Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
May Book Club: Snow Flower and the Secret Fan
Thanks everyone who came out tonight! It was a lot of fun. For those of you who couldn't make it, I do have a couple of copies left. Below are the Reader's Guide questions for this book. Hopefully they will spark some conversations at the next meeting.
1- In your opinion, is Lily, who is the narrator, the heroine or the villian? What are her flaws and her strengths?
2- Do you think the concepts of "old sames" exists today? Do you have an "old same" or are you part of a sworn sisterhood? In what ways are those relationships similar or different from the ones in nineteenth-century China?
3- Some men in nineteenth-century China apparently knew about nu shu, the secret women's writing described in Snow Flower. Why do you think they tolerated such private conversations?
4- Lily writes her story so that Snow Flower can read it in the afterworld. Do you think she tells her story in a convincing way so that Snow Flower can forgive and understand? Do you think Snow Flower would have told the story differently?
5- When Lily and Snow Flower are girls, they have one intimate-almost erotic- moment together. Do you think their relationship was sexual or, given the times, were they simply girls who say this only as an innocent extension of their friendship?
6- Having a wife with bound feet was a status symbol for men, and, consequently, having bound feet increased a women's chances of marriage into a wealthier household. Women took great pride in the feet, which were considered not only beautiful but also their best and most important feature. As a child, would you have fought against having your feet bound, as Third Sister did, knowing you would be consigned to a life of a servant or a "little daughter in law"? As a mother, would you have chosen to bind your daughter's feet?
7- The Chinese character for "mother love" consists of two parts: one meaning "pain" and the other meaning "love", In your own experience, from the perspective of a mother or a daughter, is there an element of truth to this description of mother love?
8- The author sees Snow Flower and the Secret Fan as a novel about love and regret, but do you think there's also an element of atonement as well?
9- In the story, we are told again and again that the women are weak and worthless. But were they really? In what ways did Lily and Snow Flower show their strength and value?
10- Although the story takes place in the nineteenth-century and seems very far removed from our lives - we don't have our feet bound - do you think we're still bound up in other ways; for instance, by career, family obligations, conventions of feminine beauty, or events beyond our control such as war, the economy and natural disasters?
11- Because of its phonetic nature, nu shu could easily be taken out of context and be misunderstood. Today, many of us communicate through e-mail, or instant messaging. Have you ever had an experience where one of your messages has been misunderstood because of lack of context, facial or body gestures, and tone of voice? Or have you ever been the receiving end of a message that you misinterpreted and your feelings were hurt?
12- Madame Wang, the matchmaker, is a foot-bound woman and yet she does business with men. How is she different from the other women in the story? Do you think she is considered a woman of status or is she merely a necessary evil?
1- In your opinion, is Lily, who is the narrator, the heroine or the villian? What are her flaws and her strengths?
2- Do you think the concepts of "old sames" exists today? Do you have an "old same" or are you part of a sworn sisterhood? In what ways are those relationships similar or different from the ones in nineteenth-century China?
3- Some men in nineteenth-century China apparently knew about nu shu, the secret women's writing described in Snow Flower. Why do you think they tolerated such private conversations?
4- Lily writes her story so that Snow Flower can read it in the afterworld. Do you think she tells her story in a convincing way so that Snow Flower can forgive and understand? Do you think Snow Flower would have told the story differently?
5- When Lily and Snow Flower are girls, they have one intimate-almost erotic- moment together. Do you think their relationship was sexual or, given the times, were they simply girls who say this only as an innocent extension of their friendship?
6- Having a wife with bound feet was a status symbol for men, and, consequently, having bound feet increased a women's chances of marriage into a wealthier household. Women took great pride in the feet, which were considered not only beautiful but also their best and most important feature. As a child, would you have fought against having your feet bound, as Third Sister did, knowing you would be consigned to a life of a servant or a "little daughter in law"? As a mother, would you have chosen to bind your daughter's feet?
7- The Chinese character for "mother love" consists of two parts: one meaning "pain" and the other meaning "love", In your own experience, from the perspective of a mother or a daughter, is there an element of truth to this description of mother love?
8- The author sees Snow Flower and the Secret Fan as a novel about love and regret, but do you think there's also an element of atonement as well?
9- In the story, we are told again and again that the women are weak and worthless. But were they really? In what ways did Lily and Snow Flower show their strength and value?
10- Although the story takes place in the nineteenth-century and seems very far removed from our lives - we don't have our feet bound - do you think we're still bound up in other ways; for instance, by career, family obligations, conventions of feminine beauty, or events beyond our control such as war, the economy and natural disasters?
11- Because of its phonetic nature, nu shu could easily be taken out of context and be misunderstood. Today, many of us communicate through e-mail, or instant messaging. Have you ever had an experience where one of your messages has been misunderstood because of lack of context, facial or body gestures, and tone of voice? Or have you ever been the receiving end of a message that you misinterpreted and your feelings were hurt?
12- Madame Wang, the matchmaker, is a foot-bound woman and yet she does business with men. How is she different from the other women in the story? Do you think she is considered a woman of status or is she merely a necessary evil?
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Carla Miller's getting to know you
1. Why were you given your particular name?
Well,on threat that I was born,my great uncle Carlos died so my daddy named me Carla Melissa, I was called Missy til middle school.
2. What is your favorite thing to do?
Read!!!!!!! Paint,swim,listen to music
3. What is your favorite food?
Salad, I love it anyway.
4. What is your favorite book.
Hum.... That is a hard one. It's a toss up between The Twilight Saga and Pride and Prejudice. I know, I know....that is a huge difference but like I said I love to read.
5. What is your favorite kind of music?
I love indie alternative, some rock, some oldies example are: Coldplay, my chemical romance, Eric clapton,van Morrison,the cure,the bravery and trust me folks I could keep going.
6. When you have an hour of free time, what do you like to do?
again, read! Catch up on t.v shows SLEEP!
7. What is your favorite candy bar?
Carmelo
8. What place would you like to visit?
Italy or Spain, those are my next trips to be take,not sure when that will be but someway somehow it will happen,even if ihave to sell a kidney.
9. What are three adjectives which describe
Determined,funny,short......my brain is not working enough to come up with anything witty,dang I should have said witty!
10. What do you want to be doing in ten years?
1. I hope to survive three teenage daughters, 2.work doing hair 3. travel travel travel!
kids!
Well,on threat that I was born,my great uncle Carlos died so my daddy named me Carla Melissa, I was called Missy til middle school.
2. What is your favorite thing to do?
Read!!!!!!! Paint,swim,listen to music
3. What is your favorite food?
Salad, I love it anyway.
4. What is your favorite book.
Hum.... That is a hard one. It's a toss up between The Twilight Saga and Pride and Prejudice. I know, I know....that is a huge difference but like I said I love to read.
5. What is your favorite kind of music?
I love indie alternative, some rock, some oldies example are: Coldplay, my chemical romance, Eric clapton,van Morrison,the cure,the bravery and trust me folks I could keep going.
6. When you have an hour of free time, what do you like to do?
again, read! Catch up on t.v shows SLEEP!
7. What is your favorite candy bar?
Carmelo
8. What place would you like to visit?
Italy or Spain, those are my next trips to be take,not sure when that will be but someway somehow it will happen,even if ihave to sell a kidney.
9. What are three adjectives which describe
Determined,funny,short......my brain is not working enough to come up with anything witty,dang I should have said witty!
10. What do you want to be doing in ten years?
1. I hope to survive three teenage daughters, 2.work doing hair 3. travel travel travel!
kids!
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Melissa Young's getting to know you!
1. Why were you given your particular name?
- My mother liked the name Melissa, no real story there. However, I was given my middle name after an aunt who was not supposed to be able to have children. She ended up having two boys.
- I really enjoy going on outings with my children. Exploring the new areas we get to live in.... basically making memories.
- Mexican dishes are so YUMMY. My all time favorite food though has to be ice cream!
- Without a doubt..... Gone With The Wind.
- This is tricky because it all depends on my mood. My IPod is an eclectic mix of Alt. Rock, Contemporary, Oldies, "angry white man music", Country ballads with a smattering of Hair Bands. Because you gotta mix it up!
- If I have a chance to actually sit down, you can catch me reading or watching whatever I have on the DVR. (I am a reality show addict!)
- Not really a candy bar, yet LOVE me some M&M's.
- Would love to take a tour of several places in Western Europe, Ireland, England, Germany, Italy.
- Persistent, family-oriented, outspoken
- Living back in Utah close to family and enjoying David's retirement. Most importantly, hopefully I will be surviving my kids growing up and moving out.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
Getting to Know Sarah
1. Why were you given your particular name?
- I am named after my great-grandmother Sarah Maggie Wolverton. My middle name is also a family name. My grandfather was Eugene, my dad is Randall Eugene, and I am Sarah Jean.
- Watch movies with my family, although Jack has sucked the fun out of going to the theater. I'm anxious for the day he'll actually sit through a movie at the theater.
- PIZZA! I don't care how unsophisticated it is, I can't get enough of it.
- Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury
- Mainly Alt Rock - my favorite bands are Eve 6 and The Killers. I have a little bit of everything on my iPod though, from Selena Gomez to Beethoven.
- Read or catch up on episodes of Bones or NCIS.
- Mini Reese's peanut butter cups
- France
- Smart, Dependable, Kind
- Surviving the teen years with my kids and hopefully teaching full-time again.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Getting to Know Brittany
1. Why were you given your particular name?
My parents already had a boy name picked out (Jamie) but could not decide on a girl name. Close to before I was born, my mom was reading in a book and saw the name Brittany and loved it. My middle name is Lucille, from my mom's mother. I hated it when I was a kid, but now I love it.
2. What is your favorite thing to do?
EAT!!! I loooove trying new restaurants. I also love to travel--but not fly so much...
3. What is your favorite food?
I might have to go with Italian--love me some pasta!
4. What is your favorite book?
I actually love The Host by Stephanie Meyer. I have read that one several times and it never gets old for me.
5. What is your favorite kind of music?
Depends on my mood or activity. Some examples: a mix of angry female country (i.e. you cheated on me and then I killed you) and Lincoln Park for when I workout. I'm not gonna lie, I enjoy a classec Prince song while driving somewhere completely alone and I can turn it up and try to sing as high as he can.
6. When you have an hour of free time, what do you like to do?
Read, get online, call a friend/family memeber, or finally sit and catch up on my guilty pleasure tv (any real housewives shoe)
7. What is your favorite candy bar?
SNICKERS!
8. What place would you like to visit?
France for sure. I also think Australia would be fun.
9. What are three adjectives which describe you?
spontaneous, deceptively intelligent, tired
10. What do you want to be doing in ten years?
Possibly teaching again--I really loved it. And preparing for an awesome trip somewhere--without the kids!
My parents already had a boy name picked out (Jamie) but could not decide on a girl name. Close to before I was born, my mom was reading in a book and saw the name Brittany and loved it. My middle name is Lucille, from my mom's mother. I hated it when I was a kid, but now I love it.
2. What is your favorite thing to do?
EAT!!! I loooove trying new restaurants. I also love to travel--but not fly so much...
3. What is your favorite food?
I might have to go with Italian--love me some pasta!
4. What is your favorite book?
I actually love The Host by Stephanie Meyer. I have read that one several times and it never gets old for me.
5. What is your favorite kind of music?
Depends on my mood or activity. Some examples: a mix of angry female country (i.e. you cheated on me and then I killed you) and Lincoln Park for when I workout. I'm not gonna lie, I enjoy a classec Prince song while driving somewhere completely alone and I can turn it up and try to sing as high as he can.
6. When you have an hour of free time, what do you like to do?
Read, get online, call a friend/family memeber, or finally sit and catch up on my guilty pleasure tv (any real housewives shoe)
7. What is your favorite candy bar?
SNICKERS!
8. What place would you like to visit?
France for sure. I also think Australia would be fun.
9. What are three adjectives which describe you?
spontaneous, deceptively intelligent, tired
10. What do you want to be doing in ten years?
Possibly teaching again--I really loved it. And preparing for an awesome trip somewhere--without the kids!
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