Talbot County Free Library on One Maryland One Book
Now Available at Library
The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See
This year’s One Maryland One Book selection, The Island of Sea Women by New York Times bestselling author Lisa See, is now available to check out from both the Easton and St. Michaels branches of the Talbot County Free Library. One Maryland One Book is Maryland’s only statewide community reading program – like one big book club. It’s an opportunity for people to read a good book, then come together for thoughtful discussion. Patrons can reserve a copy through the Library’s Books-to-Go Service available at tcfl.org.
The Island of Sea Women chronicles the lives and friendship between Young-sook and Mi-ja, two girls living on the Korean island of Jeju. They become the closest of friends. However, their differences are impossible to ignore: Young-sook was born into a long line of haenyeo (female divers) and will inherit her mother’s position of leading the divers; whereas Mi-ja is the daughter of a Japanese collaborator and will forever carry that mark of shame. From the Japanese occupation of the 1930s and 1940s, World War II, to the Korean War, events will push their seemingly unbreakable bond to its breaking point. This beautifully written and thoughtful novel shines a light on the remarkable haenyeo culture and two women who are a part of it.
The library will host several virtual book discussions, led by Library Guy Bill Peak, on the following dates:
Tuesday, September 8, 3 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 16, 6 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 21, 6:30 p.m.
If you would like to participate in one of these discussions, email Bill Peak at mcpeak@tcfl.org with your name, phone number, and the date you would like to attend. A Zoom invitation will be sent a few days before the event.
According to Talbot County Free Library Director Dana Newman, Lisa See will be available via Zoom for a virtual presentation and discussion of her book on Monday, October 5, at 7 p.m. “We are thrilled to be co-hosting Lisa See with a number of other libraries on the eastern shore,” said Newman. “Although we won’t be able to host the author in person this year, we are fortunate that she will be discussing her book with us remotely.” To register for the program visit the Maryland Humanities website at https://bit.ly/31JoGm7.
The Talbot Country Free Library is also a promotional partner of Fredrik Backman’s US Tour, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Man Called Ove. On Thursday, September 10, at 5 p.m., Backman will discuss his latest book Anxious People. Participants must register at marylandhumanities.org to receive a link to the discussion on Zoom.
For more information on Talbot County Free Library services and programs, visit tcfl.org, call 410-822-1626, or email askus@tcfl.org.
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~ Talbot County Free Library