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Author Jess Walter to visit Wilmette to discuss his book, Beautiful Ruins

As the highlight of the Wilmette Public Library’s 2013 “One Book, Everybody Reads” program, bestselling author Jess Walter will visit Wilmette on May 5 at 2:00 p.m. to discuss his latest novel, Beautiful Ruins. The event will take place at the Wilmette Community Recreation Center, 3000 Glenview Road, Wilmette. A book signing will be held after Mr. Walter’s talk, and The Book Stall at Chestnut Court will have books available for purchase.

Wilmette and Kenilworth residents who wish to attend the May 5 author event may pick up a maximum of 2 free tickets at the Library’s Recent Arrivals Desk beginning April 27. Any remaining tickets will be available to non-residents beginning May 2. No phone reservations will be taken. Ticketed seats will be held until 10 minutes before the event, and, at that time, all unfilled seats will be open to the public.
Beautiful Ruins is this year’s selection for “One Book, Everybody Reads,” the Library’s annual community-wide reading and book discussion program, funded by the Friends of the Wilmette Public Library. Local residents are encouraged to read the selected title and participate in various events that explore the book and its themes. The Library owns approximately 100 copies of the novel in various formats, including downloadable versions, in order to facilitate the shared reading experience for its patrons.
Nearly 500 community members participated in the 2012 “One Book, Everybody Reads” program, which featured bestselling author Ann Patchett’s novel, State of Wonder. “Every year we are delighted by the response of the community to the One Book selection and by their eagerness to engage in thoughtful discussions with others in the community and with the author, “ says Betty Giorgi, head of the Library’s Adult Services Department and member of the “One Book” committee.

This year’s “One Book” events will begin during the first week of April and run for five weeks. Unless otherwise noted, all events are free and open to the public and will be held at the Wilmette Public Library Auditorium, 1242 Wilmette Avenue, Wilmette.

The series kicks off on April 2 at 7:00 p.m. when film historian and author Michael Smith presents “Hollywood Ruins.” Mr. Smith will discuss the novel Beautiful Ruins and its backdrop, the 1963 movie Cleopatra and its role in ending Hollywood's old studio system.

On April 4, community members can enjoy a “you are there” visit to the region of the Italian Riviera featured in Beautiful Ruins when “Armchair Travels Visits Cinque Terre.” Travel experts from Select Italy will present the program at 1:00 p.m. and then again at 7:00 p.m.

“Barbara Rinella presents Cleopatra” on April 9 at 10:00 a.m. Tickets to see the popular local book dramatist bring the famous Egyptian queen to life are required, though there is no charge. Wilmette and Kenilworth residents may pick up two tickets for the program at the Recent Arrivals Desk beginning April 1.

A screening of Robert Altman’s film, The Player, will take place during “Friday Night at the Movies” on April 12 at 6:30 p.m. In the film, a Hollywood studio executive is blackmailed by a writer whose script he rejected. The R-rated film features cameo appearances by more than 65 stars.

Tastings and recipes will be provided when Chef Molly McGrath and owner Rob Garrison of The Noodle Café in Wilmette present “Small Tastes of Italy” on April 15 at 7:00 p.m. Seating is limited. Those interested in attending may register beginning March 27 by using the Library’s online calendar or by calling (847) 256-6930.

A discussion of Beautiful Ruins will take place on April 16 at 10:30 a.m. as part of the Library’s monthly “Classics and Contemporary Book Discussion Group.” An Adult Services staff librarian will lead the discussion.

“Friday Night at the Movies” returns on April 26 when the Library shows the film, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? at 6:30 p.m. Winner of five Academy Awards, the film stars Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. Rated R.

A second book discussion will take place on April 29 at 7:00 p.m. when Beautiful Ruins is the selected title for the Library’s “Monday Evening Discussion Group.” A staff librarian will facilitate the discussion.

Beautiful Ruins is a comic and inventive novel that straddles between Italy in the 1960s and Hollywood and the Pacific Northwest in the present. As it moves back and forth through the lives of its characters, revealing their improbable dreams and spoiled careers, the book explores themes of love, loss, heartache, destiny, and friendship.

Published last June, Beautiful Ruins was listed in many popular year-end “Best Books of 2012” lists. Esquire Magazine named Beautiful Ruins the Book of the Year, describing it as "a very funny book about a distinctly American relationship to destiny," and NPR's Maureen Corrigan called the novel a "stunner of a tale" when she named Beautiful Ruins her pick for the Best Novel of 2012. Author Richard Russo called Beautiful Ruins “an absolute masterpiece," The New York Times termed it "a high-wire feat of bravura storytelling," and Salon called it "a masterpiece ... damn near perfect."

Beautiful Ruins is Mr. Walter’s seventh book, following the non-fiction work, Every Knee Shall Bow, finalist for the 1996 PEN USA literary nonfiction award and re-released as Ruby Ridge in 2002; Over Tumbled Graves, named a New York Times notable book; Land of the Blind; Citizen Vince, winner of the 2005 Edgar Allan Poe Award for best novel; The Zero, a finalist for the National Book Award, 2007 PEN Center Literary Award and the 2007 LA Times Book Prize and winner of the 2007 Pacific Northwest Booksellers Award; and The Financial Lives of the Poets, a national bestseller and Time Magazine's #2 “Best Book of the Year.”
Mr. Walter’s first collection of short fiction, We Live in Water, was published in February. His works have been translated into more than 20 languages and his essays, short fiction, criticism, and journalism have appeared in publications such as Best American Short Stories, Best American Nonrequired Reading, Harper's, Esquire, McSweeney's, Byliner, Playboy, and ESPN the Magazine.

Community partners for the 2013 “One Book, Everybody Reads” program include The Book Stall at Chestnut Court, League of Women Voters of Wilmette, Make It Better, NS (Modern Luxury for the North Shore), The Noodle Café, Rotary Club of Wilmette, Rotary Club of Wilmette Harbor, Select Italy, Sheridan Road, Village of Kenilworth, Village of Wilmette, Wilmette Beacon, Wilmette Chamber of Commerce, Wilmette Life, and Wilmette Park District.

In addition to last year’s State of Wonder, previous “One Book” selections included Let the Great World Spin, by Colum McCann (2011); Olive Kitteridge, by Elizabeth Strout (2010); The Man Who Loved China, by Simon Winchester (2009); Loving Frank, by Nancy Horan (2008); A Hope in the Unseen, by Ron Suskind (2007); and Before You Know Kindness, by Chris Bohjalian (2006).

For more information about this spring’s “One Book, Everybody Reads” program, visit www.wilmettelibrary.info/onebook or call (847) 256-6930.

Copyright © 2015, Chicago Tribune
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