Bestselling Author Celeste Ng Will Visit Watertown to Talk Libraries & Censorship
The following press release was provided by the Watertown Free Public Library
WATERTOWN – On Thursday, March 21, The Watertown Free Public Library will welcome New York Times bestselling author Celeste Ng for a conversation about her novel Our Missing Hearts, the importance of libraries, and the present-day fight for the right to read. This event is free and open to all, with registration opening on March 1. ASL and CART services will be provided, courtesy of the Watertown Commission on Disability.
Ng’s visit marks the 16th year of One Book, One Watertown, a community-wide event organized by the Watertown Free Public Library (WFPL). In January, the Library announced Ng’s Our Missing Hearts as the 2024 selection and made extra copies available for patrons. In one week, Library patrons cleared the shelves, so librarians ordered even more copies.
“I love this novel because it grapples with censorship and its chilling effects that are happening here—not just in distant places,” says Programming Librarian Allie Fry. “If we’re willing to see this reality, we can also see we’re not powerless—when we work together.”
Leading up to Ng’s talk, the Library will host free art programs, talks, and discussions inspired by the themes of Our Missing Hearts. Here’s what the Library has planned:
Community Book Discussion
Wednesday, 3/6 | 7 PM | at WFPL
Watertown Race Reels Screening — Rising Against Asian Hate: One Day in March
Thursday, 3/14 | 5:30 PM | at WFPL
Practices in Collective Dreamwork with Crystal Bi
Saturday, 3/16 | 1–3 PM | at WFPL
Democracy Talks: Child Removal in the U.S.
Tuesday, 3/19 | 7 PM | Online only via Zoom, registration is required.
An Evening with Celeste Ng
Thursday, 3/21 | 6:30 PM | at WFPL
Registration is required and begins at 9 AM on Friday, 3/1.
ASL and CART services will be provided at the event, courtesy of the Watertown Commission on Disability.
Our Missing Hearts is available in the Minuteman catalog. Extra copies are available on the second floor of Watertown Free Public Library (WFPL), across from the Reference Desk. eAudiobook and eBook copies can be reserved through the Library’s free Libby app.
To learn more and register for events, visit watertownlib.org/onebook
About One Book, One Watertown
Each year, the Watertown Free Public Library chooses a book, encourages everyone in the community to read it, and hosts a variety of programs related to the book. This community reading program is known as One Book, One Watertown.
About WFPL
The Watertown Free Public Library provides access to a wide variety of popular materials, resources, services, and programs that fulfill the informational, cultural, and recreational needs of Watertown and surrounding communities. Our Library works to create an environment that attracts and welcomes users of all ages and abilities. watertownlib.org
Recent Stories
-
Watertown Robotics Team Among Best in the Greater Boston Area, Helped Set World Record During First-Ever Competition Victory
WATERTOWN – The Watertown High School Robotics team recently came in first place in the FIRST Robotics Greater Boston District competition. In the process, they set the 2024 world record for highest combined point total in a match. From April 4-6, the team will compete in the FIRST New England District event in Springfield, MA.…
-
Pigsgusset Initiative and Watertown Library to Premiere Award Winning Documentary “Stonebreakers”
The following press release was provided by the Pigsgusset Initiative WATERTOWN – Community members are invited to attend the Watertown debut of Stonebreakers, an award winning documentary, that will be showing at the Watertown Free Public Library on April 11, 2024 from 6:30 – 8:30 P.M. Stonebreakers chronicles the conflicts around monuments that arose in…
-
Watertown Porchfest Organizers Share What You Need to Know About City’s Inaugural Musical Extravaganza
WATERTOWN – The City of Watertown will be hosting its first-ever Porchfest on Saturday, May 18th from 12pm-5pm. The event will feature performances from a wide range of artists – not just musicians. There are already dozens of performers from Watertown and elsewhere signed up for the event, but organizers are also looking for more…