November Flashbacks

Usually, this spot is used to announce upcoming events at the Library, but let's face it, it's not been business-as-usual lately! We closed the building (forever!) at Leroy Avenue last week and it goes without saying that the BIGGEST upcoming event  is our Grand Opening on January 10th! We have so much to look forward to, but we also acknowledge and pay tribute to our rich past. Please reminisce with us.

Darien Library: The Great Good Place, the beautiful, inspirational retrospective, below, (goose bump alert!) was created by former Darien Library board president Alice Look.

 

 

We also shared a warm and fun Saturday evening together as we bid A Fond Farewell to 35 Leroy Avenue.

 

Last month was a blur for us...despite our busy preparation for the move, we kept busy on the desks, on the floor, on the web, and behind the scenes. We've queried our members with a Children's Room Survey, had an incredibly successful knit-a-thon to benefit local domestic violence shelters, offered suggestions of timeless classics and big books to read while we're closed, and had many "lasts" in this building -- the last film, the last book discussion, the last book sale, and then, finally, our last day.

Click here to watch a photo-montage of the last day at 35 Leroy.

In the days and weeks ahead, we'll be making history. We'll be announcing some exciting new programs and also celebrating the return of familiar favorites. Keep checking back right here for information about our Grand Opening Series, Friday Film Series, Spring Book Discussion Series, and Children's Programs! And please remember us when you are considering your end-of-year giving. Your support is critical to the ongoing success of the Darien Library! Every year, we rely on the generous donations given by you to purchase new books, DVDs, audiobooks, computers, and other resources. Our website presents the opportunity for you to make a donation or transfer stocks to benefit the Library. You may also call us at 203-655-1234 x153. We appreciate your continued support!

And if I kept a diary, this is what it would say...

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

 

 

Lots of reasons to stay in town this fall (and the foliage is pretty nice, too)!

   

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.

A Modern Voice from the Past

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.

 

"Lies" in Darien

We are so excited.

Brad Meltzer, the author of The Book of Lies will be here on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. It's the same day that his new book debuts at #2 on The New York Times bestseller list (so we know he'll be in a good mood). We've read the book. We've heard him speak. We cannot express more urgently how much we know you'll enjoy this program.

In The Book of Lies, Meltzer poses the question: What does Cain, the world’s first villain, and Superman, the world’s first superhero have in common?    
Definitely, a discussion-starter.

This thriller expertly melds the story of the murder of Superman-creator Jerry Siegler's father with a dangerous present-day race to find the world's first murder weapon – that which was used by Cain to kill Abel. It's a bold book; it challenges assumptions about Cain killing Abel, heroes and villains, and Meltzer brings into the story a real murder, that of Mitchell Siegel, the father of Jerry Siegel, who created Superman and these stories are woven together in a fast-paced, fascinating, code-breaking drama. After all, explains Meltzer, it was the murder of his father in a store robbery that led the young Jerry to create a bullet-proof man called Superman.

Janet and I had the chance to talk to Brad last week and it was immediately apparent that he has the ability to engage right away and his enthusiasm is contagious . You can listen to a podcast of that conversation right here.  You'll certainly want to hear more, so please join us on Sunday (promptly at 5:30 p.m.) for what's sure to be a memorable event.

There will be a reception and book signing following the presentation and books will be available for purchase.

See you on Sunday!

 

My, that corn is soft!

This shirt (left) is made from corn! Really. And it's really soft.

Starre Vartan, the author of The Eco Chick Guide to Life: How to Be Fabulously Green, was here last night and talked to us about green living. It was a fabulous presentation with many surprises! The self-proclaimed "Eco-Fashionista" really does earn her title. She described the difference between cotton and organic cotton, wool and organic wool, and displayed items made of natural materials such as corn, soy, and bamboo. She also had items to show us which were made from reused materials, including a tote bag made from an old billboard(!) (shown at right).

Starre's done the research and it's all in her new book. It really is a must for anyone looking to make even the smallest eco-friendly change in their personal  habits, be it at home, in fashion, or globally.

 

Starre Night

Brightening up our night tomorrow night, Starre Vartan, the author of The Eco Chick Guide to Life: How to Live Fabulously Green will be here at 7 p.m. to talk about her book.

We know this is going to be a great program. Janet and I spoke with Starre last week, and not only is she knowledgable, she's also interesting, entertaining, and fun.

Please come and join us tomorrow night!

Refreshments will be served.

Something to talk about

Brad, Bulbs, and Starre. What do they have in common?

They're all on the Events Calendar here at the Library during September. We promised you that we'd continue to present fabulous programs even as we prepare to move to the new building, and we're keeping our word!

Bestselling author Brad Meltzer will be here on Sunday, September 21st at 5:30 p.m. (Very cool!)

Starre Vartan, the Eco Chick will be here on Wednesday, September 17th at 7 p.m. (Very green!)

Master Gardener Sue Kelley presents "Fall is for Planting—Perennials and Bulbs" on September 16th at 7pm.  (Very green thumb!)

Cool and Chic Chick

By the evidence of the size of our collective carbon footprint(s), Starre Vartan, author or The Eco Chick Guide to Life: How to Be Fabulously Green, may be arriving just in time. Proving that we don't starre vartan.jpghave to sacrifice style, fun, or fashion to lead an eco-friendly life, we get the opportunity to follow in her very cool, very chic, and very green (and fabulous) footsteps. Starre will be here on Wednesday, September 17th at 7 p.m. to talk about her new book which hits shelves later this month. A book signing will follow the presentation and books will be available for purchase. We'll also have refreshments.

Eco Chick has been featured on national broadcast networks, the Wall Street Journal, Shape magazine, Glamour, The Christian Science Monitor, USA Today, Grist, Treehugger.com, and numerous green blogs. She's apparently all over the place and all over the map, but she's also our neighbor. This native Australian lives (fabulously) right next door in Norwalk and we can't wait to meet her. Join us!

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