August 15, 2007
You're Invited!
A WINE & CHEESE PARTY AT THE LIBRARY
Darien Library wraps up an extremely successful Adult Summer Reading Program with a Grand Finale Wine & Cheese Party on Wednesday, August 22 at 7 p.m. Award-winning journalist Stacy Lytwyn Maxwell will be our special guest. Maxwell’s 13 years of research have yielded a fabulous and fun book, Consummate Connecticut: Day Trips with Panache, which features 48 different Connecticut cities, towns, and villages, and all there is to do and see in the Nutmeg State.
The Adult Summer Reading Program, which concludes after 10 weeks, had nearly 400 participants. More than 600 entries (each one representing a book read) for raffle prizes were submitted. Each week of the program, the Library held a drawing for a bag of books. The bags of books included autographed books, advanced readers copies of future bestsellers, and/or newly published titles.
Three Grand Prizes (two L.L. Bean duffle bags and a Vera Bradley travel kit) will be announced and awarded at the Grand Finale event, and all who attend will receive a gift of a copy of Maxwell’s book.
Participation in the Adult Summer Reading Program is not necessary to attend the Wine & Cheese Party.
Posted by BarbaraT at 09:51 AM | Comments (0)
June 16, 2007
Of Weekends, Killer and Otherwise
As you must have figured out by now, our BookExpo weekend yielded some wonderful prizes for our Adult Summer Reading Program. On the occasion of our last weekend before we begin (registration starts on Monday!), let me tease with another one of our great prizes -- a signed copy of Ridley Pearson's hot-off-the-presses newest, "Killer Weekend."
Me and Mary with Ridley Pearson
Pearson was my favorite author-encounter of the weekend (apologies to Robby Benson). Having seen him perform a couple of nights before at Webster Hall with The Rock Bottom Remainders, he happily obliged me with a "rock star" autograph!
...signing a copy for a lucky Darien reader
Posted by BarbaraT at 07:39 AM | Comments (0)
June 15, 2007
Smiling yet?
I'll bet you are. And here's yet another reason to hurry in on Monday to register for our Adult Summer Reading Program! We've also got an autographed copy of Jane Smiley's newest book, Ten Days in the Hills for a lucky prizewinner.
Jane Smiley
Posted by BarbaraT at 09:52 AM | Comments (0)
June 14, 2007
Can you feel the excitement building?
We may have been holding out on the details of some of our "bag of books" prizes, but the truth is...we can barely contain our excitement about this year's Adult Summer Reading Program.
Here's another great title that will find its way into one of our prize bags:
John Lithgow
Not only is it autographed by Lithgow, but it's an advance-reading copy (it doesn't publish until November), and(!) it comes with an Exclusive Preview CD Sampler. Just a sample of what's on the Sampler: "Love is Not All" by Edna St. Vincent Millay, read by Jodie Foster, "Afternoon" by Dorothy Parker, read by Glenn Close, "The Tyger" by William Blake, read by Helen Mirren, and "Poetry" by Marianne Moore, read by John Lithgow.
This is one of my favorite prizes being offered this summer. Keep checking back here. I'll be letting more "bag of books" cats out of the bag as we lead up to our big start date.
Don't forget! Our Adult Summer Reading registration begins on Monday.
Posted by BarbaraT at 09:30 AM | Comments (2)
June 13, 2007
Dropping hints and names
As promised, here's a look at some of the autographed goodies that may wind up in your bag of books should you be one of our ten lucky "bag of books" winners. Read and win! Click here to learn more about our Adult Summer Reading Program.
Rhonda Byrne
That's me with Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen, or, as I call this photo, "Me with the Chicken Soup guys."
Adult Summer Reading registration begins this Monday, the 18th. I'll be dropping more hints all over the place until then. Check back here tomorrow for more "goody" news.
Posted by BarbaraT at 04:42 PM | Comments (0)
June 07, 2007
A Peek at the BookExpo Loot
Here's a look at some of the books we brought back from BookExpo to award as prizes for our Adult Summer Reading Program. Mind you, it's just a peek.
The books pictured above are just a few of the autographed books that we've got for you.
Below, are some advanced readers copies of soon-to-be-published books (unsigned):
There's lots more! Keep checking back here for news of more prize books and more Summer Reading updates.
Posted by BarbaraT at 07:32 AM | Comments (0)
June 05, 2007
As Mary Was Saying...
...it IS all about the books, and boy, do we have books for you! Here are some photos of the highlights of our BookExpo weekend. We brought back lots of books for Adult Summer Reading prizes. Just wait until you see! Check back right here later in the week for a peek. I promise you'll want in on the fun.
Above: Some members of The Rock Bottom Remainders (l-r) Amy Tan, Stephen King, (special guest, Lesley Gore), Ridley Pearson, and Dave Barry.
Posted by BarbaraT at 12:13 PM | Comments (0)
August 17, 2006
The Inn at Lake Devine
In these last few days of our hazy, hot and humid summer I think we have time for some final thoughts on The Inn Lake Devine. Let’s consider the role humor plays when addressing serious and sensitive topics. Did Elinor Lipman make it easier for us to discuss the harmful effects of prejudice on innocent people or did she diminish the whole issue by making light of it? Is it a particularly American trait to want to find humor in all aspects of our lives? What do you think?
Thanks to all who joined our online discusssion this summer. Hope you enjoyed it!
P.S. Don’t forget our summer reading grand finale Wednesday August 23rd from 7:00-8:30 pm in the periodical room at the library.
Posted by marianne at 12:35 PM
August 08, 2006
The Inn at Lake Devine
Recently, I've had some other thoughts that I wanted to add to our discussion. Specifically, do you think the author developed believable characters and family groups? For example, Amazon reader comments on Natalie ranged dramatically, one depicting her as selfish, another passionate, and a third obnoxious. I thought she was none of the above but rather a spirited girl expressing herself with a degree of assertiveness as a youngster then more balanced in her actions as she matured. What do you think? How about the other characters?
Posted by marianne at 02:23 PM
July 17, 2006
The Inn at Lake Devine by Elinor Lipman
Welcome to the Darien Library’s first ever online community book discussion. A few brief comments about how this will work:
To view the discussion, click the Comments link below this entry.
Joining the discussion is easy! Under Post a Comment, enter your name, email address (optional), and your comment in the appropriate boxes. When you’re all done, click the post button. Your comment will appear on the blog after we approve it. Approving comments is just a formality to prevent spam. We will not censor the discussion. If you have any difficulty adding a comment, please email emily@darienlibrary.org or call 655-1234 x. 114.
Not finished with the book yet? Don't worry. Join us at anytime during the on-going session.
I’ll introduce a new topic for discussion periodically over the next month. You can add your own topics, questions or thoughts at any time. So this should be a rather free form chat much as if we were all in a room together.
Click here on the title, The Inn at Lake Devine, for more information. When the ‘Darien Library Catalog’ screen appears, click on the 'Learn More' highlighted box. Then click ‘Syndetics’ and choose the reviews you want.
Click here to read the New York Times review.
The New York Times review said the book, “waltzes fearlessly through a minefield of identity politics, Anti-Semitism, intermarriage, ethnic cuisine” as “some of the unlikely, loaded subjects of this witty romantic comedy.” Other reviews say the book expertly combines tragedy and romance in a provocative comedy full of sparkling social mischief. Lipman has chosen a challenging backdrop for her humor. So, did the book tickle your funny bone?
Posted by marianne at 08:00 AM | Comments (5)
July 07, 2006
Devine Book Discussion
To enhance the pleasurable experience of our Adult Summer Reading Program, we will be adding an Online Book Discussion from July 17th to August 18th. Join us right here on the Books Blog as we discuss the humorous novel, The Inn at Lake Devine by Elinor Lipman. Grab a tall glass of iced tea and gather for a nice chat with others in our community of readers. Marianne Paterniti, leader of Marianne's Book Group will graciously host this lovely and leisurely exchange during the lazy days of summer.
Posted by EmilyW at 10:12 AM | Comments (1)
July 06, 2006
What's everyone reading?
Humor Me! is in full swing at the Library and the grand prize entry forms are stacking up. Here's just a sampling of what participants have been enjoying.
Several new books are getting rave reviews: Gatsby's Girl by Caroline Preston, False Impression by Jeffrey Archer, Beach Road by James Patterson, Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen, and Train from Marietta by Dorothy Garlock.
While you're waiting for these new books, try one of these popular novels: Before You Know Kindness by Chris Bohjalian, A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg, and The Pleasure of My Company by Steve Martin.
If you'd like a good romance, try Led Astray by Sandra Brown.
A few readers are taking the classics to the beach. They recommend The Good Earth by Pearl Buck, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, and Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck.
If you're a nonfiction reader, take a look at A Death in Belmont by Sebastain Junger, Strange Piece of Paradise by Terri Jentz, or John Adams by David McCullough.
What books have you enjoyed this summer?
Posted by EmilyW at 09:46 AM
June 14, 2006
Humor Me! at the Darien Library
This summer, adults get to join the summer reading fun with the Library's first Adult Summer Reading Program! Humor Me! participants will be rewarded for their reading and will have an opportunity to join a community of readers. Sign up at the Front Desk beginning Monday, June 19th!
As part of Humor Me!, Marianne Paterniti, leader of Marianne's Book Group, will lead our first ever online book discussion on this blog. Beginning July 10, simply click the Humor Me! Summer Reading category to participate in the discussion of The Inn at Lake Devine by Elinor Lipman.
Posted by EmilyW at 10:34 AM | Comments (3)