Truman Welcomes Community Participation for Book Club, Author Visit

Truman is sponsoring a free community-wide book club in preparation for an on-campus presentation by the author in March.  
 
Anthony Ray Hinton was wrongfully convicted of murder in 1985 and spent nearly 30 years on death row in Alabama. With the assistance of the Equal Justice Initiative, led by attorney Bryan Stevenson, Hinton finally won his release in 2015. Since his conviction was overturned by the United States Supreme Court, he has become a sought-after speaker and author of “The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row,” which was selected for Oprah’s Book Club and is a New York Times bestseller.
 
Hinton will be at Truman at 6 p.m. March 26 as part of the University’s Holman Family Distinguished Speaker Series. In anticipation of his presentation, the Criminal Justice Studies program is offering free copies of “The Sun Does Shine” as part of a community book club.
 
“‘The Sun Does Shine’ is Hinton’s story from the perspective of someone who faced an unimaginable ordeal being sentenced to die for a crime he didn’t commit. Yet through it all, his message of hope, faith and justice is resounding,” said Elizabeth Wiles, director of interdisciplinary studies and chair of legal studies and pre-law programming at Truman. “It is a powerful memoir, and this event is sure to be a transformative experience for anyone from any background.”
 
Hinton may be familiar to audiences from his inclusion in Stevenson’s book “Just Mercy,” later adapted into a movie of the same name. At the time “Just Mercy” was originally published, Hinton had yet to be exonerated. “The Sun Does Shine” gives readers the firsthand account of his redemptive journey.
 
The book club is open to all members of the community. Copies of “The Sun Does Shine” will be provided free of charge. Small groups of book club members will be organized for weekly meetings in March leading up to Hinton’s presentation. Each group will meet at a set day and time for three weeks. Participants will be able to sign up for the day and time that works with their schedule. Most times are after 5 p.m., with two lunch time slots also available. Each small group will be led by Truman students. Wiles will offer a virtual option for alumni and participants from outside of the area.
 
Those interested in participating in the book club can sign up online at truman.edu/events/the-sun-does-shine. Copies of the book can be picked up in Truman’s Social Sciences and Human Inquiry Department located in McClain Hall 213. To inquire about getting a delivered copy of the book, call 660.785.7201, or email Wiles at ewiles@truman.edu. “The Sun Does Shine” is also available online or at the Adair County Public Library.  
 
Hinton’s presentation will take place at 6 p.m. March 26 at a location to be announced. The book club and presentation are sponsored by the Holman Family Distinguished Speaker Series and the Criminal Justice Studies and Interdisciplinary Studies programs, in collaboration with the Equal Justice Initiative.