Book Discussion: The Mars Room by Rachel Kushner

Finalist for the Man Booker Prize
Longlisted for the Andrew Carnegie Medal

In an interview with the New Yorker the author states in regards to studying incarceration “I wanted to have a life that would include people that the State of California has rendered invisible to others.”  How did reading about the incarcerated characters in the book effect your life since you read it?

The overwhelming majority of people, and certainly middle-class people, will never spend a single day of their lives in jails and prisons. Should those who don’t have that dark destiny worry for those who do? What impression do you have, after reading The Mars Room, about individual agency, and who goes to prison in this country and who doesn’t?

What role does gender play throughout the novel? What differences did you see between the experiences of incarcerated men and incarcerated women? How did gender factor into Romy’s trial and sentencing?

The Mars Room comes from the name of the strip club where Romy works before she is incarcerated. What does the phrase “Mars Room” bring to mind? What do these two worlds—a central California women’s prison and a San Francisco strip club—share?

“Sammy was my big sister and I was Button’s, and Conan was something like the dad. We had a family” (page 241). In order to cope with their difficult surroundings the women of Stanville create familial bonds with each other. Do these women nurture one another or is their “family” more of an alliance of protection? What are the benefits of a “family” arrangement? The risks?

After recounting an emotional story from childhood, Conan says, “There are some good people out there . . . some really good people” (page 252). Which acts of generosity stand out to you in the novel?  Would many of these characters’ lives have been different with more, or greater, acts of generosity?

Straining the edges of a reader’s compassion perhaps is the character Doc, the “dirty cop” who had been involved with Betty LaFrance and is eventually strangled by his cellmate. Why do you think Kushner included him and his story in the book? Does he achieve a kind of unexpected likability, and if so, how?

Serenity Smith is a transgender woman whose presence generates an outsized reaction from the women of Stanville. Discuss the controversy among the prisoners concerning this character. How do their surroundings contribute to their reaction to her? And what does Serenity’s predicament say about the structure of prison? What is society to do with people who cannot assimilate into the caged spaces allotted for them?

What was the authors intent in including the Ted Kaczynski (uni bomber) excerpts in the book?

Gordon Hauser can be seen in different lights. Was he a predator, or was he a man who meant well but could not resist temptation? Discuss the effects of his actions on Romy.

 In the final moments of the book, Romy is in the forest, bathed in light: “I emerged from the tree and turned into the light, not slow. I ran toward them, toward the light” (page 336). There is something both heavenly and hellish in this description. Discuss the dichotomies: Is the scene ultimately despairing or hopeful?

Book Discussion: The Elegance of the Hedgehog

• With her it’s as if a text was written so that we can identify the characters, the narrator, the setting, the plot, the time of the story, and so on. I don’t think it has ever occurred to her that a text is written above all to be read and to arouse emotions in the reader. Can you imagine, she has never even asked us the question: “Did you like this text/this book?” And yet that is the only question that could give meaning to the narrative points of view or the construction of the story… (p153) 
• Did you like this book? 
•  Why or why not? 
•  And do you agree with Paloma that this question is central to discussing or thinking about a book?

• Much has been made of the book’s philosophical bent. Some feel that the author’s taste for philosophy and her having woven philosophical musings into her characters’ ruminations, particularly those of Renée, hampers the plot; others seem to feel that it is one of the book’s most appealing attributes. 
• What effect did the philosophical elements in this book have on you and your reading?
• Can you think of other novels that make such overt philosophical references?

• How is identity also a theme throughout The Elegance of the Hedgehog? Think about how Renée might define herself as well as Paloma’s observations about the people around her

• In what ways is Paloma still a child? Would you say she is neglected?

• Were there any of Paloma’s “Profound Thoughts” or “Journal of the Movement of the World” entries to which you found yourself especially responding?

• Both Renée and Paloma use stereotypes to their benefit, hiding behind the perceptions others have of their roles. While we are accustomed to thinking of people as victims of stereotypes, is it possible that sometimes stereotypes can be useful?
•  When, under what circumstances, and why, might we welcome an interpretation based on stereotypes of our actions or of who we are? 
• Have you ever conformed to some stereotype in order to hide a part of yourself?

• How do you explain Paloma's preoccupation with movement? How does it relate to her life? 

•  Paloma, tells us that she plans to commit suicide on the day of her thirteenth birthday because she cannot tolerate the idea of becoming an adult, when, she feels, one inevitably renounces ideals and subjugates passions and principles to pragmatism. Must we make compromises, renounce our ideals, and betray our youthful principles when we become adults? 
• If so, why? 
• At the end of the book, has Paloma re-evaluated her opinion of the adult world or confirmed it?

• Japanese culture is a sub-theme in this novel. As evidenced in its literature, art, and film, Japanese culture gives great attention to detail, subtle changes, and nuances. On page 152 Renee muses about the sliding doors in two Ozu films. She says " I was fascinated by the way the Japanese use space in their lives, and by these doors that slide and move quietly along invisible rails, refusing to offend space. For when we push open a door, we transform a place in a very insidious way."
• How essential is Kakuro’s being Japanese to his role as the character  that reveals others’ hidden affinities? 
• Or is it simply his fact of being an outsider that matters? 
• Could he hail from Tasmania and have the same impact on the story? 
• Is Ozu a fully-realized character, or is he primarily a catalyst for the two women?

• According to Renee how can an encounter with pure beauty change one's life? Do you agree? How would you explain this? 
• At the end of the story Jean Arthens tells Renee that the Camellias saved him. She tells him a camellia can change fate (p295)
• Renee often mentions the power and beauty in language. Where there passages in the book that you found particularly beautiful and/or moving?

• How did you react to the shocking event at the end? Why do you think the author chose this development and had it unfold in this way? Would you have preferred a happier ending?

• Did any of Renée’s parting words resonate with you? What of Paloma’s epiphany and, similarly, her last paragraph?

• Did the book inspire you to explore literature, art, film, music, manga, language, or philosophy?

Adult Spelling Bee

This adult spelling bee was created by J. Davies at the Albany Public Library. I served as emcee of the evening and a good number of teams showed up, I believe around 60 or so people. This differs from a traditional spelling bee in that most rounds are team challenges.

There were 5 Rounds of gameplay:

Round 1: Commonly Misspelled Words-Can your team identify which if these everyday words are spelled correctly? Round 1 sheet for players

Round 2: JUMBLE!-Create the longest word possible out of 14 letters we give you. Form for team to place letter tiles on or write in

Round 3: Is it in the Dictionary?-Do you think "twerk" is list in the Oxford English Dictionary?

Round 4: Hot P-o-t-a-t-o-Can your team guess the next letter in these difficult to spell words? Round 4 words

The Finale: The Spelling Bee- Send your team's best spellers to the front of the room to suffer or win prizes. List of words for the bee 

Here is the powerpoint presentation used to introduce and explain the rules of each round. We did this program a number of years ago so not all the files are intact. Any answer sheets, etc we had available are hyperlinked above.

Poster for the event

Happy Spelling!

Book Discussion: The Impossible Lives of Greta Wells by Andrew Sean Greer

On page 241-242 Greta confronts the readers and asks "why is it impossible to be a woman?" She states that men are always free to be themselves and asks "When has a woman ever been forgiven?" In our modern society how does it differ between a man or a woman receiving forgiveness? Is one gender easier to forgive? Is one gender more permanently harmed from making mistakes?

Did Dr. Cerletti's electroconvulsive therapy work on Greta? In the beginning he tells her "what they are trying to do is bring her back."

If you were able to transmigrate to two other versions of yourself in a time before our own, which two time periods or years would you travel to?

What do you think drove Greta to continue the treatments and travel back in time? What was she trying to accomplish?

Where there any discrepancies in the science of the time travel in this book that bothered you or took away from your enjoyment of it?

In the beginning of the novel on page 8 Felix asks a neighbor who was reprimanding him and Greta  "When you were a little girl, madam," he said, gesturing to her, "was this the woman you dreamed of becoming?" How did this foreshadow other events in the novel?

Handmade Holidays: Druzy Stone Essential Oil Necklaces

Essential oils can be dropped onto the lava beads on this necklace before wearing to give off a lovely subtle scent.

Supplies needed:
Essential Oil
10mm black lava rock beads
Crystal/Labradorite pendant
Golden spacer beads
Various 8 or 10 mm round or flat semi-precious stone beads
Jump rings
Stainless steel gold plated chain
Eye pin with loop on one end
Pliers: flat nose, round nose, cutters

These are great directions on how to make a loop in an eye pin (in this case for the top of the necklace)

Handmade Holidays: Infused Vinegars

To make your own infusion use 1 cup loosely packed fresh herbs per 2 cups of vinegar. If using dried herbs use 1/2 cup herbs per 2 cups of vinegar.

Always use glass jars with plastic or cork tops, not metal (it will react with the vinegar.) If using a metal lid like a canning jar lay a piece of plastic wrap over the lid and then screw in the metal lid so the vinegar has no contact with the metal.

Always wash all jars, utensils, etc in hot soapy water before using so they are sterilized.

There are a ton of different methods and recipes out there for making infused vinegar. Some heat up vinegar, some don't. For this project we are following directions provided in the book Herbal Vinegar by Maggie Oster (available as an ebook on Hoopla)

You can use different kinds of vinegar with different results.

1. Wash canning jar and 10 ounce glass bottle with cork and their lids in hot soapy water. Rinse well with hot water. Fill a large deep pot about half full with water. Place the jars upright into the pot; add enough water to cover by 2 inches. Bring the water to just before a boil and leave in pot for 10 minutes. Add the lids to the pot, and then remove the pot from the heat. This will sterilize them.

2. Thoroughly rinse herbs or other fresh ingredients. Zest lemon by using a vegetable peeler to remove strips of the outer skin (zest), leaving the bitter white pith behind. Peel shallot's outer skin and slice into narrow strips.

3. Put fresh ingredients into mason jar. Use glass (not metal) measuring cup and measure out 10 ounces of vinegar, pour vinegar into mason jar.

4. Steep in a dark place at room temperature for 2-4 weeks. Do not put in the sun to steep. Shake contents occasionally to make flavorings are always completely covered by vinegar so that they do not mold.

5. After 2-4 weeks or til the taste is to your liking, strain the vinegar. Place a funnel into the glass jar, line it with a coffee filter and pour the contents of your mason jar mixture into jar. If the mixture going into the glass bottle is cloudy repeat the process with another coffee filter.

Shallot, Tarragon & Lemon Vinegar Recipe
Adopted from this Eating Well Recipe

10 ounces cider vinegar
1 shallot peeled and quartered
2 strips of zest from lemon
3 sprigs fresh tarragon

To gift create a unique tag to tie around the neck of the bottle. Include a recipe for how to use the flavored vinegar.

Recipe to use your vinegar in:
From this site: https://www.thegunnysack.com/garlic-and-herb-chicken-marinade-recipe/

Garlic and Herb Chicken Marinade Recipe
Prep Time: 35 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Serves 4

2 tsp sea salt
2 tsp minced onion
2 tsp roasted garlic powder
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp coriander
1/2 tsp parsley
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup vinegar
2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts

1. Mix together sea salt, minced onion, roasted garlic powder, black pepper, coriander, parsley, and paprika.

2. Put the spice mixture, olive oil, and vinegar into a gallon sized ziptop bag. Add two pounds of boneless, skinless, chicken breasts. Toss to coat well, place in the fridge and marinate the chicken for 30 minutes.

3. Grease the grill grates, discard the marinade and grill the chicken over medium high heat for about 5 minutes per side for a total of about 10 minutes or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 160°F.

Handmade Holidays Natural Pinecone Wreaths

Pine cone wreaths that use wires to affix the pine cones to the wire frame look wonderful but can be very time consuming to make. This small wreath is a quicker version that uses hot glue to adhere the pine cones and decorations to the frame.

Supplies Needed:
18 mini pine cones Can be bought on Amazon or Oriental Trading
20 medium sized pine cones (purchase online or at craft stores)
Artificial bird
8" diameter green wire wreath form
Hot glue gun
Hot glue sticks
White acrylic paint
Paper plate
Foam brush
Burlap or raffia ribbon to hang and/or make a bow on
Various dried flowers, moss and natural decor. I used acorns, dried flowers and dried Eucalyptus all purchased from Michael's Craft Store.

1. Plug in your hot glue gun and get glue sticks queued up

2. Lay out your pine cones on the outer most ring of the wreath. Move them around until everything fits into place.

3. Once you have everything all set the way you like then one by one start gluing the pine cones to the wire frame. Try putting the glue on the pine cone then sticking it to the frame. If this technique does not work well for you try putting the glue on the frame and sticking the pine cone to it.

4. Once the outer ring is complete, do the same using the medium pine cones to the innermost ring.

5. Use mini pine cones in different directions to fill in the gap between the outer and inner rings.

6. Once all your pine cones are affixed flip it over and add some extra hot glue to the back of the wreath to any pine cones that are loose.

7. Squeeze a small amount of white paint onto a paper plate. Use a foam brush and dip into paint. Make sure not too much paint is on the brush. Gently paint the pine cones to give the allusion of snow on them. Be careful not to go into the grooves of the pine cones, just gently brush the surface of them. Too much paint and it will look like your wreath got caught in a snow storm! If you prefer a naked wreath you can skip this step too.

8. Let paint dry and start hot gluing the bird and any other decorations you like.

9. Use raffia to make a hanging string in the back of the wreath.

10. Feel free to use ribbon or raffia to make a bow at the bottom of your wreath. 

You are done! Hand your beautiful and lovely smelling decoration on your door or gift it to a loved one :)