This post is paid advertising by Lebanon County Libraries.

Alena Dillon, author of the 2022 Lebanon County Reads title “Mercy House,” will speak virtually Sept. 15 at 7 p.m. Guests may attend virtually via Zoom or in person at Leedy Theater, Lebanon Valley College. Tickets are $5 each (LVC students attend free). Purchase tickets online or at your local Lebanon County library.

Lebanon County Reads is a community reading campaign encouraging Lebanon County residents to vote for the winning title, read, and engage in book discussions and other events related to the book. In 2022 Lebanon County chose “Mercy House” by Alena Dillon as our Lebanon County Reads title.

“Mercy House” tells the story of a century-old row house in Brooklyn where renegade Sister Evelyn and her fellow nuns preside over a safe haven for the abused and abandoned. Gruff and indomitable on the surface, warm and wry underneath, little daunts Evelyn, until she receives word that Mercy House will be investigated by Bishop Hawkins, a man with whom she shares a dark history. Amidst her fight to protect the women aided by Evelyn and her sisters, she discovers the extraordinary power of mercy and the grace it grants, not just to those who receive it, but to those strong enough to bestow it.

Lebanon County Reads is a partnership of all six Lebanon County public libraries and Lebanon Valley College, and is supported by the Gannett Foundation.

Other events include book discussion groups at the local libraries and a series of Community Conversations led by Alissa Perrotto of SARCC (Sexual Assault Resource & Counseling Center) and Michael Ritter of DVI (Domestic Violence) of Lebanon County. Complete information on upcoming events may be found at lclibs.org/lebcoreads.