2010 Discussion

Online discussions at the Big Read-Wichita's Facebook site will be available soon. Sign up and become a fan now!

Book clubs interested in holding discussions about Zora Neale Hurston may contact Julie Linneman with the Wichita Public Library (316-261-8590) about checking out book discussion sets. A limited number of reader's guides for "Great Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe" and "My Ántonia" are available for free; contact Jennifer Heinicke at the Wichita Public Library (316-261-8524) for free copies for classroom or book discussion use.

Wichita Public Library Monthly Book Discussions
Join one of the Wichita Public Library's monthly book discussion groups as they discuss Zora Neale Hurston's "Their Eyes Were Watching God." New attendees welcome!
1-2 p.m., Friday, Oct. 1,  Wichita Public Library - Orchard Park Branch Library, 4808 W. 9th, Wichita, KS 67212, (316) 337-9084
1-2 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 5,  Wichita Public Library - Evergreen Branch Library, 2601 N. Arkansas, Wichita, KS 67204, (316) 303-8181
7-8 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 7,  Wichita Public Library - Evergreen Branch Library, 2601 N. Arkansas, Wichita, KS 67204, (316) 303-8181
7-8 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 19,  Wichita Public Library - Central Library, 223 S. Main, Wichita, KS 67202, (316) 261-8500
1-2 p.m., Monday, Oct. 25,  Wichita Public Library - Rockwell Branch Library, 5939 E. 9th St., Wichita, KS 67208, (316) 688-9361

Mondays with Zora
Zora Neale Hurston was a woman of many talents. In this four-part series we will view, read, learn and discuss the life and works of Zora Neale Hurston. If you haven’t read all of the works to be discussed, please come anyway and they will be briefly reviewed before the discussion.

Zora Neale Hurston:  Jump at the Sun (Documentary & Discussion)
This 2008 award-winning documentary tells the story of Zora Neale Hurston’s life and places it into historical contest. First broadcast on the "PBS American Masters" series. NOTE:  This session will run an extra 30 minutes longer than the others.
4-6 p.m., Monday, Oct. 4, Wichita Public Library - Central Library, 223 S. Main, Wichita, KS 67202, (316) 261-8500

“Their Eyes Were Watching God”
Share your thoughts about Janie Crawford, her friend Pheoby, the love of her life Tea Cake, and the events that shaped their lives.
4-5:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 11, Wichita Public Library - Central Library, 223 S. Main, Wichita, KS 67202, (316) 261-8500

Hurston’s Short Stories
We will be discussing the following short stories, available in various anthologies. See library staff for information on where to find these works:  "John Redding Goes to Sea," "Drenched in Light," "Spunk," "Sweat," "The Bone of Contention," "Book of Harlem," and "The Gilded Six-Bits."
4-5:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 18, Wichita Public Library - Central Library, 223 S. Main, Wichita, KS 67202, (316) 261-8500

“Jonah’s Gourd Vine”
This 1934 Hurston novel is a thinly disguised fiction that mirrors her own family life growing up.  It tells the story of John Buddy Pearson, a preacher whose love for women leads to his downfall.
4-5:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 25, Wichita Public Library - Central Library, 223 S. Main, Wichita, KS 67202, (316) 261-8500

The Big Read: Conversations About the Book
A discussion about "Their Eyes Were Watching God," moderated by Ami Regier, Bethel College Literary Studies Department, and Scott McCloud, Newton High School English Department. For adults and teens.
7-8:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 5, Newton Public Library, 720 N. Oak, Newton, KS 67114, (316) 283-2890 

The Big Read - Wichita: An Open Book Discussion
Come one, come all! Let’s talk about “Their Eyes Were Watching God.”  Share your thoughts about Janie Crawford, her friend Pheoby, and the events that shaped their lives. All are welcome to attend.
2:30-3:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 7, Wichita Public Library - Orchard Park Branch Library, 4808 W. 9th, Wichita, KS 67212, (316) 337-9084
2:30-3:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 9, Wichita Public Library - Rockwell Branch Library, 5939 E. 9th St., Wichita, KS 67208, (316) 688-9361
2:30-3:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 12, Wichita Public Library - Evergreen Branch Library, 2601 N. Arkansas, Wichita, KS 67204, (316) 303-8181
2:30-3:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 15, Wichita Public Library - Linwood Branch Library, 1901 S. Kansas, Wichita, KS 67211, (316) 337-9125
7-8 p.m., Monday, Oct. 18, Wichita Public Library - Alford Branch Library, 3447 S. Meridian, Wichita, KS 67217, (316) 337-9119
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 23, Wichita Public Library - Angelou Northeast Branch Library, 3051 E. 21st St., Wichita, KS 67214, (316) 688-9580
7-8 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 26, Wichita Public Library - Westlink Branch Library, 8515 Bekemeyer, Wichita, KS 67212, (316) 337-9456

School Age Book Club
5:30-6:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 7, McConnell AFB Library, 53476 Wichita St. Bldg. 412, Wichita, KS 67221, (316) 759-4207

The Amazing Life and Afterlife of Zora Neale Hurston and "Their Eyes Were Watching God"
Learn background on Hurston's utterly unique place among Harlem Renaissance writers and how her incredible book has risen from the grave. Presenter: Mark David Bradshaw, M.A. in comparative literature, bookseller, Shakespeare nut. For adults and teens.
6-7:15 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 13, Watermark Books and Café, 4701 E. Douglas Ave., Wichita, KS 67218, (316) 682-1181

Adult/Teen Book Discussion and Movie
6:30-9:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 15, McConnell AFB Library, 53476 Wichita St. Bldg. 412, Wichita, KS 67221, (316) 759-4207

"Their Eyes Were Watching God" Book Discussion
Join us for a passionate discussion of Zora Neale Hurston's "Their Eyes Were Watching God." There will be a prize drawing and refreshments. (This event is also a feature event during Barnes & Noble's Educator Appreciation reception from 2-5 p.m. that day.)
3-4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 16, Barnes & Noble at Bradley Fair, 1920 N. Rock Rd, Wichita, KS 67206, (316) 315-0421

The Big Read Book Discussion
Join in a discussion of Zora Neale Hurston's "Their Eyes Were Watching God" for high school age students and adults.
7-8:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 19, Derby Public Library, Derby Public Library, 1600 E. Walnut Grove, Derby, KS 67037, (316) 788-0760

Letting Down Janie Crawford's Hair: Themes, Symbols, Women, and Hair
Dig your reading fingers into the rich, kinky, fascinating elements of Hurston's novel and learn to appreciate her artful portrayal of a remarkable woman. Presenter: Shelly Watson, Master's in Education, schoolteacher, Roller Derby queen. For adults and teens.
6-7:15 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 27, Watermark Books and Café, 4701 E. Douglas Ave., Wichita, KS 67218, (316) 682-1181