Edmonton Lesbian+ Book Club

Eh, I just heard about this book, and it sounds fun. So, check it out if you like: Queen of the Oddballs by Hilary Carlip. Also just read about British author Shamim Sarif's two novels: her debut The World Unseen (2001), about two women in 1950s apartheid South Africa who fall in love; and second novel, Despite The Falling Snow (2004).

Well, we had a lovely discussion of Venus of Chalk the other night. Unfortunately, some of us (me!) didn't actually get around to reading the book, so it was kinda short and sweet. This month, it's Alison Bechdel's Fun Home - our first graphic novel. We do our best to try new things! We selected readings for the coming months. In March we'll read Nicole Brossard's latest title, Yesterday, at the Hotel Clarendon . I'm a huge fan, even though if I'm honest most of it's over my head. Members selected a title by an Indian writer, Suniti Namjoshi, Feminist Fables , for April. Then May's selection is a bit lighter: The Magician's Assistant by Ann Patchett . And for June, we've decided to try a non-fiction item. It's Judith Halberstam's In a Queer Time and Place: Transgender Bodies, Subcultural Lives . At least, I think that's the title!

Here's to Year Five for the Edmonton Lesbian Book Club! I've redesigned the blog and plan to keep it much more up to date this year - it's a new year's resolution! You'll notice one important new category on the top left-hand side - our current reading list. Please bookmark this page and remember to check it each month, or more. And, if you have suggestions for the site, let's have 'em! January's title is Venus of Chalk by Susan Stinson. If anybody wants to volunteer some discussion questions, I'd love to have them and post them here. See you at the end of the month!

November's title is Mohawk Trail by Beth Brant. December we're on hiatus. January we're reading Venus of Chalk by Susan Stinson.

Something new and fun out - for those um, old-school dykes out there, readers of the Dykes to Watch Out For series by Alison Bechdel! She's written a graphic novel, called Fun Home about her own childhood/life. Looking forward to it! Alison Bechdel's blog has links to reviews and other info, enjoy!

FEBRUARY: Our Sister Killjoy , by Ama Ata Aidoo MARCH: Loose End , by Ivan E. Coyote APRIL: Wild Girls , Diana Souhami MAY: Patience & Sarah , by Alma Routsong (aka Isabel Miller) JUNE: Wild Dogs , by Helen Humphreys JULY: The Price of Salt , by Patricia Highsmith AUGUST: What Night Brings , by Carla Trujillo SEPTEMBER: The Monkey's Mask , by Dorothy Porter OCTOBER: Drag King Dreams , by Leslie Feinberg (due out March 2006) NOVEMBER: Mohawk Trail , by Beth Brant

Hey everyone. Sorry for the long break between posts. Here's the scoop. We've had excellent book discussions in the last couple of months. And, we had a lovely little pre-holidays get-together too. We take a break from book club in December because people are always so busy with the holidays. And here are our plans for the coming months: January: We're reading "Our Sister Killjoy" by Ama Ata Aidoo. February: We'll read "Loose End" by Ivan E. Coyote . Unfortunately, we had to shelf the idea of reading Nicole Brossard's "Mauve Desert" as it is out of print and difficult to get hold of. Perhaps when her latest, "Yesterday, at the Hotel Clarendon" goes paperback, we'll read it. That's it until the new year!!!

Our reading schedule for the coming months, based on your votes/anti-votes/requests! October: Finding Ms. Wright, by Anne Seale November: Written on the Body, by Jeanette Winterson December: we're on hiatus January: Our Sister Killjoy, by Ama Ata Aidoo February: Mauve Desert, by Nicole Brossard

We're reading "The Quilt" by Ismat Chugtai. a review.

1. Lilly was awarded the German Federal Service Cross in 1981 for “her heroic efforts” to conceal and protect Felice. Did you find Lilly “heroic”? 2. Was this a memoir? 3. Did you find their affair passionate? Do you think the circumstances of the war heightened their affair? 4. Did you find Lilly self-serving? 5. Do you think Felice regretted not leaving Germany when she had the chance? 6. Did the relationship come across as obsession to you? 7. “It is not an introspection on being or becoming lesbian. It is not the reminiscence of a woman who regrets not doing enough to save her lover from the Holocaust. It is not an inspirational memoir by an ordinary Berliner who learned great lessons from her experiences. Neither is it a compelling account of that dreadful time nor even much of a love story.” Do you agree? What is it, if not a love story?