September 2012 Book Club "Rules of Civility" by Amor Towles

Hello Everyone, 

Our September book club was well attended. It was a fun time at Natilie’s Pizzaria. Those in attendance including myself were Becky, new Barb, old Barb, Cheryl, Christine, Ginnie, Lori, and Mary Beth. 

As all of us read our September book Rules of Civility by Amor Towles, we all were affected by its story in a different way. For me, I was affected by the title. I wanted to learn more about The Rules of Civility rather than the story of the book’s main character Katey Content.  This book presents the era of the 1930’s when reading was clearly still a vital form of entertainment and education. The main character Katey Content is an avid reader and her wit and intellect are obviously a testament of the time she has spent in the pages of books. The 1930’s was the heyday of public education when the schools saw tremendous growth rates in student enrollment and the amount of public funding.  It was an era when reading “Great Books” the classics, was still in vogue. These were the books that taught students the valuable, timeless lessons of life. The books that merit re-reading as their messages are for all ages, they are eternal. 

Katey’s mention of The Rules of Civility by George Washington, for instance, led me on another path away from the story. I wanted to know more about the rules, so I found a book I had shelved, a modern version of The Rules of Civility. I really wish these rules were purposely taught in schools today; as they once were in many classrooms during the early history of public education, before the 60’s and the elimination of the most important character building activity, prayer. I believe my elementary class was one of the last to receive a Bible from the school district, and one of the last to recite The Lord’s Prayer. The breakdown of manners, I believe, is largely due to the breakdown of religious faith which is no longer a failing confined to low socio-economic groups (and in that group is our largest number of deficient readers) but it is also apparent in those of the middle and upper class. 

I wish my students could understand the importance of literacy. The ability to read is such a powerful asset that whole governments have been known to fear it. For example, in Pakistani, a recent news story reported about Malala Yousafzai, a young school student who in standing up for her freedom to read was shot by the Taliban government. As we prepare to choose our future government leaders here in the U.S., we should remember our freedoms and how blessed we are to have them. This is a time that basic rights are being taken away, and it is harder today than ever to peruse and expose the real story on the political candidates.  Considering the slanted reporting of various newspapers, online, and broadcasting sources, uncovering the truth isn’t an easy task even for the most proficient reader. 

Last Sunday, our priest Father Kevin gave a powerful homily, he shared a story of his recent visit to Gettysburg and read a document he found most enlightening. It was written by President Lincoln on March 30, 1863. This document a Proclamation Appointing a National Feast Day (read the full document) brought tears to my eyes. Father explained the importance for all of us to choose wisely in this upcoming election. Choose the leaders who are steadfast in following God’s laws, who still want a nation under God, who will consider and protect our civil rights. Father Kevin challenged us to find leaders, or to become leaders, like Abraham Lincoln who will not be afraid to write and stand by such a document today, or to say to a nation as Lincoln so bravely proclaimed,

 “And whereas it is the duty of nations as well as of men, to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions, in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon; and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord.”

I know I have used this book club email as a voice for this election, but our freedoms are clearly at stake in this nation today. Not only are George Washington’s “Rules of Civility” still necessary for today, but the laws of God also still apply if we expect to continue to reap the great bounties for which we have been so blessed as citizens of this country, The United States of America. 

Yes, book club is tomorrow night at 6:30 PM. The book we selected is Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. Let’s meet at Mama Rosa’s, near my house, at 6:30 PM. We have much to discuss during this meeting, the home tour, the Christmas dinner, our Christmas charity, and our next book.  

Yours in reading,

Tammy