USAO Grad to Hold Book Signing in Chickasha
Published:
July-07-2009
Photo Cutline:
Freelance writer and USAO graduate Shanna Bartlett Groves will discuss her first novel Lip Reader during a book signing scheduled July 20 from 6-9 p.m. at Java Dave's Coffee House, 1724 South Fourth Street, in Chickasha. Groves will sign and sale copies of the novel, as well as read from the book. Groves based the novel on her own experiences with hearing loss. “I wrote Lip Reader to tell a story of a family dealing with hearing loss. This is a story that not only tells about their experiences with being hard of hearing in a hearing world, but also some of the reactions that other people have had with their deafness.”
Dealing with progressive hearing loss since she was 27, USAO graduate Shanna (Bartlett) Groves did what any good writer would do -- she wrote a novel. Groves' experiences inspired her novel, Lip Reader. She returns to Chickasha in July for a book signing and reading.
A book signing featuring Lip Reader is scheduled July 20 from 6-9 p.m. at Java Dave's Coffee House, 1724 South Fourth Street. Groves will sign and sale copies of the novel, as well as read from the book. Groves is a 1996 graduate of USAO and a 1992 graduate of Prague High School.
"In the book, a rural Oklahoma family faces hearing loss, deafness and communication challenges in the early 1980’s," Groves said. "Twelve-year-old Sapphie Traylor describes her relatives with vivid detail -- her mother who lives in a fantasy world, a grandmother born deaf, a stern preacher-grandfather, and an aunt fluent in sign language but lacking in social graces. It is up to Rea's young daughter, Sapphie, to solve the mystery of her mother's secret life while finding the courage to forgive."
The book sheds light on how hearing loss affects all ages. “It is becoming more common among people ages 20-50 for a variety of reasons. First is increased exposure to loud noises. Repeated use of loud headphones and stereos, as well as music concerts, has contributed to hearing loss prevalence in young people,” Groves said.
“Other causes of hearing loss in young people can include chronic ear infections or certain medications. Of course, a family history of genetic hearing loss can make young people more susceptible.”
Groves has written about her hearing journey in Hearing Loss Magazine, The Kansas City Star, and A Cup of Comfort for Nurses. Lip Reader is her first novel. More information about Lip Reader is available at http://shannagroves.blogspot.com.
While a student at USAO, Groves wrote for the Chickasha Star, served as an intern at KWTV Channel 9 and as an intern at The Daily Oklahoman. On campus, she was the editor, assistant editor and a writer for the student newspaper, The Trend.
