Full reading list of possible selections arranged by theme available from Valnet (over 700 items)
Feb. 4 meeting
This month's theme was immigration and we had 4 new members joining us for the potluck meal and discussion. Various tangential topics were discussed, but most books read by members focused on the hardship of people forced to leave their homes and the economic exploitation of migrant laborers. April shared a timeline of immigration to the United States.
The next theme is body image and books on that topic were available to borrow at the end of the meeting. Subtopics may include weight/size, birth defects, amputations, body modification, and more. Each member can decide how to address the topic from their POV.
The following topic is sex trafficking and books on that topic will be available to borrow at the March meeting for discussion in April.
The next theme is body image and books on that topic were available to borrow at the end of the meeting. Subtopics may include weight/size, birth defects, amputations, body modification, and more. Each member can decide how to address the topic from their POV.
The following topic is sex trafficking and books on that topic will be available to borrow at the March meeting for discussion in April.
Jan. 7 meeting
This month's theme was misogyny. The group referenced an Industrial Psychiatry Journal article titled Misogyny, Feminism, and Sexual Harassment and an article from Psychology Today called 12 Ways to Spot a Misogynist.
Relevant films on our streaming service Kanopy include Renaissance and Magic: Witchcraft (Between 1450 and 1700, somewhere between 40,000 to 60,000 people were executed on charges of witchcraft) and Religion and Violence against Women (In this lecture, investigate the gendering of religious language and the treatment of women's bodies in religious practices like menstrual seclusion and self-sacrifice. Also, study the anxiety around women that occurred during the Salem witch trials, as well as competing interpretations of women's freedom and constraint in Islam).
Discussion during the potluck meal included: [to be completed]
The next theme is immigration and books on that topic were available to borrow at the end of the meeting.
The following topic is body image and books on that topic will be available to borrow at the February meeting for discussion in March.
Relevant films on our streaming service Kanopy include Renaissance and Magic: Witchcraft (Between 1450 and 1700, somewhere between 40,000 to 60,000 people were executed on charges of witchcraft) and Religion and Violence against Women (In this lecture, investigate the gendering of religious language and the treatment of women's bodies in religious practices like menstrual seclusion and self-sacrifice. Also, study the anxiety around women that occurred during the Salem witch trials, as well as competing interpretations of women's freedom and constraint in Islam).
Discussion during the potluck meal included: [to be completed]
The next theme is immigration and books on that topic were available to borrow at the end of the meeting.
The following topic is body image and books on that topic will be available to borrow at the February meeting for discussion in March.
Dec. 3 meeting
This month's theme was addiction. During the potluck meal, we watched a TEDTalk by author Johann Hari called Everything You Know About Addiction is Wrong. His book Chasing the Scream is available in print and ebook from Valnet.
After that everyone shared their takeaways from books and articles and podcasts on addiction. Side topics included rehab and recovery support groups, trauma's impact on addiction, connection in society, social media, food addiction, brain changes, addiction in indigenous communities, and our own personal experiences with the issue.
The next theme is misogyny, books on that topic were available to borrow at the end of the meeting.
The next topic is immigration and books on that topic will be available to borrow at the January meeting for discussion in Feburary.
After that everyone shared their takeaways from books and articles and podcasts on addiction. Side topics included rehab and recovery support groups, trauma's impact on addiction, connection in society, social media, food addiction, brain changes, addiction in indigenous communities, and our own personal experiences with the issue.
The next theme is misogyny, books on that topic were available to borrow at the end of the meeting.
The next topic is immigration and books on that topic will be available to borrow at the January meeting for discussion in Feburary.
Sixth meeting - Sept. 10
During the potluck meal, a larger group of about a dozen people met to discuss their readings on gender identity.
Since the next theme is domestic terrorism, books on that topic were available to borrow at the end of the meeting.
The next topic is climate and books on that topic will be available to borrow at the October 1 meeting for discussion in November.
Since the next theme is domestic terrorism, books on that topic were available to borrow at the end of the meeting.
The next topic is climate and books on that topic will be available to borrow at the October 1 meeting for discussion in November.
Fifth meeting - August 6
During the potluck meal, a dedicated group of six talked about the books on residential schools that we read. Discussion included tangential topics like white supremacy, Manifest Destiny, current immigration challenges, and religion.
To introduce the next topic (gender identity) we watched a trailer for Transformer, the story of Janae Marie Kroczaleski, a champion powerlifter who faces personal and professional challenges during her transition into living as a woman [available on Netflix] and an interview with author/activist Jacob Tobia on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah. Tobia's book, Sissy: A Coming-of-Gender Story, was recommended by two members. Fiction and non-fiction books on gender identity were available to borrow for those who attended. Print books and audiobooks on CD on this topic can be found here via Valnet. Digital downloads on the topic are available here.
In addition to books, the library offers access to streaming documentaries and feature films on this topic via the Kanopy app.
The group decided that the next theme will be domestic terrorism and books on that topic will be available to borrow at the next meeting.
To introduce the next topic (gender identity) we watched a trailer for Transformer, the story of Janae Marie Kroczaleski, a champion powerlifter who faces personal and professional challenges during her transition into living as a woman [available on Netflix] and an interview with author/activist Jacob Tobia on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah. Tobia's book, Sissy: A Coming-of-Gender Story, was recommended by two members. Fiction and non-fiction books on gender identity were available to borrow for those who attended. Print books and audiobooks on CD on this topic can be found here via Valnet. Digital downloads on the topic are available here.
In addition to books, the library offers access to streaming documentaries and feature films on this topic via the Kanopy app.
The group decided that the next theme will be domestic terrorism and books on that topic will be available to borrow at the next meeting.
Fourth meeting - July 2
A smaller group of 6 met to discuss our readings and share a meal. During the potluck meal we talked about the white supremacy books we read. Arnetta provided a synopsis of her pick (read it here) and told us about the Hiawatha Insane Asylum. Epigenetics and trauma were discussed in addition to racial profiling, educational standards, mass incarceration, sports and corporations' role in systemic racism, and other overlapping topics.
Handouts:
Books on residential schools were available to borrow for those who attended. More books can be found here via Valnet.
The film, We Were Children - The Traumatic Legacy of Residential Schools by National Film Board of Canada, is available to stream for free on Kanopy with your library card. Ask if you need help accessing this service.
In this feature film, the profound impact of the Canadian government's residential school system is conveyed through the eyes of 2 children who were forced to face hardships beyond their years. As young children, Lyna and Glen were taken from their homes and placed in church-run boarding schools, where they suffered years of physical, sexual and emotional abuse, the effects of which persist in their adult lives. We Were Children gives voice to a national tragedy and demonstrates the incredible resilience of the human spirit.
The group decided that the next theme will be gender identity and books on that topic will be available to borrow at the Aug. 6 meeting. You can also search our digital catalog for titles to download instantly.
Handouts:
- A Letter to White Teachers of My Black Children
- Anti-Racism Reading List by Ibram X. Kendi, Director of the Antiracist Research and Policy Center at American University
- White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack By Peggy McIntosh
- White Supremacy Culture by Tema Okun, www.dismantlingracism.org
Books on residential schools were available to borrow for those who attended. More books can be found here via Valnet.
The film, We Were Children - The Traumatic Legacy of Residential Schools by National Film Board of Canada, is available to stream for free on Kanopy with your library card. Ask if you need help accessing this service.
In this feature film, the profound impact of the Canadian government's residential school system is conveyed through the eyes of 2 children who were forced to face hardships beyond their years. As young children, Lyna and Glen were taken from their homes and placed in church-run boarding schools, where they suffered years of physical, sexual and emotional abuse, the effects of which persist in their adult lives. We Were Children gives voice to a national tragedy and demonstrates the incredible resilience of the human spirit.
The group decided that the next theme will be gender identity and books on that topic will be available to borrow at the Aug. 6 meeting. You can also search our digital catalog for titles to download instantly.
Third meeting - June 4
Eleven people attended the meeting that began with a potluck meal. While we ate, members talked about their reactions to the selections on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. Guest Marilyn Bowen shared with us some of the ways native communities are raising awareness and fundraising including Red Purse and Red Shawl Dances at powwows. Estimates of women who are missing in Canada is estimated to be over 20,000 and that country has officially declared it genocide.
White supremacy introduction videos:
White supremacy introduction videos:
- Hate Rising: White Supremacy in America [CBS News]
- My Descent into America's Neo-Nazi Movement & How I Got Out, Christian Picciolini [TEDxMileHigh]
- Pyramid of racism (covert and overt)
- Common Patterns of Whites
Second meeting - May 7
We had 17 people in attendance for the meeting, almost double the first one. Opening with a potluck meal, we ate before discussing our reactions to the books we read on compassion. Most people described a few take away points that resonated from their chosen book and topics from animal cruelty to war were discussed.
Pat provided a written synopsis of her book which can be viewed here.
Books on the next topic under discussion, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW), were available to borrow. Not many books on this topic exist in the Valnet catalog so these need to be signed out from us at this branch for now. The meeting was running late after discussing compassion, so the videos we had planned to introduce the topic weren't shown, but can be viewed below. Several news articles provided by members were also available to read at the meeting.
MMIW introduction videos
The group decided that the next theme (June 4) will be white supremacy and books on that topic will be available to borrow at the June meeting. A suggested reading list is available here. Each member can pick a book from this list, from their own books, read an article, listen to a podcast - however you like to get information.
Pat provided a written synopsis of her book which can be viewed here.
Books on the next topic under discussion, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW), were available to borrow. Not many books on this topic exist in the Valnet catalog so these need to be signed out from us at this branch for now. The meeting was running late after discussing compassion, so the videos we had planned to introduce the topic weren't shown, but can be viewed below. Several news articles provided by members were also available to read at the meeting.
MMIW introduction videos
- Why are Indigenous women missing in Canada? [SBS Dateline]
- Why the U.S. Must Not Ignore Violence Against Indigenous Women [NowThis]
- What impact could the MMIW inquiry have on Canada? [CBC News]
- Who killed Alberta Williams? By Connie Walker and Marnie Luke [true crime podcast]
The group decided that the next theme (June 4) will be white supremacy and books on that topic will be available to borrow at the June meeting. A suggested reading list is available here. Each member can pick a book from this list, from their own books, read an article, listen to a podcast - however you like to get information.
- Search Valnet for books on white supremacy - audio CD, regular print, large type, children's formats available
- Anti-Racist Reading List by Ibram X. Kendi, Director of the Antiracist Research and Policy Center at American University [cross referenced with Valnet here]
- Use OverDrive/Libby to find ebooks and audiobooks on white supremacy
- Use Kanopy to stream a documentary on white supremacy, Welcome to Leith (feature documentary chronicling the attempted takeover of a small town in North Dakota by notorious white supremacist Craig Cobb) or I Am Not Your Negro: James Baldwin and Race in America (Oscar-nominated documentary narrated by Samuel L. Jackson, explores the continued peril America faces from institutionalized racism)
- How to Stop Racism: Ten Best Books on White Supremacy [librarycard.org]
First meeting - April 2
We had 10 people in attendance for the first meeting. We had pre-determined this meeting's topic would be compassion to help us set a framework for exploring the rest of the topics. A variety of books on compassion were available for checkout at the meeting.
Resources:
(video) Reimagining compassion as power | Tim Dawes | TEDxSeattle
(children's books read aloud, available from Valnet) My heart / Corinna Luyken. | Come with me / Holly M. McGhee ; illustrated by Pascal Lemaitre | I am human : a book of empathy / by Susan Verde ; art by Peter H. Reynolds.
Opening notes - what this group is and isn't
Ultimate Cheatsheet for Critical Thinking
Silence Breakers for Whites in Cross-Racial Discussions
Tactics of Privileged Resistance
The group decided that the next theme will be Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) and books on that topic will be available to borrow at the May meeting.
- Search Valnet for compassion for print, audio CD and movie options on compassion
- Search OverDrive/Libby for ebooks and digital audiobooks to download instantly
Resources:
(video) Reimagining compassion as power | Tim Dawes | TEDxSeattle
(children's books read aloud, available from Valnet) My heart / Corinna Luyken. | Come with me / Holly M. McGhee ; illustrated by Pascal Lemaitre | I am human : a book of empathy / by Susan Verde ; art by Peter H. Reynolds.
Opening notes - what this group is and isn't
Ultimate Cheatsheet for Critical Thinking
Silence Breakers for Whites in Cross-Racial Discussions
Tactics of Privileged Resistance
The group decided that the next theme will be Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) and books on that topic will be available to borrow at the May meeting.