Oklahoma Humanities
Let's Talk About It
Since 1985, Oklahoma Humanities has strengthened communities by connecting Oklahomans through its dynamic book club program, Let’s Talk About It. Literature is a catalyst for meaningful conversations, encouraging readers to reflect on their experiences, share thoughts and ideas, consider diverse perspectives, and gain new insight.
Literary experts skillfully open each book discussion with a fresh analysis of the text, cultivating intrigue and curiosity. By revealing information about the author’s life, giving historical context, and shedding light on recurring themes throughout the book, they impart a deeper understanding of the readings and lay the groundwork for an illuminating exchange of ideas within the group.
Meet people who share a love of reading! Come to one session, or join us for an entire series. Programs are free and open to all.
Find a Let’s Talk About It program near you!
Nonprofit organizations are invited to host this invaluable, community-enriching program. Consider bringing a Let’s Talk About It series to your town!
About the Program
Nonprofit organizations are invited to host a Let’s Talk About It series to stimulate vibrant, engaging conversations. Each series includes at least four pre-selected books that examine a single theme from multiple perspectives. Food traditions and culture, coming-of-age stories, Oklahoma history, ethnic diversity, and finding hope during desperate times, are just a few of the timeless themes that resonate with readers when explored through Let’s Talk About It.
Each program begins with a literary expert giving a 30-40 minute talk, offering a deeper understanding of the text, the author, and the themes related to the book, allowing readers to gain new insight regarding the book before the discussion unfolds.
The expert’s talk inspires the robust dialogue that follows, where readers contemplate the thoughts and actions of the characters, consider the intentions of the author, and offer their own unique observations about the literature.
As of Fall 2025, participating organizations are allowed to select between one and four books to host during each program cycle. Previously, organizations could only participate if they agreed to cover every book in their selected theme. Now, we are giving organizations the flexibility to choose how robust a program they would like to host.
View Discussion Themes & Essays
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Oklahoma Humanities encourages organizations to join with community partners, not just to strengthen their Let’s Talk About It programs, but to invigorate local relationships and nurture community connections.
Organizations that choose to host a Let’s Talk About It series will receive a planning guide, a directory of participating Scholars, educational essays that provide background and context for the selected theme, and multiple copies of the books to be loaned out to program participants. Each participating organization will receive a grant of up to $1,000. Each host site is responsible for paying each selected scholar $250, organizing and promoting their series, accounting for grant expenditures, monitoring circulation of books for the series, and reporting on program outcomes.
|
Season |
Book Reservations |
Online Application |
Programs Take Place |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Spring 2027 |
Sep. 1 – Oct. 15 |
Oct. 15 – Dec. 1 |
Mar. 1 – June 30 |
|
Fall 2027 |
Feb. 1 – Mar. 15 |
Mar. 15 – Apr. 30 |
July 1 – Oct. 31 |
To begin the application process, please contact Rayne McKinney to reserve books for your series. Reservations are required by the deadlines shown above to be eligible to apply. Once books are reserved for your group, you may complete the online application when it opens. Not sure if Let’s Talk About It is right for your group? Oklahoma Humanities will work with you to ensure a successful application and engaging program! Go to our online grant application.
OH Branding Requirements
All LTAI hosts must review and adhere to all logo usage guidelines.
Sponsors
Let's Talk About It is made possible in Oklahoma by our generous partners:
