All this month, The Florida Center for the Literary Arts has given us our own version of Oprah's Book Club - it's called "The Big Read". This year's selection is "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston (yes, it's on Oprah's list too).
Miami Dade College has been hosting book discussions, encouraging readers to more fully explore the novel's themes -- including oppression and empowerment, and women's dependence and autonomy during the early part of the 20th century.
One of the most exciting events associated with this year's The Big Read is "Renaissance in Harlem". It's a musical performance that recreates the musical joy of Harlem in the 1930's, along with a reading of Zora Neale Hurston's works.
You can catch performances March 13th at Miami Dade's Wolfson Campus at 7:30 p.m., and March 14th at the North Dade Regional Library (2455 N.W. 183rd Street) at 7:00 p.m.
*** If you've ever wondered, "what's the big deal about book clubs?", I have to tell you, when you hear other people's views of a book, you get a much deeper understanding of the ideas being written about and it really enhances your experience.
Some friends and I had a book club going for a while. We would turn discussion night into a party - we served food that fit the theme of the book, and if there was a movie version, we'd watch it and that would lead to another whole conversation about how different a movie interpretation of a book can be.
One of my personal book club favorites is still "1984" by George Orwell. And here are more "Big Read" recommended books. But anything you're interested in is a perfect starting point.
Feel free to share your favorites so I can post them here!
No comments:
Post a Comment