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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
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Mon, Jan 05 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Jan 06 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Jan 07 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, Jan 08 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, Jan 09 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, Jan 10 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Jan 11 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: A11, A12
  • DASH Bus: 33

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

Upcoming Events

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Sun, Jan 11, 1:15pm - 2:00pm
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
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 for ages 3-6

Mon, Jan 12, 10:15am - 10:45am
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Wiggle, crawl and clap at Baby Time!

Mon, Jan 12, 11:15am - 11:45am
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Wiggle, crawl and clap at Baby Time!

Mon, Jan 12, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Monthly Friends of the Duncan library board meeting

Tue, Jan 13, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Get cozy with fiber arts and friends, beginners welcome!

Wed, Jan 14, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Get cozy with fiber arts and friends, beginners welcome!

Thu, Jan 15, 10:15am - 10:45am
Beth Patridge Meeting Room,Children's Area
Come join us for engaging stories that are worth gathering for. Great for toddlers and siblings. Ages 0-5.

Thu, Jan 15, 11:15am - 11:45am
Beth Patridge Meeting Room,Children's Area
Come join us for engaging stories that are worth gathering for. Great for toddlers and siblings. Ages 0-5.

Thu, Jan 15, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Both beginners and advanced fiber artists are welcome! Ages 13+

Sat, Jan 17, 10:30am - 11:30am
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
All levels are welcome, to stretch, breathe and cultivate connections with body-heart-mind-spirit
This event is full

Sat, Jan 17, 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Start the New Year off right with the Happiness Lab! Bi-weekly, 4 classes total, where attendees will discover the science of joy and how to naturally boost your body's happy hormones!
This event is full

Tue, Jan 20, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Get cozy with fiber arts and friends, beginners welcome!

Wed, Jan 21, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Get cozy with fiber arts and friends, beginners welcome!

Thu, Jan 22, 10:15am - 10:45am
Beth Patridge Meeting Room,Children's Area
Come join us for engaging stories that are worth gathering for. Great for toddlers and siblings. Ages 0-5.

Thu, Jan 22, 11:15am - 11:45am
Beth Patridge Meeting Room,Children's Area
Come join us for engaging stories that are worth gathering for. Great for toddlers and siblings. Ages 0-5.

Thu, Jan 22, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Teen Area
Both beginners and advanced fiber artists are welcome! Ages 13+

Sat, Jan 24, 10:30am - 11:30am
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
All levels are welcome, to stretch, breathe and cultivate connections with body-heart-mind-spirit
This event is full

Sun, Jan 25, 1:15pm - 2:00pm
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
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 for ages 3-6

Mon, Jan 26, 10:15am - 10:45am
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Wiggle, crawl and clap at Baby Time!

Mon, Jan 26, 11:15am - 11:45am
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Wiggle, crawl and clap at Baby Time!

Wed, Jan 28, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Join us for a creative beginner-friendly class where attendees will learn step-by-step how to make fundamental embroidery stitches
This event is full

Thu, Jan 29, 10:15am - 10:45am
Beth Patridge Meeting Room,Children's Area
A storytime in English and Spanish. un cuentacuentos en inglés y español.

Thu, Jan 29, 11:15am - 11:45am
Beth Patridge Meeting Room,Children's Area
A storytime in English and Spanish. un cuentacuentos en inglés y español.

Thu, Jan 29, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Both beginners and advanced fiber artists are welcome! Ages 13+

Thu, Jan 29, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Are you ready to publish your book? Or learn more about the self-publishing process? This workshop will provide you with all the tools to get your creative work ready for a wider audience

Sat, Jan 31, 10:30am - 11:30am
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
All levels are welcome, to stretch, breathe and cultivate connections with body-heart-mind-spirit
This event is full

Sat, Jan 31, 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Start the New Year off right with the Happiness Lab! Bi-weekly, 4 classes total, where attendees will discover the science of joy and how to naturally boost your body's happy hormones!
This event is full