Speak to Me of Home: a USA 250th Birthday Series Adventure featuring NYT bestseller Jeanine Cummins in Conversation with Zohreh Ghahremani
About the In-Person Library Adventure
“I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.”— Louisa May Alcott
New York Times bestselling author Jeanine Cummins joins author Zohreh Ghahremani at the Pacific Highlands Ranch Library for a special conversation celebrating Jeanine’s most recent novel, Speak to Me of Home. Known for her powerful storytelling about migration, family, and belonging, Jeanine’s newest work continues her exploration of how identity, heritage, and resilience shape our understanding of home.
This event is part of our USA 250th Birthday Series, highlighting the peoples and cultures that have contributed to and shaped our nation’s history. Through the lives and journeys of her characters, Jeanine and Zohreh invite readers to reflect on the immigrant experiences that have long been part of the American story — stories of courage, sacrifice, and the search for opportunity that continue to shape our national identity.
Join us at the Pacific Highlands Ranch Library for an engaging conversation with Jeanine Cummins and Zohreh Ghahremani about the inspiration behind Speak to Me of Home, the themes that drive her writing, and the ways literature can deepen our understanding of the many voices that contribute to the American experience.
Happy 250th Birthday USA
This program is part of our USA 250th Birthday Series, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States by honoring the diverse peoples, cultures, and communities whose contributions have shaped our nation’s history. Through literature, conversation, and shared learning, this series explores the many voices and lived experiences that together form the American story.
Registration
Registration for this event is not required, as it is free and open to the public, and general seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Because this event is expected to reach capacity, we encourage guests to arrive early.
For those who would like to guarantee a seat, a limited number of VIP tickets are available with the purchase (below) of Speak to Me of Home.
Preordering helps ensure availability and supports both the author and this special USA 250th Birthday Series. Books will also be available at the event for signing.
About the Author and Book
Jeanine Cummins is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of American Dirt, which was an Oprah’s Book Club pick and a Barnes & Noble Book Club selection, as well as a #1 Indie Next pick. The novel has been translated into thirty-seven languages and sold more than four million copies worldwide. She has written four other books. She lives in New York with her family..
A striking, resonant examination of marriage, family, and identity, Speak to Me of Home is ultimately a story of mothers and daughters that asks: How can three women who share geography and genetics have such wildly different ideas of where they come from? And, more important, can they discover a common language to find their way back home?
About the Moderator
About the Pacific Highlands Ranch Library
Pacific Highlands Ranch Library is the newest addition to the San Diego Public Library system. This library has been designated a LEED Silver-certified green building for its smart design and innovative energy conservation that features a state-of-the-art water reclamation system.
The Library is an 18,000-square-foot building designed to fit the changing needs of a modern neighborhood library. In addition to a comprehensive collection of library materials, the space has a large community room, a seminar room for smaller gatherings and multiple study rooms available to visitors. Other features include an IDEA Lab (maker space) and gated outdoor areas for adults and children to gather and play.
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