“Let’s Talk About It” book series focused on Oklahoma crime novels

The 2014 “Let’s Talk About It” book discussion series will feature novels of investigative crime taking place in Oklahoma.

The first discussion will take place at 7 p.m. on Sept 9 in Walker Center room 151, and will feature the novel “The Old Buzzard Had It Coming,” by Donis Casey.

At each session in the five-part series, a humanities scholar makes a presentation on the book in the context of the theme. Small group discussions follow with experienced discussion leaders. At the end, all participants come together for a brief wrap-up. The series will look to move beyond simple plot synopses into discussion of the cultural effect the setting of the stories has on the plots.

Harbour Winn, director of the Center for Interpersonal Study through Film & Literature at OCU, said these crime novels provide a window to the character of the state.

“Though mainstream novels may evoke only scant physical description, crime stories and mysteries continue to include realistic location details, precisely because such details may help unravel the crime,” Winn said. “In reading these novels, we can rediscover the joys of hearing and seeing people in their natural environment and learn something about how where they are may indicate who they are.”

Interested participants are encouraged to pre-register and borrow the book selections and theme brochure from Winn, who can be reached at (405) 208-5472, e-mailing him at hwinn@okcu.edu or dropping by the Dulaney-Browne Library room 211 or 207.

The series is made possible by a grant from the Oklahoma Humanities Council.

Other dates and books in the series include:

Sept. 23 — “Letter from Home” by Carolyn Hart

Oct. 7 — “Capitol Offense” by William Bernhardt

Oct. 28 — “Twisted Perception” by Bob Avey

Nov. 11 — “The American Café” by Sara Sue Hoklotubbe