Tulsa City-County Library’s community-wide reading initiative features author Marjan Kamali
Tulsa City-County Library (TCCL) invites Tulsa County residents to join the conversation and participate in One Book, One Tulsa, a community-wide reading initiative focusing on Marjan Kamali’s novel “The Lion Women of Tehran” and culminating with a free presentation by the author on Friday, July 31 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Central Library, Fifth Street and Denver Avenue. Books will be available for purchasing at the event, courtesy of Magic City Books.
The annual One Book, One Tulsa event fosters literacy within Tulsa County through this community-wide book reading and encourages conversation about a meaningful work. “The Lion Women of Tehran” is a New York Times bestseller and explores the deep impact of childhood friendships and how lives are transformed through love and courage.
Kamali was born in Turkey and spent her early life in several countries, including Turkey, Iran, Germany, Kenya and the United States. She published her debut novel, “Together Tea,” in 2013. In 2019, she published her sophomore title, “The Stationery Shop,” to high praise, including being featured as one of NPR’s Best Books of 2019. As an international bestseller, “The Stationery Shop” has been translated into over 22 languages. This year’s featured title, “The Lion Women of Tehran,” was published in the summer of 2024 and has since become a New York Times bestseller, been named a winning historical fiction title by the American Library Association’s The Reading List and been translated into 16 languages.
Tulsans are invited to engage with “The Lion Women of Tehran” before the One Book, One Tulsa event by checking out a Book Club Kit to host their own discussion group. The kits include eight copies of the book, a discussion guide and Persian treats. Readers can also join online conversations around the book by creating a review on social media and including the hashtag #OneBookOneTulsa. Before the event, Magic City Books, 221 E. Archer St., will have a special display themed around “The Lion Women of Tehran” and will offer the book at a discounted price.
One Book, One Tulsa is sponsored by the Tulsa Library Trust. The event is free and open to the public. Copies of “The Lion Women of Tehran” are available for checkout at the library. To learn more about the event or place a copy of the book on hold, visit www.tulsalibrary.org or call AskUs at 918-549-7323.
