[photo credit: Octavia’s Bookshelf]
Scheduled during Black History Month, the launch places John’s work within broader conversations about whose voices shape contemporary American literature. Octavia’s Bookshelf focuses on books by BIPOC writers and has built a reputation for welcoming readers across backgrounds. Organizers promise “a warm, intimate, and heart-full book event, with readings from John, community discussion, Q&A, as well as an opportunity for signing and photos.”
John, described as “a poet, author, ancestral Baba, and freedom worker,” frames the collection as poetry “rich with stories, prayers, devotions, affirmations, incantations, soul summoning, and mystic dreaming.” One excerpt captures his urgent call: “Calling the ones who pour medicine. The people are sick. The lands and waters and skies are sick. The food is sick. Everyone is dreaming of being well, of being whole and being whole together.”
The book promises “a lush garden of spiritual and social blooming” functioning as “nourishing salve and balm for this moment and beyond.”
Book Launch with Dr. Jaiya John will run on Thursday, Feb. 19 at 5:30-7:30 p.m. Octavia’s Bookshelf, 1353 North Hill Avenue, Pasadena. For more information, call (626) 421-6222 or visit https://www.octaviasbookshelf.com/events/dr-jaiya-john-book-launch. Ticket prices: Free admission (book not included) to $34 (includes book).
