Retired-Librarian
@retired-librarian.bsky.social
Retired librarian, sometime artist, vegetable gardener, #BannedBookSkyClub instigator
All content is original or properly attributed.
All content is original or properly attributed.
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#BannedBookSkyClub schedule:
November 2025: Parable of the Talents by Octavia Butler
December 2025: A Wizard of Earthsea (The Books of Earthsea, 1) by Ursula Le Guin
January 2026: Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston.
Link to feed in replies. #BookSky
Please join us.
November 2025: Parable of the Talents by Octavia Butler
December 2025: A Wizard of Earthsea (The Books of Earthsea, 1) by Ursula Le Guin
January 2026: Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston.
Link to feed in replies. #BookSky
Please join us.
Reposted by Retired-Librarian
It felt like an add-on. The story was compelling without the 'destiny', and I wasn't really interested in whether or not they met that destiny. When I think about both books, the 'destiny' doesn't even register for me. The relationships, building community, the struggle was more important to me.
November 14, 2025 at 11:26 AM
It felt like an add-on. The story was compelling without the 'destiny', and I wasn't really interested in whether or not they met that destiny. When I think about both books, the 'destiny' doesn't even register for me. The relationships, building community, the struggle was more important to me.
I'm always careful about what I put in an email. I guess some other people aren't ...
November 13, 2025 at 12:05 AM
I'm always careful about what I put in an email. I guess some other people aren't ...
#BannedBookSkyClub #BookSky
I'm on a road trip tomorrow to visit family and back Monday late. There's talking points out for #ParableOfTheTalents and I'll figure out December's talking points begin date when I get back. Feel free to keep discussing; I'll be in and out but not in while driving 🙂
I'm on a road trip tomorrow to visit family and back Monday late. There's talking points out for #ParableOfTheTalents and I'll figure out December's talking points begin date when I get back. Feel free to keep discussing; I'll be in and out but not in while driving 🙂
#BannedBookSkyClub schedule:
November 2025: Parable of the Talents by Octavia Butler
December 2025: A Wizard of Earthsea (The Books of Earthsea, 1) by Ursula Le Guin
January 2026: Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston.
Link to feed in replies. #BookSky
Please join us.
November 2025: Parable of the Talents by Octavia Butler
December 2025: A Wizard of Earthsea (The Books of Earthsea, 1) by Ursula Le Guin
January 2026: Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston.
Link to feed in replies. #BookSky
Please join us.
November 12, 2025 at 11:51 PM
#BannedBookSkyClub #BookSky
I'm on a road trip tomorrow to visit family and back Monday late. There's talking points out for #ParableOfTheTalents and I'll figure out December's talking points begin date when I get back. Feel free to keep discussing; I'll be in and out but not in while driving 🙂
I'm on a road trip tomorrow to visit family and back Monday late. There's talking points out for #ParableOfTheTalents and I'll figure out December's talking points begin date when I get back. Feel free to keep discussing; I'll be in and out but not in while driving 🙂
#BannedBookSkyClub reminder: The December 2025 book is A Wizard of Earthsea (The Books of Earthsea, 1) by Ursula Le Guin. Discussion begin date TBA.
Join us! #AWizardOfEarthsea #BookSky
Join us! #AWizardOfEarthsea #BookSky
November 12, 2025 at 8:48 PM
#BannedBookSkyClub reminder: The December 2025 book is A Wizard of Earthsea (The Books of Earthsea, 1) by Ursula Le Guin. Discussion begin date TBA.
Join us! #AWizardOfEarthsea #BookSky
Join us! #AWizardOfEarthsea #BookSky
#BannedBookSkyClub discussion of #ParableOfTheTalents by Octavia Butler #BookSky
Is there anything else you'd like to share about the book Parable of the Talents by Octavia Butler?
Is there anything else you'd like to share about the book Parable of the Talents by Octavia Butler?
November 12, 2025 at 8:44 PM
#BannedBookSkyClub discussion of #ParableOfTheTalents by Octavia Butler #BookSky
Is there anything else you'd like to share about the book Parable of the Talents by Octavia Butler?
Is there anything else you'd like to share about the book Parable of the Talents by Octavia Butler?
#BannedBookSkyClub discussion of #ParableOfTheTalents by Octavia Butler #BookSky
Butler planned on more Parable books with proposed titles: Parable of the Trickster, Parable of the Teacher, Parable of Chaos, & Parable of Clay.
How do you think the Parable stories would have continued if written?
Butler planned on more Parable books with proposed titles: Parable of the Trickster, Parable of the Teacher, Parable of Chaos, & Parable of Clay.
How do you think the Parable stories would have continued if written?
November 12, 2025 at 3:12 PM
#BannedBookSkyClub discussion of #ParableOfTheTalents by Octavia Butler #BookSky
Butler planned on more Parable books with proposed titles: Parable of the Trickster, Parable of the Teacher, Parable of Chaos, & Parable of Clay.
How do you think the Parable stories would have continued if written?
Butler planned on more Parable books with proposed titles: Parable of the Trickster, Parable of the Teacher, Parable of Chaos, & Parable of Clay.
How do you think the Parable stories would have continued if written?
Reposted by Retired-Librarian
I think there are many (helpful and cautionary) - the verses throughout both books highlight much of what we should be applying to our lives. Climate change, elections, how we treat others, community, beliefs, expanding our world.
November 12, 2025 at 12:05 PM
I think there are many (helpful and cautionary) - the verses throughout both books highlight much of what we should be applying to our lives. Climate change, elections, how we treat others, community, beliefs, expanding our world.
Reposted by Retired-Librarian
THIS looks interesting. Hosted by Library of America.
Paging #ParableOfTheTalents #BannedBookSkyClub #BookSky
www.eventbrite.com/e/the-radica...
Paging #ParableOfTheTalents #BannedBookSkyClub #BookSky
www.eventbrite.com/e/the-radica...
The Radical Imagination of Octavia E. Butler
Imani Perry and Tananarive Due discuss a titan of Afrofuturist fiction and her masterwork, Lilith’s Brood: The Xenogenesis Trilogy
www.eventbrite.com
November 11, 2025 at 6:09 PM
THIS looks interesting. Hosted by Library of America.
Paging #ParableOfTheTalents #BannedBookSkyClub #BookSky
www.eventbrite.com/e/the-radica...
Paging #ParableOfTheTalents #BannedBookSkyClub #BookSky
www.eventbrite.com/e/the-radica...
Reposted by Retired-Librarian
Main ingredient—hope. Support that hope by investing in community, building resilience, and encouraging people to follow their skills and interests through education.
November 11, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Main ingredient—hope. Support that hope by investing in community, building resilience, and encouraging people to follow their skills and interests through education.
Given the persistent story about the patron who asks a librarian to find a book for them but all they remember is that the cover is blue, I find myself unable to judge people who organize their books by color.
November 11, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Given the persistent story about the patron who asks a librarian to find a book for them but all they remember is that the cover is blue, I find myself unable to judge people who organize their books by color.
#BannedBookSkyClub discussion of #ParableOfTheTalents by Octavia Butler #BookSky
In the prologue of the book Parable of the Talents, Larkin calls her mother, Lauren, "misguided." Do you agree? Why or why not?
In the prologue of the book Parable of the Talents, Larkin calls her mother, Lauren, "misguided." Do you agree? Why or why not?
November 11, 2025 at 2:17 PM
#BannedBookSkyClub discussion of #ParableOfTheTalents by Octavia Butler #BookSky
In the prologue of the book Parable of the Talents, Larkin calls her mother, Lauren, "misguided." Do you agree? Why or why not?
In the prologue of the book Parable of the Talents, Larkin calls her mother, Lauren, "misguided." Do you agree? Why or why not?
Reposted by Retired-Librarian
I read this right after Sower. In the end it had the essence of hope and showed that nothing is static. We live in a dynamic and ever changing world and I truly believe there are more decent, kind people than not - and they are ultimately our hope.
November 11, 2025 at 12:01 PM
I read this right after Sower. In the end it had the essence of hope and showed that nothing is static. We live in a dynamic and ever changing world and I truly believe there are more decent, kind people than not - and they are ultimately our hope.
Speaking of performative reading, it's a myth that librarians spend all their time at work reading, performatively. They're too busy working.
November 10, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Speaking of performative reading, it's a myth that librarians spend all their time at work reading, performatively. They're too busy working.
#BannedBookSkyClub discussion of #ParableOfTheTalents by Octavia Butler #BookSky
What do the Parable books teach us about survival?
What do the Parable books teach us about survival?
November 10, 2025 at 11:00 PM
#BannedBookSkyClub discussion of #ParableOfTheTalents by Octavia Butler #BookSky
What do the Parable books teach us about survival?
What do the Parable books teach us about survival?
Reposted by Retired-Librarian
I think you risk being labeled a cult when you elevate a leader to a status that brings fame and following. I don't think there is intention to become a cult initially, but there are cult-like activities woven amongst the 'movement' that is Earthseed.
November 10, 2025 at 12:19 PM
I think you risk being labeled a cult when you elevate a leader to a status that brings fame and following. I don't think there is intention to become a cult initially, but there are cult-like activities woven amongst the 'movement' that is Earthseed.
Reposted by Retired-Librarian
"The Self must create
Its own reasons for being.
To shape God,
Shape Self."
I love this verse. If we don't shape ourselves, then we allow others to shape us. I'd rather live my existance according to how I'd like it to be shaped than have others put me into their mold.
Its own reasons for being.
To shape God,
Shape Self."
I love this verse. If we don't shape ourselves, then we allow others to shape us. I'd rather live my existance according to how I'd like it to be shaped than have others put me into their mold.
November 9, 2025 at 10:04 PM
"The Self must create
Its own reasons for being.
To shape God,
Shape Self."
I love this verse. If we don't shape ourselves, then we allow others to shape us. I'd rather live my existance according to how I'd like it to be shaped than have others put me into their mold.
Its own reasons for being.
To shape God,
Shape Self."
I love this verse. If we don't shape ourselves, then we allow others to shape us. I'd rather live my existance according to how I'd like it to be shaped than have others put me into their mold.
#BannedBookSkyClub discussion of #ParableOfTheTalents by Octavia Butler #BookSky
What was your reaction to the Marcus/Lauren/Larkin family dynamic? Would you have forgiven Marcus? Explain.
What was your reaction to the Marcus/Lauren/Larkin family dynamic? Would you have forgiven Marcus? Explain.
November 9, 2025 at 9:09 PM
#BannedBookSkyClub discussion of #ParableOfTheTalents by Octavia Butler #BookSky
What was your reaction to the Marcus/Lauren/Larkin family dynamic? Would you have forgiven Marcus? Explain.
What was your reaction to the Marcus/Lauren/Larkin family dynamic? Would you have forgiven Marcus? Explain.
As a lapsed cradle Catholic, the phrase I saw in a headline, "MAGA Catholics," feels like an oxymoron to me.
November 9, 2025 at 2:12 PM
As a lapsed cradle Catholic, the phrase I saw in a headline, "MAGA Catholics," feels like an oxymoron to me.
Reposted by Retired-Librarian
Yes, it does! I especially liked having three different narrators in the audiobook version.
I think novels with other voices paint a more intricate portrayal of a story. It allowes the reader to piece together what they think of the story using the different perspectives.
I think novels with other voices paint a more intricate portrayal of a story. It allowes the reader to piece together what they think of the story using the different perspectives.
November 8, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Yes, it does! I especially liked having three different narrators in the audiobook version.
I think novels with other voices paint a more intricate portrayal of a story. It allowes the reader to piece together what they think of the story using the different perspectives.
I think novels with other voices paint a more intricate portrayal of a story. It allowes the reader to piece together what they think of the story using the different perspectives.
#BannedBookSkyClub discussion of #ParableOfTheTalents by Octavia Butler #BookSky
What did you think of the "Destiny" of Earthseed? Were you invested in its success, or did it feel peripheral? Explain.
What did you think of the "Destiny" of Earthseed? Were you invested in its success, or did it feel peripheral? Explain.
November 8, 2025 at 7:29 PM
#BannedBookSkyClub discussion of #ParableOfTheTalents by Octavia Butler #BookSky
What did you think of the "Destiny" of Earthseed? Were you invested in its success, or did it feel peripheral? Explain.
What did you think of the "Destiny" of Earthseed? Were you invested in its success, or did it feel peripheral? Explain.
I feel bad for the young women who have to deal with misogyny, still. I'd hoped it would get better as time went on. It's exhausting. Women's lives are exhausting for multiple reasons. I'd like to hope it will get better but I don't know.
November 8, 2025 at 7:18 PM
I feel bad for the young women who have to deal with misogyny, still. I'd hoped it would get better as time went on. It's exhausting. Women's lives are exhausting for multiple reasons. I'd like to hope it will get better but I don't know.
Reposted by Retired-Librarian
They feel prescient because of what is going on right now in the US. Ultimately, they're an observation of the things in our lives that have always been, but with that writers touch of imagining what could be the worst outcomes. And, I think some people use things like this as guides - its chilling.
November 8, 2025 at 12:39 PM
They feel prescient because of what is going on right now in the US. Ultimately, they're an observation of the things in our lives that have always been, but with that writers touch of imagining what could be the worst outcomes. And, I think some people use things like this as guides - its chilling.
#BannedBookSkyClub discussion of #ParableOfTheTalents by Octavia Butler #BookSky
Which character in the book Parable of the Talents did you most relate to? Why?
Which character in the book Parable of the Talents did you most relate to? Why?
November 8, 2025 at 3:26 AM
#BannedBookSkyClub discussion of #ParableOfTheTalents by Octavia Butler #BookSky
Which character in the book Parable of the Talents did you most relate to? Why?
Which character in the book Parable of the Talents did you most relate to? Why?
Reposted by Retired-Librarian
There was more hope in this book than in 1984. Unlike the crushing of Wilson and Julia, Earthseed persists and grows. It is hope. Butler said this about hope in the book in a piece in May 2000 in Essence.
November 6, 2025 at 11:46 AM
There was more hope in this book than in 1984. Unlike the crushing of Wilson and Julia, Earthseed persists and grows. It is hope. Butler said this about hope in the book in a piece in May 2000 in Essence.