Historical Fiction -Wench

 

                                                        Wench by Dolen Perkins-Valdez

 

 

 

 

The story is about four slave women. Three of them have known each other for years, Lizzie, Sweet and Reenie. The other lady, Mawu was a new comer to their group. They all were mistresses to their masters. Every summer they would go to Ohio, which was a free state at the time, and stayed at Tawawa House Resort. Lizzie, Sweet and Reenie had been visiting the resort with their masters for the last four summers and were comfortable with their current situation. This was Mawu first summer and she strongly disliked her extremely mean master and wanted to escape into freedom. It didn’t take Mawu long before she began to talk about escaping to the other ladies. The other ladies were too afraid to even contemplate the idea. They knew that if they were to get caught attempting to escape, there would be extreme consequences that they would have to face like being beaten, sold to horribly mean masters and possibly even killed. They all still had families that they had to consider. When back on the plantation their lives were made just a little easier also. Mawu, yes had the chance to enjoy time at the resort but her master was very mean and life was not as comfortable for her as the other ladies. So, she was very determined to escape and to attempt to convince the other ladies to come with.

On the other side of the resort there was another resort which was for free blacks to stay. Mawu would sneak over there from time to time. During her visits she met some people that were willing to help her get her freedom. They gave her information and a map that lead to different safe houses and abolitionist that would be willing to help her. She tells the other women about the information she received and tried unsuccessfully to convince them to go with her. Lizzie, being naïve thought that she would be helping Mawu by telling her master of Mawu plans to escape. Well, the totally opposite occurred. Mawu was beaten, sodomized, and left bleeding perfidiously and unconscious. Everyone knew that Lizzie had told therefore no one especially Mawu trusted Lizzie anymore.

After Mawu recovered, it was still in her heart to be free. Another summer, and the ladies are back at the resort with their masters, including Mawu. Mawu has now met a white women and her husband which are both abolitionist. She began sneaking off and spending a lot of time with them. Lizzie get a chance to meet Glory and she gives her information so that she could read to the other slaves that could not read. With her doing this she rebuilt all the lost trust they had for her. The ladies began to think about freedom more and more. Sweet, which was pregnant lost her baby and while grieving her baby was also informed that all of her other children died back on the plantation from a cholera outbreak.  She was not strong enough to survive the heart break, she died of depression and heart break. This convinced the other ladies including Lizzie that it was time to escape.  And the story continues …………….Will they actually escape?

The author captured my heart with this story. I have read several stories about slavery fiction and non-fiction but this is a must read. The story made me cry and laugh. It made my heart heavy to read about these ladies and it also fill my heart with joy to know that through it all they had strong determination. That inspired me a great deal.

This book was actually suggested to me by the reference librarian at the library I work at. I told her I wanted to read in a different genre from my norm and I chose Historical Fiction. I thought this would be a challenge to read. It started of slow but became a book I didn’t want to put down.

Week 11 Prompt

The appeal factors can be used to choose a good book to read or can be used as part of an RA interview to assist a patron find a good book. Appeal factors is comprised of pacing, characterization, story line and frame of a book. Basically appeal factors is how well a book is written or is it written in the style and manner a person prefer. Personally I don’t feel that the change in medium affects the appeal factor at all. EBook, audiobook or print, the same book will have the same appeal factors. Now I do feel that there are personal preferences to be considered when deciding which medium is preferred over the other. I will always love a printed copy of a book over all. I can remember walking into a book store with my girlfriend on day and I began sniffing as if I had just walked into a kitchen where some good food was cooking. I stated to her, “oh the wonderful smell of new books”; she just looked at me, laughed and said “you are crazy”. I just laughed. I love curling up in my recliner with my cup of tea or glass of wine, holding a book. I can just be there all day and night. I can do the same with an EBook but the time is limited in which I can actually read because my eyes seem to get watery and tired. I do own a Nook. I think that it was the best think created for traveling purposes. EBook devices allow traveling with three or more books easy now. Everything is compressed on an easy, compact, lightweight devices. EBooks and printed books has its pros and cons. Depending on the situation, occasion, and preference at the time will determine which medium I will choose but print is my overall choice. Audio books has never been my choice. I have always wanted to be the voice on an audio book but never could listen to them. I really wanted to read a book entitled “Soulmate dissipate” by Mary B. Morrison. It is the first book in her series and our library only had it on audiobook. I checked it out and attempted to listen to it on four different occasions and just could not do it. I feel asleep, began doing other things while it was on; it just could not hold my attention. I went and bought the printed copy and finished reading it in two days.

I feel that it is all personal preferences, EBook, print or Audio book.  The medium choice does not affect the appeal factor in my opinion.

Book Club

The Ladies of Leisure Book Club

The book club has been in existence for 15 years. It started with a membership of six retired professional ladies from different parts of the Northwest Region of Indiana. Through the years they have had members to pass and or quit and several to join which makes their current membership count 16.  The ages of the ladies range from 56-74. There are seven retired teachers, four retired librarians, one retired mill worker, two retired nurses, and one retired accountant. The ladies work in groups of two when planning a book discussion. The discussions are usually held at one of their homes. There is normally some type of refreshments served. They meet the third Saturday of each month from 5 p.m. – 8p.m. I thought wow, three hours for a book discussion but after attending I understood why.  I attended the January 17^th meeting. The book that they were discussing was entitled “Sugar” by Bernice L. McFadden. The gathering of the ladies and the atmosphere for the discussion was very relaxed, easy-going and fun but very structured.

The ladies began promptly at 5:15 p.m. with prayer request and then a prayer. Everyone got refreshments and socialized until about 6:00 p.m. This time period is allotted to give any late comers a chance to get there before starting the discussion and it allows everyone to catch up on what has been going on in each other lives since their last gathering. The ladies found that this also avoids most sidebar conversations during the discussion. Each group decides how they want to lead the discussion. This particular one started with a brief summary of the book by one of the group leaders. After giving the summary the other leader started to ask prepared questions. The questions lead to them talking about the different characters and different parts of the book. Everyone was hitting on different points in the book. They would at times get so involved in the discussion that questions were answered that she had prepared to asked before getting to them. The ending of the book was a shocker to most of them. Different ones talked about how they thought it was going to end and who that thought did the killing. At approximately 8:30 p.m. the book discussion ended and the ladies began to discuss which group was in charge next, where the next discussion would be, and what book they were going to read next. The group had chosen a book but the entire club decided that they wanted to read the sequel to “Sugar” because they were all intrigued to know the complete ending to the characters’ Sugar story. The next book that they read was “The Bitter Earth” also by Bernice L. McFadden.

This was not the first book club discussion that I have sat in or been a part of but I must say it was one of the better ones. The ladies were really involved in the discussions and everyone was heard and respected when they had the floor speaking. They offered their own personal opinions about certain parts of the book and different ladies would comment but the discussion stayed in a decent and orderly manner.

Special Paper

LGBT Genre Collection in a Public Library

Introduction

In the most recent years there has been an influx of patrons going into libraries and calling libraries requesting LGBT titles. Yet there are still many libraries not been able to fulfill the requests of the patrons due to the lack of materials in their collections. A public library is open to all race, creed or color; no matter what their choice of religion or life style. Therefore the library should - no must - have available materials that will satisfy the needs of all people from all walks of life. It becomes incumbent of the library’s professional staff to perform their duty as “advocates” of their various and diverse communities to see that the needs of all of their patrons are met. It is also crucial that libraries promote and materials and educate staff to be aware of resources, vendors and bibliographies available to conduct efficient RA services. This paper will discuss a brief time line of LGBT history, give suggestions to promote and offer list of bibliographies, resources, and vendors.

Time line

Advocates of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) literature began promoting the need for a larger representation of materials to be in the library in 1969. American Library Association formed the Task Force on Gay Liberation in 1970 now known as GLBT Round table and is the oldest LGBT professional organizations in the U.S. Not agreeing with the then current classification of books about gay liberation movement at Library of Congress they lobbied for the reclassification to be Homosexuality Lesbianism-Gay Liberation Movement, Homophile Movement instead of Abnormal Sexual Relations Including Sexual Crimes. This was done in 1972. Some years later in 1981 Sanford Berman wrote a book “The Joy of cataloging” which discussed accessing gay and lesbian books and information. In 1988 the Task Force on Gay Liberation released the International thesaurus of gay and lesbian index terms. The goal of this index was to establish standardized terms that could be used when cataloging LGBT materials. It also made Library of Congress Subject Headings more user friendly when being used by someone cataloging or archiving LGBT materials. Now LGBT materials are closer to being made visible and accessible in the library. In 1990 the first collection of Essays discussing the needs of LGBT patrons, collection development, censorship, LC subject heading, library exhibits and many more helpful things was published by Ellen Greenblatt and Cal Gough; Gay and Lesbian library services (9780899505350). An updated version entitled Serving LGBTIQ library and archives users: Essays on outreach, service collection and access (9780786448944) was published in 2010. The updated version offers information and discussion about Dewey Decimal Classification of LGBTIQ, collection assessment and development, and needed library services to be provided. In 2007 The Rainbow Project Task Force was formed, also through ALA to promote LGBTIQ materials among juvenile and young adult literature with library collections. In 2010 Over the Rainbow Committee was formed by the GLBT Round Table. They create bibliographies for adults on an annual basis to assist libraries in the selection of LGBT materials that will be suitable for their library.

This time line offers a brief look at how LGBT began to surface as literature, as a collection, as a genre in the public library. It know needs a chance to be as inclusive as all other collections/genres.

Promoting

Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual, and Transgender literature has always been and to some degree still is a hidden or non-existent collection/subject area or genre in the public library. Very few libraries promotes LGBT materials as it should be done due to intellection freedom and the ALA Library bill of rights. Although some library administration, staff and patrons my still become offended and have their own personal feelings about materials being displayed and available in the library; the LGBT community and those outside the community have the right to have available and accessible to them books, materials, and information that they desire to read. It should also be known to the patrons through proper promotion and advertisement that the library has a LGBT collection and kindly willing to assist you in acquiring the materials needed and wanted. There are several was of assuring this. Below are a few suggestion:

·       Libraries should have displays that includes books, pathfinders and/or book list, annotated bibliographies and book marks with hot pick of the month. This should be a permanent display and all books and information should be kept up to date.

·       Library web sites are always great areas for promoting collections, materials and programs. An LGBT blog would offer visualization. It could include a book of the week. The blog would also allow patrons feedback and suggestions.

·       Create genre book clubs and have one for LGBT community.

·       Many libraries offer programs for the different National holidays and ethnic celebrations. In the same manner as those celebrations are done some could be done to recognize Gay Pride month.

These are some suggestions that will bring some attention to this hidden collection/genre.

Resources

            Listed below are links to different resources and bibliographies that are updated frequently and made available for review and use to aid in building LGBT collections, creating and updating bibliographies, suggested reading list and pathfinders or used for a simple RA.

Bibliographies

GLBT News

http://www.ala.org/glbtrt/news

GLBT News is the official news outlet for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) Round Table of the American Library Association.

GLBT Reviews

http://www.ala.org/glbtrt/publications/reviews

GLBT Reviews are book and media reviews from the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Round Table (GLBTRT) of the American Library Association (ALA). Our reviews are first published in the GLBTRT Newsletter, a quarterly publication of the GLBTRT. Each issue includes 15 to 20 reviews. The reviews cover GLBT-themed fiction and nonfiction material for children, young adults, and adults in a variety of genres and formats including: books, films, comics, music, and websites.

GLBT Religion & Spirituality - A Selective Bibliography

GLBT Religion & Spirituality - A Selective Bibliography: 1950–2000

http://www.ala.org/glbtrt/popularresources/religion

GLBT Religion & Spirituality - A Selective Bibliography: 2001–2005

http://www.ala.org/glbtrt/popularresources/religion2

GLBT Religion & Spirituality - A Selective Bibliography: 2006–2010

http://www.ala.org/glbtrt/popularresources/religion3

GLBT Religion & Spirituality - A Selective Bibliography: 1950–2000

http://www.ala.org/glbtrt/popularresources/religion4

Resources

Over the Rainbow Books - LGBT Books for Adult Readers

A Book List from Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Round Table of the American Library Association

Final Bibliographies - 2014 Over the Rainbow List: 71 LGBT Books for Adult Readers

http://www.glbtrt.ala.org/overtherainbow/archives/category/final-bibliographies

Rainbow Lists - http://glbtrt.ala.org/rainbowbooks/rainbow-books-lists

The Rainbow Book List is released every January. Books on the list are published within the assigned calendar year or between July 1 and December 31 of the previous calendar year.

2014 Rainbow Book List            http://glbtrt.ala.org/rainbowbooks/archives/1103

2013 Rainbow Book List            http://glbtrt.ala.org/rainbowbooks/archives/1025

2012 Rainbow Book List            http://glbtrt.ala.org/rainbowbooks/archives/953

2011 Rainbow Book List            http://glbtrt.ala.org/rainbowbooks/archives/852

2010 Rainbow Book List             http://glbtrt.ala.org/rainbowbooks/archives/867

2009 Rainbow Book List            http://glbtrt.ala.org/rainbowbooks/archives/174

2008 Rainbow Book List             http://glbtrt.ala.org/rainbowbooks/archives/153

Stonewall Book Awards List 1971 – 2014

The first and most enduring award for GLBT books is the Stonewall Book Awards, sponsored by the American Library Association's Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Round Table. Since Isabel Miller's Patience and Sarah received the first award in 1971, many other books have been honored for exceptional merit relating to the gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender experience.

http://www.ala.org/glbtrt/award/honored

Vendors / Publishers

Lambda Literary

Lambda Literary believes Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer literature is fundamental to the preservation of our culture, and that LGBTQ lives are affirmed when our stories are written, published and read.

http://www.lambdaliterary.org/resources/publishers/

Lori L. Lake

Lori (at) LoriLLake (dot) com

http://www.lorillake.com/glbt_pub.html

Publishing Links: Books, E-Books, Print Journals, E-Journals

The list only includes resources for which there is a web presence and its split into major categories: e-books, print books, print journals, and e-journals. It indicate which audience(s) each tends to publish. [G = gay, L = lesbian, T = transgender/transexual, B = bisexual, O = non-GLBT]

Publishers Archive – Directory of book publishers

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Book Publishers

Listing of book publishers that publish gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender books.

http://publishersarchive.com/glbt-book-publishers.php

Torquere Press Inc.

The mission of Torquere Press was, and is, to provide readers who love a good story with great books, and to promote gay and lesbian romance as a genre to be reckoned with. Torquere Press has always been about the readers of LGBT romance, providing those readers with great stories about men and women who truly care about each other. The catalog has grown from those first five books released in September 2003 to approximately two thousand titles and nearly two hundred authors.

http://www.torquerepress.com/

Conclusion

            LGBT is not only read by the LGBT community. There are several people that enjoy the casual reading of different genres. Therefore it is important that access to all genres are made available. The library should not endorse particular beliefs or views, nor the selection of any given book or other material equivalent to endorsement of the viewpoint of the author expressed therein. Within the frame work of the Library Bill of Rights and Freedom to read Statement adopted by the American Library Association, it does provide materials representing all approaches to public issues of a controversial nature. Providing resources which allow patrons to freely examine many points of view and make his own decisions and form its own opinion is one of the indispensable purposes of the library.

References

Freedom to Read. (1997-2014). Retrieved from American Library Association: http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/statementspols/freedomreadstatement

Freedom to view. (1997-2014). Retrieved from American Library Association.

Libraries and the LGBTQ community. (2015, March 4). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 15:24, March 6, 2015, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Libraries_and_the_LGBTQ_community&oldid=649901493

Library Bill of Rights. (1997-2014). Retrieved from American Library Association: http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill