Hidden Figures: Pre-Reading Discussion

[Winter, Group Reads]

This month we will be reading Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly

We have made some changes to the threads. This is where we will be discussion the book prior to the group read. If you`re excited for the book let us know! Have you read it before or is it your first time?

[Lisanne]

I love anything space-related, so needless to say this month’s theme is right up my alley. Sadly my local library’s collection of English books is very small, so I’m probably going to have to pick it up in Dutch, but I’m still very excited to read this book!
Would love to watch the film adaptation as well this month.

[Ashleigh]

I'll be listening to this on audio, which I'm keen for. I'm actually super keen for this book! It's intrigued me for a while now!

[Martha]

I picked Hidden Figures up yesterday from my library and I'm very excited for July to start so I can start reading the book. I skimmed the pages a little and saw that this (german) edition is full of annotations and sources quoted. Usually that's not my cup of tea. But I get why Ms. Shetterlyn did it. As far as I know this project started as a research project so she already had all these sources documented, when she decided to make it into a novel. So why not let everybody know what her sources were. It also made it easier, I can imagine, to confront negative people who talked her down / didn't believe her with her sources and be like "Explain that away".

A couple of years ago I've seen the movie (while on a flight) and it was a perfect example of an edutaning film (educating and entertaining) - I was so absorbed in the movie I lost track of all my surroundings, completely immersed myself in that film.

In a way, that makes it hard for the book to live up to the standard the film set for me. On the other hand I loved that film so much I just want to spend more time in that universe on the NASA base with those rad women.

Great pick for a group read, imo.

[Sierra Rose]

I am really looking forward to this book and to learn more about what these incredible women did. I haven’t read or seen the movie yet and am glad to add this to my reading collection.

[L Y N N]

I attended an author event with Ms. Shetterly and own a personally inscribed copy of the book but have yet to read it! I adored the movie, but from some reviews I've skimmed, it seems the book is much more 'nonfictiony" than the movie. That will not bother me at all. Also, there are more characters included in the book than were in the movie so I am fascinated to learn about other calculators as well. Anxious for this one!

[Gabi]

As a lucky coincidence the book was on the list of English ebook deals of the month this morning. I'm looking forward reading it. It will be my first since I didn't see the movie.

[Claire]

I just picked it up at our local library, and I'm very excited to read it! I grew up during the space race, and we never knew anything about these women until this book, and especially the movie, came out. I've seen most, but not all, of the movie, and loved it. And I agree with Tracy, that books are usually better than the movies based on them.

Happy reading, everyone!

[L Y N N]

Starting it tonight!

[Ann]

Hopefully, starting tomorrow. I had to order a copy because I went to the bookshelf to retrieve mine and it was missing! Must have let someone borrow it, D'oh!

[Elena]

Oh I love this book! Excited for a second reading!