Chosen by Stephen Mills
After a break in August, the Desert Research Library Book Club returns this Fall to discuss CHOSEN by Stephen Mills on September 5.
On Monday, September 5 (Labor Day) at 7:00 pm, we will meet at the Firehouse Outpost for a visit from author, returning Book Clubber, and Joshua Tree homeowner Stephen Mills, who will join us in conversation and Q&A about his recent book, CHOSEN. This powerful memoir tells the story of how the author’s childhood sexual abuse by a trusted leader in his community affected him for decades. I know, sounds brutal, but I can promise you that it is a page turner that leaves you with more than just heartache, and a number of community members who’ve already started reading the book concur.
Here’s what Stephen has to say about why his book fits in to the desert book club theme:
“CHOSEN is not about the desert but it is definitely a book of the desert. After years of false starts, I began writing it while on a 10-day meditation retreat in 29 Palms in 2018. I wrote the rest during week-long solitary sessions in our cabin on Giant Rock Road. This convulsive saga spanning six decades and several continents could have only emerged from the stillness, silence, and expansiveness of Copper Mountain Mesa. What better place to gather and discuss it!”
No RSVP is required for this meeting, but don’t forget to bring snacks and drinks. Maybe we’ll even do some grilling beforehand for the holiday! If you would like to receive a free copy of CHOSEN, you can pick one up at Kip’s Little Free Library on Winters Road, or email us to arrange to pick up a copy from the Copper Mountain Mesa Community Center. You can also purchase the book online.
The Firehouse is located at 65430 Winters Road, Joshua Tree, CA 92252.
After a brief hiatus during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, our in-person book club, formerly known as Kip’s Desert Book Club, resumed in January 2022 as the Desert Research Library Book Club (or DRL Book Club, for short). Each month, a member of the current Desert Research Library Artist Cohort or another member of the book club community selects a book from the library as that month’s book club selection. We meet at various locations throughout the high desert to discuss the books and share snacks.
The DRL Book Club grew out of our long-standing tradition of monthly book club meetings, first established by Katie Bachler during her Scout residency, then carried on as Kip’s Desert Book Club, from October 2014 through April 2021.
