Skip to main content
close
Font size options
Increase or decrease the font size for this website by clicking on the 'A's.
Contrast options
Choose a color combination to give the most comfortable contrast.
Image for event: Thursday Afternoon Book Discussion

Registration now closed

Thursday Afternoon Book Discussion

"West with Giraffes" by Lynda Rutledge

2024-07-11 13:30:00 2024-07-11 14:30:00 America/New_York Thursday Afternoon Book Discussion Do you have afternoons available? Join us at the library for some coffee, confections, and conversation about the newest titles on our shelves! 📚 ☕ James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room

Thursday, July 11
1:30pm - 2:30pm

Add to Calendar 2024-07-11 13:30:00 2024-07-11 14:30:00 America/New_York Thursday Afternoon Book Discussion Do you have afternoons available? Join us at the library for some coffee, confections, and conversation about the newest titles on our shelves! 📚 ☕ James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room

James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library

Beth Patridge Meeting Room

Do you have afternoons available? Join us at the library for some coffee, confections, and conversation about the newest titles on our shelves! 📚 ☕

This month we will be discussing: "West with Giraffes" by Lynda Rutledge

"An emotional, rousing novel inspired by the incredible true story of two giraffes who made headlines and won the hearts of Depression-era America.

Woodrow Wilson Nickel, age 105, feels his life ebbing away. But when he learns giraffes are going extinct, he finds himself recalling the unforgettable experience he cannot take to his grave.

It’s 1938. The Great Depression lingers. Hitler is threatening Europe, and world-weary Americans long for wonder. They find it in two giraffes who miraculously survive a hurricane while crossing the Atlantic. What follows is a twelve-day road trip in a custom truck to deliver Southern California’s first giraffes to the San Diego Zoo. Behind the wheel is the young Dust Bowl rowdy Woodrow. Inspired by true events, the tale weaves real-life figures with fictional ones, including the world’s first female zoo director, a crusty old man with a past, a young female photographer with a secret, and assorted reprobates as spotty as the giraffes.

Part adventure, part historical saga, and part coming-of-age love story, West with Giraffes explores what it means to be changed by the grace of animals, the kindness of strangers, the passing of time, and a story told before it’s too late."

✨ Because this is a newer title be sure to put it on hold in advance either in book, e-book, or audiobook form by clicking on the book title above or by downloading the Libby App! 

👈 Register for bookclub reminders! 

James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library

kpayne@alexlibraryva.org
Phone: 703.746.1705
Fax: 703.746.1785
Branch manager
Kayla Selsky

Hours
Mon, Jul 07 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Jul 08 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Jul 09 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, Jul 10 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, Jul 11 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, Jul 12 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Jul 13 1:00PM to 5:00PM

About the branch

Parking: There is a small lot with 9 spaces.  On street parking is available.

Public Transit:

  • Metrorail: Yellow and Blue lines at Braddock Road (1.3 miles) and King Street Stations (1.5 miles)
  • Metrobus: 10A, 10B
  • DASH Bus: 33

For reasonable disability accommodation, contact jgregorio@alexlibraryva.org or call 703.746.1701 or TTY 703.746.1790.

Upcoming Events

Sat, Jul 12, 10:30am - 11:30am
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Stretch, breathe and cultivate your connections with body-heart-mind-spirit
This event is full

Sun, Jul 13, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Bring your preschooler to the Duncan Library on Sunday afternoons to explore STEAM activities (science, technology, engineering, art, and math)! This is a drop-in event. Recommended ages 3-6

Mon, Jul 14, 10:15am - 10:45am
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Wiggle, crawl and clap at Baby Time! Fingerplay and songs for Ages 0-14 Months.

Mon, Jul 14, 11:00am - 11:45am
Uh oh – a color has disappeared! Join Science Heroes in using scientific principles and hands-on experiments to find it, and celebrate the scientists who color our world with art! (Ages 6-12)

Mon, Jul 14, 11:15am - 11:45am
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Wiggle, crawl and clap at Baby Time! Fingerplay and songs for Ages 0-14 Months.

Mon, Jul 14, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
We roll at dusk!

Mon, Jul 14, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Our mission is to provide a safe, supportive, non-judgmental environment where people can explore, learn, play, and evolve together - one breath at a time
This event is full

Tue, Jul 15, 11:00am - 11:45am
Uh oh – a color has disappeared! Join Science Heroes in using scientific principles and hands-on experiments to find it, and celebrate the scientists who color our world with art! (Ages 6-12)

Tue, Jul 15, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Ongoing campaign. For inquiries about Dungeon and Dragons please contact Josstin Gogue at jgogue@alexlibraryva.org. (Ages 13-19)

Wed, Jul 16, 4:00pm - 4:30pm
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Come join Ms. Naomi for an interactive story time that is full of adventure and fun!

Wed, Jul 16, 4:00pm - 4:30pm
Come join Ms. Naomi for an interactive story time that is full of adventure and fun!

Wed, Jul 16, 6:45pm - 7:45pm
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Drop in Conversational English language learning!

Thu, Jul 17, 10:15am - 10:45am
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Come join Mr. Josstin for an adventure worth gathering for. You were there, remember? Great for toddlers and siblings. Ages 0-5

Thu, Jul 17, 11:15am - 11:45am
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Come join Mr. Josstin for an adventure worth gathering for. You were there, remember? Great for toddlers and siblings. Ages 0-5

Thu, Jul 17, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Teen Area
All crafters are welcome! Ages 13+

Sat, Jul 19, 10:30am - 11:30am
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Stretch, breathe and cultivate your connections with body-heart-mind-spirit
This event is full

Sun, Jul 20, 3:30pm - 4:00pm
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Wiggle, crawl and clap at Baby Time! Fingerplay and songs for Ages 0-14 Months.

Mon, Jul 21, 10:15am - 10:45am
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Wiggle, crawl and clap at Baby Time! Fingerplay and songs for Ages 0-14 Months.

Mon, Jul 21, 11:15am - 11:45am
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Wiggle, crawl and clap at Baby Time! Fingerplay and songs for Ages 0-14 Months.

Mon, Jul 21, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
We roll at dusk!

Mon, Jul 21, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Our mission is to provide a safe, supportive, non-judgmental environment where people can explore, learn, play, and evolve together - one breath at a time
This event is full