Sunday, October 3, 2021

Cancer, books, and Dewey's Readathon

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month dates back to 1985, when the first organized movement to bring awareness to the cause of breast cancer occurred in the U.S.  
One of my daughters is a survivor, so I'll be wearing pink today to honor her and other breast cancer survivors.

Reading now
  • When the Men Were Gone ~ by Marjorie Herrera Lewis, 2018, historical fiction
This novel is based on the true story of Tylene Wilson, a woman in 1940's Texas who, in spite of extreme opposition, became a female football coach in order to keep her students from heading off to war.  Football is the heartbeat of Brownwood, Texas.  Every Friday night for as long as assistant principal Tylene Wilson can remember, the entire town has gathered in the stands, cheering their boys on.  Each September brings with it the hope of a good season and a sense of unity and optimism.  The war has changed everything.  Most of the Brownwood men over 18 and under 45 are off fighting, and in a small town the possibilities are limited.  Could this mean a season without football?  But no one counted on Tylene, who learned the game at her daddy’s knee.  She knows more about it than most men, so she does the unthinkable, convincing the school to let her take on the job of coach.   Faced with extreme opposition — by the press, the community, rival coaches, and referees and even the players themselves — Tylene remains resolute.  And when her boys rally around her, she leads the team — and the town — to a Friday night and a subsequent season they will never forget.

We can begin signing up for Dewey'
s 24-Hour Readathon now.  On October 23rd, we will read together for the whole 24-hour day — or for as long as you can stay awake.  It starts at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time.



Deb Nance of Readerbuzz hosts Sunday Salon.

10 comments:

Goldendaze-Ginnie said...

Loved your comment and am going to try emailing you.

Deb Nance at Readerbuzz said...

I missed the last Readathon completely, and it looks like I will miss this one, too, as it's my granddaughter's birthday. Oh well. Maybe I can squeeze in a few hours later on in the day.

I am pretty sure I have a copy of When the Men Were Gone around here. I will look forward to seeing what you think of it. Football is huge around my part of the world.

Thanks for the alert about Breast Cancer Month. My friend Lisa is going through treatment right now, and has surgery scheduled mid-month.

Tee said...

That sounds like a fun read-a-thon. And mostly congrats on your daughter being a survivor. My daughter is not a Breast cancer survivor but is a cervical cancer survivor so I know the feeling of celebration

Here is my Sunday post:
https://twogirlsandtheirbookishlife.blogspot.com/2021/10/sunday-salon-sukkot-and-art-deco.html

shelleyrae @ book'd out said...

I’m not at all interested in football, but I do like the sound of When the Men Were Gone

Wishing you a great reading week

Bonnie Jacobs said...

I'm not interested in football, either, but a woman taking over a man's job (that men insist no woman could possibly do) does interest me.

Helen's Book Blog said...

I'm going to have to miss most of Dewey's readathon this time around as I'll be on vacation and a plane for most of it. However, I will read for the whole flight so it will be my version of the readathon.

Jinjer-The Intrepid Angeleno said...

Yes ma'm, I am SIGNED UP for Deweys. Can't wait!

Bonnie Jacobs said...

Good for you, Jinger!

Helen, that's what we all do, fit the readathon into our lives in whatever way works for us. You go, girl!

Bellezza said...

I remember the days when the read-a-thin first started, when they were hosted by Dewey herself. It’s always such a fun way to celebrate reading with others, isn’t it?! Do you last the full twenty-four hours awake? I never could…

Bellezza (dolcebellezza2.Wordpress.com)

Bonnie Jacobs said...

Bellezza, I was also there at the beginning and knew Dewey herself. I even talked to her once by phone! No, I've never tried to stay awake the whole 24 hours. I have also been guilty of spending LOTS more time visiting other blogs and participating in the mini-challenges than reading. I love 'em!