Welcome to our Virtual Sigma Kappa Book Club! Be sure to visit us on Goodreads, and please join our Sigma Kappa Group! Even if you can’t participate in our book discussion, join the group and meet a new reader.
Our book selection for what turned into January and February 2014 was the New York Times bestselling memoir, I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai with Christina Lamb. This book has been so incredibly popular, it took me at least three weeks to get the book from my library, and I’m a librarian! I hope the extra time we took for book club gave you extra time to not only get the book, but read it, think about it, and want to just share your thoughts about it!
While I do love biographies and memoirs, this isn’t the kind of book I would normally pick up. I was hesitant I would like the story, and yet, I was completely surprised! I couldn’t put this book down once I got involved in Malala’s story, so I finished it in a few days. I also read the reviews, watched her videos, and did a bit of research about A World at School. Fascinating and enlightening to learn about people who seem so very far away, yet just want to go to school.
The most influential part I found was that no matter what others told her, Malala never gave up. She fought for her rights as both a young woman and a student in what came to be a discriminatory and war-torn country. I also found the history of this area to be both fascinating and puzzling. I became completely aware of how lucky I am in America to have the rights I do as a person, woman and student, and just how much others in this world just don’t have those same standards. I found some of the writing to be a bit terse, perhaps that came as a result of the story being told and written through her co-writer. There were moments of confusion because the political structure of this area is always changing, and those were some of the parts I tended to have to re-read. Overall, I was simply surprised, and I really enjoyed this read. Thanks Sigma Kappa members for the suggestion!
What are your overall impressions of this book? Were you surprised? Would you have chosen this on your own?
What do you think of Malala’s story? Would you have done what she did by continuing to go to school, despite the situation?
Do you find this story has increased your awareness of global education, the area of Swat, women’s rights, or other topics?
How do you think her parents’ positive influence in her life had an impact on her decisions?
If you could ask Malala any question, or talk to her about any topic, what would you choose and why?
There is some controversy about this book, some claim it has been overinflated or puffed up to add drama. Others in her native country have protested her movement. This article explains some of the controversy. What do you think? I found her Wikipedia article interesting and it gave some good links to other stories.
Our March 2014 selection is from one of my favorite authors and on the lighter side — Fly Away Home by Jennifer Weiner. I have yet to dislike one of her books, and I find she is a smart and intelligent writer for women who like funny, clever characters or over-the-top scenarios and situations. Fly Away Home is available in paperback and e-book edition, as well as the library, and was first issued in 2010.
The book tells the story of a political mogul, his wife and children who find themselves in the midst of a heated scandal. However, this is also a book about mothers and daughters and their relationship with each other. It’s a book I hope will make you turn the pages and want to talk about with someone as soon as you finish!
Visit Jennifer Weiner’s website and learn more about her writing, personality, and what she has in the works. Jennifer Weiner also is pretty active on Goodreads and Twitter. She is a bit silly, and fun.
Enjoy the book and see you in April!
The Librarian of Spark and Spirit 
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