oxford reads

2021 Title is:

The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue

Oxford Reads Virtual Gala with Emma Donoghue

Saturday October 16 @ 7pm
Virtual event held on Zoom

Oxford County Library and Woodstock Public Library are excited to hold the 2021 Oxford Reads Gala featuring award-winning author and this year’s Oxford Reads pick, Emma Donoghue.Hosted by CBC’s Chris dela Torre, the evening will be an intimate conversation online with Emma Donoghue as she discusses her newest novel, The Pull of the Stars, and brings the 2021 Oxford Reads experience to a close. Her historical novel, set in Ireland in 1918 at the height of the Spanish Flu, is quite timely as it explores life, death and love during a pandemic. The doctor, who is one of the main characters in The Pull of the Stars, is based on a true historical figure. This searing account demonstrates an incredible amount of research that Donoghue weaves throughout her story. It also highlights the toll that a widespread health crisis takes on our incredible front line workers.

Oxford Reads aims to connect readers across the County while celebrating Canadian literature and fostering discussion. Oxford County Library and Woodstock Public Library are partners in promoting the Oxford Reads experience. Tickets are free and will give you access to a Zoom link to participate in the discussion. Only one (1) ticket is needed for groups of two (2) or more watching together. The event will also be streamed live on Facebook for those without a ticket to the Zoom event.

EARLY BIRDS! Reserve your ticket by Thursday September 30th at 11:59pm to be entered to win one (1) of five (5) at home viewing party kits for you and four (4) friends.

About the book

The Pull of the Stars is the newest title from Emma Donoghue, best known for her 2010 novel, Room. This historical novel is quite timely, set in Ireland in 1918 against the backdrop of the First World War, the Irish uprisings and at the height of the Spanish Flu.

The doctor, who is one of the main characters in the story is based on a true historical figure. This searing account demonstrates an incredible amount of research that Donoghue weaves throughout her story. It explores life, death and love during a pandemic. It also highlights the toll that a community spread health crisis takes on our incredible front line workers. The Pull of the Stars will leave a deep impact on you long after reading.

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About The Author: Emma Donoghue

Born in Dublin, Ireland, in October 1969, I am the youngest of eight children of Frances and Denis Donoghue (the literary critic). I attended Catholic convent schools in Dublin, apart from one eye-opening year in New York at the age of ten. In 1990 I earned a first-class honours BA in English and French from University College Dublin (unfortunately, without learning to actually speak French). I moved to England, and in 1997 received my PhD (on the concept of friendship between men and women in eighteenth-century English fiction) from the University of Cambridge. From the age of 23, I have earned my living as a writer, and have been lucky enough to never have an ‘honest job’ since I was sacked after a single summer month as a chambermaid. After years of commuting between England, Ireland, and Canada, in 1998 I settled in London, Ontario, where I live with Chris Roulston and our son Finn and daughter Una. - From author's website www.emmadonoghue.com

If You Liked The Pull of the Stars...

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Previous Selections

2021 - Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue
2020 - Crow by Amy Spurway
2019 - Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice
2018 - The Purchase by Linda Spalding

About Oxford Reads

A collaboration between Oxford County Library and Woodstock Public Library.

A community-wide reading initiative that connects each of Oxford County’s unique communities while celebrating Canadian literature and fostering discussion.

Selection Criteria

Book is written by a Canadian author
Is a work of fiction OR non-fiction published within the last five (5) years
Has the potential to appeal to a broad audience
Title can generate discussion on a variety of topics/issues
There is diverse program potential and can work as a community builder
The author will ideally have some name recognition or acclaimed work

Thank you to:

ECW Press
Merrifield Book Shop
Whitehots

The Writers Union of Canada
the writes union of Canada logo