Dine out, do good for Charlotte's libraries

Charlotte's Rye Barcott, author of “It Happened on the Way to War: A Marine’s Path to Peace,” will speak at The Friends of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library's Dine Out for Books event, 5-7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 21, at Zink American Kitchen, 4310 Sharon Road.

As a UNC Chapel Hill student, Barcott spent a summer in Kibera, a mega-slum in Kenya. From that experience, he created a successful nonprofit called Carolina for Kibera. In his memoir, he tells how he launched and led the organization while serving as a Marine.

Barcott's book has won widespread praise and was recently ranked sixth on The Wall Street Journal's bestseller list. It also won the 2011 Ragan Old North State Award for best nonfiction book in North Carolina.

Barcott will speak about 6 p.m., and his talk is free. To ensure a seat, RSVP to amclaughlin@cmlibrary.org. A portion of proceeds from food and drink purchased during the event will be donated to the library system's books and materials budget.