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ALOUD

The Monk of Mokha

In conversation
Date: Thursday, Feb 15, 2018
Time: 7:30pm
Location: Mark Taper Auditorium-Central Library
coffee_cropped
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Acclaimed author Dave Eggers will be joined on the ALOUD stage by the fascinating subject of his newest book. The Monk of Mokha is the true story of Mokhtar Alkhanshali, an ambitious young Muslim man who was raised in the coffee-loving city of San Francisco and became fascinated by the rich history of coffee. When he travels to his ancestral home of Yemen with the hopes of resurrecting the ancient art of Yemeni coffee, he’s on the brink of success just as the country becomes engulfed in civil war. Join us for a special blend of storytelling as Eggers discusses this heart-pounding work that weaves together biography, a history of the hot commodity of coffee, global conflict, and the high stakes of chasing the American dream.

Frequently asked questions

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A book signing follows most author programs. We encourage you to purchase your book through the Library Store, as the proceeds benefit the Los Angeles Public Library. Library Associates receive 15% off purchases made through the Library Store. Book purchases will be available for pick-up the night of the event.

Dave Eggers

Dave Eggers is the author of eleven books, including: The Circle; Heroes of the Frontier;  A Hologram for the King, a finalist for the National Book Award; and What Is the What,  winner of France’s Prix Médicis Etranger and the Dayton Literary Peace Prize. His nonfiction and journalism has appeared in the Guardian, the New Yorker, the Best American Travel Writing and the Best American Essays. He is the founder of McSweeney’s, the publishing company that distributes the Voice of Witness series of books, which use oral history to illuminate human rights crises around the world. He is the cofounder of 826 National, a network of youth writing and tutoring centers with locations around the country, and of Scholar Match, which connects donors with students to make college accessible. His work has been translated into forty-two languages. He lives in Northern California with his family.

Mokhtar Alkhanshali

Mokhtar Alkhanshali grew up between Brooklyn, San Francisco and Yemen. Mokhtar comes from an ancient lineage of coffee farmers, that traces back to when the world’s first coffee was cultivated in his home province of Ibb over five centuries ago.

Mokhtar is the first licensed Q grader (coffee sommelier) from Yemen and made international news in March 2015 when he escaped war-torn Yemen on a fishing boat with his coffee samples. Mokhtar strives to empower coffee farmers with the knowledge and tools to bring about radical improvements in the quality of their coffees and lives.

Reservation Policy for Free Programs:
As most ALOUD at Central Library programs are free of charge, it is our policy to overbook. In the case of a FULL program your free reservation may not guarantee admission. We recommend arriving early. Space permitting, unclaimed reservations will be released to standby patrons at approximately 7 PM.

Standby Policy:
Standby numbers are distributed in person only one hour before the program, on a first-come, first-served, basis. There is no advance wait list for full programs. Standby patrons will be admitted subject to availability. Most programs will be available via podcast.

Book Signing Policy:
ALOUD is one of many free programs at the Los Angeles Public Library made possible by the Library Foundation of Los Angeles. Most ALOUD author programs are followed by book signings. At least one copy of the author’s book must be purchased from The Library Store in order to participate in any post-program book signing, and you will be asked to show proof of purchase. Please be prepared to show your proof of purchase when you enter the book signing line. Proceeds support the Los Angeles Public Library.

Main Image: Port of Mokha

630 W. Fifth St.
Los Angeles, CA 90071

213.228.7500

info@lfla.org

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Stacy Lieberman

As President and CEO of the Library Foundation of Los Angeles (LFLA), Stacy Lieberman is an innovative and inclusive leader whose career dwells at the intersection of arts and culture, lifelong learning, storytelling, and equitable access. Stacy guides the Foundation’s philanthropic and public-facing priorities to serve the Los Angeles Public Library, embracing the notion that libraries are beacons of democracy where everyone is welcome. She works intentionally with community leaders, donors, and internal and external strategic partners to raise awareness and resources for the Library and its life-changing initiatives.

With more than 20 years of experience as a senior executive, Stacy has left an indelible mark on iconic L.A. arts, non-profit, and educational institutions such as The Broad, the Autry Museum of the American West, and the Skirball Cultural Center. Building on an early career in book publishing, she has dedicated her professional life to sharing stories and broadening the reach of public institutions to welcome visitors and students of all ages and backgrounds to experience educational, arts, and cultural opportunities.