Santa Monica Public Library Announces 2021 Santa Monica Reads Selection: The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue

July 8, 2021 11:11 AM

SANTA MONICA, Calif. – 2021 marks the nineteenth anniversary of Santa Monica Public Library’s annual community reading program, Santa Monica Reads. We are pleased to announce The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue as the 2021 selection. Written in 2018-2019, The Pull of the Stars was published earlier than planned due to the COVID pandemic. As the pandemic continues into its second year, the need for libraries and connection remains as strong as ever. Virtual programs will be held during Santa Monica Reads from June 28 through August 22.  

Set in Dublin during the 1918 flu pandemic, The Pull of the Stars focuses on three women – a nurse midwife, a doctor, and a volunteer helper – and their experiences in a small maternity quarantine ward over the course of three days. They lose patients to the pandemic, but they also shepherd new life into an uncertain world. Set in a city ravaged by war and disease, Donoghue’s novel is by turns gripping and tender, and a tribute to caregivers and mothers alike who do impossible work with tenderness and humanity.  

The Library is hosting virtual special events and discussions on topics that The Pull of the Stars brings to the fore: survival, resilience, family, love, and hope. The Pull of the Stars is available in several formats from the Santa Monica Public Library, including e-copies in the Libby app, or can be purchased at a local or online bookseller. For more information, go to SMPL Online. Santa Monica Reads is sponsored by the Santa Monica Public Library and the Friends of the Santa Monica Public Library. 

Join us for these free special events and book discussions: 

Voices from COVID’s Front Lines: A Healthcare Workers Panel Discussion – A virtual discussion about healthcare and resiliency during COVID-19. Panelists include Dr. Dinora B. Chinchilla, a board-certified UCI Health Pulmonary Specialist and Jill Ruiz Carreon, a Ward Clerk Transcriber, who provides nursing staff support at Kaiser West LA. The conversation is moderated by Lindsay B. Call, MPH, Santa Monica’s COVID-19 Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Director.  
Saturday, July 10 at 2:00 p.m. | Live via Zoom; register in advance at bit.ly/2QP08GI
 
Author Talk: Emma Donoghue on The Pull of the Stars – Award-winning writer Emma Donoghue's timely story about the Great Flu of 1918 takes place in a maternity ward when Ireland is doubly ravaged by war and disease. Over three brutal days, three women come together to support patients and one another in unexpected ways. Join us for this virtual presentation and discussion about living through unprecedented times.  
Saturday, August 21 at 2:00 p.m. | Live via BlueJeans; access program at bit.ly/32FOHUz   

Santa Monica Reads book discussions are hosted by trained discussion facilitators. Discussion participants are encouraged to share their thoughts about The Pull of the Stars and its themes or are welcome to simply listen and learn more about the book.   

For more information about these free, public programs call Santa Monica Public Library or visit smpl.org/smr. We hope to see you at the Library this summer! In-person service is available at the Main Library, and contactless Curbside Pickup service is available at the Montana Avenue and Pico Branches. For a full list of programs and library resources, as well as library locations and hours, please visit our website at smpl.org.   

We encourage you to visit our Online Library and access the Library’s many digital services that are available 24/7. Questions? Call us at (310) 458-8600 or email reference@santamonica.gov. Staff are available Monday through Wednesday, 10:00am to 4:00pm, Thursday 2:00 to 8:00pm, Friday 10:00am to 4:00pm, and 1st Saturday of each month 10:00am to 4:00pm. We look forward to connecting with you.  

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Media Contact

Jennifer Boyce
Librarian II
Jennifer.Boyce@santamonica.gov

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