Urban Fiction Reading Lists

Thanks to Meg, here is a list of library sites to check out for Urban Fiction reading lists!

http://www.lmxac.org/longbranch/urban_fiction.htm
http://cpl.org/readingroom.asp?key=%7B4AA4C9F1-E92F-47A2-B9EF-1B727E62884C%7D
http://www.mdlib.org/divisions/raig/urban/
http://auburn-hills.lib.mi.us/Adult/Booklist/settings/Urban.htm

Flowers in the Attic Discussion Questions

Okay, the book club meeting was weeks ago, but here are some questions to ponder just for fun. Please post a reply if you are so inspired! (Have some Boone's Farm first for inspiration!)

1. Do you think it is realistic that the children stayed in the attic so long without trying to escape? Why or why not? What were their motivations?
2. What was their mother's original intentions when she first brought them to the attic? Did she always plan to hide them there for years?
3. Did their mother ever love them? If so, how and why did her feelings change?
4. What did you think of the family's attitudes toward sexuality? Was it appropriate that Chris and Cathy saw each other naked in pre-attic times?
5. Did Chris suffer from an Oedipus complex?
6. What did you think of the incest incident? Was it realistic?
7. If you had to be locked up in an attic for years, what and who would you want to take with you?
8. Why is this book so popular with jr. high girls?
9. This book is often marketed as horror. Do you agree with that classification? Why?
10. What is your favorite white trash food? Beverage?

Boone's Farm In the Attic

For March we were Keepin' It Rural. B. was a most gracious host and served her small but enthusiastic group of guests Boone's Farm, Pizza Rolls, and Lil' Smokies. I have to say I was quite excited to have a chance to bring Cheese Whiz and potato chip sandwiches. (To answer the question that both my old man and B. asked, yes, these sandwiches really exist, and people really eat them!) Sadly, I wasn't able to find the right kind of round white bread for the sandwiches (it may only be available in rural Wisconsin) so had to make do with appetizer rye bread. I vow to all my KIR sistahs that I will do everything in my power to serve these delectable sandwiches at your upcoming bridal and baby showers, and funerals. W-Bo/Martha Stewart came through as usual with a yummy strawberry jello dish.
Our book selection was "Flowers in the Attic." Somehow, I missed reading this classic as a 7th grade girl, but I must admit I enjoyed reading it and was totally sucked in. I did have a hard time buying that teens that old (12 & 14) would so easily submit to being locked in the attic (especially since when they did "escape," all they basically had to do was walk out the front door). But just the fact that I pondered this question so much demonstrates that I was hooked. I was surprised (okay, disappointed) that there was only one, completely non-graphic sex "scene." I'm a little surprised "Flowers" has become so popular and scandalous on just a teeny bit of incest. Actually, I thought there were a lot of incestuous undercurrents between Chris and his mom (serious Oedipus Complex, why else would he put up with her crap?) and Carrie and her dad.
Well, if I had infinite time, I would probably read the whole series. See, there is a reason for mortality (it forces me to prioritize my reading).

Shame on Zane

Our second book was "Shame On It All" by Zane. Now Zane is wildly popular and her books are known for being steamy, so I was very disappointed to discover "SOIA" was extremely NOT hot. Yes, Zane made frequent use of the words "pussy" and "dick," but that isn't enough to make something erotic. In fact, much of SOIA was downright gross (why is Zane obsessed with defecation? Sure, it's a natural human process, but that doesn't mean anyone wants to read about it) and would actually kill, rather than create, a sexy mood. SOIA was also really weird, not in a good way, but in a "Why are there so many horny midgets running around?" way. And I hate to sound over-sensitive, but I was actually a little offended on the behalf of midgets, poor rural people, fat people, and others Zane gratutiously mocked. Being mean and witty is one thing, but just being mean is lame. One the plus side, SOIA was memorable and entertaining, with some wildly funny lines.
Our lovely hostess, Sue, treated us to yummy and sumptuous fondue in honor of Valentine's Day.