Tracy Kidder and the Viva Village Online Book Club

Pulitzer Prize winning author Tracy Kidder died in March, shortly after the Viva Village Online Book Club read and discussed two of his books, Rough Sleepers and Mountains Beyond Mountains. To Villager Rae the timing felt significant, not only because of Kidder’s passing but because these works represent the kind of thoughtful, values-driven reading that has defined the Online Book Club for more than a decade.

Both nonfiction books are about men who use their training and connections to address the critical needs of marginalized populations.

Rough Sleepers is the story of Dr. Jim O’Connell’s mission to provide healthcare to Boston’s homeless population, specifically those living on the streets rather than in shelters. Mountains Beyond Mountains details Dr. Paul Farmer’s efforts to bring high-quality health care to the world’s poorest people, particularly in Haiti, Peru, and Russia, through his organization Partners in Health.

The club read Rough Sleepers in conjunction with the Beaverton Library’s One Book One Beaverton project. As part of the project, Kidder was scheduled to speak at the Patricia Reser Center. When he was unable to attend, Dr. O’Connell spoke in his place, sharing stories and lessons from his 40 years of caring for the homeless (rough sleepers) in Boston. For book club members who attended the event, this deepened their understanding of the book and their connection to the book’s subjects and its author.

The Online Book Club is one of Viva Village’s longest running programs, bringing together readers who value curiosity, compassion, and connection. They read both fiction and nonfiction and seek out good stories and good writing. The book club meets by Zoom on the fourth Tuesday of the month from 1:00–2:30 pm and welcomes participants from near and far, including former Villagers who continue to find meaning in the conversations.

All are welcome!

By Roberta S Lang, Viva Villager. To register for the Zoom link, visit the website, www.vivavillage.org  or contact the office: vivavillageor@gmail.com or 503-746-5082. For more information on membership or volunteer opportunities, email info@vivavillage.org.