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Join us in a lively discussion over books! Connect with others to read, discuss, and explore. Designed for adults. Registration required.
Whether you’re new to book discussions or a regular, we want to hear from you. Share your thoughts and opinions and hear others’ experiences while exploring different topics.
In this program we will be discussing The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict. Copies of the book are available at the Norman Public Library West the month before our discussion in April.
Discussion will be held at Lazy Circles Brewing, located at 422 E Main St. Norman. Refreshments will not be provided but will be available for purchase. Purchase is not necessary for participation.
About the book: Named a Notable Book of the Year by the Washington Post! “Historical fiction at its best!”
A remarkable novel about J. P. Morgan’s personal librarian, Belle da Costa Greene, the Black American woman who was forced to hide her true identity and pass as white in order to leave a lasting legacy that enriched our nation, from New York Times bestselling authors Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray. In her twenties, Belle da Costa Greene is hired by J. P. Morgan to curate a collection of rare manuscripts, books, and artwork for his newly built Pierpont Morgan Library. Belle becomes a fixture in New York City society and one of the most powerful people in the art and book world, known for her impeccable taste and shrewd negotiating for critical works as she helps create a world-class collection. But Belle has a secret, one she must protect at all costs. She was born not Belle da Costa Greene but Belle Marion Greener. She is the daughter of Richard Greener, the first Black graduate of Harvard and a well-known advocate for equality. Belle’s complexion isn’t dark because of her alleged Portuguese heritage that lets her pass as white—her complexion is dark because she is African American. The Personal Librarian tells the story of an extraordinary woman, famous for her intellect, style, and wit, and shares the lengths she must go to—for the protection of her family and her legacy—to preserve her carefully crafted white identity in the racist world in which she lives.
Upcoming titles:
Lazy Circles Brewing is located at 422 E Main St, Norman, OK.