Nonfiction Book Discussion:
The Art of War: a New Translation by Michael Nylan
Thursday June 9th at 1:30 p.m.
Please join our librarians for a discussion of The Art of War: a New Translation by Michael Nylan on Thursday June 9th at 1:30 p.m.
For the first time in any modern language, a female scholar and translator reimagines The Art of War. Sun Tzu’s ancient book of strategy and psychology has as much to tell us today as when it was first written 2,500 years ago. In a world forever at odds, his rules for anticipating the motivations and strategies of our competitors never cease to inspire leaders of all kinds. Michael Nylan, in her provocative introduction, sees new and unexpected lessons to be learned from The Art of War- in business ventures, relationships, games of skill, academic careers, and medical practices. Strategy, like conflict, is woven into society’s very roots. Nylan’s crisp translation offers a masterly new evaluation of this classic work, which balances the overtly military content with a profound and thought- provoking analysis. Readers newly engaging with ancient Chinese culture will be inspired by Nylan’s authoritative voice. She proves that Sun Tzu is more relevant than ever, helping us navigate the conflicts we know and those we have yet to endure.
Please note that this will be a hybrid event. Participants are invited to join us in person or via zoom.
Click HERE to receive the zoom meeting link if participating remotely. In person participants can register HERE.
Copies of the book are available on Libby and may also be reserved for pickup at the library.
Fiction Book Discussion
The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan
Tuesday, June 21st at 7:30 p.m.
Please join our librarians for a discussion of The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan on Tuesday June 21st at 7:30 p.m.
Set in near-future America, The School for Good Mothers introduces readers to a government-run reform program where bad mothers are retrained using robot doll children with artificial intelligence. Protagonist Frida Liu, a 39-year-old Chinese-American single mother in Philadelphia, loses custody of her 18-month-old daughter, Harriet, after she leaves Harriet home alone for two hours on one very bad day. To regain custody, Frida must spend a year at a newly-created institution, where she practices parenting with bad mothers from all over the county. There, she learns to love an uncannily life-like toddler girl doll in order to demonstrate her maternal instincts and prove to her family court judge that she deserves a second chance. Frida is an outsider in every way: better educated, more affluent, and the only Asian. The mothers, whose transgressions range from benign to horrific, are under constant surveillance. If they don’t pass all the school’s tests, their parental rights will be terminated. Inspired by dystopian classics such as 1984, Never Let Me Go, and The Handmaid’s Tale, the novel eviscerates the dominant American parenting culture, while highlighting the tragedy of state-sponsored family separation. Is there one right way to mother? Can a bad mother ever be redeemed? With warmth, heart, and dark humor, the novel tells a timeless story of a mother fighting to win back her child, and her struggle to hold onto her integrity while being indoctrinated.
Copies of the book are available on Libby and may also be reserved for pickup at the library.
Please note that this will be a hybrid event. Participants are invited to join us in person or via zoom.
The library has many digital resources for ebooks and audiobooks. Click here to learn more.
Please check our events page for a complete list of our virtual programs.