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• 

  Welcome & Introductions

  Welcome members,

  We are ecstatic that you are here! Please introduce yourself and tell us a little about you. We aren't asking for your life story so don't worry, just tell us how you got here and what you'd like to see happen here.

  Do remember that we base your join date based on your introduction date and that date matters for a couple of incentives here. :-)

  Have any questions or suggestions, please don't hesitate to ask. You can post questions here or write us through the group pm box on the home page.

  Peace,

  Cora_Admin

  Color Online Group Shelf started this discussion 1 year ago. ( reply )

• 

  Lady Anne Smythe-Holcombe 

  I want to thank Zawadi for the invitation to this group, and I am honored to accept. I am a nurse-educator in a community college in Austin, TX, and have considered myself a mentor for women for the last 25 years, and I consider it an important part of my job which has enriched my life. I look forward to being able to make meaningful connections with women of all ages and colors through this group.

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

• 

  zawadi 

  Hi Bette!

  Thrilled to have you. Please check in regularly. I'll be providing more information in the coming days, explaining what I hope to accomplish.

  Peace,
  zawadi

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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  Jaede (edited)

  I would like to thank Zawadi for the invitation to this group. I am an Associate Lecturer of English (more specifically in Scientific, Technical, and Professional Writing) at a metropolitan university in the mid-west.

  I have considered myself a mentor to young adults, especially young women, for the last 15 years. I find that component of my career most rewarding and enriching because I find that I really do learn as much from my students every year as hopefully they learn from me.

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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  • 

    Gale K (edited)

    Hi Jaede! Been watching your LTS progress! Hang in there!

    posted 8 months ago. ( reply )

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  zawadi 

  Jaede,

  Glad to have you!

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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  ko'd 

  Thx to Zawadi for the invite. I am not an educator but I am a mother of 3 teenage daughters. I think I learn as much from them as they do me.

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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  Lisa B 

  Hi Everyone!
  I too can credit Zawadi for my invitation to this group, so thank you very much for asking me to join! I just graduated from graduate school last week with my doctorate in psychology and working with teens is my specialty. I really enjoy working with teens involved in the juvenile justice system and I am especially interested in working with girls and someday I would like to start my own program to help them. Currently, I am therapist on a girls unit at a secure residential treatment facility in Phoenix, AZ. I am always looking for ways to grow and learn and am looking forward to doing some more of that here and hopefully make some new friends!

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

• 

  She 

  Thanks Z for the invite! I am an Integrative Health Practitioner, an holistic oncology nurse integrating Reiki into my practice. I've worked for the empowerment of women and children throughout my entire adult life. I've fostered over 30 female teenagers in crisis through their transition. I was an active advocate and Board of Directors member for our local battered women network, helped teach the local police departments about domestic violence, founded the first Alateen group in our county, was a Girl Scout troop leader for many years, helped run the pharmacy at our local Family Planning Clinic, and more. I work with women of all ages who have cancer and help them overcome their fears of death, loss of control, spiritual crises, through empowerment and self reflection. I am a strong advocate of community volunteerism, social justice, and walking the talk.

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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  MS Judy L 

  Hi everyone. I am honored that Zawadi invited me to join. I hope I can make valuable contributions. I don't have a lot of time at this moment so I am just checking in. I am a fifty year old single mother of 2 grandmother of 2. I live in rural KY. I am a feminist and a writer of prose and poetry. Happy to be a part. Thanks again.

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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  cpauley929 

  Hi there! I too have to thank Zawadi for the invite. I'm really interested in what ya'll have going on here. I am a fairly recent graduate from the University of Florida's communications graduate program. I am now working as a case manager for the Southwest Louisiana AIDS Council. I would classify myself as a feminist given that I almost always chose women's issues as topics for my papers. I have tried to be a good role model for my sister, and a mentor for my students (when I was teaching). I'm looking forward to what this group will have to offer.

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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  zawadi 

  Welcome Lisa, Candice, Judy and Sheila!

  Now could you all start some topics, post to existing threads? lol

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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  Meghan G 

  Well, Zawadi just seems to be the membership coordinator around here, doesn't she? :) My name is Meghan, and I'm sort of drifting right now. I used to be an educator but am now concentrating on educating myself. I live in Maryland, USA, and truly love to learn about people who have experiences different than my own.

  Look forward to getting to know you all!

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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  zawadi 

  Welcome Meghan,

  I wear all the hats at the moment. lol Cora_Admin exists for some practical reasons. Hope you'll hang out a bit, learn about who we are. Make suggestions. Ask questions. And do share your reading experiences.

  Glad you're here.

  Peace,
  z

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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  Lady Anne Smythe-Holcombe 

  What a lot of talented women! I'm excited to be in your company.

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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  Karen (edited)

  Zawadi invited me to join, also. We are in several other groups where I met her and have always appreciated any and everything she has started and/or added to discussions in them. I learned about her Color Online group about a year ago (perhaps more, time gets away). I admire her dedication.

  I really don't have contact with young girls at this time in my life, but I would love to partake in discussions and hope I will have some comments or ideas to offer occassionally.

  I have read books that I felt would benefit young girls. I, then, recommended them to Zawadi. A couple of times, I sent the books (used are better than nothing) on to her in hopes that others would learn/enjoy/grow from them.

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    cpauley929 

    I have a set of books by Terry Pratchett that is really great for young women. While not written by a woman, he has some very insightful looks into what it's like to be a teenager. It's fantasy, but the main character - Tiffany Aching - is a great role model for girls. She is independent, intelligent, not easily swayed by other people's opinions of her, and capable of doing things on her own. The books start with The Wee Free Men then onto A Hat full of Sky. The latest one is Wintersmith.

    Fantastic, easy reads with a really strong and wonderful main character.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

  • 

    zawadi 

    Thanks for the recommendations. I'll look at them and consider adding them to our wish list and library collection at the non-profit where I volunteer.

    I won't be adding them to our shelf here, though. There's a lot of good literature out there with great female characters. Please keep recommending them though. I hope it isn't too confusing. Color Online has one focus and I, on the other hand, am responsible for a larger, broader collection for Nicholson Library.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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  zawadi 

  Karen,

  You send the best books and I enthusiastically encourage readers to check them out. I likewise appreciate your input. You bring a lot to a discussion. Glad you're here.

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

• 

  Anne L. Watson 

  Zawadi invited me also. I don't really consider myself a mentor, though I am a novelist who mainly writes about young people. (Does that make me a mentor?)

  You can download a free copy of one of my novels here:

  http://www.annelwatson.com/samples/PacificAvenue.pdf

  I'm writing another now that may turn out to be a YA, but it doesn't really meet that definition at this point because one of the two POV characters is an adult. I'm mulling on changing that, though...

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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  • 

    Lady Anne Smythe-Holcombe 

    It definitely makes you an influence. Use your power for good (wink, emoticon)!

    posted 10 months ago. ( reply )

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  Tonya 

  Greetings,
  I am delighted to be apart of this group. I have written two books entitled CultureSeek and Spirit Seek. I love to read both ficition and non-fiction. In addition to writing, I teach Multicultural Education and First Year Experience for freshmen. I also serve as a college administrator. My husband and I are involved with youth and community outreach ministries.

  Please keep sharing the books you love!

  Tonya B

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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  zawadi 

  Hi Tonya,

  Can you tell us a little about what it means to teach Multicultural Education? I hope you are adding titles to our shelf. How can we reach out and support the work you do?

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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  Yuki 

  Hi and thank you for the invite Zawadi. I am currently an accountant with 25 years under my belt. I am in the process of a career change to nursing having just graduated with my associates degree and passing the Nursing licensing exam. I hope I can contribute to this group and look forward to lively and intelligent discussions.

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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    Lady Anne Smythe-Holcombe 

    Wow, Yuki, I am so impressed at what you have accomplished! Best of luck in your new career, and welcome.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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  alenord 

  Thanks for the invite. My name is Amy and I am not new to Shelfari, but I became a bit disengaged based upon some threads I read and took a break. I am a high-school Spanish teacher, a mother and wife, would like to consider myself a deep thinker even if only to humor myself. :) I would like to see us read about and talk about literature and issues related to women of color and discuss whether those issues are related to gender or color or both.

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

• 

  zawadi 

  Amy,

  I think many of us have experienced what you've described. I think we've lost too many good members at Shelfari because of it. I am glad you've chosen to participate here. I remember your posts and I appreciate your point of view. Like you, I want to discuss literature. I want to discuss how it reflects our lives, beliefs and perspectives. I want to talk about how reading has enriched us.

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

• 

  mnnorthwoodsgal 

  I am from MN and today I'm trying to change my mind set (from warm and green) to usher in the new season of snow!

  I am a mother of three (35, 34, and 32yrs.) and grandmother of 4 girls who are 15, 14, 13, and 6, with a new baby boy due on Dec 1oth! My family is multi-racial and I raised my children as a single parent in a very small town after escaping from the cites. 11 years ago I remarried the father of my children.

  Since "retiring" last year from an MN based international corp. I provide childcare for my two youngest, am a elementary school volunteer-working in the Library (my favorite world!) and classroom, a hospice volunteer and am working on a new start-up business providing remote tech support. I am also on the board of our towns independent Library.

  My passion is reading, books are my constant companion and my teachers.

  I know I will learn from this group of young woman and I hope to contribute in this wonderful group Z has so consistently promoted for the last couple of yrs!

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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  zawadi 

  Welcome M,

  I'm so glad you're here. You share good stuff! Working in a library (sigh), yes the stuff dreams are made of.

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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  MOCHACOOL 

  Thank you for the invite. I came across this group and found it something I would love to join. I was one of the first black children enrolled in to an all white school when I was eight years old. It changed my life in many ways becasue I felt I stood in the middle of both races for a long time. I got my gift of loving to read from the first teacher I had at that school. She also called me every night to go over my homework. I feel I became a well rounded person because of her and my love of reading.

  I love mentoring young women. I am a paralegal who worked in the legal system for eleven and a half years. I have been involved in law from criminal to domestic violence. I work now in a large call center as a Call Manager. It is a lot like law because I argue most of the day.

  The joy in my life are my daughters, grandchildren and my books. I am happy to say my love of books have been passed on to my daughter and granddaughter. I hope to learn a lot here and contribute a lot also.

  posted 12 months ago. ( reply )

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  • 

    Lady Anne Smythe-Holcombe 

    I knew I liked you but I did not know you were so incredibly brave, and I'm glad you had a good teacher who helped you. At eight years old! That just gives me a lump in my throat.

    posted 12 months ago. ( reply )

  • 

    MOCHACOOL 

    What a wonderful thing to say. You know Betty the hard part was not having anyone to talk about how I felt at the time. I was so afraid. The funny thing about it was my parents were trying to give me the best but not one time did we ever discuss how I felt. My teacher was an older white woman who I grew to love because she cared enough to see my struggle without me saying a word. I owe her so much. I try to pass on what she taught me to my children and grandchildren and anyone else who need support or help. I am a stronger person because of her.

    posted 12 months ago. ( reply )

  • 

    zawadi 

    Welcome Mocha!

    posted 12 months ago. ( reply )

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  Rightside 

  Ok Z here I am and a huge hello to all! She, you have been very busy and my hat goes off to you for all your devotion and love of what you do! I have twin teens and they are "special" One with a learning disability and one with behavoral issues. They were adopted when a year old. The challanges has been tough, but through the grace of God I have to say it's been rewarding to say the least. It's also going to be lonely for me when they finally step out of home.

  posted 12 months ago. ( reply )

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  • 

    shannyn l 

    That is so great that you are pushing them towards success.
    Through them your dedication will shine!!!
    Your blessed and loved.
    Their loved and blessed.
    Keep striving for the best!!!

    posted 12 months ago. ( reply )

• 

  She 

  Rightside - thanks for your comments and appreciation. When I ended my first marriage I found an abundance of energy that had been used holding on to dysfunction. I decided to channel the energy into the community, and boy, did I get a lot done. (Made me realize how much time/energy I had wasted.)

  When my children grea up and moved on what I noticed foremost was the quiet. It was delicious. There was no more battling of the 3 stations (rock n roll, punk, rythym n blues) - I finally got to listen to my music choice (opera, folk and blues).

  And now I've got to share, the grandkids are SO MUCH more fun than their parents were!!!

  posted 12 months ago. ( reply )

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  Rightside 

  I don't doubt that for a Minute! Like they say The grandchildren go home after a long day with them! Lol Unfortunatly I'm not a granny though, my birth daughter is unable to have children. She has step children from her marriage whom she loves dearly, yet she wants to experience the mother hood of birthing her own. Ouch! Lol Lol

  posted 12 months ago. ( reply )

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  Shasta 

  I received an invite from Zawadi who I met at Play Book Tag. I have already made a few posts so I am fashionably late on the intro. I am a married mother of two boys, ages 4 and 8. I work full time for a non-profit organization.

  I love to read and share. I don't have any teenage girls in my life at this time but I have niece that will be one day. And boys that will be dating teenage girls (oh my). I once was a teenage girl so I hope that I can bring something of my own to share. I must admit that I am also here for selfish reasons - making friendships and learning from everyone else's experience and recommended reading.

  posted 12 months ago. ( reply )

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  • 

    zawadi 

    Welcome,

    Be selfish. We don't mind at all. :-)

    May I ask what kind of non-profit?

    posted 12 months ago. ( reply )

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  shannyn l 

  Hello, my name is Shannyn lee and I'm attending high school. I'm maintaining a good G.P.A.
  I LOVE READING!!!!! i love doing spoken word. i am a very happy person inside and out.
  i want to be a chef and i will be one.
  i read to take in more knowledge for my own future weather its old fiction or true life.
  you can never know to much, so i try to learn something new everyday.
  when I'm sad i read happy books, you know to keep my mind on something positive.
  so thats all for now chat soon!!!!!!!!

  posted 12 months ago. ( reply )

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    MS Judy L 

    When you do spoken word is it something you have written? If so, could you share a little. If not, who do you like to 'speak'?

    posted 12 months ago. ( reply )

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  charmika h 

  Hello my name is charmika, am 19 years old. am expecting 2 months. right now am reading the book the color of purple, i`ve seen the movie but i love reading about African American history. If anyone know some good African American books let me know thanks!

  posted 12 months ago. ( reply )

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    Lady Anne Smythe-Holcombe (edited)

    Welcome, Shasta, Shannyn Lee and Charmika H. I hope that you enjoy the Color Online group, give a lot to it, and get a lot from it. I haven't read that much African American history, so I don't know what to recommend, but I do enjoy the fiction of Zora Neale Hurston, an African American anthropologist and feminist.

    Shannyn, my husband always wanted to be a chef, so he took cooking lessons after he retired. I also take a few classes at Texas Culinary Academy, things like Spanish Tapas and stuffed pasta (ravioli, manicotti, tortellini). It's fun to make good food for people. I do still like making the kind of food my mother taught me, good things like pot roast, chicken soup, cornbread and greens. You know, what you eat at home.

    posted 12 months ago. ( reply )

  • 

    MOCHACOOL 

    Welcome Charmika...I think you may like J.California Cooper also. I love her books and she looks at our history in such a wonderful mind opening way. I also love the book Their Eyes Were Watching God...You may want to try some Ernest Gaines also. Again Welcome.

    posted 11 months ago. ( reply )

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  Eugenia O'Neal 

  Hello - thanks for the invite, Zawadi. I'm a writer who lives in the Caribbean. I used to work in gender affairs - promoting the rights of women and girls - but I'm now involved in other areas of government.

  posted 11 months ago. ( reply )

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  • 

    zawadi 

    Welcome Eugenia,

    Your previous works implies you have a lot to share. Looking forward to hearing your views and getting to know you better.

    posted 11 months ago. ( reply )

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  readingroomkatie 

  HAPPY HOLIDAYS--HELLO EVERYONE! I AM NEW TO THIS GROUP AND THANK YOU TO ZAWADI FOR INVITING ME! IT'S SUCH AN HONOR AND I AM SO PROUD TO BE HER FRIEND. I RESPECT HER OPINION SO MUCH. I AM 28 YEARS OLD AND WORK AT A LIBRARY WHICH I LOVE SO MUCH. I AM ALWAYS LOOKING FOR BOOK SUGGESTIONS, SO PLEASE DON'T BE SHY! NICE TO MEET ALL OF YOU.

  posted 11 months ago. ( reply )

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  Rightside 

  Hello and Happy Holidays! You've come to a fun and interesting place to enjoy great company and friends!

  posted 11 months ago. ( reply )

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  againstthetide 

  Hi everyone!

  I'm new to this group, but not so new to Shelfari. My primary identity is as a mom of two boys, ages 13 and 10, but I have lots of other interests. My favorites are running two groups here at Shelfari, reading as much as I can, and doing triathlons (with an occasional running race thrown in!). I also love love downhill skiing.

  I really like to try new things, and am looking forward to learning more about what this group is all about and to meeting the members here.

  posted 10 months ago. ( reply )

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  • 

    zawadi 

    Welcome Anita!

    posted 10 months ago. ( reply )

  • 

    cpauley929 

    Hey there Anita! It's good to have you!

    posted 10 months ago. ( reply )

  • 

    againstthetide 

    Thank you! It looks like a lot of interesting things going on here!! I need more hours in the day . . .

    posted 10 months ago. ( reply )

• 

  sweetafton (edited)

  Z, sorry I never popped in over here for a hello, but you know how I roll--all crazy like. ;)

  I read loads.

  I teach social and cultural history of the US at a pesky university way out west.

  I moderate the Octavia Butler group here at Shelfari, and spend way too much time on this site than should be allowed.

  I am very glad that Z started this group and hope to participate with a bit more regularity than my late date-of-introduction indicates.

  I like to laugh and don't take myself all that seriously, but at times can be dangerously pedantic--career hazard, I reckon.

  I wish I could spend all my time in the sea.

  I think Maya Angelou is wise-woman extraordinaire. I also think she should stop writing.

  posted 10 months ago. ( reply )

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    cpauley929 

    Glad you "officially" introduced yourself. I look forward to your contributions!

    posted 10 months ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Lady Anne Smythe-Holcombe 

    Nice intro, Miss Sweetafton, and welcome!

    posted 10 months ago. ( reply )

  • 

    zawadi 

    Sweet,

    I agree, Ms. Angelou should stop re-writing what's she already said. I am glad you're busy influencing young minds.

    It's always good when you show up and when you're absent, I ain't madatcha. :-)

    posted 10 months ago. ( reply )

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  MS Judy L 

  She was interviewed as part of the inaugral hoopla (Maya Angelou) I mean & she grows more beautiful every day. Aging is very kind to her.

  posted 10 months ago. ( reply )

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  • 

    rowanthea 

    I agree. So beautiful.

    posted 10 months ago. ( reply )

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  Talibah (edited)

  Hi everyone. My name is Ashley and I'm from Michigan. Well, I love to read (member of Shelfari!) and write, but haven't been doing much of that lately. I plan to change that once I get my life more organized. I'll be attending college this fall majoring in either computer or chemical engineering (with a possible minor in journalism). Any Michigan Tech Alumni out there?

  I'm happy to be apart of this group and hope to meet new and interesting people!

  posted 10 months ago. ( reply )

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  • 

    cpauley929 

    Hi Ashley! Welcome. I look forward to your contributions. What do you like to read? Any particular genre?

    posted 10 months ago. ( reply )

  • 

    zawadi 

    Thrilled you're finally here!

    Everyone, this is one of my incredible library volunteers. She also helps organize Color Online's bi-weekly "Lay It Down Sunday" get-togethers.

    posted 10 months ago. ( reply )

• 

  Talibah 

  I like to read horror, science-fiction, urban fiction, religious/spiritual, and whatever else might catch my attention.

  posted 10 months ago. ( reply )

• 

  Tiffany (formerly nappy_newbie) 

  Hello,
  I have been a member for a while but have not formally introduced myself. I am a journalist and recently went back to school for my teacher certification. I am the mother of two boys. I am glad to be apart of this group.

  posted 9 months ago. ( reply )

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  • 

    zawadi 

    Hi Nappy,

    Glad you're here. Please get comfy. Read a bit. Sit a bit. We'd like to get to know you better.

    posted 9 months ago. ( reply )

• 

  Kalyn R 

  Hello everyone,

  I would like to first thank Zawadi for inviting me to this group and for giving me an opportunity to tell you about myself and my organization. My name is Kalyn and I am the Executive Director for Sisters Acquiring Financial Empowerment (SAFE). We assist survivors of domestic violence with the tools and resources needed to be to leave or recover from the economic portion of domestic violence. www.newsafestart.org

  I love to read, however, I am in a Master's Degree program and over the last couple of years since starting SAFE I found that I have read a lot of books and materials on business, motivational and inspirational. Prior to that I would read all types of books from the classics, science-fiction, fiction, some science fiction, etc.

  I am glad I am part of such a great group!

  posted 9 months ago. ( reply )

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  • 

    zawadi 

    Kalyn,

    Glad to see you hear. Share with us about the non-fiction you read. We're not limited to fiction. We talk about books, life, politics, aspirations and more. Join in.

    
    

    Hope school is going well and we need to connect soon. We are both in the city after all.

    posted 9 months ago. ( reply )

  • 

    cpauley929 

    Welcome! Are you at all familiar with the BELONG program that is run in Africa. I know Project Concern International was working with women in Zambia. Many of them were widowed and trying to support a family. The program taught them literacy and how to save as a community. I could go into lots of detail, but I'm not sure it's relevant. Your organization sounded similar, but of course focusing on survivors of domestic violence in the states.

    posted 9 months ago. ( reply )

• 

  Gale K 

  Hi everyone

  My name is Gale and cpauley invited me to join this group. I live in the midwest and have been mentoring college age women for the past 11 years. Many of them come from broken homes and difficult circumstances and I am amazed and so pleased that they have made it to college! I have also been a volunteer mentor/tutor for many years in the public school system. I have usually worked with elementary school ages but this year have been given the opportunity to work with middle school students. I have a passion for working with disadvantaged students and it is my hope tp help them learn to love reading. I have a BS in Liberal Arts with a cognate in Education. Many of my education classes were in Children's Lit and I also have almost enough Lit credits for an English Lit major. I mention this because those young women frequently seek my help in their Lit classes reading books that I love and they don't!.

  I am honored to be among so many talented and caring women. I look forward to your support, recommendations and encouragement in helping my students succeed in life by becoming better and passionate readers!

  posted 8 months ago. ( reply )

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  • 

    cpauley929 

    Hi there Gale! Welcome to our community. It sounds like your work is very fulfilling. I'm amazed at what our members do everyday to make the world better for those who are less fortunate. I hope that we prove to be a good resource for you. Check out our shelf. We have it set up like PBT with a separate shelfari account. You can find it under admins as the "Color Online" user.

    posted 8 months ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Gale K 

    Thanks for the welcome! I have been gone all day but plan to spend tomorrow browsing the shelf and making some notes. I saw your post on the Terry Pratchett series and I want to check that out. I really like Pratchett and this series sounds like a winner. Hoping the library has it and I will probably buy it for my own library.

    posted 8 months ago. ( reply )

• 

  zawadi 

  Welcome Gale,

  Glad you're here. I read for non and reluctant readers. I'd love to share recommendations. The more specific you are about the reader, the more likely I can suggest a book or I can suggest a source to help you find something for her. I highly recommend you visit our blog. We have reviews with book covers, quizzes, links to book blogs and links to educators who work with teens.

  Our group here is small but we're all avid readers reading across a broad spectrum of books so it is taking time for us to build our listing that focuses on women of color writers. Among us though, I can tell you women of color compromise about 85% of my reading and of that 80% is probably YA. I read more other genres over the summer when I'm not working with the girls.

  Anyhoo, we're all here to support you and I am particularily interested in sharing recommendations with you. Tell me more about your girls. What have you recommended that didn't work. Then I can suggest books that might.

  posted 8 months ago. ( reply )

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    Gale K 

    Zawadi

    Thanks for the post. The young womenI mentor are mostly college age. One graduated last May and is married. Her mother suffers from mental illness and though she is a part of her life the young woman is really the adult in the relationship. Many of theses girls are not readers. This is strange to me as they are in college. Some do not even buy and read their text books. I know they are intelligent women and want to be successful in life and I know reading would widen their knowledge of the world and help them so much! If I sound frustrated, I am!They are precious young women and I want to make a difference in their lives.

    The other group ( although at this time it is only one adolescent reader ) is a lot more easily persuaded to read and that is saying something! For the first time in about 5 years I am tutoring a young man, 14 years old, should be in 8th but was held back. One of the professors at my husband's university asked mr personally to take him on. It has been a challenge. His reading level is 4th grade and I am afraid when he turns 16 he will drop out of school. He is a wrestler but I could not find a book on that subject so we are using Travel Team as he likes basketball. Any recommendations there? He has NO strong female presense in his life so maybe a book with a strong female protagonist would be an appropruate choice.

    Hope I have not gone on endlessly. I do so appreciate the women in this group and what you all do. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. gale

    posted 8 months ago. ( reply )

  • 

    zawadi 

    Hi Gale,

    Try Chris Crutcher. He's a fantastic writer. He uses sports as a vehicle to appeal to readers and it works. Language is accessible. Look for graphic novels as well. Unwind by Neal Shusterman and Neil Gaiman rocks!

    You'll find books for both your college age young women and the younger set. You cannot go on too long with me on this topic. If you are feel better, chat me up privately. We can talk until you get tired. :-)

    posted 8 months ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Gale K 

    Thanks, Zawadi! It is great to have such a wonderful and WILLING resource! I just saw Unwind at a used bookstore on Saturday, wish now I had bought it. Maybe it will still be there next Saturday. Thanls for the recommendations. Things are not going well for my young man. We are going to have a parent, teacher, student, guidance counselor pow wow sometime soon. sigh...

    posted 8 months ago. ( reply )

  • 

    zawadi 

    Hang in there. Someone just reminded me that it might take time and we might not see the harvest but plant the seeds anyway.

    posted 8 months ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Karen 

    "...and we might not see the harvest but plant the seeds anyway." What a lovely way to express that sentiment, zawadi. It applies often to the experiences of many elementary teachers.

    posted 8 months ago. ( reply )

  • 

    Gale K 

    Thanks for the encouragement, Zawadi. I really do appreciate it. Someone sent an email last night and this quote was at the bottom: "100 years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the type of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove, but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child-anonymous" Encouragement from an unexpected source!

    posted 8 months ago. ( reply )

  • 

    zawadi 

    Amen to that.

    posted 7 months ago. ( reply )

• 

  Meghan G 

  Hi everyone! I recognize a lot of you from WomenSpeak and finally found my way to ColorOnline. Promise I won't be scarce. :)

  posted 8 months ago. ( reply )

  show 1 reply

  • 

    zawadi 

    YAY! Get comfy.

    posted 8 months ago. ( reply )

• 

  zawadi 

  Did we lose a member? :-(

  posted 7 months ago. ( reply )

• 

  Jasmine L 

  Hey everyone. I'm a college student majoring in Architecture at Cal Poly Pomona. I really enjoy participating in interesting conversations so I'll try to join in when I can despite the hectic schedule.

  posted 7 months ago. ( reply )

  show 1 reply

  • 

    cpauley929 

    Hi there Jasmine :-) Welcome. I look forward to you contributions. Who are some of your favorite authors? What are you favorite genres?

    posted 7 months ago. ( reply )

• 

  SJF BOOKS 

  Hello, My name is Savannah J. Frierson and I found out about this group through Twitter actually. I am a primarily self-published author and freelance editor. I write love stories with particular focus on Black women who are mostly in interracial relationships. I also write about the black family and the black community with strong ties to the South in the United States. I will look around and thanks so much for providing such a space!

  Best,

  Savannah

  posted 3 months ago. ( reply )

  show 2 replies

  • 

    zawadi (edited)

    Hi Savannah,

    Glad to have you. The blog has exploded and therefore it takes up the majority of my time but I'm hoping we can also have a thriving community here. You'll find nothing but kind, informative, voracious women readers here.

    Let me know if you have any questions.

    posted 3 months ago. ( reply )

  • 

    SJF BOOKS 

    Thank you very much for the welcome!

    posted 3 months ago. ( reply )

• 

  Ju-Dith 

  Hello, my name is Jude..and i have been meaning to join this group for a while...but good intentions are lame until one Acts..so here i am...58, single, no kids...but i love talking to other women, young & "old" to find out what goes on in their heads..without conversation/dialogue, we are each just shouting in the wilderness..and the echo can hurt, at times....

  posted 2 months ago. ( reply )

• 

  Evelyn A 

  Hello there! I haven't really been using my Shelfari account to the fullest...didn't even realize you had a group on here, but the big shelf you your blog site should have been a big indication.

  Anyway. I love to read. I love to write. I love to talk about books I've read. I teach middle school kids and love reading young adult fiction so I can recommend titles and because I want to write that type of book one day...and besides the stories for middle grade readers are interesting.

  Yepper.

  And I have a blog site: www.evelynnalfred.blogspot.com
  I review books there every now and then and share some of my poetry.

  posted 2 months ago. ( reply )

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