Larry Zuckerman presents 'To Save a Life'

Third Place Books welcomes writer Larry Zuckerman to our Ravenna store for a conversation about his new book, , which transports readers to the early twentieth century to witness two Russian Jewish émigrés' story of love, independence, and living with courage in the face of uncertainty.

This event is free and open to the public. For important updates, RSVP is highly recommended in advance. This event will include a public signing and time for audience Q&A. Sustain our author series by purchasing a copy of the featured book!

This event is free to attend. Registration is recommended in advance.

Please note: While RSVP helps us anticipate attendance, your RSVP may not guarantee a seat. Seating is first-come, first-served, and all events at our Ravenna neighborhood store are free and open to the public. Only standing room may be available for events with high interest.

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Two young Jewish émigrés from Russia fight for their destiny in 1909 New York.

In 1909, Malka Kaminsky steals her dowry to flee Russia and an arranged marriage, arriving in New York hungry for freedom. Drawn into the hustle of the Golden Land, Malka joins a sweatshop strike and is nearly beaten by thugs, but a stranger and fellow Russian Jew, Yaakov Rogovin, rescues her. Malka doesn’t thank him, refusing to acknowledge her debt, but when chance brings Yaakov to her Sabbath table, they laugh and trade warm glances—only to deny their mutual attraction. After all, they carry deep scars from Russia, where admitting to desires always led to heartache. But as they strive to become entrepreneurs—Yaakov as a musician, Malka as a dressmaker—they hope that independence will show them how to live unafraid, despite the past. And they will need that lesson soon, because when Malka’s fiancé arrives, determined to reclaim her, she seeks Yaakov’s help, neither of them aware what fighting for their dreams will cost.

LARRY ZUCKERMAN is the descendant of courageous Jews who came to America from Eastern Europe. His grandparents spoke Yiddish around him whenever they wished to protect their privacy—and their impassioned, expressive tone made him want to know what he was missing. In paying homage to their generation and mother tongue, To Save a Life expresses his love for other times and places. Larry’s previous novel, Lonely Are the Brave (2023), portrays a World War I hero turned at-home father in a Washington State logging town. Larry’s nonfiction includes The Potato: How the Humble Spud Rescued the Western World, which was excerpted in The New York Times, and The Rape of Belgium: The Untold Story of World War I, which reflects his fascination with that tragic era. He has appeared on NPR’s Morning Edition and delivered a keynote address at the 2009 World Potato Congress in Christchurch, New Zealand. He lives in Seattle.

Founded in 1998 in Lake Forest Park, Washington, Third Place Books is dedicated to the creation of a community around books and the ideas inside them. With locations in Lake Forest Park and Seattle's Ravenna and Seward Park neighborhoods, Third Place Books is proud to serve the entire Seattle metro area. Learn more about their event series at thirdplacebooks.com/events.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Third Place Books Ravenna, 6504 20th Avenue Northeast, Seattle, United States