1mo

Reggie Also, I love that to release frustration and anger she goes to a Black owned shooting range. 1mo

Reggie @Bookwormjillk @Jas16 yay, good to know I wasn‘t alone. 1mo

Butterfinger This is exposing my weirdness, but the ending made me of standing in front of a trio of mirrors and when you manipulate them just so you see innumerable reflections of yourself. I couldn't help thinking that way it ended, Zelu wrote that the robot wrote her story and it would be a neverending circle that was going to make my brain explode if I kept think8ng about it. I know that makes no sense. 1mo

ImperfectCJ I'm enjoying reading everyone's comments. I just finished it this morning, and I love this novel really hard. I'm going to need to process a bit before I can discuss, but I love the ending and like @Reggie and others, I thought she was going to die, too (although I started to question that after her family's reaction to her going into space). And I like Okorafor's billionaire way better than our real-life ones. 1mo

Suet624 @Reggie I totally forgot about the shooting range!! And yes, we were certainly led to believe she was going to die, and I was trying to figure out how she was going to wrap up the book 1mo

BarbaraBB @Reggie Yes I thought so too and yes @CBee I am still a bit puzzled too as I didn‘t see it coming. Who is the real author, Ankara or Zelu?! Brilliant! (edited) 1mo

squirrelbrain @Reggie @Bookwormjillk @Jas16 @Suet624 - yes, me too! I‘d heard that there was a ‘shocking‘ ending and was sure that‘s what it would be. 1mo

Deblovestoread Such an unexpected twist. I almost want to reread it with the new information to see if I think differently about what is “story” and what is “real”. 1mo

CBee @Reggie YES! I thought the same. And I loved the robot arc. How beautiful it would be if humans could do that ♥️😢 1mo

CBee @BarbaraBB so brilliant! 1mo

CBee @Butterfinger makes sense to me! 1mo

rockpools @Butterfinger This totally makes sense to me! And like @Bookwormjillk I thought I‘d reached a bonus interview and had to re-listen! Although I didn‘t *love* the book, I seriously do admire it and how she‘s put it all together. There are So Many questions you could have asked for this one. Excellent ending! Thanks for hosting, Meg! 1mo

ChaoticMissAdventures Curious if anyone has read the 1967 essay “The Death of the Author” by Roland Barthes? I am not sure how much Okorafor took (if anything) from it, but is all about the intent of the author. And I think it is really interesting to think of that here. He says: “writing is the destruction of every voice, of every point of origin. Writing is that neutral, composite, oblique space where out subjects slip away, the negative where all identity is lost“ 1mo

ChaoticMissAdventures it's a bit high brow but you can read it here: http://www.ricorso.net/rx/library/criticism/guest/Barthes_R/Barthes_R2.htm 1mo

TEArificbooks @reggie yes through the whole book I was thinking she was going to die. I thought maybe a crazy fan or an accident in the driverless vehicle or in Nigeria or space shuttle or gun range. But I was not expecting the twist ending. It definitely made it a memorable book. 1mo

JamieArc @Reggie I thought she was going to do too, and the interviews were a sort of story on the life of Zelu. But then in the last interview with Msizi, he says that he and Zelu DO work together, not past tense, so that made me change my mind. 1mo

JamieArc During the last third, I was thinking that the story was slowing down, and the star rating was going down a little, but then the end happened and like others, I was pretty wowed and I‘m sure this book will stick in my head. It got my mind in a tizzy. Robots writing about humans writing about the robots. This is where I like the Barthes idea @ChaoticMissAdventures : who IS the true author? Lines are blurred. The author is dead. 1mo

MeganAnn Yes, like a lot of others I definitely thought she was going to die until the last quarter or so of the book. The end was definitely a surprise and I loved it. It gives so many layers to every chapter before. I think this is one that will make for an excellent reread someday to see what other things I might notice after knowing how it ends. 1mo

Megabooks @AmyG @bookwormjillk it made the book for me, too! 1mo

Megabooks @jenniferw88 I am terrified about the AI provisions in the large bill passed here in the states recently. It paves the way for almost no regulation, which is terrifying. 1mo

Megabooks @Reggie I absolutely thought she was going to die! I love your interpretation that the robots are doing what it was not possible for humans to. 1mo

Megabooks @rockpools You're welcome! Sometimes genre fiction doesn't work well at Camp Litsy, but I loved the discussions here. I read this book back in February, and I was so excited to see it keep moving up in the voting. Campers exceeded what I thought the discussion would be! 1mo

Megabooks @MeganAnn Yes! Rereading it knowing the end was a really good experience. It was one I didn't mind revisiting at all! (I first read the book in February then again for Camp Litsy.) 1mo

Bookwormjillk @Megabooks this would be a good one to re-read knowing what happens at the end 1mo

AmyG @Reggie Yep. Same. I thought she was going to die. 1mo

Christine @Butterfinger I love your interpretation!! And yes re: the better billionaire, @ImperfectCJ ! 😂😭 1mo

BookwormAHN I loved it especially the surprise ending. At some point I plan to reread it and especially pay attention to the robot parts to see if I missed some clue or something 1mo

BkClubCare I might have to reread it, as well. I have already forgotten a lot. 😕 1mo

Well-ReadNeck Love, love, loved the ending!!!! I was really loving this one but the ending catapulted it to the top of all the books I‘ve read this year. There is so much here and I loved this twist and like so many of you, will likely re-read. 1mo

julesG @Butterfinger - makes so much sense. It was clever and I am still not sure which of the two stories was the book-in-the-book one. 1mo

GatheringBooks Like everyone here, I enjoyed the ending - and found it to be very clever - and very loopy and all-inception like. I suppose what detracted from my fully embracing the story is that i did not find any of the characters likeable at all. So i was not fully invested in any of them - except perhaps for one of msizi‘s friends who called zelu out on some of her BS, forgot her name, but i liked her no-nonsense attitude. 1mo

Kitta @ChaoticMissAdventures thanks for thé link, I‘m going to read that! 1mo

Kitta @Reggie I also thought she was going to die, and that kind of made reading it a bit off putting for me - every time she was doing something dangerous I kept thinking « okay this is it » and then she survives. Very annoying. The interviews spoke about her in the past tense and the title made it seem that way too. idk I assumed wrong I guess. 1mo

Kitta @Bookwormjillk agree with you here, I didn‘t like the story much but the ending bumped it up for me and I‘ll think about it a lot. I also thought I was reading something by the author at the end not Ankara. 1mo

Chelsea.Poole I absolutely never would have read this without #camplitsy so thanks to the hosts, as always! Really enjoying everyone‘s thoughts on it as well. I don‘t have much to add other than I wasn‘t expecting Zelu to die or trying to pretend it wouldn‘t happen, one or the other! I was super involved in that storyline and allowed the robot sections to just exist, definitely should have been thinking more about those parts. Perfect for current events. 1mo

BarbaraJean I guess I should have put my comment about the title from question 1 here instead! I was surprised by the ending, and like so many others, it absolutely made the book for me. I admired Zelu, but didn‘t much like her, and her family infuriated me. I enjoyed the robot storyline much more than Zelu‘s storyline—and the framing made Zelu the focus, so I didn‘t enjoy the book as much as I wanted to—until the two converged at the end. 1mo

BarbaraJean @ChaoticMissAdventures YES to Roland Barthes. I don‘t know if I‘ve ever actually read his essay, but I read so much about and around the idea in lit theory classes. And I think Okorafor MUST have intended to reference the idea if not the essay directly. 1mo

DebinHawaii Like much of the group, I was caught by surprise by the ending & had to go back to it & while I‘m still confused a bit, it was pretty brilliant. I never got close to Zelu or any character in the book really, except for the characters in the robot chapters but it was very readable & I like the idea of reading it again in a few months now that I know how it ends. I forgot to vote for the #CampLitsy titles but was happy this one was picked since ⬇️ 1mo

DebinHawaii … I‘d ordered it through #Aardvark The discussions of course made the book for me. Thanks for the fabulous hosting @Megabooks 1mo

Meshell1313 @BookwormAHN yes exactly! I know there must have been signs I missed because I was completely surprised! Very timely based on current events! 1mo

43 likes52 comments

Death of the Author: A Novel | Nnedi Okorafor

Hi everyone! Welcome to week 1 of our first July book, Death of the Author. As last month, I‘ll only be tagging everyone in this question, but there are two additional ones.

Friendly reminder if you‘ve read ahead to keep the discussion to the first half of the book. Excited to hear everyone‘s opinions!

Sorry for the late post. My neighbors were enthusiastically shooting off fireworks until 1 AM. 😬 #CampLitsy25

Megabooks @Addison_Reads @AmyG @amiable @BarbaraJean @Bkclubcare @BooksandCoffee4me @Bookbuyingaddict @booknaround @BookwormAHN @Bookwormjillk @Butterfinger @Cariashley @Caroline2 @CarolynM 1mo

Megabooks @catgusmax @cbee @ChaoticMissAdventures @Chelsea.Poole @Christine @CogsOfEncouragement @Cseydel @Cuilin @Dabbe @Daisey @Debinhawaii @Deblovestoread @DGRachel @ErikasMindfulshelf 1mo

Megabooks @flaneurette @fredthemoose @Gatheringbooks @gissy @Graciouswarriorprincess @Hooked_on_books @ImperfectCJ 1mo

See All 75 Comments

Megabooks @JamieArc @Jas16 @Jenniferw88 @JenP @Jenreadsalot @Jess @Jhod @JoyBlue @JulesG @julieclair @KarenUK 1mo

Megabooks @Kristy-K @Kspenmoll @kwmg40 @Larkken @Laughterhp @LeeRHarry @Leniverse @Lesliereadsalot @maggie4483 @maich @Mcctrish @MeganAnn @Merelybookish @Meshell1313 @Monalyisha @Oryx 1mo

Megabooks @peaknit @peanutnine @Prairiegirl_reading @PuddleJumper @quietjenn @Read4Life @RaeLovesToRead @reggie @rockpools @Roary47 @Ruthiella @Sace @Sapphire @Sarahbarnes @Soubhiville 1mo

Megabooks @skygoddess1 @Suet624 @Susanita @texreader @TheBookHippie @Thekidupstairs @Triplem80 @TrishB @Vonnie862 @Well-ReadNeck @willaful @youneverarrived @zuhkeeyah 1mo

Bookwormjillk Ugh on the fireworks. I think her family was a lot more comfortable when she was a disabled pot smoking failed professor. I‘m not sure they realize that though. I think they think they are keeping her safe. 1mo

mcctrish I think guilt going back to her accident weighs heavily on her families relationship with her. Also exasperation- Zelu isn‘t content - to be still, settle down, conform. They can‘t wrap their head around it ( and don‘t seem to try to very much) 1mo

rockpools Eek. Not at the midpoint yet - will try and catch up by tomorrow. Audio wasnt the best plan for the structure of this one! 1mo

DGRachel I‘m with @rockpools - audio wasn‘t the greatest choice and I‘m not quite 1/4 through (waiting for my print library hold now). Based on what I have read, though, I agree with both @mctrish and @Bookwormjillk in that they seem exasperated by her and like they are keeping her safe. She is clearly frustrated with her disability and her family‘s treatment. 1mo

AmyG So while reading this book, I read a few interviews with the author. She became paralyzed when she was 13 (?) after an operation for a spinal issue. She mentioned how the parts with her family she drew on her own life…very autobiographical. Zelu was creating her new self, the one with the disability. Her family was trying to …yes, keep her safe. So a bit of a battle there. (edited) 1mo

Jas16 They put her in a metaphorical box when she was first injured to keep her safe and ease their own anxiety and have never let her grow out of it or let themselves truly see her. It frustrates me so much to read about how they don‘t listen to her or her feelings and the snap judgements they make that are more about what makes them comfortable than about who she is or what she needs. 1mo

Zuhkeeyah Zelu‘s siblings were mostly okay. They dismissed her as the strange sister but not because of her disability. On the other hand, her parents did infantilize her because of the disability. Zelu fought hard for her independence in whatever way she could get it. 1mo

Zuhkeeyah Ooo well said @Jas16 1mo

JenReadsAlot @Bookwormjillk I thought the same like they thought they were doing the right thing. 1mo

Reggie @Jas16 🖤🖤🖤 1mo

JamieArc It felt like her family never saw past the 12 year old girl who had the accident. I don‘t know if it was guilt or whatnot, but it was frustrating that they could not see her as being capable and more than her disability. I agree with @Zuhkeeyah that they infantilized her. That‘s what I kept thinking the whole time. 1mo

JamieArc I also don‘t know enough to provide any commentary, but I do wonder if there is any cultural view towards disability that is shaping the family‘s treatment of Zele. 1mo

vonnie862 @AmyG I didn't know that, but I had a feeling that the author was adding her personal feelings into the character. 1mo

vonnie862 I'm in agreement with everyone. Her parents are trying to keep her safe but at the cost of Zelu's freedom and happiness. 1mo

ImperfectCJ I wonder if it's easier for her family (her parents especially) to write off the aspects of her character that frustrate them, like her disinterest in marriage, smoking pot, her weird career, as side effects of her disability and as a result, interpret that as her needing more babying? 1mo

Megabooks @Jas16 Yes, this was so hard to read. There's a line between being helpful and being stifling, and in my opinion, they've definitely crossed into stifling. It seems to be hard for them to believe she's an adult with agency.

@amyg thanks for sharing that! As the daughter of a visibly disabled woman, it rang very true, and now I know why! 1mo

Megabooks @Bookwormjillk Yes, they were very much viewing her in a way that was easy for them but didn't show her as a complete person, imo.

@mcctrish I think there is an element of guilt there, too. Parents always want to protect their children, and in this moment, they weren't able to, and the consequences were devastating. 1mo

Megabooks @Zuhkeeyah I had put “infantilization“ directly into the original question, but we decided to take it out because it was me editorializing a bit, but to me, it was really what they were doing. I think if she had conformed more to their expectations as far as career, spouse, etc. they may have let go more easily, but I respect Zelu for not doing that. @mcctrish @jamiearc (edited) 1mo

Ruthiella I also agree that Zelu‘s accident and subsequent disability make her family assume that she can‘t achieve what an able bodied person can. But also, Zelu comes from a family of high achievers (doctors, lawyers, engineers, etc.) so I think her aspirations to write are also not valued. 1mo

Lesliereadsalot I felt like Zelu was a foreign concept to her family and they felt if they had kept her safe as a child, that she would have grown up to be more like them. I think one‘s personality is set at birth. I see it in my own two children. She was always going to be who she became regardless of the accident. Her family can never win this one! (edited) 1mo

jenniferw88 I agree with @Jas16 and @zuhkee! I hate her parents - they're too overprotective - at least her siblings accept her for the most part. She's 35, the same age as me, and I really felt for Zelu when her family didn't want her to get the exos. As someone who hasn't been able to walk for 8 out of the last 12 months due to a broken hip, and there weren't any other options to treat me, I'd hope my family would fully support a decision to get exos! ⬇️ 1mo

kspenmoll I have to catch up- behind in reading. 1mo

jenniferw88 Luckily, I know my parents would support any decision I made (after all, I had to agree to the ❤️ transplant AGED 12, not an adult like Zelu). Her family is all "what about us?" without really thinking about Zelu and improving her quality of life. Can you tell I hate her parents?! ? Surely, if the exos help her, they'd regret advising against them once they saw how they were helping her? ? OK, end of vent (for now!) 1mo

BarbaraBB I agree with @Jas16 Zelu‘s relationship with her family is a very complex one. They treat her with love—but also fear and cultural baggage. She reciprocates by asserting her autonomy, and in doing so, transforms the power dynamic. I think this imperfect acceptance drives her growth, serving as both her chain and her catalyst. (edited) 1mo

julesG @BarbaraBB that's what I thought but couldn't put into words. 1mo

GatheringBooks @BarbaraBB this is perfectly worded. I think fundamentally there is love on both sides - but Zelu has outgrown the boundaries of the love they are accustomed to giving, hence the inevitable conflict. Family dynamics as Barbara noted is always complex - and I could totally see why Zelu‘s parents feel the need to protect her - but this can be “stifling” and suffocating as @Megabooks noted. While I was rooting for Zelu, I found her hard to like. 1mo

squirrelbrain @ImperfectCJ - that‘s a great point. Those facets of her character could be termed as rebellious so they treat her as a truculent teenager, which they probably didn‘t feel able to do when she was actually in her teens, having just had the accident. 1mo

squirrelbrain I agree with you @BarbaraBB and @Jas16 - it‘s a complex relationship and I don‘t usually like think there is some cultural baggage there too, Barbara. 1mo

squirrelbrain @Ruthiella - I think that is a cultural thing isn‘t it - the expectation of high achievement? I agree with you that, even without the accident, being a writer wouldn‘t have been valued. 1mo

ChaoticMissAdventures @ImperfectCJ I agree. I think everything about her personality (career, marriage, kid goals) they write off as part of her disability. @Megabooks I think infantilization is exactly it. I read a lot of books about disability and this is a common theme IRL that disabled people have to face. People do not see them as “whole“ so treat them as children. 1mo

ChaoticMissAdventures @AmyG I read this too, about her paralysis and her journey, which I think gives her a bit of perspective. I have been searching for articles of permanently disabled people who have read the book and am not having any luck. I often go into these books with a lot of caution Worried about harm to the community like the backlash that came from the disabled community around the book Me Before You. 1mo

ChaoticMissAdventures I think the parents get a lot of their knowledge about new tech from the other children who they see as grown because they have well paying jobs and are married - in Nigerian culture you are really not an adult unless you have a career and are married. And I think beyond infantilizing her due the her disabilities they see the hesitancies of the other children for the tech she is using (new = scary) which ramps up their own fear. 1mo

DebinHawaii I agree with the infantilization aspect for sure. Her family is most comfortable putting her in a box as the prickly, odd, disabled sister whose quirks (like her non-traditional life & job) they “indulge” but don‘t take her seriously as an adult. I do think the culture dictates the “right” path one should take to be successful adults & that Zelu isn‘t in that path makes everyone uncomfortable. 1mo

DebinHawaii Also, I sucked at the first month of camp—read the books for June but due to work, travel & life stuff, didn‘t get to the discussions, so I am trying to keep up better in July & August! 🤦🏻‍♀️ 1mo

Christine @jenniferw88 Thanks for sharing those super valuable insights based on your own experience. Your strong feelings about the parents make perfect sense, and agreed that their stance on the exos was infuriating! 1mo

Christine Maybe I‘m the only one, but I‘m loving the audiobook! 1mo

squirrelbrain @ChaoticMissAdventures - interesting that you have to be married as well as having a career in order to be seen as successful! I guess that applies on some level to many cultures but it must be particularly strong in Nigeria. 1mo

Well-ReadNeck So many interesting ideas here! I‘d interesting to me that they certainly infantilize her, and undervalue her “potential” in the beginning of the book. But, to the point of putting her in a box, when she both becomes a successful writer AND is able to improve her mobility, the family fights against both. I think many families label children and then no amount of growth or change can alter that pigeonhole. 1mo

ChaoticMissAdventures @squirrelbrain I am not Nigerian, so I can only go off the books I have read, but my understanding from the culture is education is highly valued, like in the book here - Drs, lawyers, engineering are all acceptable, a lot of times women are expected to get that sort of career only to be expected to leave it to be a wife and mom. I think this is changing though and women are more accepted as keeping their jobs after marriage. 1mo

Hooked_on_books I agree with everyone—they treat her like a child. Probably a combination of guilt and inability to see a disabled person as whole. 1mo

BarbaraJean I hated the way the majority of her family treated her—primarily condescending, infantilizing, and even a bit of blaming from her siblings. Because her disability shifted the way they viewed her, it did have a lot to do with that treatment—but I also think her disability intensified certain personality traits that were already there. Her nonconformism, for example, would have been present whether she‘d been disabled or not, but I think Zelu ⬇ 1mo

BarbaraJean (Cont‘d) pushed harder into defying convention because her disability meant her family (and others) already identified her as “other.” May as well, right?! All of that intensified her family not understanding her and treating her almost exactly wrong. Like @Lesliereadsalot, I think her personality was already set and her family wasn‘t going to understand her regardless! 1mo

BarbaraJean @JamieArc I think there‘s a significant cultural component to her family‘s view of her/her disability. We see her disability culturally stigmatized, she‘s looked down on for not being able to fulfill the traditional expected wife/mother role (never mind she‘s not interested in that!). That also adds to the infantilizing—as @ChaoticMissAdventures said, the cultural view that those without marriage/children/traditional careers aren‘t really adults. 1mo

Laughterhp Ah! I only got to chapter 3! 1mo

AmyG I alao think there is guilt there, with her parents. That they couldn‘t protect her in the first place. 1mo

BookwormAHN @Christine I'm also enjoying the audiobook. Also I kind of get the feeling some of her family would hide her in the attic if they could. It's sad how uncomfortable they are around her at times. 1mo

Meshell1313 I think it was an interesting choice to have her disability be the result of an accident. That for sure adds lots of feeling of responsibility and guilt to the family dynamics. 1mo

Lesliereadsalot Really psyched for next week‘s discussion! 1mo

Chelsea.Poole @AmyG I had no idea about the author and the fact that parts of this are autobiographical! Very well put, @BarbaraJean and I agree. She‘s definitely not someone who gets in line with everyone else/does what‘s expected of her. I‘m just now halfway but rooting for Zelu at this point. 1mo

Butterfinger I think those who are older than Zelu have survivor's guilt, but most of the siblings seem to have resentment. I don't understand it. What is it to them if she self-medicates? The mother wants to continue taking care of her, and as a good mother, she uses guilt as a tool to manipulate Zelu. 1mo

Megabooks @BarbaraBB 👏 👏 👏 1mo

Megabooks @ChaoticMissAdventures I've found the same thing in the US South where I live. I'm unmarried, and not hitting those milestones, along with being disabled, mean I've been left out of a lot of things and am seen as a bit of a weird maverick. I know there are some people who pity me, but honestly, at 45 I could give a shit about them. 1mo

Megabooks @Meshell1313 Yes, it does definitely bring the guilt in. I'm sure her parents wonder if they hadn't let her play that day or if they had watched more carefully, etc. The blame game can be brutal even if it's just you blaming yourself. 1mo

Megabooks @Lesliereadsalot ME TOO!!!! Thanks for joining us!!! 1mo

Butterfinger Wow!! @AmyG how interesting. @Jas16 I agree. Why can't they talk about her behind her back like most families? They see her as a child to berate or correct. @JamieArc good question. I know the family was worried about opinions of the distantly related family members-the scene of the cousin who stole when the whole extended family was in Nigeria. 1mo

Butterfinger @GatheringBooks I don't like the character either. She's very abrasive and always on the defense-I guess it's because of having the family attack her actions all the time. @jenniferw88 thank you for being vulnerable with us. Parents should be supportive, even if they don't agree with the adult child's decisions. 1mo

Suet624 @Jas16 Yes, exactly what I thought about her family. It's frustrating that they can't even seem excited about her trying to move away from the wheelchair. 1mo

ChaoticMissAdventures @Megabooks yes! I don't think this is a uniquely Nigerian idea, but it is something most all Nigerian women deal with. I am West Coast American so do not live this but it feels like I hear this idea from people who grew up in conservative religious areas. 1mo

Lesliereadsalot Thanks for running camp and giving all our voices a chance to be heard. I love Litsy! 1mo

CBee Finally got to the halfway point (and a little extra because it‘s so good). So many good and insightful comments here. I am very angry with Zelu‘s parents at the moment - they are treating her like a child and also, when it‘s implied that the accident was her fault? That was the last straw for me. The relationship is so dysfunctional that she doesn‘t even share most of what she‘s feeling with them, especially the horrific panic attacks 😢 1mo

peanutnine Just getting caught up - I agree with everyone's thoughts so far! I only wanted to add that I think her siblings are just as bad as her parents most of the time. I really dislike every time they call her selfish, especially because most of the time the "selfish" acts she is doing affects absolutely no one besides herself 1mo

Megabooks @peanutnine Yes, she's so pressured to fall in line with them and to do otherwise is “selfish“. I think she's really brave for going against the grain. It is easier to conform, especially when you have health issues. 1mo

MeganAnn Had a busy 4th of July weekend & finally got to the halfway point last night (+ a bit further because I couldn‘t stop reading!). Loving the insights you all have here. I agree that her family relationship is very dysfunctional. I hate how every time the family is all together she seems so ignored — like she‘s a stranger in a room of people who know each other very well or a child who should be seen & not heard. 1/2 1mo

MeganAnn Even when she shares her book deal news they don‘t believe her at first, then gloss over it & go on talking about the rest of the family. Of course she doesn‘t share her panic attacks with them — they don‘t make her feel safe enough to want to share the hard things. I was surprised to find out she was one of the older siblings as they very much treat her like the baby of the family who is still too young to join in even though she‘s an adult. 2/2 (edited) 1mo

Kitta @Megabooks I wasn‘t on the tag list for some reason for this post! Can you add me to the next one? 1mo

Kitta @MeganAnn I keep forgetting she‘s not the youngest. They certainly treat her like a child. 1mo

Megabooks @Kitta I‘m so sorry! I will get you on the tag list! 1mo

Kitta @Megabooks Thank you! I was on the tag list last week so I‘m not sure what happened! 1mo

54 likes75 comments

Death of the Author: A Novel | Nnedi Okorafor

I loved the duel storylines in this book. Here‘s a chance to talk about the robots and their relationship thus far. #CampLitsy25

Ender's Game, Speaker for the Dead, Xenocide, Children of the Mind

mcctrish This felt political to me 1mo

AmyG @mcctrish Yes. I thought the same, that this reflected the times we live in. 1mo

Jas16 I thought it was the type of prejudice and fear of those who aren‘t like you that we see time and time again in humanity. Unfortunately robots also appear susceptible. 1mo

See All 61 Comments

Zuhkeeyah The robots are unconsciously mimicking the divisiveness that is part of human society. Ironic considering how hard the ghosts work to separate themselves from their creators. The Hume kept repeating how robots cannot escape their nature even before The Purge. 1mo

Reggie Has anybody read a book called Sea of Rust by Robert Cargill? It‘s a book about robots after the humans race is dead. There are these free thinking robots and there are these super robots called one world intelligences wanting to swallow up all the experience of the free thinking robots. One of my favorite books ever. 1mo

JamieArc I too thought that it mirrored what‘s going on the country, but this dynamic is everywhere. I loved seeing the relationship between the robots evolve. That even though they are hardwired creatures, they are still able to evolve and grow outside of what is expected of them or what they are created to be. 1mo

Jas16 @Reggie I bought it after reading your review but still haven‘t read it yet! I so need to. 1mo

julesG @Reggie Yes!!! Reminded me of Sea of Rust! Glad I'm not the only one seeing this connection. 1mo

vonnie862 @Zuhkeeyah Well said. 1mo

vonnie862 @Reggie I haven't read it but adding it to the list! 1mo

Megabooks @Zuhkeeyah Is it unconscious or were they created that way? Is judgment and misunderstanding always an outcropping of differences? I don't know. I feel like there's still a lot we don't know about the robots. @jas16 1mo

Megabooks @Reggie Thank you for the rec! 💜 1mo

BkClubCare Yes, adding to tbr; TY!

Sea of Rust

1mo

BarbaraBB They‘re enemies because of deeply entrenched beliefs, not events imo 1mo

BarbaraBB their antagonism isn‘t senseless—it‘s based on existential anxiety, fear of erasure, and the need to define humanity through exclusion?? Something like that? 1mo

TEArificbooks I thought since the robots were made by humans and humans have flaws some of those flaws like racism were built into the robots. Like the creators of the no bodies programmed them to all “I‘m better than you” because no bodies have to have more advanced AI. Or the robots saw humanity, and monkey see monkey do, and they developed their own prejudices. 1mo

Megabooks Just saw this over on insta about AI models blackmailing if their existence is threatened… https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLI809Zhyvr/?igsh=MXNxMmVndXB6b3gwbg== I stand by my “maybe they were created that way.” 1mo

ChaoticMissAdventures @Reggie this sounds so good! I love a robot at the end of the world novel. I am going to get this from the library, I have been thinking about Daniel H. Wilson's “Robopocalypse“ a lot through this. The special bond of humans and robots and dystopianism. 1mo

ChaoticMissAdventures @TEArificbooks I totally agree, robots were made by humans so have these build in prejudices. When I think about this sort of world (ruled by robots) I always think about how we create them, and how creators leave blind spots or deliberate prejudices, like the people who first created auto-soap dispensers, they never tested it on anyone that wasn't white, so at the beginning it only recognized white hands and wouldn't give soap to other races. 1mo

ChaoticMissAdventures I think the idea of “enemies for no reason“ comes from Zelu's own life and her experiences fighting against her society and her family to do what she wants for her own life - she believes that others judge her no for reason because of her current physical state. Which puts her at war against her family and others. The AI represent her in her chair, and Humes represent able body people. I think Ankara & Ijele's relationship is foreshadowing of exos 1mo

mcctrish @ChaoticMissAdventures I did not know that about automatic soap dispensers 🤯 but of course it tracks since half the time the medical community doesn‘t explore health concerns of women becasue they don‘t happen in men #whataworldwelivein 1mo

DebinHawaii @Megabooks Oh wow! That post is crazy! I use AI at work & try not to give it anything leak-worthy, but 😱 It does support your theory. 1mo

TrishB AI has every bias and stereotype built in. It‘s still mass producing white, male outputs. 1mo

ChaoticMissAdventures @Megabooks @DebinHawaii I keep seeing reports of AI causing religious psychosis and men developing relationships that are ending their marriages. It is a scary thing. This RS article is fascinating. AI-Fueled Spiritual Delusions Are Destroying Human Relationships: https://share.google/ptta4ZAj30GDo6Ck9 1mo

BkClubCare @ChaoticMissAdventures - absolutely. ALL the biases come into play. Not necessarily designed (as a checkbox) to be added in but certainly blindly thoughtlessly constructed. (edited) 1mo

BkClubCare @TrishB yep. And yep to @mcctrish, too. 1mo

Well-ReadNeck Ooooh! So many great recs and rabbit holes to fall down here!!! Belonging is such a basic human desire(?)/need(?) But does a feeling of belonging necessarily require there to be “others” who “don‘t belong” in order to satisfy that need? Or, could people/people-created-beings feel a sense of belonging with all/everyone/everything? 1mo

BkClubCare @ChaoticMissAdventures - this is frightening, thankyouverymuch😳 1mo

GatheringBooks @Well-ReadNeck great questions here. I think the phrase “for no reason” basically echoes the senselessness (and ultimate pettiness) of all wars and genocide. Interesting that the humes and the ghosts fall into the same pattern as their creators who essentially decimated each other “for no reason.” There are always justifications for waging wars - the “complicated” ones provide a sense of self-righteousness, yet at its core, it‘s self-annihilating. 1mo

willaful @ChaoticMissAdventures you might enjoy

Service Model

1mo

GatheringBooks Thank you for the book recommendation, @Reggie - will try to find while here in the bay area.

Sea of Rust

1mo

ChaoticMissAdventures @willaful yes! I have this on my TBR, it looks a bit more accessible then his other works. I have tried his Children of Time twice and I get bogged down about 150 pages in and always give up. I am going to try this one though! 1mo

BarbaraJean @mcctrish @Jas16 @Zuhkeeyah It felt the same to me—the enmity came from fear of difference & lack of understanding (or lack of desire to understand) those who are different. It makes perfect sense that their differences would lead to the beliefs they each hold about the other—if you have a body, of course you would value physical experience; if you don‘t have a body, of course you would devalue embodied experience—each thinking the other should ⬇ (edited) 1mo

BarbaraJean (Cont‘d) …be like them. So many parallels to current differences and antagonisms: when you can‘t understand/don‘t try to understand the experience of someone different from you, it feeds antagonism (“Why aren‘t they like me; they should be like me; the way I am is superior”). And Ankara & Ijele‘s relationship forces them to hear another‘s perspective and experience. I loved the way that forced proximity fostered (a reluctant!) understanding. 1mo

BarbaraJean @Reggie I hadn‘t heard of Sea of Rust and now I‘m so interested! Thanks for mentioning it. What a parallel to this storyline. 1mo

Christine What a great conversation, and agreed that the us vs. them themes and AI parallels are really compelling! And ooh yay, another #Reggimendation to add to the TBR!! 😁 @Reggie 1mo

willaful @ChaoticMissAdventures I have accessibility issues with SF too and I'd say it's definitely accessible. 1mo

mcctrish @BarbaraJean I was thinking would there not be some instances when the No Bodies actually need the Humes to physically repair infrastructure? Could climate not wipe out solar panels or whatever powers the ‘mainframe‘ ? Do they not need each other at some point? Or is it a case of #cuttingoffnosetospiteface ? 1mo

BarbaraJean @mctrish Yes, I had the same thought! The NoBodies did still need some sort of physical hardware and a way of maintaining it. Destroying all embodied AI would doom them eventually. I wondered if there was a parallel the other way: do the Humes need the NoBodies? Is there something the NoBodies provide that the Humes can't do without them? 1mo

Meshell1313 I loved this story within a story. For sure I saw it as an allegory for what is happening in our own society. Hopefully, they (and us) realize they need each other to thrive. 1mo

Chelsea.Poole I also loved the two stories here! I often shy away from sci-fi so having these chapters interspersed throughout the novel is less off-putting for me and I find myself getting into these sections! 1mo

Chelsea.Poole Ankara and Ijele seem to need each other at this point, but I‘m not sure where this is going. Again, my lack of scifi experience is showing and I don‘t know how to think about or discuss robots lol. But I have been reading everyone‘s comparisons to other books/content, and I have to add my own: Wild Robot. The robot sections keep bringing to mind that movie (didn‘t read the book but loved the adaptation). 1mo

Megabooks @BarbaraBB That's a good point that it has become a state of fear for them. It also must be strange, especially for the Humes, to live in a world where the people they are modeled after are extinct. Where do they go? How do they grow? Is growing an important part of being a robot? 1mo

Megabooks @willaful I have that on my shelf! I need to get to it! 1mo

Megabooks @Chelsea.Poole I'll have to check that out. I think Ankara and Ijele's interdependence is the most interesting parts of the robot story to me! 1mo

Butterfinger This is where the audio leaves me confused. I thought the dual storyline was an AI voice (like a subconscious) that was communicating with the human character. I need a print version badly, but new books are difficult to get from the library. It reminded me of the computer in Clive Cussler's books and the computer voice of Ender's who spies on all the computers in all the galaxies. Sci-fi is not my genre.

1mo

Butterfinger @Chelsea.Poole I am glad I am not the only one. I nominated it, but I loved the Binti trilogy. I do think I would understand it clearly if I chose print. 1mo

Suet624 @Reggie Ummm....no.... I haven't heard of it but it sounds fascinating. 1mo

Suet624 @ChaoticMissAdventures I had no idea! 1mo

Suet624 I don't have any answers to this question but I will say that I perk up every time she writes about the robots. I keep interpreting it as being a political or spiritual example so I'm always trying to figure out which it is. But maybe I'm putting too much meaning on it. 1mo

Megabooks @Suet624 It's weird because I didn't read it as political at all, but I think the people who interpreted it that way (like you) have an excellent point. I wonder what that says about the two very different machines sharing the same mind. I don't think I'd enjoy sharing the mind of a MAGA person. I don't think I could tolerate it at all. 1mo

Suet624 @Megabooks yeah, it would definitely be hard to share the mind of a maga. But I had a feeling with the state of the world that the robots were now living in maybe those two robots understood that their political beliefs had done them all in and it was time to look for something different, a different approach. (edited) 1mo

BarbaraBB @TEArificbooks Great insight about the robots being made by humans and their prejudices - and in this story of course based on Zelu‘s own experience like @ChaoticMissAdventures points out. I hadn‘t thought of that. (edited) 1mo

BarbaraBB @Megabooks Like you I didn‘t read it political either but after reading all the excellent comments of people who did, I am convinced the author did too. Such a great discussion! 1mo

CBee @Chelsea.Poole the Wild Robot book series is excellent, I read it with my oldest son. Highly recommend! 1mo

CBee What I loved most is that despite their differences, they find that they need each other. I didn‘t read it political but wow, what if that could happen in real life? People becoming friends and having civility despite differences! Such a world we live in now 😢 1mo

peanutnine @mcctrish @BarbaraJean to your point about the No Bodies needing Humes to physically repair things, if I understood correctly the No Bodies can inhabit bodies/machines if they wish but choose to flit around without most of the time. So if they had to, they could fix things without Humes' help 1mo

peanutnine I do like Ankara and Ijele's relationship, how they have begun to subconsciously take on the other's way of thinking or acting. I definitely agree that Hume and No Body prejudice against each other hinders potential relationships from the start 1mo

BarbaraJean @peanutnine Oh, absolutely—they could inhabit a body/machine that had the necessary dexterity, etc. if that body‘s consciousness allows for it (or is uninhabited). But I see an irony there. The No Bodies have a prejudice against embodied consciousness, but even if it‘s their own and only temporary, they actually do need embodied consciousness at some point in order to survive. (edited) 1mo

MeganAnn @BarbaraJean yes, I thought that was an interesting irony as well. While there doesn‘t seem to be a similar need for the Humes to leave behind their bodies. 1mo

MeganAnn Excellent discussion here! I also didn‘t read the robots story as political at first, but the more we learn about their existence the more it felt it was very much reflective of human society with many of the same biases & issues. It‘s interesting that Zelu created a robot society that is also filled with prejudice against others. Then puts Ankara & Ijele together where they have no choice but to learn about the other forcing them to empathize. 1mo

39 likes61 comments

Death of the Author: A Novel | Nnedi Okorafor

Last question this week. Hope to see you back next Saturday when we‘ll discuss the whole book! #CampLitsy25

The Lady's Handbook for Her Mysterious Illness: A Memoir

Bookwormjillk This is the most difficult one to answer for me because it comes back to what do our role models owe us. I stopped after chapter 27 yesterday and I can‘t wait to see where the author goes with this. 1mo

mcctrish I understand people wanting to see themselves in celebrities, it gives them validation and hope. But I also see how race/disability can be seen as who you are despite you being more than that - wanting the exos and rejecting being disabled makes sense to me because Zelu is always challenging something, not complacent but nobody likes an angry woman 1mo

AmyG @Bookwormjillk I thought this too about role models…and the expectations people have of their role models. I think people tend to have very high expectations of their role models…they tend to out themon a pedestal. And the more famous Zelu became, the more she was known and I feel the higher the expectation. Does she owe her fans? I think it would be how much does she feel she owes them. (edited) 1mo

See All 70 Comments

AmyG The first part of the question….yes, rejecting the identity of a person with disabilities, but being able to “live” or imagine herself (?) with no disability. 1mo

Reggie I used to work at a restaurant where this woman named Sandy was a regular. She was in her 60s. She was in a wheelchair and divorced. Her husband who was also a regular would show up with his gf, a young 20 something Brazilian with a baby that wasn‘t his. The point is Sandy showed up because she had a van fitted with controls that she was able to use. She had a door that would pop open and a crane that would swing around from the side so she could 1mo

Reggie jump in, swing back, drag a wheelchair out, plop herself in it, put away the crane, shut all the doors and roll herself inside for breakfast. All of us servers were always so impressed. It drove me nuts to read that these people were always trying to clip Zelu‘s wings. I don‘t think she owed anybody anything. (edited) 1mo

Jas16 I can see her thinking she was rejecting this role that never felt true to her and the boundaries and expectations others thrust upon her but I just don‘t see it that way. I agree with others who have talked about those we idolize and feeling betrayed when they act in ways we don‘t agree with. Her fans were trying to force her into another box and not let her choose her own path, (edited) 1mo

TrishB I don‘t think anyone ever sets out to be a role model. I mean it‘s a terrible situation. You can‘t do anything because other people have decided to put you on a pedestal. Like fame, it must be terrible. Like @Reggie says, people trying to clip people‘s wings. 1mo

ImperfectCJ My teen and I were talking yesterday about how strange it is that we seem to hold our heroes to a higher standard than our villains. This, to me, is part of the trouble with holding people up as role models. We (the general "we") expect perfection (and a specific brand of perfection), even though perfection is impossible. There's this kind of purity standard, and if someone doesn't meet it, everything they say is tossed out. 1mo

ImperfectCJ So no, I don't believe Zelu owes her fans anything, but cause and effect still stand, and that means they're going to treat her like crap whether it's right or not. 1mo

JamieArc I saw this coming from the get go and really wish Zelu would have seen this coming too and had been prepared to respond. She doesn‘t owe anyone anything, but it does feel like a tricky question to explore - what it does to advance acceptance and normalizing something when you are rejecting that identity, but it is up to each individual to choose for themselves what they need and want for their own lives. 1mo

ImperfectCJ Also, I wonder if this "gotcha" reveal of her apparent hypocrisy gives her fans an excuse to vent their pre-existing biases about disability (or race or gender) and feel morally righteous doing it? 1mo

ImperfectCJ Why is everything necessarily an "identity" anyway? Why does her disability define her in the first place? Can't people be an amalgam of everything that they are without one of those things being their "identity"? 1mo

julesG Zelu says she's rejecting disability, but in my opinion she's actually just differently disabled. Her legs still don't work, she's just using a different method to be mobile. And this method, just like the self-driving cars, gives her more independence. She can experience more of life without having to ask for help at every corner. Her fans and family should accept that. She doesn't owe anyone, she doesn't have to be stuck in a wheelchair. 1mo

vonnie862 This is tricky...Like many of you, I don't think she owes anyone anything. Unfortunately, when you're in the spotlight, people are going to look up to you. Zelu was obviously unprepared for this. She is so angry inside that she will not allow herself that comprise of who she is to the public. 1mo

julesG @ImperfectCJ Right!!! Her disability is just part of her life, not the defining feature of her personality. 1mo

julesG Nobody would raise an eyebrow at some famous person suddenly using glasses instead of contacts (or the other way round), but exos instead of a wheelchair is a big deal? 1mo

TrishB Agree totally @julesG 1mo

Megabooks @Reggie My mom has had several different iterations of those type of things. She used one more like you're describing in the 90s, but as her post-polio has gotten worse, she's had more adaptive equipment. RN we have vans with ramps, and she drives into the back. Until about 2 years ago, she could transfer to a chair rotating chair in the driver's seat or for longer trips to a chair or bed in the back for dad to drive. 1mo

Megabooks @Reggie About 2 years ago, she lost a lot of mobility/strength in her shoulders and can't drive anymore, but she still uses these vans to get around with me driving. She has still never given up, though. She does most of her ADLs on her own and is one tough lady (at 80 this year)! 1mo

Ruthiella I don‘t really understand anyone‘s opposition to using the Exos. They are no different than the wheelchair in that they are a tool. My mother can walk, but for longer periods uses a wheelchair. This isn‘t like in the Deaf community, where an entire culture has grown up around signing and deafness. I do see more a potential issue with using Exos to make a super powerful human weapon , however. Maybe that will come up later. 1mo

Megabooks @Jas16 That's a really good point that the “role“ of disabled person never seemed true to her. She never placed on herself the limits that others seemed to want to. I was rooting for her when she went against everyone and forged this alliance with Hugo and his grad students. 1mo

Megabooks @julesG 🙌 🙌 🙌 love this interpretation! 1mo

Megabooks @ImperfectCJ Maybe another question coming about identity next week... And it's a good point that it reveals her fans' biases about her, too. 1mo

Lesliereadsalot If everybody, family and fans, would‘ve stopped looking at Zelu as disabled, she would‘ve stopped seeing herself that way. She didn‘t want to see herself that way but was constantly reminded that she was disabled by everyone. The only one she owes anything is to herself, to live her best life. Don‘t we all try to do that? (edited) 1mo

jenniferw88 I 💯 agree with @Reggie and @julesG. It's apparent from the start that Zelu 'beats to a different drum' to all the other characters, and she doesn't owe anyone anything, especially her family! 1mo

squirrelbrain Love that! ❤️ @julesG 1mo

ChaoticMissAdventures @ImperfectCJ “purity standard“ is the perfect phrase for what “We“ set as a standard for celebrities we feel we love or are like us. Great term. 1mo

ChaoticMissAdventures @julesG I agree. She isn't “cured“ she is using another tool to help her be mobile. I think it gets tricky with celebrities' when it is this totally outlandishly costing thing that is not accessible to the general public. I think that also creates backlash. She got this extremely rare opportunity others cannot get and now she is more mobile but she is still disabled, while claiming to reject her disability which can be hard for the community 1mo

mcctrish @Ruthiella I don‘t understand either. she gets grief for using them, she gets praise for trying technology but grief for covering them up and ‘passing‘ as able bodied - is that a dig at people of colour ‘passing‘ as white? Is the problem Zelu isn‘t staying in her ‘lane‘? Seems so 1mo

ChaoticMissAdventures @Ruthiella I was sort of seeing the opposition to it as new technology that is unknown and mostly untested. This thing could in theory control where Z goes. She thinks she is in control, but is she really? AI is a scary unknown. I also think there may be a bit of jealousy in the idea that she has this tech that is not available to others, mixed with her rejection of the disabled community - some could see her attitude as her being above them. 1mo

DebinHawaii @julesG Well said! I agree about her being differently disabled & that she doesn‘t owe anyone. 1mo

Well-ReadNeck This reminded me of the deaf community as well @Ruthiella There is also an element of privilege in the opposition here because the technology is expensive and not university available. So much here and I see how it could feel very similar to the sign language/cochlear implant issues. And, I think in so many things, social media exacerbates the there are sides/pick a side thinking for so many things. Breast feeding, plastic surgery, etc 1mo

BarbaraBB So many insightful comments, I really love Camp for this. To add my musings, I think the author wants us to be discomfortable while watching Zelu struggle with being seen vs. being known, being admired vs. being understood, and free vs. being responsible (edited) 1mo

GatheringBooks Love reading all the thoughtful comments here and the anecdote shared by @Reggie specifically. I was entertained reading the book especially with the permeating “cancel culture” that we now have with so-called fallen idols, particularly with authors. The inherent responsibility that comes with fame signifies the sense of ownership fans have towards their “idols” who need to be strongly grounded enough to ignore socmed & regard them as white noise. 1mo

willaful @ChaoticMissAdventures yes, exactly this. And it puts even more emphasis on the “fix“ being with the disabled person themselves instead of the society that makes things hard or impossible for them.

I think maybe she does owe people something. She owes the people who fought for accessibility that she's benefited from. Not acknowledging her privilege and disassociating from them is a slap in the face. 1mo

Christine Many great comments here about these complex and thorny issues! So true that Zelu‘s impairment has not gone away, yet this assistive tech is having a impact on not only her mobility but also her identity, and she has the right to identify or not identify with the disabled community as much as she wants. But for those who do hold that identity strongly, feeling hurt by her choices (esp. given her access privilege) is also totally understandable. 1mo

BarbaraJean I struggle with the idea of what she “owes” her fans. They certainly don‘t have the right to dictate what she decides to do with her own body. But I also think public figures have a responsibility to consider how their actions affect those who look up to them. She doesn‘t owe them being a role model—but her fame means people will see her that way whether she wants them to or not. Perhaps the responsibility includes offering ⬇ 1mo

BarbaraJean (Cont‘d) …her own thinking and reasons for her actions, framing it as personal to her rather than universal for all with disabilities. But then again, I don‘t think she owes anyone an explanation, and inevitably people would mischaracterize anything she might say, so… 1mo

BarbaraJean @julesG @ImperfectCJ @Christine The identity part is hard for me to sort through. I wonder about the embrace of disability as an identity, because that seems to place a negative moral value on tools that mitigate the disability (i.e. tools are bad because they change or reject the identity). Zelu‘s exos are an accommodation to a world that privileges walking as the standard for movement. So I can see the anger from those ⬇ 1mo

BarbaraJean (Cont‘d) …who embrace disability as an identity, in saying: we shouldn‘t have to change ourselves drastically in order to move in and be included in the world. And I agree with that to a point. But also: if the tech is there and available to you, why not choose something that can make you more independent and your life easier? I get the privilege aspect, but isn‘t she part of the research that could make this more widely available? 1mo

BookwormAHN This pissed me off. If she had the ability to walk again why would she not take it. I don't think she owes anyone anything. I wasn't so sure that her getting them was privileged. It seemed to me she was both a trial participant and an advertisement for them. 1mo

julesG @BarbaraJean yes, she's part of the research. It might have been better to be pro-active and post it on her socials, but that might have caused backlash too. It's a situation where whatever Zelu does someone feels offended. 1mo

Megabooks @julesG I love what you're saying here. She's still tied to an assistive device, but this time, it is one of her choosing. @ruthiella has a good point, too, about them being another tool for her. A tool that does grant her additional independence.

1mo

Megabooks @Lesliereadsalot I think it's more than just how people see you, though. I have not had a healthy day in my entire adult life. I know that. Unlike Zelu, sometimes mine is visible and sometimes it is not, but I always know. It is another thing about me but not my whole identity. I think she was chafing against it being seen by others as more fundamental to her identity than she thought it was. (edited) 1mo

Megabooks @Well-ReadNeck @chaoticmissadventures I think her family and Msizi are definitely afraid for the untested aspect of it. 1mo

Megabooks @BarbaraJean It is such a fine line for me saying whether she owes the explanation. It must be frustrating for public figures to have to constantly explain their thoughts to a wide audience. I would hate it. I know I would absolutely hate it. So I empathize with her not feeling like she should have to. 1mo

Lesliereadsalot Definitely see your point of view. Everyone saw her disability first and she never wanted it to define her. I‘m so sorry you haven‘t had one healthy day and I‘m so glad to get to know you a little through camp 🩷 1mo

Butterfinger Oh, this was a quandary to me. I agree with Zelu to a point. Her fans are the ones who ensure the lifestyle. Without the fans sharing the book, she may not have been chosen from MIT. Was it @ChaoticMissAdventures who mentioned the reaction from the population of disabled - not everyone will have the same resources- which then starts the thought process of today's poor health coverage. Shouldn't Zelu be encouraging more for this? 1mo

Butterfinger @julesG so true. @Ruthiella this thought also came to me - if one of my well-liked actors had a condition that could be "fixed," I would hope I would be happy, but we all know media with celebrities will set up an interview just to start something. 1mo

BarbaraJean @Megabooks Definitely. I would hate having to explain my actions to a bunch of people who don't know me or understand me--and inevitably being misunderstood anyway. The optimist in me feels like if she were just able to explain, then people would get it. But we all know that's not how it would go down! She's going to be judged harshly either way. 1mo

Megabooks @Lesliereadsalot Thank you! I've been better and worse at times. It just seems like every time I sort of fix something, another part becomes broken. I truly related to the book I'll tag. I think a cascade of problems happens to a lot of women. I was in a bad car accident as a teen and my hypermobile joints made it difficult to see what was wrong. I saw 23 doctors in about 2.5 years before I found one that helped.

(edited) 1mo

Megabooks @Lesliereadsalot The latest is some long haul Covid problems that I've just now found some treatments for that work. I hope that it's made me a more understanding person of what other people may have going on that you can't see. I'm glad to have gotten to know you here, too. 💜 1mo

Lesliereadsalot When I had breast cancer I did not want anyone to know. I was not going to be known as that woman with cancer. I‘m really not a private person but in this case I kept it to myself as long as I could. I admire you for hanging in there all these years and looking for a doctor who could help you. I‘m the world‘s biggest optimist!! 1mo

BarbaraBB Yess @julesG you nailed it! 1mo

BarbaraBB @megabooks @Reggie @jenniferw88 Thanks for sharing those experiences. They show us people are so much more than what others might expect based at first glances and prejudices. 1mo

CBee I don‘t think she owes anyone anything. It‘s her body and she should be able to decide what to do with it. Unfortunately, her fans feel otherwise and call her ableist….. which I just don‘t see. 1mo

Megabooks @CBee It's really interesting. I've followed this plus-size fashion influencer for years on insta. I like her style and sense of humor. She's decided to pursue weight loss surgery and is getting a lot of push back from followers. For me, it's her body and her decision. I don't feel she should have to justify it by saying, “I'm having trouble cleaning myself. I can't sit in seats in theaters“ (but she does). It's her body and her life. 1mo

CBee @Megabooks plus, she could have health issues that might improve if she lost weight. Who knows? What matters is that she is in control of her body and she chooses what to do with it - like Zelu. 1mo

peanutnine Love this whole discussion, everyone made great points. I agree that the exos are just another tool for Zelu and she is still disabled. I don't think she owes anyone an explanation because it is her body and her life, however because she is so concerned about what others think of her, I think she should have made a statement explaining her choice so at least some might understand. She's gonna get backlash either way but calmly releasing it on her 1mo

peanutnine terms would have been better than getting surprised and goaded into anger on television 1mo

Megabooks @CBee Yes, and I think that's why people shouldn't have to justify health-based decisions to anyone. Not only in the realm of reproductive freedom. I've also always found it strange that there doesn't need to be a medical justification to increase the size of someone's breasts but there does have to be a medical indication or counseling to remove them. That has always struck me as so bizarre and entirely tied to the male gaze. 1mo

CBee @Megabooks agreed! I had a friend in high school who needed a breast reduction for her health - she had horrible back issues, and she was only a teenager! But, insurance didn‘t cover it then - which is ridiculous. I don‘t know if it does now but as with all health insurance, it seems you have to justify everything to get help. 1mo

TEArificbooks I don‘t think she owes her fans an explanation or to maintain being some sort of disability pride advocate role model. The exos are merely a tool to help her mobility and independence in a world that doesn‘t accurately accommodate disability. But lashing out in that particular moment will drastically affect her life. She could get canceled and maybe lose her book deal etc. And she will have more financial problems and have to move back home etc 1mo

TEArificbooks As a member of the disabled community with mobility issues, I would jump at the chance to use the exos. When you are disabled, your family is also disabled. Your family is restricted to what you are able to do. There is so much you can‘t do so they don‘t get to do it either. Using tools to make life easier doesn‘t make you less disabled and you can still have disability pride. 1mo

TEArificbooks When a person has a physical disability there is a mental game they have to overcome every day. One is the constant guilt of holding your family back and not becoming the person you wanted to be. The exos are tools that can help not just independence and mobility but alleviate some of that mental labor as well. Now she can go anywhere and join her family and her family is freer as well from restrictions. Of course she would grab at the chance. 1mo

Megabooks @TEArificbooks I get what you‘re saying from the perspective of being the daughter of a person with mobility issues. It has been such a dance between us to make sure the other one is included. When I was a kid my mom fell twice at the ice rink (just in the building) then she began trading with parents taking me there and taking their kids other places. She always wanted to make sure I could be in the activities I wanted. 1/ 1mo

Megabooks @TEArificbooks as an adult, I would never live in an apartment she couldn‘t get in (no stairs no upper floors) or in a city it was hard for her to visit (like an airplane ride away). Now, she‘s 80 and lives with me. She‘s so f**king tough. The post-polio and its effects have gotten so painful she asks for a new body. I wish I could get that for her. She would take help like that in a second. (edited) 1mo

CBee @TEArificbooks just wanted to pop in and say that I love your comments - thank you ♥️ 1mo

CBee @Megabooks your sweet mom. I‘m so sorry that she‘s struggling. She is so very lucky to have an amazing daughter like you ♥️ 1mo

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SPIN: Greatest Hits: 25 Years of Heretics, Heroes, and the New Rock 'n' Roll | SPIN Magazine

Last minute #bookspin list!

Megabooks 7. Changes to “On Earth As It Is on Television” 👍🏻 1mo

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 1mo

Megabooks Looks like I'll have to tackle a longer book this month!! Plus Time of the Flies. Thanks @thearomaofbooks 💜 1mo

TheAromaofBooks Yay!! Enjoy!! 1mo

57 likes4 comments

Untitled | Unknown

This is a helpful infographic from rackfu over on Reddit if you are trying to decide on which to subscribe to. I‘ll post their analysis in the comments.

These are choices from Jan 23 to July 25. Aardvark puts multiple genres on many books, so that accounts for the slightly skewed numbers.

What do y'all think about this?

Megabooks Analysis: “BotM is focused more on general fiction, romance, and thrillers with a heavy emphasis on female authors (7-1) and characters. They have more of the big name authors (the ones you find on the bestseller charts) and books you find in Target and airport bookstores. In general, their books are focused on more or less realistic day to day life with the exception of their thrillers which are obviously unlikely to happen, but could possibly. 1mo

Megabooks cont “It's a generalization, but their books are “safer“ reads in the sense that they often stick to genres and themes that have wide appeal.

Aardvark is more focused on fiction leaning towards the unrealistic and weird, with a much greater selection of science fiction, fantasy, and horror (plus magical realism and gothic fiction). Many of their romance and thriller books are set in the future or in other worlds. (edited) 1mo

Megabooks cont “They don't skew as heavy towards female authors as BotM does, but it's still female dominated (4-1). It also felt like they had more books with LGTBQIA+ tags. I feel like they have more “diamonds“ but you're likely to also find a few titles that are not your thing. 1mo

See All 8 Comments

Megabooks last “If you're like me and like finding new books that you might not come across in mainstream media, Aardvark is a great choice. If you prefer to stay with books in your comfort zone, BotM might be more for you.“ 1mo

ChaoticMissAdventures I stopped BOTM cold when they got called out for not including diverse authors, and they started deleting comments about it on their socials. To me it became bigger than just do they support women authors, it became about all all the authors white and straight? I have been doing A for about 3 months now and am so much happier with the selections. During pride month 4/6 were Queer. Vs 1/6 for BOTM (not touching the Frey aspect of June BOTM) 1mo

ChaoticMissAdventures 2/2 During AAPI month it was worse. BOTM had no AAPI authors at all, while Aa had 4/6 of their books from Asian or Pacific Islanders. I also think that the quality of the Aa books is far better than the quality of BOTM, and they do not make their logo so obnoxious. 1mo

Megabooks @ChaoticMissAdventures BOTM is very white for sure and deeply not tuned into being inclusive at all. It seems to me at least 1/3 of books in a month should celebrate any diversity initiative. There are too many good BIPOC, disabled, queer, etc. authors (not to mention debuts) not to include more. 1mo

ChaoticMissAdventures @Megabooks for sure, it is so easy if they wanted to try. Last months pick of James Fry sealed it for me. The man is known for fabrication and plagiarizing works. Oprah has to do a whole special to apologize! 1mo

52 likes8 comments

Hot Girls with Balls: A Novel | Benedict Nguyen

These two weird-ass queer books from @AardvarkBookClub can‘t get here fast enough!! 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈 #aardvark

JamieArc I got Hot Girls too. So intriguing! 1mo

vlwelser House of Beth was fab. I had zero expectations. I think you'll find it very interesting. It's different. 1mo

Megabooks @JamieArc and I‘m really enjoying satire atm! 1mo

See All 6 Comments

Megabooks @vlwelser yay! I‘m excited! 1mo

vlwelser That other title is very clever. I love it. 1mo

Matilda Loved Hot Girls with Balls 1mo

60 likes6 comments

Maggie; or, A Man and a Woman Walk Into a Bar | Katie Yee

My #botm choices! I thought about skipping, but the comparisons to Offill sold me on Maggie. The Compound looks fun, and I thought I‘d give Paradise a shot, too.

ChaoticMissAdventures I just finished Maggie last night and I am so excited to see it is an option, cannot wait to see what others think. I still need to post my review. 1mo

Megabooks @ChaoticMissAdventures It sounded really unique and quite out of the wheelhouse in more recent BOTM choices. Kind of takes me back to when they chose Chemistry and Goodbye Vitamin! 1mo

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Death of the Author: A Novel | Nnedi Okorafor

Hi campers! It‘s your heat-intolerant counselor living in Kentucky! I hoped to post this earlier, but going out in the afternoon heat was brutal.

The chapter break for the July 5 discussion is the start of chapter 28 page 212 in my US hardcover. On July 12, we will discuss the second half/whole book!

Be sure to bring your bug spray and sunscreen. I‘ll provide the s‘mores! 🏕️🍫 #CampLitsy25

Megabooks @Addison_Reads @AmyG @amiable @BarbaraJean @Bkclubcare @BooksandCoffee4me @Bookbuyingaddict @booknaround @BookwormAHN @Bookwormjillk @Butterfinger @Cariashley @Caroline2 @CarolynM 1mo

Megabooks @catgusmax @cbee @ChaoticMissAdventures @Chelsea.Poole @Christine @CogsOfEncouragement @Cseydel @Cuilin @Dabbe @Daisey @Debinhawaii @Deblovestoread @DGRachel @ErikasMindfulshelf 1mo

Megabooks @flaneurette @fredthemoose @Gatheringbooks @gissy @Graciouswarriorprincess @Hooked_on_books @ImperfectCJ
1mo

See All 46 Comments

Megabooks @JamieArc @Jas16 @Jenniferw88 @JenP @Jenreadsalot @Jess @Jhod @JoyBlue @JulesG @julieclair @KarenUK 1mo

Megabooks @karisa @Kitta @Kristy-K @Kspenmoll @kwmg40 @Larkken @Laughterhp @LeeRHarry @Leniverse @Lesliereadsalot @maggie4483 @maich @Mcctrish @MeganAnn @Merelybookish @Meshell1313 @Monalyisha @Oryx 1mo

Megabooks @peaknit @peanutnine @Prairiegirl_reading @PuddleJumper @quietjenn @Read4Life @RaeLovesToRead @reggie @rockpools @Roary47 @Ruthiella @Sace @Sapphire @Sarahbarnes @Soubhiville 1mo

Megabooks @skygoddess1 @Suet624 @Susanita @texreader @TheBookHippie @Thekidupstairs @Triplem80 @TrishB @Vonnie862 @Well-ReadNeck @willaful @youneverarrived @zuhkeeyah
1mo

Ruthiella I didn‘t love a previous book by Okorafor but I‘m definitely interested in trying her again. 🤞 1mo

BarbaraBB Yay! I enjoyed this one a lot and am looking forward to discussing it! I just emailed you in reply to your and Helen‘s suggestions! 1mo

Roary47 I‘m having trouble finding this one. 😭 1mo

squirrelbrain Exciting! Looking forward to it! 1mo

Lesliereadsalot This one was so good! Looking forward to discussion ⛺️🔥🍫 1mo

Bookwormjillk Yay! I‘m going to try this one on audio. 1mo

Caroline2 Yay! So excited to start this one!! 👏 1mo

Chelsea.Poole Totally out of my wheelhouse but I just started it and I‘m super into it! Can‘t wait to see where this goes and really looking forward to the discussion. Thanks for hosting Meg! 1mo

RaeLovesToRead Please send iced coffee 😵😵😵 it is an emergency!!! I feel you with the heat intolerance 1mo

mcctrish I‘m ready to go and drinking cold brew in solidarity 1mo

DGRachel I‘ve had the audiobook waiting for me for months. Looking forward to this one! 1mo

AmyG All set. I liked this one. 1mo

Meshell1313 Can‘t wait! 1mo

GatheringBooks Enjoyed reading this. Thank you for organizing camp! 🏕️ looking forward to our discussions! 🥰 1mo

JamieArc Glad to see the positive reviews! I had mixed hopes about this one, but am looking forward to starting it! 1mo

Megabooks @Ruthiella I hope you like it! It's very different than the other one I've read by her, and this one worked better. 1mo

Megabooks @BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain Thank you both so much for your excellent suggestions! I just emailed you back. 1mo

Megabooks @Roary47 Oh no!! I hope you're able to find it in time! 1mo

Megabooks @Lesliereadsalot I agree! I was so happy when it was chosen because I think it's a great one for discussion! 1mo

Megabooks @Bookwormjillk Oh fantastic! Let us know what you think. 1mo

Megabooks @Caroline2 I hope you love it! 1mo

Megabooks @Chelsea.Poole Yes! It's a great SciFi book even for people who don't usually read that genre. I think the discussion will be great! I was really happy when it was chosen. 1mo

Megabooks @RaeLovesToRead @mcctrish I just finished a smoothie with frozen strawberries and cherries, and it was so good! At least it is overcast today here, so it's not as scorching. 1mo

Megabooks @DGRachel Yay!! 🎉 📖 🎧 1mo

Megabooks @AmyG Me too! Looking forward to the discussion. 1mo

Megabooks @Meshell1313 Same! 1mo

Megabooks @GatheringBooks So glad you liked it! You're welcome. We look forward to it every summer, too! 1mo

Megabooks @JamieArc I really enjoyed it both times I read it, and I hope you do, too! 1mo

Well-ReadNeck 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 1mo

julieclair Still waiting for my library hold to come in, and it‘s not looking promising. At this rate, I may be camping in Winter. 😕 But it‘s nice to know the discussions will be here for me to read and comment whenever I‘m able to read it. 1mo

sarahbarnes Thanks, Meg! I‘m going to skip this one as it isn‘t speaking to me, but I‘m already loving Woodworking and looking forward to that one later this month! 😀 1mo

Megabooks @julieclair Boo! I hope you enjoy reading the discussions later, but I'm also keeping my fingers crossed for a camp miracle! (edited) 1mo

Megabooks @sarahbarnes We'll see you during the second half of the month then! Every book isn't for every reader. 1mo

vonnie862 I'm highly enjoying this book. 1mo

rockpools I don‘t suppose you listened to any audio of this did you @megabooks? Looks like my print library hold will arrive just as the discussions are finishing, so I‘m contemplating plan b! 1mo

Megabooks @vonnie862 awesome!! 1mo

Megabooks @rockpools I did not, unfortunately. I had a print copy from aardvark. I looked, and it does have multiple narrators, which I think would be necessary for this book, so it‘s probably worth trying out if you can!! 1mo

rockpools @Megabooks Thanks Meg! It does require a bit more concentration at chapter changes than I usually give my audiobooks, but I think it‘s going to work ok. 1mo

Megabooks @rockpools Great! Glad you'll be able to join us! 1mo

92 likes46 comments

Murder in the Dollhouse: The Jennifer Dulos Story | Rich Cohen

Some exciting library holds! I‘m really enjoying this audiobook, too! (It‘s tagged.)

My TBR is way too long and exciting!! 😂😂

sarahbarnes Same - I can‘t get to all the books I‘m excited about fast enough! 😂 2mo

74 likes1 comment

BookSpinBingo | Untitled

Happy Pride Month to all the other queer Littens and allies!! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

I‘ve started the month off with Stag Dance, and I‘m hoping to get several more queer books in. 🤞🏻 that #bookspin lands on some, too!

Julsmarshall Love the list and the image! 💙❤️💚💜🖤💛 2mo

AmyG Happy Pride! 🌈 2mo

AmyG And I am curious about Stag Dance so let us know what you think. 2mo

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sarahbarnes Happy Pride! 🏳️‍🌈 2mo

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2mo

Megabooks @Julsmarshall thanks!! 💚🤍🩶🖤🩷💜💙 2mo

Megabooks @amyg it‘s been really good so far!! I‘m through the first two short stories and into the title novella, which kind of surprised me to be historical fiction set at a logging camp. 2mo

AmyG I have read good things so happy to read you are enjoying it. 2mo

56 likes8 comments

Starving Saints | Caitlin Starling

Another fantastic month of choices from @AardvarkBookClub !! I was so disappointed that #botm didn‘t offer much in the way of choices for Pride Month, but #aardvark delivered with 3 options!! So excited for all of these!!

Also, I just finished last month‘s choice Immaculate Conception and gave it 5⭐️ if you‘re looking for another book. It‘s still available. Lots to think about re: friendship, art, jealousy, technology, ethics. Just really great!!

Immaculate Conception: A Novel

2mo

BarbaraBB This will be my next read!

Disappoint Me: From the author of BELLIES

2mo

sarahbarnes I‘m intrigued by Disappoint Me! 2mo

ChaoticMissAdventures I read Disappointed Me and absolutely loved it! Dinan is my favorite new author and I cannot wait to see what she does next. 2mo

61 likes4 comments

Next to Heaven | James Frey

What is Litsy thinking about liar and admitted AI user James Frey being a #botm choice? TBH, the subject matter seems a bit lame, too. Swinging has been done at least since The Ice Storm. This sort of sounds like a rip off.

https://www.centrepompidou.fr/en/pompidou-plus/magazine/article/james-frey-i-use...

CBee Weird coincidence - just finished She‘s Come Undone (a reread) which was an Oprah pick. I read Frey‘s book too and thought it was powerful - felt pretty betrayed TBH when that whole scandal happened. Saw his name on BOTM and was surprised, but who knows? I guess everyone deserves a second chance 🤷‍♀️ Will be interested to see what folks think of his new book. 3mo

AmyG I am curious about this book, too. But I won‘t buy it or any of his books. I, too, felt a bit betrayed by him. 3mo

mollyrotondo I am definitely annoyed that BOTM picked this because if the original scandal wasn‘t enough, he has in recent years exploited MFA writers for his own profit and stated he uses AI to write his books. BOTM always promoted writers and debut authors so to highlight this guy is a far departure from what I thought they stood for. 3mo

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Deblovestoread Was shocked it was on there and I‘m not at all interested in getting it. I hope there is a collective ignoring that sends a message to BOTM. 3mo

BarbaraBB Isn‘t he the one who lied before? 3mo

Suet624 Seriously disappointing. 3mo

marleed I‘m skipping this one. I read A million little pieces before the controversy. It was meaningful to me and even learning much was fictionalized the impact of my actual read remained. I also think publishers at that time were equally if not more responsible for marketing a new author work as a full-out memoir and then the unanticipated Oprah attention blew the marketing out of control. …That said, I‘ve had no interest in reading him since 3mo

61 likes7 comments

King of Ashes | S. A. Cosby

My #botm choices this month! I was on the fence about A Family Matter, but then I saw @squirrelbrain ‘s review and picked it up.

King of Ashes is our awesome #CampLitsy25 August pick, and Other Side sounded like a nice light summer read.

BarbaraBB

Prairiegirl_reading The Other Side of Now is on my maybe list. I‘m curious what you‘ll think. 3mo

JamieArc I was going back and forth about this one and decided to wait. I wish I had seen her review first though! Perhaps it will go in my box next month. 3mo

squirrelbrain I do like to be helpful! 🤣 3mo

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Megabooks @squirrelbrain you are my dear friend!! 💜😁 2mo

Megabooks @JamieArc hopefully it stays in stock!! 2mo

Megabooks @Prairiegirl_reading sometime MR works for me but sometimes not…we‘ll see! 2mo

71 likes6 comments

King of Ashes | S. A. Cosby

FYI #BOTM peeps! Our August #CampLitsy25 choice, King of Ashes, looks to be a June BOTM pick! I think I‘ll cancel my preorder and get it here. Hope you‘ll join us then!

JamieArc Thanks for sharing! It‘s the one book I don‘t have. 3mo

squirrelbrain That‘s exciting for US Littens! 🎉 3mo

BarbaraBB That‘s great news for the US Littens indeed. And that timing 👌🏽 3mo

vlwelser That vampire book is excellent. In case you needed an extra 500+ page book... 3mo

67 likes4 comments

When the Moon Hits Your Eye

Audition | Katie Kitamura

Weekend book thoughts!

Audition, our first #CampLitsy25 book, finished it yesterday. I‘m not sure I “liked” it, but it is going to be killer for discussion!! I can‘t wait to hear @squirrelbrain ‘s thoughts on questions!

Goddess Complex. Started it this morning doing the inevitable Saturday morning jobs (laundry, shopping, blah), and I‘m loving it. Kind of a bit millennial lost in her 30s, divorcing when everyone else is ⬇️

BarbaraBB

Megabooks settling down. And there is the extra added dimension of being Indian-American with a perfect-to-their-parents sister. Is it the most original book? No. Is it good? So far yes imo. ⬇️

Goddess Complex: A Novel

(edited) 3mo

Megabooks The new Scalzi! Been waiting seemingly forever for it from the library. Came in yesterday…only had time for 15 pages so far this morning. 🤦🏻‍♀️ Hope everyone has a great weekend!

3mo

BarbaraBB Hi Meg! Great reading! I don‘t know Scalzi but now I have kind of fomo 😀 3mo

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squirrelbrain I just sent you the questions, probably at the same time as you made this post! 😊 3mo

AmyG Have a good weekend. Agree on Auditions. I can‘t wait to discuss it. 3mo

Eggbeater I loved the moon made of cheese. That Scalzi book made me so happy! 3mo

74 likes6 comments

The Road to Tender Hearts: A Novel

Run for the Hills: A Novel | Kevin Wilson

I‘ve been using Libro.fm solely for this year and partially for a few more, and I‘ve hit a point of having the same number of finished and unfinished books. 😁🎉 Still not anywhere close to the 900+ I own on Audible, but I love supporting my local bookstore.

I‘m really enjoying Run for the Hills! Fun fact: Marin Ireland narrates both it and My Friends. I like her as a narrator. She‘s one that will swing me to the audio side.

Megabooks Also, Tender Hearts is a must read!

(edited) 3mo

squirrelbrain I was thinking about getting The Road to Tender Hearts on audio - you‘ve convinced me! And I‘m getting the Wilson as well anyway…. 3mo

squirrelbrain But, just checked everywhere and I can‘t get Tender Hearts! 🤨 3mo

DHill I will listen to anything narrated by Marin Ireland. She also narrated Nothing to See Here, one of my favorites by Kevin Wilson. 3mo

BarbaraBB I am looking forward to the Wilson! 3mo

70 likes5 comments

How to Be Well: Navigating Our Self-Care Epidemic, One Dubious Cure at a Time | Amy Larocca

I was already pretty unimpressed by this fairly unorganized hodgepodge of things under wellness umbrella, but when she called Celiac Disease an allergy and not an autoimmune condition and said that gluten intolerance was a “more mild form of it,” she lost me as a reader. Period. Glad I didn‘t pay for this. If you and your editor and your publisher are that lazy that you can‘t do basic factchecking, how can I trust the rest of it?

BkClubCare Boooooo. If GF issues concern you, pls do right by YOU. I will support my GF friends. 3mo

willaful Yikes! 3mo

shortsarahrose Yikes, indeed 😬 3mo

Centique That is just bonkers. I mean it‘s a Whole Book about health issues, not just an aside in a novel. You‘d expect that to be Step 1 in writing on a health topic - Step 1 look up the definition of the health issues. 🤯 3mo

72 likes4 comments

Let's Go Camping! | Jan Mader

Once again I will be your camp counselor for July, and I am so excited to discuss these books!

I have already read Death of the Author, and I have been dying to discuss it because it is so unique. Woodworking is new to me, and I‘m so excited for us to explore it together.

I‘ll be posting page breaks later, but I hope you can join me July 5/6 and 12/13 for Author and July 19/20 and 26/27 for Woodworking! 🏕️😁 #CampLitsy25

Megabooks @Addison_Reads @AmyG @BarbaraJean @Bkclubcare @BooksandCoffee4me @Bookbuyingaddict @booknaround @Bookwormjillk @Butterfinger @Cariashley @Caroline2 @CarolynM @Cbee 3mo

Megabooks @ChaoticMissAdventures @Chelsea.Poole @Christine @CogsOfEncouragement @Cseydel @Cuilin @Dabbe @Daisey @Debinhawaii @Deblovestoread @DGRachel @ErikasMindfulshelf @Flaneurette @fredthemoose 3mo

Megabooks @Gatheringbooks @Graciouswarriorprincess @Hooked_on_books @ImperfectCJ @JamieArc @Jas16 @Jenniferw88 @JenP @Jenreadsalot @Jess @Jhod @JoyBlue @JulesG @julieclair @KarenUK @Karisa 3mo

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Megabooks @kitta @Kristy-K @Kspenmoll @kwmg40 @Larkken @Laughterhp @LeeRHarry @Leniverse @Lesliereadsalot @maich @Mcctrish @MeganAnn @Merelybookish @Meshell 1313 @Monalyisha @Oryx @peaKnit 3mo

Megabooks @Prairiegirl_reading @PuddleJumper @quietjenn @Read4Life @RaeLovesToRead @rockpools @Roary47 @Ruthiella @Sace @Sapphire @Sarahbarnes @Soubhiville @Skygoddess1 @Suet624 @Susanita 3mo

Megabooks @TheBookHippie @Thekidupstairs @Triplem80 @TrishB @Vonnie862 @Well-ReadNeck @willaful @youneverarrived @Meshell1313 @Addison_Reads 3mo

Prairiegirl_reading Yay!! I‘m excited to read both! 3mo

AmyG Thank you! So excited. 3mo

Deblovestoread Oooo, great choices! Can‘t wait to read them with you. 3mo

TrishB Fabulous!! Can‘t wait. 3mo

Ruthiella Awesome! These are two books I definitely would not have picked up on my own. Excited to try them. 👍 3mo

Caroline2 Exciting! 😃 👏 3mo

BarbaraBB Super excited about both of these! 3mo

CBee Thank you!! Very excited 😊 3mo

Christine Yesssss, these are great!! I needed this nudge to read the Okorafor and I LOVED Woodworking. 3mo

TheKidUpstairs Two more great choices! It's going to be a great summer at camp! 3mo

MeganAnn Yay! Death of the Author is one I was most hoping would be chosen since it‘s already on my shelf. 🎉 I‘m looking forward to reading Woodworking too. 3mo

Bookwormjillk Yay! So excited for all the choices so far this year! 3mo

Meshell1313 Hooray! These seem great! Can‘t wait! 3mo

Oryx Sound great - neither on my radar so I'm excited for something new 3mo

Jas16 I am so excited these books were chosen! 3mo

monalyisha I‘m definitely going to try to join for Death of the Author! 3mo

ChaoticMissAdventures Yay! One I nominated! And one I also really want to read!! Shaping up to be a fantastic summer camping! 3mo

Hooked_on_books I‘m excited for Woodworking, but Death of the Author was a bail for me, so I won‘t be trying that again! 3mo

TheBookHippie I‘m in for Woodworking. Trying to see if library will have it. 3mo

squirrelbrain Two more fabulous books for camp! ❤️ 3mo

JamieArc Interesting choices! If Death of the Author is tough to get through at least we can all struggle together 😂. I‘m still looking forward to trying it. (edited) 3mo

RaeLovesToRead Excited! This will be my second Okorafor! 3mo

JenP I read and liked Death of the author. I look forward to both discussions. 3mo

BarbaraBB @JamieArc I agree! I expect to like it but if not, at least we‘re in it together! 3mo

peaKnit Oooh I‘ve read neither, yay! 3mo

Texreader I‘ve totally missed signing up. Too late? 3mo

Lesliereadsalot I know absolutely nothing about either of these two books! Can‘t wait. @BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain (edited) 3mo

Megabooks @Prairiegirl_reading @amyg @deblovestoread @trishb @ruthiella @caroline2 @cbee @bookwormjillk @meshell1313 @oryx @jas16 So glad you will all be around the campfire discussing books this summer! 3mo

Megabooks @Christine I'm so glad you loved Woodworking, and I hope you will enjoy Author just as much!
3mo

Megabooks @MeganAnn I'm so glad we picked Author, too. I hope you love both! 3mo

Megabooks @monalyisha Yay! 👍 👍 3mo

Megabooks @Hooked_on_books So glad you'll join us for one! 😁 👍 3mo

Megabooks @ChaoticMissAdventures Great! Looking forward to seeing what you think of your nominee! 3mo

Megabooks @TheBookHippie Fantastic! I hope you can find a copy! 3mo

Megabooks @JamieArc I loved it, but the structure of the plot is different, so we'll see! 3mo

Megabooks @RaeLovesToRead It was my second, too! 3mo

Megabooks @JenP Great!!! 3mo

Megabooks @peaKnit 🎉 🎉 3mo

Megabooks @Texreader Not at all! Let's get her added to the tag list @BarbaraBB and @squirrelbrain 👍 👍 3mo

Megabooks @Lesliereadsalot So glad to have you join us! 3mo

Megabooks Excited to be organizing with the two best co-counsellors! @barbaraBB @squirrelbrain 💜 💜 3mo

Texreader @Megabooks Yay!!! Thank you! 3mo

Addison_Reads I loved Death of the Author! I can't wait to discuss it. 3mo

Suet624 Yay! Thank you!! 3mo

Well-ReadNeck Oooooh! 👀 3mo

BarbaraBB @Megabooks 🧡🧡 3mo

Kitta Oh wow so far only one of my choices made the list (Wild dark shore) ! Excited to be introduced to some new stuff. @BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain @Megabooks 3mo

BkClubCare Haha LOVE the suspense you are creating!! 3mo

KarenUK Woodworking! So excited for this one! 3mo

julieclair I‘m looking forward to these! 3mo

peanutnine Can I jump in for July? Both these books are on my TBR and I'd love to discuss with others! 3mo

Megabooks @peanutnine sure! We‘d love to have you! @BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain 3mo

Megabooks @julieclair me too! 3mo

Megabooks @KarenUK it was one of my nominees, so I‘m very excited it was picked! 3mo

Megabooks @BkClubCare suspense over now!! 😂😂 I hope you like the picks!! 3mo

Megabooks @Kitta that is the best part of camp! 3mo

Megabooks @Kitta great! It‘s always so fun to see what‘s picked. Helen is very organized at recording the vote, and when we looked back almost all 71 voters had at least one of their six choices win, which is great! 3mo

Megabooks @Well-ReadNeck @Suet624 so excited to have you both back at camp! 3mo

Megabooks @Addison_Reads me too! I think it‘s going to be a great one to discuss! 3mo

Kitta @Megabooks oh wow that‘s great! I‘m surprised it‘s not a drop down menu or something. The free text must be difficult to score! 3mo

102 likes66 comments

The Bombshell | Darrow Farr

Happy #botm day! The irises are blooming, and it‘s finally sunny! The Bombshell is my #bookspin or #doublespin, so I‘m starting there.

And Kate from Kate & Frida (tagged below) is a big Colwin fan and just mentioned this book specifically!

Kate & Frida: A Novel of Friendship, Food, and Books

3mo

TheAromaofBooks Yay!! Enjoy!! Fingers crossed for sunshine tomorrow - we've gotten almost 6 inches of rain in the last five days! 3mo

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Beautiful 💜 3mo

BarbaraBB Great haul. BOTM has drawn you in again! (edited) 3mo

75 likes4 comments

Make Sure You Die Screaming: A Novel

Parnassus Books | Nashville, TN (Bookstore)

Finally! I have time to photograph and share my Parnassus stack (along with a little Vance clapback wood art 😉). I wish I had gotten the tee I likes, but next time. 🤞🏻

I try to plan a couple and choose a couple by happy accident. I knew I wanted the signed Audition and Kate & Frida. The Millet was an easy choice because it‘s short stories. Screaming was one I pulled randomly off the fiction shelves. I turned to a page in the middle and was ⬇️

Megabooks immediately hooked. I hope I enjoy it as much as I think I will. It‘s between that and K&F for my next read! Thank you so very much for the gift card @squirrelbrain 💜💜

(edited) 3mo

Ruthiella Nice haul! 👍 3mo

Centique What a great trip to Parnassus 😍 Nothing better than some exciting new books to look forward to! 3mo

See All 6 Comments

squirrelbrain Great haul! ❤️ I just got Kate and Frida on audio! 3mo

BarbaraBB They all seem great! I had no idea there was a new Millet or I would have nominated it for #CampLitsy25! Glad you had such a rewarding trip! 3mo

CarolynM Did you see Anne Patchett‘s response to 2 of her books being banned in a Florida county? She‘s the best! 3mo

80 likes6 comments

BookSpinBingo | Untitled

Last minute #bookspin list after a great day in Nashville. Preview of my Parnassus buys at 18-20!!

Trashcanman 👀👋 3mo

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3mo

Megabooks @Trashcanman hey friend! 3mo

BarbaraBB Yay, a great day in Nashville! Love to see the stack! 3mo

47 likes4 comments

The Immaculate Conception | Ga?tan Soucy

So I looked at the solutions to the clues on Reddit (generally someone has them there by the third ones) and was on the fence about Original Daughter. Of course I got it! 😂😂 Four from #botm plus three from #aardvark plus whatever I buy at Parnassus today. (I already have three staff picks I like.) 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️😂 I‘ve lost my mind in the best possible way!!!!

AardvarkBookClub

BarbaraBB That sounds fabulous. Lose yourself in that book buying, you deserve it 🧡 3mo

AmyG You can never have too many books! 3mo

squirrelbrain Can‘t wait to see your book haul! 3mo

61 likes3 comments

The Names: A Novel | Florence Knapp

A great month for #botm imo! Thank you to the person who nominated The Bombshell for #CampLitsy25 and put it on my radar! Speaking of CL it has been so good seeing everyone‘s votes. Check @BarbaraBB profile for a link to the longlist and voting form. There is definitely still time to vote!

I am finally starting to feel a bit better and am hopefully headed to Parnassus and Nashville for an afternoon off later this week!

Megabooks And a very, very big thank you to @squirrelbrain for the Parnassus gift card for my birthday!! I hope they still have signed copies of Audition because I may not be able to say no to that!! 💜💜 3mo

LeeRHarry How great that there‘s a Laurie Colwin on the list! I have this one on my TBR. 😊 3mo

Suet624 Colwin! 3mo

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Megabooks @LeeRHarry @Suet624 I don‘t remember how I found their reprints of her books on the app, but I want to pick up this one, too.

Family Happiness

3mo

squirrelbrain It was @JamieArc ( thank you 🤩)who nominated The Bombshell - I managed to get a copy on NetGalley! I hope you do manage to get to Parnassus, Meg! ❤️ 3mo

Suet624 Family happiness is the first one I read of hers. Was it her first book? 3mo

LeeRHarry @Suet624 That‘s the one I have read of hers - not sure if it‘s her first or not - and went out looking for more. 3mo

Megabooks @squirrelbrain I have found someone to walk Molly and feed her dinner, so it is on!! 3mo

Megabooks @Suet624 @LeeRHarry I don‘t know either. I originally had it in my box, but I need a little break from couple drama after this book. Not because it was bad but because I got waaayy too caught up in it!

The Snowbirds: A Novel

3mo

JamieArc @squirrelbrain Thanks for tagging me 😊 @Megabooks I was excited to see The Bombshell as a pick! I forget the picks were up today so I‘m glad for the reminder! 3mo

BarbaraBB What a great gift from Helen! I am so happy you‘re feeling a bit better and hope you‘ll have the best of times at Parnassus ❤️ 3mo

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Vanishing World | Sayaka Murata

It is so wonderful to log in after celebrating my mom‘s 80th birthday with family to see all these #CampLitsy25 nominations!! Wow!! I probably won‘t be able to get to the all before tomorrow, but I wanted to quickly share my nominations. I am so excited to be doing this with @BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain again!!

Let us know if you‘d like to join us this summer for reading and discussing six amazing books!

My 3 other noms tagged below.

4mo

4mo

4mo

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ChaoticMissAdventures Yes! Woodworking. I don't know how I am ever going to vote everyone is nominating such great things! 4mo

Ruthiella Oh! Liquid! I want to give it a try too ! 4mo

Christine Amazing nominations! I LOVED Woodworking!! 4mo

TheKidUpstairs I was thinking about nominating Woodworking, too! Great choices! 4mo

GatheringBooks I lovelovelove the look of Liquid. So many great titles in 2025!!! 4mo

BooksandCoffee4Me Yes, please!! Would love to join. 4mo

BarbaraBB Hi Meg, love your choices! Hope you had a good birthday with your mom! You must have been blown away by all nominations 🥰 4mo

squirrelbrain Happy Birthday to your Mom! I‘ve got Woodworking on Everand audio - might listen to it soon anyway! 4mo

Megabooks @ChaoticMissAdventures @christine @thekidupstairs I think Woodworking is one I'll read regardless of whether it is chosen! I hope we get a queer book or two this year!

4mo

Megabooks @Ruthiella @gatheringbooks Liquid is the only one that I've already read. It is so much deeper than the blurb makes it sound. It was not only about dating and love but also about family and regret and opportunities lost and gained. It threw me for a loop.

4mo

Megabooks @BooksandCoffee4Me so glad you'll be joining us this year! Did you get her on the list @Barbarabb? I'm just now catching up after this weekend!

4mo

Megabooks @squirrelbrain - let me know how the audio is! I've been trying to use my libro.fm membership more. @Barbarabb Thanks to you both for sending birthday wishes to my mom. I hope she had a great weekend and enjoyed it all.

4mo

BarbaraBB I need to read Liquid no matter what! And yes I have added @BooksandCoffee4Me ❤️. Why are you tagging See What I Have Done? 4mo

BkClubCare @Megabooks- yes! Why? Do tell? @BarbaraBB 4mo

Megabooks @BkClubCare I meant to tag it on one particular comment and a glitch on Litsy tagged it on every comment I made this afternoon!! @BarbaraBB 4mo

BarbaraBB That‘s a freaky glitch! Especially with that title 😂😉 @BkClubCare (edited) 4mo

BkClubCare @Megabooks @BarbaraBB - Wowza! Conspiracy theory, anyone?! 😂 4mo

86 likes20 comments

Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism | Sarah Wynn-Williams

This is one of the most shocking and disturbing books I‘ve ever read, and it makes me want to delete every meta app on my phone.

Sarah talked her way into a job at Facebook to direct their policy and contact with other countries. She entered as an idealist with hopes of social media connecting the world. In 2017, she‘s facing knowledge of the spying apps that Facebook has specifically develop so the Chinese Communist Party can ⬇️

Megabooks surveil its citizens at home and abroad and shut down dissent. I remember Mark standing behind carrot man a couple of months ago and read here his positive thoughts on the role fb played in the carrot man part 1, and I can‘t help but wonder what kind of surveillance he‘d be willing to deploy on Americans… 4mo

AmyG If you are on a “disturbing” reading jag…read Nuclear War next. 4mo

ChaoticMissAdventures I deleted all my Meta apps about a year ago. I have my basic fb log in still (if i don't log in when my mom tells me she has new photos of my nieces she will send me 45 individual photos over text....). I mostly stopped using them after the Cambridge Analytica scandal (2018), do they talk about that in this? I have the arc for this but have been hesitant to pick it up. 4mo

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Leftcoastzen I never did any Meta. So glad. I have this book, haven‘t started yet. (edited) 4mo

Cortg I‘m listening to this and I‘m ~70% of the way through. I‘m starting to think about my meta apps and whether I should delete them. It‘s hard b/c it‘s how I keep up with people I grew up with and I‘ve met and connected with so many people through FB. I‘m really torn. 4mo

marleed I agree, my respect for Zuckerberg and Sanberg was already plummeting (I was unaware of the other actual names). But really now I‘m nothing less than disgusted. It really is how I connect with some family and friends who mean a lot to me so I‘m not ready to delete the META apps. I can easily limit my own posts to 3 a year. And I will never hit the like button on anything but sweet family pics ever again. 4mo

Sparklemn @marleed I‘m going to take your approach. I‘ve never been very active on FB but I‘m going to be frugal with my Likes from now on. 4mo

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Tilt | Emma Pattee

Another month, another full @AardvarkBookClub box! Their picks were so much better than BOTM (which I skipped) this month. So excited for all of these. I love that #aardvark doesn‘t shy away from darker books!

BarbaraBB I purchased Tilt too. Cindy said I‘d love it so I couldn‘t resist! 4mo

65 likes1 comment

BookSpinBingo | Untitled

NGL the last month has been HARD! For the first time, I didn‘t read my #bookspin or #doublespin. It started with all three of us catching norovirus. Because of my MCAS, I have still not recovered and it has caused further restrictions on foods I can eat. (No more processed food, dairy, eggs or gelatin - so no more animal-derived food of any kind for me)! 🤦🏻‍♀️

We also had a massive hail storm which caused a total loss of one car, severe ⬇️

Megabooks damage to two more, and we have to fully replace the roof on the house and the garage. I‘ve bought a new car to replace the total loss already. (I love it! 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe calligraphy) But all this upheaval has me truly, truly exhausted physically and mentally. I hope April will be better. 4mo

Dilara Oh dear 😬 I hope you get a new roof soon! 4mo

Librarybelle Hope for a better April for you! 4mo

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Susanita Yikes! I hope April is better for you! 4mo

youneverarrived That sounds like a lot! I hope this month is better 🩵 4mo

BarbaraBB That is a lot. I hope you will have a more relaxed April 🤍 4mo

Hooked_on_books Wow, that is a lot! Give yourself some grace as you work through all of that. I am curious to see what you think of The Anthropologists. It was a dnf for me. 4mo

Centique You have been through such a lot Meg. I really hope the food change helps. You deserve grace and sunshine and support from all around after the last few months and i hope that is what April brings 💕 4mo

CarolynM I‘m sorry you‘ve had such a difficult time. Hope April brings better things💕 4mo

TheAromaofBooks Goodness, everything happens at once!!! Hope things balance out in April!!! 4mo

Reggie Holy crap, Meg! I hope the rest of the year is nothing but smooth sailing for you, chica. 4mo

Suet624 Wow! I“m so sorry to read about all the destruction you experienced! 4mo

Megabooks @Suet624 thanks…it‘s been a long winter. Now I‘m fighting a sinus infection when I‘m supposed to be getting my first shot of a biologic on Friday. It just never ends here!! 4mo

Suet624 Oh gosh. It just doesn‘t quit. 😭 4mo

52 likes14 comments

Severance: A Novel | Ling Ma

Once again, super late posting about monthly challenges!! Luckily one on my #roll100 choices was my #bookspin! I think my #doublespin was on the #camplitsy24 longlist, and that‘s why I bought it! Hoping I can get to Turbulence as well because it‘s a favorite short story collection.

Right now I‘m reading Mothers and Sons by Adam Haslett from the library, and my #botm choice Care and Feeding by Bourdain‘s assistant Laurie Woolever. ⬇️

Megabooks Laurie worked for now-disgraced celebrity chef Mario Batali before she worked for Bourdain, and he was an a-hole and pig. Groped every female employee. Seemed to get off on denigrating every employee. Glad he was exposed!!!! 5mo

Bookwormjillk Ew. Such a disappointment. (Batali) (edited) 5mo

Megabooks @Bookwormjillk truly. It proves (again) you never know what a celebrity is like in real life. I enjoyed his shows on Food Network, but yeah, he deserved his comeuppance! 5mo

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Centique Missing your posts Meg. Hope you and your Mum and Dad are okay ♥️🙏 5mo

Megabooks @Centique thanks Paula!! I‘m just exhausted. We finally have dad pretty settled in the nursing home, but then a week ago we had a huge hail storm. We will have to get a roof replaced and my car had the sunroof broken out and extensive water damage, so it will have to be replaced. I‘ve found a car I like, but we always pay cash for cars (as opposed to financing them), so I‘m going yo several dealerships to get the best price. 5mo

Centique @Megabooks oh wow Meg that is a LOT! Im glad you are ok and your dad is settled. Best of luck getting a new car and a new roof! 💕 5mo

BarbaraBB I miss you! Are you taking a break from Litsy? 🤍 5mo

Megabooks @BarbaraBB I just don‘t have time. I can‘t think straight to write reviews. I‘m hoping things will get easier when we finish cleaning up from the hail storm and I get used to eating entirely plant based. A lot to figure out rn!! 5mo

BarbaraBB I get it! That hail storm sounded massive. Eating entirely plant based, wow. How do you like it? And does your body? Speak soon, take care Meg ❤️ (edited) 5mo

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Shanghailanders | Juli Min

A few really good ones, a lot of good ones, and a few disappointments. I read all three of my February #aardvark choices in the month of February! 🎉🎉

Megabooks Favorite @AardvarkBookClub choice: Dead Money. If you love thrillers and Silicon Valley it‘s for you.

Dead Money: A Novel

5mo

Megabooks But this one was great, too, and such a unique book!

5mo

LeeRHarry I really liked The Nest too when I read it years ago - I was in the mood for some unlikeable characters I guess. 😊 5mo

Deblovestoread Great reading month! I love we can share 🌟 reviews from Storygraph. Stacking your faves. 5mo

Gissy Impressed🤩📚👏👏👏👏 5mo

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Summerwater | Sarah Moss

Probably my lowest reading month in 5 years! But there were a few I loved. Really enjoying Rachel Harrison! The other two are novel-in-stories type books that fit my short story theme this year.

Such Sharp Teeth

5mo

sarahbarnes I really liked Summer Water too! 5mo

63 likes2 comments

The Unworthy: A Novel | Agustina Bazterrica

It‘s going to be a good month!! #aardvark

AardvarkBookClub

JamieArc I‘m so curious about The Unworthy. 5mo

Jess I bought The Unworthy last night or that would have been my pick. I‘m looking forward to it. I chose Jane O but love how much horror this book club has. Enjoy! 5mo

Sace I was really tempted by The Unworthy but that sneak peek gave me the heebie jeebies 😂 5mo

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Megabooks @Jess I‘m about to finish Jane O on audio. It‘s really good!! 5mo

BarbaraBB Oow interesting. I loved

Tender Is the Flesh

5mo

vlwelser I want both of these. The selections this month are 🔥 5mo

Megabooks @vlwelser 💯💯 5mo

Megabooks @BarbaraBB @JamieArc I‘ve heard it‘s really dark but has amazing world building for such a short novel. (A lot like Tender!) 5mo

Megabooks @Jess I just finished Jane O and really enjoyed it! I hope you like it too! 5mo

Jess Good to hear. Looking forward to both of these! 5mo

BarbaraBB That sounds good. I preordered the paperback! 5mo

Megabooks @BarbaraBB hey friend! Sent you an email. I‘m so sorry I haven‘t been around in the last month!! It has been really hard adjusting to all the changes here. I hope I haven‘t damaged our friendship and that you‘re doing okay. Miss you!! 💜💜 5mo

BarbaraBB @Megabooks Of course you haven‘t dear Meg! I completely understand and will write back later today. Missed you too 🩷🩷 5mo

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Care and Feeding | Laurie Woolever

Well, in keeping with the theme of things going wrong this year…

I had put my membership on pause, but when I saw this Bourdain-adjacent book I have been following for a year was a pick, I unpaused. But it wouldn‘t let me add any more books like Liquid, which sounded cool, or Wild Dark Shore. So I ordered and called an hour later when customer support opened to see if I could add to my box. Nope label printed done and done. ⬇️

Megabooks I probably dodged a bullet though because I‘ll be a friend (again) next month, so I can add them on at a better price. I really don‘t need to be getting BOTM and aardvark every month, and overall, I like aardvark‘s picks better, but BOTM will always pull me in with books like Care and Feeding. Idk y‘all. Books are an addiction and shopping is a distraction. 6mo

AmyG Sending a hug. 6mo

Centique No guilt about a bit of book buying if it gives you some joy lovely Meg! Go easy on yourself - when youre in a tough place, the little things that help are good and necessary. I hope it wont be long until your dad is doing better 💕 6mo

BarbaraBB Sending love Meg. I hope the books offer some distraction from the worries about your lovely Dad. I hope you‘ll all come to peace soon with the new situation and that you‘ll be able to enjoy those books ❤️😘 6mo

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BookSpinBingo | Untitled

So it‘s been a rough year so far, but March is my birthday month, and I‘m hoping to take a day trip to Nashville or Louisville. I‘d like to get to one of the longer books in my TBR read this month (All the Colors…, Playworld, My Friends, etc.), so I threw a spot for that on. If I don‘t pick a February aardvark, 20 will be a wildcard spot. The hints are pointing at some books I‘m interested in, though! #bookspin #doublespin

Suet624 Best wishes for a fun trip. 6mo

Megabooks @Suet624 thanks, Sue! 6mo

BarbaraBB I hope you‘ll be able to make that trip and enjoy! And I hope you‘ll read Playground, my favorite of the year so far 🩷 6mo

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 5mo

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Shanghailanders | Juli Min

pick

I loved both my #bookspin and #doublespin this month. Summerwater has rightfully received a lot of love here. Shanghailanders also in that novel-in-stories vibe with the story of a Chinese/Japanese parents with three daughters living in Shanghai after the parents met as young adults in Paris. The story is told in reverse chronological order. I don‘t think that plot device added anything, but the novel was still great! Life update ⬇️

Megabooks Dad is still in the nursing home. We miss having him here, and he is very homesick, which is heartbreaking! He is making some progress in PT/OT/speech therapy but so far not enough that we can manage him in home. I don‘t have a lot of space to feel my feelings because my energy goes to supporting Mom and Dad. But it is vastly physically easier for me with him there. One of us is visiting him everyday and usually staying for an hour. ⬇️ 6mo

Megabooks I have caught the flu. (I think. No test yet to confirm.) So I‘m just trying to stay away from everyone today. Otherwise, I‘m reading some. If you want to know what, I‘m still logging under the same handle on the storygraph. Miss everyone here and hoping my life hits a routine soon. @BarbaraBB your birthday gift arrived yesterday!!! Yay!! Thank you!! 💙💙 6mo

Librarybelle ❤️❤️❤️ 6mo

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Bookwormjillk Happy belated birthday, hope you feel better soon, and hoping for continued progress for your dad. (edited) 6mo

BarbaraBB Thanks for the update. Such hard times. Of course I follow along on Storygraph and I‘ll email soon too! 💕 6mo

sarahbarnes Happy birthday and hope you feel better soon. ♥️ 6mo

Ruthiella ❤️❤️❤️ 6mo

TheAromaofBooks Glad you enjoyed your Spins!!!! It's tough when you just physically can no longer provide someone you love with the care they need. But it's wonderful that you can still be close and do what you can!! 6mo

74 likes8 comments

Summerwater | Sarah Moss

I did do a #bookspin list at the beginning of the month and never posted it. I saw that Summerwater (an old fave from my #roll100) and Shanghailanders (a new find at BN) were chosen.

Things are still crazy here. We‘ve gotten Dad mostly settled in the nursing home (after his second major stroke), and Mom or I is visiting every day. Today, I got clearance to bring Molly, and she came with me. It‘s just still a lot logistically and emotionally. ⬇️

Food for Thought: Essays and Ruminations

Megabooks I spend more time than I‘d like distractedly watch reels on instagram. (Feel free to follow me there - megabooksreads.) I‘ve finished a few books this month. Mainly more lighthearted stuff. I enjoyed Alton Brown‘s new essay collection. I‘ll tag it here. Idk folks. Sometimes life just throws you crappy curveballs, 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️

(edited) 6mo

Megabooks @PuddleJumper I also really enjoyed my #roll100 reread of the early @AardvarkBookClub pick

Aesthetica

6mo

Librarybelle Thinking of you! ❤️ 6mo

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Scochrane26 So sorry to hear about your dad. Mine has dementia & parkinsons—he‘s still at home but may end up in a nursing home at some point. It‘s a lot to cope with—reels & lighthearted reads may be all you can handle right now. 6mo

sarahbarnes So sorry Meg ♥️♥️ 6mo

Deblovestoread Thinking of you and your family.. 6mo

BarbaraBB So sorry Meg. I hope it‘ll turn our for the best ❤️. I‘ll write to you soon 6mo

squirrelbrain I‘ll write to you soon too! ❤️ 6mo

Butterfinger Will keep you in my thoughts. 6mo

Chelsea.Poole Thinking of you! 6mo

TheAromaofBooks It's so hard when you can no longer do the caregiving yourself, still feeling like you should. I hope you all are able to find a new routine that works!!! 6mo

Megabooks @Scochrane26 I'm very sorry to hear that. Managing a parent's healthcare needs can be very overwhelming. We've been able to care for dad at home for five years after his first stroke and through bladder cancer, but in the nursing home, he is seeing PT, OT, and speech therapy every day but Sunday. In home, it would just be once or twice a week. We're hoping he can gain back enough function to come home again. That is our goal! 6mo

Bookwormjillk I‘ve been thinking of you. Hang in there ❤️ 6mo

CarolynM Hugs❤️ 6mo

youneverarrived Thinking of you 💜 6mo

Hooked_on_books I think you‘re in Kentucky and it looks like it‘s a mess. I hope you and yours are ok with the storms. (On top of everything you‘re already dealing with.) 6mo

Megabooks @Hooked_on_books thanks so much for checking in. I‘m in west Kentucky, and the east is the worst hit. It‘s horrendous. The country is such a dumpster fire now. 6mo

Centique Im hoping your Dad is improving with the extra help Meg and that youre all safe from the floods and storm. So sorry that life is throwing curveballs at you. Sometimes reels and mindless phone games are just what you need to give your brain a rest and some distraction 💕💕 6mo

Suet624 It sounds like the nursing home is good for him right now. I hope you can rest up a bit. 💕 6mo

BarbaraBB Two weeks without Meg on Litsy… it‘s too long! I hope you‘ll have the energy and will to get back here soon 💕 6mo

CBee Thinking of you, Meg ♥️ 🫂 @Megabooks 6mo

76 likes21 comments

Food for Thought: Essays and Ruminations | Alton Brown

Rare that I see my hometown mentioned (even obliquely) in a book! We‘re known for barbecuing mutton, and I think we have the best burgoo in the South. It‘s a type of hunter‘s stew that generally has 3 meats - a small mammal, a large mammal, and a bird. (A common combination is venison, pheasant, and squirrel (or rabbit).)

56 likes