George Jreije is Mechanics' Hall's new writer-in-residence. He is a Lebanese American writer of novels and graphic novels. (Derek Davis/Staff Photographer)

Lebanese American author George Jreije was a sophomore at Clark University majoring in political science and business when a good book flipped a switch in his head, prompting him to ask a question: Could he write something that would provoke the same sense of wonder he’d just experienced? 

Nearly 10 years later, Jreije has turned that curiosity into a career that includes writing, freelance book editing and public speaking.

A writer of young adult fantasy fiction, Jreije has written four novels, and short stories that have appeared in magazines such as Scholastic’s Scope and Bangarang, in addition to two upcoming graphic novels. His works incorporate elements of Arab culture alongside a prominent theme of searching for belonging while being split between two cultures.

One of Jreije’s ultimate goals as a writer is to foster literacy and an appreciation for storytelling among younger generations — something he hopes to continue in his role as Mechanics’ Hall’s next writer-in-residence.

The yearlong position, which he started last Tuesday, gives Jreije a dedicated workspace in the hall, a $2,500 honorarium, and opportunities to connect and share his work with the library community.

“I think that the more synergy we can create, the more we can bring cultural elements to the institutions that are these mainstays and these beacons of culture, I think that good things can happen,” said Jreije.

Over the next year, Jreije plans to break beyond the “classics” of literature and encourage more conversation and exposure to genre fiction such as sci-fi, fantasy, horror and children’s literature.

George Jreije is Mechanics’ Hall’s next writer-in-residence, which gives him time and space to work on a creative project. He is a Lebanese American writer of novels and graphic novels. (Derek Davis/Staff Photographer) Purchase this image

“My spin is going to be inclusivity; let’s make this something that is a more inclusive experience that challenges folks to think outside of what they’re comfortable with,” said Jreije.

Jreije said he has many ideas for what he wants to do with the position, including hosting conversations with local authors or starting a book club.

“I’m an ideas person, and maybe not all of them are feasible, but I’m hoping and dreaming for some of them,” he said.

Jreije was previously a writer-in-residence for the Concord Free Library in Concord, Massachusetts, which left him with a few lessons he plans to keep in mind at Mechanics’ Hall.

“I can’t impose my preferences on patrons, on staff. I have to meet people where they are, and I think in doing so, and getting to know them and them getting to know me, that’s actually how I can get them closer to embodying my excitement for books,” he said.

DRAWING FROM EXPERIENCE

Although Jreije has never attended a school for alchemy or found a ring that houses an all-powerful jinn — unlike the protagonists of his Shad Halid and Bashir Boutros book series — he has drawn on the experience of growing up in a first-generation immigrant household to craft stories that resonate with him and his readers.

He described growing up in the shadow of the Iraq War, how the conflict put a target on the back of all Arabs regardless of what country they came from, and how it resulted in rude comments from people about his background.

“It made me pause and think about how, as humans, we like to put ourselves in buckets and put other people into buckets, and I wanted to explore that in my writing,” Jreije said.

Jreije pulled inspiration from Lebanese culinary tradition, folklore and geography; many of his stories take their protagonists outside the U.S. and to Lebanon. Jreije also incorporated what he described as some of the “sillier parts” of Lebanese culture, such as controlling parents or the experience of being held to a high standard.

“My books are not just about being Lebanese, but being Lebanese American,” said Jreije. “That third culture experience, and not quite feeling Arab enough, while not quite feeling American enough.”

But above all else, Jreije feels that reading and writing remain important because of their ability to foster empathy and compassion for different points of view.

“What we see happening so often in society is that people struggle to put themselves in the shoes of others,” said Jreije. “And I think that books allow one to become better and better at empathizing with the other, but also critically thinking and asking the questions that will lead them to understand.”