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The Original: an Old Hollywood Adventure with NYT notable author Priya Parmar in conversation with Lauren Marie Fleming
About the Live, In-Person Adventure
“If you obey all of the rules, you miss all of the fun.”
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And what fun to be had there is with Adventures by the Book® as we celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month alongside award-winning author Priya Parmar and the release of her novel The Original. This vivid work of historical fiction brings to life the trail blazing life of Hollywood icon Katharine Hepburn.
Join us at the Library Shop Mission Hills with event moderator Lauren Marie Fleming, as we step into the golden age of cinema and explore the world of Old Hollywood glamor. Discover how Katharine Hepburn defied convention and refused to play by the rules, redefining femininity and fame in the 1930’s – and forever changing the landscape of Hollywood.
Enjoy an engaging and thought-provoking discussion with Priya Parmar, in conversation with Lauren, as she reflects on legacy, storytelling, and the enduring impact of bold, passionate women who have left their mark on history.
Your Adventure includes a book (with EVENT registration and purchase below), which you’ll have the opportunity to have signed at the event—along with a chance to meet Priya Parmar up close and personal.
Registration & Books
This event is free and open to the public.
To guarantee entry and enjoy priority seating, we encourage guests to purchase a copy of The Original in advance (below). A limited number of seats will be reserved for book purchasers, and books purchased through this event will be available for signing.
Additional seating and standing room will be available on a first-come, first-served basis as space allows, so we recommend arriving early to join us for this special evening.
About the Author and Book
Priya Parmar is a New York Times Notable Author and co-author of the musical Sylvia. Her novel Vanessa and Her Sister is a New York Times Notable Book and her work on the musical Sylvia earned her the Olivier Award for Best Original Musical.
The Original is an account of the life of Hollywood icon Katharine Hepburn, a star who turned Old Hollywood on its head with her passionate spirit and fierce independence. The novel follows Kate’s journey as she rewrites what it meant to be a woman on the 1930s silver screen when strict gendered and societal norms merely saw but did not hear women.
About the Moderator
Lauren Marie Fleming (she/her) is a multimedia storyteller and the founder of School for Writers. Her work explores power, desire, resilience, and the stories we tell about our bodies and our lives. She is the author of the hit queer rom-com Because Fat Girl and multiple nonfiction books, including Bawdy Love: 10 Steps to Profoundly Loving Your Body and The Writer’s Career Guide. A graduate of film school and law school, Lauren has produced and overseen multimedia content for major stages and audiences, including two years as a Creative Content Producer for Tony Robbins.
She has been featured in Good Morning America, Glamour, and Cosmo, and has written for VICE, Curve, and The Huffington Post. When not traveling, she can be found walking her dog along the beach in San Diego listening to an audiobook.
About Library Shop Mission Hills
Library Shop Mission Hills is a well-curated nonprofit book & gift shop proudly serving the Mission Hills and Hillcrest neighborhoods. They cater to librarians, library lovers, literary obsessives and book nerds.
One of two Library Shop locations, Library Shop Mission Hills is located at the former site of the Mission Hills Library Branch, which originally opened its doors in 1961. Sales from Library Shop Mission Hills support the entire San Diego Public Library System.
