Welcome to Summer Reading 2021!

Welcome to University City Public Library's 2021 Big Book(S!) Challenge!

 

First off, make sure you've RSVPed in order to get Zoom invitations for our book discussions this summer (due to the pandemic, all discussions will be virtual). Most of the books just started going out today, so you should be receiving notices that they're available for pick-up soon if you've requested them. Be sure you get a reading guide when you're at the library.

(In order to borrow materials from us, you'll need a library card from The Municipal Library Consortium of St. Louis County, of which University City Public Library is a member. If you're not currently a cardholder, click here and we'll be happy to get you set up!)

Next, you'll want to watch the kickoff lecture by Dr. Bryan Jack here or on our YouTube channel (note that it's in three parts):

 

 Part 1

 

Part 2

 

Part 3

Dr. Jack will be joining us for our Zoom discussion on Wednesday, June 23, at 7 p.m., discussing The Portable Frederick Douglass, pp. ix - 149 (the "Autobiographical Writings" section). Again, be sure to RSVP in order to receive the Zoom invitation.

We are also excited to have David F. Walker, author of the graphic biography The Life of Frederick Douglass, joining us on our discussion of his book on Monday, June 28, at 7 p.m.

 

Here are all the dates for this summer:

Keynote Presentation with Bryan Jack,
Associate Professor of History at SIUE
Available online beginning May 26

Portable Frederick Douglass: Online Discussion
led by Bryan Jack
7 p.m. Wednesday, June 23
pp. ix-149, the Autobiographical Writings

Life of Frederick Douglass: Online Discussion
featuring author David F. Walker
7 p.m. Monday, June 28

The Good Lord Bird: Online Discussion
Parts 1 & 2
7 p.m. Monday, July 26

Portable Frederick Douglass: Online Discussion
led by Bryan Jack
7 p.m. Wednesday, July 28
pp. 195-410
The Speeches

Portable Frederick Douglass: Online Discussion
led by Bryan Jack
7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 25
pp. 413-537
The Journalism

The Good Lord Bird: Online Discussion
Part 3
7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 30 

We'll be back soon with content about our great reads this summer!