Book Group #8 (AAL Book Discussion Group)

Where the Line Bleeds by Jesmyn Ward.    

Destined to Witness: Growing up Black in Nazi Germany by Hans J. Masaquoi.    

We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball by Kadir Nelson.    

Where I Must Go by Angela Jackson.    

Bloods: An Oral History of Vietnam by Black Veterans by Wallace Terry.    

The African American Literature book discussion group focuses exclusively on works of fiction and nonfiction by African Americn authors, and we are continually delighted with the depth of experience, insight and varied writing styles exploring the African American experience. Our facilitator (an Evanston Library staff member) moderates the discussion, but attendees drive the coversations which are always forthright and passionate. We start off with a bio of the author, we then discuss theme, writing style, characters, and give personal impressions of the work plus offer reasons why or why not we would recommend it to others. We try to find parallels to other book selections we have already discussed. Last November in honor of Verterans' Day, we were fortunate to have several black Vietnam vets participate in the discussion of Bloods.

The facilitator has been chosing the reading list, but beginning in December, 2010, each member gets to make a birthday month title pick. There are 4 to 8 core members with occasional "gusts" of 15 attendees for controversial selections. It's a coed group.

The AAL is open to the public. We meet on the second Tuesday of the month at 7pm at the Evanston Public Library. For more information, contact Sue McClelland, 847-448-8620.