Yakima Valley Reads Is Back – Start Turning Those Pages

Yakima Valley Reads, is an annual community-wide book club hosted by Yakima Valley Libraries.

 The current book of choice is “The Only Woman in the Room,” by bestselling author, Marie Benedict.

 How does this sound for a review - “a page-turning tapestry of intrigue and glamour about a woman who refuses to be taken for granted,”

The book is based on the life of Austrian-born 1940s film star and glamour icon, Hedy Lamarr.  Lamarr fled her marriage to a controlling Austrian arms dealer, narrowly escaped Nazi persecution, and arrived in 1930s Hollywood . It's said her personal life rivaled any role she ever played on the silver screen. It's also said she eventually became known as the most beautiful woman in film.  But this beauty had brains too  and helped invent a radio system that paved the way for the later invention of Bluetooth technology.  Yup, Hedy was quite "heady".

You're invited to join Yakima Valley Libraries through November 7, for book discussions, film screenings, and guest speakers all based around topics and themes from the book.

 Featured events include:

 “The Most Beautiful Inventor in Film,” presented by professors Maria Sanders and Melissa Johnson, from Central Washington University’s  Film Studies program. Their talk will cover the legacy of Hedy Lamarr as an actress, film producer, and inventor in mid-century Hollywood. Wednesday, October 23 @ 6:00pm  Yakima Central Library (102 N. Third St, Yakima)

“Hollywood and the Home Front: Tinsel Town’s Contributions to WWII,”a presentation by historian and former broadcaster, John Jensen, which will focus on the influence of Hollywood during WWII, and includes film, radio and TV clips from the era.  Tuesday, October 29 @ 5:30pm  Sunnyside Community Library (621 Grant Ave, Sunnyside)   and  Wednesday, October 30  @ 6:00pm  West Valley Community Library (223 S. 72^nd Ave, Yakima)

 An Evening with Marie Benedict: The keynote event featuring a talk, audience Q&A, and book signing with the author!  Thursday, November 7 @ 6:30pm  The Seasons Performance Hall (101 N. Naches Ave, Yakima)

Admission is free.  For more information, and the complete calendar of events, visit:www.yvl.org/yakimareads.