Category: Author Events

Bestselling author, Robert Dugoni, to appear at the Spring author event!

Robert Dugoni in front of city

Robert Dugoni bestselling New York Times author will appear Thursday, April 13, at 11:00 am at the Calvary Church, 1051 Landis Valley Rd, Lancaster, PA.  Dugoni best known for his crime mysteries, legal thrillers and compelling novels, will be in conversaton with Scott LaMar of WITF.  The Council of Friends of Public Libraries will host the event, which is a fundraiser for all of the public libraries in Lancaster County.

Ticket holders will receive a complimentary trade paperback copy of Dugoni’s latest novel Her Deadly Game.

About the Author

book her deadly game by Robert Dugoni

Robert Dugoni is the critically acclaimed New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post and #1 Amazon bestselling author of the Tracy Crosswhite police series set in Seattle, which has sold more than 8 million books worldwide. He is also the author of The Charles Jenkins espionage series, the David Sloane legal thriller series, and several stand-alone novels including The 7th Canon, Damage Control, and the literary novels, The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell – Suspense Magazine’s 2018 Book of the Year, for which Dugoni’s narration won an Audio File Earphones Award and the critically acclaimed, The World Played Chess; as well as the nonfiction exposé The Cyanide Canary, a Washington Post Best Book of the Year. Several of his novels have been optioned for movies and television series. Dugoni is the recipient of the Nancy Pearl Award for Fiction and a three-time winner of the Friends of
Mystery Spotted Owl Award for best novel set in the Pacific Northwest. He has also been a finalist for many other awards including the International Thriller Award, the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction, the Silver Falchion Award for mystery, and the Mystery Writers of America Edgar Award.

Robert Dugoni’s books are sold in more than twenty-five countries and have been translated into more than thirty languages. For more information, visit:

https://www.robertdugonibooks.com/bio

The Council of Friends

Established in 2000, the award-winning Council of Friends of Public Libraries is made up of volunteers who are avid readers and are committed to promoting reading countywide.  The group has organized and hosted author events that have featured best-selling authors for the past 22 years.  The group has raised over $140,000 for the public libraries by hosting these annual author events.  This year the Council of Friends is proud to announce a partnership with Midtown Scholar Books located at 1302 North Third Street, Harrisburg, PA 17102.

Book signing and a “Meet and Greet” with the author after the event.
Robert Dugoni’s backlist books will be available for purchase at the event.

Midtown Scholar Bookstore-Cafe

Event tickets are currently on sale for $50, which includes the author presentation and a trade paperback copy of Robert Dugoni’s latest book, Her Deadly Game.

Contact Cathy Doremus to purchase tickets.
cdoremus12@gmail.com
36 Brusen Drive
Lititz, PA 17543
Checks should be made payable to The Council of Friends.

Click here for the Ticket Order Form

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Two authors—one stage—to benefit public libraries!

March 1, 2022 – In an unprecedented event, the Council of Friends of Lancaster County’s Public Libraries has arranged for two NYTimes best-selling authors to appear on stage at the same time!  Adriana Trigiani and Chris Bohjalian will share one stage to benefit public libraries. This unique event will be moderated by Scott LaMar, WITF’s Smart Talk host, who will have a conversation with both authors at the same time. This conversational format follows three of our past events and was very popular with attendees.

The Council of Friends 21st Author Event will be held on Tuesday , May 24, 2022 at 11:00 AM at the Calvary Church, 1051 Landis Valley Rd, Lancaster, PA.   The Council of Friends of Public Libraries, Aaron’s Books and the Library System of Lancaster County will host the fundraising event to benefit public libraries in Lancaster County.

Click here to watch a message from Chris Bohjalian regarding the event.

 

ADRIANA TRIGIANI is the New York Times bestselling author of twenty books of fiction and nonfiction, including The Shoemaker’s Wife. Her books have been published in thirty-eight languages around the world. She is an award-winning playwright, television writer/producer, and filmmaker. Adriana’s latest novel, The Good Left Undone, tells the story of the Cabrellis, a hardworking family of Tuscan artisans with long-held secrets.  For more information visit: https://adrianatrigiani.com

Adriana’s Promo Video Things Left Undone:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXz0dJDYFac


CHRIS BOHJALIAN is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of twenty-four books. His work has been translated into 35 languages and become three movies and an Emmy-nominated TV series. His latest novel, The Lioness, is a riveting historical thriller that is a story of fame, race, love, and death set in a world on the cusp of great change.  He lives in Vermont.  For more information visit: https://chrisbohjalian.com or on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Litsy, and Goodreads, @chrisbohjalian

Chris Bohjalian’s video about The Red Lotus
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxntxSUH0ak

Chris gives a heartfelt message about Libraries
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dF0EyDM657w

 


SCOTT LAMAR is the Award-winning Host/Executive Producer of award-winning, Smart Talk radio, WITF’s public affairs program.  He has won more than a dozen Pennsylvania Associated Press Broadcast Awards since 2000 and has been nominated for five Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards.


The Council of Friends 

Established in 2000, is the award-winning volunteer committee of avid readers who are committed to promoting reading countywide.  The group has organized and hosted author events that have featured best-selling authors for the past 21 years.  In 2010, they formed a partnership with Independent Bookstore Aaron’s Books in Lititz that brings authors to Lancaster County while they travel on their national book tours. Last year’s event that featured best-selling author, David Baldacci, broke all previous fundraising records for the county’s public libraries.

How to purchase tickets

Click here to download a Ticket Order Form.  
The $65.00 event ticket will entitle guests to receive two complimentary books: a copy of Trigiani’s new book Good Left Undone and Bohjalian’s new book, The Lioness.

Ticketholders must bring their ticket to the event to receive their complimentary copies of both Adriana Trigiani’s and Chris Bohjalian’s latest book.

*There will be no luncheon at this event.  Contact Sue Newswanger at news1165@gmail.com to purchase tickets.  Checks should be made payable to The Council of Friends.

Tickets are also on sale at Aaron’s Books, 35 East Main Street, Lititz, PA 717-627-1990.
https://www.AaronsBooks.com/

For more information, including library hours, visit the Library System of Lancaster County’s website at www.lancasterlibraries.org to access system-wide events as well as your local library’s web page!

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Visiting Author to share Italian Culture!

 

David James Connors, author of Romancing Through Italy

Visiting Author to share Italian Culture!
Must-see program if you have a romance with Italy or are planning a trip there!

The Lancaster Italian Cultural Society is pleased to host writer and avid traveler, Robert James Connors, author of Romancing Through Italy at the Manheim Township Public Library, 595 Granite Run Road, Lancaster, PA 17601 on Tuesday, July 3 at 5:30 pm.  The event, which is part of the author’s national speaking tour, is free and open to the public.

The pervasive effect of Italian culture on our modern world, as well as the attractions Italy offers to visitors, will be highlighted during this program.  Millions of Italian immigrants helped to shape American culture, and today more than 17 million self-identify as Italian-Americans.

Connors is a frequent public speaker and the author of Romancing Through Italy, an Romancing Through Italy by David James Connorsintimate account of his twenty years spent exploring that Mediterranean nation. His Italian visits over the years have certainly created a romance with Italy, he states “Italy is both the cradle and nursemaid of Western civilization. That small nation contributed the lion’s share of our culture.”  How could that happen?  Connors delights in sharing these clues with his audiences, “I enjoy meeting my readers, and sharing these remarkable stories—Italy is one of the world’s most popular travel destinations, partly because of its enormous impact on our modern culture. The travel tips are free, too!”

 

 

Program

5:30 pm ~ Pre-Social (light snacks)
6:00 —7:00 pm ~ Author Presentation and Q&A
Author presentation will be followed by a Post-Social Time & Book Signing

 About the Author…
Robert James Connors is an award-winning writer and journalist, experienced public speaker, and author of more than 1,000 human-interest, feature, and news stories during a career spanning 40 years.    Now a dedicated traveler, he is a contributor to publications covering topics ranging from environment to classical music and history. Connors is a former Florida County Commissioner, and has served as an invited guest speaker (in both English and Italian) at military commemorative events in Italy, recognizing the service of American veterans of World War II in the Liberation of Italy from the Nazi/Fascists.  In addition to his travels and writing, he serves as President of the Lake Wales Museum Association.  For more information, visit: https://romancingthroughitaly.com/

Lancaster Italian Culture Society Logo

Registration requested, but not required.  To register, go to:      https://www.lancaster-italian-cultural-society.org/events-calendar/

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NEA Big Read Author to visit Lancaster!

Lancaster Public Library logo

 

Author, Luis Alberto Urrea
Luis Alberto Urrea is an award-winning writer, who uses his dual-culture life experiences to explore greater themes of love, loss and triumph.

 

Lancaster Public Library and the League of Women Voters of Lancaster County are thrilled to welcome Luis Alberto Urrea, author of the NEA Big Read’s “Into the Beautiful North” to Lancaster for two engagements in May!

Mr. Urrea will discuss his novel and answer questions for an intimate gathering at JP McCaskey High School (445 N. Reservoir Street) on Friday, May 18 from 6-7:30 p.m. The following day, Mr. Urrea will discuss his novel, answer questions, and sign books for a larger audience at the Ware Center (42 N. Prince Street) on Saturday, May 19 from 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Space is limited, and registration is required for both programs. Visit www.lancasterpubliclibrary.org/neabigread  for details.

Into the Beautiful North“We are delighted to bring Luis Alberto Urrea to Lancaster for this once in a lifetime opportunity,” said Lancaster Public Library Executive Director Heather Sharpe. “We’ve engaged in a lot of meaningful conversations with our book discussions over the last six months, and look forward to an illuminating dialogue with Mr. Urrea.”

An initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest, the NEA Big Read broadens our understanding of our world, our communities, and ourselves through the joy of sharing a good book. The Lancaster Public Library was one of 75 nonprofit organizations nationwide, and the only organization in Pennsylvania, to receive an NEA Big Read grant. The author visit in May will be the culmination of the community-reading program.

As one of the oldest public libraries in the country, Lancaster Public Library has earned the reputation of a dynamic center of knowledge and a cornerstone of a thriving Lancaster community. After more than two and a half centuries, LPL continues to inspire, empower, and strengthen our community by connecting people with information, ideas, and enriching experiences. For more information about the library, please visit www.lancasterpubliclibrary.org.

Established by Congress in 1965, the National Endowment for the Arts is the independent federal agency whose funding and support gives Americans the opportunity to participate in the arts, exercise their imaginations, and develop their creative capacities. Through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies, and the philanthropic sector, the NEA supports arts learning, affirms and celebrates America’s rich and diverse cultural heritage, and extends its work to promote equal access to the arts in every community across America. Visit arts.gov to learn more about NEA.

Arts Midwest promotes creativity, nurtures cultural leadership, and engages people in meaningful arts experiences, bringing vitality to Midwest communities and enriching people’s lives. Based in Minneapolis, Arts Midwest connects the arts to audiences throughout the nine-state region of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. One of six non-profit regional arts organizations in the United States, Arts Midwest’s history spans more than 25 years. For more information, please visit artsmidwest.org.

NEA Big Read Logo

Contact: Leigh Kaliss
Phone: 717-394-2651 Ext. 101
Email: lkaliss@lancasterpubliclibrary.org

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Public Libraries in Lancaster County will celebrate Pennsylvania’s One Book Every Young Child Campaign with Author Visits!

2018_OBEYC_logo

Lancaster County’s public libraries will participate in the 13th annual One Book, Every Young Child statewide early learning initiative, to highlight both the importance of early literacy development in preschoolers, ages 3-6 years and specifically the vital role that adults have fostering that development.

Special Story Times will be offered at all of the public libraries in Lancaster County from April 3 through May 29.  There will also be special Author Visits on May 3, 2018.  (See schedules below for Author Visits and Storytimes!)

The initiative is a collaborative effort of Pennsylvania public libraries, museums, early childcare centers and other youth-oriented associations in the Commonwealth. This year’s book selection is My Cousin Momo written and illustrated by Zachariah OHora.  Published in 2015 by Dial Books, this book is for children ages 3 to 5.

Early learning starts in Pennsylvania’s Public Libraries. During story time, youth librarians foster early childhood literacy and school readiness skills. Now in its 13th year, One Book, Every Young Child is a valuable program that highlights the importance of early literacy development in preschoolers and the significance of reading early and often to children, as well as engaging them in conversation and other activities around books.

The program has remained successful in part due to the partnership of collaborating agencies that all support early childhood literacy efforts. They worked together to develop this multifaceted program which is accessible to all areas and populations of the state.

Public Librarians during the reading of the book, engage children in open-ended discussion about the story line and characters, introduce new vocabulary, talk about alphabet letters and make a point that reading books builds a critical foundation of knowledge, readying a child for school. Encouragement is given to parents to “Read to One’s Child Every Day”.

Libraries have additional copies of My Cousin Momo for parents and caregivers to borrow.

picture of squirrel with camera around neck - cover image for "my cousin Momo"About the 2018 Book Selection: My Cousin Momo
When a flying squirrel arrives for a visit with relatives, carrying his suitcase, wearing a camera around his neck, and sporting a pink T-shirt and aqua-and-yellow running shoes, he fails to impress his two cousins and their many forest friends. He’s too shy to fly for them, and he doesn’t know how to play superheroes, hide-and-seek, or acorn-pong. The cousins are frustrated by Momo’s behavior (one cousin kicks a mushroom), but when they follow their parents’ advice to “Give him some time” and “Just make him feel welcome,” they modify the rules of their games so Momo feels included. OHora’s stylized illustrations are humorous (Momo dresses as “Muffin Man” when playing superheroes) and touching (he cries as he packs his suitcase, wanting to go home). VERDICT Many children will relate to Momo’s situation as he faces new surroundings and experiences and will be relieved when his cousins finally accept him for who he is. ~Tanya Boudreau, Cold Lake Public Library, AB, Canada 

The Reviews Are In…

“Picture books with hip, quirky illustrations that are not just funny but also have plenty of heart are hard to find. The stylish My Cousin Momo by Zachariah OHora has it all.” ~ The Boston Globe

“OHora’s story soars, encouraging acceptance and being true to yourself.” ~ Kirkus Reviews

OHora could paint stones in the street and make them funny.” ~ Publishers Weekly

“Many children will relate to Momo’s situation as he faces new surroundings and experiences and will be relieved when his cousins finally accept him for who he is.” ~ School Library Journal

“Fun details—like Momo’s tiny camera and his cousin’s superhero bat costume—will delight. A fab offering.” ~ Booklist

“Librarians and parents will delight in the lightly played theme of approaching the unfamiliar with an open mind.” ~The Horn Book

One Book, Every Young Child
 Author Visits ~ May 3, 2018

10:30 a.m.
Eastern Lancaster County Library
11 Chestnut Dr., New Holland, PA 17557
To register, visit www.elancolibrary.org,
register in person, or call us at 354-0525.

 12:45-1:45 p.m.
H.C. Burgard Elementary
111 S. Penn St., Manheim, PA 17545
Sponsoring Library: Manheim Community Library
(This event is closed to the public)

 6:30 p.m.
L
ititz Public Library
651 Kissel Hill Rd., Lititz, PA 17545
717-626-2255
To register, email at register@lititzlibrary.org
(Include your name, phone number and number attending.)
You may also register in person or call 717-626-2255.


One Book, Every Young Child is made possible through a collaboration of the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, The Carnegie Science Center, Pennsylvania Library Association, Pennsylvania Center for the Book, Pennsylvania’s Promise for Children, Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children and The Pennsylvania Child Care Association. This project is made possible by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Office of Commonwealth Libraries.

During the months of April and May, public libraries around the county will host special “My Cousin Momo” story time celebrations that will incorporate reading the selected book along with themed-related concepts and activities and other teaching tools to stretch children’s exploration and learning.  Public Library programs support the Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards.

There also will be traveling trunks developed by early childhood educators to help expand upon the concepts in My Cousin Momo. Each trunk is filled with fun book-related activities, games and manipulatives for young children that align with Pennsylvania’s Learning Standards for Early Childhood. 


My Cousin Momo by Zachariah OHora
Story Times/Traveling Trunk Programs @ Public Libraries

List of scheduled events celebrating early literacy; libraries may require registration, please contact your local public library for more information.

Tuesday, April 3
Lancaster Public Library 10:30 am

Thursday, April 5
Lancaster Public Library – Mountville Branch 10:15 am

Wednesday, April 11
Salisbury Township Branch Library 10:00 am
Pequea Valley Public Library 11:15 am

Thursday, April 12
Milanof-Schock Public Library 10:30 am

Monday, April 16
Ephrata Public Library at 10:00 am &  11:00 am

Wednesday, April 18
Manheim Township Public Library 10:00 am

Thursday, April 19
Elizabethtown Public Library 10:30 am

Tuesday, April 24
Lancaster Public Library – Leola Branch 10:30 am

Wednesday, April 25
Moores Memorial Library 10:30 am
Strasburg-Heisler Library 10:30 am

Saturday, May 12
Quarryville Library 10:00 am

Tuesday, May 22
Manheim Community Library 10:00 am

Tuesday, May 29
Eastern Lancaster County Library (New Holland) 10:30 am


Zachariah OHoraAbout the Author…

Zachariah OHora is the illustrator of The New York Times best-selling book Wolfie the Bunny. He is the author and illustrator of a number of award-winning books including No Fits Nilson! – The Huffington Post Best Children’s Book of 2013 – and The Not So Quiet Library.

My Cousin Momo was a Boston Globe Best Children’s Book of 2015. His debut children’s book Stop Snoring Bernard! won the 2011 Society of Illustrators Founder’s Award and was the Pennsylvania One Book, Every Young Child selection in 2012.  Zach lives in Narberth, PA with his wife and two sons.

Visit him online at zohora.com or on Twitter @ZachariahOHora.

For more information about the One Book, Every Young Child early learning initiative visit: www.paonebook.org

Previous selections for the Pennsylvania One Book, Every Young Child program are:

  •  2017 – Daniel Finds a Poem by Micha Archer
  • 2016 – Kite Day by Will Hillenbrand
  • 2015 – Number One Sam by Greg Pizolli
  • 2014 – Stripes of All Types by Susan Stockdale
  • 2013 – The Bus for Us by Suzanne Bloom
  • 2012 – Stop Snoring Bernard by Zachariah OHora
  • 2011 – Whose Shoes? A Shoe for Every Job by Stephen R. Swinburne
  • 2010 – What a Treasure! by Jane and Will Hillenbrand
  • 2009 – If You Were a Penguin by Wendell and Florence Minor
  • 2008 – Up, Down, and Around by author Katherine Ayres and illustrator Nadine Bernard Westcott
  • 2007 – A Splendid Friend, Indeed by author and illustrator Suzanne Bloom
  • 2006 – Inside Mouse, Outside Mouse by author and illustrator Lindsay Barrett George

 

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Pulitzer Prize winning author to speak at the 2018 Spring Author Luncheon!

 

Pulitzer Prize winning author, Elizabeth StroutElizabeth Strout is coming to Lancaster County! The award-winning author will appear at the 2018 Spring Author Luncheon on Thursday, April 19, 2018 at 12:00 noon at the Calvary Church, 1051 Landis Valley Rd, Lancaster, PA.   The Council of Friends of Public Libraries, Aaron’s Books and the Library System of Lancaster County will host the luncheon, which is a fundraising event for public libraries in Lancaster County.

“Being able to host renowned authors such as Elizabeth Strout has been the highlight of our luncheons for the past 17 years. Strout will be no exception to the high-caliber writers that we seek for this special event.” says Mary Ann Heltshe-Steinhauer, public relations manager for the Library System and committee member on The Council of Friends.

Download Ticket Order Form

About the Author

Elizabeth Strout was born in Portland, Maine, and grew up in small towns in Maine and New Hampshire. From a young age she was drawn to writing things down, keeping notebooks that recorded the quotidian details of her days.  She was also drawn to books, and spent hours of her youth in the local library lingering among the stacks of fiction.  During the summer months of her childhood she played outdoors, either with her brother, or, more often, alone, and this is where she developed her deep and abiding love of the physical world: the seaweed covered rocks along the coast of Maine, and the woods of New Hampshire with its hidden wildflowers.

During her adolescent years, Strout continued writing avidly, having conceived of herself as a writer from early on. She read biographies of writers, and was already studying – on her own – the way American writers, in particular, told their stories.  Poetry was something she read and memorized; by the age of sixteen was sending out stories to magazines.  Her first story was published when she was twenty-six.

Strout attended Bates College, graduating with a degree in English in 1977. Two years later, she went to Syracuse University College of Law, where she received a law degree along with a Certificate in Gerontology.  She worked briefly for Legal Services, before moving to New York City, where she became an adjunct in the English Department of Borough of Manhattan Community College.  By this time, she was publishing more stories in literary magazines and Redbook and Seventeen.  Juggling the needs that came with raising a family and her teaching schedule, she found a few hours each day to work on her writing.

To learn more about Elizabeth Strout, visit her website: www.elizabethstrout.com

Anything Is Possible by Elizabeth StroutAbout Anything is Possible

Recalling Olive Kitteridge in its richness, structure, and complexity, Anything Is Possible explores the whole range of human emotion through the intimate dramas of people struggling to understand themselves and others. Here are two sisters: One trades self-respect for a wealthy husband while the other finds in the pages of a book a kindred spirit who changes her life. The janitor at the local school has his faith tested in an encounter with an isolated man he has come to help; a grown daughter longs for mother love even as she comes to accept her mother’s happiness in a foreign country; and the adult Lucy Barton (the heroine of My Name Is Lucy Barton, the author’s celebrated New York Times bestseller) returns to visit her siblings after seventeen years of absence.

Reverberating with the deep bonds of family, and the hope that comes with reconciliation, Anything Is Possible again underscores Elizabeth Strout’s place as one of America’s most respected and cherished authors. (Taken from Publisher)
About The Council of Friends

Established in 2000, the award-winning Council of Friends of Public Libraries is made up of volunteers who are avid readers and are committed to promoting reading countywide. The group has organized and hosted author events that have featured best-selling authors for the past 16 years.  In 2010, they formed a partnership with Independent Bookstore Aaron’s Books in Lititz that brings authors to Lancaster County while they travel on their national book tours.

Tickets for the 2018 luncheon are on sale now. Cost is $50 per ticket, which includes luncheon, author presentation and a paperback copy of Elizabeth Strout’s latest book, Anything Is Possible.

Ticket Order Form

Contact Cathy Doremus at 717-627-3772 or email at cdoremus@ptd.net to purchase tickets.  Checks should be made payable to The Council of FriendsPlease be sure to include a SASE (Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope) with your ticket order! 

For more information, including library hours, visit the Library System of Lancaster County’s website at www.lancasterlibraries.org to access system-wide events as well as your local library’s web page!

Aaron's Books - Independent Bookstore in Lititz PA      Council of Friends of Lancaster County Public Libraries 

Brighten the Winter Doldrums with our Book Lover’s Author Event!

Susan Meissner, best-selling author

The Council of Friends of Lancaster County Public Libraries and Aaron’s Books will host best-selling author, Susan Meissner on Tuesday, February 6th at 6:30 pm at the Bent Creek Country Club, Lancaster County.   Meissner is making a repeat appearance since her 2017 visit proved to be so popular with readers.  Her current visit celebrates the launch of her latest book, As Bright As Heaven. Tickets are $30.00To purchase tickets, visit Aaron’s Books, 35 East Main Street, Lititz, PA 17543. Tickets may also be ordered online at AaronsBooks.com.   Aaron’s Books will offer a $10 discount on the purchase of her NEW book if purchased at the event.   Proceeds from this event will raise funds for the Council of Friends of Lancaster County Public Libraries.

Library Fundraiser

As Bright as Heaven

It was during Fall 1918 when Pauline Bright’s husband is made heir to his uncle’s very As Bright As Heaven by Susan Meissnersuccessful Philadelphia funeral home, they move to the city optimistic that they can now give their three daughters—Evelyn, Maggie, and Willa—a wonderful, carefree life. Just months later, however, the Spanish Flu descends, turning their lives and the world around them upside down. But even as they lose loved ones, they take in a baby orphaned by the disease who becomes their single source of hope. Amidst tragedy and challenges, Pauline and her daughters learn what they cannot live without—and what they are willing to do about it.

“Strong, resilient, and determined to make their way in a changing world, Meissner’s characters step off the page and into history.”—Lisa Wingate, New York Times bestselling author of Before We Were Yours

“With stunning prose and keen detail, Meissner has deftly created a heady mix of love, politics and survival…A must read!”—Pam Jenoff, New York Times bestselling author of The Orphan’s Tale

About the Author

Susan Meissner is the critically-acclaimed author of 20 novels. Her engaging stories feature memorable characters facing unique and complex circumstances, often against a backdrop of historical significance. A multi-award winning author, her books have earned starred reviews in both Publishers Weekly and BookList. Prior to her writing career, she was a managing editor of a weekly newspaper in southwestern Minnesota.  Her novels include A Bridge Across the Ocean; Secrets of Charmed Life, a Goodreads finalist for Best Historical Fiction 2015; and A Fall of Marigolds, named to Booklist’s Top Ten Women’s Fiction titles for 2014. A California native, she attended Point Loma Nazarene University.

She enjoys teaching workshops on writing, spending time with her family, reading great books and traveling. Susan makes her home in the San Diego area with her husband Bob, a pastor and chaplain in the Air Force Reserves. They are the parents of four adult children.

When she’s not working on a novel, Susan writes small group curriculum for her San Diego church. Visit Susan at susanlmeissner.com, on Twitter at @SusanMeissner, or at facebook.com/susan.meissner.

The Council of Friends

Established in 2000, the award-winning Council of Friends of Public Libraries is made up of volunteers who are avid readers and are committed to promoting reading countywide. The group has organized and hosted author events that have featured best-selling authors for the past 16 years.  In 2010, they formed a partnership with Independent Bookstore Aaron’s Books in Lititz that brings authors to Lancaster County while they travel on their national book tours.

Visit AaronsBooks.com to order tickets!

$30 Ticket includes author presentation and light refreshments.

Susan Meissner’s new book and her previous titles will be available for sale by Aaron’s Books at the event!

Aaron’s Books will offer a $10 discount on the purchase of her NEW book if purchased at the event.   Proceeds from this event will raise funds for the Council of Friends of Lancaster County Public Libraries.

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Aaron's Books - Independent Bookstore in Lititz PA               Council of Friends of Lancaster County Public Libraries

 

 

 

Ephrata Public Library hosts an Evening with Carl Wilkins

An Evening with Carl Wilkens
Friday, December 8 • 7 p.m.

550 South Reading Road • Ephrata, PA 17522 • 717-738-9291
www.ephratapubliclibrary.org

Ephrata Public Library Logo

As a humanitarian aid worker Carl Wilkens moved his young family to Rwanda in the Spring of 1990. In 1994 when extremist took over the government in Rwanda and started ordering ordinary citizens to kill the “enemy”—their Tutsi neighbors—all foreign embassies evacuated their respective citizens. However, a handful refused to leave, among them one American—Carl Wilkens. His harrowing, yet hopeful journey weaves together stories of tremendous risk and fierce compassion, in the midst of the senseless slaughtering of 800,000 innocent people, known by many as the darkest 100 days of the 20th century.

Carl’s book, “I’m Not Leaving,” is based on 9 hours of cassette recording her made for his wife and children
during the genocide. Books and DVDs will be available for purchase and signing.

To register, visit www.ephratapubliclibrary.org
or call 717.738.9291 during business hours.

Special Thanks for Our Program Sponsors: Andrea Glass, Matthew Good & Penny Talbert

CHI St. Joseph Children’s Health to Hold FREE Family Workshop: “Children and Mindfulness: A World of Pausabilities”

Dr. Frank Sileo, psychologist and author of “A World of Pausabilities!,” to join families at Manheim Township Public Library on Sept. 30 from 10 to 11 a.m.

CHI St. Joseph Children’s Health, in partnership with the Library System of Lancaster County, is pleased to present a FREE family workshop, Children and Mindfulness: A World of Pausabilities, by Dr. Frank J. Sileo, licensed psychologist and author, on Saturday, Sept. 30 from 10 to 11 a.m. at Manheim Township Public Library, 595 Granite Run Drive, Lancaster, Pa. 17601.

During the interactive workshop, families with children of all ages will be introduced to mindfulness, a way of living in the present – without worrying about the past or future. Attendees are encouraged to dress comfortably and parents will be invited to join their children in a variety of mindfulness activities. The first 100 families to register for the event and attend will receive a copy of Sileo’s autographed book A World of Pausabilities. To register and reserve your FREE BOOK go to:  www.stjosephchildrenshealth.org.

“We’re extremely excited to offer families access to a renowned expert about such an incredibly important topic,” said Philip Goropoulos, president of CHI St. Joseph Children’s Health. “This free event is ideal for any family who is looking to help their child find a healthy mindset in the midst of the hectic and sometimes stressful world around them.”

Sileo’s book, A World of Pausabilities, is a rhyming guide that introduces children to mindfulness and shows Pausibiilities book written by Dr. Frank Sileothem how to live mindfully by taking pauses in their lives. The book teaches children “pausabilities” encouraging them to take a breath and be present and pay attention to their thoughts, feelings, sensations and the world around them. A World of Pausabilities reminds children that everyone can be mindful and that there is no wrong way to take a pause.

The announcement of this family workshop is just one more way CHI St. Joseph Children’s Health, a community-based organization dedicated to the health and well-being of children and families, is attempting to change the course of child and adolescent behavioral health in the Lancaster community. In July, the nonprofit, which provides multiple efforts, programs and services, announced the opening of the organization’s first Behavioral Health Center. The new Center provides Behavioral Health services to children regardless of insurance or their ability to pay.

“Behavioral Health and mindfulness are topics that are top-of-mind for many parents in our community who are dealing with busy schedules and an ever-growing list of activities for their children beginning at a young age,” said Mary Ann Heltshe-Steinhauer, community relations manager for the Library System of Lancaster County. “We’re proud to partner with CHI St. Joseph Children’s Health to provide local families access to such a unique and powerful experience.”

Dr/ Frank Sileo, Author of PausibilitiesAbout Dr. Sileo

Dr. Frank J. Sileo is a New Jersey licensed psychologist, and is the founder and executive director of The Center for Psychological Enhancement, LLC located in Ridgewood, New Jersey. He received his doctorate in psychology from Fordham University in New York City. He received his master’s degree from Fordham University and his bachelor’s degree from Iona College in New Rochelle, New York. Sileo has been in private practice in Ridgewood, New Jersey since 1995. Since 2010, he has been consistently voted one of New Jersey’s Favorite Kids’ Docs by readers of New Jersey Family magazine. Sileo has worked with children, adolescents and adults in inpatient and outpatient settings. He has served as site administrator to three different residential treatment facilities for children, adolescents and young adults. He has taught counseling and psychology courses at Fordham University and Saint Thomas Aquinas College, and is currently a supervisor of doctoral students in the clinical psychology program at Fairleigh Dickinson University.  For more information about Sileo, visit http://drfranksileo.com/about.htm.

About CHI St. Joseph Children’s Health

A part of Catholic Health Initiatives, CHI St. Joseph Children’s Health is a community-based organization dedicated to the health and well-being of children and families in the Lancaster community. The organization works in collaboration with community partners to assure access to appropriate, quality health services and benefits for every child in the Lancaster community. This mission in children’s health includes multiple efforts, programs and services committed to improving the health of children and families throughout the Lancaster community. To learn more about CHI St. Joseph Children’s Health, visit www.CHIstjosephchildrenshealth.org.

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Telling Their Story: A Readers’ Celebration of Rose Under Fire!

Whether you’ve read the book Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein, or not—you are still invited to join the Readers’ Celebration that will be held on Saturday, April 8 from 12:00 – 2:00 pm at the Reading Municipal Airport at  2501 Bernville Road, Reading, PA 19605.   This free event will celebrate the reading of this year’s One Book selection with a special appearance of the author!  World War II displays, a slide show, music from the era in which the book is set, and refreshments all add up to an afternoon of fun and enjoyment for the public.

There will also be a reception catered by Isaac’s and a silent auction to benefit future One Book, One Community Programs. The event is FREE and open to the public, but participants are encouraged to register for the event at:

http://tinyurl.com/readers-celebration

Guests are welcome to visit the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum before or after the Readers’ Celebration, which is a short distance from the event. Hours are 9:30am – 4pm. Last guided tour begins at 3 pm. (Fees apply for visitors to the Museum.)

This year’s OBOC regional campaign represents collaboration between 80 libraries in six counties: Berks, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry and York. Reading campaign organizers encourage residents of the six-county region to read the book and attend programs during 2017.

Visit www.oboc.org for information about the book, author and updates on events!

For more information about the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum, visit http://www.maam.org/

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