The city’s first lady will be opening up her home to the city’s bibliophiles to discuss books related to the New York immigrant experience.
The Gracie Book Club will officially kick off May 17 and feature selections chosen by Chirlane McCray and New York authors James Hannaham, Jacqueline Woodson and A.M. Homes. Over the next year the moderators and members will discuss six books centered around the theme of “Envisioning Distant Neighbors,” and the New York’s immigrant culture.
“We wanted to invite people in and… use the house as a tool for conversation on issues and shared experiences. ” said Gabrielle Fialkoff a senior adviser to the mayor.
McCray and Hannaham chose the first book on the reading list, “Bright Lines,” by Tanwi Nandini Islam, which is a fictional story about a Bangladeshi family who move to Brooklyn. Islam, who lives in Williamsburg, said she hopes readers gain insight from the community.
“In New York we are always rubbing against people but we never know who they are,” she said.
New Yorkers of all ages can apply for tickets for the book club’s meeting at nyc.gov/graciebookclub. Readers who can’t make it to the mansion can still participate through a livestream and interactive elements on social media platforms, according to the mayor’s office.
