White Plains Public Library Short-Story Book Discussion Series

White Plains NY

24 January, 2022

2:41 AM

Description

Press release from the White Plains Public Library: January 21, 2022 Join White Plains Librarian Barbara Wenglin via Zoom to explore compelling stories with the theme, "Family Matters," from the rich anthology used last fall. The program concludes in June with a film discussion. Use Zoom Registration Link for full series & attend when you can! 100 Years of the Best American Short Stories Edited by Lorrie Moore and Heidi Pitlor (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2015) The collection celebrates the diversity of the genre and the American experience from 1915-2015. Available in print through the Catalog and as an eBook in hoopla and Libby/OverDrive. Thursdays from 2:00 – 4:15 p.m. on Zoom In varied settings and cultures, the selected stories deal with families and their intriguing, complicated, and often edgy relationships. February 24 "Sonny's Blues" by James Baldwin (1958) p.181 ~ A Black History Month Selection In the author's classic tale, a Black algebra teacher in 1950s Harlem confronts his younger brother's drug addiction, arrest, and recovery through his soulful music. March 17 "Friends" by Grace Paley (1980) p.340 ~ A Women's History Month Selection Closer in many ways than blood relations, three middle-aged, divorced women share family secrets during a visit to their dying friend. March 31 "The Gay Old Dog" by Edna Ferber (1917) p.4 A son's promise to his mother to care for his three spoiled sisters has lifelong consequences. April 21 "That Will Be Fine" by William Faulkner (1936) p.111 A young boy's lust for money leads him to advance his rich uncle's scandalous schemes in this darkly humorous, ironic holiday story. May 5 "Fiesta" by Junot Diaz (1980) p.527 12-year-old Yunior from a Dominican family deals with an abusive father and a shocking secret. May 26 "Diem Perdidi" by Julie Otsuka (2012) p.673 From the Latin – "I have lost the day." Artfully crafted with repetitive, poignant lists of the things "She remembers," the story follows a mother's journey with dementia. June 16 "What You Pawn I Will Redeem" by Sherman Alexie (2004) p.582 When a homeless Spokane Indian sees his grandmother's ceremonial regalia in a pawnshop, stolen from her years before, he embarks on a day-long quest to buy it back. June 23 – Film Discussion – The Farewell (2019, A24 –1hr. 40min.) A Chinese-American family learns of their grandmother's terminal illness and decides not to tell her as they plan a family celebration in China before she dies. Critically acclaimed, award-winning film including Golden Globe Best Actress Awkwafina, Sundance Audience Favorite, an American Film Institute Movie of the Year. To view before the meeting via Library's Kanopy, or borrow through the catalog as DVD or Blu-Ray, also on Amazon Prime Use Zoom Registration Link here or through website whiteplainslibrary.org. Meeting ID for all sessions: 858 3428 4963. Phone in: 1-929-205-6099. You can also register at Hub/Ref. Desk in person or by phone – 914-422-1480. Program made possible with support of the Friends of the Library. Questions? Contact Barbara – [email protected] This press release was produced by the White Plains Public Library. The views expressed are the author's own.