The African American Book Club at the Palmdale Library will discuss “If By Chance” by D’Norgia Taylor on April 18 at 6:45 p.m.
The book focuses on a small community in the Pacific Northwest that is traumatized by tragedy and humiliation. The outrage among the citizenry is so great that people don’t want to talk about it. Some residents keep the stories hidden deep inside their psyche … others take the tales to their graves. When Byron Jr. discovers that a generational curse has affected everyone in the community, he must find the origin of the “spell” so that he can free future generations from the nightmare. And just prior to his death, a time traveler finds Byron Jr. and helps reveal the generational secrets.
The next evening, April 19, the Mystery, Murder and Mayhem club will unpack “Elizabeth is Missing” by Emma Healy. They’ll meet at 7 p.m.
Maud, an aging grandmother, is slowly losing her memory and her grip on everyday life. However, she refuses to forget her best friend Elizabeth whom she is convinced is missing and in terrible danger. No one would listen to the elderly Maud, not even her daughter, Helen, nor caretakers, the police and especially not her rather mercurial son, Peter. But she has handwritten notes that she leaves for herself to remind her of the overwhelming belief that Elizabeth needs help. Maud resolves to discover the truth and find and save her beloved friend.
Both book clubs welcome new members at each session; the African American Book Club meets on the third Tuesday of each month, and the mystery book discussion takes place on the third Wednesday of each month.
The Palmdale Library, 700 E. Palmdale Blvd., is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. For more details, visit www.cityofpalmdale.org/library or call (661) 267-5600.
