Book Club

We were going to meet in Feb but social distancing during  lockdown looked to be an obstacle so it was decided to postpone it until March 18^th  Exciting news, we have some new people who are interested in being part of this group.

Our book club has no set books, anyone can bring any book and share the insights, facts, or simple  pleasure they have found in a good book.  It is also okay to bring one that has been disliked or disappointing.

And over the years, books have stimulated some great conversations from what is a good feminist book to what is a light relaxing read.

This morning I learnt from my library book, civil rights activist Rosa Parks was not the first person to refuse to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus, rather nine months previously a schoolgirl Claudette Colvin was arrested for the same action.

Then I intended this month to discuss “Dark Towers” by David Enrich- the story of Deutsche Bank, it’s history, greed, money laundering and lack of care for it’s clients. I was so angry that I had to stop reading it until I cooled down. Why? I had read the book by the Greek Finance Minister, Yanis Varoufakis where he had tried to renegotiate the terms of the Greek bailout. And I found this unscrupulous bank had advised  Angela  Merkel to disallow it. The consequences were disastrous for Greece but benefitted one bank in particular.  Banks are not top of my popularity list

What I love about books is the  depth and intimate knowledge you find about our world and it’s people.  From Andrew Solomon’s book “Far and Away” I learnt the reason why Myanmar is persecuting the Rohingyas. I knew of their plight from the many charities I support but didn’t know why. And had never looked at the history of this conflict but suddenly I understood why this is happening. Fear can lead to genocide.  And so to quote this author,  “we must take action as citizens of our own country yet embrace a larger whole.”

This is where I draw inspiration for the mosaics I am making. (For the Art Exhibition at Easter)

So Bookclub 18^th March at 11am at the Library.  Everyone is welcome

Glenys Hansen

Photo with