CHARLESTON, S.C. –  A set of new Book Club Kits, featuring a fictional story centered in a domestic violence relationship, is now available for borrowing at the Charleston County Public Library (CCPL). The kits feature the best-selling novel “It Ends With Us,” by Colleen Hoover and include copies of the book as well as a Book Club Discussion Guide, curated in partnership with My Sister’s House (MSH), along with resources on services available to help those experiencing domestic violence.

 “October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and we thought there was no better time than now to launch this collaboration that we hope will help provide our community an opportunity to talk about this issue more openly,” said CCPL Deputy Director Natalie Hauff. “There is such stigma associated with domestic violence and we wanted to leverage Hoover’s story to create conversations about intimate partner violence. Books can be a powerful way to connect readers to these types of issues.” 

 The book sold more than 1.7 million copies in 2022 and has become a social media sensation through the #booktok movement. The story centers around the main character, Lily, who experiences domestic violence in a relationship. While fictional, Hoover shared in her epilogue that she witnessed domestic violence in her household as a child and her experience was the inspiration for the book, which is expected to be release as a feature film in the future.

 The Book Club Kits can be checked out from the Bees Ferry West Ashley and Wando Mount Pleasant libraries, or placed on hold and picked up at your library branch of choice. You may place a hold by phone or through the online catalog.

Each kit includes 15 copies of the book as well as the following materials curated by MSH:

 CCPL and MSH Book Club Conversation Guide

Continuing the Conversation Tools

Domestic Violence Support Services and Resources Guide

How-to Guide: Using the 'A.S.K.' Method

 As part of ongoing Domestic Violence Awareness Month events, MSH will be hosting a Town Hall on Thursday, Oct. 5 at the Keith Summey North Charleston Library from 10 a.m. to noon. Joined by panelists Gail Tiburzi Buck of nextOPP Search, Ed Copes of Atlas Tech, and Dr. Ashley Gilmore, of The Citadel, and guided by moderator Shauna J. Rowland, MPH, of Shauna J. Rowland Consulting, Tri-County

neighbors are invited to stand up, speak up, and unite against domestic violence. The event is free and open to the public, but you are asked to register online.

 Enclosed is a photo of My Sister’s House employees Education Specialist Dan Glenn and Volunteer Coordinator Susie Ashe holding items from the kit during a press conference highlighting Domestic Violence Awareness Month and hosted by MUSC on Oct. 3, in partnership with My Sister’s House, MUSC Advocacy Program, Ninth Circuit Solicitor’s Office, Turning the Tide Intervention Program, National

Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center, South Carolina Legal Services, Charleston County Public Library, and the City of Hanahan.