TCCL News & Events

If you live outside the boundaries of convention, are you eccentric … or mentally ill? Conversely, when is stability actually a stultifying sameness, an inability to grow? There are no easy answers, and the truth probably lies somewhere in the murky shadowlands where most of us live.

Join Central Library’s Readers’ Library for “Novel Talk: Smart Conversations for Serious Readers” at 7 p.m. on July 21 at Central Library, Aaronson Auditorium, Fourth Street and Denver Avenue. A poet, a philosopher, a family therapist and a judge will discuss issues of family relationships and mental illness using Pulitzer Prize-winning author Marilynne Robinson’s novel “Housekeeping.”

Judge William Kellough will moderate as panelists examine this topic and other relevant issues related to the novel. Panelists are Francine Ringold, former Oklahoma poet laureate; Marty Heitz, assistant professor of philosophy, OSU-Tulsa; and Claudia Arthrell, licensed social worker, Family & Children’s Services.

Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Book Smart Tulsa, Garden Deva and Urban Furnishings are co-sponsoring the free program.

Call 596-7977 or visit the library’s Web site at www.tulsalibrary.org for more details about “Novel Talk.”

Death often brings to light the truest, deepest values. Great writers are fascinated by the way humans grope to forgive life for the suffering it inevitably brings – a forgiveness that arises from love.

Explore “Love and Forgiveness in the Light of Death” at Tulsa City-County Library’s “Novel Talk” program featuring a conversation with Rilla Askew, author of “Harpsong,” at 7 p.m. on March 12 at Central Library, Fourth Street and Denver Avenue, in Aaronson Auditorium. Talk in-depth with this award-winning author about her novels, her writing and more. James Watts, senior arts writer, Tulsa World, will moderate the conversation.

The program is a prelude to the five-part book discussion series “Let’s Talk About It.” Dr. Grant Jenkins, assistant professor of English, University of Tulsa, will lead the discussions. Participants will read classic and contemporary works exploring the theme of love and forgiveness. Participants should read the books prior to the programs. The discussions are on Mondays at 7 p.m. at Central Library in Aaronson Auditorium. Titles and dates are: “Paula” by Isabel Allende, March 23; “Disgrace” by J.M. Coetzee, April 6; “Jazz” by Toni Morrison, April 20; “The Death of Ivan Ilych” by Leo Tolstoy, May 4; and “The Dead” by James Joyce, May 18. Preregistration is required for the entire “Let’s Talk About It” series; preregistration is not required for the “Novel Talk” presentation. Deadline to register is March 16. Call 596-7977 or e-mail askus@tulsalibrary.org to register.

“Let’s Talk About it” is presented by the American Library Association and the Fetzer Institute, and is co-sponsored by the Tulsa Library Trust.

For more information about “Novel Talk” and “Let’s Talk About It,” call 596-7977 or visit www.tulsalibrary.org.