BookTalk: The House of My Mother
Tuesday May 26 2026 6:00PM
Garland County Library
Program Description
The House of My Mother is a memoir by Shari Franke, the eldest daughter in a family featured in the YouTube channel 8 Passengers (2.5 million subscribers). Behind the picture‑perfect facade of a devout, morally strict mother (Ruby Franke), Shari reveals a childhood marked by abuse—both emotional and physical—as her mother enforced an extreme moral code while portraying the family as perfect to the public.
As the family’s online profile grew, so did the pressure and the severity of the disciplinary methods. Ruby’s involvement with a life‑coach/therapist, Jodi Hildebrandt, and a coaching program called ConneXions intensifies this abuse, creating both religious and psychological control over the children.
Shari narrates her journey of doubting the rules she was forced into, trying to protect her younger siblings, and eventually seeking distance and safety—first emotionally, then physically—through college. She confronts the cost of growing up publicly, the harm of invisibility within her own home (despite being visible to the world), and her slow path toward truth, healing, and freedom.
When
6:00PM - 7:00PM
Tuesday May 26 2026
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Contact
Where
Auditorium
Garland County Library
1427 Malvern Ave.
Hot Springs AR
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Registrations
There's no need to register for this program. Just meet us at Garland County Library.
| PROGRAM NAME | Date | LOCATION | Age restriction | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BookTalk: My Husband's Wife | June 23 2026 at 6:00PM | Garland County Library | Adult Program | |
| BookTalk: Awake | July 28 2026 at 6:00PM | Garland County Library | Adult Program | |
| BookTalk: Cherry Baby | August 25 2026 at 6:00PM | Garland County Library | Adult Program | |
| BookTalk: It's Not Her | September 22 2026 at 6:00PM | Garland County Library | Adult Program | |
| BookTalk: Silent Patient | October 27 2026 at 6:00PM | Garland County Library | Adult Program | |
| BookTalk: God of the Woods | November 24 2026 at 6:00PM | Garland County Library | Adult Program | |
| BookTalk: Alchemised | December 15 2026 at 6:00PM | Garland County Library | Adult Program |
Map
After Hours Programs
| PROGRAM NAME | Date | LOCATION | Age restriction | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult D&D Club | Tomorrow at 2:00PM | Garland County Library | Adult Program | |
| Inkhearts Fiction Writers Workshop | June 9 2026 at 6:00PM | Garland County Library | Adult Program | |
| Curious Cuisines: Sodas | June 9 2026 at 6:00PM | Garland County Library | Adult Program | |
| Adult D&D Club | June 28 2026 at 2:00PM | Garland County Library | Adult Program | |
| Inkhearts Fiction Writers Workshop | July 14 2026 at 6:00PM | Garland County Library | Adult Program | |
| Curious Cuisines: Chips | July 14 2026 at 6:00PM | Garland County Library |
New Adult Programs
| PROGRAM NAME | Date | LOCATION | Age restriction | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult D&D Club | Tomorrow at 2:00PM | Garland County Library | Adult Program | |
| Music Monday: Acoustic Jam | June 1 2026 at 4:00PM | Garland County Library | ||
| AR Game & Fish Commission: Reptiles! | June 3 2026 at 10:30AM | Garland County Library | ||
| K-9 Demonstration | June 5 2026 at 10:30AM | Garland County Library | ||
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| Music Monday: Ukulele Club | June 8 2026 at 4:00PM | Garland County Library |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cozy Killers Book Club: The Busy Body Book Club by Freya Sampson | June 4 2026 at 2:00PM | Garland County Library | Adult Program | |
| True Crime Book Club: Manhunt by James L. Swanson | June 6 2026 at 11:00AM | Garland County Library | Adult Program | |
| Banana Splits Book Club | June 17 2026 at 4:30PM | Garland County Library | Ages 8-12 | FULL |
| Graphic Novel Book Club | June 18 2026 at 11:00AM | Garland County Library | Ages 9-12 | |
| Bookmobile Book Club @ Coronado Library | June 23 2026 at 10:00AM | Bookmobile | Adult Program | |
| Teen Book Club | June 23 2026 at 4:00PM | Garland County Library | Ages 13-18 |
Adult Programs
| PROGRAM NAME | Date | LOCATION | Age restriction | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Know It to Grow It Program: Scented Geraniums | Today at 10:00AM | Garland County Library | ||
| Adult D&D Club | Tomorrow at 2:00PM | Garland County Library | Adult Program | |
| Music Monday: Acoustic Jam | June 1 2026 at 4:00PM | Garland County Library | ||
| McAuley Center Bookmobile Visit | June 3 2026 at 11:00AM | Bookmobile | ||
| Bingo for Books | June 3 2026 at 1:00PM | Garland County Library | Adult Program | |
| All Things Fiber | June 4 2026 at 9:00AM | Garland County Library | Adult Program |