Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion
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June Group Read Discussion: Beloved by Toni Morrison
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Mod
The second time I read it I understood it much better. I am hopeful that I can help others as needed to gain a richer reading experience from this book.
Although the 'chapters' are not numbered, I am suggesting we pretend as if they are and use numbers to denote where we are in the text when we post comments/questions.
I will post some questions to consider as we read the first part of the book on June 1.
Sounds like a good read. I've had it on my classics TBR for a while. It's just been patiently sitting in one of my book boxes. Guess now would be a good time to pull it out. *****
Lynn,
I look forward to reading and hopefully answering some of your questions.
This is a book I've never read before but have wanted to. It's hard for me since I don't read much fiction and when I do I am very specific. I just keep certain books around to challenge myself and test myself to see if I can bring myself to read them.
I'm willing to be up to this particular challenge so hopefully, it will push me to read it.
Looking forward to discussing this one with you all. Given that it is fiction, I'll most likely annotate and tab it so I can keep up with the story as I go along. Hopefully, that too will be able to help me keep up with the discussions.
Lynn wrote: "I am rereading this and at the same time reading an analysis of the text. I have read this book twice already. The first time was over 20 years ago and I found it very confusing and rather confound..."I agree, her work is really hard to follow. This will be the second time reading this book for me. I read it over 20 years ago in college. Here's hoping I have matured enough to understand it better now.
Mod
1) What, if any, expectations do you have for this book?
2) Have you read any other of Toni Morrison's books before?
3) What Popsugar prompt do you plan to use Toni Morrison's Beloved to fulfill?
4) Did you plan to read this book even if it wasn't a Monthly Group Read selection? This year? Or any other time in the future?
Mod
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Lynn,
I look ..."
I'm glad to know this may help you tick off a classic from your TBR listing! And help you diversify your reading a bit from nonfiction. As you may know, I have the opposite challenge, trying to incorporate more nonfiction into my fiction-loaded reading schedule! :)
I think your emphasis on nonfiction may actually be of benefit to you with this book...or not!
I look forward to your comments!
Mod
Ah, yes. In my case, I believe my additional readings about slavery and the mistreatment, abuse, and murder of so many non-whites added to my knowledge base enough to better understand this book when I reread it almost 25 years later. I hope that will also be your experience! And hopefully, the discussion will help distill your understanding to make this an enriching reading experience.
Lynn wrote:Some 'pre-reading' questions:
1) What, if any, expectations do you have for this book?
-I honestly have no expectations. I don't know anything about this book so I'm not too familiar with the contents of it.
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2) Have you read any other of Toni Morrison's books before?
I've heard of her and seen her books in bookstores but I've never actually paid attention to her work. I just got 'Beloved' because it's a book I could not escape from either on Bookstagram or BookTok since it was everywhere.
I thought about getting her books before but always had a hard time, because once again, it's fiction, which is my weakest genre.
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3) What Popsugar prompt do you plan to use Toni Morrison's Beloved to fulfill?
Good question. I honestly did not consider it before. I suppose it could fit in either the #BookTok Recommendation or A Book About A Secret because I'm sure with a book like this there could end up being a few.
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4) Did you plan to read this book even if it wasn't a Monthly Group Read selection? This year? Or any other time in the future?
It was at a far bottom when it came to my classics TBR. I got the book a little over a year ago and told myself that I would get to it eventually but before this BOTM selection it would have most likely continued to stay in the box (as I have no space for it on my bookshelves.)
Mod
Some 'pre-reading' questions:
1) What, if any, expectations do you have for this book?
-I honestly have no expectations. I don't know anything about this book so I'm not too familiar ..."
Perhaps "fiction" is a genre with which you have had little experience/exposure, rather than being "weak." :)
Good for you for expanding your reading horizons! I think that is one of the most valuable aspects of Goodreads, at least for me!
Mod
One thing that struck me in these first 50 pages is Morrison's deft use of symbolism. And...that is one aspect of a book that, to me, definitely indicates a "literary classic." Many times as I read such a book I believe I unconsciously make the symbolic links, but sometimes I have difficulty delineating them in words...
1) What are some symbols you noted in these first 50 pages/4 "chapters"?
2) Do these symbols "work for you" and/or increase your understanding of the text?
3) Any thoughts on the naming of the Sweet Home slaves? (Paul A, Paul D, Paul F)
4) How would you describe Paul D and Sethe's relationship at this point?
5) What long-term effects do you believe will result from Paul D's fighting the ghost/spirit?
6) Why do you believe neither Sethe nor Denver ever fought with the ghost/spirit?
I am going to try to read this one, though may not get to it until later in the month. 1) What, if any, expectations do you have for this book? No expectations as I don’t know much about it beyond the one paragraph back cover blurb.
2) Have you read any other of Toni Morrison's books before? Have not read her before.
3) What Popsugar prompt do you plan to use Toni Morrison's Beloved to fulfill? The Anifield-Wolf Book award winner prompt (#10)
4) Did you plan to read this book even if it wasn't a Monthly Group Read selection? This year? Or any other time in the future? I had it down as a possible Popsugar read last year and did not get to it. It went on my short list of five possible reads for this year’s prompt #10, as mentioned above, and moved to the top of the list when it won the group poll.
1) What, if any, expectations do you have for this book?The only expectation I have for this book is to enjoy it more than I did 20 years ago. Back then it just seemed like a jumble of random events with no real connection. I think I have matured some and might have a better understanding of the themes/issues presented in the text.
2) Have you read any other of Toni Morrison's books before?
I have read all of Toni Morrison's books for a class in college. I took a class that studied all of her works.
3) What Popsugar prompt do you plan to use Toni Morrison's Beloved to fulfill?
I am using this to fulfill prompt 10 ~ Anisfield-Wolf Book Award winner. It could cover the following prompts as well: 12 ~ Book about the afterlife; and 25 ~ Book about a secret.
4) Did you plan to read this book even if it wasn't a Monthly Group Read selection? This year? Or any other time in the future?
I never really planned to read this book again. I didn't enjoy it the first time and I am not a re-reader. There are very few books that I reread voluntarily. It's just not my thing.
Ron wrote: Good question. I honestly did not consider it before. I suppose it could fit in either the #BookTok Recommendation or A Book About A Secret because I'm sure with a book like this there could end up being a few."Wow!!! I'm surprised that this is a #BookTok recommendation. It's such an old book it's amazing that this generation wants to read it. Wonder if it has something to do with her recent death.
Lynn wrote: "I have now read through page 50 in the hardcover edition, or "chapter" 4. One thing that struck me in these first 50 pages is Morrison's deft use of symbolism. And...that is one aspect of a book ..."
Sorry about so many posts in a row. I just have to respond as the thought hits me.
Anywho, I have about 55 pages in. I am working through the book alongside the audiobook. I thought this would make it more digestible for me than the first time reading it.
1) What are some symbols you noted in these first 50 pages/4 "chapters"?
One notable symbol is on page 15. "I got a tree on my back and a haint in my house, and nothing in between but the daughter I am holding in my arms." The symbol here is the tree. At one point a tree on the back was a reference to the "whip" scars of slaves. In several texts, these scars are said to resemble tree branches. Sethe does go on to explain this meaning as she goes on with her story. As I am thinking about it now though, this could also be a symbol of injustices that people of the African diaspora have endured throughout American history; ultimately leading to lynching hanging from trees.
Also, there is this old superstition about not naming your dead. It is said that the dead can't rest unless their grave has their name on it. So the discussion about the headstone in the first few pages foreshadows the ghost haunting of the house. Although the stone was marked it was not marked with the deceased name leaving the baby in a state of unrest.
2) Do these symbols "work for you" and/or increase your understanding of the text?
I think this symbol gives the reader some idea of Sethe's pain and why she can't let it go.
3) Any thoughts on the naming of the Sweet Home slaves? (Paul A, Paul D, Paul F)
I would say this is to show that as slaves they were treated like livestock. You don't name livestock, you just tag them.
4) How would you describe Paul D and Sethe's relationship at this point?
It is evident that they have some kind of attraction to each other. I think Paul D's attraction if genuine but Sethe's is nostalgic because Paul D is a connection to her past before she was an outcast.
5) What long-term effects do you believe will result from Paul D's fighting the ghost/spirit?
I have read the book before so I will skip this one.
6) Why do you believe neither Sethe nor Denver ever fought with the ghost/spirit?
I think Sethe has so much guilt about the loss of her other daughter that she feels like she deserves this torture. Denver simply doesn't know any other life. This has been going on all her life and at that time women didn't run off on their own.
Lynn wrote:Perhaps "fiction" is a genre with which you have had little experience/exposure, rather than being "weak." :)
Good for you for expanding your reading horizons! I think that is one of the most valuable aspects of Goodreads, at least for me!
I think it's a bit of both actually. While I have had exposure to fiction at the same time I just find it a bit boring if I'm being honest. I know it's a great way of escapism, I just prefer to learn about people via what they've gone through in our reality.
I'm coming to find it's a great aspect of GR too. I've already read a couple of books that I normally wouldn't have otherwise from other groups. This is my first group read here which, while it was on my tbr, is probably one I would not have gotten to on my own even though I kept saying I would.
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Katrina wrote:
Wow!!! I'm surprised that this is a #BookTok recommendation. It's such an old book it's amazing that this generation wants to read it. Wonder if it has something to do with her recent death.
That's interesting. Guess we just search in a variety of places on there. It's one I see come up constantly.
Heather L wrote:
3) What Popsugar prompt do you plan to use Toni Morrison's Beloved to fulfill? The Anifield-Wolf Book award winner prompt (#10)
Oh I had not even considered it for that one. I suppose I could put it there. Glad to see it can work for at least 3 of the prompts so that might be one I consider so I can use a different book for the #BookTok Rec.
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Lynn- thanks for the "chapter" questions. I'll certainly be answering them. They're just what I need to keep track. Will definitely be keeping them in a notebook so I can have them on deck for when I need them.
Okay just got up to page 24. It's certainly a difficult read for me. 1.) I rarely, well hardly ever, read books on slavery even in 1873.
2.) I'm struggling to keep an interest because it is fiction, not that I'm not trying. It's just a story I'm not used to.
1) What, if any, expectations do you have for this book?I have high expectations - it has won so many awards and have heard so much about Toni Morrison's profound work.
2) Have you read any other of Toni Morrison's books before?
I am not familiar with this author and have not read her work before. I feel like Beloved is a good place to start.
3) What Popsugar prompt do you plan to use Toni Morrison's Beloved to fulfill?
The Ainsfield-Wolf Award prompt
4) Did you plan to read this book even if it wasn't a Monthly Group Read selection? This year? Or any other time in the future?
I passively planned to read this book. It makes a great book club book, since it is abstract and a little confusing. I definitely will have to take my time with it to digest each sentence and really understand what is going on...
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Ron wrote: "Okay just got up to page 24. It's certainly a difficult read for me. 1.) I rarely, well hardly ever, read books on slavery even in 1873.
2.) I'm struggling to keep an interest because it is fic..."
You might try to get the audio from your library or off Libby. This might make it easier for you.
Katrina, I appreciate the suggestion. I'll have to give the audiobook a try. Though I keep trying with them and I always lose focus. I don't have the patience and I get distracted by other things so I kind of stop listening.Plus I usually need a physical book so I can make annotations. I'm very strict and specific when it comes to that.
I do appreciate the suggestion though. I'll keep working on this physical book.
Ron try using both audio and the physical book. It can help you stay focused and also help to retain the information better, while also still giving you the place to make your notes.*Hint: if you read faster than the audio speed it up, to match your reading speed, using the playback icon (usually a clock).
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As for me I don't think I'll be participating in this read. I actually tried this book earlier in the year because I saw it available on Overdrive and I was just to confused about what was going on I DNF'd it before I even got half way. I also don't have anywhere left that it would fit on Popsugar.
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Little side note: Did you know that of the four Toni Morrison books on the Oprah Book Club list this in NOT one of them. I wonder if maybe she thought it would be too hard for her audience to get into (this was back in the 90's).
Hope you all enjoy(?) this read and I wish you all luck in your endeavor.
Thanks, Jessica, I'll have to try that.I'm trying to read it but it's a hard book for me to get into. Doesn't help that I'm a nonfiction reader so this is extremely difficult. It might take me a while or I might place it on my DNF. Just not sure yet.
JessicaMHR wrote: "Ron try using both audio and the physical book. It can help you stay focused and also help to retain the information better, while also still giving you the place to make your notes.*Hint: if you..."
Totally agree. If you do both together it might anchor your focus.
Ron wrote: "Thanks, Jessica, I'll have to try that.I'm trying to read it but it's a hard book for me to get into. Doesn't help that I'm a nonfiction reader so this is extremely difficult. It might take me a ..."
It is a pretty difficult read. The non-linear storytelling is hard to follow. I am about halfway through it, on a second read, and it is not my favorite. I am just not getting the point. But I am going to stick it out.
For me, I needed the audio and followed along with the ebook. This is my first Toni Morrison book. I found myself wanting to immerse into the story, but couldn't.
Laura wrote: "For me, I needed the audio and followed along with the ebook. This is my first Toni Morrison book. I found myself wanting to immerse into the story, but couldn't."That's kind of how I am too. I'm only about to start page 30 but can't seem to get into it quite yet. The whole ghost stuff is confusing.
I'm glad to see this listed under the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award category- I was having a hard time picking from the wealth of choices and this book is a great one for me to settle on. I've read the novel once before when I taught it to a group of 12th grade students in 2016, but never for my own independent non-professional reading. Hoping to get to it this month so I can participate in the discussion!
Ron wrote: "Laura wrote: "For me, I needed the audio and followed along with the ebook. This is my first Toni Morrison book. I found myself wanting to immerse into the story, but couldn't."That's kind of how..."
The year I taught this book my students also read Hamlet (which has a ghost in it) and Wuthering Heights (which has...well, the suggestion of ghosts, although not necessarily a definitive appearance). So I asked them to think about the purpose of ghosts in this or any other narrative. For instance, what is the purpose of a ghost in terms of its effect on other characters? In terms of how it makes the audience feel, or influences how they view the story? In terms of what function they serve in advancing the narrative?
No idea if anything in that framing is helpful in a non-classroom setting, but that's how I interrogated the confusion that sometimes comes with things like this.
Sarah wrote: For instance, what is the purpose of a ghost in terms of its effect on other characters? In terms of how it makes the audience feel, or influences how they view the story? In terms of what function they serve in advancing the narrative?That actually does help. Those are questions I did not think to consider. I'll have to keep working on this book and see where it goes. I kind of dnf'd it but I'm willing to pick it up again.
It's not really the ghost story that gets me per say, it's more that I can't seem to understand it within the context of the setting. Hamlet is easy, I love Shakespeare so it's easy when it's a book that makes sense to me or an author I like. I've never read a book by Morrison so I have no idea what her style is like.
That and it's rare that I read this kind of literature, ghost themes aside. My main genres have always been Native American and Military History. I've only recently begun to get into Hispanic/Mexican/etc., history so I haven't had time to get into African American history.
Maybe that shouldn't matter in terms of this book but when it comes to my reading, it's always easier when I have some RL context first before delving into something fictional. That's part of the challenge for me in the sense of my lack of understanding.
Sarah wrote: The year I taught this book my students also read Hamlet (which has a ghost in it) and Wuthering Heights (which has...well, the suggestion of ghosts, although not necessarily a definitive appearance). So I asked them to think about the purpose of ghosts in this or any other narrative. For instance, what is the purpose of a ghost in terms of its effect on other characters? In terms of how it makes the audience feel, or influences how they view the story? In terms of what function they serve in advancing the narrative?That is an interesting approach that I had not thought of. Thanks, this might help me connect more to the story.
1) What, if any, expectations do you have for this book?I expected that this would be a challenging heavy read that I would have to let simmer. I finished it last night and this was true.
2) Have you read any other of Toni Morrison's books before?
Yes, I've read The Bluest Eye. This is first book of hers I've read since then, not because I didn't like it but because I know enough about her books to know you really have to digest them.
3) What Popsugar prompt do you plan to use Toni Morrison's Beloved to fulfill?
The Anisfield-Wolf Book Award winner one.
4) Did you plan to read this book even if it wasn't a Monthly Group Read selection? This year? Or any other time in the future?
There is a chance I would have picked it up eventually. It wasn't specifically on my TBR but I just grab whatever book I see that looks interesting to me at the time. I'm a librarian, so I'm surrounded by them everyday and tend to grab ones that appeal to me at that time as they come across my desk while working. haha.
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1) What are some symbols you noted in these first 50 pages/4 "chapters"?
Symbolism goes right over my head 90% of the time. I'm not a super abstract thinker and tend to be on the more literal side. I remember recognizing a few, but none that really sunk in for me since I struggle with heavy symbolism.
2) Do these symbols "work for you" and/or increase your understanding of the text?
Yes and no. I can kind of understand and I appreciate them and their importance to the text. Morrisons style of symbolism I can get through, but doesn't add anything for me in terms of understand. I just have to work harder to understand it. Authors with super heavy symbolism *Cough, Nathanial Hawthorne's Scarlett Letter, Cough* are pure torture for me.
3) Any thoughts on the naming of the Sweet Home slaves? (Paul A, Paul D, Paul F)
To me this felt like it showed partly a connection between the men in having the name and situation, but also showed how individuality can striped in this situation as well even though they did have the different initials.
4) How would you describe Paul D and Sethe's relationship at this point?
A bond of past traumas for sure. I was a little taken aback by the instant sexual nature of it, but it's understandable.
5) What long-term effects do you believe will result from Paul D's fighting the ghost/spirit?
Ok, so I've finished the book and know what happens. Thinking back on what I was thinking at the time of reading that part though I remember thinking that the ghost seemingly went to easy and that it would come back biting.
6) Why do you believe neither Sethe nor Denver ever fought with the ghost/spirit?
I believe the wrestled with it's presence, but also welcomed and held on to it. So yes, I believe outwardly they did not but inwardly they did.
Mod
And I briefly saw someone apologize for posting thoughts. Please! Do not apologize! That is what we are here for, after all!!
Mod
That's fine. Whenever you get to it! I'll be checking throughout the month!
1) What, if any, expectations do you have for this book? No expectations as I don’t know much about it beyond the one paragraph back cover blurb.
I typically prefer not to know much about a book before reading it...
2) Have you read any other of Toni Morrison's books before? Have not read her before.
Great!
3) What Popsugar prompt do you plan to use Toni Morrison's Beloved to fulfill? The Anifield-Wolf Book award winner prompt (#10)
I think this is a good fit for that prompt!
4) Did you plan to read this book even if it wasn't a Monthly Group Read selection? This year? Or any other time in the future? I had it down as a possible Popsugar read last year and did not get to it. It went on my short list of five possible reads for this year’s prompt #10, as mentioned above, and moved to the top of the list when it won the group poll."
It would appear the Universe aligned! LOL
Mod
The only expectation I have for this book is to enjoy it more than I did 20 years ago. Back then it just seemed like a jumble of random events with no real connection. I think I have matured some and might have a better understanding of the themes/issues presented in the text.
You sound just like me before I reread this! And I hope your rereading experience is much enhanced as was mine. I just seemed to 'get it' much better the second time around.
"2) Have you read any other of Toni Morrison's books before?
I have read all of Toni Morrison's books for a class in college. I took a class that studied all of her works."
Oh, my! That had to have been quite the reading experience! I just finished Paradise and I swear, I can't believe just how dense and complex her writing is!
"3) What Popsugar prompt do you plan to use Toni Morrison's Beloved to fulfill?
I am using this to fulfill prompt 10 ~ Anisfield-Wolf Book Award winner. It could cover the following prompts as well: 12 ~ Book about the afterlife; and 25 ~ Book about a secret."
Excellent observations! It certainly could cover multiple prompts!
"4) Did you plan to read this book even if it wasn't a Monthly Group Read selection? This year? Or any other time in the future?
I never really planned to read this book again. I didn't enjoy it the first time and I am not a re-reader. There are very few books that I reread voluntarily. It's just not my thing."
Agreed! I have always felt the same way about rereading. But now that I am in my mid-60s I find I enjoy rereading some books every once in awhile. The one exception for me is the Harry Potter series which I have read through 3 times and I am itching to do that at least one more time...
Mod
One thing that struck me in these first 50 pages is Morrison's deft use of symbolism. And...that is one aspect of a book ..."
Sorry about so many posts in a row. I just have to respond as the thought hits me."
Please, never apologize for posting in a discussion! That is the value of this forum! :)
"Anywho, I have about 55 pages in. I am working through the book alongside the audiobook. I thought this would make it more digestible for me than the first time reading it."
That sounds like a great idea! Who is the narrator?
"1) What are some symbols you noted in these first 50 pages/4 "chapters"?
One notable symbol is on page 15. "I got a tree on my back and a haint in my house, and nothing in between but the daughter I am holding in my arms." The symbol here is the tree. At one point a tree on the back was a reference to the "whip" scars of slaves. In several texts, these scars are said to resemble tree branches. Sethe does go on to explain this meaning as she goes on with her story. As I am thinking about it now though, this could also be a symbol of injustices that people of the African diaspora have endured throughout American history; ultimately leading to lynching hanging from trees."
Yes, I felt the tree symbolism was very strong. And as you note, on many levels. I appreciate the connections you've made here!
"Also, there is this old superstition about not naming your dead. It is said that the dead can't rest unless their grave has their name on it. So the discussion about the headstone in the first few pages foreshadows the ghost haunting of the house. Although the stone was marked it was not marked with the deceased name leaving the baby in a state of unrest."
Ooohhh...that is a powerful connection! Thank you for noting that. I certainly didn't catch it, so I'm grateful you did and alerted the rest of us!
"2) Do these symbols "work for you" and/or increase your understanding of the text?
I think this symbol gives the reader some idea of Sethe's pain and why she can't let it go."
Agreed!
"3) Any thoughts on the naming of the Sweet Home slaves? (Paul A, Paul D, Paul F)
I would say this is to show that as slaves they were treated like livestock. You don't name livestock, you just tag them."
Agreed. So dehumanizing...
"4) How would you describe Paul D and Sethe's relationship at this point?
It is evident that they have some kind of attraction to each other. I think Paul D's attraction if genuine but Sethe's is nostalgic because Paul D is a connection to her past before she was an outcast."
I agree. I also felt Sethe's attraction to him was mainly due to his connection to her past. He has obviously sought her out...
"5) What long-term effects do you believe will result from Paul D's fighting the ghost/spirit?
I have read the book before so I will skip this one."
Thank you for being considerate of other readers! :)
"6) Why do you believe neither Sethe nor Denver ever fought with the ghost/spirit?
I think Sethe has so much guilt about the loss of her other daughter that she feels like she deserves this torture. Denver simply doesn't know any other life. This has been going on all her life and at that time women didn't run off on their own."
Ooohhh, yes! I agree! I believe Sethe felt it was due her... And poor Denver! She known only that house and a bit of land around it. I felt so sorry for her.
Mod
Perhaps "fiction" is a genre with which you have had little experience/exposure, rather than being "weak." :)
Good for you for expanding your reading horizons! I think that is one of the most valuable aspects of Goodreads, at least for me!
I think it's a bit of both actually. While I have had exposure to fiction at the same time I just find it a bit boring if I'm being honest. I know it's a great way of escapism, I just prefer to learn about people via what they've gone through in our reality."
That's so insightful! While I adore fiction, I also have a deep appreciation for and interest in nonfiction. But I am so tempted by fiction that I often overlook nonfiction! Though I have recently begun to rotate a nonfiction book into my reading alongside other fiction books (I am often "reading" 4-6 books at the same time now that I'm 'older'!) and am glad to be including more nonfiction. I have discovered that I can handle stepping in and out of nonfiction books to a great degree, though some are written to read more like fiction to me and hold my interest so much that I can read them straight through. It is an interesting conundrum. :) Each of us must find what works best for us!
"I'm coming to find it's a great aspect of GR too. I've already read a couple of books that I normally wouldn't have otherwise from other groups. This is my first group read here which, while it was on my tbr, is probably one I would not have gotten to on my own even though I kept saying I would."
I have branched my own reading into 'new-to-me' areas as well through Goodreads. I feel it is one of the best aspects of the program!
"Katrina wrote:
Wow!!! I'm surprised that this is a #BookTok recommendation. It's such an old book it's amazing that this generation wants to read it. Wonder if it has something to do with her recent death.
That's interesting. Guess we just search in a variety of places on there. It's one I see come up constantly."
I think Morrison's books are all considered to be "classics" by most readers. I think it is good that older books are considered to be worthy of recommendation as well as newer releases. :)
"Heather L wrote:
3) What Popsugar prompt do you plan to use Toni Morrison's Beloved to fulfill? The Anifield-Wolf Book award winner prompt (#10)
Oh I had not even considered it for that one. I suppose I could put it there. Glad to see it can work for at least 3 of the prompts so that might be one I consider so I can use a different book for the #BookTok Rec."
I have yet to discover a book that can't be used to fulfill multiple Popsugar prompts! :) I think that is one of the aspects I most enjoy about reading challenges--discovering just how many prompts any one book can complete.
"Lynn- thanks for the "chapter" questions. I'll certainly be answering them. They're just what I need to keep track. Will definitely be keeping them in a notebook so I can have them on deck for when I need them."
I feel as if this book lends itself particularly well to this approach, at least for me! :)
Mod
I believe you are not alone in this! I find Morrison's books to be dense and complex to me. Certainly nothing I can just "zip through"!
"1.) I rarely, well hardly ever, read books on slavery even in 1873."
That's interesting, especially given your preference for nonfiction. I am preparing to start The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family this week. It is a brick and I've never read this author before, but I had no idea about the extent of Jefferson's personal relationships with his slaves, etc. While I feel as if I have read much about slavery, I do realize many of those books were "historical fiction" rather than nonfiction.
"2.) I'm struggling to keep an interest because it is fiction, not that I'm not trying. It's just a story I'm not used to.."
Well, personally, when a book feels "difficult" to read I many times find it a challenge to maintain my interest and motivation to continue. I felt that way this past week completing Paradise and after having read one of his books, I suspect I will feel that way about Percival Everett's writing as well.
Mod
I have high expectations - it has won so many awards and have heard so much about Toni Morrison's profound work."
Yes! I appreciate your use of "profound" in describing her writing!
"2) Have you read any other of Toni Morrison's books before?
I am not familiar with this author and have not read her work before. I feel like Beloved is a good place to start."
I hope that proves to be true!
"3) What Popsugar prompt do you plan to use Toni Morrison's Beloved to fulfill?
The Ainsfield-Wolf Award prompt"
It is an obvious good match, IMO!
"4) Did you plan to read this book even if it wasn't a Monthly Group Read selection? This year? Or any other time in the future?
I passively planned to read this book. It makes a great book club book, since it is abstract and a little confusing. I definitely will have to take my time with it to digest each sentence and really understand what is going on.."
It sounds as if you are well-prepared!
I'm only just getting a chance to start this, so here are my pre-reading questions.1) What, if any, expectations do you have for this book? I don't really have any expectations, other than that I know it's a classic.
2) Have you read any other of Toni Morrison's books before? No, this will be my first.
3) What Popsugar prompt do you plan to use Toni Morrison's Beloved to fulfill? I'm using it for the Anisfield-Wolf Award winner prompt. I was planning to use it for the book about the afterlife prompt, but all my first choices for the Anisfield-Wolf Award prompts have been hard to get in Australia.
4) Did you plan to read this book even if it wasn't a Monthly Group Read selection? This year? Or any other time in the future? I picked it up for free at a bookshop last year, so it's been on my TBR pile for a while.
Lynn wrote: "Anywho, I have about 55 pages in. I am working through the book alongside the audiobook. I thought this would make it more digestible for me than the first time reading it."That sounds like a great idea! Who is the narrator?
Toni Morrison is reading the audiobook that I have. I got it from the library on CD. Lucky to have a boombox for all the CDs from my forgotten youth of the 90s and early 2000s.
Mod
I plan to get back into Beloved and the discussion tomorrow!
Thank you for your patience!
Well I did manage to finish this book as hard as it was. My rating for it is not that high (a 2 at most). I just could not really understand the premise of the story or get behind it. I did try. I guess I also don't see the appeal and as to why it's such a popular book for people. It made absolutely no sense to me so I really struggled with it. What made it even more challenging was that they weren't set up into actual chapters, headings, or sub-titles, which made it difficult to follow. I'm a linear reader so I would get lost sometimes.
If anything my favorite part was pages 254-256 with the poem. Poetry makes better sense to me than fiction most of the time.
I really did not know what to expect from this book. It had been on the bottom of my TBR and I really had hoped to get something out of it, but I was mostly lost and confused.
Enjoyed the challenge of reading it though! And this BOTM really helped me accomplish that.
Mod
Then questions/information for PART TWO (chapters 19-25) and PART THREE (chapters 26-28).
All of this should be done tomorrow, Sunday, June 26.
BTW, the analysis I am reading alongside this is Toni Morrison in case anyone is interested. It includes commentary for The Bluest Eye, Sula, and Song of Solomon, in addition to Beloved. Interestingly, I have also read all three of the other books long ago, but definitely will be rereading along with the analysis much as I am doing this time. I just find Morrison's writing to be dense and intense and not always easy to follow.
Thanks, Lynn.Hopefully, with the questions, I'll be able to get a better understanding of the book. It was one I had a hard time with. I don't understand the appeal and what makes it so popular. Any reasoning from you all would greatly help. I'm just trying to understand it since I really couldn't.
I loved it, but not as much as her other book The Bluest Eye. I found Beloved more difficult to understand. I'm not sure if it's because the book itself is hard to understand or because there is a lot going on in my life. Despite this, it's a great read, and Toni Morrison's writing is beautiful.
Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Toni Morrison (other topics)The Bluest Eye (other topics)
Sula (other topics)
Song of Solomon (other topics)
Beloved (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Percival Everett (other topics)Toni Morrison (other topics)
I am/Lynn is the "vivacious volunteer" who will facilitate this discussion! :)
Every person reads at a different pace, so please use spoiler tags if you are sharing any plot-related surprises. This allows others to decide whether this information might reveal surprising information they have not yet read.
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