Book Discussion and Picnic - The Island of Missing Trees

📘 Book of the Month (July): The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak

📍 Location: Bellevue Downton Park
Head to this maps pin or find us near the northwest side of the park, by the west parking lot. Look for a group with picnic blankets and a Bellevue Book Club painting easel next to them.

Bring your own picnic blanket, chair, or mat to sit on - we'll also have a few extras to share. Dress for the weather. The forecast says it'll be cloudy, with temperatures between 67 and 71 F.

🥐🥗🍥 Optional: Bring snacks to share

Join us for our July Bellevue Book Club Meetup as we dive into a lyrical and moving story about love, loss, memory, and identity set against the backdrop of conflict and displacement. Whether you’ve finished the book, read a few chapters, or just want to listen in, you’re warmly welcome.

📝 Brief Book Summary (from Goodreads):
The Island of Missing Trees follows two teenagers - one Greek Cypriot and one Turkish Cypriot - who meet and fall in love on the divided island of Cyprus. Years later, their story is carried forward by their daughter in London, alongside an unusual narrator: a fig tree that bears witness to generations of love, trauma, and resilience. The novel beautifully explores themes of belonging, war, exile, and the healing power of nature and storytelling.

🗓 Agenda
11:00 – 11:30 AM: Meet & Greet
11:30 – 12:30 PM: Book discussion
12:30 – 1:00 PM: Socialize and connect with fellow members

🚗 Free Parking Options

• West Parking Lot 100th Ave NE
• Southern Parking Lot, or
• Bellevue Square Parking

🚉 Public Transport

• Light rail to Bellevue Downtown and then walk or take BellHop shuttle
• Sound Transit buses

Please be considerate of members in the waitlist and update your RSVP if you’re unable to attend.