News

As part of Multnomah County’s 2006 “Everybody Reads” project, Portland State University professors will lead book group discussions (listed below) around the community on the 2006 book choice, The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini.

This is the first year the “Everybody Reads” project book groups are having scholar-led discussions, with the majority led by Portland State professors, hoping to enrich the experience for participants by getting a deeper understanding and appreciation for the novel and Afghanistan. Some of the scholars will simply lead the discussion while others will offer brief background talks in their area of expertise. The discussions will run 60–90 minutes. The Starbucks book groups will feature free coffee and snacks for participants.

All book group discussions are free and open to the public. For more information on the discussion groups or scholars information please contact Maude Hines at mhines@pdx.edu or visit www.multcolib.org/reads/.

Book Group Discussions
Wednesday, Feb. 8, 6:30–7:45 p.m., Belmont Library (1038 S.E. 39th Ave.), led by Portland State Professor Lee Medovoi, English, who will lecture on relevant background or themes, act as guest facilitator and direct a focused discussion on any number of aspects of the book.

Tuesday, Feb. 14, 6:45–8 p.m., Midland Library (805 S.E. 122nd Ave.), led by Portland State Assistant Professor Maude Hines, English, who will facilitate, direct discussion and answer questions.

Tuesday, Feb. 14, 6:30–7:45 p.m., Hillsdale Library (1525 S.W. Sunset Blvd.), led by Portland State Professor Grant Farr, Sociology, who will lecture on relevant background or themes and give background to various subjects touched on in the book.

Wednesday, Feb. 15, 12:30 p.m., Looking Glass Book Store (318 S.W. Taylor St.), led by Portland State Professor Jacqueline Arante, English.

Wednesday, Feb. 15, 1–2:15 p.m., Midland Library (805 S.E. 122nd Ave.), led by Portland State Professor Marcia Klotz, English who will facilitate, direct discussion and answer questions.

Wednesday, Feb. 15, 6:30–7:45 p.m., Woodstock Library (6008 S.E. 49th Ave.), led by PSU Professor Anne Marie Fallon, University Studies, who will answer questions, lead the discussion and participate.

Thursday, Feb. 16, 1–3 p.m., Hillsdale Library (1525 S.W. Sunset Blvd.), led by Portland State Professor Grant Farr, Sociology, who will act as guest facilitator and direct a focused discussion on many aspects of the book.

Tuesday, Feb. 21, 6:30–7:45 p.m., North Portland Library (512 N. Killingsworth), led by PSU Professor Elizabeth Ceppi, English, who will give historical context of the book and what was happening in Afghanistan.

Tuesday, Feb. 21, 6:30–8 p.m., Sellwood-Moreland Library (7860 S.E. 13th Ave.), led by PSU Professor Grant Farr, Sociology, who will give a perspective from another culture's point of view. Farr will act as either a facilitator and direct the focus of the discussion and/or provide info/background that would help the group learn more about a different culture.

Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2 p.m., Starbucks, N.E 15th and Fremont (3507 N.E. 15th Ave.), led by PSU Professor Jacqueline Arante, English.

Wednesday, Feb. 22, 7 p.m., Borders, Downtown (708 S.W. Third), led by PSU Professor Kim Brown, Applied Linguistics.

Saturday, Feb. 25, 2 p.m., Borders, Gresham (687 N.W. 12th St.), led by PSU Professor Primus St. John, English.

Monday, Feb. 27, 7 p.m., Starbucks, Kearney Plaza (1102 N.W. Lovejoy St.), led by PSU Professor Jacqueline Arante, English.

Tuesday, Feb. 28, 7 p.m., Starbucks (Beaumont 4633 N.E. Fremont), led by PSU Professor Susan Danielson, English.

Portland State University and Everybody Reads
For the first time, Portland State University will be hosting events as part of Multnomah County Library’s 2006 “Everybody Reads” project, sponsored by The Fred Meyer Foundation. Various exhibitions, lectures and literary events will take place at PSU, including panels on Afghanistan and The Kite Runner, along with exhibitions on women of Afghanistan and kites. For more information on “Everybody Reads” events taking place at Portland State, please visit www.pdx.edu/news/8415.

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Source: Maude Hines (503-725-3523)
English Department, Portland State University