ABOUT THE BOOK CLUB
Westerns may bring to mind cacti, shoot-outs, and spurs…but there’s so much more to it! Join Portland Public Library, Portland Ovations, and Back Cove Books as we read and discuss three very different westerns. Discover what’s in a western and see how this timeless genre continues to evolve.
- Part 1 is 12/16/25. We will discuss True Grit, by Charles Portis.
- Part 2 is 1/13/26. We will discuss How Much of These Hills is Gold, by C. Pam Zhang.
- Part 3 is 2/10/26. We will discuss God’s Country, by Percival Everett.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 13
6 PM at Back Cove Books
651 Forest Ave, Unit 1, Portland
ACCESSIBILITY
Read about accessibility at Portland Public Library.
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ASL interpretation is available by request. Contact offstage@portlandovations.org.
ABOUT THE READING
HOW MUCH OF THESE HILLS IS GOLD BY C. PAM ZHANG
Ba dies in the night, Ma is already gone. Lucy and Sam, twelve and eleven, are suddenly alone and on the run. With their father’s body on their backs, they roam an unforgiving landscape dotted with giant buffalo bones and tiger paw prints, searching for a place to give him a proper burial.
How Much of These Hills is Gold is a sweeping adventure tale, an unforgettable sibling story and a remarkable novel about a family bound and divided by its memories.
BOOKS
Portland Public Library has free copies of each book available, but quantities are limited. Please call 207-771-2775 or email readersadvisory@portlib.org for assistance locating an available copy. Back Cove Books also offers a 10% discount on books for book discussions and book clubs.
This series was inspired by Sunny Jain’s Wild Wild East, coming soon to the State Theatre. Book discussion attendees will be entered into a drawing for two free tickets.
Sunny Jain’s Wild Wild East
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at 7 PM
State Theatre, Portland