My Kind of Town, A City of Good and Evil
“Loving Chicago,” said legendary American writer Nelson Algren, “is like loving a woman with a broken nose.” I was born in Chicago; it’s my hometown and I can attest that it’s a really special place. And, like Algren says, it's not an easy city to love. Perhaps it's the odd mixture of good (Oprah, skyscrapers, sports teams, jazz, etc.) and evil (bad weather, political corruption, poverty, segregation, gangsters and, of course, crime) that permeates the place.I volunteered to do the discussion primer for The Devil in the White City because, I’m excited about the opportunity to share my city —even though it’s through a book — with you. Approximately 400 pages long, if you haven’t started reading yet, you only have to read about 15 pages per day to finish the book on time. Ready ... set ...
Happy Reading!
With the help of MamaChristy (pretty please!!), sometime during the week of May 1 – 6, I hope to prepare and post a discussion primer so that we can discuss the book together as a group via this blog. In the meantime, as usual, anyone can post anything at anytime.
posted by Twanna A. Hines | FUNKYBROWNCHICK.com at
9:13 PM
8 Comments:
I'm here for you, babe. just let me know what you want help with...
By
MamaChristy, at 10:56 AM
Yay Stolie!
FYI, Madame Moderator: I will be out of pocket until May 16, so i ask your pardon in advance about not replying until then. My husband and I are leaving Monday and going to Italy for two weeks, then coming home for one week, and leaving out for Africa May 1-16.
It's two dream-come-true trips back to back, and we are over the moon. (Now if we could just get packed ...)
I promise to think of my fellow shoe-lovers as I journey through Milan, and then I will read "Devil and The White City" while I live in my tent in Namibia. And, I'll post lots once I return to civilization. I can't wait to read what everyone posts about both of our books between now and then.
(:
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JenniNapa, at 6:11 PM
Hi ladies, remember me? I promise I have not abandoned you! 3 weeks ago my husband found out he was getting laid off from his job. And in the spirit of keeping things simple (you know…just finding a NEW job like most normal people would do), we’ve decided to completely relocate 4 hours away. We’ve been talking about leaving the DC area for a few years anyway, so when we got the news – we decided to go for it! Well in the course of literally 15 hours (8 of those we were sleeping!) we sold our house, bought a new one in Roanoke, VA AND I managed to talk my current job into letting me work out of our new home in Roanoke. We’ve been busy bees. My husband’s had at least 10 phone interviews (and cross your fingers – he’s on his way to Roanoke right now for an in-person interview tomorrow morning); I feel sure he’ll have something nailed down before we even move. So it’s been a bit mad around my house lately. I’ve got movers coming this week to do estimates – we’ve been packing like crazy and on May 4th we actually move! WOOHOOO!! It all fell into place so quickly I just feel like it was meant to be!!
Anyway – that’s my excuse for not blogging the way I should’ve blogged for the first book. I promise to do better for the next one. In fact I already have book #2 waiting on my bookshelf. Although my computer will be in a box the first week or so in May. But once I’m plugged in – I’ll be a bloggin’ book club fool.
Christy – you’re moving as well? Any tips for keeping sane?
Hope you all are doing well!
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K-Pax, at 3:04 PM
You go girl! I think that it is so ap-pro-pro that you be the moderator on this one. Has it given you a new insight to your hometown?
I'm just lovin lovin lovin the book. Of course I love the way he writes - even if he jumps around POV a bit more than I might be ready for - but that keeps me on my toes.
JenniNapa == Can you hide me in your suitcase? Man I hope that you and Hubby will have an absolutely beautiful time.
KPax - I had a similiar situation - I wasn't "really looking" for a job but ended up changing jobs, moving almost 400 miles all in the space of 24 days from start to hire notification and then 15 days to move! It was crazy, but like you, I feel like it was meant to be. Good Luck
All the RR's - I hope that ya'll are enjoying this book as much as I am - I'll be traveling south at the beginning of the month, but will sign on and post as soon as I can. (Maybe get a tutoring session from MammaC)
Hugs,
E
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E, at 8:09 PM
MamaChristy: I will definitely lean on you for a little help as the time to post the discussion primer draws nearer.
JenniNapa : HAVE A WONDERFUL TRIP!!!! Italy. I don't think it's possible for another country to be as artistically beautiful as that place. I swear the Italian have made "living" an artform. The food. The culture. The language. The clothing. The people. It's amazing. And, you're going to Africa after that, too?! You are a lucky lucky lucky woman. Enjoy your travels!! :)
K-Pax: As I read your email, I thought ... but, wait a minute ... this isn't April Fool's day. Why is she pulling this joke on us? I actually read your comment twice just to make sure you weren't joking. Wow. I mean, really ... wow! Please give us an update and let us know how everything is going.
ET: Thanks. And, yeah, it's been really great to read along as they discuss people, places, streets, neighborhoods and landmarks that I know very well. I love it!! :)
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Twanna A. Hines | FUNKYBROWNCHICK.com, at 5:10 AM
I am still a little snowed under with all this moving. The millions of boxes are driving me nuts.
Kristie - As far as moving advice, I have this to say: If you can't find it, just buy a new one. Be it a tooth brush or some dishes, it is worth just getting a new one and saving yourself the stress.
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MamaChristy, at 10:48 AM
Hi ladies!
Haha – no, Stolie – it was not an April Fool’s Day joke. Phew…that would’ve been a lot less stressful though.
Well, latest update with us – My husband has his 3rd interview with a company on Thursday. Some of the big peeps from their corporate office are going to be in the Roanoke office and they want to meet him. So fingers crossed he gets it! It sounds very promising.
I got confirmation from the movers today. Yes, it’s official, they will be taking my first born child – OH and they’ll also be moving my things on May 4th.
MamaChristy – you crack me up. I am on the verge of tossing out every single thing I own and buying all new. Packing sucks. Oh – and on a book-club note, I had specifically set aside “Devil in the White City” so I could read it between now and moving day. Well, last night my husband (having no idea I DIDN’T pack it on purpose) stuck it in a box. Somewhere. SO…I’ll be buying a new one of those!!
Things are going well – just getting a little stressful….it’s getting very close!! But I’m completely excited about our new town – MUCH slower pace of life. And with me being able to work from home…I’ll get off work at 6pm and I’ll be at HOME at 6pm. Beats the heck out of my DC commute. I feel like I’m going into early retirement. It’ll be fabulous.
Thanks for the good wishes everybody. ET – you made me feel so much better…so it gets easier, right? Haha.
I probably won’t be on here much more before the move – but should have my internet up in the new place probably 2nd week in May. I’ll be late – but I’ll be there!
Take care everybody!
By
K-Pax, at 2:21 PM
I just got the book from the library today finally, the 29th. And my husband is out of town so I'm afraid to start reading it. Serial killers + alone at night = creepy.
So I may be a little late starting too, but I'm going to bust my butt to read it quickly. :)
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mamashine, at 8:49 PM
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