Book Sales 2024
Westport Library Book Sale 2024

Westport Library’s BIG Spring 2024 Used Book Sale Starts Friday, Goes Through Monday, May 17 to 20

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Westport Library is hosting its Big Spring Book Sale Event indoors with thousands of used books to browse through this weekend, from Friday to Monday, May 17 to 20. 
The Westport used book sale is one of the biggest in Fairfield County (along with Southport’s Pequot Library Book Sale, taking place this year from July 26 to 30). — an announcement from Westport Library
The gently used books in over 50 categories, include children’s; literature and classics; fiction, mystery, and SciFi and fantasy; art, photography, history, math, science, psychology, philosophy, religion and spirituality, biography, business, cooking, gardening, performing arts, travel, foreign language, education, reference, and more, along with noteworthy, especially antiquarian books. 

In addition to books, there are vintage vinyl records, DVDs and CDs, ephemera, and a large selection of framed artworks, from small desktop pieces to supersized wall pictures. Please note:  Graphic novels and manga will be available only at our Westport Book Shop, right across Jesup Green from the Westport Library.  For Book Shop hours, click here. If You’re Going … Westport Library is located at 20 Jesup Road, in downtown Westport.

The Poet's Voice
Sophie Cabot Black Poet's Voice series

Award-Winning Poet Sophie Cabot Black to Read Her Poems Sunday at Darien Library, Reception Follows

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Darien Library will host Sophie Cabot Black, the library’s Poet’s Voice 2024 guest, for a poetry reading and reception from 2 to 4 p.m., Sunday, April 28, in celebration of National Poetry Month in April. — an announcement from Darien Library

Sophie Cabot Black has written three award-winning volumes of poetry, and her poems have appeared in numerous anthologies and journals. She has also published essays, written song cycles, and a libretto. Born in New York City, Sophie grew up in rural New England. She has taught at the New School, Rutgers, Columbia University, and the 92nd Street Y, and appeared at national literary festivals around the country.

Barrett Bookstore 2024

A Challenge for Bibliophiles: See a Bunch of CT Bookstores This Weekend, Enjoy the Scenery, Maybe Win a Prize

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Twenty-one Connecticut bookstores are inviting you to the latest “passport challenge,” where book lovers get their special “passport” stamped at a slew of participating bookstores in the state — all in one weekend (with an exception — see below). They then become eligible for various prizes in one of several lotteries. This year’s Connecticut Book Trail Passport Challenge starts this Saturday, April 27. — an announcement from the organizers

What’s In It for You
After getting your passport stamped at a certain number of bookstores, you can be entered into lotteries to become eligible for various prizes. You don’t need to buy anything to participate.

Anna Gass
Anna Gass Italian snacking

Cookbook Author Anna Gass Discusses Her New Book on Italian Snacking — 3 PM Today, Sunday at Darien Library

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Darien Library, along with Barrett Bookstore, welcome back Anna Gass to discuss her new cookbook, Italian Snacking: Sweet and Savory Recipes for Every Hour of the Day.  Anna will be in conversation with cookbook author Kat Ashmore. — an announcement from Darien Library and Barrett Bookstorre

In her new cookbook, Italian Snacking: Sweet and Savory Recipes for Every Hour of the Day, chef, author and culinary influencer Anna Francese Gass invites food lovers and home cooks on a delectable journey through the heart of Italy, exploring the rich tapestry of flavors that define Italian snacking culture. Combining simplicity and creativity, at its best, Italian cuisine charms us through a combination of the highest-quality ingredients, simple recipes tied to the specialties of each region, and the experience of being at the table. Anna introduces the American audience to the complete range of spuntini, with recipes drawn from across the country. She shares recipes for spuntini di meta mattina (mid-morning snacks often enjoyed with a second — or third coffee); merenda, the cherished after-school treat for children (that also offers adults a way to stave off hunger before dinner); and aperitivi, delightful early-evening bites meant to be enjoyed with drinks.

Athena Books
Author Elle Evans square

Author of the New Novel ‘Wedding Issues’ Speaks Wednesday, April 3 at Athena Books in Old Greenwich

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Elle Evans, author of the debut novel Wedding Issues (on sale starting April 2) will speak at Athena Books in Old Greenwich on Wednesday, April 3. Avery Carpenter Forrey, author of Social Engagement, will be her conversation partner. — This article combines announcements from Athena Books and Zibby Books

About Wedding Issues
Olivia “Liv” Fitzgerald, soon-to-be-lawyer, can talk anyone into anything. Well, almost anything. When her scheming aunt throws her cousin, Kali, into a competition for a bridal magazine cover alongside Liv’s best friend, Leighton, all hell breaks loose.

Women's History Month
Alice Look author of Remarkable Women: Reclaiming Their Stories

Author to Discuss ‘Remarkable Women: Reclaiming Their Stories’ March 24 at Darien Library

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Author Alice Lookwill discuss her inspirational new book, Remarkable Women: Reclaiming their Stories, at Darien Library on March 24. — an announcement from Darien Library and Barrett Bookstore, sponsors of the event

Alice, along with Jane Applegate, is the co-founder of The Remarkable Women Project. The event, which takes place during Women’s History Month, will be moderated by Darien Library Director Kiera Parrott and will feature a video trailer as well as an interactive segment with the audience. The illustrated book features compelling stories of 23 women whose accomplishments in the face of great odds, will inspire and encourage a next generation to change the world for the better. From Ada Lovelace, who was the first computer programmer in 1843 to Opal Lee, the “grandmother of Juneteenth” to Katalin Kariko, winner of the 2023 Nobel Prize for Medicine for her groundbreaking work that made COVID-19 vaccines possible — remarkable women have changed our world.

Barrett Bookstore 2024
Zibby Owens author of Blank

Luncheon with Zibby Owens, Who’s Talking About Her Latest Book at Wee Burn Country Club on March 1

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Please join Zibby Owens for an in-person luncheon at Wee Burn Country Club on March 1 to celebrate the release of her new book, Blank. — an announcement from Barrett Bookstore
If You’re Going … The event takes place from 11:20 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Friday, March 1, 2024 at Wee Burn Country Club, 410 Hollow Tree Ridge Road, Darien. Tickets cost $76.54 and are on sale now. Register here.

Books & Authors
Laurence Jurdem The Rough Rider and the Professor

Local Author Laurence Jurdem to Talk About His Book on Theodore Roosevelt and Henry Cabot Lodge

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Darien author Laurence Jurdem will discusses his new book, “The Rough Rider and the Professor,” about Theodore Roosevelt and U.S. Sen. Henry Cabot Lodge on Sunday, Jan. 21 at The Mather Homestead. — an announcement from The Mather Homestead

The book evokes the political intrigue of the Gilded Age and chronicles the extraordinary 35-year friendship between Roosevelt and Lodge. Roosevelt was a uniquely gifted figure. A man of great intellect and physicality, the New York patrician captured the imagination of the American people with his engaging personality and determination to give all citizens regardless of race, color or creed the opportunity to achieve the American dream.

Books & Authors
Jurden Theodore Roosevelt Darien Library

Author Laurence Jurdem to Discuss His book on Theodore Roosevelt, Henry Lodge Wednesday at Darien Library

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One of Darien’s own, Laurence Jurdem, will discuss his new book, The Rough Rider and the Professor: Theodore Roosevelt, Henry Cabot Lodge, and the Friendship that Changed American History, from 7 to 8 p.m., Wednesday at Darien Library. — an announcement from Darien Library

The book chronicles the extraordinary 35-year friendship between President Theodore Roosevelt and Sen. Henry Cabot Lodge of Massachusetts, and is a fascinating look at a personal relationship that was behind the making of modern politics and government at the dawn of the twentieth century. Theodore Roosevelt was a uniquely gifted figure who employed his abilities to rise from an unknown New York legislator to become the youngest man ever to assume the presidency in 1901. His rapid success would not have occurred without the assistance of the powerful New Englander, Henry Cabot Lodge. Eight years older than Roosevelt, from a prominent Massachusetts family, Lodge was one of the most calculating, combative politicians of his age.

Ask Lisa
Lisa Damour raising teens event

Author of Book on Raising Teenagers to Speak at Darien High School on May 10

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An interactive discussion with Lisa Damour, Ph.D, author of a book on the emotional lives of teenagers and the challenge of raising teens, will be held at 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 10 at Darien High School Auditorium. Registration is required to attend the event. — an announcement on the Middlesex Parent Association website

Damour, a New York Times bestselling author, recently released a book, The Emotional Lives of Teenagers: Raising Connected, Capable, and Compassionate Adolescents. A clinical psychologist, Damour is also a CBS News contributor. She will be joined by Reena Ninan, Ask Lisa podcast co-host with Damour, television journalist and a Darien resident, will moderate the discussion.

Books & Authors
Maggie Smith Elissa Altman You Could Make This Place Beautiful

Poet Maggie Smith to Talk About Her New Book in Online Conversation Presented by Barrett Bookstore

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Barrett Bookstore, in partnership with Main Street Books Davidson, is sponsoring an online talk with award-winning poet Maggie Smith in conversation with James Beard Award-winning author Elissa Altman. — an announcement from Barrett Bookstore

The talk, which is free takes place starting at 7 p.m., April 26. You can register here. The live, hour-long event takes place in at Our Town Cinemas in Davison, North Carolina, where Main Street Books Davidson is located. About ‘You Could Make This Place Beautiful’
In her debut memoir, You Could Make This Place Beautiful, poet Maggie Smith explores in lyrical vignettes the end of her marriage and the beginning of a surprising new life.

Books & Authors

NPR Host Mary Louise Kelly Visits Darien to Talk About Her New Book

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Barrett Bookstore and the Darien Community Association (DCA) in partnership with WSHU public radio invite you to an in-person talk at the DCA with Mary Louise Kelly, famed NPR reporter and co-host of newsmagazine All Things Considered, on Wednesday, April 12. —an announcement from the Darien Community Association and Barrett Bookstore

Kelly will discuss her new book, “It. Goes. So. Fast.

Charity Events and Opportunities

Barrett Bookstore to Donate 10% of Children’s Book Sales to Darien Book Aid on Sunday, April 2

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On Sunday, April 2, Barrett Bookstore will be donating 10% of children’s book sales to Darien Book Aid to help us celebrate International Children’s Book Day. — an announcement from Darien Book Aid and Barrett Bookstore

Come by the store that day to browse books with your kids or pick out some Easter or spring books for the little ones in your life. You will know that, through Barrett Bookstore’s donation to Darien Book Aid, your purchase will also help send books to kids around the world who don’t have access to reading material at their level. Barrett Bookstore will be open that day from 12 noon to 4 p.m. The store is located at 6 Corbin Drive in Darien. We hope you can stop by!

Books & Authors
Peaces by Helen Oyeyemi book cover

Award-Winning British Novelist Helen Oyeyemi Speaks at Fairfield U in a Free, Online Event Thursday

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The acclaimed, young British novelist Helen Oyeyemi will participate in a discussion broadcast live online with Fairfield University professor and author Phil Klay, starting at 12 noon,  Thursday, Oct. 27. — an announcement from Fairfield University

According to The Guardian, Oyeyemi has crushed “fables and fairytales down to a powder and then laced her fiction with it like some kind of literary hallucinogen.” Her latest novel, Peaces, takes a couple on a former tea-smuggling train where the laws of physics do not quite apply. You can register for the event here. Oyemi received a 2010 Somerset Maugham Award and a 2012 Hurston/Wright Legacy Award.

Books & Authors
Suketu Mehta and Karan Mahajan

Insights Into How Politics, Here and Abroad, Are Shaped by Narratives in Nov 10 Discussion With Two Authors

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With global and national affairs buffeted by competing narratives about nationhood, citizenship and personhood, storytelling is an important factor influencing politics at home and abroad. That’s the topic of a public conversation on Nov. 10 with two people who write narratives: Indian-American novelist Karan Mahajan and author Suketu Mehta at Manhattanville College. — an announcement from the India Cultural Center
Mehta and Mahajan will talk about the urgency of storytelling in this geopolitical landscape, delving into the role of geography in defining writers and writing, the necessity of self-expression and narrative as a catalyst for belonging. “The Global War of Storytelling” is presented by the Greenwich-based India Cultural Center and hosted by the Manhattanville College MFA in Writing Program.