Read About It!Book Groups for Our Stories, Our Future


Esmeralda Santiago's novel When I Was Puerto Rican is one of the books featured in the American Life Stories program.
Stories from the American Experience
As part of the Our Stories, Our Future initiative, PHC is offering two book discussion programs to libraries across the state. These programs explore how the American experience is portrayed by diverse writers and works of literature.
  • American Life Stories
    Many contemporary memoirs highlight the diversity of the American experience. Why are we so fascinated by people's life stories? What do they tell us about America, its people, and its culture?

    2008–2009 selections include James McBride's The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother, Esmeralda Santiago's When I Was Puerto Rican, Firoozeh Dumas' Funny in Farsi: A Memoir of Growing Up Iranian in America, and Frank McCourt's 'Tis: A Memoir.

  • Facts in Fiction: The Civil War Era
    Featuring contemporary examples of historical fiction about the Civil War era, this program looks at what we enjoy about these novels, how the stories strive for historical authenticity, and how they connect the past to contemporary concerns.

    2008–2009 selections include Gore Vidal's Lincoln, Michael Shaara's The Killer Angels, E. L. Doctorow'’s The March and James McBride's Song Yet Sung.

Please note that book lists are subject to change.

How to Apply
Applications are no longer being accepted for fall 2008 and spring 2009 programs. Applications for fall 2009 and spring 2010 programs will be available in winter 2009.

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