The Big Read Lakeshore focuses on bringing communities together over literature, but we also go beyond Ottawa, Allegan, and Muskegon counties. This past weekend, part of our community was able to share our ideas with teachers and leaders from all over the country through the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE). Our team was …
Continue reading “The Big Read Lakeshore Heads to NCTE in Boston”
By Alex Goodwin Attention all amateur mixologists! If you’re someone who likes sweet little drinks (perhaps with a kick), look no further. Recently, Herrick Library North Branch in Holland hosted a fun event that not only talked about the history of mixology, but offered the opportunity to taste non-alcoholic versions of popular 1920s drinks. Two …
Now that The Big Read Lakeshore’s events are in full swing, we want to take some time to highlight some awesome events our community partners are putting on and encourage you to look for some events that will be interesting to you! Our student interns will be giving insight into some events we attend, so …
Continue reading “Event Recaps: Gatsby at the Hackly and Hume Home”
In order to answer this question of “why study the classics,” first we must define “the classics.” Wai Chee Dimock, English professor at Yale University, states in her article for The New York Times, “classics are classics because we aren’t done with them yet,” or to put it another way, classics are classics because they …
By Hannah Lever I was fortunate enough to be involved in four different community discussions of the 2023 Big Read novel Homegoing, by Yaa Gyasi. I attended discussions at HASP, Third Reformed Church, Warner Norcross and Judd law firm, and Freedom Village, all of which granted different insights into the novel as well as how …
Continue reading “Reflections on Leading Multiple Book Discussions”
By Nellie Wilcox On Monday, November 20, Lynda Blackmon Lowery presented at Hope College, and she started her lecture with a story. In a dark crowded cell, meant for a total of two, packed with over fifty girls’ bodies, among the crying, hugging, and fear, an alto voice sings, “We will overcome.” Her tale is …
Continue reading “Power in Sharing Stories: the Lynda Lowery Lecture”
Andrew Silagi: On Tuesday, November 14, author and illustrator Jerry Craft spoke at Hope College in front of hundreds of students. It was a joy to hear the students cry out at Craft’s mention of a time before there was internet and watch with wide eyes how he turned a bunch of seemingly random shapes …
Continue reading “Reflections on Jerry Craft’s Middle School Event”
By Kelsey Sivertson What’s the origin of your last name? I like this question. It’s a good icebreaker when getting to know new friends over a cinnamon roll for the table on a warm fall Saturday afternoon. I learned about one friend’s annual pesto parties where her extended family gathers to make fresh pesto and pasta …
Continue reading “Thoughts on Home and Yaa Gyasi’s Book Talk”
As part of Byron Borger’s lecture on Thursday, November 9, he mentioned, quoted, or read from a variety of literature, all of which he recommended to the audience as “good books.” Here are his book recommendations in no particular order: Enjoy your reading!
By Katie Mouganis Big Read had the pleasure of welcoming the self-proclaimed “Book Person” Byron Borger to Hope College this past Thursday, November 9th. Byron owns an independent bookstore in York Pennslyvania called Hearts and Minds. For 41 years, Byron has been providing literature for his community and beyond! Byron spoke on “Why Reading Widely …
