When I went to college some twenty years ago, I had zero use for fraternities and sororities and the people who inhabited them.

I'm a bit older and wiser now, and more accepting of different viewpoints, and so when I saw this on the shelf at Edward McKay's, I hoped that it would humanize sororities for me and help me to accept their members as individuals with viewpoints different from but equally as valid as mine.

It didn't.

After reading this, I found the Greek system more reprehensible than before, the complete antithesis of how I want to lead my life, even of how a life should be led. And I know that's harsh, and small of me. But some of what I read was absolutely infuriating.

That being said, Alexandra Robbins has some pretty fascinating stuff to say about sororities and the fraternities they're associated with. I was heartened by her discussion of historically black fraternities and sororities, and by new, inclusive, organizations that are springing up alongside traditional Greek branches.

I think I'm going to send this travelling on a ring - perhaps other readers' perspectives will help me to temper mine...

I've decided to turn this into a bookring within the US. Have already had one person request an international ring, and I may do that next.

Participants so far:

sejent (KY)
sunfi (OH) <- here
glade1 (NC)
Queniene (CO)
PokPok (CA - prefers after mid-October)
snapdragongirl (TX)
jenptcfan (AR)
Busyangel (FL)
...you?
back to me for international leg

EDIT Sept 19, 2008: I've added Busyangel and changed the order very slightly so that the book isn't zig-zagging from coast to coast. I hope this still works for everyone.

I mailed this to sejent this afternoon at the Newport Post Office. First Class was only a little more than Media, so I went ahead and used that - but Media Mail is fine.

As people keep joining, I may shuffle the order so it's not hopping back and forth around the country, but I'll try to keep at least the first few the same so it doesn't get too confusing.

Received in today's mail. I have one short book to finish before starting this one, but since it's a holiday weekend I have lots of time to read, so I should be starting this soon. Thanks, nicolesinger for sharing! It looks like an interesting book and I'm looking forward to it.

The information about sororities in general was actually the part I found most interesting. Information about the lives of the four girls was more tedious. Although the writing seemed a bit tangential and uninspired in places, reading this made me doubly glad that I did not join a Greek organization when I was in college.

Sending to sunfi in OH.

Received this one in the mail today along with two other rings, I will contact the next reader and have it on it's way within the next few weeks. Thanks to nicolesinger for including me in this ring and sejent for sending it to me.

Tried but I couldn't get into this one, I gave it ~ 100 pages or so and it just didn't draw me in. The sociological commentaries were interesting but the parts of the specific girls were just boring. I already have glade1's address so I'll get this in the mail in the next few days.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

On it's way to glade1, it was sent media mail so it should be there in the next couple of weeks.

Received in the mail yesterday. Thanks! I'm in the middle of one book now, but will tackle this one after that. I hope I enjoy it more than the rest of you have! At least it can reassure me that I wasn't missing out by not being in the Greek crowd : )

I've read about half of this book but am not inspired to read more. It's pretty interesting; I just have a lot of other more interesting books that keep pulling my attention away. I have PM'ed Queniene twice for a mailing address but have not heard back. Today was my second PM, so I give it a couple more days before moving down the list.

Thanks for sharing this book, nicolesinger!

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Sent via Media Mail to Queniene today. Enjoy!

I am so excited to read this book! I laugh at the people who actually act like what i'm sure this book is about, but i am still excited to read it

Queniene last journaled in December. A couple weeks ago, I emailed her at the address on her bookshelf asking for an update. I have not received a reply.

According to posts in the BC forums, several other BCers are trying to reach her about BC books in her possession or that were last seen on the way to her. At this time, she has not responded to attempts to contact her about BC matters by PM, email, forum posts, or messages on another site.

BCer solskinn has offered to include the remaining participants of this bookring on her bookring here. Thank you solskinn!

(Queniene, if you get things sorted and want to move this book along, I'd be happy for you to return it to me. If postage is an issue, I'm sure we can work something out. Hope all is well.)