Fiction

Join us for a discussion of ***Cobalt Red: How the Blood of the Congo Powers Our Lives* by Siddharth Kara** Here's the summary: An unflinching investigation reveals the human rights abuses behind the Congo’s cobalt mining operation―and the moral implications that affect us all. Cobalt Red is the searing, first-ever exposé of the immense toll taken on the people and environment of the Democratic Republic of the Congo by cobalt mining, as told through the testimonies of the Congolese people themselves. Activist and researcher Siddharth Kara has traveled deep into cobalt territory to document the testimonies of the people living, working, and dying for cobalt. To uncover the truth about brutal mining practices, Kara investigated militia-controlled mining areas, traced the supply chain of child-mined cobalt from toxic pit to consumer-facing tech giants, and gathered shocking testimonies of people who endure immense suffering and even die mining cobalt. Cobalt is an essential component to every lithium-ion rechargeable battery made today, the batteries that power our smartphones, tablets, laptops, and electric vehicles. Roughly 75 percent of the world’s supply of cobalt is mined in the Congo, often by peasants and children in sub-human conditions. Billions of people in the world cannot conduct their daily lives without participating in a human rights and environmental catastrophe in the Congo. In this stark and crucial book, Kara argues that we must all care about what is happening in the Congo―because we are all implicated. **Let’s meet at Caboose Commons in Fairfax to enjoy some good discussion and meet new friends.**

[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“The Secrets of Runes,”** on the origins, development, and interpretation of the runic script, with Lilla Kopár, runologist and a professor of medieval literature and culture at Catholic University. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-rune-secrets](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-rune-secrets) .] The fame of runes outshines that of any other ancient script. They can be found not just on Viking Age rune stones, but on Bilbo’s door and as the Bluetooth logo on your cell phone. Runic script is commonly associated with magic, used by modern practitioners of neopaganism, and in recent decades has captured the imagination of filmmakers and video game designers. Yet most of us know little about the historical origins of runes and have no clue how to read or use them. Come to Crooked Run Fermentation in Sterling, Va., to get schooled on runic script with the help of Lilla Kopár, a veteran scholar of runes who has earned a following among Profs and Pints fans by giving fantastic talks on medieval monsters and Norse mythology. As someone who has carried out extensive field research on runes, published several articles on runic objects, and even appeared on the History Channel commenting on runes in America, she’s exceptionally qualified to introduce you to runology and the fascinating things that runes tell us. Dr Kopár will discuss the development of runic script from its humble origins on the borders of the Roman Empire in the first or second century CE, through its popularity in the Viking world, to its use and misuse in modern times. She’ll discuss how runes are a set of related alphabets that underwent changes over time and she’ll describe what inspired changes in this writing system and where and how runes were used in the medieval period. Her richly illustrated talk will highlight some of the most intriguing objects with runic inscriptions, from humble bone fragments to impressive rune stones, and offer insight into the scholarly methods of deciphering and interpreting runic inscriptions. We’ll also look at the function of the runic script from simple practical notes and memorial inscriptions to cipher-runes and magic. The most fun might be the in-class assignment, which will involve reading a few runic inscriptions and writing your name and other words in runes. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. Talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: Part of Codex runicus, a rune manuscript written on animal skin and dating to about 1300 (University of Copenhagen / Wikimedia Commons).

North Bethesda Fiction Readers, put a hold on this page-turner NOW if you get your books from a public library. This is another work of historical fiction for us. In it, Lawhon "creates a stirring portrait of a real-life heroine." You can read the entire Kirkus Review [here](https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/ariel-lawhon/the-frozen-river/). We will meet in the common area of a condominium association called The Gallery at White Flint: 11710 Old Georgetown Rd. The organizer will greet everyone at the entrance. If the seating at the fireplace across from the entrance is not appealing, we will convene in the organizer's home. The concierge will not likely be of much help, so if you are running late, please let the organizer know. There is metered parking across the street. There is ample parking at the Randolph Shopping Center, nearby: 12255 Nebel Street, Rockville.

Join fellow book club members for an evening out at Noku located at 1607 Village Market Blvd SE in Village at Leesburg. Each person is responsible for any food and drinks selected. If you sign up and need to cancel, please notify us at leasst 24 hours in advance.

Join us in-person or virtually to discuss standalone and firsts of a series in both the fantasy and science fiction realm! Upcoming Discussions: March: "Year of the Reaper" by Makiia Lucier April: "Some Desperate Glory" by Emily Tesh May: "The Tainted Cup" by Robert Jackson Bennett Registration required. RSVPing on Meetup does not register you for the program. To register, please [click here](https://pwcgov.libnet.info/events?term=among+the+stars&r=range&start=today&end=2030-12-31). [Click here](https://pwc-doit.webex.com/pwc-doit/j.php?MTID=ma2b1573e7bf4a4ac640389b9f0b5f1ae) for the meeting link to join virtually.