In conjunction with the Mental Health Association Oklahoma’s 2016 National Zarrow Mental Health Symposium, Tulsa City-County Library is offering a communitywide reading initiative focusing on the nonfiction book “The Soloist: A Lost Dream, an Unlikely Friendship and the Redemptive Power of Music” by Steve Lopez and the themes of mental illness and homelessness.
In this poignant, beautifully told story, Lopez recounts his real-life encounter and friendship with Nathaniel Ayers, who 30 years earlier had been a promising classical bass student at Juilliard – ambitious, charming and also one of the few African-Americans – until he gradually lost his ability to function, overcome by schizophrenia. When Lopez meets him, Ayers is homeless, paranoid and deeply troubled, but glimmers of that brilliance are still there. Copies of “The Soloist” are available for checkout through the Tulsa City-County Library.
After reading the book, expand your “One Book, One Tulsa” experience by meeting the author and seeing the movie adaptation of the book – all while getting a sneak peek at the renewed Central Library before it officially opens to the public.
Lopez will discuss “The Soloist,” answer questions from the audience and sign books at a free presentation on Wednesday, Sept. 28 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Central Library, Fifth Street and Denver Avenue, on the first floor. Copies of the book will be available for purchasing, courtesy of Barnes & Noble. Sign up for the author presentation at https://onebooklopez.eventbrite.com or call 918-549-7323.
On Thursday, Sept. 29, Central Library will host a free outdoor showing of the movie adaptation of the book from 7 to 9 p.m. in the new A.R. and MaryLouise Tandy Foundation Children’s Garden. The movie is rated PG-13. Bring a blanket or lawn chair to sit on. Sign up for the film showing at http://onebookfilm.eventbrite.com or call 918-549-7323.
After attending these events, make plans to join Tulsa City-County Library for the official grand opening of the Central Library on Saturday, Oct. 1 at 11 a.m. The spectacular grand opening will feature fun for the entire family.
“One Book, One Tulsa” is sponsored by the Tulsa Library Trust, Mental Health Association Oklahoma and Community Solutions, with assistance from the Mary K. Chapman Foundation and George Kaiser Family Foundation.
For more information about “One Book, One Tulsa” and related programming, call 918-549-7323.