2015 - All the Light We Cannot See
A tale of an orphan boy in Nazi Germany who has a gift with radio; a blind girl who is part of the resistance in occupied France; an old man who is haunted by the ghosts of his past; and a gem that curses whoever owns it with health and long life was the book for the 2015 Lake Oswego Reads.
Thirty-two events were held throughout February as part of the reading of this novel with over 16,000 people in attendance. Events included a discussion with a panel of veterans of World War II; French and German wine tasting; French music; an art show of artwork based on the book from 19 artists; book discussions; talks from experts in blindness, gemology, World War II, and radio; History professor discussions on Nazism, Hitler Youth, and Childhood in Nazi Germany; World War II displays; and a presentation by Anthony Doerr about “The 10-year Journey of Writing All the Light We Cannot See.” This book was named the Pulitzer Prize winner for best fiction two months after Lake Oswego read it.
52 Reasons to Love Lake Oswego: http://lovelakeoswego.com/2015/01/04/lake-oswego-reads-kicks-off-with-free-book-giveaway-this-tuesday/
Lake Oswego Reads Kickoff: http://portlandtribune.com/lor/48-news/246234-114087-celebrating-a-love-of-reading
Alter Weiner Holocaust Presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvN4iniJ2TU
Geoff Norcross The Role of Radio in Current Events: http://www.ci.oswego.or.us/streams/library/LOReadsRadio.mp3
Veterans Panel and Peace Pole Dedication: https://www.ci.oswego.or.us/loreads/veterans-panel-video
St. Malo images slideshow: https://www.ci.oswego.or.us/loreads/historic-photos-saint-malo
Join us to celebrate the beginning of the 9th annual Lake Oswego Reads! Come on down to the Library on opening night to receive a free copy of All the Light We Cannot See. Be sure to bring your Lake Oswego Library card to receive a copy of this book generously donated by the Friends of the Lake Oswego Library.
View displays related to the 9th annual Lake Oswego Reads program through the months of January and February. Come on down to the Library to see WWII scrapbooks, letters, postcards, newspapers & artifacts; a braille copy of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea; and a WWII memory board where visitors can contribute to the display.
To encourage empathetic experience with the book’s blind character Marie-Laure, we will be giving a demonstration of the Low Vision/Blind computer upstairs in the Lake Oswego Library.
Professor Brian Els, Department of History at University of Portland, will speak about how Doerr’s novel touches on a great number of themes related to power, responsibility, and the results of decisions people make even when they are young.
Let your imagination take you on a trip from the world of light into Marie-Laure’s unique experience. Close your eyes and listen attentively with your hearing primed to the sensation of sound, as Marie-Laure would, to the music of this French cabaret band.
Hear Thayer speak about his military career. One of Oregon’s finest military and civic leaders, James Thayer joined the U.S. Army in 1942 as a young man, earning the prestigious Silver and Bronze Stars for his combat heroics in Europe during World War II.
Close your eyes and envision the changing, contrasting scenes of All the Light We Cannot See, the characters struggling for their voices to be heard, the emotions and subtleties of their journey vividly painting a story. Think about the sensations evoked. Now open your eyes to the portrayal of another’s vision in our Art Unveiling.
Marie-Laure reads 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Visit a private theater to watch the movie and then enjoy complimentary appetizers and refreshments at Fancho's Lounge. RSVP requested.
See and hear antique WWII-era radios. Feel handcrafted wooden boxes and bowls. Taste French wine and German beer and sausages. Experience science, puzzles, games, miniature victory garden, art, artifacts and more.
Celebrate Europe with a special tasting of wine from France and Germany presented by World Class Wines. This event will feature a Riesling and a red French wine with assorted French cheeses.
Holocaust survivor and author of From a Name to a Number, Alter Wiener will share his experiences as a young man during WWII. Through sharing his experience of a time in our history which must never be forgotten, Mr. Wiener's message is ultimately one of tolerance and strength.
Corinna Campbell-Sack has trained Guide Dogs for the Blind puppies for five years. She will share her experiences preparing the puppies to serve and empower individuals who are blind or vision impaired. She will tell about the program and the requirements to be a puppy trainer.
Known as the French Troubadour, Eric John Kaiser will perform his unique style of Parisian Americana music. His performance will feature vocals and guitar.
Lake Oswego Women’s Club will host a complimentary community dessert buffet in the Lake Oswego High School cafeteria at 6 pm followed by author Anthony Doerr speaking in the auditorium. Sharing some of his background and the sense of wonder which inspired him to become a writer, Doerr will discuss his 10-year journey of writing All the Light We Cannot See.
“We live in exceptional times.” This panel discussion will include memories of universal experiences, such as rationing and blackouts, as well as a New Zealand woman's fear of Japanese invasion, an American girl's connection to the Manhattan Project and a German boy's exposure to firebombing raids.
An event like Lake Oswego Reads highlights community connection through shared experience. You are invited to join the conversation and share your ideas of the book with others in the community and enrich your experience of Lake Oswego Reads.
Join Police Chief Don Johnson, former Mayor Jack Hoffman, and Rian Lasley from the Bike Gallery on our novel-inspired bike ride from the Library to St. Honore and then to Jefe Mex, and back again to the Library. Registration required.
Like Werner, Geoff Norcross has talked on the radio since the day he turned 16, doing hay reports and funeral notices for a tiny AM station in the hills of West Virginia. After working in several markets around the country, he landed in Portland in 2008. He will discuss his personal history with radio, and the role of radio in historical and current events.
Professor Maureen Healy of the Department of History at Lewis & Clark College will examine the Nazi Party’s efforts to mobilize certain children before and during World War II. Ironically, the Party idealized the virtues of family, but at the same time attempted to weaken bonds between parents and children. Childhood is a useful and illuminating lens through which to view World War II.
Mona Miller, owner of Pacific Gem Lab, will speak downstairs at the Lakewood Center about her life as a gemologist. A resident G.I.A. Graduate Gemologist, Master Gemologist appraiser and Accredited Senior Gemologist, Miller can answer all your questions about the mythical sea of flames and von Rumpel’s obsession with different gems. Reservations and fee required.
An event like Lake Oswego Reads highlights community connection through shared experience. You are invited to join the conversation and share your ideas of the book with others in the community and enrich your experience of Lake Oswego Reads.
Meet Richard Turner, Training Center Director at the Oregon Commission for the Blind, and hear his experience of losing his sight at age 12. He will also share current technology most often used by people who are blind as well as some of the myths about blindness. Bring questions as he enjoys discussion!
“A home when I needed one most.” The Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary began caring for orphans soon after their arrival in Portland in 1859. In 1908, they established St. Mary’s Home for Girls in Oswego. It later became known as the Christie Orphan Home, the Christie Home and Christie School. This program will explore the Christie legacy of care through an historical overview, the memories of former residents and an exhibit.
See to Read is a program driven by the notion that no child should begin learning to read and write with an undetected vision problem. This program is dedicated to the sight and the success of Oregon’s children. Trained screeners from the Oregon Elks and Oregon Lions will be administering free vision screenings.
Dominique Guelin will demonstrate the artful process of baking bread, as we might imagine Madame Ruelle would have done. He will also reveal the story of his childhood and the memory of growing up in a small coastal town in France just after WWII had come to an end.
World War II veterans will share memories of the war: Art Sorenson, who was awarded a Silver Star, two Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart; Dr. David Grimwood, a B17 pilot and Base Operations Officer and Wilton Jackson, a bombardier in France and Italy. Music from the era, refreshments and a WWII-era M3 Stuart Tank will add to the atmosphere. The culmination of the day will be the unveiling of the Peace Pole.
An event like Lake Oswego Reads highlights community connection through shared experience. You are invited to join the conversation and share your ideas of the book with others in the community and enrich your experience of Lake Oswego Reads.
Hear Barbara Schmitter-Heisler speak about her research concerning German POWs who immigrated to the United States after the war. This research has resulted in the publication of several articles as well as a book entitled, From German Prisoner of War to American Citizen: A Social History with 35 Interviews.
Perhaps one of Picasso’s most prominent and powerful works, Guernica remains one of the most hotly contested and debated artworks in the history of art. Join Lori Goldstein, Program Manager of the Arts Council of Lake Oswego, as she explores the complexities of Guernica.
Please join Lewis & Clark College Language Assistants Louis Henrot and Friedrich Kühne, as well as students of French and German, in a sneak preview of cultural performances and presentations that will take place at the L&C International Fair on March 7, 2015.
For one night Tim Schoenheit, the co-owner of Stickmen, will be serving his mom’s family recipes so that guests can enjoy authentic German food. The special menu available to purchase will include Sausage and Pretzels, Pork Schnitzel and German desserts including Zwetschgenkuchen. There will also be free brewery tours.
Enjoy a delightful evening of music performed by the Lake Oswego Millennium Concert Band. A special piece, The Homefront: Musical Memories from World War II, includes a medley of memorable songs.
Books considered for 2015