Our Robson discussion leaders for 2024: Scott Baker, Marsha Scholze, Cindy Voliva, LaDonna Womochel, Elaine Kushmaul, Richard Kushmaul; not pictured: Deborah Diehl, Jane Scholz, and Julia Kellogg
Dianna Lucas
Here’s good news you have all been waiting to hear! The Friends of the Library has decided to increase the number of book talks in 2024 from four to five. Also, due to popular demand, two of the discussions will be held at 6:30 in the evening for those of you who want evening meetings.
The first talk will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024. Marsha Scholze, Richard Kushmaul, and Julia Kellogg will lead the discussion of Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI, by David Grann. The theatrical version of this true-life murder mystery is in movie theaters now. See the movie. Read the book. This discussion will come to life for you.
Our first fiction of the year will be 11/22/63: A Novel, by Stephen King, led by Scott Baker. Scott is a first-time discussion leader this year. This is an alternative version of what happened on the date in the title—the day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. Please join us on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. for our first evening discussion.
Deborah Diehl and Elaine Kushmaul will lead the discussion of two related books, one fiction and one classic. The contemporary book is Demon Copperhead, by Barbara Kingsolver. The classic is David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens. This book discussion will also be in the evening at 6:30 on Wednesday, May 1, 2024.
Jane Scholz will lead the discussion of the second nonfiction, An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us, by Ed Yong, on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, at 2:30 p.m. Please come enjoy a lively discussion on this New York Times bestseller by a Pulitzer Prize-winning science journalist.
On Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, at 2:30 p.m., Cindy Voliva and LaDonna Womochel will lead the talk on another book of fiction, Ordinary Grace, by William Kent Krueger. The discussion about this novel, which won the Edgar Award for Best Novel in 2014, will be of special interest to fans of Krueger and a wonderful introduction for those who have not read his work before.
Much deliberation goes into deciding which books to present for discussion to the Robson audience. Our gratitude goes to the members of the 2024 Selection Committee, including the following: Cindy Voliva, Scott Baker, Susan Clearfield, Deborah Diehl, Elaine Kushmaul, Jane Scholz, Marsha Scholze, and Fred van Naerssen. Without their time and diligence, these book discussions would not have been possible.
All Robson residents are invited to attend the book discussions, which are held in the Robson Library located in the CATC building. You are encouraged to read the books before the discussion. They will be available for check-out from the Robson Library before the discussions.