All are invited to oin in the new book club discussion for June. The group will meet on Tuesday, June 18, at 4 pm at the Marchant Memorial Library in Scranton. The Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears by Dinaw Mengestu is the book for discussion.
Summary: Seventeen years ago, Sepha Stephanos fled the Ethiopian revolution for a new start in the United States. Now he finds himself running a failing grocery store in a poor African-American section of Washington, D.C., his only companions two fellow African immigrants who share his bitter nostalgia and longing for his home continent. Years ago and worlds away Sepha could never have imagined a life of such isolation. As his neighborhood begins to change, hope comes in the form of a friendship with new neighbors Judith and Naomi, a white woman and her biracial daughter. But when a series of racial incidents disturbs the neighborhood, Sepha may lose everything all over again.
About the author: Dinaw Mengestu was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in 1978. In 1980, he immigrated to the United States. A graduate of Georgetown University and Columbia University’s MFA program in fiction, and the recipient of a 2006 fellowship in fiction from the New York Foundation of the Arts and a 5 Under 35 Award from the National Book Foundation, Mengestu has written for Rolling Stone, among other publications. He lives in New York City.
There is still time to stop in and check out your copy of The Beautiful Things that Heaven Bears. See you at the book club!
Upcoming events
Father’s Day Story Hour – Wednesday, June 12, at 3 pm. Story Hour celebrating dads! Make a craft for Father’s Day and have a snack!
ISU Insect Zoo – Thursday, June 13, at 10 am. Come see some creepy, crawly critters and learn more about these cool insects!
Bugs Story Hour – Wednesday, June 26, at 3 pm. Want some more fun with bugs? We’ve got you covered!
Technology Program – Thursday, June 27, at 4 pm. General computer information. Light refreshments provided
Sesquicentennial on Saturday, June 2 – 9 am, bike decoration for parade; 12-1 pm, scavenger hunt; 1-2 pm, quilt discussion.
Scranton Community Cookbook on sale throughout the day!
