by Rod Jones
The Letâs Talk About It, Oklahoma book discussion series at Oklahoma City University will continue with âWonderâ by R.J. Palacio at 7 p.m. Sept. 29 in Walker Center room 151.
The discussion series is titled âHope Amidst Hardship.â It is made possible through a grant from the Oklahoma Humanities Council.
âWonderâ is about a boy who is born with a facial deformity and must attend public school for the first time after years of being homeschooled. At his new school he struggles with verbal and physical abuse from bullies.
At each session in the five-part series, a humanities scholar makes a presentation on the book in the context of the theme. Small group discussions follow with experienced discussion leaders. At the end, all participants come together for a brief wrap-up.
Those who are interested in participating are encouraged to preregister and borrow the reading selections and theme brochure by calling Harbour Winn at (405) 208-5472, e-mailing him at [email protected] or dropping by the Dulaney-Browne Library room 211 or 207.
Winn, director of the Center for Interpersonal Study through Film & Literature at OCU, hopes the series will help participants find a âcommonality of hope and perseverance.â
âRecognizing ourselves in others, even as we read of hardship, is a major reason we find reading enjoyable,â Winn said. âHardship comes in many varieties, and the books in this series offer varied examples but present a common theme: there is hope along the way. Sometimes this hope comes from deep within ourselves. Sometimes it comes from others in unexpected ways.â
Remaining dates and books in the series include:
Oct. 13 â âWhere the Heart Isâ by Billie Letts
Oct. 27 â âThe Secret Life of Beesâ by Sue Monk Kidd
Nov. 10 â âTuesdays with Morrieâ by Mitch Albom
