Delaware County Library and Grove Public Library are excited to host Let’s Talk About It, a book discussion series project of Oklahoma Humanities. Let’s Talk About It is designed to encourage participants to read and discuss literature based around a central theme. The theme for the spring session is Private Investigations: Hard-Boiled and Soft-Hearted Heroes. Throughout this session readers will discover detective stories that are uniquely American. The series begins with Raymond Chandler’s, “The Big Sleep” and “The Long Good-Bye.” Other featured books include “Death in a Tenured Position” by Amanda Cross, “The Ghostway” by Tony Hillerman, and “Killing Orders” by Sara Paretsky.

A literary expert will begin each program with a 30-40 minute talk, offering a deeper understanding of the text, the author, and the themes related to the book, allowing readers to gain new insight regarding the book before the discussion unfolds.

Shaun Perkins, Director of the Rural Oklahoma Museum of Poetry (and presenter of our second installment of the series) says of the series, “The Hard-Boiled Private Eye theme is a compelling one that begins with classics by Raymond Chandler and moves to contemporary mysteries with unique detectives in each. Teens and adults both will find something to enjoy about these books and the conversations that go with them.”
Jay and Grove will each host the same series, so participants will have two dates to choose from for each book. Come to one session, or join us for an entire series. Programs are free and open to all. Books may be picked up at either library one month prior to the book discussion. The schedule is as follows:

Brian Cowlishaw presents, The Big Sleep and The Long Goodbye by Raymond Chandler
Delaware County Library - Thursday, January 18, 2024, 5:30-7:00PM
Grove Public Library - Tuesday, January 23, 2024, 5:30-7:00PM

Shaun Perkins presents, Death in a Tenured Position by Amanda Cross
Delaware County Library - Thursday, February 15, 2024, 5:30-7:00PM
Grove Public Library - Tuesday, February 20, 2024, 5:30-7:00PM

Christopher Owen presents, The Ghostway by Tony Hillerman
Delaware County Library - Thursday, March 21, 2024, 5:30-7:00PM
Grove Public Library - Tuesday, March 26, 2024, 5:30-7:00PM

Andrew Vassar presents, Killing Orders by Sara Paretsky
Delaware County Library - Thursday, April 18, 2024, 5:30-7:00PM
Grove Public Library - Tuesday, April 23, 2024, 5:30-7:00PM

For more information about the event, contact Shelly Cook, Delaware County Library, 918-786-0103 ext. 301, scook@eols.org or Brenda Newnam, Grove Public Library, 918-786-2945 ext. 221, bnewnam@eols.org.

This program is made possible by a grant from Oklahoma Humanities with generous funding and support from Kirkpatrick Family Fund, McCasland Foundation, Oklahoma City Community Foundation, Union Pacific, and Oklahoma City University.

About Oklahoma Humanities
Oklahoma Humanities (OH) is an independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to strengthen the communities by helping Oklahomans learn about the human experience, understand new perspectives, and participate knowledgeably in civic life. As the state partner for the National Endowment for the Humanities, OH is a grant-making organization that provides a free educational magazine, Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibits, reading and discussion groups, and other cultural opportunities. OH engages people in their own communities, stimulating discussion and helping them explore the wider world of human experience.