How much do you read on a daily basis? Seems like you blew through this one.
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Have you checked out his Goodreads account? @greebs is a certified machine.
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Certified? Awesome.
I try to read at least an hour a day (a lot before bed, but sometimes when I’m doing my best not to work or just before dinner). I read fast, and as I think I’ve said it’s often a curse not a blessing. I gloss over details I don’t want to miss, it’s just the way I read.
With The Last Ballad I thought for some reason we were meeting a week earlier and I’m about to go to Seattle for four days to play golf (in the airport now at 5:45 AM, that’s dedication folks) and it much else. So I was racing to finish before I left. For apparently no good reason!
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There is no way I finish The Last Ballad in time if I try to read that too
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I just ordered the book. Hoping to make it under the wire!
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Finished last night. I definitely have some thoughts, but we’re traveling so I can’t make the discussion on Wednesday (bummed). Hopefully I’ll be back online for the next one.
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For those of you who are curious, here is Loray Mills today: https://images.app.goo.gl/5t3sy6M5bG5LD81Q8
Loft apartments and event venue? Might be the most American result of what happened there possible. To be fair, it is also the home of the African American Museum of History and Culture. https://www.africanamericanmuseumgastonia.com/
And the historical marker erected by NC Humanities Council (spoliers, BTW): Marker: O-81
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Celebrating the 25th Anniversary a couple months early with Mrs. CMick26 with some B&B R&R.
I’m sure nearing-25 me was appreciative of the midroom tub/jets for different reason🤭…. Nearing-50 me is loving the quirky coffee table….off to a solid start for next week’s discussion.
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Congratulations!!!
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My 15th anniversary is this October and so is my birthday … where I’ll be turning 53. 52 is the age, apparently, where someone asks your age and you forget and have to do math to work back to your birth year. You truly hate to see it.
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Wow. That was a very compelling read. Pretty much read it straight through in one sitting today. Looking forward to the discussion as always!
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Finished up this morning- agree with @BeenMacKenzied that it was a compelling read. Recommend reading the afterword as well btw.
Haven’t found discussion questions I like (not that we ever really need them…) but here’s some anyways
Summary
Discussion Questions:
- Many of the leaders of labor unions were from the North. What kind of impression do you think that made on the workers in the unions? People against the union?
- Ella May’s songs were used as a way to bring people on the side of the union. Why do you think music was so effective during rallies?
- Racism was a major issue throughout the formation of labor unions during this time period. Why was racism such an obstacle to overcome, and how did it affect the formation of unions?
- What are the pros and cons of unionizing?
- Poverty was very common among mill workers across Appalachia. How did poverty make it more difficult for workers to successfully unionize?
- Is going on strike fair to the children affected?
- There has been increased concern/discussion over income disparity. Does this story resonate in today’s world? If so, how?
- In the book, many outside of the union/strike were disgusted by it. How are unions viewed today? Does location or career dictate your opinion
- How have workers’ rights been changed because of strikes such as the mill strike in the book? Were they effective?
- Ella May’s rally song was title “Mill Mother’s Lament”. Do you think her gender was helpful in bringing people onto the union’s side — -would a “Mill Father’s Lament” been as effective?
- In class, we learned about unionizing in coal mines. Do you think there are any major differences in the unionizing of mills vs mines? If so, what are they and why are they different? If not, why?
- Why would Cash choose to tell this story as a flashback 75 years later and use multiple voices? How does this reflect Appalachian oral storytelling history?
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A day early, but figured I’d throw the Zoom meeting link today. Really looking forward to tomorrow night!
Ryan McDonald is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Refuge Book Club
Time: Jul 14, 2021 09:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
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Meeting ID: 922 5982 8516
Password: 954918
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Meeting ID: 922 5982 8516
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Thanks for grabbing those Sarah! Looking forward to tonight’s discussion. I’ve been crashing at 8:30pm lately (junior golf circuit is in full swing so I’ve been carrying Young Hitters’ bags a lot), but I’m grabbing a late cup of coffee to get me in the mix!
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Thanks folks! Always love diving in for another discussion!
@OffTheDole /@ChickPhilA /@shadowmods - can someone update the next book to “ The Day the World Came to Town by Jim DeFede”.
We can determine a date for discussion where I can bring other examples of Canadian contributions.
Thanks Nick for a suggestion that looks like a lot of fun and an enjoyable read. For folks who haven’t dove into book club yet or who have been too busy to get through longer picks, this would be a great one to get involved with!
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Seems like we can set the 2022 discussion schedule on the eves of major golf events? That has been a trend this year anyway. Fun discussion as always.
“The Rent Collector” that Nick referenced is a book lover’s sort of book that is worth a read as well. But definitely excited to dig deeper into the story line of Gander, based on what I know and love about the musical “Come From Away.”
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Good times everyone—I enjoy our monthly chats and hearing how everyone thinks.
A follow up to the Rick Bragg books I mentioned:
All Over But the Shoutin’ is about his childhood and focuses on his mom—made me cry. That’s a great starting point and my favorite of his. Then follow it up with Ava’s Man and Prince of Frogtown. The first book introduces you to his family and rural Alabama childhood, the second two are not sequels per se, but they fill in gaps.
I’m off to order that book of his on Jerry Lee Lewis!
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Hey all, sorry I couldnt make it last night, it has been a crazy month for me at work. Looking forward to the next book!
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So, in looking through this - it may warm yours and @Sarah’s hearts to know that I was wrong, I haven’t heard of Rick Bragg. Indeed, there are MANY authors and books I’ve not only not read but never heard of! It’s what makes books awesome - you can at any age discover a new author and realize you have many books of his or hers to devour. These look very intriguing.
As the saying goes, So Many Books, So Little Time.
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