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!
There are 13 upcoming classes.
Going to Extremes: Tales of Global Adventure with Peter Mandel (ONLINE)
Date: 07/24/25Time: 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Branch: Online Branch
Age group: Children, Teens, Adults, Everyone
Program type: Culture & Language
Description:
Join nationally-known adventure travel journalist Peter Mandel for a thrilling virtual exploration of the world’s most remote and extreme locations. Mandel has chased stories from the deserts of Africa to the fjords of Norway, the mountain paths of Japan to the icy wilderness of Antarctica—often returning with unforgettable tales and striking photos.
In this dynamic slideshow and storytelling event, he’ll share gripping experiences from the field—surviving a coup in Ecuador, fishing for piranhas in Brazil, floating in the Goodyear Blimp, kayaking to the Statue of Liberty, visiting a ‘city’ of penguins at the South Pole, and more. Along the way, he’ll reveal how these real-life adventures are transformed into powerful prose for today’s newspapers, magazines, and books.
This all-ages virtual program is perfect for curious minds, aspiring writers, world travelers, and armchair adventurers alike. Don’t miss this unforgettable journey around the globe—from the comfort of home.
Registration is required to watch the live Zoom presentation from home—or anywhere! Please register with a valid email address to receive the link to join this virtual event. Or, register here to join us in person at HCLS Miller Branch for the Watch Party.
About Peter Mandel
Peter Mandel is a children’s book author and award-winning adventure travel journalist whose work has appeared in The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, National Geographic Kids, The Los Angeles Times, and more. Based in Rhode Island, he shares his home with his wife, Kathy, and their rescue cats, Emily and Cecil.
Peter grew up in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood, the son of two longtime LIFE Magazine writers. He attended City & Country School in Greenwich Village and holds a B.A. from Middlebury College and an M.A. from Brown University.
A frequent speaker on writing and publishing, Peter has received multiple Lowell Thomas Awards from the Society of American Travel Writers, including the gold medal for adventure travel article of the year. His essays have appeared in anthologies such as What Color is Your Jockstrap? Funny Men and Women Write from the Road.
As an author, he has published eleven children’s books, with titles exhibited at the Smithsonian, the American Museum of Natural History, and the National Baseball Hall of Fame. His books have been translated into several languages, including Japanese, German, Dutch, Swedish, and Danish.
When not writing or exploring, Peter enjoys baseball, ocean liners, tennis, birdwatching, and discovering just about anywhere he hasn’t been.
Watch Party: Going to Extremes: Tales of Global Adventures with Peter Mandel
Date: 07/24/25Time: 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Children, Teens, Adults, Everyone
Program type: Culture & Language
Description:
Join us in person at HCLS Miller Branch for a special watch party featuring a live virtual presentation by award-winning adventure travel journalist Peter Mandel!
Nationally-known for his thrilling stories, Peter Mandel takes you on a virtual journey to the world’s most remote and extreme locations—from the deserts of Africa and fjords of Norway to mountain paths in Japan and the icy wilderness of Antarctica.
In this dynamic slideshow and storytelling event, he shares gripping experiences from the field—surviving a coup in Ecuador, fishing for piranhas in Brazil, floating in the Goodyear Blimp, kayaking to the Statue of Liberty, visiting a ‘city’ of penguins at the South Pole, and more. Along the way, he’ll reveal how these real-life adventures are transformed into powerful prose for today’s newspapers, magazines, and books.
Perfect for curious minds, aspiring writers, world travelers, and armchair adventurers of all ages, this unforgettable journey around the globe can be experienced live—from the comfort of home or in person.
Register to attend the Watch Party at HCLS Miller Branch, or sign up here to watch the live Zoom presentation from home—or anywhere!
About Peter Mandel
Peter Mandel is a children’s book author and award-winning adventure travel journalist whose work has appeared in The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, National Geographic Kids, The Los Angeles Times, and more. Based in Rhode Island, he shares his home with his wife, Kathy, and their rescue cats, Emily and Cecil.
Peter grew up in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood, the son of two longtime LIFE Magazine writers. He attended City & Country School in Greenwich Village and holds a B.A. from Middlebury College and an M.A. from Brown University.
A frequent speaker on writing and publishing, Peter has received multiple Lowell Thomas Awards from the Society of American Travel Writers, including the gold medal for adventure travel article of the year. His essays have appeared in anthologies such as What Color is Your Jockstrap? Funny Men and Women Write from the Road.
As an author, he has published eleven children’s books, with titles exhibited at the Smithsonian, the American Museum of Natural History, and the National Baseball Hall of Fame. His books have been translated into several languages, including Japanese, German, Dutch, Swedish, and Danish.
When not writing or exploring, Peter enjoys baseball, ocean liners, tennis, birdwatching, and discovering just about anywhere he hasn’t been.
Author Works: The Lost Trees of Willow Avenue
Date: 07/29/25Time: 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Adults, Everyone
Program type: History & Genealogy
Description:
“Powerful … Tidwell is an excellent reporter whose hyperlocal focus shines light on how the climate crisis shapes the lives of ordinary individuals. This will stick with readers long after they finish the last page.”
― Publishers Weekly, starred review
Join us for an evening with author Mike Tidwell as he discusses his new book, The Lost Trees of Willow Avenue.
A riveting and elegant story of climate change on one city street, full of surprises and true stories of human struggle and dying local trees – all against the national backdrop of 2023's record heat domes and raging wildfires and, simultaneously, rising hopes for clean energy.
In 2023, author and activist Mike Tidwell decided to keep a record for a full year of the growing impacts of climate change on his one urban block right on the border with Washington, DC. A love letter to the magnificent oaks and other trees dying from record heat waves and bizarre rain, Tidwell's story depicts the neighborhood's battle to save the trees and combat climate change: The midwife who builds a geothermal energy system on the block, the Congressman who battles cancer and climate change at the same time, and the Chinese-American climate scientist who wants to bury billions of the world's dying trees to store their carbon and help stabilize the atmosphere.
No book has told the story of climate change this hyper local, full of surprises, full of true stories of life and death in one neighborhood. The Lost Trees of Willow Avenue is a harrowing and hopeful proxy for every street in America and every place on Earth.
Mike Tidwell is a journalist, author, and climate activist living in Takoma Park, MD. His most recent book is a detailed examination of the dramatic impacts of global warming in his own front yard, called The Lost Trees of Willow Avenue: A story of Climate and Hope on One American Street. Mike’s previous six books include Bayou Farewell (2003) about the disappearing wetlands of south Louisiana and The Ponds of Kalambayi (1990), a Peace Corps memoir. As a past contributing writer for The Washington Post, he won four Lowell Thomas Awards, the highest prize in American travel journalism. He is a former National Endowment for the Arts fellow whose work has been published in Audubon, National Geographic Traveler, Orion, Washingtonian, and elsewhere. A passionate conservationist, he founded the Chesapeake Climate Action Network in 2002, where he has led local and national campaigns for clean energy. He lives on Willow Avenue in Takoma Park, MD with his wife Beth and their cat Macy Gray.
Books sales and signing follow the conversation.
Please register with an email address to receive an immediate registration confirmation.
Princeton Art Museum: World of Prints
Date: 08/13/25Time: 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Branch: Online Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: History & Genealogy
Description:
This class is a part of the HCLS' Museum@The Library series.
World of Prints
Dive into the Museum’s remarkable collection of prints, created by artists from Rembrandt and Dürer to Kara Walker and Mario Moore. Learn about a variety of printmaking techniques and the collaborative process.
Image Credit: The Rhinoceros, 1515, Albrecht Dürer, 1471–1528; born and died Nuremberg, Germany, Woodcut, 2010-149
Presented by Docent Barbara Walker.
Barbara Walker is a former teacher of English and Gifted and Talented at Steinert High School in Hamilton and at Princeton Day School where she taught Upper School courses in the Hero in Literature, the Journey in Literature, and Art in Literature to name a few. She joined the Docent training group just before the Covid epidemic began in 2020. She forged on with zoom classes and on-line tours, gave sculpture tours, and has served on the executive board as a liaison with other museums and as a book club leader. Consequently, she is delighted to share works of art from Princeton's wonderful collection of prints with your organization.
Please register with an email address to receive an immediate registration confirmation with a link to join the class/event. This email will also contain the dial-in information if you wish to participate by telephone.
The UnBook Reading Group
Date: 08/13/25Time: 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Branch: Off Site
Age group: Adults
Program type: Community Events
Description:
The UnBook Reading Group
Connect with a community of readers without the stress of assigned reading! Bring the book of your choice, read silently in a comfy spot at Backwater Books. Then, wrap up the evening by sharing something interesting about what you read in an open literature-related discussion! No purchase required to participate. This group meets at Backwater Books in Old Ellicott City.
2nd Wednesdays @ 6:30 - 8 pm.
6:30-7:15 pm quiet reading time
7:15 - 8 pm - discuss books (optional - you may chose to just listen or continue reading)
Please register with an email address to receive email reminders and updates.
For more information, please contact [email protected]
What's On Your Shelf? Fiction and Nonfiction Book Chat
Date: 08/14/25Time: 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: Community Events
Description:
Share fiction and/or nonfiction titles that are on your bookshelf and we will share titles from our shelves. If you don't have a title to share, find inspiration in what others recommend and start building your reading list.
Readers also have the opportunity to ask for recommendations or to ask our instructors questions about books, reading, and the library. Previous discussion topics have included book donations, Little Free Libraries, and Goodreads (the world's largest website for readers and book recommendations).
Cycle of Segregation: A Two-Part Book Discussion
Date: 08/21/25Time: 6:30pm - 7:45pm
Branch: Central Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: Race, Equity & Inclusion
Description:
Cycle of Segregation: Book Discussion – Part One
Two-part series: Aug 21 & Aug 28
Join Johns Hopkins University sociology professor Michael Bader and Columbia Housing Center Executive Director Jessamine Duvall for a special two-part community discussion of Cycle of Segregation: Social Processes and Residential Stratification by Maria Krysan and Kyle Crowder.
This groundbreaking book explores why residential segregation persists more than fifty years after the Fair Housing Act — and how everyday social networks and past neighborhood experiences can keep the cycle going.
In Part One (August 21), we'll unpack the book’s core ideas together, grounding them in the context of Columbia’s original vision of integration.
In Part Two (August 28), we’ll dive deeper into county-wide implications, reflect on what this research means for our neighborhoods today, and explore actions we can take to interrupt segregation’s self-perpetuating patterns in Howard County.
Whether you’re new to this topic or eager to connect the dots between history and the present, these conversations will help us see how we can shape a more inclusive future — together. Please plan to attend both sessions to gain the most out of the discussion.”
Reading the book in advance is strongly encouraged. The library is ordering copies of Cycle of Segregation, which we expect to be available to borrow by the first week of August.
Register once to attend both sessions (August 21 & 28). Please include your email address to receive event reminders.
Cycle of Segregation: A Two-Part Book Discussion
Date: 08/28/25Time: 6:30pm - 7:45pm
Branch: Central Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: Race, Equity & Inclusion
Description:
Cycle of Segregation: Book Discussion – Part Two
Two-part series: Aug 21 & Aug 28
Join Johns Hopkins University sociology professor Michael Bader and Columbia Housing Center Executive Director Jessamine Duvall for a special two-part community discussion of Cycle of Segregation: Social Processes and Residential Stratification by Maria Krysan and Kyle Crowder.
This groundbreaking book explores why residential segregation persists more than fifty years after the Fair Housing Act — and how everyday social networks and past neighborhood experiences can keep the cycle going.
In Part One (August 21), we'll unpack the book’s core ideas together, grounding them in the context of Columbia’s original vision of integration.
In Part Two (August 28), we’ll dive deeper into county-wide implications, reflect on what this research means for our neighborhoods today, and explore actions we can take to interrupt segregation’s self-perpetuating patterns in Howard County.
Whether you’re new to this topic or eager to connect the dots between history and the present, these conversations will help us see how we can shape a more inclusive future — together. Please plan to attend both sessions to gain the most out of the discussion.”
Reading the book in advance is strongly encouraged. The library is ordering copies of Cycle of Segregation, which we expect to be available to borrow by the first week of August.
This is the second session of the two-part series. Registration is only available through the August 21 session. If you haven’t registered yet, please register here for Part One to join both discussions.
The UnBook Reading Group
Date: 09/10/25Time: 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Branch: Off Site
Age group: Adults
Program type: Community Events
Description:
The UnBook Reading Group
Connect with a community of readers without the stress of assigned reading! Bring the book of your choice, read silently in a comfy spot at Backwater Books. Then, wrap up the evening by sharing something interesting about what you read in an open literature-related discussion! No purchase required to participate. This group meets at Backwater Books in Old Ellicott City.
2nd Wednesdays @ 6:30 - 8 pm.
6:30-7:15 pm quiet reading time
7:15 - 8 pm - discuss books (optional - you may chose to just listen or continue reading)
Please register with an email address to receive email reminders and updates.
For more information, please contact [email protected]
The UnBook Reading Group
Date: 10/08/25Time: 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Branch: Off Site
Age group: Adults
Program type: Community Events
Description:
The UnBook Reading Group
Connect with a community of readers without the stress of assigned reading! Bring the book of your choice, read silently in a comfy spot at Backwater Books. Then, wrap up the evening by sharing something interesting about what you read in an open literature-related discussion! No purchase required to participate. This group meets at Backwater Books in Old Ellicott City.
2nd Wednesdays @ 6:30 - 8 pm.
6:30-7:15 pm quiet reading time
7:15 - 8 pm - discuss books (optional - you may chose to just listen or continue reading)
Please register with an email address to receive email reminders and updates.
For more information, please contact [email protected]
NaNoWriMo Kickoff Event
Date: 11/01/25Time: 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Branch: Glenwood Branch
Age group: Teens, Adults
Program type: Community Events
Description:
November is National Novel Writing Month. Join other writers on their quest to write 50,000 words in a month and get a head start on your word count with writing sprints. For ages 10+. Registration is recommended but not required.
The UnBook Reading Group
Date: 11/12/25Time: 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Branch: Off Site
Age group: Adults
Program type: Community Events
Description:
The UnBook Reading Group
Connect with a community of readers without the stress of assigned reading! Bring the book of your choice, read silently in a comfy spot at Backwater Books. Then, wrap up the evening by sharing something interesting about what you read in an open literature-related discussion! No purchase required to participate. This group meets at Backwater Books in Old Ellicott City.
2nd Wednesdays @ 6:30 - 8 pm.
6:30-7:15 pm quiet reading time
7:15 - 8 pm - discuss books (optional - you may chose to just listen or continue reading)
Please register with an email address to receive email reminders and updates.
For more information, please contact [email protected]
The UnBook Reading Group
Date: 12/10/25Time: 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Branch: Off Site
Age group: Adults
Program type: Community Events
Description:
The UnBook Reading Group
Connect with a community of readers without the stress of assigned reading! Bring the book of your choice, read silently in a comfy spot at Backwater Books. Then, wrap up the evening by sharing something interesting about what you read in an open literature-related discussion! No purchase required to participate. This group meets at Backwater Books in Old Ellicott City.
2nd Wednesdays @ 6:30 - 8 pm.
6:30-7:15 pm quiet reading time
7:15 - 8 pm - discuss books (optional - you may chose to just listen or continue reading)
Please register with an email address to receive email reminders and updates.
For more information, please contact [email protected]
