Sunday's Book Discussion. Historic.

When we meet tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. for our Fall Book Discussion Series and Jordon leads the talk about The Garden of Last Days, there's certain to be discussion of the pre 9/11 setting of the novel. There will also be discussion of Jordon's personal Dubus history. Jordon knew the author's father, Andre Dubus many years ago .When Janet and I went with Jordon this past summer to hear Andre (III) speak, it was a reunion of sorts...Jordon last saw the author more than 40 years ago!  

It was the last Annual Meeting in this building.The air outside was crisp and clear and the atmosphere inside was crackling and cheerful.

 We heard from Kim Huffard, David Campbell, Louise Berry, and our Annual Meeting speaker Philip Van Munching...all great...but yes, it was bittersweet. There were reminiscences. There were thanks. There were kudos. There were laughs...and smiles...but, most of all, there was what holds us all together in the first place...this community...and the love that this community has for its Library. The anticipation for the Grand Opening of the New Darien Library is palpable. Remember the date: JANUARY 10, 2009.

image by Flickr User FelipeArte

Join other Darien parents to brainstorm ways to support the Children's Room!

Local parents have put together a meeting to discuss ways that you can get involved in creating a "Friends of the Children's Room."

October 20th from 10:00 am - 12:00 noon

Refreshments will be served.

Come, share in the excitement of our new building and a new opportunity to get connected to your Children's Room at Darien Library!

Among the yellows, browns, and oranges of fall, we’re seeing a lot of purple in Darien. And that’s alarming, because each purple ribbon around town represents a call for help to the domestic violence team in our police department. Over 80 calls – that’s nearly two a week – were made in the past year.

October gives us lots of opportunities to learn about recognizing unhealthy relationships and making good decisions for ourselves and others. Just last week, the official Proclamation declaring National Domestic Violence Awareness Month took place at the Darien Library, along with a special screening of The Color Purple. Next week is our annual knit-a-thon in partnership with the local Domestic Violence Crisis Center. Any experienced knitter can help – call us at 655-1234 for details. We’ll even provide patterns, yarn, and knitting needles. Let’s all work to take purple out of the fall palette of colors in our community!

Dear Diary,                                                                                                                                                        Last night, Lily Koppel, author of The Red Leather Diary: Reclaiming a Life Through the Pages of a Lost Journal, spoke at the Library. What a fabulous presentation, and what a fabulous young woman! We'd read the book so we already knew that Florence Wolfson, the keeper of the real red leather diary was an interesting, vivacious, and intelligent woman. Last night, we got to see what kind of woman Lily Koppel is and we are really impressed (and now we know why Florence opened up to her). Lily is instantly likable; smart, articulate, thoughtful in her words and actions, a great storyteller, and most importantly...she really listens when people speak. The audience loved her and couldn't wait to talk with her. "Best program ever!" someone exclaimed. "I hope she comes back!" another said. Here are pictures from the evening that many did not want to see end.    

Well, Diary, that's all for today. We had a great evening, thanks to Lily! We're glad we got to meet her.

Barbara

We have no shortage of events at the Library during the month of October. On the schedule, we have a Meet the Author Program, our Foreign Film Series begins, and we return with our Short Story Discussion Group.

This Thursday, October 2nd at 7 p.m., Lily Koppel will be here to talk about her wonderful book, The Red Leather Diary: Reclaiming a Life Through the Pages of a Lost Journal.

Our Foreign Film Series begins on Friday, October 10th. Show time is at 7:30 p.m. and doors will open at 7.

Reserve Tuesday afternoons from 3-4 for our instantly-popular Short Story Discussion Group. Short Stories For Shorter Days begins on October 7th.

For a full list of all of our October happenings, click here.

We knew it was coming. The last Annual Meeting in this building and it will be on Sunday, October 19th at 5:30 p.m.

Our featured speaker will be Philip Van Munching, the author of Boys Will Put You on a Pedestal (So They Can Look Up Your Skirt): A Dad's Advice For Daughters and co-author (with Bernie Katz, PhD) of Actually, It IS Your Parents' Fault: Why Your Romantic Relationship Isn't Working and How to Fix It. When Van Munching last spoke at the Library, apparent were his humor, his wit, his intelligence, and his easy manner. He's got a great way with words, as evidenced by his memorable presentation (and his books' great, smile-producing titles(!)) and he grew up in Darien, so we are truly delighted to welcome him as our speaker to share his thoughts as we wax nostalgic.

Since this is the Annual Meeting of Friends, we will also hear from Kim Huffard, President of the Board, and Louise Berry, Director of the Library, to learn about the year's developments. We also look forward to the election of Officers and Trustees.

There will be a reception following the meeting.

When New York Times reporter Lily Koppel came into possession of a crumbling 75 year old diary rescued from an Upper West Side dumpster, little did she know that it would change her life. The Red Leather Diary: Reclaiming a Life Through the Pages of a Lost Journal is a remarkable story in many ways and Lily will be here at the Library this Thursday, October 2nd at 7 p.m. to talk about it.

The diary is one that was kept by Florence Wolfson during the years 1929-34...5 years in the life of a privileged young woman (beginning at age 14). Through the pages of the diary, Lily became acquainted with a New York City of another time, and of even greater significance, she "met" Florence. The entries are filled with sophisticated musings, cultural observations, teenage crushes, love affairs...literary and emotional adventures and journeys.  It's candid and frank, as a diary should be and what would be the chances of locating the author of the diary??? Well, Lily hired a private detective, reunited diary and diarist, and she emerges with a beautiful and full story, and a friend. Through her intimate conversations with Florence, at age 90, the brief diary entries spring to life.

Personal photographs are included, and the young woman in the pictures is unmistakably the modern, adventurous girl from the diary.

Come and join us Thursday evening and meet Lily Koppel and learn more about The Red Leather Diary. A book signing will follow the presentation and books will be available for purchase.

Refreshments will be served.

Hope to see you there! In the meantime, to listen to a brief interview with the author, click here.