Politics & Government

All Fairfax Reads, Now Meets

Four programs focus on this year's book, Little Princes.

The largest book club in Fairfax County meets this month, and everyone is invited.

All Fairfax Reads, the annual program organized by Fairfax County Public Library, culminates with four events focused on this year's book by Conor Grennan.

Little Princes: One Man’s Promise to Bring Home the Lost Children of Nepal recounts the true-story of a volunteer stint in a Nepalese village that shifted to a personal mission to reconnect trafficked children with their families.

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The month's All Fairfax Reads events kick-off with Expedition to Nepal: Beyond Everest at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 13 at . Mountaineer and filmmaker Peter Athanswill describe his travels, archaeological discoveries and humanitarian work in Nepal.

On Wednesday, Sept. 14,  hosts a 7 p.m. discussion with writer Wendi Kaufman. Kaufman reviews for The Washington Post, teaches creative writing at Johns Hopkins University, and is the creator and editor of the D.C.-based literary blog, The Happy Booker. She is finishing her first collection of short stories, Life Above Sea Level.

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Kings Park Library in Burke is hosts Himalayan Religion and the Culture of Nepal on Sept. 15 at 7 p.m. Georgetown University Professor Benjamin Bogin will discuss the religion and culture of Nepal, using passages from the book as jumping off points.

All Fairfax Reads culminates Sept. 21 when the book's author speaks at 7:30 p.m. at George Mason University's Harris Theater as part of the Fall for the Book Festival.

Registration for all events is available on the library's website.

“These programs bring the community together,” said Ted Kavich, program and educational services manager for Fairfax County Public Library.

The book choice for All Fairfax reads is announced in May. While residents are reading over the summer, library staffers are busy planning September events. "Folks have plenty of time to read the book while anticipation builds," said Kavich.

Kavich said that judging from the feedback he's received, Little Princes was a good choice.  “The book has some meat to it,” he said. "Some people didn’t like the author at first, finding him too self-absorped, but that makes for good discussion." The book also contains harrowing passages and political issues.

Book selection for next year begins soon.  Kavich said anyone may make recommendations. "The best books for the program are those easy to discuss, interesting and thought provoking," Kavich said.

All Fairfax Reads is cosponsored by Friends of the Reston Regional Library, the Fairfax Library Foundation, and Fall for the Book.


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