THE STORY HOUR
by Thrity Umrigar
December 3, 2016
to
February 18, 2017
About the Project One Book, One Community: Connecting Across Cultures This winter, three north suburban public library districts — Cook Memorial, Indian Trails and Vernon Area — are partnering to bring our community together through literature and culture with “One Book, One Community” that encourages friends and neighbors to read the same book. We hope this year’s selection, The Story Hour by Thrity Umrigar, and related programs serve as a springboard for discussion about how different and alike our cultures are. Our exciting closing event in February is a book signing and talk with author Thrity Umrigar. All programs are free to attend and residency is not required. Visit 1book.org for details and registration information. Your host libraries Cook Memorial Public Library District operates two full-service locations that serve 60,000 residents in the communities of Libertyville, Vernon Hills, Green Oaks and Mundelein. Indian Trails Public Library District serves 67,000 residents in Wheeling, Buffalo Grove, Prospect Heights and Arlington Heights. While its main building is under renovation, it provides services from its Prospect Heights branch and temporary facility in Buffalo Grove. Vernon Area Public Library in Lincolnshire directly serves 42,000 residents and businesses in and around Lincolnshire, Buffalo Grove, Long Grove and Vernon Hills.
About the Book An experienced psychologist, Maggie carefully maintains emotional distance from her patients. But when she meets a young Indian woman who tried to kill herself, her professional detachment disintegrates. Cut off from her family in India, Lakshmi is desperately lonely and trapped in a loveless marriage to a domineering man who limits her world to their small restaurant and grocery store. Moved by her plight, Maggie treats Lakshmi in her home office for free, quickly realizing that the despondent woman doesn’t need a therapist; she needs a friend. Determined to empower Lakshmi as a woman who feels valued in her own right, Maggie abandons protocol, and soon doctor and patient have become close friends. While Maggie and Lakshmi’s relationship is deeply affectionate, it is also warped by conflicting expectations. When Maggie and Lakshmi open up and share long-buried secrets, the revelations will jeopardize their close bond, shake their faith in each other, and force them to confront painful choices.
About the Author Thrity Umrigar is the best-selling author of several novels including Bombay Time, The Space Between Us, If Today Be Sweet, The Weight of Heaven, The World We Found and The Story Hour. She is also the author of the memoir First Darling of the Morning. Her books have been translated into several languages and published in over 15 countries. Ms. Umrigar, who was born in Bombay, India, published her first short stories, essays and poems in national magazines and newspapers in India when she was 15 before coming to the U.S. when she was 21. Encouraged by her practical-minded parents to get an undergraduate degree in business, she survived business school by creating a drama club and writing, directing and acting in plays. After earning a M.A. in journalism in the U.S., she worked for several years as an award-winning reporter, columnist and magazine writer, and earned a Ph.D. in English. Ms. Umrigar wrote her first novel, Bombay Time, in 1999 and in 2002 accepted a teaching position at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, where she is the Armington Professor of English. She also freelances for national publications and has written for the Washington Post and the Boston Globe's book pages.
Honors Cleveland Arts Prize Lambda Literary Award Seth Rosenberg Prize Finalist for the PEN/Beyond Margins Award Finalist for the Society of Midland Authors Award Nieman Fellowship (Harvard University)
Join Us Seeking Spiceland
Thursday, January 4, 7–8:30 pm People have searched for routes to southern India in pursuit of exotic, flavorful spices throughout history. Join Cynthia Clampitt on a culinary adventure to learn about spices, the place of southern India in world events and the delights waiting to be enjoyed. Registration required. INDIAN TRAILS TEMPORARY LIBRARY 70 W. DUNDEE RD., BUFFALO GROVE
The Immigrant Experience on Film
Sunday, January 22, 1–2:30 pm Learn how the experience of moving to the U.S. has been portrayed on film. View scenes that vividly re-create both classic and modern immigration stories, including The Godfather: Part II, West Side Story, The Namesake, The Joy Luck Club and others. Movie expert Steve Frenzel shares trivia and behind-the-scenes stories for each film. Registration required. VERNON AREA LIBRARY 300 OLDE HALF DAY RD., LINCOLNSHIRE
To learn about additional family programs and displays related to One Book, One Community, visit each library’s website.
Vegetarian Cuisine of North India
Monday, January 23, 6:30–8:30 pm Embark on a journey to the rich cuisine of North India led by Chicago vegetarian cooking teacher, Ranjana Bhargava. Learn to make bhel puri (a popular street food), samosa (potato and pea stuffed pastry), mint-coriander chutney (relish), tamarind chutney (sweet relish) and masala chai (soft spiced tea). Yum! Registration required. COOK MEMORIAL PUBLIC LIBRARY ASPEN DRIVE LIBRARY 701 ASPEN DR., VERNON HILLS
The Enchanting Rituals of Indian Weddings
Sunday, February 5, 1–2 pm Indian weddings are known for their grandeur, traditions, grace, colors and festive celebrations. Discover the fascinating rituals and the cultural significance of centuries-old traditions practiced during these sacred events with Indian wedding planner Sabrina Hans. Plus, experience the joy of Bollywood dance with a performance by Culture in Motion. Registration required. VERNON AREA LIBRARY 300 OLDE HALF DAY RD., LINCOLNSHIRE
Living Well: Laughter Workshop
Thursday, February 9, 7–8 pm The Laughter Club Movement originated in India in 1995 with thousands of active laughter clubs now around the world. Join speaker Vidya Nahar, as she shares how to get in touch with your inner happiness and improve your mental health by using different laughter techniques. Registration required. INDIAN TRAILS TEMPORARY LIBRARY 70 W. DUNDEE RD., BUFFALO GROVE
India Drumming Techniques
Wednesday, February 22, 6:30–7:30 pm From traditional Hindustani style tabla to the cool yet emotional musings of jazz percussion, Barrington resident Inderjeet Sidhu introduces various percussion instruments and drumming styles. Audience participation encouraged. Registration required. COOK MEMORIAL LIBRARY 413 N. MILWAUKEE AVE., LIBERTYVILLE
Book Discussions: The Story Hour
Registration is recommended for all book discussions. Sign up online at 1book.org or call the hosting library. Tuesday, January 17, 10:30–11:45 am INDIAN TRAILS TEMPORARY LIBRARY, BUFFALO GROVE
Thursday, January 26, 1–2:30 pm COOK PARK LIBRARY, LIBERTYVILLE
Tuesday, February 7, 7–8:30 pm
ASPEN DRIVE LIBRARY, VERNON HILLS
Thursday, February 9, 10–11:30 am VERNON AREA PUBLIC LIBRARY, LINCOLNSHIRE
Monday, February 13, 7–8:30 pm RAM Restaurant & Brewery, 700 N. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling HOSTED BY INDIAN TRAILS LIBRARY
Interested in copies of The Story Hour for your book group? Sets of 15 books, with prepared discussion questions and read-alike suggestions, are available for check-out at Cook Memorial Library and Vernon Area Library. Please contact the individual libraries for more information.
Author Visit Saturday, February 18, 1–2:30 pm Stevenson High School West Auditorium, 1 Stevenson Dr., Lincolnshire Best-selling novelist Thrity Umrigar shares her journey as a fiction writer, and the joys, challenges and perils of the writing life. She discusses the inspiration for our One Book, One Community selection, The Story Hour, at this compelling event. Ms. Umrigar is the author of six novels, including The Space Between Us, The World Be Found, The Weight of Heaven, Bombay Time and If Today Be Sweet. Books will be available for purchase, courtesy of The Book Bin of Northbrook. A book signing will be held following the talk. This event is free and open to all. Register online at 1book.org
Find Us Cook Memorial Public Library District Aspen Drive Library Cook Park Library 701 Aspen Dr. 413 N. Milwaukee Ave. Vernon Hills, IL Libertyville, IL 847.362.2330 847.362.2330 www.cooklib.org www.cooklib.org Indian Trails Public Library District Temporary Library 70 W. Dundee Rd. Buffalo Grove, IL 847.459.4100 www.itpld.org Vernon Area Public Library District 300 Olde Half Day Rd. Lincolnshire, IL 847.634.3650 www.vapld.info
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Connecting Across Cultures
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