Lyn’s Comments (group member since May 30, 2020)

Lyn’s comments from the HDL Books on Tap group.

Maybe it’s his connection to the world of printing. He seems to miss that work.

That sounds great, Abby!

Janet and I have started reading “What the Eyes Don’t See” about the Flint Water Crisis.

I just read l’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Of Whiteness. Not long and pretty powerful.

After reading the history of the Alice Network at the end of the book, I wondered why the author hadn’t chosen Lili as the main character. It would have been interesting to flesh out in historical fiction her motivations and how she supported so many agents. Pretty remarkable.

After reading the history of the Alice Network at the end of the book, I wondered why the author hadn’t chosen Lili as the main character. It would have been interesting to flesh out in historical fiction her motivations and how she supported so many agents. Pretty remarkable.

Hmmm... they were working through the trauma together; each one had their own manifestation - Finn fought, Eve drank, for Charlie it was sex - I think the author did a good job of painting that picture but it was really wrapped in a nice bow by the end.

I was a little on the fence about the last meeting. I would have been more satisfied if he had been revealed to the world as the collaborator and murderer he was. Death seemed too easy.

Only in terms of how he had “bested” her, or made him think she had. I’m guessing he had some level of satisfaction in that he not only lived but prospered exactly how he imagined he would.

Both. He was willing to become isolated from everyone to maintain his successful business. Interesting that almost used the same words I used to describe Eve, “singularly focused.” People collaborated for all kinds of reasons, I suppose. Rene didn’t just keep his business going, he actively supported the German occupiers.

Yes, I think it was when she arrived in, where I can’t remember, after Lili was arrested. By any means necessary she wanted to get back to France in order to continue the work. And although she cared about Cameron, she did what she could to get him “out of the way.” She had a single focus.

I haven’t read that one, though heard lots about it. I recently read I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness.” I would also recommend Just Mercy and anything by Ta-Nehisi Coates but especially Between the World and Me. If you want something shorter, Jelani Cobb writes for the New Yorker - always brilliant. Oh yes, and something “local” Arc of Justice. Fiction: Colson Whitehead’s Underground Railroad.

Maybe...

What do you think about choosing a book about race next month?

Would it be better to hold off discussion questions? I’m imagining we would take the month to read the book and then begin the discussion virtually around the same day we would be meeting in person. Does that make sense?

No worries. I think this will be a great platform!

Yes... I see that now :). I’ll wait to enter into the conversation.