First Lady of New York Chirlane McCray and the Gracie Mansion Conservancy have started a book club.
The Gracie Book Club’s first event was held earlier this week at the historic Gracie Mansion, home to the mayor and his family. One hundred attendees that won tickets via a lottery were in attendance to discuss Bright Lines by Tanwi Nandini Islam, a book about Bangladeshi immigrants in Brooklyn.
The theme of this season is, “Envisioning Distant Neighbors,” inspired by the city’s diverse immigrant community. This season will have five more events. McCray will lead the discussions along with three Gracie Book Club moderators: James Hannaham, Jacqueline Woodson and A.M. Homes. Together they will choose books to read and discuss with city dwellers over the next year.
The next title is YA novel The R(evolution) of Evelyn Serrano by Sonia Manzano. McCray and Woodson will moderate the next club meeting at the New York Public Library’s St. George Library Center on July 13 at 3 p.m.