Spring ’24 Reading Discussion Group: “Life On The Outside”

Are you interested in continuing the discussion of social justice issues related to prison reform and anti-racism that are explored in Bryan Stevenson’s Just Mercy? Please join Steve Lessner, associate professor of English, in his spring 2024 reading group to discuss National Book Award Finalist Life On The Outside: The Prison Odyssey of Elaine Bartlett by Jennifer Gonnerman. This book, about a courageous woman who is released from prison after an excessively long sentence, follows Elaine as she rebuilds her life and advocates for changes in laws that force harshly lengthy prison terms. The discussion group will meet monthly via Zoom four times during the spring semester. Participants will have a reading schedule, with specific chapters to be covered at each meeting. The Zoom dates for each month, along with the reading schedule, will be provided in January, with the first discussion taking place in February. Two print copies of the book will be placed on reserve at the Annandale Campus library; the book can also be purchased on Amazon. Please email Steve Lessner at SLessner@nvcc.edu with any questions.

Submitted by:
Steven Lessner, AN-English, SLessner@nvcc.edu