Memoir Reading & Writing Club

Have you ever wanted to write a memoir? Do you enjoy reading memoirs? If your answer is yes, then this is the club for you! This will be part book club (reading examples of memoirs and personal essays), and part writing workshop. We will discuss what makes a good or bad memoir and how to get started; we will read published examples of book-length memoirs and personal essays; we will read non-fiction books on strategies for how to write; and we will workshop pieces of your own writing, getting feedback on your writing from the entire group. The writing component is optional.

This month's book is the Pulitzer Prize-winning Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt. Angela’s Ashes is Frank McCourt’s memoir of growing up in poverty in Limerick, Ireland, during the 1930s and 1940s. He describes his childhood with his mother, Angela, his siblings, and his alcoholic father, while portraying the hardships, humour, and resilience in everyday life. Through McCourt’s young perspective, the memoir explores family, religion, poverty, and the longing for a better future. The audiobook is available on Hoopla at: https://www.hoopladigital.com/audiobook/angelas-ashes-frank-mccourt/11385198. You may also call the Reference Desk at 989-755-0904 to request a paper copy. This book has been made into a very successful movie, which was released in 1999, and is also available on Hoopla at: https://www.hoopladigital.com/movie/angelas-ashes-emily-watson/10951834.

Bring a notebook or journal with you.

***Please register for this group so that we can have your contact info. You may also register by calling the reference desk at 989-755-0904, option 2.***