Club Book Spring 2020
Club Book's twentieth season (March May 2020) included an 8-event line-up anchored by the likes of: National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize finalist Laila Lalami, historical fiction juggernaut Kate Quinn, and #1 New York Times bestselling mystery writer James Rollins. Events began on schedule with appearances by genre-spanning Chinese American author Gish Jen and thriller novelist Brad Taylor.
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Create cultural opportunities to serve the diverse demographics of our residents. Highlight the unique role of public libraries in the cultural life and heritage of our communities. Utilize the local literary talent throughout the state.
In the two events of the season, metro area audiences had the opportunity to individuals who represent and write from diverse points of view including Gish Jen, a second generation Chinese American, and a thoughtful chronicler of assimilation and multiculturalism as they relate to the American experience.
Attendance at these events fell short of original expectations (based on the large followings of the featured authors and attendance at past Club Book programs held in those same spaces). Branch staff cited patrons' growing concerns about the novel coronavirus as the prime reason for this difference.
On Friday, March 13, organizers made the difficult decision to cancel the remaining events in Club Book's spring line-up. Paramount concerns included the health of patrons and the safety of the headlining authors most of whom fly in from out of state to participate in Club Book.