October Not Fiction Book Discussions

Our October book, Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson, is an inspiring memoir by a real-life hero. Stevenson is the executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative in Montgomery, Alabama, and a professor of law at New York University Law School. He and EJI challenge bias against the poor and people of color and have won relief for dozens of prisoners who have been wrongly imprisoned and condemned. John Grisham says of Stevenson, "Not since Atticus Finch has a fearless and committed lawyer made such a difference in the American South. Though larger than life, Atticus exists only in fiction. Bryan Stevenson, however, is very much alive and doing God's work fighting for the poor, the oppressed, the voiceless, the vulnerable, the outcast, and those with no hope. Just Mercy is his inspiring and powerful story."

We thought you might like to know that Starbucks is partnering with Stevenson by making his book available at their coffee shops nationwide at the great price of $10.40, and they are donating 100% of profits from the sale of the book to EJI. You can purchase a copy online or at your favorite neighborhood shop.

Named one of the Best Books of the Year by The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, The Seattle Times, Esquire, and Time, Just Mercy is also the winner of the Carnegie Medal for Nonfiction, the NAACP Image Award for Nonfiction, the Books for a Better Life Award, a Finalist for the Los Angeles Book Prize, a Finalist for the Kirkus Reviews Prize, and an American Library Association Notable Book.

We hope you will buy a copy at Starbucks to support EJI or check out a copy from your public library and join the discussion: Tuesday, October 6, at 6:30 p.m. at Main Library; Thursday, October 22, at 11:00 a.m. at West Ashley Branch Library; and here on the blog.

Watch Bryan Stevenson's inspiring TED talk:

Learn more about Equal Justice Initiative at www.eji.org.

And check back for some questions to consider as you are reading the book!