Overbooked Concludes with Two More Authors You Won’t Want to Miss

By Debby Block

The monthly women’s book and author series aptly named “Overbooked” has exceeded our wildest expectations! From the pure love between a grandmother and granddaughter to Queen Esther to an epic midlife crisis and to the challenge of creating a Shabbat without technology, the women of Charlotte have joyfully shared and learned together! To make these shared reading experiences even more gratifying, we have prepared accompanying book lover’s care packages, (which are available at the subsidized price of $20). Each care package includes a signed book, a guidebook, a special cocktail, candy, and a fun item to pamper yourself with.

We encourage you to continue this shared journey into literature with us! Only two more authors remain in this six-part series.

In May, we will host lawyer Erica Katz, author of “The Boys’ Club,” which has been optioned by Netflix. This semi-autobiographical novel follows the first year of a young female lawyer as she fights to fit into a prestigious Manhattan law firm. Her journey paints a fascinating portrait of the challenges of women trying to climb the corporate ladder and brings #MeToo era and its issues into clearer focus.

Informed by the author’s own professional experiences, Erica Katz’s debut novel is an insider’s exposition wrapped in deliciously propulsive fictional narrative. Interestingly, Erica Katz is a pseudonym. The main character’s wild ride fueled by her insatiable drive to succeed provides a story that is both compelling and eye-opening.

LGBTQ Pride Honored With Final Overbooked Selection

“You know, Mrs. Lemay, has it ever occurred to you — that it is possible — that Em may actually believe she is a boy?” This is the question Mimi Lemay was asked at a routine parent-teacher conference when her middle daughter was just three years old.

The month of June is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Pride Month. LGBTQ Pride Month commemorates the 1969 Stonewall riots and works to achieve equal justice and equal opportunity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning Americans. In June of 1969, patrons and supporters of the Stonewall Inn in New York City staged an uprising to resist the police harassment and persecution to which LGBTQ Americans were commonly subjected. This uprising marks the beginning of a movement to outlaw discriminatory laws and practices against LGBTQ Americans. Today the push toward nondiscrimination continues.

Overbooked, Federation’s book and author series, is proud to present Mimi Lemay’s book “What We Will Become: A Mother, A Son, and a Journey of Transformation” in recognition of LGBTQ Pride Month. Author Mimi Lemay has become a leader and advocate for transgender equality.

Lemay’s fascinating and heartfelt memoir records her own personal journey as well as the journey of her transgender son, Jacob. Raised in an ultra-Orthodox home, Lemay’s own identity struggles are outlined as she evolves and grows away from the constraints and strict gender roles of Orthodox life. In a parallel story of transformation, Lemay lovingly shares the journey of her despondent, gender-dysphoric young daughter as she transitions to Jacob. This truly remarkable memoir is filled with love, vulnerability, and compassion.

Please join us as we celebrate LGBTQ Pride Month together.

Books are available to borrow from the Levine-Sklut Judaic Library in eBook format or hard copy. To reserve your copy, go to our website at www.jewishcharlotte.org or contact library@ www.jewishcharlotte.org.