Parsons Public Library Hosts Book Discussions

Parsons Public Library will host a three-part fall book discussion series titled Turning Points: Stories of Women Choosing Their Own Paths in partnership with Humanities Kansas. The first will be at 6 p.m., Monday, Sept. 9, when Trish Reeves will lead a discussion of Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. Copies of the book are available now.
Lessons in Chemistry shares the journey of a brilliant, female chemist challenging societal norms in the 1960s. Elizabeth Zott finds herself simultaneously hosting a science-focused TV cooking show, learning how to be a single mother, and struggling with grief.
Discussion Leader Trish Reeves has been a TALK Discussion Leader since 1993. She taught Creative Writing, English, and American Indian Literature at Haskell Indian Nations University for 21 years. Her fourth book of poetry came out in April 2023 from Cynren Press. Trish is an accomplished poet and fiction writer whose work has been published widely in literary anthologies and magazines. Reeves has a Bachelor’s of Journalism degree from the University of Missouri, and a Master’s of Fine Arts degree from Warren Wilson College in North Carolina. She facilitates Changing Lives Through Literature for Johnson County Corrections.
The series continues with a discussion of The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett on Monday, Oct. 14, led by Dr. Carmaletta Williams. The final book will be The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. Sister Rosemary Kolich will lead that discussion on Nov. 4.
Humanities Kansas, a non-profit cultural organization, sponsors the discussions as part of its Talk About Literature in Kansas program. The group furnished the books and discussion leaders for the Parsons TALK series. More information about Humanities Kansas can be found at www.humanitieskansas.org.
Parsons Public Library is located at 311 S. 17th St. For more information about the events, contact the library by calling 620-421-5920.