By SARA VAN DYCK Special to the Daily Press
Although Santa Monica’s Main Library is closed, activities continue at the branches and around the city.
The recently-launched “Citywide Reads” program offers adult and teen-age readers opportunities to join in discussions of “Balzac” and the “Little Chinese Seamstress,” by Dai Sije. This best-selling novel, fast to read, is available in paperback at the library, local bookstores, and Costco.
Set during the Cultural Revolution in China of the 1970s, it explores love, adventure, and the meaning of freedom, as discovered by its teen-age protagonists.
This citywide book club is designed to promote discussion among a wide range of readers, and groups are free and open to all. Trained leaders will lead groups at: ■Thursday, April 24, 10 a.m. – Douglas Park Clubhouse, 25th Street and Wilshire Boulevard. ■Friday, April 25, 3 p.m. – Reed Park Auditorium, Seventh Street and Wilshire Boulevard. ■Wednesday, April 30, 7 p.m. – Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Montana Store, 1426 Montana Ave. ■Wednesday, April 30, 7 p.m. – Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Main Street Store, 2901 Main St. ■Saturday, May 3, 11 a.m. – Ocean Park Branch Library, 2601 Main St. ■Sunday, May 4, 2 p.m. – Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Ocean Park Store, 3150 Ocean Park Blvd. ■Thursday, May 8, 7 p.m. – Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, 2nd Street Store, 200 Santa Monica Blvd. ■Thursday, May 8, 7 p.m. – Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Third St. Promenade Store, 1312 Third St. Promenade. ■Saturday, May 10, 10:30 a.m. – Montana Avenue Branch Library, 1704 Montana Ave. ■Friday, May 16, 12:30 p.m. - Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, 9th/Wilshire Store, 829 Wilshire Blvd. Discussions for teens: ■Saturday, April 26, 3 p.m. – 18th St. Coffeehouse, 1725 Broadway. ■Thursday, May 15, 7 p.m. – YMCA Teen Center, 1332 Sixth St.
Santa Monica Festival ■May 17, Cloverfield Park: Storytelling, music, readings, and crafts inspired by Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress.
For more information, call Santa Monica Citywide Reads, (310) 458-8646, or visit, www. smpl.org/cwr.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 17, 2003. Read the original PDF.