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Read the book all of Arlington Heights is talking about - The Two Lives of Sara by Catherine Adel West. One Book, One Village (OBOV), now in its tenth year, invites the community to read the same book at the same time and share in the experience through related programs and book discussions.

Copies of The Two Lives of Sara are now available for checkout at the library, at the Senior Center, on the bookmobile or online on cloudLibrary and hoopla. Holds can be picked up on the bookmobile, at the Senior Center, at the drive-up window or inside the library on the hold shelves.

This year's OBOV will culminate with an in-person visit by the author on Thursday, October 26. Catherine will be joined in conversation with journalist Natalie Moore. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Click here to register for this special event.

RESERVE YOUR COPY AND START READING THE TWO LIVES OF SARA TODAY:

Book | Large Print | CD Audiobook | eBook | eAudiobook

About the Book

Set in 1960s segregated Memphis, The Two Lives of Sara is a compelling work of historical fiction that takes readers on an emotional, unforgettable journey. Sara King leaves Chicago and finds her way to Memphis to escape the ghosts of...

About the Author

Catherine Adel West was born and raised in Chicago, where she currently resides. She graduated with both her Bachelor’s degree and Master of Science in Journalism from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Her work is published in Black Fox Literary...

Attend a Discussion

Are there practical insights and wisdom you will take away from this book that illuminate a larger social issue? Was there anything you learned from The Two Lives of Sara about civil rights in the 1960s that you found surprising? What role...

For Your Book Club

Discuss The Two Lives of Sara with your own book group. We have sets of books available for checkout.

Request a set of books.

We've prepared a list of thought-provoking discussion questions to help get your book club's discussion...

Explore More

Want to dig deeper into the themes behind The Two Lives of Sara? Explore these resources:

Civil Rights Movement

The Murder of Emmett Till: Watch this episode of American Experience and learn about Emmett Till, a 14-year-old African American boy...

Listen and Learn

The Two Lives of Sara takes place in 1960s Memphis. Like many cities in early 1960s America, Memphis was segregated, but change was in the air. News spread of the Freedom Riders. Across the country, people like Martin Luther King Jr. were...

One Book, One Village Programs

24
Sep

One Book, One Village: ESL Book Discussion - (Title TBD)

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM /ESL/Literacy Office

5
Oct

Bookmobile at Autumn Harvest

11:00 AM - 2:00 PM /Offsite

29
Oct

One Book, One Village: ESL Book Discussion - (Title TBD)

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM /ESL/Literacy Office

One Book, One Village Lists

Adult Fiction Book List Inspired by The Two Lives of Sara

Themes include civil rights, racial inequality, MLK, motherhood, female friendship, the 1960s, Memphis, jazz music and cooking.

Adult Nonfiction Book List Inspired by The Two Lives of Sara

Themes include civil rights, racial inequality, MLK, motherhood, female friendship, the 1960s, Memphis, jazz music and cooking.

Kids Book List Inspired by The Two Lives of Sara

Fiction and nonfiction books for kids in grades K-3 that feature similar themes to the 2023 One Book, One Village title, The Two Lives of Sara. Themes include civil rights, racial inequality, MLK, motherhood, female friendship, the 1960s, Memphis, jazz music and cooking.

Tween Book List Inspired by The Two Lives of Sara

Fiction and nonfiction books for tweens in grades 4-6 that feature similar themes to the 2023 One Book, One Village title, The Two Lives of Sara. Themes include civil rights, racial inequality, MLK, motherhood, female friendship, the 1960s, Memphis, jazz music and cooking.

Teen Book List Inspired by The Two Lives of Sara

Fiction and nonfiction books for teens in grades 7-12 that feature similar themes to the 2023 One Book, One Village title, The Two Lives of Sara. Themes include civil rights, racial inequality, MLK, motherhood, female friendship, the 1960s, Memphis, jazz music and cooking.