Books & Books presents
The Caribbean Reading Club
Wednesday, February 10 at 8pm

Jamaica Kincaid, Earl Lovelace, V.S. Naipaul, Jean Rhys - these authors are some of the better known writers of Caribbean literature, an art form all its own. Over the next four months the Caribbean Reading Club will read, explore and discuss several Caribbean fiction authors with Dr. Keith Jardim, Assistant Professor of English and Fiction Writing at the University College of the Cayman Islands. Join us at Books & Books on Wednesday, February 10 at 8pm for an overview of what 'is' Caribbean literature along with a selection of titles. Following this initial meeting we will convene at Books & Books on the second Wednesday of each month at 8pm to discuss our insights and impressions of the chosen book. This is a wonderful opportunity to read or perhaps reread writers who have had a profound impact on both the Caribbean and the world. We want to take the time to look into these works with our discussions, learning from and growing with each other.

This event is free and open to the public.

Dr. Keith Jardim
Dr. Jardim is an Assistant Professor of English and Fiction Writing at the University College of the Cayman Islands. He was educated at Emerson College, Boston, and the University of Houston’s Creative Writing Program (Ph.D.). He has taught at the University of the West Indies (Trinidad), Bermuda College, University of Houston, Houston Community College and at Rice University’s School of Continuing Studies. His main areas of interest are American and English 19 to 20th Century Literature, Commonwealth and Caribbean Literature, Rhetoric, and fiction writing – especially the short story.

Among honors and awards for his work are a James Michener Fellowship (University of Miami’s Caribbean Writers Institute), a C. Glenn Cambor Fellowship (University of Houston’s Creative Writing Program) as well as being short-listed for the American Short Fiction Contest and Glimmer Train’s Open Fiction Contest. In June 2008 he read at the 10th International Short Story Conference held in Ireland. He was recently included in the 10th Edition of Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers and several of his fictions and essays have appeared in top reviews and publications.

Among the recommended titles are:

Annie John by Jamaica Kincaid (FSG, $12.00)

Easy in the Islands by Bob Shacochis (Grove Press, $13.00)

The Island Quintet by Raymond Ramcharitar (Peepal Tree Press, $20.65)

Miguel Street by V. S. Naipaul (Vintage, $13.95)

Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys (W. W. Norton, $13.95)

Catherine Tyson
Born in Grand Cayman, Catherine Tyson is the proud single mother of three children. She is also a qualified counselor with degrees in Psychology and Social Work and currently works as a Human Services Manager. After taking it upon herself to figure things out on her own, the lessons that Catherine learnt made it easy for her to tell her story and help others along the way. Catherine self-published her autobiography, I’m Somebody’s Mama, through AuthorHouse.

Chelsea Rivers
Chelsea M. Rivers is a devoted wife and mother to three children. Born in Texas, she moved to the Cayman Islands as a child. She works in the Marketing Department at Maples & Calder as a Business Development Executive in Research & Analysis. Chelsea’s recount of the experiences of four families during Hurricane Ivan was a necessary step towards cementing her need to document such a profound event while simultaneously breaking out as a new author. Chelsea self-published her debut novel, Hurricane Ivan: The Experience, through Xulon Press. She plans to complete her other literary works and has ideas percolating to write a children’s series.

Murali Ram
Murali Ram Krishn was raised in Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia, where he was exposed to a number of world religions. Fascinated by the mystery of faith, he traveled across continents to cities steeped in religious history and culture. As a traveler and attorney, he constantly dealt with the many facets of human character. He currently resides in the Cayman Islands with his wife, daughter, and son. Murali is an Associate at Mourant du Feu & Jeune – Cayman. In his debut novel, The Book of Walla, Murali draws inspiration from his interest in religion and his expertise in the field of law. The book was self-published through Llumina Press.

Each of the authors’ books is available for purchase at Books & Books. This event is free and open to the public.

The Great Valentine’s Day Mix-Up by Saxton Moore (Price Stern Sloan, $6.99)

Today Is Valentine’s Day! by P. K. Hallinan (Ideals, $7.95)