Karpov’s Comments (group member since Nov 14, 2016)

Karpov’s comments from the A Book Club for Diversity (ABCD) group.

Joan wrote: "So what do you think about this?
A judge in Virginia, U.S.A. has sentenced 5 teenagers to read a book a month and write a book report on each. They must choose from a list of books dealing with rac..."

I think this is a fabulous way of not just punishing bad behavior but reshaping it into something else. Educating. Racism is taught and can be untaught I believe.

Joan wrote: "I think this group is a great idea. As I posted in the other thread, I am happy to act as one of the group moderators.
The other 2 G.R. Groups I belong to have more than one moderator - presumably..."

Ok I figured it out and I have made you a moderator! If anyone else is interested, I'd love to have a group so that the load isn't too big for any one person! <3

Joan wrote: "I think this group is a great idea. As I posted in the other thread, I am happy to act as one of the group moderators.
The other 2 G.R. Groups I belong to have more than one moderator - presumably..."

Joan, That would be amazing. I need to figure out how to add you as a moderator. Is there something I need to do specifically? I'll look into it. Sorry, I don't come on Goodreads much so this isn't a familiar playground for me!

Hey everyone...

so as it turns out I'm terrible at leading a book club. Like... really awful! I'm so sorry I haven't been more consistent in interacting and choosing books and leading in the ways that I'm presumably meant to do. I clearly overcommitted when I started this and now I'm in a bind.

Here's what I'm thinking; A: I can either turn this over to a volunteer to manage and keep it going. B: I can make this reader led, where you all just post and vote a pick a book together and chat about it. Or C: We can close this group since I'm clearly not capable of consistently managing it right now.

What are your thoughts?

I love the idea behind this group, and I hope all of you will keep reading books by diverse authors about diverse characters. I hope we can keep expanding our minds and ideas and become more welcoming and embracing of differences. I've loved our discussions and the insights you've brought. But between some big career things happening, and some personal stuff that isn't as resolved as I'd hoped, and just the craziness of working and kids and life... I realize I can't keep this going on my own.

I'd love to hear your thoughts about it and what you'd like to do!

Thank you <3

Lux KK

This is an open discussion to post book ideas for future months. Thanks! <3

Guys, I'm woefully behind in life right now. I'm so sorry! Moving has sucked more life from me than that machine in Princess Bride.

We need a book for March. And I'm... frazzled. I have one thought but it's a little unconventional for the intention of this group. It's called Stargirl
and it's not diverse at all. It's a very white middle America book. But it's theme is really about being different, and accepting differences in others, and celebrity our uniqueness and individuality, and the fear and ugliness and hate that comes from wanting everyone to look and act and be like you. I think it's a powerful book and it's appropriate for all ages.

Let me know what you think. If this doesn't work, I'm definitely open to suggestions, and I'll be on the look out for more choices in the coming months. Also, I'm going to start a devoted discussion where people can post recommendations any time.

Thanks for your patience. What a month this has been! <3

Lux KK

Thank you all for helping shape this group and discussion. We appreciate it <3

Joan wrote: "Chapter 14 mentions Langston Hughes' poem. Mother to Son
I enjoyed this reading by an elementary school student."
Oh that's awesome! Thank you for sharing. <3

Okay, the book for February is Negroland: A Memoir It seemed fitting particularly for the US situation at the moment, and a few of you recommended it. Thank you!

I apologize for my delays this/last month. We are in the middle of a move and internet and time have both been in short supply. We should be settled soon. In the meantime I'll add this to our library and let's get going for February!

Also, for those who are in other book clubs and know how these things work, please feel free to recommend ways to improve this experience for everyone. We're new to running a book club and kind of stumbling our way along. Thanks for understanding! <3 ~Lux Karpov-Kinrade

EDITED: Okay, the book for February is Negroland: A Memoir It seemed fitting particularly for the US situation at the moment, and a few of you recommended it. Thank you!

I apologize for my delays this month. We are in the middle of a move and internet and time have both been in short supply. We should be settled soon. In the meantime I'll add this to our library and let's get going for February!

Also, for those who are in other book clubs and know how these things work, please feel free to recommend ways to improve this experience for everyone. We're new to running a book club and kind of stumbling our way along. Thanks for understanding! <3 ~Lux Karpov-Kinrade


Hey everyone! I can't believe this month is almost over. We had a book launch this month and a move, so it's a bit crazy in our lives. But I realized we need to start thinking about February book choice.

We could use on the books from past months that weren't chosen. Or select something entirely new.

Since we're still running around like headless chickens, and just pulled an all nighter for our launch, I'm going to open this up to all of you. What do YOU want to read next month that is diverse in some way?

Thanks!

Lux and Dmytry KK

EDITED TO ADD:

Here are some suggestions:

Given by Amber: A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier

The Kite Runner

Votes? Suggestions?

Jenni wrote: "I really wish I could participate in reading this months book, but by the time I can order it and wait for it to arrive it will be February, it is not available as an ebook or in our local or state..."

Oh no! That's so odd. I do see an ebook option on Amazon.com https://www.amazon.com/Akata-Witch-Nn...

Jenni wrote: "Hi, my name is Jenni and I'm 54. I was born in Nottingham, England but my parents moved us to Whyalla, South Australia when I was a child. I currently work part time in The Salvation Army Community..."

We are fantasy authors, so that's our favorite too! Not all the books in this group will be fantasy since we want to expand our horizon, but the January selection is fantasy! :)

Diane wrote: "My name is Diane and I am looking forward to this book club! I gave birth to triplet boys last year and cut back to working part time so I could spend more time with them, but I miss adult interact..."

You have your hands full! Welcome to the group. :)

It seems Akata Witch is the most preferred, so we'll go with that for Jan. :)

Kel wrote: "Is there any place where we can make book suggestions? I know an author that is LGBT and so is the main character in her book! It's YA, Urban Fantasy, and age appropriate. (Promise it's not mine lo..."

Anyone can make recommendations for books in the comments here. :)

I guess I'm not shocked we have so many fantasy fans in here... lol

Denise wrote: "Akata Witch and Shadowshaper stand out to me.. (I'm drawn to the magical world)
I like all three and my local public library has all 3 so I can pick it up there for either book that is chosen..."

Wonderful! I saw that some wanted more fantasy, so I tried to find a mix of genres that still represented some level of diversity for our group. :)

EDITED 12/20 TO ADD: The majority of those who commented seem to prefer Akata Witch, so that's what our Jan. choice will be! I've added it to our bookshelf, so grab it where you can and prepare for our post holiday book discussion. :)

It'll be January before we know it, and I want to make sure everyone has time to get the next book. I know most are still working on December's book, but here are a few diverse books I've found that look interesting. Comment here and let me know what you think.

12-year-old female protagonist, Sunny, who lives in Nigeria
Her features are African, but she’s albino
Sunny discovers she’s a witch and joins a community of magic users

Afro-Latina protagonist
Fun characters and dialogue
Cool magic system that infuses ancestral spirits into paintings

A debut novel that The New York Times called “mandatory reading”
Moving story about a young Latino, Aaron Soto
Explores LGBT issues, identity, and self-acceptance

What do you think? Any of these look interesting? They are appropriate for teen readers as well as adults. (Younger than that would probably be at parental discretion. I haven't read them yet, so I can't speak to the age appropriateness.)

By the way we have a discussion thread open for full spoiler discussions for those who have finished reading the book! And we should probably start to think about what we should read for January! It will be here before any of us realize it. YIKES!

Ilsa wrote: "I just finished reading the book. I will not reveal the ending, but since the main theme is a cultural bias that women are second class people who are forced into unwanted, arranged marriages (and ..."

I really think it was. There were author notes at the end that indicated as such. This still happens, even now, even in our country. It's appalling and frightening that in such a real and visceral way women are still seen as property. :(