Join ARRT and Cristina Henriquez To Discuss The Book of Unknown Americans

One of the benefits to being a member of ARRT is our Literary Book Discussions and Leadership Training.

Our next one is going to be pretty great. From the ARRT website:

The next ARRT Quarterly Book Discussion and Leadership Training has an added bonus.  The author of the book will be available to participate in the discussion! 

Please join us to discuss The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henriquez.  Interwoven with stories of other men and women coming to America, The Book of Unknown Americans tells the hardships, joys, loves, and sorrows of the Rivera and Toro families as they struggle to make their life and home in America. 

The group will be meeting: 

Date:  Wednesday, July 8th 

Time 2:00 to 4:30p (extra time for discussion with the author)

Location: Hinsdale Public Library

       20 East Maple Street

       Hinsdale, IL 60521

As always, discussion of the book include a nuts-and-bolts session devoted to sharing practical solutions to the problems and concerns of book discussion leaders.  Part of this discussion will focus on involving authors in book club events.  Additionally, participants can discuss what has worked with their group, what hasn't worked, and pose any questions they may want to discuss with the group.

Please click here for details on how to RSVP.  Unlike our programs, which are open to anyone, the book discussions are for members only.  However, membership is only $10 and you can join at the meeting.  Click here for information on how to become a member.

This meeting with Henriquez is part of our active rebranding of the Literary Book Discussions and Leadership training that began in January with our discussion of Life After Life. The rotating leaders are making an effort to provide useful information at the discussion and to compile take away documents including a summary of both the discussion of the book and the nuts and bolts portion of the discussion.

I am especially excited for this July meeting, as we get to ask an author about what they want to get out of attending a book discussion. What makes it a better experience for her and for the group?

I am also working on creating a simple website where ARRT will gather, share, and actively disseminate this valuable information sure to help book group leaders everywhere, members or not.

Look for more information on this front. I hope to eventually make it one of the most valuable resources for library led book discussions.  [I know, reaching high, but life’s too short to aim low.]

In the meantime, here is a tease of what you will find at the July 8th discussion besides the obvious discussion stuff-- a musical playlist created by Henriquez to be paired with The Book of Unknown Americans [via Largehearted Boy].

I hope to see you there.  Seriously, if you can make it and are not a member, contact me and I can make it happen.  We already have 23 signed up. It will be a great chance for area book discussion leaders to not only meet a great author, but to also meet each other.