UC San Diego Library Joins One Book, One San Diego for 10th Anniversary Celebration

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The UC San Diego Library has joined KPBS, the San Diego Public Library, San Diego County Library, and other local partners in celebrating the 10th anniversary of the popular One Book, One San Diego community reading program, an initiative launched in San Diego to encourage a shared reading experience focused on reading and discussing “One Book.” To commemorate the 10^th anniversary, One Book sponsors are welcoming back many of the outstanding authors whose books were One Book selections over the last decade.

On Thursday, November 3, the UC San Diego Library will host a One Book event featuring author Zohreh Ghahremani, who will discuss the themes and issues presented in her acclaimed debut novel, Sky of Red Poppies, which was the One Book selection in 2012. Babak Rahimi, a professor of Communication, Culture and Religion at UC San Diego, will guide and facilitate the discussion with Ghahremani. The discussion will be followed by a reception, which will include traditional Persian food, music by the UC San Diego undergraduate ensemble, Sibarg, and a book signing with the author. Copies of the book will be available for purchase. The Geisel Library event will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. To make reservations for the event, please visit www.RedPoppies.eventbrite.com. Walk-ins will be accommodated on a first come, first serve basis if seats are available.

Sky of Red Poppies traces a unique friendship between two very different young women who form a bond in Iran during the turbulent and dangerous 1960s, when Iran was still ruled by the Shah. As the tale unfolds, the history and culture of Iran continues to shape their very different life experiences. Ghahremani, born and raised in Iran, moved to San Diego in 2000 after she decided to leave her career as a dentist in Chicago to become a writer. Her writing has won several awards, including 1st place in California Stories (2005) and San Diego Book Awards (2004), and Best Fiction at Santa Barbara Writers Conference (2004). Her latest novel, The Moon Daughter, was published in 2013.

For more information on One Book, One San Diego events in the region, visit: www.kpbs.com/onebook.