Arts & Culture
One Book, Three Cities links readers in two nations
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It took only a single book to unite three cities and two nations.
Following the overwhelming success of the inaugural One Book, Three Cities community reading project, the second annual is back for an encore performance this summer.
Through August, many literary enthusiasts in Richmond, Xiamen and Qingdao will find themselves engaged in Dear Life, a collection of short stories by award-winning Canadian author Alice Munro.
Last year, Life of Pi by fellow Canadian author Yann Martel was the book of choice.
“We’re also bringing back our online forum for a second year, offering readers from the three cities the opportunity to connect, learn from each other, and have an international conversation about this year’s book of choice,” says Stephanie Vokey, spokesperson for the Richmond Public Library which is teaming up with the City of Richmond’s Sister City Committee on the initiative. “Readers from Xiamen and Qingdao can learn about the Canadian culture through the conversations, while Richmond residents passionate about literature will enjoy the conversations sparked on the forum.”
This forum is free and easy to join, simply by visiting bookclub.yourlibrary.ca/
Also on tap as part of this summer’s reading program at Richmond Public Library is Stories Together Apart. This is a weekly online registered program held on the Zoom platform, offering the pleasure of being read to for customers of different reading abilities. A library staff member will read aloud excerpts from Dear Life, as well as from selected other stories including oral histories of local peoples and BC-based history.
“We’re also excited to welcome back the Book Bingo to our summer reading,” says Vokey. “This year, the popular game has fewer squares to complete, thus increasing the participants’ chances of winning.”
Follow the library on social media at facebook.com/yourlibraryRichmond/ for hints to help you complete the squares on the card, or call 604-231-6413 for personalized reading recommendations.