Friday, October 9, 2015

Don't miss Boston Book Fair -- it's a readers' nirvana!




 
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!
***
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.

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.



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