Reading Between Covers discussion

What do you think of the characters thus far???

I'm about 100 pages into the book, and I really like Denver and can relate to him and his struggle. However, on the other hand Ron is not my favorite, he seems really stuck on material things, and he doesn't really have a sense for anyone else but himself.

There's seething about this book that keeps me reading and not wanting to stop. I'm only a few chp in and there are some passages that have spoken to me...

"In the 20th century, slaves were free to leave the plantation, but their debt and lack of education kept them shackled to the Man"

That passage addresses the origin of the black man struggle after slavery. It spoke volumes about the rippling effects as its residual oppression contributed to problems that most black men still experience today...

Refreshing honesty by the authors.

A call to examine our own hearts and motives..

Am I guilty of prejudice or a judgmental attitude, even unwittly?

No, your aren't! I think this is why so far, I don't care for Ron much....I can't wait to read more and see how they meet!

I actually like Ron. He represents real life rags to riches also. He is the epitome of the American dream and it materialistic culture. I can relate to him feeling like he has taken his own destiny into his own hands so I can emphasize having a sense of pride of his possession n wealth. However he wasn't saved and he had the idea that most ppl believe that if they do a few works of kindness that will justify them as Christians and get into heaven. WRONG!!
And Ron compliments him to me buying having nutn of value but being rich with the spirit and contentment!
It reminds me of the rich man in the bible quoting all his accolades and Jesus tells him to sell his possessions and give them to the poor....

You know, as I read more. I really found it touching how they started their friendship! The catch and release theory.... He didn't want a relationship with Ron that would be short lived, he wanted a life long friendship to build on! And at first he was so stand-off-ish with Ron! Ron has really changed, and he said he heart was warming, but was still slightly cold in the inside! I bet his heart melted when Denver said that!

Very true and touching part of chapter 40....

"It reminded me of what Jesus told his disciples : "greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends"

Amazing how Denver's friendship could be so strong!

There were other passages that also spoke to me. Like the times when the Ron felt as if He was the student and Denver was teaching him, when Ron realized "we'd enjoy life a whole lot more If we owned a whole lot less"... Those words spoke so much truth and wisdom....

Another passage that spoke volumes to me was when Denver was describing Ron's wife..."but is was the way she treated the homeless that made them accept her as their friend. She never ask em no questions, like how come you here? Where you been? How come you done all them bad things in your life? She just loved em, no strings attached." Not only were those words powerful, but they made me think about the judgement that keeps people from helping others.