Picture this: You’re nestled in your favorite reading nook, turning the pages of a captivating novel, completely immersed in its world. Meanwhile, just down Cameron Station Blvd., a neighbor is reading the very same words, experiencing the same story unfold. In these moments, separated by distance yet connected by literature, reading transcends its solitary nature and becomes a conduit for shared experiences.
Every year, the Alexandria Library hosts All Alexandria Reads, a program designed to do exactly that–create shared experiences through reading. Now through May, all four library branches—including our local Beatley Central Library—are inviting the community to read a selection of featured titles and participate in a wide range of special programs and events designed to celebrate this year’s theme: Courage. There will be author talks, plant swaps, Lego projects, a chance to taste Jamaican black cake, and much more! 2024’s recommended books are:
- Brave the Wild River, by Melissa Sevigny. A riveting non-fiction tale of two female botanists and their expectation-defying trip down the Colorado River to document the plants of the Grand Canyon.
- Black Cake, a novel by Charmaine Wilkerson. The story of an extraordinary journey through the life of a family changed forever by the choices of its matriarch.
- Plus, similar “read-alike” books for younger readers in the table below.
With the Library offering so many activities in and around the community, there is no shortage of ways to participate in All Alexandria Reads with your Cameron Station neighbors. Here are just a few ideas:
Organize a discussion group
Get a group together for a meetup at Cameron Cafe or Indochen and discuss your thoughts on one of the book selections. What was the most surprising part of Eleanor Bennett’s story in Black Cake? How did Clover and Jotter defy gender roles by undertaking their expedition in Brave the Wild River? Click here to find more prompts to help spark conversation, courtesy of Random House and Alexandria Library.
Host a viewing party
Host a viewing party for one of the virtual activities, such as the talk with Brave the Wild River author Melissa Sevigny on April 17, the discussion with local authors on how to “Write Courageously” on April 24, or the talk with history professor Brittany Merritt about sugar production and its relationship to Black Cake on May 8.
Attend an event in the community
Get a group together to attend an in-person event right here in our backyard! Enjoy space themed activities for all ages at Ben Brenman Park on April 8 during the Solar Eclipse Viewing Party (eclipse viewing glasses will be provided). Or, walk across the street to Beatley Central Library on April 4 for “Girls Who Code” where attendees will code a Mars Helicopter video game, communicate like a Mars Rover, and prepare their own NASA-approved pinhole camera (ages 8-12).
To see a full schedule of events, see the All Alexandria Reads brochure by clicking here. Happy reading!
Read-alike Selections for Young Readers
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Rust in the Root, by Justina Ireland (Young Adult)
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The Secret of the Jade Bangle, by Linda Trinh (Early Elementary)
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Clues to the Universe, by Christina Li (Middle Grade)
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The Boy Who Touched the Stars, by Jose M. Hernandez (Pre-K)
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Emma Watson has been a Cameron Station homeowner since 2022 and is the current Editor of The Compass. She is a University of California Santa Cruz graduate (Go, Banana Slugs!) and a Notre Dame fan (Go, Irish!) who hails from Los Angeles, California. When she’s not walking around the neighborhood with her husband and their dog, Duke, she is trying to lift heavy things at the gym or exploring nearby restaurants.
Kay Brown is Board President of the Friends of the Beatley Central Library. She has lived in Cameron Station since spring 2017 and has already moved once since then, but stayed within the community. She also tutors at Tucker Elementary School and, after 30+ years at the Government Accountability Office, believes in giving back locally.
The Friends of the Beatley Central Library is a nonprofit all-volunteer organization that advocates for and raises funds to advance the mission of the Beatley Central Library. To learn more, click here or visit beatleyfriends.org.
All Alexandria Reads is made possible through a generous grant from the James M. Duncan, Jr. Library Foundation, Inc.
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