New program at Cortez Cultural Center

The Cortez Cultural Center has a new monthly program in its lineup for fall. Anne Beach, executive director of the center, said, the new Literary Explorations program at the Cultural Center, facilitated by Jennifer Hope, will offer participants an opportunity to delve deeper into brief passages of fiction or nonfiction.

At each meeting, several short excerpts from all types of writings will be considered in depth. Authors may range from Charles Dickens to P. J. O’Rourke, from Willa Cather to Lynne McTaggart. Discussions may cover imagery, allusion, syntax, character depictions, or anything else the selection inspires.

Participants will be expected to think actively and deeply about the passages and about what other participants share. Vocal participation by everyone will be encouraged, but optional; no one need feel pressured to speak.

The beauty of this format, says Jennifer Hope of Cortez, who will be hosting the program, is that, unlike most book clubs, there won’t be homework, no advance preparation required. “My hope is that everyone who attends will have fun and think about something in a new way,” Hope said. It would also be wonderful if attendees later find themselves reading more actively and getting more enjoyment from reading, she said.

The first meeting of Literary Explorations will be at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013, at the Cortez Cultural Center, 25 North Market St. in Cortez. The program is free. Donations to the Cortez Cultural Center are always appreciated.

For more information, call Jennifer Hope at 565-9915.