Author will attend discussions
Greene County Reads, the annual county-wide book discussion, will be held Thursday, April 12. This year’s selection is “All the Ugly and Wonderful Things” by Bryn Greenwood.
Set in a backwoods meth lab in rural Kansas, more than a dozen narrators tell the love story of Wavy, the young daughter of a drug dealer and his abusive wife, and Kellen, a loner, drug runner, and ex-con. More than a love story, the novel tells of two lonely, lost people who find their place with each other.
Greenwood’s novel is about ugly things — mental illness, family discord, child abuse — and wonderful things, like the vast, healing powers of unconditional love.
“A New York Times bestseller, this novel asks readers to step outside their comfort zones and step inside Wavy and Kellen’s world without judgment,” promotional material states.
All three discussions will be led by Jan Scharingson, retired East Greene high school English teacher. “This book will be a challenge for your beliefs about family dynamics, love and the strength to overcome the worst of obstacles. It will make you dig deep into your heart to find out just how much you can accept about another individual. Great discussions should evolve after reading it,” said Scharingson.
Author Bryn Greenwood will attend all the discussions. Greenwood is a fourth-generation Kansan, one of seven sisters, and the daughter of a mostly reformed drug dealer. She earned a master’s degree in creative writing from Kansas State University and continues to work in academia.
“It’s a rare opportunity to read a bestselling book and then get to talk about it with the author in person. The Greene County librarians invite everyone to read her book and then come to one of the discussions on April 12 and meet Bryn Greenwood,” said Jane Millard, director of the Jefferson Public Library.
Anyone who would like to participate is encouraged to check out a copy of the book from any of the six public libraries in Greene County and then attend one of the book discussions on Thursday, April 12 at the place and time that is most convenient. Discussions will be held at the Grand Junction public library at 9 am and Paton public library at 2 pm. The Jefferson public library will host the evening discussion at 7 pm at the clubhouse at the Jefferson Community Golf Course.
The annual book discussions are free and open to the public. They are a cooperative project of the Greene County libraries, made possible by funding support from the Greene County board of supervisors. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, call a local public library.
