October is fast approaching and that means that Harris County Public Library, partner libraries, and other organizations across southeast Texas are gearing up for another October of shared reading, lively discussion, and events designed to deepen your reading experience.
Now in its thirteenth year, Gulf Coast Reads is a regional reading initiative focused on the simultaneous reading of a selected title. This year's selection, chosen by popular vote, is The Fishermen and the Dragon by Kirk Wallace Johnson. The book, subtitled "Fear, Greed, and A Fight for Justice on the Gulf Coast," is "a gripping, twisting account of a small town set on fire by hatred, xenophobia, and ecological disaster, a story that weaves together corporate malfeasance, a battle over shrinking natural resources, a turning point in the modern white supremacist movement, and one woman's relentless battle for environmental justice." Part true crime, part social history, and part environmental warning, The Fishermen and the Dragon is a page-turner that will keep you enthralled to the last sentence.
GCR Highlights @ HCPL
But reading the book is only part of the fun. As always, you will have plenty of opportunities to share your thoughts on the book with fellow readers at special book discussions and this year HCPL and the Gulf Coast Reads Committee are excited to announce they will be hosting a free, live virtual author visit by Kirk Wallace Johnson moderated by renowned Texas investigative journalist and author Lise Olsen (Code of Silence). The event will be livestreamed on Tuesday, October 24 at 6:30 PM on HCPL's YouTube Channel and Facebook page.
Kirk Wallace Johnson Livestream: Youtube: @harriscountypl | Facebook: @harriscountypl
Evelyn Meador Branch Library in Seabrook will host a free screening of the award-winning documentary Seadrift directed by Tim Tsai. The documentary is an excellent companion to the book and brings different perspectives. Better yet, after the screening, Director Tim Tsai will join us for a virtual Q&A and conversation with the audience. Tuesday, October 10 at 6 PM. More info.
Join us LIVE online for a conversation with author Kirk Wallace Johnson moderated by award-winning investigative journalist Lise Olsen on Tuesday, October 24 at 6:30 PM: LIVESTREAM
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Evelyn Meador Branch Library and the Gulf Coast Reads Committee host a FREE screening of the award-winning documentary Seadrift on Tuesday, October 10 at 7:15 PM. A live virtual Q&A with director Tim Tsai follows the screening. Learn more
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Explore all Gulf Coast Reads Events at HCPL
Learn more about Gulf Coast Reads and events at partner locations
Dive Deeper with Related Reads
HCPL staff have put together reading recommendation lists to help you keep going with Gulf Coast Reads. We have companion lists for teens and kids, readalikes and more.
Inspired by the 2023 Gulf Coast Reads pick: The Fishermen & the Dragon: Fear, Greed, and a Fight for Justice on the Gulf Coast by Kirk Wallace Johnson, this youth companion list features themes of social and environmental justice.
Inspired by the 2023 Gulf Coast Reads pick: The Fishermen & the Dragon: Fear, Greed, and a Fight for Justice on the Gulf Coast by Kirk Wallace Johnson, this kids companion list features themes of environmental protection, Vietnamese experiences, and community.
Some stories and information about Fishing in Texas and along the Gulf Coast.
The pick for 2023 is The Fishermen and the Dragon by Kirk Wallace Johnson. Join a book discussion at your local branch or participate in any of the Gulf Coast Reads programs for 2023. Find out more at gulfcoastreads.org!
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