Author of Seattle, Bellevue and BCC book selection to appear

BELLEVUE, WASH.– – The author of the novel that is the focus of three area reading programs – Seattle Reads, Bellevue Reads and BCC Reads – will read from and discuss the writing of her novel, When the Emperor Was Divine, on Wednesday, May 4, at Bellevue Community College.

The free public event will be held from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. in the college’s Carlson Theatre (3000 Landerholm Circle S.E., Bellevue, off 148th Ave. So.).

This year the Washington Center for the Book at The Seattle Public Library, the Bellevue Regional Library and Bellevue Community College all have selected one book that everyone is encouraged to read and discuss. At BCC, the book is incorporated in interdisciplinary fashion in as many courses as possible across the curriculum.

The book selection for all three reading programs is Julie Otsuka’s novel, When the Emperor Was Divine, the story of one Japanese-American family’s experience in a World War II internment camp.

When The Emperor Was Divine, Otsuka’s first novel, received the 2003 Asian American Literary Award and was a finalist for the Barnes & Noble “Discover Great New Writers Award.”

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