Growing up, Sara Novic was immersed in music, Bible study, and fitting in. But, when she failed her school’s mandatory hearing test, the world as she knew it disappeared. In its place came a beautiful, tight-knit deaf community that helped Novic drop the facade she wore for so long.

In her memoir, Mother Tongue, Novic writes about how finding her people, and eventually herself, aided her in raising two sons — one biological and hearing, the other adopted and deaf.

Novic joined us to discuss the book in the latest installment of our Booklight PA book club author series. Watch the conversation here:

This event is in partnership with A Novel Idea, a community-minded bookstore and event space in East Passyunk, Philadelphia, run by Alexander Schneider and Christina Rosso-Schneider. Read more about A Novel Idea and purchase your books here.

OTHER BOOKLIGHT PA EVENTS:

Black Genius, Tre Johnson. Watch here.

Sidle Creek, Jolene McIlwain. Watch here.

Shut Up and Read, Jeannine Cook. Watch here.

Journalists discuss Gov. Josh Shapiro’s memoir. Watch here.

If Sons, Then Heirs, Lorene Cary. Watch here.

Saturnalia, Stephanie Feldman. Watch here.

The School for Good Mothers, Jessamine Chan. Watch here.