Howard County Library System’s author events are a key component of the HCLS curriculum. Notable, best-selling, and local authors provide customers with enlightening experiences throughout the year. Bringing the community together to celebrate the literary arts is a hallmark of HCLS customer service. Join us for these opportunities to meet one of your favorite authors or discover someone new!
Author Salon: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Date: Saturday, June 10, 2017
Time: 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Branch: Miller
Description:
HCLS is pleased to welcome acclaimed author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie as she discusses her work at this special Meet the Author event.
Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is the leading African writer of her generation. She grew up on the campus of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and left Nigeria for the U.S. at the age of 19.
Ms. Adichie's work is read around the world, and has been translated into over thirty languages. Her first novel Purple Hibiscus (2003) won the Commonwealth Writers' Prize, and her second novel, Half of a Yellow Sun (2006), won the Orange Prize (now the Bailey's Women's Prize). Her 2013 novel Americanah has received numerous accolades, including the US National Book Critics Circle Award. It was named one of The New York Times Top Ten Best Books of the Year.
Ms. Adichie has been invited to speak around the world. Most notably her 2009 TED Talk, The Danger of A Single Story, is now one of the top ten most-viewed TED Talks of all time, with over five million views. Her 2012 TED talk, We Should All Be Feminists, has a started a worldwide conversation about feminism, and was published as a book in 2014.
Her most recent book, Dear Ijeawele, or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions, was published in March 2017.
Ms. Adichie leads an annual Writers Workshop in Nigeria to support aspiring young writers.
Books available for purchase. A limited number of book signing passes will be available for registered customers on a first come, first served basis. Limit 3 signed books per pass.
PRAISE FOR AMERICANAH
AMERICANAH is a courageous, world-class novel about independence, integrity, community, and love--and what it takes to become a 'full human being.'--BOOKLIST
A very funny, very warm and moving intergenerational epic that confirms Adichie's virtuosity, boundless empathy and searing social acuity.
--Dave Eggers, author of A Hologram for the King
Superb...Americanah is that rare thing in contemporary literary fiction: a lush, big-hearted love story that also happens to be a piercingly funny social critique.
--Vogue
[A] knockout of a novel about immigration, American dreams, the power of first love, and the shifting meanings of skin color...A marvel.
--NPR
REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Limit 4 free tickets per person. Register at https://AdichieHCLS.eventbrite.com beginning on MAY 24 at 10:00 am.
Sponsored by Friends of Howard County Library System. A Columbia 50th Birthday event.
Download to Calendar
Author Salon: Jan Bowman & Secrets of Flight
Date: Tuesday, June 27, 2017
Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Branch: Central
Description:
Author Jan Bowman discusses her short story collection, Flight Path & Other Stories, which studies and reveals the power of kindness. In difficult moments of human contact, explored from childhood through old age, this collection provides a window into the kindness all people seek in moments of sorrow.
The dynamic mix of characters in Bowman's stories know much about sorrow. Sorrow is found in the burden of a wife looking after her war-damaged husband and the son who confronts her more than 35 years after she abandons them. Sorrow is found in the struggle to hide from violence of the world, even though violence finds them. But Bowman's characters know kindness, as well. Kindness is in the unspoken understanding between a young man and his elderly aunt in the aftermath of a violent murder. Kindness is in small gestures between friends, and even strangers, after a sudden death. And kindness exists in unexpected connections found on the other end of the phone or through a shared meal.
Bowman's stories have won awards and been finalists in a number of publication contests, including the Danahy Fiction Prize, Gival Press Awards, Glimmer Train, Roanoke Review, Broad River Review RASH Awards, Phoebe and "So-To-Speak" Fiction Contests, among others. Winner of the 2011 Roanoke Review Fiction Award, Bowman's stories have been nominated for Pushcart Prizes, Best American Short Stories, and a Pen/O'Henry award.
Bowman's fiction has appeared in numerous publications including Roanoke Review, Big Muddy, The Broadkill Review, Third Wednesday, Minimus, Buffalo Spree (97), Folio, The Potomac Review, Musings, Potato Eyes and others. Jan's collection Flight Path & Other Stories (Evening Street Press) was published in 2015. Her next story collection, Life Boat Drills for Women is under construction. She is working on a novel based on the last story from her published collection. Learn more at www.janbowmanwriter.com.
Books available for purchase and signing. A Choose Civility Event. A Columbia 50th Birthday Event.
*Registration is preferred. Register online or by calling 410-313-7800.
Download to CalendarOh, You Must Live in Columbia!
Date: Wednesday, June 28, 2017
Time: 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Branch: Central
Description:
Barbara Kellner and Robin E. Emrich, authors of Oh, You Must Live in Columbia!, explore the origins of Columbia's place names and the surprises they encountered during their research. Books available for purchase and signing. A Columbia 50th Birthday Event.
*Registration is preferred. Register online or by calling 410-313-7800.
Download to CalendarChomp! Meet the Author: Dr. Brady Barr
Date: Thursday, July 20, 2017
Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Branch: Miller
Description:
Follow along with National Geographic explorer and author Dr. Brady Barr of EcoAdventures as he recounts his adventures. Hear exciting stories and learn facts about amazing creatures. Meet some live animals; supervised contact may occur. After a While Crocodile and Chomp! available for purchase and signing. Families; 30 - 60 min. Ticket required.
*Limited space; tickets available at Children's Desk 15 minutes before class.
Download to CalendarChomp! Meet the Author: Dr. Brady Barr
Date: Friday, July 21, 2017
Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Branch: Savage
Description:
Follow along with National Geographic explorer and author Dr. Brady Barr of EcoAdventures as he recounts his adventures. Hear exciting stories and learn facts about amazing creatures. Meet some live animals; supervised contact may occur. After a While Crocodile and Chomp! available for purchase and signing.
Families; 30 - 60 min. Ticket required.
*Limited space; tickets available at Children's Desk 15 minutes before class.
Download to CalendarMeet the Author: Carla Taylor-Pla
Date: Saturday, July 22, 2017
Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Branch: Central
Description:
Helping Children Make the Transition into Kindergarten
For parents and caregivers of children entering Kindergarten this fall; 45 - 60 min.
Experiencing school for the first time is one of life's most rewarding yet challenging adventures. School is New to Me: A Beginner's Guide to Starting School by Carla Taylor-Pla relates valuable, immediately usable information for preparing children to enter early education settings with minds ready to learn. Written in a child's voice and based on best practices and the author's experiences as a mother and dedicated child advocate, this book explains what to expect from a typical school routine. Books and companion activity books available for purchase and signing.
In partnership with HCPSS and the Road to Kindergarten initiative.
If you would like a reminder for this class, please provide an email address.
*Registration is required. Register online or by calling 410-313-7800.
Download to CalendarMeet the Author: Carla Taylor-Pla
Date: Thursday, July 27, 2017
Time: 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Branch: Miller
Description:
Helping Children Make the Transition into Kindergarten
For parents and caregivers of children entering Kindergarten this fall; 45 - 60 min.
Experiencing school for the first time is one of life's most rewarding yet challenging adventures. School is New to Me: A Beginner's Guide to Starting School by Carla Taylor-Pla relates valuable, immediately usable information for preparing children to enter early education settings with minds ready to learn. Written in a child's voice and based on best practices and the author's experiences as a mother and dedicated child advocate, this book explains what to expect from a typical school routine. Books and companion activity books available for purchase and signing.
In partnership with HCPSS and the Road to Kindergarten initiative.
If you would like a reminder for this class, please provide an email address.
*Registration is required. Register online or by calling 410-313-1950.
Download to CalendarCHOMP! Meet the Author: Dr. Brady Barr
Date: Saturday, July 29, 2017
Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Branch: Glenwood
Description:
Follow along with National Geographic explorer and author Dr. Brady Barr of EcoAdventures as he recounts his adventures. Hear exciting stories and learn facts about amazing creatures. Meet some live animals; supervised contact may occur. After a While Crocodile and Chomp! available for purchase and signing. Families; 30 - 60 min.
If you would like a reminder for this class, please provide an email address.
*Registration is required. Register online or by calling 410-313-5577.
Download to CalendarMeet the Author: Carla Taylor-Pla
Date: Monday, July 31, 2017
Time: 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Branch: Glenwood
Description:
Helping Children Make the Transition into Kindergarten
For parents and caregivers of children entering Kindergarten this fall; 45 - 60 min.
Experiencing school for the first time is one of life's most rewarding yet challenging adventures. School is New to Me: A Beginner's Guide to Starting School by Carla Taylor-Pla relates valuable, immediately usable information for preparing children to enter early education settings with minds ready to learn. Written in a child's voice and based on best practices and the author's experiences as a mother and dedicated child advocate, this book explains what to expect from a typical school routine. Books and companion activity books available for purchase and signing.
In partnership with HCPSS and the Road to Kindergarten initiative.
If you would like a reminder for this class, please provide an email address.
*Registration is required. Register online or by calling 410-313-5577.
Download to CalendarMeet the Author: Seth Waltman
Date: Tuesday, August 08, 2017
Time: 1:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Branch: Central
Description:
Super Mom and Dad: Military Heroes
Author Seth Waltman reads his board book, Super Mom and Dad: Military Heroes, then presents a writing show and tell. Make a superhero craft. Books available for purchase and signing.
Ages 2-5 with adult; 30 min. Ticket required.
*Limited space; tickets available at Children's Desk 15 minutes before class.
Download to Calendar
