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This event is full
Author of One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This
Jared Bland, writer and former Arts editor of The Globe and Mail, in conversation with award-winning novelist and journalist Omar El Akkad about his new book One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This, a powerful reckoning with what it means to live in a West that betrays its fundamental values.
El Akkad believed emigrating from the Middle East to the West promised freedom. Now twenty years later, after reporting news such as the War on Terror, climate change, and the Black Lives Matter protests, he concludes much of this promise is a lie. One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This chronicles his painful realization and is El Akkad's heartsick breakup letter with the West—giving voice to the same breakup happening all over the United States. This book is for all the people who want something better than what the West serves up.
Egypt-born Omar El Akkad grew up in Qatar, moved to Canada as a teen, and now lives in the United States. He is a two-time winner of the Pacific Northwest Booksellers’ Award and the Oregon Book Award. His debut novel, American War, was named by the BBC as one of 100 novels that shaped our world.
Jared Bland is the former publisher of McClelland & Stewart and was a vice president of Penguin Random House Canada. He has also served as the Arts editor of The Globe and Mail, a senior editor at House of Anansi Press, and the managing editor of The Walrus.
Presented in partnership with McClelland & Stewart and A Different Drummer Books.
A Different Drummer Books will be on site with books for sale and signing after the talk.
Explore Omar El Akkad in our collection
If you need an accessibility accommodation during this program, please register early so we can confirm arrangements a few days before your visit.
Central Library is the largest location and houses historical and special collections, a computer lab, meeting rooms for public rental, and departments responsible for system-wide library services support. Burlington Public Library is a tax-supported registered charitable organization.