We Need New Names
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We Need New Names, by NoViolet Bulawayo.
A remarkable literary debut and the winner of the 2014 Hemingway Pen Award and shortlisted for the Booker Prize. Darling is only ten years old, and yet she must navigate a fragile and violent world. In Zimbabwe, Darling and her friends steal guavas, try to get the baby out of young Chipo’s belly, and grasp at memories of Before. Before soldiers destroyed their homes, before the fathers left for dangerous jobs abroad. But Darling has a chance to escape: she has an aunt in America. She travels to this new land in search of America’s famous abundance only to find that her options as an immigrant are perilously few. NoViolet Bulawayo’s debut calls to mind the great storytellers of displacement and arrival who have come before her—from Junot Diaz to Zadie Smith to J.M. Coetzee—while she tells a vivid, raw story all her own. What did you think of this book? Tell us! |
Two Finalists for 2015
A panel of local individuals will read both books and determine which will be chosen for Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads 2015. This year's judges are:
Area Blogger Mark Maynard
Ann Arbor News Entertainment Reporter Jenn McKee
Musician San Slomovits
Ypsilanti City Council Member Dan Vogt
Ann Arbor City Council Member Chuck Warpehoski
Read along with us and leave a comment under one or both of the title's webpage, and tell us what you think!
The two books under consideration are:
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NoViolet Bulawayo, We Need New Names. New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2013. |
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Ruth Ozeki, A Tale For the Time Being. New York: Penguin Books, 2013. |
Resources for the 2018 Washtenaw Read: Homegoing
Reviews of and commentary on Homegoing:
A review of Homegoing from The New Yorker
Review of and commentary on Homegoing from TIME
Hear Yaa Gyasi read from Homegoing at the National Book Foundation's 2016 5 Under 35 Celebration
Read and listen to a review of Homegoing from NPR's Fresh Air
Discussion questions and reading guides:
Check out the Homegoing Reader's Guide from Penguin Random House.
Peruse the Book Discussion Guidelines the Washtenaw Reads committee has compiled to help keep your discussions on topic!
Promotional Materials:
Choose from the 2018 Washtenaw Reads posters and publicize in your own community.
Special Thanks
Washtenaw Reads Teams
Steering Team
Tim Grimes, Ann Arbor District Library
Barbara Beaton, Milan Public Library
Diane Hockett, Washtenaw Intermediate School District
Debbie Johnson, Saline District Library
Lori Kunkel-Coryell, Chelsea District Library
Ira Lax, Ann Arbor District Library
Paul McCann, Dexter District Library
Zaley Nelson, Northfield Township Area Library
Julianne Smith, Ypsilanti District Library
Valerie Sobczak, Ann Arbor District Library
How to Participate
Washtenaw Reads is a community-wide event! How can you participate?
Hold A Discussion Group In Your Community
Organize an event or discussion related to the read.
Events may be open to the public or restricted. Examples include:
Book clubs wishing to use the book at a private meeting or discussion
College or high school instructors assigning the book to their class
Local workplaces hosting discussion groups for their employees
Coffee shops inviting customers to connect over coffee on a particular night
Film societies presenting a film related to the topic
Tell Us About Your Event
If you have an event related to the Read, and would like to have it listed on this site, please contact Emily Howard of Ann Arbor District Library by email at howarde@aadl.org or by phone at 734-327-8332. Please tell us the title of the event, date, time, location, sponsoring organization and contact information. Also, let us know if registration is required or if the event is on a drop-in basis.
Keep Checking this Website for Updates!
The site will change often as events are added. Please check for changes.
Events
2018 Washtenaw Reads events will be added as information becomes available. Keep checking this site for updates!
Institute for the Humanities
Homegoing: A Conversation with Yaa Gyasi
The 2018 Institute for the Humanities Jill S. Harris Memorial Lecture and 2018 Washtenaw Reads Author Event
Tuesday, February 6th, from 7:00-8:30 pm
Rackham Auditorium
915 E Washington St, Ann Arbor, MI
Hear Yaa Gyasi discuss Homegoing. This event includes a book signing and copies of the book will be for sale.
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Chelsea District Library
Born with Africa In Them
Tuesday, January 9th, from 7:00-8:30 pm
McKune Room
221 S Main St, Chelsea, MI
Mark Fancher of the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan will explore the historical and present day tensions and cultural dissonances between African and European descended communities in the U.S. This program is offered in partnership with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Michigan.
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Northfield Township Area Library
Novel-Tea Book Club: A Discussion of Yaa Gyasi’s Homegoing
Wednesday, January 10th, at 6:30 pm
125 Barker Rd, Whitmore Lake, MI
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Dexter District Library
World Slavery: The Haitian Revolution and the Rise of American Music
Monday, January 22nd at 6:30 pm
Lower Level Meeting Room
3255 Alpine St., Dexter, MI
Join Ray Kamalay for a lecture and concert as he puts African American and American music in the context of world history with story and song. Backed by a vivid PowerPoint presentation, Kamalay will charm you with his top-notch musical skills and leave you with a new understanding of the meaning of the blues.
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Chelsea District Library
Kuungana Drum & Dance
Wednesday, January 24th, from 6:30-8:00pm
McKune Room
221 S Main St, Chelsea, MI
Join us for Baba Kevin Collins and the Kuungana Drum and Dance Company as the present on the history and tradition of West African music, including a live drum demonstration.
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Dexter District Library
Beautifully Wrapped: The Global Art of Headwrapping
Saturday, January 27th at 2:00 pm
Lower Level Meeting Room
3255 Alpine St., Dexter, MI
Fold, place, whip around, tuck, pull and pin. Headwraps are a beautiful way to accessorize, protect your hair and show a bit of style. Participants learn to tie their own headwraps as well as the unique history of wrapping across the globe. Bring a piece of cloth or use one of ours and by the end of our time together, you will be able to create a piece of art. Zarinah El-Amin Naeem, master wrapper, is an anthropologist and the founder of Beautifully Wrapped, an international interfaith corporation that uses the global art of headwrapping to build love and understanding.
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Ann Arbor District Library
Book Discussion: Homegoing
Tuesday January 30th, from 7:00-8:00 pm
Downtown Library Multi-Purpose Room
343 South Fifth Ave. Ann Arbor, MI
Join AADL staff and other community members for a discussion of the 2018 Washtenaw Read, Homegoing, by Yaa Gyasi.
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Ypsilanti District Library
Homegoing Book Discussion
Thursday, February 1st at 10:30am
5577 Whittaker Road, Ypsilanti, MI
Discuss Yaa Gyasi’s book in advance of her visit at a special session of the Thursday Morning Book Group.
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Ann Arbor District Library
Fabulous Folktales: A Storytime for Kids Celebrating the 2018 Washtenaw Read!
Saturday February 3rd, from 2:00-2:30 pm
Downtown Library, Youth Story Corner
343 South Fifth Ave. Ann Arbor, MI
Join AADL storyteller Elizabeth as she shares folktales from West Africa in a special storytime for kids, created in conjunction with this year's Washtenaw Reads. This event is intended for preschool-grade 3.
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Ten Thousand Villages
Book Discussion
Saturday,February 3rd at 11am
Ten Thousand Villages Ann Arbor
303 South Main Street
Open informal discussion of Yaa Gyasi’s Homegoing, Led by Kathleen Giesting, Ten Thousand Villages Board of Directors. Special Guest, Professor of Social Work, Dr. Brenda McGadney-Douglass who has travelled and worked extensively in Ghana. Fair trade coffee and chocolate sampling.
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Dexter District Library
Journey to Freedom: The Underground Railroad in Washtenaw County
Thursday, February 8th at 7:00 pm
Lower Level Meeting Room
3255 Alpine St., Dexter, MI
The Underground Railroad was a network of secret routes, hidden places, determined citizens and self-liberated people of color seeking freedom. Two essential routes to Detroit, and ultimately Canada, crossed in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. Discover the role Washtenaw County played in this dangerous journey to freedom. Presented by Deborah Meadows, Board Vice-Chair of the African American Cultural & Historical Museum of Washtenaw.
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Ann Arbor District Library
Book Discussion: Homegoing
Sunday February 11th, from 2:00-3:00 pm
2359 Oak Valley Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Join AADL staff and other community members for a discussion of the 2018 Washtenaw Read, Homegoing, by Yaa Gyasi.
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Northfield Township Area Library
Brown Bag Book Club: A Discussion of Yaa Gyasi’s Homegoing
Tuesday, February 13th, at 12:00 pm
125 Barker Rd, Whitmore Lake, MI
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Saline District Library
Book Discussion of Homegoing
Wednesday, February 14th at 7:00 pm
555 N. Maple Rd, Saline MI
The public is invited for a lively discussion and refreshments.
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Ann Arbor District Library
West African Music and Art in Yaa Gyasi's Homegoing
Tuesday, February 20th, from 7:00-8:30 pm
Downtown Library Multi-Purpose Room
343 South Fifth Ave. Ann Arbor, MI
Attend an interactive workshop for music and art lovers with discussion of Homegoing. Drawing from the African American Cultural Humanities curriculum, Ms. Shields examine the social and historical contexts presented in Homegoing using music and pieces from the Detroit Institute of Art Collection. Participants will leave with a better understanding of the influence of West Africa on American music styles.
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Dexter District Library
Exotic Flavors and Cuisine of Ethiopia
Wednesday, February 21st at 6:00 pm Lower Level Meeting Room
3255 Alpine St., Dexter, MI
Join Ann Arbor native Brad Durr, executive chef at Ann Arbor Golf and Outing Club and Consulting Chef for The Blue Nile Restaurant for this lecture and cooking presentation on Ethiopian Cuisine.
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Greenhills School
Book Discussion
Thursday, February 22nd from 7-8:30pm
Greenhills Library
850 Greenhills Drive, Ann Arbor, MI
The Greenhills Library and the Office of Diversity are cosponsoring a book discussion of Homegoing. This is open to the community as well as Greenhills students and their families.
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Hosting your own event? Email the details to Emily Howard (howarde at aadl.org) to be added to the list.
About the Reads: 2014
The 2014 Reads theme is A Very Good Read and highlights a work of fiction.
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Ruta Sepetys, Between Shades of Gray. New York: Philomel Books, 2011. |
Check here for information on the two finalists. Thanks to everyone who suggested a title for this year's Read.
Statement of Purpose
The Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads program is a community initiative to promote reading and civic dialogue through the shared experience of reading and discussing a common book.
History
Launched in 2003 by the University of Michigan Life Sciences, Values and Society Program, the Reads project was fashioned after a civic reads program designed by the Seattle Public Library. The book chosen for the inaugural Reads was “Lincoln’s DNA,” by Phillip R. Reilly. The Ann Arbor District Library was a major partner in this effort along with other area organizations.
In subsequent years, the Reads Program has been co-sponsored by the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti District Libraries and is supported by interested civic groups, the University of Michigan School of LS&A, the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti Public Schools, local bookstores, Eastern Michigan University Libraries and Washtenaw Community College.
Reads Theme
Previous themes have included a review of civil rights in the United States in celebration of the anniversary of Brown v Board of Education; “Revolutions in Science,” a discussion of evolution and the scientific method and “We the People...” how we define citizenship; in 2008 the theme was China and America: Bridging Two Worlds; and for 2009, The Universe: Yours to Discover. For 2012, the Steering Committee opted for a general theme of "Language: How We Communicate."The 2014 Reads theme is A Very Good Read and highlights a work of fiction.
Book Selection
Books chosen for the Reads should meet the following criteria:
* The writing should be engaging and thought-provoking.
* The subjects discussed should be accessible to readers throughout the community, high-school age and above.
* The length, price, and availability of the book should be suited to involvement by the general public.
* The book should be by a living author.
* Its treatment of issues should encourage readers to discuss the issues further with others, at home, work, reading clubs, and community events.
* Ideally, the subject should lead to constructive dialogues across our diverse communities.
Process:
During the summer the Book Screening Committee made up of individuals selected as representative of various civic constituencies read many titles reflecting the year’s theme. In the fall, a panel of distinguished judges reviewed the two titles suggested by the Screening Committee and made a final recommendation of the Reads book for the coming year.
Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads 2014 is scheduled to occur January through February 2014. Please watch this site for more information.
Book Discussions
Hosting your own discussion? Email the information to Emily Howard to be added to the list, and check out our Resources Page for book discussion questions and tips!
Chelsea District Library
Homegoing Discussion with Reading Glasses Book Club
Tuesday, January 2nd, from 7:30-9:00 pm
McKune Room
221 S Main St, Chelsea, MI
Join us a the Chelsea District Library for a special Reading Glasses meeting discussing this year's county read, Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi. You do not need to be a regular attender of the Reading Glasses book club in order to join in on the fun.
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Northfield Township Area Library
Novel-Tea Book Club: A Discussion of Yaa Gyasi’s Homegoing
Wednesday, January 10th at 6:30 pm
125 Barker Rd, Whitmore Lake, MI
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Ann Arbor District Library
Book Discussion: Homegoing
Tuesday January 30th, from 7:00-8:00 pm
Downtown Library Multi-Purpose Room
343 South Fifth Ave. Ann Arbor, MI
AADL staff and other community members will discuss the 2018 Washtenaw Read, Homegoing, by Yaa Gyasi.
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Ypsilanti Public Library
Homegoing Book Discussion
Thursday, February 1st at 10:30 am
5577 Whittaker Road, Ypsilanti, MI
Discuss Yaa Gyasi’s book in advance of her visit at a special session of the Thursday Morning Book Group
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Ann Arbor District Library
Book Discussion: Homegoing
Sunday February 11th from 2:00-3:00 pm
Pittsfield Branch
2359 Oak Valley Dr
Join AADL staff and other community members for a discussion of the 2018 Washtenaw Read, Homegoing, by Yaa Gyasi.
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Saline District Library
Book Discussion of Homegoing
Wednesday, February 14th at 7:00 pm
555 N. Maple Rd, Saline MI
The public is invited for a lively discussion and refreshments.
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Northfield Township Area Library
Brown Bag Book Club: A Discussion of Yaa Gyasi’s Homegoing
Tuesday, February 13th, 2018 at 12:00 pm
125 Barker Rd, Whitmore Lake, MI
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Greenhills School
Book Discussion
Thursday, February 22nd from 7-8:30pm
Greenhills Library
850 Greenhills Drive, Ann Arbor, MI
The Greenhills Library and the Office of Diversity are cosponsoring a book discussion of Homegoing. This is open to the community as well as Greenhills students and their families.
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Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads Posters
The following links contain the 2014 Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads printable posters.
Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads Author Poster (8.5 x 11)
Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads Book Poster (8.5 x 11)
Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads Large Author Poster (8.5 x 14)
Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads Large Book Poster (8.5 x 14) (includes a space to list your event)
Garden of Evening Mists
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Garden of Evening Mists, by Tan Twan Eng.
Winner of the 2012 Man Asian Literary Prize, a new novel of love, war and memory. Malaya, 1951. Yun Ling Teoh, the scarred lone survivor of a brutal Japanese wartime camp, seeks solace among the jungle-fringed tea plantations of Cameron Highlands. There she discovers Yugiri, the only Japanese garden in Malaya, and its owner and creator, the enigmatic Aritomo, exiled former gardener of the emperor of Japan. Despite her hatred of the Japanese, Yun Ling seeks to engage Aritomo to create a garden in memory of her sister, who died in the camp. Aritomo refuses but agrees to accept Yun Ling as his apprentice “until the monsoon comes.” Then she can design a garden for herself. As the months pass, Yun Ling finds herself intimately drawn to the gardener and his art, while all around them a communist guerilla war rages. But the Garden of Evening Mists remains a place of mystery. Who is Aritomo and how did he come to leave Japan? And is the real story of how Yun Ling managed to survive the war perhaps the darkest secret of all? What did you think of this book? Tell us! |