The book selected for this first-time, community-wide reading program is “Picking Cotton: Our Memoir of Injustice and Redemption” by Jennifer Thompson-Cannino and Ronald Cotton with Erin Torneo.
“Picking Cotton” is a New York Times best-seller that tells the true story of an unlikely friendship forged between a woman and the man she misidentified as her attacker and sent to prison for 11 years. Jennifer Thompson-Cannino and Ronald Cotton recount the harrowing details of their tragedy, challenging our ideas about memory and judgment while demonstrating the profound nature of human grace and healing power of forgiveness.
The goal of the All Community Reads program is to have as many people as possible read the book and connect through their shared experience. Furthermore, the subject matter of the book is intended to engage the community in thoughtful discussion of racial and social inequities, restorative justice, and the aftermath of trauma.
Events for the All Community Reads program will take place throughout the month of October, including book discussions, movie screenings, and a panel discussion on restorative justice. Please see below for details.
The authors will visit Dubuque on Tuesday, November 5, 2019. They will present at the Five Flags Theater, 405 Main Street at 7:00 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.
The author's visit has been made possible by the Dubuque Racing Association.