Our Book club is a new one, a spin off of an original 2005 club who has been going strong .
I was first into the meeting room, closely followed by a friendly forty something South African Asian chap called Faisal who I liked immediately because he shook my hand, had a big smile and the fact that his dog had ripped apart his book of the month. I showed him my phone case which Roger has chewed only five hours previously, and he nodded knowingly.
I think we are going to be firm friends
The rest of the group by chance had all met in the foyer with Alison ,our bubbly facilitator and found their seats some ten minutes later.
The demographic was much younger and varied than I expected . Out of twenty of us , two thirds were in their twenties and half of those described themselves with the pronoun of “ they” . Apart from Alison there were just three older group members, including myself and so the energy in the room was different than I expected.
One young person dominated the conversation, but I enjoyed listening to the discussions, having not fully read the book of choice.
I’ll go again.
Well, you obviously enjoyed it if you're willing to go again. It would be interesting to know what the other participants thought and if the numbers will grow, or diminish. Sorry Mr Holey jumper wasn't there, but maybe next time... xx
ReplyDeleteHey …one day eh?
DeleteNot criticism John, I think it's nice thing to do, but why the need to go to a specific LGBT bookgroup? Why not just one that is for all comers gay and straights? Also, did everyone tell you their pronouns at the beginning? That sounds a bit unecessary for a bookgroup! I would have thought? Hope you had a good time anyhows.
ReplyDeleteOh for goodness sake ,
DeleteWhy not a lgbtq+ book club ?
Im gay
And the pronouns arnt unnecessary at all…NOT AT ALL
Im going to organise a general book club locally
For a “ mixed” GROUP , does that make you feel a bit better?
I had a lovely time your comment is redundant sorry x
DeleteI like Faisal as I've always been quite partial to a foriegn man - and who knows there may be a hole appear in his jumper shortly x 📚
ReplyDeleteYou old romantic
DeleteI imagine Faisal can make the most delicious falafel. I'm in love already x
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed the book club meeting and the mix of folks who came. I will confess, the various appropriate pronouns are confusing to me and it's a lot to remember. No offence to anyone. That's just me.
ReplyDeleteas for falafels? Sigh!
Hugs!
It’s like anything babs , if you are not familiar with something it takes a while to catch up with it so to speak. and I count myself in this category
DeleteAge is a state of mind, except when it comes to pronouns. :)
ReplyDeleteChosen pronouns and names matter extraorinarily much to some people, to the point where having other people use them can reduce suicidal feelings and attempts. It is a small enough kindness we can do. If one sees it as unnecessary, it's because of having the privilege of having birth pronouns that match your inner self. Not so for some people, and I remember seeing a cartoon where a person was misgendered and it was like being slapped in the face with a big wet fish, because that is how it feels. I never want to hurt or jar someone like that. See it as a great way of using your brain in a new way that will help avoid dementia! Tina in Western Australia
ReplyDeleteThat's a wonderful point, Tina. It might not matter to me or you or anyone else, but it matters to the person we are speaking to. It is such a simple thing to do, to listen, to give them the respect of addressing them in a way that validates who they are.
DeleteYes good point well made
DeleteI love this explanation. It's kindness that matters--always kindness.
DeleteAgreed. At a very basic level, it seems like common courtesy to use the pronouns that people want -- but it also runs much deeper than that.
DeleteIt sounds like a pretty good experience overall. That is pretty funny that 2 of you have dogs that given a chance chew valuables. F. sounds like a good guy.
ReplyDeleteThat IS a young demographic! But then again, it's only the first meeting and things may shift and change in the months to come.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds as if you have met a group that will challenge your thinking, and allow you to make new friends. You'd BETTER go again, unless you need a batch of commenters kicking your arse there.
ReplyDeleteOh no , I will be going, I’ve just ordered the next book THREE HOURS by Rosamund Lupton
DeleteSounds like fun, glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteI could see myself using 'they' when talking of a person who was absent, but how do you address 'them' if they are with you? There is no plural of 'you'. How are 'you both', perhaps? It does make life tricky. And how are we supposed to know if someone is plural?
ReplyDeleteThere's a plural of you in Scots...youse.
DeleteA simple solution to your problem Cro - just ask the person. As someone said pronouns are very important to some people and we should acknowledge that. In a similar fashion it is is very important to some people to be Ms as opposed to Miss or Mrs.
DeleteI'm not against the use of plurals, it's just the knowing of who to address as plural. I can't ask everyone I meet if they are two!
DeleteI envy you, but 'Well done'!
ReplyDeleteDo you fancy a book club raymondo
DeleteYes, I do. There used to be one on these blogs two or three years ago, attempted to get running by 'Sol', but it seems to have folded, presumably through insufficient interest - there being only Sol herself, myself, and maybe at the most just two others reading the suggestions. If there was a local one involving physically meeting up every so often (and I've no doubt there already are) I'd have the problem of leaving the cats alone for several hours, they being so at enmity with each other - though I dare say it's not an insurmountable problem.
DeleteA virtual book club sounds good
DeleteIt sounds like there's potential in that. Oh, to have a diverse queer group of any kind in town.
ReplyDeleteWhy do you bother? It doesn't sound like it was for the book or an interest in books.
ReplyDeleteWhy did you bother commenting ?
Delete(I mean the conversation-dominator. :) )
ReplyDeleteI'd love a gay book group! I'm the only gay in my old book group and while I don't mind that, there is something about being among others like yourself.
ReplyDeleteE
Set one up deArheart x
DeleteGood for you for being in a book club! I miss the ones I was in.
ReplyDelete