Open Book is a story sharing experience where trained “Books” share their stories in small groups. The Open Book storytellers come from a variety of countries, cultures, religious affiliations, sexual orientations, and ability statuses. Open Book can be used to honor differences, see similarities and enhance empathy as Books share stories from their messy and beautiful lives.

After the story sharing, the Books facilitate a discussion around common themes and ideas that arise from their stories. In this way, participants get to actually have a conversation with the Books as if they were talking to an author of a story.

Join The Community Library as we hear from JJ Singh Kapur, who will share this project and his own story with us.

The Bollywood movies JJ Kapur watched as a child were all about heroes and villains. The off-screen superhero in JJ’s life was his father, who carried with him a pocketful of pixie dust wherever he went. But when JJ returned home from college, he wondered whether his father’s pixie dust had disappeared.

JJ Kapur graduated from Stanford University with Honors and Distinction in Theater and Performance Studies and aminor in Psychology. In 2017, he became the first turbaned Sikh to win the most prestigious high school speech and debate competition in the U.S. As a current AmeriCorps Lead for America Fellow, he is helping Iowans build bridges with their immigrant neighbors.

Registration is limited to 15 participants for this in-person event.