Boston Author Event Roundup: April

April 2, 2019March 28, 2019Posted in Books for Adults, Children's, EventsLeave a comment

Are you looking for a bookish event to add to your calendar?

Here are some of the authors coming to bookstores and libraries in the Boston area this month.

Be sure to check your local library and bookstore’s event calendar to see what author events are coming to your community.

Not in the Boston area? This list is still a great way to find a book to add to your TBR list!

Tuesday April 2nd – 7:30pm First Parish Church, Cambridge:

Kwame Alexander presents The Undefeated,

joined by Lamar Giles, Raul the Third, and Kip Wilson

“Harvard Book Store welcomes Newbery Medal–winning author KWAME ALEXANDER for a celebration of the launch of his new Houghton Mifflin Harcourt imprint, Versify, and the release of his new picture book The Undefeated.

He will be joined by Versify authors LAMAR GILES, RAÚL THE THIRD, and KIP WILSON, who will be presenting their respective new children’s books The Last Last-Day-of-Summer, ¡Vamos! Let’s Go to the Market, and White Rose. The event will be a special 45-minute program focused on spreading the word about how books can empower young people to imagine and create a better world. It will be followed by audience Q&A and a signing with all four authors.”

For more information and to purchase tickets visit the event website.

Tuesday, April 2, 2019 – 7:00pm at Trident Books, Boston

First Draft with Sarah Enni Live: In Conversation With Sara Farizan and Katie Cotugno

“Join us for an in-conversation event with local authors Sarah Enni, author of TELL ME EVERYTHING, Sara Farizan, author of HERE TO STAY and IF YOU COULD BE MINE, and Katie Cotugno, author of HOW TO LOVE, 99 DAYS. This will be a lively chat including discussions of the themes connecting all of their books, writing young adult fiction, and an audience Q&A. This event will also be recorded and released as a bonus episode of the First Draft podcast.”

For more information visit the event website.

Thursday, April 4, 2019 – 7:00pm at Silver Unicorn Books, Acton

Julie Berry, Lovely War

“We are extremely excited to welcome Printz Honor author Julie Berry to share her newest YA novel, Lovely War.

They are Hazel, James, Aubrey, and Colette. A classical pianist from London, a British would-be architect-turned-soldier, a Harlem-born ragtime genius in the U.S. Army, and a Belgian orphan with a gorgeous voice and a devastating past. Their story, as told by goddess Aphrodite, who must spin the tale or face judgment on Mount Olympus, is filled with hope and heartbreak, prejudice and passion, and reveals that, though War is a formidable force, it’s no match for the transcendent power of Love.

Author Julie Berry’s critically-acclaimed writing has been called “haunting and unforgettable” by New York Times bestselling author of Salt to the Sea Ruta Sepetys and “utterly original and instantly engrossing” by Publishers Weekly.

Julie Berry is the author of the 2017 Printz Honor and Los Angeles Times Book Prize shortlisted novel The Passion of Dolssa, the Carnegie and Edgar shortlistedAll the Truth That’s in Me, and many other acclaimed middle grade novels and picture books. She holds a BS from Rensselaer in communication and an MFA from Vermont College. She lives in Southern California with her family.”

For more information visit the event website.

Sunday, April 7, 2019– 11am at Blue Bunny Books

Hayley Barrett, Babymoon

“The Blue Bunny welcomes Hayley Barrett to share her forthcoming picture book, Babymoon. Hayley’s debut picture book encourages growing families to take time together to rest and fall in love. In a perfect gift for new and expectant parents (and siblings), a gentle story pays tribute to the wonder and emotion of a family’s first quiet days with a newborn. Once an aspiring nurse-midwife, Hayley honors the arrival of any child, whether newborn or older, by birth or by adoption, as a momentous event.”

For more information visit the event website.

Tuesday, April 9, 2019 – 6:30 PM at Blue Bunny Books, Dedham

Book Release Party with Jane Yolen and Heidi Stemple,

A Kite for the Moon

“Meet the New York Times bestselling mother-daughter author team of Jane Yolen and Heidi Stemple for a special event marking the release of their new picture book, A Kite for Moon.

The book tells a heartfelt story about a young boy’s fascination and unlikely friendship with the moon. With whimsical illustrations by award-winning artist Matt Phelan, the story begins when the little boy, who is flying his kite, notices a sad Moon. He sends up kites to her, even writing notes to Moon promising he will come see her someday. This promise propels him through years and years of studying, learning, and training to be an astronaut!

Dedicated to Neil Armstrong, this is the perfect children’s book to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first United States moon landing.”

For more information visit the event website.

Tuesday, April 9, 2019 – 7:00pm at Trident Books, Boston

Steven Rowley in Conversation with William Kuhn,

The Editor

“In 2016, Steven Rowley’s smash debut, Lily and the Octopus, was a publishing phenomenon. The magical tale of grief and friendship sent shock waves through the literary world and was heralded on both sides of the Atlantic. Sold in translation in nineteen languages, Rowley’s remarkable book made The Washington Post’s list of Notable Fiction for 2016 and is currently in development as an Amazon Studios feature film.

Rowley now delivers on the soaring promise of that debut with The Editor, a stunning exploration of the complicated bond forged within families and a tribute to the serendipitous relationships that shape and define us—perfect for admirers of Less and The Nix.”

Saturday April 13th- 11:00AM at Silver Unicorn Books, Acton

Saturday Morning Story Time:

Andrea Wang, Magic Ramen

“This Saturday morning we explore the origins of ramen noodle soup and the story of Momofuku Ando. Andrea Wang will read from her new picture book,Magic Ramen: The Story of Momofuku Ando.

Inspiration struck when Momofuku Ando spotted the long lines for a simple bowl of ramen following World War II.
Every day, Momofuku Ando would retire to his lab–a little shed in his backyard. For years, he’d dreamed about making a new kind of ramen noodle soup that was quick, convenient, and tasty for the hungry people he’d seen in line for a bowl on the black market following World War II. Peace follows from a full stomach, he believed.

Day after day, Ando experimented. Night after night, he failed. But Ando kept experimenting.

With persistence, creativity, and a little inspiration, Ando succeeded.”

For more information visit the event website.

Wednesday, April 24, 2019 – 7:00pm at Belmont Books

Louis Bayard, Courting Mr. Lincoln

“When Mary Todd meets Abraham Lincoln in Springfield in the winter of 1840, he is on no one’s shortlist to be president. Rough and reticent, he’s a country lawyer lacking money and manners, living above a dry goods shop, but with a gift for oratory. Mary, a quick, self-possessed debutante with a tireless interest in debates and elections, at first finds him an enigma. “I can only hope,” she tells his roommate, the handsome, charming Joshua Speed, “that his waters being so very still, they also run deep.”

It’s not long, though, before she sees the Lincoln that Speed knows: a man who, despite his awkwardness, is amiable and profound, with a gentle wit to match his genius and a respect for her keen political mind. But as her relationship with Lincoln deepens, she must confront his inseparable friendship with Speed, who has taught his roommate how to dance, dress, and navigate the polite society of Springfield.

Told in the alternating voices of Mary Todd and Joshua Speed, and rich with historical detail, Courting Mr. Lincoln creates a sympathetic and complex portrait of Mary unlike any that has come before; a moving portrayal of the deep and very real connection between the two men; and most of all, an evocation of the unformed man who would grow into one of the nation’s most beloved presidents.

Louis Bayard, a master storyteller at the height of his powers, delivers here a page-turning tale of love, longing, and forbidden possibilities.”

50% Off First 3 Months Bluprint Subscription at mybluprint.com through 4/7/19.

For more information visit the event website.

Sunday, April 28, 2019 – 1:00pm at Belmont Books

Writer’s Craft: Luck and Magic – Susan Tan, Rebecca Caprara, Susan Lubner, and Anna Staniszewski

“This Writer’s Craft theme is “Luck and Magic”

Susan Tan has lived many places in her life, but calls Concord, Massachusetts, home. She grew up in a mixed-race family, and, like Cilla Lee-Jenkins, had very little hair until the age of five. After studying at Williams College, she earned her PhD from the University of Cambridge, where she studied children’s literature. She currently lives in Somerville, enjoys frequent trips to Chinatown to eat tzuck sang, and teaches at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. Cilla Lee-Jenkins: Future Author Extraordinaire is her first book.

Rebecca Caprara is a children’s book author and illustrator. Her debut middle grade novel, THE MAGIC OF MELWICK ORCHARD was published in September 2018 by Carolrhoda Books, an imprint of Lerner Publishing Group. Her next novel, WORST-CASE COLLIN will be published by Charlesbridge in 2020.

Rebecca graduated from Cornell University and practiced architecture for several years, before shifting her focus from bricks to books. An avid globetrotter, she has traveled to over 50 countries, and has lived in Italy, Singapore, and Canada. She is now growing roots in Massachusetts with her family.

Rebecca is also a classically trained ballet dancer, and continues to teach creative movement and storytelling to young students.

In 2017, she received the Marguerite Davol Picture Book Manuscript Scholarship, as well as the Jane Yolen Scholarship from the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators.

Susan Lubner is the author of three picture books and the middle grade novel, The Upside of Ordinary. Her stories have also appeared in Spider and Highlights. Besides reading and writing, Susan loves taking long walks, spending time on the water at Cape Code, the color blue, painting, and eating lots of chocolate. She lives in Massachusetts, but was born and raised in Maine, where her family always had two, three, or sometimes four cats.

Born in Poland and raised in the United States, Anna Staniszewski grew up loving stories in both Polish and English. She was a Writer-in-Residence at the Boston Public Library and a winner of the PEN New England Susan P. Bloom Discovery Award. Anna lives outside of Boston, Massachusetts, and teaches at Simmons College. When she’s not writing, Anna spends her time reading, eating chocolate, and challenging unicorns to games of hopscotch. You can visit her at annastan.com.”

For more information visit the event website.

Sunday, April 28 at 3pm – Concord Bookshop

Juliette Fay, City of Flickering Light

“Please join us on Sunday, April 28 at 3pm, when Juliette Fay returns to the Bookshop with her new novel, City of Flickering Light.

Juliette Fay is the award-winning, bestselling author of five novels including The Tumbling Turner Sisters, The Shortest Way Home, Deep Down True, short-listed for the 2011 Women’s Fiction award by the American Library Association; and Shelter Me, a Massachusetts Book Award “Must-Read Book” and an Indie Next pick. Juliette holds a bachelor’s degree from Boston College and a master’s degree from Harvard University. She lives in Massachusetts with her family.”

For information visit the event website.

What bookish events are you attending this month?

Leave a note in the comments or let me know on Instagram or Twitter @ABookishHome.

Happy Reading!

Laura Szaro Kopinski

ABookishHome.com

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Ten Steps to Get the Most Out of Your Local Library

March 19, 2019February 21, 2019Posted in LibrariesLeave a comment

Today I’m sharing a post from last winter that I hope you’ll find useful! Check out some of my tips for making the most of your public library card.

Are you a library user? It’s time to take advantage of all modern libraries have to offer!

I first fell in love with libraries as a college student, which is probably a bit late for a librarian.

It wasn’t the camaraderie of late-night study sessions or the peace and quiet that could be found in my college’s libraries, though that was nice too.

What actually began my devotion to libraries was a lesson in frugality from an unlikely source–the University of Oxford in England. I was lucky enough to be spending a year studying abroad there and instead of spending hundreds of dollars buying books for my courses (as I was used to stateside), I was provided with a list of books each week and told to request them through Oxford’s library system.

Wait, I can get all the books I need and want for free? I was hooked.

In the decade or so since, I’ve sought out my local library in all the cities and towns I’ve lived in (right now I’m an avid user of The Chelmsford Public Library) and in my job as an elementary school librarian I’m able to share this library joy with kids every day. (You get a book, you get a book…everybody gets a book!)

Screen Shot 2018-03-14 at 5.27.21 AM — Listening to “The Good House” by Ann Leary from the library

I still think it’s incredible that a library card can get you any book you want, no matter the state of your bank account.

What libraries can offer also seems to get better and better all the time (let’s hear it for free ebooks and audiobooks on your devices!).

However, I’ve found that people don’t always know how much their library can do for them. Do you?

How to Become a Savvy Library Patron:

Step 1: Find your local library and sign up for a library card.

If you haven’t already, it’s time to pay your library a visit and get your library card. Make sure to bring proof of your address–your license or a utility bill will work. Don’t forget a tote bag (or two!) to fill up with your first check-outs!

Step 2: While you’re there, browse the new releases.

Library card in hand, it’s time to look around for some great reads to bring home. I like to start in the “New Books” section at my library. It’s a smaller sampling of what the library offers, which makes it a good place to browse. If you’re having trouble spotting a good pick, the Indie Bestsellers list would be a good place to peruse new titles.

Don’t forget to look at the array of new nonfiction titles your library offers, from cookbooks and gardening, to business and biography–give one a try, they’re free!

Step 3: Choose a magazine or dvd.

Is your tote bag getting full? Time for some lighter entertainment. Most libraries have a wide range of magazines you can choose from. I like to stock up on Boston Magazine, Cooking Light, “O”, Real Simple, and more.

Looking for a free movie night? You can also borrow one of the library’s DVDs. Some libraries charge to borrow one (maybe $1), but happily mine does not.

Step 4: Bring your little ones into the children’s room.

The children’s room is a great place to play, explore, and of course choose books. We’ll meet friends for a playdate in the children’s room or bring our daughter there for a change of scenery and some new toys to play with.

We also love choosing new children’s books to bring home and read together. Give your child their own tote bag and invite them to go “book shopping” and fill it up with any books they want to borrow.

If you’re having trouble choosing, you could check out my previous posts about recent award winners, diverse children’s books, or titles with a bookish theme–perfect for a library trip!

Depending on when you’ve stopped by, there might even be a storytime or craft you can take part in. More on that next.

Step 5: Grab a copy of your library’s event calendar or check it out online.

The library is a fantastic source of free activities for you and your family. Take a look at your library’s events calendar, usually available at the front desk or online. This week alone my library’s event calendar has story times, yoga for babies or preschoolers, a YA author event, stuffed animal sleepover, writers group and multiple book clubs.

Step 6: Login to your online library account and place your first book requests.

Login to your library account online. Usually you’ll just need your library card number and a pin they’ll assign you. You can do this when you get home, or if you think you might want some assistance, ask one of the librarians to help show you on your phone or other device. Worried about bothering them? Don’t be. They’ll be happy to help!

Being able to request books through my online library account has made a big difference in my reading life. As soon as I hear about a book I think I might want to read, I search for it in my library’s online catalog and request a copy. If my library doesn’t have it, they’ll have it sent from another library within the network. When the book is ready, I get an email alerting me to pick it up at my library’s circulation desk. Magic!

When people say they don’t want to use the library because they’re too impatient to wait for books, my response is to start placing book requests. My “To Be Read” pile (which is pretty much stacks of books all over the house) never runs out because book requests I’ve placed at various times are always becoming available. I can’t wait to pick up my next two!

If you haven’t subscribed to the blog yet, you can sign up to get an email when there is a new post. This is a great way to start adding to your “to be read” list and library holds.

Step 7: Reserve a Museum pass.

You can get free or discounted museum passes through your library. Ask for a brochure at the circulation desk or check out the list online. It’s a good idea to book the pass at least a few weeks in advance, especially if you’re trying to go to a popular museum or zoo. It takes a little planning ahead but this is a big cost saver.

Step 8: Download an ebook or audiobook.

I’ve been using the Overdrive app on my phone to listen to audiobooks and also to send ebooks to my Kindle. I was excited to see they have a new app called Libby, which I found very user friendly in terms of setting up your account and linking your library card.

You can download Libby in the App store or you can use the app your library recommends. Then search for ebooks/audiobooks in the app and download them. Again, you can have your librarians walk you through this on your device if you have trouble with this step.

I mostly download Kindle books to read on trips. In my everyday life, audiobooks have been a game changer for getting reading in while I commute, clean up the house, or go on a walk.

You can check out these audiobook recommendations for a few ideas.

Step 9: Continue to build your library “To Be Read” list.

Whenever you hear about a new book you want to read, request it from the library. Think about the format you prefer when you place the hold. Do you want a hardcover to read before bed? Is this a book you’d like to listen to in the car? Or is this the beach read you’ll want as an ebook for an upcoming trip? It can take some experimenting to figure out what kinds of books you like to read at different times.

Step 10: Wait for the delightful emails that your books are now available.

Pick up your print books at the library or download your ebooks/audiobooks. Read and repeat!

What do you like best about your local library? Leave a comment or let me know on Instagram or Twitter @ABookishhome.

Happy Reading!

Laura Szaro Kopinski

ABookishHome.com

Boston Author Event Roundup–January

January 8, 2019January 7, 2019Posted in Books for Adults, Children's, Events1 Comment

Are you looking for a bookish event to add to your calendar?

Here are some of the authors coming to bookstores and libraries in the Boston area this month.

Be sure to check your local library and bookstore’s event calendar to see what author events are coming to your community.

Not in the Boston area? This list is still a great way to find a book to add to your TBR list!

Tuesday, January 8th – 7pm at Belmont Books

YA Panel: EmPOWERment

“Gaining confidence is something many struggle with in their teen years. How does that affect our writing and reading of characters going through the same challenges? Erin Cashman, Sara Farizan, and Adrienne Kisner will be tackling this question and talking about their writing process.

Erin Cashman is a Young Adult author living in Massachusetts. Her debut YA fantasy, The Exceptionals (Holiday House) was named a Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Book of 2013. She is also the workshop coordinator and a mentor at the 1st 5 Pages Writing Workshop through the blog Adventures in YA Publishing.

Sara Farizan is an Iranian American writer and ardent basketball fan who was born in and lives near Boston. The award-winning author of If You Could Be Mine and Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feel, she has an MFA from Lesley University and a BA in film and media studies from American University. Here to Stay is her third novel.

Adrienne Kisner has master’s and doctorate degrees in theology from Boston University and was inspired by her work with high school and college students to write Dear Rachel Maddow. She is also a graduate of Vermont College of Fine Arts with an MFA in writing for children and young adults. Dear Rachel Maddow is her debut.”

For more information you can visit the event website.

Tuesday, January 8th – 7pm at Brookline Booksmith

Ha Jin, The Banished Immortal: A Life of Li Bai

“With the instincts of a master novelist, Ha Jin draws on a wide range of historical and literary sources to weave the life story of Li Bai (701-762), whose poems–shaped by Daoist thought and characterized by their passion, romance, and lust for life–rang throughout the Tang Dynasty. Jin follows Li Bai from his birth on China’s western frontier through his travels as a young man seeking a place among the empire’s civil servants, his wanderings allowing him to hone his poetic craft, share his verses, and win him friends and admirers along the way. In his later years he is swept up in a military rebellion that alters the course of China, and his death is shrouded in speculation and legend to this day. The Banished Immortal is an extraordinary portrait of a poet who both transcended his time and was shaped by it, and whose ability to live, love, and mourn without reservation produced some of the most enduring verses in the world.”

For more information you can visit the event website.

Thursday, January 10th – 7pm at Harvard Bookstore

Chigozie Obioma, An Orchestra of Minorities

“Harvard Book Store welcomes acclaimed writer CHIGOZIE OBIOMA—author of The Fishermen, a finalist for the Man Booker Prize—for a discussion of his latest novel, An Orchestra of Minorities.“

You can find more event information here.

Friday, January 11th – 6:30pm at The Lenox Hotel, Boston

An Evening with Author Elin Hilderbrand

“Join New York Times bestselling author Elin Hilderbrand at The Lenox and get transported to the stunning beaches of St. John as she launches her thrilling new book “Winter in Paradise”.”

To find out more about this $50 ticketed event visit the event website. I would imagine this will sell out quickly, so be sure to look into this soon if you hope to attend.

Friday, January 11th – 7pm at Brookline Booksmith

Lincoln Peirce, Max and the Midnights

“Max wants to be a knight! Too bad that dream is about as likely as finding a friendly dragon. But when Max’s uncle Budrick is kidnapped by the cruel King Gastley, Max has to act…and fast! Joined by a band of brave adventurers–the Midknights–Max sets out on a thrilling quest: to save Uncle Budrick and restore the realm of Byjovia to its former high spirits! Magic and (mis)adventures abound in this hilarious illustrated novel from the New York Times bestselling creator of the Big Nate series, Lincoln Peirce.”

For more information visit the event website.

Thursday, January 17th – 7pm at Belmont Books

Ann Hood, Kitchen Yarns

“From her Italian American childhood through singlehood, raising and feeding a growing family, divorce, and a new marriage to food writer Michael Ruhlman, Ann Hood has long appreciated the power of a good meal. Growing up, she tasted love in her grandmother’s tomato sauce and dreamed of her mother’s special-occasion Fancy Lady Sandwiches. Later, the kitchen became the heart of Hood’s own home. She cooked pork roast to warm her first apartment, used two cups of dried basil for her first attempt at making pesto, taught her children how to make their favorite potatoes, found hope in her daughter’s omelet after a divorce, and fell in love again–with both her husband and his foolproof chicken stock.”

You can find more information on the event website.

Saturday, January 19th – 5pm at Silver Unicorn Bookstore, Acton

Karen M. McManus, Two Can Keep A Secret,in conversation with Sara Farizan

We are so excited to welcome New York Times bestselling author Karen M. McManus to celebrate her new release, Two Can Keep A Secret, with fellow YA author Sara Farizan. Karen’s new YA thriller takes us to the small town of Echo Ridge, Vt., where secrets are everywhere. After hearing of missing teenagers and a recent homecoming tragedy, Ellery now has to move there to live with her grandmother. Ellery knows all about secrets. Her mother has them; her grandmother does too. And the longer she’s in Echo Ridge, the clearer it becomes that everyone there is hiding something. The thing is, secrets are dangerous—and most people aren’t good at keeping them. Which is why in Echo Ridge, it’s safest to keep your secrets to yourself.

Karen M. McManus is the author of the young adult thriller One of Us Is Lying, which spent more than a year on the New York Times bestseller list and has been translated into 38 languages worldwide. She lives in Massachusetts and holds a master’s degree in journalism from Northeastern University, which she uses to draft fake news stories for her novels.

Sara Farizan is an award-winning author of three YA novels, most recently Here to Stay. She is also one of the store’s absolute favorite people, and it will be a joy to welcome her back!

You can find more information on the event website.

Sunday, January 20th – 3pm at Silver Unicorn Bookstore, Acton

Book Launch Party: Sarah Brannen’s Bear Needs Help

Join us to we celebrate local author Sarah S. Brannen’s new release, Bear Needs Help.

A lumbering little polar bear has one shoe untied, and he needs some help! Sadly for him, though, the other animals are all too scared of him: the lemmings, rabbits, and seals all run away as he approaches them for assistance. What’s Bear going to do? Luckily, two plucky birds are more than happy to help out and offer advice — though probably not quite in the way that readers anticipate. In this sweet and funny book about asking for help (and receiving it), expectations are flipped in a simple but clever way.

“Laced with humor and…decipherable in more ways than one.”—Kirkus Reviews

Sarah S. Brannen is the award-winning illustrator of 20 books for children, including one of our store’s favorite books, Feathers: Not Just For Flying, by Melissa Stewart. She is the author and the illustrator of Madame Martine, Madame Martine Breaks the Rules, and Uncle Bobby’s Wedding. In addition, Sarah as a journalist and photographer, and has two books scheduled for release following Bear Needs Help! Join us to help launch this amazing new wintry book from an accomplished and awesome local author!

You can find more information on the event website.

Wednesday, January 23rd – 7pm at Brookline Booksmith

Dani Shapiro, Inheritance: A Memoir of Genealogy, Paternity, and Love

“Inheritance is a book about secrets–secrets within families, kept out of shame or self-protectiveness; secrets we keep from one another in the name of love. It is the story of a woman’s urgent quest to unlock the story of her own identity, a story that has been scrupulously hidden from her for more than fifty years, years she had spent writing brilliantly, and compulsively, on themes of identity and family history. It is a book about the extraordinary moment we live in–a moment in which science and technology have outpaced not only medical ethics but also the capacities of the human heart to contend with the consequences of what we discover.”

For more information visit the event website.

Thursday, January 31st – 7pm at Harvard Bookstore

Daisy Johnson, Everything Under, in conversation with Margot Livesey

“Harvard Book Store welcomes award-winning writer DAISY JOHNSON for a discussion of her debut novel, Everything Under, which was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize. She will be joined in conversation by bestselling author MARGOT LIVESEY.”

For more information visit the event website.

What bookish events are you attending this month?