Saturday, December 10, 2011

Is Henrietta Lacks Immortal?

1.       The book raises a lot of ethical issues concerning patient rights.  Which issues does it raise and what is your stance?
2.       The book also relates a lot of information about the treatment of blacks by the medical profession such as the quality of care they received and their use in research studies.  Which stories did you find most interesting or alarming?  What kind of consequences, both social and scientific, did these incidents have?
3.       Rebecca Skloot went beyond writing a book about the HeLa cell line.  She alternates between the story of the cells and the process of researching for this story.  Why did she choose to provide a first person account of her interactions with the Lacks family and with scientists as she worked to write this book?  Do you think this was an effective technique?
4.       Trace the changing relationship between Skloot and Deborah.  Why was it so difficult for Skloot to earn Deborah’s trust?  In what ways did their friendship change them and their attitudes toward Henrietta Lacks and her immortal cells?
5.       Luckily, this book has a Reading Group Guide.  Feel free to add your response to any of the questions in the book.

Monday, November 7, 2011

Here are the discussion questions for Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter.


How well do you think Seth Grahame-Smith blends actual historical events with the fictional elements in Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter?

What do you think about the book's portrayal of Abraham Lincoln?

How much do you like the book's portrayal of vampires?

What do you find most interesting about the book, and how do you like it as a whole?

What is your favorite part of the book?

What do you like least about the book?

Are there any other comments you wish to make regarding Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter?

--ccp

Monday, October 31, 2011

Hello Anonymous Readers!

Welcome to Readers Anonymous the University of Houston’s online book club. To your right is a schedule of books we are going to read each month. The first book will be Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter, so the member who suggested that book will post discussion questions by Nov. 10.


If the book you recommended is on the schedule, you are responsible for posting at least five discussion questions by the 10th of the month. Discussion on that book will continue until the 10th of the following month.
Please post any questions, comments, jokes, videos, observations, etc. about the book of the month on this thread.
Happy reading!
Your Online Book Club Team,
Christine Granados
Diana Lopez
Zoeann Byerly