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West Branch Fiction Book Discussion

2023-04-27 18:30:00 2023-04-27 19:30:00 America/Chicago West Branch Fiction Book Discussion For April, we're reading Perish by LaToya Watkins West Branch - ASD West Zoom Room, Meeting Room

Thursday, April 27
6:30pm - 7:30pm

Add to Calendar 2023-04-27 18:30:00 2023-04-27 19:30:00 America/Chicago West Branch Fiction Book Discussion For April, we're reading Perish by LaToya Watkins West Branch - ASD West Zoom Room, Meeting Room

West Branch

ASD West Zoom Room, Meeting Room

For April, we're reading Perish by LaToya Watkins

Join us for West Branch's monthly book discussion group! We read a variety of diverse contemporary and classic fiction and meet once a month for a thought-provoking conversation. Register for in-person or virtual. Copies are reserved and available for pickup for all attendees. 

Contact discussion facilitator Dani Linn at dtlinn@aurorapubliclibrary.org with questions, concerns, or suggestions.

Perish by LaToya Watkins

From a stunning new voice comes a powerful debut novel, Perish, about a Black Texan family, exploring the effects of inherited trauma and intergenerational violence as the family comes together to say goodbye to their matriarch on her deathbed.

Bear it or perish. Those are the words Helen Jean hears that fateful night in her cousin’s outhouse that change the trajectory of her life.

Spanning decades, Perish tracks the choices Helen Jean—the matriarch of the Turner family—makes and the ways those choices have rippled across generations, from her children to her grandchildren and beyond.

Told in alternating chapters that follow four members of the Turner family: Julie B., a woman who regrets her wasted youth and the time spent under Helen Jean’s thumb; Alex, a police officer grappling with a dark and twisted past; Jan, a mother of two, who yearns to go to school and leave Jerusalem, Texas, and all of its trauma behind for good; and Lydia, a woman whose marriage is falling apart because her body can’t seem to stay pregnant, as they’re called home to say goodbye to their mother and grandmother.

This family’s “reunion” unearths long-kept secrets and forces each member to ask themselves important questions about who is deserving of forgiveness and who bears the cross of blame.

Tackling themes like family, trauma, legacy, home, class, race, and more, this beautiful yet heart-wrenching novel will appeal to anyone who is interested in the intricacies of family and the ways bonds can be made, maintained, or irrevocably broken.

AGE GROUP: | Adults - ages 19+ |

EVENT TYPE: | Reading and Literacy | General Interest |

TAGS: | Book Club |

West Branch

Phone: 630-264-4117
Fax: 630-844-8695
Branch manager
Scott Grotto

Hours
Mon, Mar 27 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Tue, Mar 28 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Wed, Mar 29 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Thu, Mar 30 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Fri, Mar 31 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, Apr 01 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Apr 02 1:00PM to 5:00PM

About the branch

This branch is connected to Washington Middle School and known for its creative displays and programs for adults. Complete with three study rooms and two conference rooms.

Contact Scott

Upcoming events

Mon, Apr 03, All day
Santori Library - E101 - John C. Dunham Atrium

Mon, Apr 03, 5:00pm - 6:30pm
West Branch - Meeting Room

Mon, Apr 03, 7:00pm - 7:30pm
Eola Road Branch - Eola Children's Program Room

Tue, Apr 04, All day
Santori Library - E101 - John C. Dunham Atrium

Tue, Apr 04, 10:00am - 10:30am
West Branch - Meeting Room

Wed, Apr 05, All day
Santori Library - E101 - John C. Dunham Atrium

Thu, Apr 06, All day
Santori Library - E101 - John C. Dunham Atrium

Fri, Apr 07, All day
Santori Library - Atrium

Fri, Apr 07, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Santori Library - E101 - John C. Dunham Atrium

Sat, Apr 08, All day
Santori Library - E101 - John C. Dunham Atrium

Sun, Apr 09, All day
Santori Library - E101 - John C. Dunham Atrium

Mon, Apr 10, All day
Santori Library - E101 - John C. Dunham Atrium

Mon, Apr 10, 7:00pm - 7:30pm
Eola Road Branch - Eola Children's Program Room

Tue, Apr 11, All day
Santori Library - E101 - John C. Dunham Atrium

Tue, Apr 11, 10:00am - 10:30am
West Branch - Meeting Room

Wed, Apr 12, All day
Santori Library - E101 - John C. Dunham Atrium

Thu, Apr 13, All day
West Branch

Thu, Apr 13, All day
Santori Library - E101 - John C. Dunham Atrium

Thu, Apr 13, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
West Branch - Meeting Room

Fri, Apr 14, All day
West Branch

Fri, Apr 14, All day
Santori Library - Atrium