Brown Bag Book Club to Meet December 19   Clifton Forge, VA (Nov. 30, 2019) - The Clifton Forge Public Library’s Brown Bag Book Club will meet on Thursday, December 19. The group will discuss “The Tattooist of Auschwitz,” by Heather Morris. Based on the powerful true story of love and survival, Morris’ book is a #1 international bestseller and a “New York Times” best seller. “The Tattooist of Auschwitz” is based on interviews with Ludwig (Lale) Sokolov, a Holocaust survivor who, because he could speak several languages, was made to work as a tattooist permanently marking his fellow prisoners. A prisoner for almost three years, Lale witnessed horrible atrocities and barbarism along with incredible acts of bravery and compassion. Amazon writes, “Risking his own life, he uses his privileged position to exchange jewels and money from murdered Jews for food to keep his fellow prisoners alive. “One day in July 1942, Lale, prisoner 32407, comforts a trembling young woman waiting in line to have the number 34902 tattooed onto her arm. Her name is Gita, and in that first encounter, Lale vows to somehow survive the camp and marry her.” Amazon calls Lale’s story “a vivid, harrowing, and ultimately hopeful recreation” of his experiences and hales the book as “a testament to the endurance of love and humanity under the darkest possible conditions.” “Kirkus Reviews” summarizes it as “a powerful, gut-wrenching tale that is hard to shake off.” The Brown Bag Book Club meets from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., in the Library’s Michael Armstrong Community Room. New members are always welcome. Participants are encouraged to bring a friend and to bring a lunch. Dessert will be provided. For more information, contact Helene Baker at 860-558-2170, or email her at ibusybee22@gmail.com. The Clifton Forge Public Library is located at 535 Church Street. For information on library programs, call the library at 863-2519.

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