Events
"With Wings..." Has Legs
We had an enormous turnout on Sunday afternoon to hear and meet Michael Korda, and with good reason. He was wonderful! He spoke eloquently of the Battle of Britain. Audience members were eager to have their books signed and to speak with him after the presentation.
You can check out Michael Korda's new book, With Wings Like Eagles: The History of the Battle of Britain here at the Library. In case you missed his fabulous talk (or want to experience it again), click on the image below.
Prepare to be Mesmerized
On Sunday, February 8 at 5 p.m., Michael Korda will be at the Library to talk about his new book, With Wings Like Eagles: A History of the Battle of Britain.
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We've experienced Mr. Korda's commanding presence before. (Remember when he was here in November 2007 (photo at right) to talk about Ike: An American Hero?) I say "commanding" because he is nothing short of it. His command of the information, the history, the words, his voice, and any room he enters is something to behold. Whether reading from his book or in discussion, he has the unique ability to transport the listener.
We are delighted that Michael Korda wanted to return to Darien Library! With Wings Like Eagles, released just a few weeks ago, is already being considered the only book that describes the political maneuvering and behind-the-scenes strategizing that surrounded the Battle of Britain. This bestselling author has received excellent reviews for this latest book, including the following from Diana Preston of The Washington Post:
"…passionate and eloquent …With Wings Like Eagles is a skillful, absorbing, often moving contribution to the popular understanding of one of the few episodes in history to live on untarnished and undiminished in the collective memory and to deserve the description "heroic."
Personally, I am preparing for another memorable evening at the Library and I am immersing myself in the time period. After reading With Wings Like Eagles, I watched the new dvd, Flying the Secret Sky: The Story of the Royal Air Force Ferry Command and am currently reading Ken Follett's suspense tale set in the early days of WWII, Hornet Flight. Of course, you don't need to prepare for this fabulous author event which is part of our Grand Opening Author Series...just be prepared to be mesmerized.
A reception and book signing will follow the presentation. Books will be available for purchase.
Are we all on the same page?
Join us on February 23rd throughout the day as we kick off our first-ever One Book, One Community program!
Here at the Library, we may not always agree on what constitutes the perfect book to curl up with on a snowy winter day, or which selections should be nominated for national awards - but it can be said with certainty that we all agree that books can be an ideal way to open the paths to dialogue on just about anything.
So when the Darien community was put to task by the Human Services Planning Council to create programming that supports its CARE Darien initiative of encouraging the town to collectively make positive changes in the ways that we interact with one another, the Library knew just where to start.
On February 23rd, Darien Library will be launching its very first One Book, One Community program. One Book, One Community encourages everyone in town to read the same book and then come together to explore its themes through discussions, seminars, and workshops. Our selection is The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, a New York Times bestseller and award-winning novel, and we hope you'll find this read as enjoyable, touching, mesmerizing, and meaningful as we have.
Come to our kickoff to check out your copy of The Book Thief and enjoy some homemade confections. Experience the "domino effect," one of the themes of the book, with dominoes and other contemplative games scattered throughout the Library. And experience Reader's Theater on Main Street from 3 to 6 p.m., when passages from the book will be performed by students from Darien High School's Theatre 308.
Also, continue to check our website and your mailbox for more information on the programs we have planned during March and April for this first-ever town-wide reading event!
Play. Reflect. Construct. We’re building a better community!
The Broad Spectrum of Green
So, there we were in our new Green building (LEED Gold!) with our second author in our Grand Opening Author Series, Deirdre Imus! Deirdre, the author of the bestselling "Green This!" series, has a new book out -- The Essential Green You! : Easy Ways To Detox Your Diet, Your Body, And Your Life, and she was here last night to talk to us about all things GREEN. From the state of our health (especially that of our children), to the impact of cleaning products, makeup, toiletries, plastics, fabrics, food, soy, dairy, toxic jeans, toxic tee shirts...
There were several audience members taking notes last night and lots more that purchased one (or all) of Deirdre's books. A book signing followed the presentation and the author was so gracious and enthusiastic -- chatting with all that came up to the table.
We had a huge crowd last night for this event. We are pleased and proud to have been able to bring such an important program to Darien -- one that's clearly important to our Members. We extend a huge thank you to Dierdre Imus for bringing such grace and warmth to what is often a scary and cold topic.
P.S. She loved our Library!
Stellar Kick-off with Pete Hamill!
Last night, we held our first event in our new Community Room. We wanted to open with something big...something unforgettable. What would bring folks out on a cold January afternoon? Pete Hamill!
The house was packed for this special event. Hamill was superb -- he is the perfect mix of intelligence and street-smarts, eloquence and ordinary, philosophical and realistic, sophistication and homespun, which is probably why everyone seemed to greet him as a friend.
He talked about his life, his work, the state of the world today, and he talked about libraries(!). His stories were full of pride, hope, humor, and history...a lot like him. Wow. We were so fortunate to have heard him speak and to meet him!
He was thoughtful and generous with his time and his remarks throughout the afternoon and evening. After the presentation, there was a long line of people waiting to have books signed -- he thanked them for their patience and was attentive to each individual that approached him (he gave what I'm sure was precious advice to a young journalism student and a kiss to a woman that asked(!))...there were so many memorable encounters.
This event was the perfect high note in our Grand Opening crescendo.
A huge thank you to Pete Hamill. New Yorker. Gentleman. Craftsman. Icon.
Actors/Playwrights Workshop Series at Darien Library
The Catherine Lindsey Actors/Playwrights Workshop is excited to announce that the Actors/Playwrights Workshop, now in its 17th year, will present a series of workshops here at the Darien Library. The playwright participants will workshop their plays at the following sessions:
On Sunday, June 14 at 2:30 p.m., the Actors/Playwrights Workshop will present the first public-staged reading of selections from the plays in our Community Room.
The Art on View
The Art Gallery at the New Darien Library
January 9 - February 28
Wilson Avenue Loft Artists (WALA)
WET PAINT
Original paintings and prints by Wilson Avenue Loft Artists (WALA) will be on view in the Art Gallery from January 9 to February 28, 2009. The show, entitled “Wet Paint,” features 17 local artists, primarily from Darien and Rowayton.
The artists represented in this exhibit are Britt Bair, Susan Crawford, Randi Davis, Georgette Diamandis, Lori Glavin, Hanneke Goedkoop, Dana Goodfellow, Ruth Ipe, Mary Manning, Lynn Stephens Massey, Claudia Mengel, Elise Mills, Margo Reynolds Packer, Grace Shanley, Vicki French Smith, and Gwynne Tibbetts. Among the many works on display, Hanneke Goedkoop, curator for the show, will show limited edition original mono-prints in the “Winged Migration Series.”
"Wings" by Hanneke Goedkoop
Darien Library, 1441 Post Road, Darien, Connecticut, 06820-5419 · 203-655-1234Directions and Contact Information. Twitter: darienlibrary. AIM & Y!M: deweydarien.