Boston Book Festival organizers have announced the author lineup for the seventh annual festival, slated for Oct. 23-24 at Copley Square, Boston. Some 175 authors and presenters are expected, and events—beyond two ticketed events—are free. They are held in buildings surrounding the square and adjacent churches, with many sessions in the Boston Public Library. The largest groups meet in Trinity Church.
A large crowd attends, so arrive early for good
seating. This is a chance to hear authors who have won some of the most
prestigious writing awards, including the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book
Award, Caldecott and Newbery awards, and the Mann-Booker Award. Sessions
include scientists, architects, historians and authors of multiple genres.
One special element—the city-wide "read"
of a story—features Jennifer De Leon's "Home Movies" this year. It
has been available throughout the Boston area, free (check libraries, book
stores), in preparation for what may be the world's largest book discussion.
For details, see the web site, www.bostonbookfest.org.
The few paid events generally are inexpensive, and
proceeds support free events at the festival. At one, author Neil Gaiman will
interview his wife, memoirist and singer/songwriter Amanda Palmer, on Oct. 24.
Her book is "The Art of Asking." Cost is $10.
The other paid event is exclusive to BBF supporters
at the $150 level or higher: Margaret Atwood's kickoff keynote speech, Friday,
Oct. 23. This is the festival's major fundraising event, hence the price. If you'd
like to donate, see the web site (there's a $50 to $100 level as well as much
higher possibilities).
Workshops, interviews and spirited discussions are
offered all day each day, with the festival kicking off late Friday.
Among other major participants: Atul Gawande, Colum
McCann, James Wood, Louis Sachar, and Libba Bray. A complete list is available
online.
The site features a large contingent of booths set up by booksellers, publishers and other book-related enterprises, plus free music and lots of food stands. The entire day is relaxing and cheerful, as participants are surrounded by others who love books!
The site features a large contingent of booths set up by booksellers, publishers and other book-related enterprises, plus free music and lots of food stands. The entire day is relaxing and cheerful, as participants are surrounded by others who love books!
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Recommendations
for classic favorites
This month, the Northboro Friday Morning Book Group
recommends these classics for clubs to consider—"which we feel are highly
discussable. We consider a classic as being published in the 1960s, and
previously and we've read four classics a year for the past 14 or 15 years."
1) "Huckleberry Finn," Mark Twain
2) "A Man for All Seasons" (the play)
3) "Middlemarch, George Eliot"
4) "Two Years Before The Mast," Richard Dana, Jr.
1) "Huckleberry Finn," Mark Twain
2) "A Man for All Seasons" (the play)
3) "Middlemarch, George Eliot"
4) "Two Years Before The Mast," Richard Dana, Jr.
Book
groups/selections for October
The Athol Public Library's "Booked for
Lunch" club will discuss "Delicious!" by Ruth Reichl when
the group starts its season tomorrow (Monday). "Our group varies in
size from 12 to 24. Membership is not required and participation varies based
on the selection (and often time of year!). We encourage new folks to join
us," said Robin Brzozowski. "Throughout the year we read popular
fiction, a few non-fiction selections and an occasional classic. Everyone
is given the opportunity to share their thoughts."
NOW Women's Issues Book Group will discuss "The
Lady in Gold: The Extraordinary Tale of Gustav Klimt’s Masterpiece, Portrait of
Adele Bloch-Bauer.” This hefty title is by Anne-Marie O’Connor, and it concerns
the real-life story of Adele’s Jewish family, their ordeal in Nazi-occupied
Vienna, and the fight to reclaim the famous painting, stolen by Nazi officers.
A movie version (called the “Woman in Gold”) starred Helen Mirren. The group
meets at 7 p.m., Oct. 12 in Barnes & Noble, 541 Shrewsbury St., Worcester.
Off-Track Bookies in Lancaster has slated Sue Monk
Kidd's "The Intervention of Wings" for its Oct. 8 meeting. "Wings"
is based on the life of Sarah Grimké, an abolitionist and early proponent of
women’s rights. On her eleventh birthday, Sarah—daughter of a wealthy
plantation family—is presented with her own slave, which horrifies her. Hetty
is the slave. The two defy traditional slavery.
At Lancaster's Thayer Memorial Library, book club
members will talk about Kathleen Norris's "The Cloister Walk," a
memoir of her time as an oblate (and Presbyterian minister) who examines her faith
while staying with Benedictine monks. Meeting is Oct. 27.
At 7 p.m., Oct. 27, Merrick Public Library in
Brookfield, members will read Rachel Joyce's "The Unlikely Pilgrimage of
Harold Fry," a novel about an anti-hero seeking himself, and respect, in
his travels.
The Contemporary Book Club at Gale Free Library,
Holden, will discuss "Black River" by E.M. Hulse at 10:30 a.m.,
Tuesday, Oct. 6. Check the library for a book loan.
Mendon Public Library's group will discuss "A Snicker of Magic" by
Natalie Lloyd (a 2014 Newbery Award nominee) on Monday, Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. Call librarian
Brenda Whitner for details.
At Simon Fairfield Public Library in Douglas, book
club members will discuss Derek B. Miller's "Norwegian by Night" at
6:30 p.m., Oct. 13. The N.Y. Times described this book as having "the
brains of a literary novel and the body of a thriller." Call 508-476-2695
to reserve a copy.
Malcolm Gladwell's "David and Goliath"
will be the focus of a 4:30 p.m. Oct. 28 meeting at Gardner's Heywood Memorial
Library.
Haston Public Library, North Brookfield, chose books
for the new season at an August cookout. The group has slated "A History
of Reading" by Alberto Manguel for its Oct. 27 meeting.
Erik Larson's "Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of
the Lusitania" is the topic for Crawford Library's book group, meeting at
6 p.m., Oct. 1 in Dudley.
"The Girls of Atomic City" by Denise
Kiernan will be discussed at Leominster Public Library's Brown Bag meeting on
Oct. 1.
Fitchburg Public Library's book club will discuss
Sue Monk Kidd's "The Invention of Wings" on Oct. 14 at 1 and 6:30
p.m.
In Southbridge, group members will discuss Michael
Ponsor's "The Hanging Judge" at 6:30 p.m. in Jacob Edwards Library.
Jhumpa Lahiri's "Unaccustomed Earth,"
eight stories exploring family life in India, Thailand and the United States,
will be discussed at the 10 a.m., Oct. 9 meeting of Northboro Public Library's
Friday Morning Book Club.
Ann
Connery Frantz writes about authors and book clubs for the Telegram &
Gazette. Contact her at
ann.frantz@gmail.com.
