In-person author event: Thursday, April 24, 6 p.m.
Ruby G. Schulman Auditorium, Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane
Tickets for the event will be distributed beginning at 5 p.m., with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. The Schulman Auditorium has a seating capacity of 200, and overflow seating will be available in the Gowland Meeting Room. Following the author discussion, a book signing will take place in the Ann Kulchin Courtyard. Books will be available for purchase at the event. For those unable to attend in person, the event will be live-streamed on the City of Carlsbad’s YouTube channel A recording of the event will be available for viewing for seven days following the presentation. This event is proudly sponsored by the Friends of the Carlsbad Library.
Book Synopsis:
When celebrated writer Alma Cruz inherits a small plot of land in the Dominican Republic, she turns it into a place to bury her untold stories—literally. She creates a graveyard for manuscript drafts and revisions and the characters whose lives she tried and failed to bring to life and who still haunt her. Alma wants her characters to rest in peace, but they have other ideas, and the cemetery becomes a mysterious sanctuary for their true narratives.
“The Cemetery of Untold Stories” is available in print, audiobook, eBook and eAudiobook format. Don’t forget to visit Libby or Hoopla digital to access e-formats. The book is available in English and Spanish.
Adult Spanish selection:
“El cementario de los Cuentos sin Contar ” by Julia Alvarez
Cuando la célebre escritora Alma Cruz hereda un pequeño terreno en la República Dominicana, lo convierte en un lugar para enterrar sus historias no contadas, literalmente. Crea un cementerio para borradores y revisiones de manuscritos y para los personajes cuyas vidas intentó y no logró dar vida y que todavía la persiguen. Alma quiere que sus personajes descansen en paz, pero tienen otras ideas y el cementerio se convierte en un santuario misterioso para sus verdaderas narrativas.
About the Author:
Julia Alvarez’s life began in New York City in 1950, but she spent her early childhood in the Dominican Republic, the homeland of her parents. However, her family’s stay was cut short in 1960, when they were compelled to seek refuge in the United States due to her father’s opposition to the Trujillo dictatorship.
Alvarez has written novels, collections of poems, nonfiction and numerous books for young readers.
Julia Alvarez is the recipient of the Pura Belpré Award (2004), Américas Awards (2009), The Hispanic Heritage Award (2002), National Medal of Arts (2013).
In 2024, she was the subject of an American Masters documentary, “Julia Alvarez: A Life Reimagined,” on PBS. Alvarez is one of the founders of Border of Lights, a movement to promote peace and collaboration between Haiti and the Dominican Republic. She lives in Vermont.
Find more at https://www.juliaalvarez.com/about
To watch an interview with Julia Alvarez and PBS books, view here: “The Cemetery of Untold Stories” by Julia Alvarez | Readers Club
CARLSBAD READS TOGETHER EVENTS
ADULTS
ADULT PROGRAMS
Adult
Book Club Meetings
First Wednesday Book Club
Wednesday, April 2, 2 p.m.
Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane
Just the Facts! Book Club
Thursday, April 3, 5:30 p.m.
Hybrid: Meets in-person at the Georgina Cole Library and on Zoom.
Email marin.faeyera@carlsbadca.gov for the Zoom link.
Club de lectura en Español Vespertino
(Virtual Spanish Language Book Club)
Jueves, abril 3, 6 p.m.
Envíe un correo electrónico a bilingual@carlsbadca.gov para obtener el enlace de zoom.
Thursday Afternoon Book Club
Thursday, April 10, 2 p.m.
Georgina Cole Library
SPECIAL CARLSBAD READS TOGETHER EVENTS
Writer’s Workshop: Getting Started! with So Say We All
Saturday, April 5, 1 – 3 p.m., Georgina Cole Library
Join us for a special workshop featuring So Say We All, a 501c3 non-profit literary and performing arts organization dedicated to helping people tell their stories through performance, education, and accessible media. Their Getting Started workshop offers a crash course on crafting your story from a solid foundation, with valuable tips and tricks to kickstart the writing process. Participants will leave with the beginning of their story and a clear path forward, plus the opportunity to share their work with a supportive community of writers.
Saturday, April 19, 3 p.m., Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane, Gowland Meeting Room
Take your storytelling skills to the next level! This workshop invites participants to not just read, but create, by designing compelling characters that will bring their stories to life. Attendees will learn how to develop dynamic, round characters and understand the key differences between flat and static ones. After reading “The Cemetery of Untold Stories,” participants will be inspired to bring their own characters to the page.
READ-ALIKES
Adults
“ The Art of Being Broken: How Storytelling Saves Lives” by Kevin Hines
“Daughters of Latin America: An International Anthology of Writing by Latine Women” by Sandra Guzman
“ The Dominican Racial Imaginary: Surveying the Landscape of Race and Nation in Hispaniola” by Milagros Ricourt
“In the Time of Butterflies”/ “En el tiempo de las mariposas” por Julia Alvarez
“ Writing on Empty: A Guide to Finding Your Voice” by Natalie Goldberg
“The Storyteller’s Death” by Ann Dávila Cardinal
“ There’s a Revolution Outside, My Love: Letters from a Crisis” by Tracy K. Smith (Featuring an essay from Julia Alvarez)
“ The Annotated Arabian nights: Tales from One Thousand and One Nights” by Paulo Lemos Horta
“Afterlife” by Julia Alvarez
GENEALOGY
How to Tell Your Ancestors’ Stories
Saturday, April 12, 2 – 4 p.m. Georgina Cole Library
Learn the various ways to share your ancestors’ stories, including memoirs, diaries, family histories, and how to capture their details in writing.
READ-ALIKES Genealogy
“ Writing Your Family History: A Guide for Family Historians” by Gill Blanchard
“Finding Your Hispanic Roots” by George Ryskamp
“ You Can Write Your Family History” by Sharon DeBartolo Carmack
“ Your Guide to Cemetery Research” by Sharon DeBartolo Carmack
“ The Family Tree Cemetery Field Guide: How to Find, Record, & Preserve your Ancestors’ Graves” by Joy Neighbors
CHILDREN’S
This year, instead of selecting a single title for teens and children, we are celebrating the works of Julia Alvarez and exploring themes from “The Cemetery of Untold Stories,” such as storytelling and the culture of the Dominican Republic, through programs for all ages and read-alikes. Join us for an engaging series of events that honor her powerful storytelling and rich cultural heritage.
Write Your Own Story!
Tuesday, April 1, 3:30 p.m.
Library Learning Center
Join us for a creative writing workshop where kids in grades 1 to 3 can celebrate the art of storytelling! Children will have the chance to craft their own short stories while building their writing skills and sparking their imaginations in a fun, supportive and creative setting.
Let’s Crochet and Learn:
Celebrating Dominican Culture and Storytelling through Craft
Saturday, April 26, 2 – 3 p.m.
Georgina Cole Library
For ages 8 and up: Celebrate Dominican crochet traditions at this multigenerational event, inspired by “The Cemetery of Untold Stories.” Open to all skill levels, participants will explore techniques used by Dominican artisans and enjoy music and hands-on crocheting. Please register in advance for supplies and bring your own crochet hook if you have one.
Click here for the Registration link
Tuesday Afternoon Adventures: The Great Graphic Novella about Me, Myself and I!
Tuesday, April 15, 3:30 p.m.
Georgina Cole Library
For K to 6th graders: Join us for Tuesday Afternoon Adventures as we share our enthusiasm for graphic novels and try your hand at creating your own character and stories, tying into this year’s Carlsbad Reads Together theme!
Preschool Storytime: Grandparents & Stories: A Time to Share
Wednesday, April 16, 10:30 a.m.
Georgina Cole Library
Join us for a heartwarming storytime celebration as we honor the art of storytelling and the special bond between grandparents, friends and little ones! Whether it’s a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or someone who feels like family, this is the perfect time to share stories, songs, crafts, and fun together.
Carlsbad Reads Together
Toddler Storytime
Tuesday, April 15, 9:30 & 10:30 a.m.
Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane, Gowland Meeting Room
Join us for a special toddler storytime exploring themes of family inspired by this year’s Carlsbad Reads Together title, “The Cemetery of Untold Stories.” Limited free tickets will be available at the Children’s desk at Dove Library on the day.
READ-ALIKES
Children’s
For Kindergarten to grade 3:
“Islandborn” / “Lola” by Junot Díaz
“Already a Butterfly: A Meditation Story ” by Julia Alvarez
“If Dominican Were a Color” by Sili Recio “How to Write a Story” by Kate Messner Available in Hoopla
“ Telling Stories Wrong” by Gianni Rodari
TEENS
Book Warriors
Book Club Meeting (virtual)
Tuesday, April 15, 4 p.m.
Choose from the teen read-alikes that complement “The Cemetery of Untold Stories” and join the virtual book club to discuss one or all of these incredible titles.
Email libraryteens@carlsbadca.gov for the Zoom link.
CARLSBAD CITY LIBRARY ON DOVE LANE EXPLORATION HUB
Introduction to Dungeons and Dragons: Character Creation & Collaborative Storytelling
Friday, April 18, 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 23, 4:30 – 6:30 p
Join us for an introduction to Dungeons & Dragons: the role-playing game: a creative and collaborative storytelling game! Learn the basics of character creation and gameplay and build community while exploring themes related to Carlsbad Reads Together. No prior experience is necessary. Attendees will have the same experience at both sessions. This event is open to adults and children ages 8 and up. Limited to 14 participants. Register to secure your seat. Early arrival recommended.
For Grades 4 to 6
“Before We Were Free” by Julia Alvarez/ “Antes de ser libres” por Julia Alvarez
“How Tía Lola Saved the Summer ” by Julia Alvarez
“The Tía Lola Stories” by Julia Alvarez
“ Writing Magic: Creating Stories that Fly ” by Gail Carson Levine
“Islands Apart: Becoming Dominican American” by Jasminne Mendez
READ-ALIKES Teens
“Clap When You Land” by Elizabeth Acevedo “Once Upon a Quinceañera: Coming of Age in the USA” by Julia Alvarez “ The Totally True Story of Gracie Byrne”
Funeral Songs for Dying Girls”
CULTURAL ARTS
Cinema Club Events
Seating is limited and is first come, first served. All films are free to the public and are subject to change. Doors open 30 minutes prior to showing. All films are shown in original language with English subtitles.
Cannon Gallery
“Silent Storytellers”exhibition
“In the Time of the Butterflies”
Wednesday, April 16, 4 and 7 p.m.
Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane, Schulman Auditorium
Based on the novel by Julia Alvarez and inspired by the true story of the three Mirabal sisters who were murdered in 1960 for their part in an underground plot to overthrow the dictatorship of General Trujillo in the Dominican Republic.
Open Studio with Artist Fredric Hope Thursday, April 17, 2 p.m.
William D. Cannon Art Gallery and Gowland Meeting Room
Join artist Fredric Hope for a brief tour of his “Silent Storytellers”exhibit, followed by a hands on exploratory exercise allowing you to experiment with some of the thinking and creating processes Fredric uses to create unique paths to visual storytelling.
Concerts in the Courtyard
Bachata/Merengue lesson with live music
April 26, Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane, Ann Kulchin Courtyard
4:30 p.m. Lesson begins
5 p.m. Concert begins
Experience the vibrant rhythms of Bachata and Merengue, music and dance that originated in the Dominican Republic, the setting of “The Cemetery of Untold Stories”and the homeland of author Julia Alvarez. Enjoy a lively dance session with music by Ruben V. & The Latin Sounds and immerse yourself in the culture that inspired this year’s Carlsbad Reads Together Selection! Presented with support from Carlsbad Friends of the Arts.
For more movie events at Carlsbad City Library, scan the QR code
Discussion questions for “The Cemetery of Untold Stories”
1. If you were entering the last stages of your life, what stories would you want told to your family/friends?
2. Alma’s pen name is the same as the main character in “One Thousand and One Nights,” the collection of Middle Eastern folktales. What similarities and differences do you see between “Cemeteries” and “One Thousand and One Nights?”
3. Does a story need an audience to be fully realized? And once it’s told, who do you think “owns” it?
4. After reading Julia Alvarez’s biography (on the front page), do you feel that the imaginary story of Bienvieda is a reference to Ms. Alvarez’s father’s entanglement with the dictator Trujillo?
5. How would you react if someone in your neighborhood built a cemetery? What would you do?
6. What are the stories that make you up? Are all of them stories you’ve told, or are some secret and untold? What would happen if you told them?
7. Do you think Alma was ever able to “escape” her characters? Do you think the creative life is ever over? Do you think we can ever bury the past?
8. Do you feel sympathy for Perla, and do you think her punishment was just?
