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Book Club: Summer sun and reading fun

Richmond Public Library is pleased to offer a series of programs to promote Adult Summer Reading during June, July and August.
Simon Choa-Johnston
Simon Choa-Johnston wrote the House of Wives

Richmond Public Library is pleased to offer a series of programs to promote Adult Summer Reading during June, July and August.

This summer, adult readers can participate in a Reading Challenge, enjoy long walks and book talks with the new Walking Book Club and join for an exclusive, author talk. 

The Adult Summer Reading Challenge will begin June 7 and runs until Aug. 31. Participants can register in-person or online and they can pick up their challenge cards at any Richmond Public Library branch.

At the end of the summer, readers can turn in their completed cards for the chance to win amazing prizes. The Challenge kicks off on June 7 from 7 - 8 p.m. with library staff presenting their favourite books of the season and offering book recommendations. 

On June 17, July 15 and Aug. 19, the library will be offering will be a new adult book club, the Walking Book Club.

Each session a different book will be discussed while walking around different parks within the City of Richmond. Registration is required.

Participants can pick up a copy at the front desk of the Brighouse Branch as early as four weeks before the meeting. 

On June 20 from 7 - 8 p.m. at the Brighouse (Main) Branch, Simon Choa-Johnston will speak about the background of the opium trade, the route his ancestors took and how they became involved in the trade, as well as women’s issues of the time.

This presentation will be followed by a Q&A and discussion on subjects such as history versus fiction, the morality of opium trade, the custom of wealthy men having multiple wives and how that affects their offspring. 

Choa-Johnston is the author of The House of Wives, an historical novel inspired by the lives of the author’s grandfather who was a 19th century Jewish opium merchant. 

 “The mission of the Richmond Public Library is fostering lifelong learning. As part of the library’s commitment to this ideal, we are very excited to be offering programs especially tailored for adults designed to encourage reading enjoyment during the summer,” says Ariana Galeano, Learning Place Librarian.

To find out more about Adult Summer Reading activities at the library, come in to any Richmond Public Library Branch, call 604-231-6413 or register online using the library’s event calendar.