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 9 upcoming classes.
Author Works: Tim Mohr & "Burning Down the Haus: Punk Rock, Revolution, and the Fall of the Berlin Wall"
Date: 10/28/20Time: 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Branch: Online Branch
Age group: Ages 18+ (Adults)
Program type: History & Genealogy
Description:
Join Howard County Library System and Author Tim Mohr for a discussion and Q&A regarding his book Burning Down the Haus: Punk Rock, Revolution, and the Fall of the Berlin Wall.
Rollicking, cinematic, deeply researched, highly readable, and thrillingly topical, Burning Down the Haus brings to life the young men and women who successfully fought authoritarianism three chords at a time—and is a fiery testament to the irrepressible spirit of resistance. Instead of backing down, the punks fought back, playing an indispensable role in the underground movements that helped bring down the Berlin Wall.
“A thrilling and essential social history that details the rebellious youth movement that helped change the world.” —Rolling Stone
“Original and inspiring . . . Mr. Mohr has written an important work of Cold War cultural history.” —The Wall Street Journal
“Wildly entertaining . . . A thrilling tale . . . A joy in the way it brings back punk’s fury and high stakes.” —Vogue
Purchase a copy of Burning Down the Haus online from Books with a Past, or borrow a copy from the HCLS collection.
Presented with support from Books with a Past, Carroll County Public Library, Kent County Public Library, Ruth Enlow Library of Garrett County, and Worcester County Library.
One Maryland One Book - A Culture of Purpose and Meaning: Disrupt Aging presented by AARP (Online)
Date: 11/04/20Time: 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Branch: Online Branch
Age group: Ages 14 - 17 (High School), Ages 18+ (Adults)
Program type: Health & Wellness
Description:
Community connection and continuing to contribute to the wellbeing of the collective even after their diving days are over are central to the haenyeo culture depicted in the 2020 One Maryland One Book selection, The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See.
AARP highlights the importance of maintaining purpose and meaning throughout life. Disrupt Aging is a concept for everyone who wants to keep exploring possibilities, celebrating discovery over decline, looking forward to connection and expansion and seeking out opportunities to live their best life–at any age.
Presented by Kent County Public Library with support from Howard County Public Library System. A link for this virtual program will be emailed to all registrants 2 hours before the program begins. Click here to register.
One Maryland One Book is a program of Maryland Humanities. This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Maryland State Library.
About One Maryland One Book
One Maryland One Book (OMOB) is Maryland’s first-ever statewide community reading project and is the signature program of the Maryland Center for the Book at Maryland Humanities. Initiated in fall 2008, this year-long project culminates with three months of public programs and is designed to bring together diverse people in communities across the state through the shared experience of reading the same book. Readers are then invited to participate in book-centered discussions and other events at public libraries, high schools, colleges and universities, museums, bookstores, and community and senior centers. The selected book for 2020 is The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See. The Island of Sea Women is a powerful tale of a decades-long friendship that takes place on the Korean island of Jeju. Readers will be turning the pages eagerly to see how the closest bond of friendship came to its breaking point.
For more information, visit the Maryland Humanities website.
ELKs Excellent Reads (online)
Date: 11/10/20Time: 12:30pm - 1:30pm
Branch: Online Branch
Age group: Ages 14 - 17 (High School), Ages 18+ (Adults)
Program type: Community & Culture
Description:
One Maryland One Book event
ELKs Excellent reads book group will be discussing:
The Island of Sea Women
by Lisa See
This year's One Maryland One Book is the story of the complex and decades-long friendship between Young-sook and Mi-ja, two women living on the Korean island of Jeju. Readers can follow their journey from the Japanese occupation of the 1930's to the 21st century.
One Maryland One Book is a program of Maryland Humanities.
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.
Hackerman Best & Next Series: Devin Allen & DeRay McKesson
Date: 11/10/20Time: 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Branch: Online Branch
Age group: Ages 18+ (Adults)
Program type: Community & Culture
Description:
FREE tickets for Zoom Webinar and Facebook Live go on sale October 27 at 9am through Eventbrite. Click here to register beginning 10/27/2020.
Join us as we honor Devin Allen's work, lead in conversation with DeRay Mckesson.
Devin Allen is a self-taught artist, born and raised in West Baltimore. He gained national attention when his photograph of the Baltimore Uprising was published on the cover of Time in May 2015 – only the third time the work of an amateur photographer had been featured. Five years later, after the death of George Floyd, Tony Mcaded, and Breonna Taylor, his photograph from a BlackTrans Lives Matter protest was published on the cover of Time magazine for 2nd time in June 2020. His photographs have also appeared in New York Magazine, the New York Times, the Washington Post, and Aperture and in the permanent collections of the National Museum of African American History & Culture, the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, and the Studio Museum in Harlem. He is the founder of Through Their Eyes, a youth photography educational program, and the winner of the 2017 Gordon Parks Foundation Fellowship. In 2017 he nominated for an NAACP Image Award for debuting author for his book "A Beautiful Ghetto, and Award from The Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture for dynamic leadership in the Arts and Activism.
DeRay Mckesson is a civil rights activist focused primarily on issues of innovation, equity and justice. Born and raised in Baltimore, he graduated from Bowdoin College and holds honorary doctorates from The New School and the Maryland Institute College of Art. DeRay has advocated for issues related to children, youth, and families since he was a teen. As a leading voice in the Black Lives Matter Movement and a co-founder of Campaign Zero, DeRay has worked to connect individuals with knowledge and tools, and provide citizens and policy makers with commonsense policies that ensure equity. He has been praised by President Obama for his work as a community organizer, has advised officials at all levels of government and internationally, and continues to provide capacity to activists, organizers, and influencers to make an impact.
Send questions for Devin Allen to [email protected] by November 9, to be answered during the live program.
Presented by Enoch Pratt Free Library with support from: Anne Arundel County Public Library, Charles County Public Library, Prince George's County Memorial Library System, Calvert Library, Carroll County Public Library, Howard County Library System, Talbot County Free Library, and Worcester County Library.
ASL interpretation will be available for attendees.
This lecture is made possible by the Hackerman Foundation.
Author works: The Lost Family: How DNA Testing Is Upending Who We Are with Libby Copeland (Online)
Date: 11/12/20Time: 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Branch: Online Branch
Age group: Ages 18+ (Adults)
Program type: History & Genealogy
Description:
The Lost Family explores the rapidly evolving phenomenon of home DNA testing, its implications for how we think about family and ourselves, and its ramifications for American culture broadly.
The Wall Street Journal says it’s “a fascinating account of lives dramatically affected by genetic sleuthing.” The New York Times writes, “Before You Spit in That Vial, Read This Book.” The Washington Post says The Lost Family “reads like an Agatha Christie mystery” and “wrestles with some of the biggest questions in life: Who are we? What is family? Are we defined by nature, nurture or both?”
Libby Copeland is an award-winning journalist who has written for the Washington Post, New York magazine, the New York Times, the Atlantic, and many other publications. She specializes in the intersection of science and culture. Copeland was a reporter and editor at the Post for eleven years, has been a media fellow and guest lecturer, and has made numerous appearances on television and radio.
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.
Thriller Night with Penguin Random House! (Online)
Date: 11/17/20Time: 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Branch: Online Branch
Age group: Ages 18+ (Adults)
Program type: Book Clubs
Description:
THRILLER NIGHT
Looking for a thrilling read? Join Representatives from Penguin Random House as they present the hottest upcoming titles full of action, adventure, mystery, romance, and drama. You don’t want to miss this spectacular winter book preview followed by a brief Q&A session.
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.
Book Corner
Date: 11/20/20Time: 11:00am - 11:45am
Branch: Online Branch
Age group: Ages 18+ (Adults)
Program type: Book Clubs
Description:
Welcome to Book Corner! In this class we will talk about our current favorite reads and hear from you about your favorites. We will discuss fun questions about books: who is your favorite protagonist of all times, what you love most about the genre of your choice or which book changed your perspective...........the possibilities are endless and enticing.
Join us in our Book Corner every 3rd Friday of each month to talk about our favorite subject – books!
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.
Author Works: Denise Williams & "How To Fail at Flirting" (Online)
Date: 12/03/20Time: 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Branch: Online Branch
Age group: Ages 18+ (Adults)
Program type: Author & Literary Events
Description:
Author Denise Williams discusses her highly anticipated debut novel, How To Fail at Flirting, the story of how one daring to-do list and a crash course in flirtation turn a Type A overachiever’s world upside down. Williams also discusses the importance of representation in romance, her approach to writing, and why romance is a genre with endless opportunities to inspire hope
In partnership with Books with a Past. Copies of How to Fail at Flirting are available to purchase at bookswithapast.com.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Denise Williams wrote her first book in the 2nd grade. I Hate You and its sequel, I Still Hate You, featured a tough, funny heroine, a quirky hero, witty banter, and a dragon. Minus the dragons, these are still the books she likes to write. After penning those early works, she finished second grade and eventually earned a PhD in education, going on to work in higher education. After growing up a military brat around the world and across the country, Denise now lives in Des Moines, Iowa with her husband, son, and two ornery shih-tzus who think they own the house.
PRAISE FOR HOW TO FAIL AT FLIRTING
“In this steamy romance, Naya Turner is an overachieving math professor blowing off work stress with a night on the town, which leads to a night with a dapper stranger. And then another, and another. She’s smitten by the time she realizes there’s a professional complication, and the relationship could put her job at risk. Williams blends rom-com fun with more weighty topics in her winsome debut.”—The Washington Post
“Williams’ debut weaves a charming, romantic love story about a heroine rediscovering her voice and standing up for her passions.”—USA Today bestselling author Andie J. Christopher, on How to Fail at Flirting
“The warmth in Denise Williams’s writing is unmistakable, as is her wit. She tackles difficult subjects, difficult emotions, with such empathy and thoughtfulness. Best of all: Jake is just the type of hero I love—sexy, smart, sweet, and smitten.”—Olivia Dade, Author of Teach Me, on How to Fail at Flirting
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.
Book Corner
Date: 12/18/20Time: 11:00am - 11:45am
Branch: Online Branch
Age group: Ages 18+ (Adults)
Program type: Book Clubs
Description:
Welcome to Book Corner! In this class we will talk about our current favorite reads and hear from you about your favorites. We will discuss fun questions about books: who is your favorite protagonist of all times, what you love most about the genre of your choice or which book changed your perspective...........the possibilities are endless and enticing.
Join us in our Book Corner every 3rd Friday of each month to talk about our favorite subject – books!
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.
