book club

Beyond the Page Book Club screens “Dead Poets Society” in honor of National Poetry Month

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On Wednesday, April 8, Beyond the Page Book Club held their final event for the year. In honor of National Poetry month they decided to show the film “Dead Poets Society,” which was produced in 1989. The film was accompanied by popcorn and beverages. Rising senior and President of the club Rachael Owen said that, “We thought this would be a good chance for students to relax before finals.”

The classic film takes place in 1950s New England at an all-boys preparatory school. It follows the lives of several of the students and their new English teacher (played by Robin Williams) who teaches them the importance of thinking for oneself and of not being afraid of standing up for one’s beliefs even if it goes against the established norms.

While Beyond the Page Book Club ordinarily makes decisions using polls on social media sites, this film was chosen by club officers for its subject matter. The group’s mission is to help the Chatham community share and express their love of books and literature. This movie was chosen because it was a film that dealt directly with how literature—specifically poetry—has the power to change lives.

National Poetry Month was created in 1996 by the Academy of American Poets and takes place every April. It is the most widely celebrated literary event in the world. The inspiration for the day, according to poets.org, came from the success of month dedications, such as Black History Month and Women’s History Month. It is used as an opportunity for organizations, like schools and libraries, to support the reading of poetry. The Academy of American Poets allows anyone to use the official logo to promote participation from educators and poet enthusiasts from around the country.

The month has had a variety of special events in its honor. In the past the US Postal service has featured stamps with poets, and in 2005 the Empire State Building in New York City featured blue and white lights in honor of the month. Additionally, every year since 2012, the Academy for American Poets hosts a project entitled “Dear Poet.” It encourages children in grades five through twelve to read, interact with, and create original works of poetry.

Beyond the Page Book Club is enthusiastic in its mission. In September they will start the year off with a speaker about a novel to bring attention to Banned Books Week.

Chatham’s Beyond The Page Book Club hosts third annual Book Brunch

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On Sunday March 29, Chatham’s Beyond The Page Book Club discussed the stories that have captivated them. Over orange juice, tea, and pastries Chatham’s book club came together to have its third annual Book Brunch. The theme of the brunch held in the intimate setting of the Mellon Solarium was Harper Lee’s timeless classic “To Kill A Mockingbird.”

Although a relatively young organization, the Beyond the Page Book Club is fairly active on campus. With a self proclaimed mission to “include any individual interested in expanding their love and knowledge of literature,” as well as, “foster an appreciation of literature and the arts through discussion and awareness of issues pertaining to the world of books,” Beyond the Page Book Club is making a name for itself. From collaborations with the Creative Writing Club to literary-themed mocktails on Halloween to celebrating banned books week, the organization has a lot to offer for students who love reading and writing.

Very democratic in its nature, the theme of the brunch was selected by club members in an online poll. It was an appropriate choice seeing as the novel, more than fifty years after its publication, will be getting a sequel this summer titled “Go Set A Watchman.”

Beyond the Page is not what one might imagine a traditional book club to be. Books are not typically assigned and every genre under the sun is discussed. What happens at a book brunch, besides brunch one might wonder? A social-justice-oriented discussion of books the attendees have read.

From discussing the rights of clones in science fiction novels to the recurring themes of incest and abuse in Toni Morrison’s writings, Beyond the Page members dig deep in true Chatham style. Problematic themes and clever metaphors for real world issues in classic and contemporary writings were tackled as well as less serious stories. Although, as college students, the current co-chairs–juniors Rachael Owen and Brittanie Terensky-Rees–admit that due to their course loads they do not always have as much time for recreational reading as they would like, but that does not lessen their passion for stories for people, young and old. In fact one of the many topics discussed was Terensky-Rees’ own tutorial, dedicated to analyzing the way that minorities were represented in the Harry Potter series.

William Nicholson once said, “We read to know we’re not alone.” For those interested in coming together with others who have found solace in books, the brunch would have been very much enjoyed. For book lovers interested in connecting with others on campus, the club will have another event in honor of National Poetry Month: a screening of the Robin Williams’ film “Dead Poets Society.”  For further information contact Rachael Owen and or Brittanie Terensky-Rees.

Chatham raises awareness for Banned Books Week

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Each year in America, books from across every genre are taken out of school curriculums and banned from the shelves of local libraries.

In an attempt to draw attention to this issue, the last week of September was declared “Banned Books Week” by library activist Judith Krug; a declaration that was sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and the Library of Congress, among others.

In response, the Chatham University Beyond the Page Book Club held an event to raise awareness about Banned Books Week, specifically in regards to the book, “The Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian” by Sherman Alexie.

On Friday, September 26, Chatham students gathered in the Mellon Board Room to discuss the book and the implications of censorship in America.

Upon arrival attendees were encouraged to fill their plates with spinach and artichoke dip, along with the other foods available, and make their way over to the far end of the room where about 40 chairs were set up facing a projection screen on the back wall.

After everyone was seated Rachel Owen, the event organizer and President of the Beyond the Page Book Club went to the podium to say a few opening remarks.

She thanked everyone for coming and thanked all those who had contributed to the Banned Books Week event, including the Artist Collective’s efforts in creating the book graveyard and coffin at the Jenny King Mellon Library.

She then introduced the evening’s guest lecturer Dr. Holly Jones, University of Alabama  in Huntsville professor and a specialist in ethnic American and contemporary literature, who was there to lead the discussion on the censorship of Alexie’s book.

Jones began her discussion by elaborating on the context under which Alexie’s book was being studied.  She said that “The Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian” was in the ALA’s top 10 most frequently challenged books, due to sexuality, language, and anti-Christian themes.

Jones said that this was especially troubling when one considered that the authors most often being banned are minority authors, with books that represents minority perspectives. She cited several parents who spoke out against the book being taught in their children’s schools, and she noted that people often feel uncomfortable with these themes but “feeling…uncomfortable can be necessary for intellectual growth”

She then went on to look at the novel itself and specifically how Alexie chose to use the term “Indian.”

According to Jones, “Indian provides a shared identity for colonized people. Alexie uses Indian to speak for/speak to the identities and experiences of those people.”

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She also explained how in the novel, it is a word that means different things to different people. To people on the reservation “Indian” means being poor, being bound to the reservation, and being witness to increasing intolerance. But it also meant being playful with language, family oriented, humorous in the face of tragedy, and open to the supernatural. To white people, however, being Indian means being potentially violent, inured to pain, drunk, a recipient of government handouts, attractively outcast, an undeserving of opportunities.

This conflict of identity played a large role in the book when Junior, the main character, left the reservation to go to a white school. Jones said that the anger that his friends felt, and that he felt throughout this process lead to many scenes that could have potentially been considered inappropriate by an audience who did not understand the context.

On the topic of Native American authorship in general, Jones said, “Native American’s have tended to be the objects, rather than the authors, of American literature.” She said that this is a problem because “Native Americans write and read from a different subject position than their white American counterparts.”

Jones then went on to discuss the history of Native Americans’ struggles with the United States government. Before doing so, however, she asked the people in the room if everyone already knew the things that she would be going over, and no one raised their hands, which served to demonstrate Jones’s point about perspective and understanding.

Towards the end of the presentation Jones posed the question, “Does removing controversial text’s ‘white wash’ history?”  The question was rhetorical, but extremely thought provoking.

After the conclusion of the lecture Jone’s was met with enthusiastic applause from the approximately 20 people in the audience.

In regards to her choice of books for this years Banned Books events, Owens said, “I selected this novel because it has been frequently banned. It’s speaking to the Native American experience, which has often been silenced and marginalized. I find that very troubling and wanted to bring attention to it.”

She said that she found Jones through some research she did into academic papers surrounding the book, and made contact through the Book Club faculty advisor, Dr. Bruckner.

“Overall I think the event went really well,” Owen said.  “Dr. Jones was fantastic.”

Owen also said that several people approached her about the Artist Collective’s work in library, and about Banned Books week in general, so she felt that it succeeded in raising awareness for the many books and authors who have experienced censorship.