but this magazine - subtitled 'a readers' community for those who love women's words' is the best, for me. it is written by women, for women. each issue is devoured, then gone over again to make a (very long) list of books to get from the library. then i lend it to friends. the minnesota women's press was founded by mollie hoben and glenda martin. both are such amazing women - i feel grateful to know them. this is an example of how women can Really Make a Difference! one of the minnesota women's press's many activities is to publish bookwomen. i am so glad - it has made quite an impact in my reading life.
i just made a press pot of coffee (my favorite, alterra, fresh-roasted in milwaukee). let's discuss items in this month's issue, which includes:
tales of two cultures - an article about sandra benitez, an important latin-american writer. it talks about her latest book, bag lady: a memoir - a book about her ostomy and living with a bag. no one would publish it, so she and her husband published it themselves. i can't wait to get a copy!
glenda's column, the power of words. glenda is a very energetic book group moderator - she's even got it going online, now! i can't imagine the joys and challenges of being in one of her groups - wish i lived closer, or was able to take the travel book group trips. i went to a bookwomen book group meeting where the women shared their book group experience on monhegan island, maine. wow. wish i'd been there, too! it left a lasting impact - i buy my stamps by mail from the monhegan post office, to help support them.
some libraries i have known, by pauline loewenhardt - her reminiscences of the libraries she's had in her life led me to think of my own libraries. i worked in one, from 7th grade until i graduated from high school (even worked there in the summers, afterwards). libraries are special. i love them! we have two libraries we go to now, and lillie knows everyone there, and jumps at the chance to go. aren't we lucky to have libraries?
a bookstore of one's own, by sally wizik wills and her daughter jennifer geraedts. they bought sister wolf books, in dorset, minnesota; and crazy for books, by mary leeder and patty johnson (hastings, MN), who own funyetta books on the internet. a friend of mine owns log cabin books, in harris, minnesota, and i saw her create her bookstore from the ground up. lovely, and lots and lots of work. these provide another perspective on the hard work that is involved in selling books, and yet another reminder to buy from the independent booksellers that are among us.
books on the move, by jennier soule - loved this article, which talks about one bookwoman and her books. reminded me of myself! ha!
birth of a book group, by shari ezyk - chronicling one book group's start in toronto. interesting read!
mother tales, by cori martin white - cori writes about her mother/daughter book club, and what books they've gone through. this is an important perspective for me, since i've been teaching lillie how important reading is, and i'd like to learn new ideas on how to continue this in different ways as she grows.
other features include footnotes, a section of items for and about the book world; readers write, letters from bookwomen; the bookwomen quiz; and three together - a coordinated mini-read.
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it is amazing to me that a well-known, published author (benitez) could not find one publishing house to publish her book about her ostomy experiences. it leads me to wonder if any of us have a chance of publishing difficult stories, since we don't already have a built-in audience, as she does. thoughts??
what are your favorite libraries? why?
do you support any women-owned, independent bookstores? where are they? if they are online, share with us and let us support them, too!
reading bookwomen is a nice stand-in for book groups, although i miss my old book group in minnesota. i am in one here, but we only meet every other month and haven't made the personal connections that my previous one did.
let's create our own gather-ing of bookwomen. micheale shelton already started, hooking us with author kaye gibbons!
welcome, bookwomen! let's talk books!
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Comments: 17
i haven't been in either of st joe's libraries (grew up in allegan). i would have loved to be in the prunkshalle! wow!! i try to go to libraries wherever i am visiting.
the new central library in seattle is completely amazing. however, i got vertigo from looking down from the top floors! the coolest part was on the main floor, and the wood in the flooring was raised with words, read, in all different languages. lovely!!
i worked in a library - i know the whole silence thing. sometimes, though, silence isn't golden, is it? you just want to talk books!
yes, books are critical to the good life. i don't buy tons, although we HAVE tons. lillie has more books than she could ever get read to her. it is great. and we still check more out from the library!
what are you reading now?
right now i am reading the 2nd of a YA series, called children of the lamp. they are djinni and good ones, and have to figure out how to balance the world. so interesting, and good reading. next up is beryl's book - just got it!
and i just started lillian jackson braun's cat mysteries. i read one from 03 and will go from there. fun and very light, makes me appreciate our cat a little bit more!
Great article Jessie!
i would say to anyone that loves to read, subscribe to bookwomen. it is like an old friend, telling you abt some great books. i love it. i cherish it. i have all my old issues. it is all good!!
yes, i can't wait for lillie to get her library card. here, they say age 5. lillie could care less - we go there all the time, and she gets tons of books. she hasn't gotten possessive yet! it is so critical to get these kids started young. i am so glad your kids are readers! that is the best.
one of my friends woke up her kids each morning, and had a cozy chair in the hallway between the rooms, and read a chapter each morning to them. isn't that the coolest thing?
We can start with the pirate's books (Argghhhh!), followed by the question: "What the hell happens when you shiver your timbers? Discuss."
Also the Chicago public library and the Deering Library at Northwestern, both huge and historical.
I have corrupted several people with the Cat Who...series
Now I'm off to write my shopping list.
thanks!
Jayne