First Ladies, by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray

 

Eleanor Roosevelt	Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune
Franklin Delano Roosevelt – husband Children – Anna, Elliott, James “Brud”, John, Franklin Jr. (died as infant), Franklin Jr.   Sara Delano Roosevelt – mother-in-law	Albert Sr. – son Albert Jr. - grandson
Personal and Professional Life	Professional Life
Todhunter School for Girls – owner and teacher   Val-Kill Industries – reproduction and carpentry training   Val-Kill Cottage   Marion Dickerson and Nan Cook – friends, live at Val-Kill   Lorena Hickok “Hick”   Earl – Secret Service Agent   Newspaper column – “My Day”	Bethune-Cookman College – president   National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs – president   National Council of Negro Women, 1936   McLeod Hospital   Bethune Beach   Bethune Funeral Home - 1936 – run by Albert Sr.   National Youth Administration, Division of Negro Affairs – director, 1936   Walter White – NAACP executive secretary, could pass for white   Column in Pittsburgh Courier – “From Day to Day”
FDR
Lucy Mercer – affair with FDR   Missy LeHand – secretary   Louis Howe – friend and advisor, died 1936   Steve Woodburn – replaced Howe, worked against Eleanor (fictional – see page 373)

 

For Discussion:

NOTE: Page numbers are from hardback edition.

1.       At the very beginning of the book, Mary was at a dress shop, a woman introduces herself to Mary as “Mrs. Wallace” but calls Mary by her first name.   Mrs. Wallace has no idea why this offends Mary and is insulted when Mary points this out.   Did this give you an idea of the difficulties and lack of respect Mary faced in general?

2.       Were you surprised at all of the unspoken rules about behavior between whites and blacks?  For example, they couldn’t touch (page 244) or eat together in public.  

3.       Have you ever heard of Mary Bethune before this book?  If not, why do you think that was the case? 

4.       In February 1935 there was an art exhibit, An Art Commentary of Lynching, in New York City.  Why did the art work move people so much when mere words might not have?

5.       At one point, Eleanor Roosevelt told Walter White at the art exhibit, that “Inaction in the face of racism is acquiescence to it” (page 190).   Are there other areas where the same can be said – that doing nothing is the same as approval?

6.       Did this book give you any new insights into Eleanor?  Did you know Eleanor’s mother was so critical and demeaning to her growing up?  How did this form her as an adult?

7.       Franklin’s infidelity is fairly commonly known.  Did you know about Eleanor and Hick and the idea of a “Boston marriage?”

8.       When Mary attended the Gridiron Widow’s dinner, Eleanor said to her, “I hope you won’t be uncomfortable as the only Negro in the room” (page 258).  In fact, the room was full of Negro servers, but Eleanor had never paid attention to them.  Was this her fault or a commentary on the times?  Were there any other incidents that stuck out to you as you were reading?

9.       The two authors invented a lot of the information in the novel, which is billed as Historical Fiction.  They explained their thinking in the Historical Note at the end.   What did you think about their inventions?

10.   Do you think this story could just have effectively been written by a single white author?

11.   The blurb on the front of the book said that the book will “expand your perspective.”  Did it do so?

The Persian Pickle Club, by Sandra Dallas

 

Characters

Persian Pickle Club

Queenie Bean – narrator: Grover, husband Rita Ritter – new member; Tom, husband Agnew T. Ritter – Rita’s sister-in-law Sabra Ritter Velma Burgett Nettie Burgett – Tyrone, husband Forest Ann Finding – widow, Nettie’s sister-in-law; affair with Dr Sipes Opalia Dux Ceres Root Ella Crook - “widow,” abandoned by husband, Ben Crook Septima Judd – Prosper, husband; Ella’s parents Ada June Zinn

Others

Hiawatha and Duty Jackson – lived on Ella’s farm   Joe Blue Massie Zepha – wife Sonny and Baby   Reverand Foster Olive   Sherrif Eagles

 

For Discussion:

NOTE: Page numbers are from the 2014 paperback anniversary edition.

1.       What do you think really happened to Ben Crook?

2.       What was your favorite part of the book?  What character did you like or dislike?

3.       There were several life’s lessons included in the book such as: “Forrest Ann deserves a little kindness” (page 117); regarding Ella, “Helping people perked her up” (page 121); and the loyalty of the group in general.   Do you think that was partly the author’s purposes in writing the novel?

4.       This book was first published in 1995 and released this year in a 20^th Anniversary Edition.  Why do you think it have been so popular?

5.       Did the novel make you interested in quilting or quilts?  Do you have any old quilts with memories attached?

The Circular Staircase, by Mary Roberts Reinhart

 

Characters

Aunt Rachel Innes Libby Allen – servant   Gertrude – niece Halsey – nephew   John “Jack” Bailey – cashier at Trader’s Bank, engaged to Gertrude   Armstrong Family – owners, Sunnyside Paul – husband, President Trader’s Bank Wife Arnold – Paul’s son Louise – Paul’s step-daughter, engaged to Halsey or Dr. Walker Anne Watson – housekeeper   Dr. Walker – Armstrong family physician   Dr. Stewart – town physician   Help at Sunnyside: Thomas Johnson – African American butler Rosie – parlor maid Anne Watson – housekeeper, from Armstrong’s Warner – chauffer Alexander Graham – gardener (really Jack Bailey) Eliza – cook, left Mattie Bliss – new cook, smallpox scars, Nina Carrington   Mr. Jamison – detective Mr. Burns – second detective   Others: Nina Carrington Lucy – Anne Watson’s sister, married Arnold Armstrong and was abandoned Lucien Wallace – mother Lucy and father Arnold Armstrong Mrs. Tate – Lucien’s adopted mother

 

For Discussion:

1.       Did you like the way the author gave clues about the solution?  For example, when introducing Alexander Graham she wrote, “I have been particular about Alex, because, as I said before, he played an important part later” (chapter 13).

2.       Given the references to African Americans, would this book be banned today?  For example, in chapter 3, when introducing Thomas, she wrote, “it was always my belief that a negro is one part thief, one part pigment, and the rest superstition.”

3.       The book was published in 1908.  Did the dated references and vocabulary make any difference (positive or negative) in you reading?   For example, in chapter 9 Rachel forgot to remove her “wrinkle eradicators.”

4.       Did you enjoy the relationship between Rachel and Libby?  Libby was always quitting and Rachel was always firing her, but they stayed together.

5.       Which clues helped you and which were Red Herrings?  What others in addition to these did you find?

a.       The partial cufflink Rachel found outside the window.

b.       Chapter 2 – scratches and dent on stairs

c.       Chapter 9 – Gertrude sprained right foot, Halsey would not tell Rachael where he went the first night, Armstrong brought a telegram for Bailey

d.       Chapter 18 – new hole in trunk room wall

6.       Discuss your reading experience.  Did you think you knew the solution before it was revealed?  How did this novel compare to other mysteries you have read?

7.       If you read a different novel or more than one, what was it and did you like it?  Did you figure out the mystery?

8.       Mary Roberts Rinehart has been called America’s Agatha Christie.  Do you agree? 

 

Mary Robert Reinhart

Born in Allegheny, PA – today within city limits 1982 – published first piece in Pittsburgh Press monthly contest 1893 – Pittsburgh Training School for Nurses Dr. Stanley Marshall Reinhart – husband, lived with two brothers on Western Avenue, North Side Mary and husband started married life on Western Avenue 1904 – started seriously selling work 1907 – moved to Beech Street 1908 – The Circular Staircase published, first novel 1911 – 1912 – moved to Sewickley   Publications: ·       30+ novels ·       12 nonfiction books ·       Autobiography ·       Numerous short stories and articles

The Lions of Fifth Avenue, by Fiona Davis

 

Characters
1913, 1914, 1918	1993
Laura Lyons Jack – husband, library superintendent, author Harry – son Pearl – daughter   Lions – Leo Astor and Leo Lenox   Mr. Anderson – library director   Mr. Gaillard – library detective   Thefts: Leaves of Grass – first edition Tamerlane, by Poe Two other books   Columbia Journalism School Professor Wakeman – advisor, plagiarized work   Miss Quinn – Laura’s secretary starting in 1935   Dr. Amelia Potter   Heterodoxy Club   Red Paddy – boy Harry skipping school with, steals and resells valuable books   Max Eastman – editor of “The Masses,” publish Laura’s articles giving her full editorial control	Sadie Donovan – works in library on Berg Collection Exhibit “Evergreen” Pearl – mother   Lonnie – brother, doctor LuAnn – wife Valentina – daughter Robin - nanny   Lions – Patience and Fortitude   Dr. Humphrey Hooper – library director Claude – works at library with Sadie Marlene Jenkinson – Berg Collection curator, took post in Boston Mr. Babenko – Binding and Processing Dept.   Thefts: Virginia Woolf diary – last one before death The Scarlett Letter – first edition Title page from The First Folios, by Shakespeare Jane Eyre – one volume of three   Nick Adriano – consultant about thefts   Mrs. Hillary Quinn – Laura’s former secretary, burned Laura’s papers as directed   Mr. Jones-Ebbing – library board of directors   Harry Lyons

 

For Discussion:

NOTE: Page numbers are from paperback edition.

Laura’s story:

1.       Did you think it was a good idea for Laura to write the story about the Heterodoxy Club for a school assignment?  Did you have a premonition about what would happen?   Should Laura have been wiser? She knew that he had stolen ideas from other students (page 234).

2.       Was it partly Laura’s fault that Harry had skipped school for two months and she did not know?

3.       Given the time period, 1913-1914, was it unrealistic for Laura to think she would be able to have her own interests and career? 

4.       Did you understand why Harry burned Jack’s manuscript?  He saw Jack grab Laura’s arm and her saying it hurt, and also her telling him, “You love that book more than any of us.  Even when Harry was sick, you still crept away to edit” (page 277).

5.       Four years after Jack’s death Laura, found Harry.  He did not know that his father was dead or what happened. When Laura asked him to come home with her, he said “I have no home” (page 318).  Was there anything she could have done or said to change his decision?

6.       How well did the author present the relationship between Amelia Potter and Laura?   Was that a little progressive for the times or just right?  What did it add to Laura’s character development?

7.       When you read the last section of Laura’ story, chapter 26, did you want to know more?

8.       Why do you think Laura had her secretary, Miss Quinn, burn all of her papers when she died?   Do you think Miss Quinn should have followed her wishes?

Sadie’s story:

9.       Do you think Sadie should have told the others at the library and Nick about her family’s past and how she was connected to the library?

10.   Did Harry’s story after the trial help you understand his actions any better?  He told Sadie, “Red Paddy – the gang leader – threatened my family if I stopped stealing books for him” (page 347). 

11.   Were you surprised with the connection between Robin and Harry?   When he had turned his life around, why do you think he teamed up with her and shared all the information about how to get around the safe guards in the library?

12.   Sadie realized “she was more willing to forgive her uncle than Robin, even though they had both done terrible things.  Yet Harry had tried to atone for his actions by fostering a love of reading in customers and kids from tough circumstances, while Robin allowed reading to bring joy to her life, and then embarked on a crime spree that would take that love away from others” (page 349).  Do you understand her reasoning and do you think she was correct?   Would others agree with her?

Both stories:

13.   Before reading this in the story, did you know how valuable manuscripts were protected and kept safe while still allowing access to them?

14.   Did you enjoy one part of the book more than the other?  Why?

15.   How was your reading experience?  Did you like the format of switching back and forth between the two stories?

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Hello Beautiful, by Ann Napolitano

 

Characters

Waters family: William Caroline – sister, deceased Mother and father   William’s career: 1978 undergrad student at Northwestern and on basketball team 1982 teaching assistant and doctoral student 1983 suicide attempt 1983 assistant coach at Northwestern 1989 with Chicago Bulls in player development and a physio   Padavano family: Rose and Charlie – Charlie quoted Walt Whitman Julia – married William, organizer in family Sylvie – reader, became librarian Cecilia – twin, artist, became pregnant in high school Emeline – twin, nurturer, opened day care center with Josie   Josie – Emeline’s partner   Alice – William and Julia’s daughter   Isabelle Rose Padavano “Izzy” – Cecelia’s daughter Mrs. Ceccione – took in Cecelia when pregnant   Kent – basketball player with William, became a doctor Nicole – wife, divorced   Gus and Washington – two friends from team   Arash – basketball team physical trainer   Ernie – electrician, romance with Sylvie   Dr. Dembia – William’s therapist

 

 

 

 

 

For Discussion:

NOTE: Page numbers are from paperback edition.

1.       Discuss Charlie and Rose’s treatment of their daughters.  Charlie always greeted them with “Hello, Beautiful (page 74).  “Sylvie and her sisters had known themselves under their father’s gaze” (page 74).  On the other hand, Sylvie felt that from Rose’s view, her “second daughter wasn’t enough, and would never be enough” (page 75).  How did their attitudes shape the girls’ personalities?

2.       When Cecelie got pregnant, Ruth told her to carry around a picture of St. Clare of Assisi for at least a week telling her it was her “scarlet letter” (page 58).  What did you think of this?

3.       What did you think of Charlie’s philosophy of life: “We’re all interconnected, and when you see that you see how beautiful life is” (page 73).  How was this evidenced throughout the novel?

4.       Discuss Julia and William’s relationship.  He felt that reading his book “had permanently damaged Julia’s opinion of him” (page 96). 

5.       Should Julia have known how unhappy William was?   Was there any way she could have prevented what he did?

6.       After his suicide attempt when William was an assistant coach at Northwestern, he found that the “impact of helping seemed to be cumulative; the more kids he helped, the more solid he felt in how own chest” (page 246).  Did you understand his feelings? 

7.       Discuss Kent.  Throughout the story he was very important to William.  While William was in the hospital after his suicide attempt, he thought of Kent that “No one had ever loved him unconditionally like this” (page 162).  Where else in the novel did you see that type of unconditional love?

8.       Arash, while not a major character, was very important to William’s development.  Through him, William’s “understanding of the physiology of the athletes was better informed now, and he was able to diagnose injuries and vulnerabilities with accuracy” (page 253).  Also, Arash wanted “to build more infrastructures of kindness” (page 253).

9.       Did William treat Alice the same way his parents treated him after his sister died?

10.   Did you understand William’s thought process when he gave up Alice?  What were the positive aspects of what he did, if any?

11.   When Cecelia became pregnant, Julia advised her to give the baby up for adoption.  She said to Cecelia, “Why should you ruin your life because of a mistake?” (page 59).   How does this fit into her feelings about William giving up Alice?

12.   What did you think about the various characters.  Did the author do a good job of describing them?  Could you understand their various personalities and motivations?   Which one would you likely be friends with?

13.   How important was the connection with the novel Little Women?  On page 41 the author described how the sisters tried to decide who was each character and on page 302 Alice was copyediting a modern adaptation of the novel.

14.   Books were an important part of the novel: William’s book about basketball, Sylvie’s book about her memories growing up, comparison to Little Women, Sylvie was a librarian and sometimes using a book as a “handy shield for when the wanted to deflect the attention of other people” (page 308).  Did this add to the story for you?

15.   When Sylvie was writing her memories, she realized two important coincidences.  “Only in writing about them did Sylvie truly comprehend that the same day her beloved Izzy had entered the world, Charlie left.  And the day Alice was born, Rose had departed Chicago” (page 304).  Have you ever experienced such a revelation when writing in a journal or diary?  Why hadn’t anyone made the connections before?

16.   Discuss your reading experience.  Did you like the overlapping time frames?  Would you recommend the book to a friend?

Crook Manifesto, by Colson Whitehead

 

Characters

Ray Carney Elizabeth – wife, works for travel agency John May   Mike Carney – Ray’s father, Pepper used to work with him   Carney’s Furniture Marie – secretary, abused by husband (Rodney) Salesmen – Larry and Rusty

1971

Munson – detective, took weekly payments from businesses, “the pad”, Carney got involved with him trying to get Jackson 5 tickets for May Buck Webb – partner   BLA – Black Liberation Army, robbed jewelry store Notch Walker (Robert Taylor) – gangster, helping BLA Malik Jamel - BLA leader   Knapp Commission – subpoenaed Webb   Munson planning to leave – forced Carney to go along with crimes and collections: 1.       Held-up private Memorial Day poker game 2.       Beat up pimp on sidewalk 3.       Robbed bottle club 4.       Robbed bodega 5.       Robbed Chink Montague’s numbers location

1973

Blaxploitation movie – films featuring black stereotypes   Secret Agent: Nefertiti Aaron Flood “Zippo” – photographer, artistic director Lucinda Cole – Nefertiti (real name Leanne Wilkes) Roscoe Pope – comedian Pepper – security   Chick Montague – investor in movie, Lucinda’s boyfriend, changed her name   Quincy Black – drug dealer Pickles – chef

1976

Alexander Oates – running for Boro president, supported by Elizabeth and May, involved in redevelopment schemes and murdered   Albert Ruiz – son of tenant, hurt in fire   Arsonists (1/3 of fires in Harlem were deliberate): Izzy Leon Drake

 

For Discussion:

NOTE: Page numbers are from the hardback edition.

1.       Which characters did you like?  Were you able to relate to any of them?  Which would you have been friends with?

2.       What do you think motivated Carney to do something about the fire that hurt the Ruiz boy?

3.       Did you like the author’s writing style?  There were many characters and events.  How did you keep everything straight and determine what was important?   In the end, did everything fit together?

4.       Did you like the mix of fiction and real events?

5.       There were various, almost separate stories in the novel, for example the long section about the movie, Secret Agent: Nefertiti and the part about the two competing chicken restaurants, New Country Kitchen and Lady Betsy’s.  What was the point of including these in the novel aside from introducing Pepper as a thief who stole Lady Betsy’s secret ingredient.

6.       Did you like the descriptions of furniture?  When describing the fire at the furniture store, the author wrote, “The four recliners – real beauties, a solid representation of the kind of options out there, whether you were new to the market or looking to upgrade – ignited speedily” (page 289).  Did this add to the story?   Did it make you want to shop?

7.       The description of the book online said “Colson Whitehead’s portrait of Harlem is sure to stand as one of the all-time great evocations of a place and a time.”  Did the book meet this expectation for you?  Why or why not?  Did you learn anything new?

8.       The description also said the book “is a darkly funny tale of a city under siege, but also a sneakily searching portrait of the meaning of family.”  What different forms did “family” have in the novel?

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Demon Copperhead, by Barbara Kingsolver

 

Characters

Damon Fields “Demon Copperhead” Damon Woodhall – biological father “Copperhead” due to red hair Mother – Fields Stoner - stepfather   Nance Peggot “Mammaw” - neighbor Mr. Peggot “Mr. Peg” Seven children – Humvee, June (nurse, in Knoxville), Mariah (in jail) Grandchildren: Matt “Maggot” – Damon’s friend, Mariah’s son with Romeo, Mariah in jail Emmy – Humvee’s daughter, living with June   Hammer Kelly – Emmy’s ex-boyfriend   DSS caseworkers: Miss Barks – left to pursue teaching degree Baggy Eyes   Foster Home #1 Mr. Crickson – grew tobacco Boys: Tommy Waddell “Waddles” Swap-Out Sterling Ford “Fast Forward” – high school football star   Foster Home #2 Mr. and Mrs. McCobb Brayley, Hallie, and twin babies   Golly’s Market – worked there after school Landfill – Ghose “Ghost” – “Extra-Eye” from time with Stoner

Murder Valley, Tennessee: Betsy Woodall – grandmother, raised 11 foster girls Dick – younger brother, wheelchair Jane Ellen - #11   Kent – June’s boyfriend, drug representative, pushed Oxy Contin   Foster Home #3 Winfield – widower of one of Betsy’s girls, high school football coach, Lee High Generals Agnus “Angus” – daughter Mattie Kate – housekeeper Ryan Pyles “U-Haul” – assistant, didn’t like Demon Mr. Briggs – assistant and JV football coach   Rose Dartell – scar on lip caused by Fast Forward throwing a claw hammer at her   Mr. Armstrong – teacher and guidance counselor Ms. Annie – wife, art teacher Mr. Maldo – janitor   Dori - died after father died, drugs Mr. Vesper – father, ill   Courier newspaper: Tommy – janitor and designed ads Demon – comic strip “Red Neck”   Devils Bathtub: Fast Forward – fell and died Hammer – rifle pointed at Fast Forward, tried to help, drowned Maggot Big Bear – football teammate, yelled warning Demon

 

 

 

 

For Discussion:

NOTE: Page numbers are from the hardback edition.

1.       Early on his mother told Damon that “her future was me” and that he “was one hundred percent of her reason for getting sober” (page 82).  She meant this as a compliment, but Damon only found it “one more thing to worry about” (page 82).  Did she put too much pressure on him?  Was this fair?

2.       There were many issues addressed in the book including addiction, foster care, and childhood trauma.  Were you able to understand the characters even if you have not experienced any of these things?

3.       What did you think about the incident at the Devil’s Bathtub where both Fast Forward and Hammer died.  Fast Forward was saying bad things about Emmy and Hammer pointed a rifle at him.  Big Bear came along and shouted a warning to Fast Forward at the top of the falls.  When he turned to look at Big Bear, he slipped, fell and drowned.  Hammer dove in to try to save him and also drowned.  Could this have been avoided?  How did it fit into the story?

4.       What did you think about Fast Forward.  He was adopted and then unadopted by the Dartell family after he scarred Rose with the claw hammer and tried to get her brother to jump off a chair with a noose around his neck connected to the ceiling.  (See pages 328 – 329.)  Could he have been redeemed at any point?

5.       We never read about Tommy being involved with drugs, but it was mentioned several times that he read a lot of books.  When he met him, Demon said he was “the type of make the best of things, mostly by reading library books and ignoring the fact of people hating him” (page 70).  Toward the end of the novel, Demon said “Tommy had squandered his youth on library books and had zero experience with cable TV” (page 417).   Do you think this was significant in his survival?

6.       The author lives in Virginia, which she identifies as “ground zero of the opioid epidemic” (page VI).  In a forward for a Barnes and Noble edition, she identified the book being about “generational anguish, limited choices, and suffocated hopes, poverty built into a region by historical design” (pages III and IV).    How did she address these issues throughout the story?   Did it make you think about these issues and give you any insight that you did not have before?

7.       The OxyContin epidemic was a main theme.  A doctor prescribed it to one of Damon’s mother’s co-workers who shared it with her and she became one of the first casualties (pages 112 – 113).  June’s boyfriend, Kent, was a drug rep and gave free gifts to doctors who prescribed the pills.  The company said they had studies that showed there was no addiction risk (page 243) and they developed the pain scale to encourage people to take the pills to eliminate pain.  Mr. Peg even received a coupon for some pills for free.  Mrs.  Peggot refused to let him get the pills.   If she recognized the danger, why didn’t more people?

8.       June said that Purdue “hand-picked targets like Lee County that were gold mines” (page 416) for their drug sales.  Demon told June “I don’t know a single person my age that’s not taking pills” (page 415).  Why did it take so long for people to understand what was happening and take action?

9.       Damon felt the low pay of the caseworkers was a reflection of the value society placed on kids like him.  Was he right?  How can we change that?

10.   At his one school the poor kids were singled out for special Christmas parties and called over the loud speaker to attend.   The organizers probably thought they were doing a very good thing, but the children were ashamed.  How could this have been done differently and better?

11.   When Damon was in fifth grade, Slam Books were popular where you wrote down your impressions of your classmates, both positive and negative.  Did you ever experience anything like that?  Do you think the teachers knew, and if so, why did they not stop it?  How does this compare to all the social media today?

12.   Who were the positive characters in the book?  Why do you think Demon survived and others did not?

13.   In chapter 62, Tommy called Demon and encouraged him to write his book about what had happened.  He said, “it’s a war. And it’s been going on the whole time, and nobody gets it, not even us” (page 522).  He felt it was all about money.  The people who lived off the land did not pay as much taxes, so therefore they did not count.  He compared Lee County to the Cherokees and Black people.   Did you understand his comparison?  Do you think he was right?

14.   Discuss your reading experience.   Did you enjoy the book?  What were your thoughts as you were reading?  Would you recommend it to a friend?  Why did it win the Pulitzer Prize?

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