NCW Libraries will host award winning graphic novelist Malaka Gharib, for a virtual author program on Thursday, September 15, 2022 as part of NCW Virtual Reads. 

Gharib is the artist and author of I Was Their American Dream, about growing up as a first generation Filipino Egyption American, and It Won’t Always Be Like This, about her summers with her family in the Middle East. Both books are available through NCW Libraries. Gharib is the digital editor of the NPR podcast Life Kit. Prior to her work at NPR, Gharib worked at the Malala Fund, a global education charity founded by Malala Yousafzai and the ONE Campaign, an anti-poverty advocacy group founded by Bono. 

NCW Virtual Reads is a series of programs for young adults and adults that started in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. While in-person programs were paused temporarily, the library moved to a virtual lineup of programs, exploring a new avenue to reach adults across the system’s 5-county service area. The goal of NCW Virtual Read is to invite patrons across our service area to engage in stories that spark conversations, curiosity, and learning. 

“While we are thrilled to resume in person programming, we are also excited to continue offering a number of virtual programs for adults. Virtual programming offers a way for us to uniquely fulfill our mission and connect the people of NCW to programs, services, and each other!” said Alicia O’Dell, Adult Services Manager, NCW Libraries. “We are honored to host Malaka Gharib and look forward to hearing her share about her writing and experience.”

All NCW Libraries programs are free and open to the public. Each NCW Virtual Reads program will include a brief presentation of the author’s current work, a conversation with library staff, and a question and answer time with attendees who can ask questions live. 

 NCW Virtual Reads will also host Silvia Moreno-Garcia on October 6, Diane Wilson on November 3, and Christina Lauren on December 1, all at 7PM. Register for these programs and more at http://www.ncwlibraries.org.