Date: Jan. 22, 2013
Contact: Carol Connelly, Director, Media & Communication Services, ext. 5267, cconnelly@pnc.edu

PNC Books and Coffee Series Continues

WESTVILLE – The Purdue University North Central "Books & Coffee" discussion series will continue during the coming months. The programs, which are free and open to the public, will meet from noon to about 1 p.m. in the Library-Student-Faculty Building, Assembly Hall, Room 02, located on the building's lower level.

Each session will feature a review of the book, followed by a discussion period. The books being reviewed are available in the PNC Bookstore. The selections include:

Feb. 20 - Dr. Jane Rose, associate professor of English, will review, “Home” by Toni Morrison.

The latest novel by the Nobel Prize-winning author is the moving story of Frank Money, a veteran of the Korean War, who is dealing with traumatic memories of the battlefield and racism in America. Despite his mental anguish and instability, he must find the strength to rescue his younger sister Cee from a white doctor who is using her as a subject in his life-threatening medical experiments. Together they return to their hometown in Georgia where Frank reclaims his manhood and self, where Cee regains health and self-respect with help from women healers and where they reach a new understanding of home.

March 20 - Ramon and Trisha Arredondo, authors from East Chicago, will review their book, “Maria's Journey.”

Born into the Mexican Revolution, Maria Perez entered an arranged marriage at 14 to Miguel Arredondo. The couple and their young daughter immigrated to the U.S. in the 1920s, living in a boxcar while Miguel worked for a Texas railroad before settling in East Chicago, as Miguel worked for Inland Steel. Their story covers much of early-twentieth-century America: the rise of unions, the plunge into the Great Depression, the patriotism of World War II and the starkness of McCarthyism. It is flavored by delivery men hawking fruit and ice, street sports and matinees with newsreels. Immigration status colors every scene, adding to their story are deportation and citizenship, generational problems unique to new immigrants and a miraculous message of hope.

April 17 - Dr. Jane Brooks, Student Success Center coordinator, will review “Blue Tattoo: The Life of Olive Oatman” by Margot Mifflin.

This is the story of a 13-year old pioneer girl, heading West with her family during the mid-19 th century. En route West, the family is attacked by Yavapi Indians. Olive and her sister survive, but are taken captive. Margot Mifflin's interpretation of Olive's life before, during and after captivity highlights multiple themes: the ripple effect of White expansion West, the embodiment of culture and gender and the role of the captivity narrative in the construction of the history of the American West.

Additional information about Books and Coffee may be obtained by contacting Dr. Deepa Majumdar, associate professor of Philosophy, at 785-5200, 5693 or dmajumda@pnc.edu . Persons with disabilities needing accommodations should contact Majumdar.