Mayor Marilyn Strickland has selected “Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body” by New York Times bestselling author Roxane Gay for the Tacoma Reads Together program.

This powerful memoir discusses the effects of trauma on self-image and weight, and explores the author’s experience interacting with societal expectations around a woman’s appearance. Roxane Gay will be coming to Tacoma for a lecture, reading and book signing on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017.

“I chose ‘Hunger’ for Tacoma Reads 2017 because Roxane Gay’s brutally honest memoir explores issues that make us uncomfortable and are worthy of discussion such as body image, our relationship with food, assault, pain and our sense of basic human decency,” said Strickland. “Gay is a New York Times bestselling author and we look forward to hosting her for a book talk.”

Tacoma Reads 2017 events will include:

* Book discussion hosted by Mayor Marilyn Strickland on Oct. 18, 2017, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Wheelock Library ( 3722 N. 26th St. in Tacoma)

* Lecture, reading and book signing with “Hunger” author Roxane Gay on Oct. 25, 2017, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Lincoln High School Auditorium (701 S. 37th St. in Tacoma)

* “Miss Representation” screening followed by discussion led by Deirdre Raynor, Ph.D., associate professor at the University of Washington on Nov. 2, 2017 at 6 p.m. in the Colored Women’s Club (2316 S. Yakima Ave. in Tacoma)

“Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body” is available at Tacoma Public Library. The book will also be available for sale at King’s Books during the Oct. 18 and 25 events. For more information and event registration, visit tacomalibrary.org.

– Tacoma Public Library