Open Book Club is a group of people from Open Worship and First United Methodist Church of Denton who cares deeply about people, justice, and seek to find truth in literature. We are currently studying African American Literature with our co-facilitators, Pamela Sanders and Krystal Stroud and meeting on Zoom. You don't need any qualifications to be part of this group, just an open mind and a love of stories. We meet every other week to discuss what we've read and how it's impacted us. May we be transformed by these stories together!
Our next book will be The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna—an instant New York Times Bestseller and YA Fantasy novel. Here’s a little about the book:
“The most anticipated fantasy of 2021. In this world, girls are outcasts by blood and warriors by choice. Get ready for battle. Sixteen-year-old Deka lives in fear and anticipation of the blood ceremony that will determine whether she will become a member of her village. Already different from everyone else because of her unnatural intuition, Deka prays for red blood so she can finally feel like she belongs. But on the day of the ceremony, her blood runs gold, the color of impurity–and Deka knows she will face a consequence worse than death. Then a mysterious woman comes to her with a choice: stay in the village and submit to her fate, or leave to fight for the emperor in an army of girls just like her. They are called alaki–near-immortals with rare gifts. And they are the only ones who can stop the empire's greatest threat. Knowing the dangers that lie ahead yet yearning for acceptance, Deka decides to leave the only life she's ever known. But as she journeys to the capital to train for the biggest battle of her life, she will discover that the great walled city holds many surprises. Nothing and no one are quite what they seem to be–not even Deka herself.”
We will discuss this novel over three gatherings, Monday nights August 16, August 30, and September 13 at 8 pm to discuss on Zoom. At the first meeting, we'll be discussing Chapters 1-12. We look forward to gathering with you! Join our Facebook group to access Zoom links.