Big Blue Marble is proud to once again partner with The Free Library One Book/One Philadelphia program to engage our communities in the rich discussions only great literature can launch
Sunday 02/17
2:00 pm
One Book, One Philly: A Wreath for Emmett TilL Community Read
Our celebration of 2019’s One Book/One Philadelphia begins with a communal read aloud of Marilyn Nelson’s A Wreath for Emmett Till. This award-winning poetry collection, for middle grade and up, explores the life and death of Emmett Till, and how that death continues to echo in contemporary events.
The 2019 One Book/One Philadelphia middle-grade book is Jewell Parker Rhode’s Ghost Boys, in which Emmett Till’s ghost works with the ghost of 12 year year old Black boy killed by police to explore the effects of historical racism. Our communal read aloud and discussion of Nelson’s book will extend these themes into our own lives and communities.
Sunday
02/17
4:00 pm
Using Forms to Contain Trauma: a writing workshop
This two hour workshop begins by studying a few poems in which different forms are used as containers for strong/traumatic content. Participants will then be led through writing practice in three different short forms, considering how each form will determine details and effect emotion.
The workshop cost is $20 and pre-registration is required.
The workshop is open to all, including writers in all genres who want to explore how form can help sharpen and clarify their work. Bring paper and a pen, or a laptop - whichever writing tool serves you best.
The workshop will be taught by poet Elliott batTzedek. She holds an MFA in Poetry and Poetry in Translation and has taught writing and literature in academic and community settings.
Tuesday 02/19
7:00 pm
Woke & Well-Read Book Club
Please join the Woke & Well-Read Book Club in our 2nd year at Big Blue Marble! Our February read is the 2019 One Book/One Philadelphia selection, Jesmyn Ward’s Sing, Unburied, Sing. Jesmyn Ward’s historic second National Book Award–winner is “perfectly poised for the moment” (The New York Times), an intimate portrait of three generations of a family and an epic tale of hope and struggle. “Ward’s writing throbs with life, grief, and love… this book is the kind that makes you ache to return to it” (Buzzfeed).
Woke & Well-Read explores life through African-American eyes, and is open to all. We meet two nights each month - the discussion is the same, and even more people can attend.
Upcoming Reads
March 19/20 “The Untelling” by Tayari Jones
April 16/17 “Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race” by Reni Eddo-Lodge
May 14/15 “The Poet X” by Elizabeth Acevedo
June 18/19 “We are Going to Need More Wine” by Gabrielle Union
Wednesday 02/27
7:00 pm
Woke & Well-Read Book Club AND My American MeltinGPot
Please join the Woke & Well-Read Book Club and special guest Lori Tharps from My American Meltingpot for a special 2019 One Book/One Philadelphia book discussion! We’ll be talking about Jesmyn Ward’s Sing, Unburied, Sing. Ward’s historic second National Book Award–winner is “perfectly poised for the moment” (The New York Times), an intimate portrait of three generations of a family and an epic tale of hope and struggle. “Ward’s writing throbs with life, grief, and love… this book is the kind that makes you ache to return to it” (Buzzfeed).