February 1, 2023

‘Stories to Broaden Understanding’ Authors Series at Montgomery County Public Libraries Continues with Guests Reem Faruqi, Mojdeh Bahar, Diana Abu-Jaber

Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) is offering a series of free author talks from February to April 2023 in partnership with the Office of Community Partnerships’ Middle Eastern American Advisory Group (MEAGG) and the Baltimore Luxor Alexandria Sister City Committee. The free talks will include Reem Faruqi on Tuesday, Feb. 7; Mojdeh Bahar on Tuesday, March 7; and Diana Abu-Jaber on Tuesday, April 11.

“Stories to Broaden Understanding” will have authors Faruqi and Abu-Jaber appearing virtually and author Bahar appearing in at the Rockville Memorial Library. Advance registration is required to participate in each program.

“We are delighted to work with our partners and bring these incredibly accomplished authors to MCPL to share their stories with Montgomery County residents,” said MCPL Director Anita Vassallo. “This is a unique opportunity to learn first-hand about their work and their creative processes.”

Information about the authors participating in the Stories to Broaden Understanding series:
  • Reem Faruqi. Tuesday, Feb. 7. 7-8 p.m. Virtual. Reem Faruqi will talk about Milloo’s Mind: The Story of Maryam Faruqi, Trailblazer for Women’s Education. The book is the story of Reem’s grandmother, who founded Happy Home Schools. The schools educated thousands of girls across Pakistan at a time when girls were not encouraged to go to school. Register at https://mcpl.libnet.info/event/7813041.
  • Mojdeh Bahar. Tuesday, March 7. 7-8 p.m. Rockville Memorial Library, 21 Maryland Ave., Rockville. A patent attorney and technology transfer professional in the public sector, Mojdeh Bahar currently chairs the board of directors of the Iranian-American Community Center. Ms. Bahar will discuss the power of poetry in any language and her process of translation. Milkvetch and Violets is her first book of translations from one of her favorite contemporary Persian poets, Mohammad Reza Shafi'i-Kadkani. Register at https://mcpl.libnet.info/event/7817344.
  • Diana Abu-Jaber. Tuesday, April 11. 7-8 p.m. Virtual. Born to an American mother and a Jordanian father, Diana Abu-Jaber teaches writing and literature at Portland State University in Oregon. Ms. Abu-Jaber will talk about her newest book, Fencing with the King, which has been described as a “mesmerizing breakthrough novel of family myths and inheritances.” Register at https://mcpl.libnet.info/event/7813047.
For more information about the series, contact Clotilde Puértolas at Clotilde.puertolas@montgomerycountymd.gov.