"POPULAR: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek" Book Club Ideas Part 2

“Popularity is more than looks. It’s not clothes, hair, or even possessions. When we let go of these labels, we see how flimsy and relative they actually are. Real popularity is kindness and acceptance. It is about who you are, and how you treat others.”- Maya Van Wagenen (pg 254)

Interesting enough this book was a great discussion of our childhoods and the differences everybody had. We had some that were brutally bullied to others who had great memories with no bullying. But we are all different and that's what makes us unique. I loved hearing stories from everyone's past and it gave us all a better understanding of each other.




{Decorations}
The book that she uses to help her become popular was a guide from a model in the 1950's named Betty Cornell. So we found as much vintage 50's decorations we could find and asked everyone in book club to bring what they had.
Gather all your milk glass, vintage cameras, aprons, tupperware, and 50's style fashion like below.

Milk glass is so 50's!

These beautiful fresh flowers were so gorgeous as a centerpiece on the table.

{Photo Booth}
Julie had the perfect white wall for us to pose in front of. And Kara had these cute photo props that reminded us of the 50's.

Let me just say I think I am in LOVE with this cow. That's not weird, is it?

We had the photo booth set up right when they walk in so we could make sure to get pics of everyone plus we took many pictures afterwards too.

 A Pearl Necklace is one of the things Maya takes from the book that she uses daily.

Kaylynn won BEST DRESSED!

Look at those 50's hairstyles, make up and dresses. This is such a fun decade to dress up for.

{Game}
Kara had the cutest idea. A couple of weeks before book club she had us send in our most awkward childhood picture. I think this would work also if we sent her our 8th grade picture because that is how old Maya is when she does the experiment. Then Kara uploaded the pictures to a new Instagram account that she marked as private. Ours was named @drawkwardstage (standing for Delicious Reads Awkward Stage). Once we were gathered she had us pull out our phones and search for the username and request to follow. After she had accepted our follow requests we were suppose to go through all the pictures and "Like" three of our favorites. The pictures with the most favorites got the prize.

(Maya'ism) 

“Make your yearbook picture memorable because, as my science teacher says, 'Your grandkids have to laugh at something.'” 

- Maya Van Wagenen (pg 59)

My 8th grade picture

My awkward Jazz Hands picture from when I was little. You know you had a spin shirt like this when you were young.

The Grand Prize Winner was Whitney L and she won this cute red apron package. It pays to send in your most embarrassing picture possible.

Kaylynn won these cute paper doll cutouts 50's style and come chocolate for her awkward picture.

Kellie H won some chocolate and this Retro Handset that plugs into your cell phone because she was the first one to arrive at book club.

Kara also made a fun quiz for us to do. We've got some smart cookies in the bunch and had two people who got all of them right.
QUIZ
and answers are at the bottom of the PDF.

Robin won this super cute apron for acing the Quiz.

{Discussion}
Needless to say, we all had a lot to talk about. Our opinions and experiences were all different.  If you would like some discussion you can look to our Book Review or this PDF.

(Source)

The best advice Betty Cornell writes was this...

(Betty Cornell)

"Maybe you ask, what has this got to do with popularity? The answer is that popularity depends on your ability to get along with people, all kinds of people, and the better you learn to adjust to each situation the more easily you will make friends. You will find that you can make those adjustments more successfully if you have yourself well in hand. And the only way to get yourself in hand is to know yourself, to analyze yourself, to turn yourself inside and out as you would an old pocketbook-shake out the dust and tidy up the contents."

This is something I can pass on to my kids as they are growing up and trying to find their place in the world. This generation needs to learn the art of face to face interactions and most of this starts in middle school.

Thank you Maya Van Wagenen for being brave and dedicated to your cause.
The world can definitely benefit from your book.

A huge THANK YOU to Kara M for moderating book club.
You did such a fabulous job.

If your book club is planning on reading this book a friend told me that Maya is willing to Skype in if you ask her.

Check out "Popular: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek" Book Club Ideas Part 1 if you missed it.
xoxo,
Delicious Reads Book Club