(Go to Book of the Month)

December 31, 2014
Taking it Deeper - Phillipines - Part Two

December Book: Montress: Stories

By Lysley Tenorio

Meeting: Tuesday, January 6, 2015
7:00PM

December 17, 2014
Taking it Deeper - Phillipines - Part One

December Book: Montress: Stories

By Lysley Tenorio

Meeting: Tuesday, January 6, 2015
7:00PM

December 3, 2014

December Book: Montress: Stories

By Lysley Tenorio

Meeting: Tuesday, January 6, 2015
7:00PM

November 5, 2014


November Book: A Thousand Moons on a Thousand Rivers
By Hsiao Li-Hung (Author), Michelle Wu (Translator)


Meeting: Tuesday, December 2, 2014
7:00PM—8:30PM

Meeting Location:
Open Minds Studio
4236 Adams Ave
San Diego, CA 92116 (Kensington)
http://openmindslearnbest.com

The 15th Annual Asian Film Festival is coming up this month, November
6-15, so let's head east and dive into the mysteries of Taiwan. Film
Festival information can be found here: LINK
I picked Taiwan because the lead movie of the festival is the screening of
a new TV pilot, Fresh Off The Boat. LINK
American-Taiwanese Eddie Huang, successful restaurateur of New York's
famous Baohaus restaurant, bases this new sitcom on his memoir of the same
name.

Taking it Deeper - Liberia - Part 2

October 29, 2014


October Book: This Child Will Be Great: Memoir of a Remarkable Life by Africa's First Woman President

By Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Meeting: Tuesday, November 4th
7:00PM

Taking it Deeper - Liberia - Part 1

October 22, 2014


October Book: This Child Will Be Great: Memoir of a Remarkable Life by Africa's First Woman President

By Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Meeting: Tuesday, November 4th
7:00PM—8:30PM


Meeting Location:
Open Minds Studio
4236 Adams Ave
San Diego, CA 92116 (Kensington)
http://openmindslearnbest.com

What defines Liberia? While the link between Liberia and the Ebola virus may forever be engrained in our minds, I would like to make some positive links with this small West African country. Certainly, our author Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, is one of those positive associations. Not only is she the first female president of an African country, she is also the co-winner Nobel Prize for Peace in 2011 for her tireless work in non-violent struggle for peace. Read more about it here: LINK Further, Ms. Sirleaf is considered one of the Iron Ladies of Liberia. Here is a link to a 47-minute documentary that that profiles her first year of her presidency: LINK

Another fascinating documentary on the strength of the peace movement run by women in Liberia is Pray the Devil Back to Hell. Perhaps, you have heard of Charles Taylor, the previous president of Liberia? Mr. Taylor is known worldwide for his brutality and war crimes in the decades-long struggle between Liberia and Sierra Leone.

October 15, 2014


October Book: This Child Will Be Great: Memoir of a Remarkable Life by Africa's First Woman President

By Ellen Johnson Sirleaf


Meeting: Tuesday, November 4th
7:00PM

September 24, 2014


October Book: The Tricking of Freya
By Christina Sunley


Meeting: Tuesday, October 7th
7:00 PM to 8:30 PM

Meeting Location:
Open Minds Studio
4236 Adams Ave
San Diego, CA 92116 (Kensington)
http://openmindslearnbest.com
Map: LINK

Author of our book, Christina Sundley, was inspired to write The Tricking of Freya after reading a memoir by her Grandfather. According to her Amazon page:

"[A] single image that has haunted me all my life: a young boy wakes up one morning to a sky so black he cannot see his hand in front of his face. The boy was my grandfather, the morning was in April, 1875, and the volcano Askja had just erupted in a remote region of northeast Iceland, hurling ash so furiously it obliterated the sun for days. The ashfall covered a vast area -- killing off all vegetation and livestock -- a final blow for an already impoverished people struggling under colonial oppression. A year later, my grandfather and his family, along with thousands of others, left for Canada, to escape their lives of hardship and join a "New Iceland" settlement on the shores of Lake Winnipeg." LINK

I love her inspiration as it shows that all of us have interesting stories wedged deep into our family history. So far, Ms. Sundley has not yet published any more books, but with an interesting family history like hers and a clear talent for writing, I'm sure she will. (By the way, here are some interesting facts about "New Iceland" in Manitoba: LINK. It is a whole Icelandic world unto itself.)

The author's blog has a delightful travel narrative of her book tour to Iceland in 2010. She details and photographs some of the locales from scenes in the book. LINK. Check out her May-June, 2010 entries for more detail. It is especially fun for me to read these entries as many of the places mentioned were places my family and I visited on our trip in August. It is enchanting when books come alive!

In 2008, Iceland really made a name for itself (and not a good name) in the beginning of the recent global financial meltdown. Their banking, investing and real estate markets were the world's first to crash. The country's currency and economic devaluation descent was as dramatic as they come with their stock market alone dropping 90% in value at one point. Here is a great article on their meteoric downfall: LINK, and an equally interesting one on the remarkable recovery that followed: LINK

Purchase the book via Amazon: LINK

WVP Book Club information: LINK

September 3, 2014


October Book: The Tricking of Freya
By Christine Sunley


Meeting: Tuesday, October 7th
7:00 PM to 8:30 PM

Meeting Location:
Open Minds Studio
4236 Adams Ave
San Diego, CA 92116 (Kensington)
http://openmindslearnbest.com
Map: LINK

October's theme is Iceland. I traveled there in early August and have done so much delightful reading about this unique landscape and culture that I wanted to be able to share my books and experiences with the book club. I have read the book club selection twice already and loved it! I hope you will too.

Synopsis: A young woman obsessed with uncovering a family secret is drawn into the strange and magical history, language and landscape of Iceland.

Taking it Deeper-Part 1

July 9, 2014

July Book: Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood
By Marjane Satrapi

Meeting: Thursday, July 24th
6:30 PM to 8:00 PM

Meeting Location: (CHANGE FOR JULY ONLY)
The Worldview Project
2445 Morena Boulevard, Suite 210
San Diego, CA 92110
Map LINK

I have never been to Comic-Con so I can only speculate that it is a sight to behold. If you have been I would love to hear your impressions. Regardless of my lack of attendance, it sounds like rest of the world will be in town July 24-27, 2014 when Comic-Con International visits San Diego. LINK

My only experiences with comics are with Archie comics in the 1960's and an occasional Sunday morning giggle with the newspaper's funny pages. So I'm very excited to read our July book as it clearly has profound and historical meaning to the women of Iran. I'm sure it will spark interesting and emotional dialog from our group.

Since our book this month is an autobiographical tale-turned-graphic-novel, I thought it would interesting to first learn more about the author, Marjane Satrapi. I found a bit about her on Wikipedia: LINK and a more personal interview on PBS: >a href="http://www.pbs.org/newshour/art/conversation-marjane-satrapi/">LINK I love her comment in the interview that all we Westerners see and hear of Iran these days is "veils, beards and nuclear weapons, [while] nobody talks about our great poets and our great philosophers and our thousands of years of history and culture." Touché!

If you read the above links you are going to find out a little secret shortcut—Persepolis has also been made into an animated film. Of course, I would love it if everyone could see the film after reading the book, but it might be reassuring to know that there is a shortcut available if you don't have time to read the book. The movie does not seem to be available on Netflix streaming videos, but I found a few versions on YouTube: LINK (in French) and
LINK (in English with Dutch subtitles.) You also might see if it is available at Kensington Video LINK. Further, San Diego Participant Observer has a link to a few other films set in Iran available streaming on Netflix: LINK

Author Satrapi has written a few other books: Persepolis 2: The Story of a Return, and Chicken with Plums, respectively, found here: LINK and LINK I was hoping that if anyone has already read the original Persepolis, they might be willing to read the sequel and report to the group!!

Finally, I found out that Persepolis means "city of Persians"and has roots back to 500 BC. It was named an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 due to its spectacular and historic ruins. WIKI LINK

There is still plenty of time to purchase the book via our Amazon link: LINK

(I will be out of the country late July through early August, so Tom Johnston-O'Neill will be conducting the July meeting at the Worldview Project's office.)

June 27, 2014

July and August Book Announcement

July Book: Persepolis: The Story of Childhood
By Marjane Satrapi

Meeting: Thursday, July 24th
6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
The Worldview Project
2445 Morena Boulevard, Suite 210
San Diego, CA 92110
Map: LINK

July is Comic-Con in San Diego, so naturally our pick for the month is a literary graphic novel. It is short, poignant and engaging with its comic strip format&mash;a perfect summer read!

Synopsis: Wise, funny, and heartbreaking, Persepolis is Marjane Satrapi's memoir of growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. In powerful black-and-white comic strip images, Satrapi tells the story of her life in Tehran from ages six to fourteen, years that saw the overthrow of the Shah's regime, the triumph of the Islamic Revolution, and the devastating effects of war with Iraq. The intelligent and outspoken only child of committed Marxists and the great-granddaughter of one of Iran's last emperors, Marjane bears witness to a childhood uniquely entwined with the history of her country.

Persepolis paints an unforgettable portrait of daily life in Iran and of the bewildering contradictions between home life and public life. Marjane's child's-eye view of dethroned emperors, state-sanctioned whippings, and heroes of the revolution allows us to learn as she does the history of this fascinating country and of her own extraordinary family. Intensely personal, profoundly political, and wholly original, Persepolis is at once a story of growing up and a reminder of the human cost of war and political repression. It shows how we carry on, with laughter and tears, in the face of absurdity. And, finally, it introduces us to an irresistible little girl with whom we cannot help but fall in love.

Purchase via Amazon: LINK

(I will be out of the country late July through early August, so Tom Johnston-O'Neill will be conducting the July meeting at the Worldview Projects office. I will be sending out some Taking it Deeper updates prior to leaving town, but otherwise, expect an RSVP request from Tom the week of the meeting.)

---

August Book: The Tricking of Freya
By Christine Sunley

Meeting: Thursday, August 28th
6:30 PM to 8:00 PM

Meeting Location:
Open Minds Studio
4236 Adams Ave
San Diego, CA 92116 (Kensington)
http://openmindslearnbest.com
Map: LINK

August's theme is Iceland. I'm traveling there in early August and have done so much delightful reading about this unique landscape and culture that I wanted to be able to share my books and experiences with the book club when I return. I have read the book club selection twice already and loved it! I hope you will too.

Synopsis: A young woman obsessed with uncovering a family secret is drawn into the strange and magical history, language and landscape of Iceland.

Freya Morris grows up in a typical American suburb

Taking it Deeper – Part 2

June 4, 2014

June Book: The War of the Saints
By Jorge Amado

Meeting: Thursday, June 26th
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Meeting Location:
Open Minds Studio
4236 Adams Ave
San Diego, CA 92116 (Kensington)
MAP
www.openmindslearnbest.com

Have you started the book? I don't know about you, but I have no prior knowledge of this intriguing locale and culture—exotic country called Brazil. With its scintillating mix of Catholicism and African Spiritism, I immediately dove into research about Saint Barbara of the Thunder and Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.

Here are a few details I gleaned from Wikipedia: LINK
• Saint Barbara was an early Christian saint and martyr from the 3rd century from either the present—day areas of Turkey or Lebanon.

• Saint Barbara is the patron saint of artillerymen. She is also traditionally the patron saint of armorers of all types and anyone who works with explosives. In the Catholic religion, she is invoked against thunder and lightning and all accidents arising from explosions of gunpowder. Those who face the danger of sudden and violent death in their work revere her.

• Her saint day is December 4th, and she is also the patron saint of US Navy and Marine Corps Aviation Ordnancemen (although the day is not celebrated).

• The Santa Barbara mission is named for her.

• And, especially relevant to our book, in the Afro—Brazilian religion of Candomble she is often identified as Yansan, the orisha of wind and storms. An orisha is a spirit or deity manifested as God in the Yoruba (African) belief system. The Portuguese brought Nigerian slaves centuries ago to Brazil and, while the slaves were forced to convert to Catholicism, much of their Yoruban religious beliefs ultimately were fused into the Catholic traditions and practices of the region. Here is a link to expand your understanding of Candomble: LINK

The book takes place in Sao Salvador da Bahia de Todos os Santos (in English: "City of the Holy Savior of the Bay of all Saints"), which is the capital city of the state of Bahia, Brazil. Salvador claims to be the soul of Brazil as the city is best known for its world famous carnival celebration and gorgeous beaches. Set along the northeastern coast of the vast country of Brazil, Salvador is at the mouth of the Bay of All Saints and was the country's first capital, as well. Here are a few links to learn more: LINK and LINK

Our book's author, Jorge Amado, helped to bring Bahia alive for the world with his series of novels focusing mainly on feminine characters, devoted to a delightful celebration of the traditions and the beauties of Bahia. Read more about him here: LINK and here:
LINK and find two of his other popular books here: Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands LINK and Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon LINK

Last, don't forget the June 29th concert of the Brazilian group, Choro das 3!! Tickets to this wonderful concert are $20 - $25 and are available here: LINK

Purchase the book via WVP's Amazon link

Book Club information: LINK

I look forward to seeing you Thursday, June 26th!

Taking it Deeper – Part 1

May 28, 2014

June Book: The War of the Saints
By Jorge Amado

Meeting: Thursday, June 26th
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Meeting Location:
Open Minds Studio
4236 Adams Ave
San Diego, CA 92116 (Kensington)
MAP

Brazil will be in the world spotlight soon as World Cup soccer begins June 12th, running through July 13th. Matches will be held all over the country'12 locales in all'from Manaus in the north, to Porto Alegre in the south, and of course, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. Even if you are not a soccer fan, tune into a few matches for a wonderful overview of this vast country. For a full schedule of games, please visit the FIFA website at: LINK

As an aside, Goldman Sachs has predicted that Brazil has a near 50% chance of winning the World Cup. They forecast that Brazil will beat Argentina 3-1 in the finals, though I know a few Argentines who might beg to differ! Sim or n

May 3, 2014

May Book: Seeking Sicily: A Cultural Journey Through Myth and Reality in the Heart of the Mediterranean
By John Keahey

Meeting: Thursday, May 22nd
6:30 PM

April 24, 2014

May Book: Seeking Sicily: A Cultural Journey Through Myth and Reality in the Heart of the Mediterranean
By John Keahey

Meeting: Thursday, May 22nd
6:30 PM-8:00 PM

Meeting Location:
Open Minds Studio
4236 Adams Ave
San Diego, CA 92116 (Kensington)
http://openmindslearnbest.com

This month we will focus on Sicily to coincide with the 21st Annual Sicilian Festival scheduled for Saturday, May 18th. Interesting, fun and delicious, I'm sure!


Synopsis: Sicily is the Mediterranean's largest and most mysterious island. Its people, for three thousand years under the thumb of one invader after another, hold tightly onto a culture so unique that they remain emotionally and culturally distinct, viewing themselves first as Sicilians, not Italians. Many of these islanders, carrying considerable DNA from Arab and Muslim ancestors who ruled for 250 years and integrated vast numbers of settlers from the continent just ninety miles to the south, say proudly that Sicily is located north of Africa, not south of Italy.

Seeking Sicily explores what lies behind the soul of the island's inhabitants. It touches on history, archaeology, food, the Mafia, and politics and looks to nineteenth- and twentieth-century Sicilian authors to plumb the islanders' so-called Sicilitudine. Seeking Sicily also looks to contemporary Sicilians who have never shaken off the influences of their forbearers, who believed in the ancient gods and goddesses.

Purchase the book via WVP's AMAZON LINK

I look forward to seeing you Thursday, May 22nd.

Taking it Deeper

Taking it Deeper

March 27, 2014

April Book: Death and The Penguin
By Andrey Kurkov

Meeting: Thursday, April 24th
6:30PM-8:00PM

Meeting Location:
Open Minds Studio
4236 Adams Ave
San Diego, CA 92116 (Kensington)
http://openmindslearnbest.com


In the news: Ukraine. This month's pick is not a historical recounting of the tension between Russia and Ukraine. It is, however, a contemporary mystery written from a unique perspective by a Ukrainian author from Kiev.

Synopsis: A masterful tale set in post-Soviet Kiev that's both darkly funny and ominous...

In the widely hailed prequel to Penguin Lost, aspiring writer Viktor Zolotaryov leads a down-and-out life in poverty and violence-wracked Kiev

March 19, 2014

Taking it Deeper

March 12, 2014

Taking it Deeper

March 5, 2014


March Book: Enchiladas, Rice, and Beans
By Daniel Reveles


Meeting: Thursday, March 27th
6:30pm-8:00pm


Meeting Location:
Open Minds Studio
4236 Adams Ave
San Diego, CA 92116 (Kensington)
http://openmindslearnbest.com


March is Latino Film Festival month here in San Diego and we have found a delightful book featuring Tecate for our book club selection.


Synopsis: Written with an undercurrent of magical realism, and spiced with the flavors that linger long in the memory, these tales from Tecate

You are Invited to Join
The Worldview Project International Book Club!
(Taking it Deeper!)

The Worldview Project is pleased to announce the launch of an exciting new book club. Each month we will select a book for discussion that aligns with The Worldview Project's mission to promote greater cross-cultural awareness, knowledge, and understanding. Additionally, throughout the month we will e-mail announcements designed to 'take you deeper' into the highlighted culture

Keep informed about San Diego Events!
Sign-up for our weekly Eblast by clicking here: Sign Me Up!