For Immediate Release: December 2, 2005

Oakland Public Library Launches One City, One Book

Featuring Chitra Divakaruni's The Mistress of Spices

"The idea is that the city that opens the same book closes it in greater harmony."
-Mary McGrory, The Washington Post

(Oakland, CA.) -- In January-February 2006, the Oakland Public Library will be launching its first “One City, One Book” initiative featuring Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s 1998 novel, The Mistress of Spices. During these months, the Library will be encouraging teens and adults in Oakland to read and discuss this amazing work which author Amy Tan called “a dazzling tale of misbegotten dreams and desires woven with poetry and storyteller magic.” Set in Oakland in the 1980’s and recently made into a major motion picture, The Mistress of Spices tells the story of Tilo, trained in the ancient art of spices, who operates a shop from which she administers curative spices to the local Indian community.

To encourage readers, the Oakland Public Library, participating Oakland bookstores and other organizations will be hosting a series of free book discussions about The Mistress of Spices throughout the city, as well as related cultural programming featuring henna workshops, readings by South Asian poets and writers, Indian dancing, and even an Indian jazz fusion group. A Kick-off Celebration will be held on Saturday, January 7, 1:00-5:00 p.m. at the Oakland Main Library, 125 14th Street, featuring Shailja Patel performing excerpts from her one-woman show, Migritude, PAMPA (Prabhat Academy for Music and Performing Arts) demonstrating classical Indian dance, and Dholrhythms Dance Performances presenting Bhangra, the hip-hop of India. This and additional events will culminate in a free reading and book signing co-sponsored by the Oakland Museum of California featuring the author of The Mistress of Spices, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, on Friday, February 10, 7:30 p.m. in the James Moore Theatre, Oakland Museum of California, 10th & Oak Streets. This program will be preceded by a benefit reception with the author featuring an Indian buffet, music and poetry readings by Shailja Patel and Pireeni Sundaralingam from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. in the Museum’s restaurant. Tickets for the reception are $50 per person and proceeds will benefit the Library’s Building and Programs Funds. Please call (510) 238-6932 for ticket information or visit www.oaklandlibrary.org for a complete listing of One City, One Book events and a discussion guide. Readers can also post comments online about The Mistress of Spices beginning in January at www.insidebayarea.com/mistressofspices.

Chita Banerjee Divakaruni was born in Calcutta, India, but has made her home in the United States since 1976. Besides the best-selling The Mistress of Spices, she is also the author of Sister of My Heart, The Vine of Desire, Queen of Dreams, and the award-winning story collections Arranged Marriage and The Unknown Errors of Our Lives. She has published four prize-winning volumes of poetry and two titles for young readers, The Conch Bearer and Neela: Victory Song. Her work has appeared in numerous other publications, including The New Yorker, The Atlantic Monthly, The New York Times, and The Best American Short Stories. She currently resides near Houston, where she teaches creative writing at the University of Houston.

The One City, One Book concept was originated in 1998 by the Washington Center for the Book when it hosted author Russell Banks for four days of programs and discussions about his novel, The Sweet Hereafter. Since then, communities all over the United States have embraced the idea of creating civic unity through the reading and discussion of a common book. The Oakland Public Library hopes that The Mistress of Spices will be the first in a series of One City, One Book programs in Oakland.

The Mistress of Spices One City, One Book campaign is being co-sponsored by the Friends of the Oakland Public Library and the Oakland Tribune/ANG Newspapers. Participating bookstores and cultural institutions include the Museum of Children’s Art (MOCHA), A Great Good Place for Books, Barnes & Noble Booksellers-Jack London Square, Diesel Bookstore, Bookmark Bookstore, Black Swan Books, Laurel Book Store, Marcus Books,Walden Pond Bookstore, Waldenbooks-Oakland Square, Oakland Museum of California, Pendragon New and Used Books, and Yoshi’s World Class Jazz House.

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