Get Lit September Book Club: James McBride with musical guest Carla Cook

Join WNYC's Alison Stewart and James McBride for a live conversation about his newest book, The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store, followed by a special musical performance from Carla Cook.

The New York Public Library and WNYC—two indispensable New York institutions—are partnering to host a book club that brings New Yorkers together and fosters community.

The September title is James McBride's The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store - a funny, tender, knockabout, gritty, and suspenseful tale of interlocking destinies and tense, absorbing drama.

As McBride's characters’ stories overlap and deepen, it becomes clear how much the people who live on the margins of white, Christian America struggle and what they must do to survive. When the truth is finally revealed, McBride shows us that even in dark times, it is love and community—heaven and earth—that sustain us.

Throughout the month, All of It host Alison Stewart and the Library will accompany readers, providing touchpoints on-air and on social media at @allofitwnyc and @nypl. Borrow the book (and more than 300,000 others) for free through the Library’s e-reader app SimplyE, available for iOS and Android devices.

Join Stewart, the author, and readers everywhere for a live conversation, in-person or online, on Wednesday, September 27 at 6 PM. The conversation will be followed by a special performance from Carla Cook. 

To join in person | Please be sure to register for an In-Person Ticket. Doors will open 30 minutes before the program. For free events, we generally overbook to ensure a full house. Priority will be given to those who have registered in advance, but registration does not guarantee admission. All registered seats are released shortly before start time, and seats may become available at that time. A standby line will form 30 minutes before the program.

To join the livestream | A livestream of this event will be available on the NYPL event page. To receive an email reminder shortly in advance of the event, please be sure to register!

COVID PROTOCOLS FOR IN-PERSON PROGRAMS

The New York Public Library no longer mandates proof of vaccination at large-scale public events.

If you have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 or suspect you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, please stay home.

ACCESSIBILITY

In-Person | Assistive listening devices and/or hearing loops are available at the venue. You can request a free ASL (American Sign Language) interpretation or CART (Communication Access Real-Time Translation) captioning service by emailing your request at least two weeks in advance of the event: email accessibility@nypl.org or use this Gmail template. This venue is fully accessible to wheelchairs.

Livestream | Captions and a transcript will be provided. You can request a free ASL (American Sign Language) interpretation by emailing your request at least two weeks in advance of the event: email accessibility@nypl.org or use this Gmail template.

GET THE BOOK

• Borrow: NYPL Catalog


• E-Book app: SimplyE, soon available on iOS and Android

Don't have a New York Public Library card? Get one here!

To see all of our previous WNYC Get Lit titles check out our book club page here!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

James McBride is the author of the New York Times–bestselling Oprah’s Book Club selection Deacon King Kong, the National Book Award–winning The Good Lord Bird, the American classic The Color of Water, the novels Song Yet Sung and Miracle at St. Anna, the story collection Five-Carat Soul, and Kill ’Em and Leave, a biography of James Brown. The recipient of a National Humanities Medal and an accomplished musician, McBride is also a distinguished writer in residence at New York University.

ABOUT THE PERFORMER

Everything Grammy-nominated singer Carla Cook sings swings. During her extraordinary career, Cook has worked with the Count Basie Orchestra, Lionel Hampton’s Big Band, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra’s The Cotton Club Parade, Jimmy Heath, Fred Wesley, Maceo Parker, Regina Carter, and more. Her band, The Carla Cook Quintet, has performed with Ron Carter, Wayne Shorter, B.B. King and Aretha Franklin for her annual Christmas Party. Cook has taught master classes at numerous universities and jazz camps and since 2007 has taught jazz voice and ensemble at Temple University. In the Fall of 2019, Cook joined the faculty of the Juilliard School teaching the vocal jazz seminar/studio for the inaugural Vocal Jazz Masters program.

CONNECT

Please submit all press inquiries to Sara Beth Joren at least 48 hours before the event: email sarabethjoren@nypl.org or use this Gmail template

For all other questions and inquiries, please email adultprogramming@nypl.org or use this Gmail template

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