Mark my words. This is going to be a November to remember. There is so much going on at the Library, you may want to plan some power naps so that you will have the energy to attend them all!

Here's what's happening:

Our Fall Author Series continues (and concludes) in November with two extremely exciting presentations. On Thursday, November 5th at 7 p.m., David Baldacci will be here to talk about his brand new book True Blue. We've read this book. We've read his others. We've heard him speak. We know that you are in for an incredible evening! Click here for all the details, including information about a book donation drive to benefit Feeding Body & Mind.

On Sunday, November 15th at 5:30 p.m., Chris Welles Feder, the oldest daughter of film icon Orson Welles will be our featured speaker. In her new book, In My Father's Shadow: A Daughter Remembers Orson Welles, she writes about her relationship with her father, and of growing up in the unreal reality of Hollywood. This promises to be a fascinating event. You can click here for more information, and also keep in mind that we are going to prepare all the prior week for this program by presenting Orson Welles Movie Matinees on November, 9th, 11th, and 13th. Click here for more information.

Our Fall Book Discussion Series continues, as does our Foreign Film Series. Madge McKeithen also returns this month for the thought-provoking and fun One Page Poetry Circle (the theme for November: Poetry & Family.)

...and, of course, don't forget The Annual Meeting of Friends of the Darien Library on Sunday, November 8th at 5 p.m! Here are the details.

See you at the Library!

In anticipation of the upcoming visit on November 15th of Chris Welles Feder, author of In My Father's Shadow: A Daughter Remembers Orson Welles, we will be showing three of Welles's masterpieces in special matinee screenings. These films are not-to-be-missed in any venue, but we hope that you make the time to join us in the Community Room for a classic movie theater experience.

Monday, November 9

2 p.m.

CITIZEN KANE

(1941) Starring Orson Welles, Joseph Cotton, and Agnes Moorehead; Rated PG; 110 minutes

An American tragedy of a newspaper tycoon, from his humble beginnings to the solitude of his final years.

Wednesday, November 11

2 p.m.

THE LADY FROM SHANGHAI

(1947) Starring Orson Welles and Rita Hayworth; Not rated; 87 minutes

An Irish adventurer accompanies a beautiful woman and her handicapped husband on an ocean cruise, and soon becomes involved in a murder plot.

Friday, November 13

2 p.m.

TOUCH OF EVIL

(1958) Starring Charlton Heston, Janet Leigh, and Orson Welles; Not rated; 111 minutes 

A narcotics officer and a corrupt cop are involved in a murder investigation in a small border town.

Chris Welles Feder

CHRIS WELLES FEDER - Author of In My Father's Shadow: A Daughter Remembers Orson Welles

Sunday, November 15, 5:30 p.m.

Orson Welles's oldest daughter, Chris Welles Feder, has written a revealing book about one of cinema's greatest icons. Though many books have been written about Orson Welles, the mastermind behind such films as Citizen Kane and Touch of Evil, none have provided the deeply personal and nuanced portrait that emerges from Welles Feder's memories of her father. Featuring more than 50 photographs of Orson Welles and his family and friends, In My Father's Shadow offers a moving and insightful look at life lived in the shadow of a legendary figure; it is an immensely entertaining story of growing up a child of Hollywood.

This Meet the Author Event is part of the Fall Author Series at the Library.

A book signing and wine and cheese reception will follow the presentation. Books will be available for purchase.

Additional parking for evening and weekend Library programs on Thorndal Circle (behind Nielsen's).

Please be sure to catch our Orson Welles Movie Matinees during the week leading up to Chris Welles Feder's visit! Click here for more information.

Playing this Friday night: Sin Nombre

Our Foreign Film Series began last Friday evening and right off the bat, we were back in full swing with a crowd and cookies for The Class. The series will run for six more weeks with films in Spanish, French, Serbo-Croatian, Finnish, and Swedish. Click here for a look at the whole lineup.

Movies begin at 7:30 p.m. They're free and open to the public.

 October 30 - Sin Nombre -- Mexico (2009) Rated R (for violence and language), In Spanish with English subtitles; 96 minutes

Seeking the promise of America, a beautiful young Honduran woman, Sayra, joins her father and uncle on an odyssey to the United States. Along the way she crosses paths with a Mexican gang member who is trying to outrun his violent past and elude his former associates. Together they must rely on faith, trust, and street smarts if they are to survive their perilous journey towards the hope of new lives.

Over the past few months, we have been having a wonderful time reading, sharing, and discussing poetry in our new program, One Page Poetry Circle, led by discussion leader Madge McKeithen, faculty member of The Writing Program at The New School. And whether you can recite Mary Oliver and Robert Frost in your sleep, or you feel that poetry oftentimes has you intrigued but a bit bewildered, I have no doubt that you will find our poetry circle a wonderful way to explore this unique literary form. Reading poetry aloud can be an enlightening experience and sometimes makes all the difference in one's interpretation of the writer's words. You will find a very welcoming and encouraging setting, and it will leave you with inspiration to browse our amazing poetry collection and check out some new authors.

For each session, we will always have a theme to guide you in your selections. Simply bring along a single page of poetry (by an established poet) that means something to you - perhaps a poem that you remember from childhood, one that you find interesting or unusual, or one that you might not quite understand. Everyone has an opportunity to read and share their choices with the group, and then we'll have some lively discussions about them. It's a great way to discover new writings, hear others' thoughts, and share your own.

Mark your calendar for our next two sessions:

Wednesday, November 18 at 7 PM
Poetry & Family

Wednesday, December 16 at 7 PM
Poetry & Light

Flickr photo courtesy of Beppie K.

In the Art Gallery

Have you been by yet to witness the stunning Art on View in our Art Gallery? We are always so fortunate to be surrounded by wonderful works of art, and this current show is no exception. Photography by David Hurwitt is now on display in our Art Gallery, which is on the lower level of the Library. Here are some photographs from the Artist's Reception that was held last Friday.

According to David, he began taking photography seriously in the 1970s when his children were young. He went on to explain how that changed:

"Then about 2003, two important events coincided to change my photographic perspective. First came the digital revolution: affordable...SLR digital cameras whose photos rivaled – and eventually surpassed – the quality of film, and with much more creative latitude. Then our daughter Sarah and her husband moved to New Delhi to teach school, and invited us to visit. What we found in India was a photographer’s paradise: beautiful, colorful, character-filled faces in fascinating settings, who loved having their pictures taken. (I always ask permission; it may be my photograph, but it's their image.)"

The images are fantastic. There's "The Fabric Market" and even a "Happy Camel" among the brilliantly colorful collection. The Artist's Reception was also fantastic. Present, was "the group that went," (pictured at left) friends of the artist, who accompanied him to India on a recent trip, where and when many of the photographs were taken.

The show will be on exhibit at the Library through November 30th. There's still time to catch this show. Please stop by. 

Meet Us on Main Street

Every Wednesday in October, at 11 a.m., join us for Meet Us on Main Street! for excellent (and fun) book talk.  

If you feel flummoxed over decisions featuring fiction, non-fiction, and/or film, fear not! We are here for you with great suggestions and recommendations.

Meet Us on Main Street - Wednesdays at 11 a.m. throughout October.

David Baldacci

Our Fall Author Series Continues!

DAVID BALDACCI

Thursday, November 5th at 7 p.m. 

Internationally-acclaimed author David Baldacci shocked the publishing world when he burst onto the literary scene with his first novel, Absolute Power. Since then, he has written 13 additional bestselling works and is best known for his Camel Club series and the King and Maxwell series. On Thursday, November 5th, he is coming here to talk about his brand new book, True Blue and (truly!) we couldn't be happier! 

He is also the author of Total Control, The Winner, The Simple Truth, Saving Faith, Wish You Well, Last Man Standing, The Christmas Train, Split Second, Hour Game, The Camel Club, The Collectors, Simple Genius, Stone Cold, The Whole Truth, Divine Justice, and First Family. All of his books have been national and international bestsellers and over 90 million of his books appear in print and are published worldwide in at least 45 languages.

 A wine and cheese reception and book signing will follow the presentation. Books will be available for purchase.

Please note: Donations of new and gently-used books will be accepted at this Library event to benefit Feeding Body & Mind,  a literacy program sponsored by Mr. Baldacci’s family foundation, the Wish You Well Foundation, which works to eliminate illiteracy. Feeding Body & Mind is a joint effort with Feeding America, that strives to meet both physical and intellectual needs through food and book donations for those in need. Through Feeding Body & Mind, new and gently-used books are collected and distributed through Feeding America’s nationwide network of food banks.

Additional parking for evening and weekend Library programs on Thorndal Circle (behind Nielsen's).

It was an evening of laughter, great food, wine, and friends as we continued our Fall Author Series last night with a visit by acclaimed chef Lucinda Scala Quinn, who offered some tried and true tips from her new cookbook, Mad Hungry: Feeding Men and Boys, on how to tame the "wild beasts" in our lives and share with us how to make a family meal that will attract even the pickiest of eaters and satisfy even the most urgent of hungry situations!

• Always have bacon on hand. The stuff lasts forever! And whether you're serving it as a main part of your dish or not, the smell of bacon cooking will surely lure anyone to the kitchen table.
   
• You will build a vegetable eater if you give vegetables their due credit. Rather than hiding spinach in a brownie dessert, celebrate the taste of the leafy green simply by sauteing it in a little olive oil, salt, and pepper, to the point where it just begins to fall. Don't let it get soggy, and you'll have boys who will begin to adore the traditionally feared side-dish!
   
• Men are not genetically incapable of washing dishes. They just need a little encouragement! If they leave crusted, dirty pots in the sink or on the stove, put them in a place that will have them horrified and rushing to the sink looking for the SOS. Lucinda’s suggested locations: their car seat or their sock drawers. Hmmm….

Our Fall Foreign Film Series begins!

Friday Films are certainly not foreign to us or our members, but, just in case, here's a reminder that our Foreign Film Series begins today, October 23rd at 7:30 p.m.

Our first film in the series will be:

The Class

France (2009) Rated PG-13; In French with English subtitles; 130 minutes

Francois and his fellow teachers prepare for a new year at a high school in a tough neighborhood. Armed with the best intentions, they brace themselves to not let discouragement stop them from trying to give the best education to their students. Cultures and attitudes often clash in the classroom, a microcosm of contemporary France. Francois insists on an atmosphere of respect and diligence. Neither stuffy nor severe, his extravagant frankness often takes the students by surprise. But his classroom ethics are put to the test when his students begin to challenge his methods.

Click here to watch the trailer.

For more infomation about the upcoming films in the series, click here.

Refreshments will be served. Admission is free.

Additional parking for evening and weekend Library programs on Thorndal Circle (behind Nielsen's).