Discussing MENNONITE IN A LITTLE BLACK DRESS

Posted by admin on 08.06.2010 at 4:51 pm

Last night my chapter of the Better World Book Club got together to discuss MENNONITE IN A LITTLE BLACK DRESS at the Whole Foods on Ponce de Leon Ave in Atlanta.

I personally liked the book, but overall the group’s reviews were lukewarm.

The book, a memoir by Rhoda Janzen, is about her returning to her Mennonite family after her husband leaves her for a man he met on gay.com.  If that wasn’t enough, she can’t afford the mortgage on her house and she ends up with a nice collection of broken bones from a pretty bad car wreck.

We all agreed that the premise was good, but generally the feeling was that Rhoda didn’t really give us the truth.  Either that or she somehow doesn’t feel pain.  We enjoyed her humor and loved her Mom, but wondered how she really felt.

She generally seemed pretty nonplussed by things that would’ve sent most women into years of therapy or to the bottom of big box of wine.

And as for the title, though she did go back to her Mennonite family – her Mennonite-ness wasn’t really an issue.  Going back didn’t seem to bother her and no one really seemed bothered that she had left the fold in the first place.  Janzen did include a really good primer on the religion at the end of the book but we would have liked to have seen more of that woven throughout.  And while we’re talking about the title, I’m pretty sure there wasn’t a black dress at all.  I know I’m being literal here, but I think the point is that what could’ve and maybe should’ve been something like a clash of cultures was more like a dull thud of cultures.

Alas Rhoda really does have impeccable comic timing in her writing along with a biting wit and I really did enjoy getting to know her through the book.

Have you read it?  What did you think?

Wondering what the heck the Better World Book Club is?  Check it out at http://www.betterworldbooks.com/bookclub.    Join us.  Next month we’re reading SOUTH OF BROAD by Pat Conroy.  (Want 10% off and free shipping, use the code BOOKCLUB10 at checkout and save!)

Have your say » | Tagged Better World Book Club, Atlanta, Mennonite in a Little Black Dress, Rhoda Janzen, Whole Foods, Whole Foods Market

Flabbergasted: Coffee Shop Strangers

Posted by Chip on 11.20.2008 at 2:10 pm

Hello my name is Chip.  I am an account representative for Better World
Books.  I moved to  Alpharetta, GA to begin my journey with Better
World Books.   Yesterday, I went to a coffee shop for two reasons:

1) They had free wi-fi

2) I wanted to make some new friends.

My plan went sour when I was informed by the coffee house wi-fi server
that I was not allowed to go to my intended website.   Apparently, the
company is against online dating.  I like online dating.

Online dating saves money.  (That is if you use a free dating site)

I am a bit of a value fan.  Some people say I am cheap but I
am not cheap. I am efficient.  I’m not going to say what coffee shop I
was in but I’ll give you a hint.  It is everywhere.
Plan A to meet people didn’t work.

Plan B
I was forced to attempt Read more…

2 Comments » | Tagged Flabbergasted, Atlanta, carbon neutral, chip boyes, georgia, hilarious posts, online dating

A Bigger Better World Books

Posted by admin on 03.17.2008 at 1:50 pm

So if you haven’t noticed, the Library Division has grown a significant amount in the past few months.  In fact, the entire Atlanta Office has really exploded and it’s been both exciting and overwhelming!

You can see the growth of the entire Atlanta Office in the Diagram below (keep in mind this does not include our massive warehouse in Indiana ).

Having more people down here has really made the day-to-day work much livelier.  Just today, we had Fiesta Friday Potluck Lunch, which we would have never done before.  We even started a team for the Office Complex Softball League!

More importantly, it’s really given us the opportunity to pay more attention to all of the libraries we partner with!  It’s been such a significant change to have others to help manage all of our relationships and I hope that you all will benefit from that positive change.

On another note, anyone have any good stories from St. Patty’s Weekend?

Have your say » | Tagged Uncategorized, Atlanta, library

BWB’s New Office Space in Atlanta!

Posted by admin on 07.16.2007 at 8:43 am

It is truly an exciting time to be involved with Better World Books.  When you consider BetterWorld.com, the affiliate program, and the addition of some incredible new staff members; it is difficult to be subdued.

As I write, we are transitioning into our new office space to allow for our imminent expansion.  When I began here in Atlanta (only 5 months ago), we were five.  We have grown in to 10 down here in Atlanta and have our sights set on the future.

It is my hope that between this space and the well-oiled machine that is our Mishawaka warehouse, we will be the cutting edge company that our corporate friends will model themselves after and follow our lead into creating social profit.

Do you want to send us mail?  Address your letter/Library Sign Up Form to:

Better World Books
1105 Lakewood Parkway, Ste 205
Alpharetta, GA 30004

Note: Please do not send books to this address.

5 Comments » | Tagged Uncategorized, Atlanta, library, office