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 23 upcoming classes.
Author Event: Lamar Giles - author of The Getaway
Date: 02/24/25Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Children, Teens, Adults, Everyone
Program type: Race, Equity & Inclusion
Description:
Registration suggested, walk-ins welcome while space allows.
“Timely, thrilling, and gripping from start to finish. An absolute page-turner.” - Karen M. McManus, #1 New York Times bestselling author of One of Us Is Lying
Founding member of We Need Diverse Books, Lamar Giles, discusses his novel, The Getaway, a HCLS 2024 Summer Reading book (currently in development for TV), and his journey as a writer, while engaging in a Q&A moderated by local teens.
Books will be available for purchase at the event, and the author will be signing books post-event.
See Lamar Giles' books in our catalogue here.
This event is part of Miller's Afrofuturism Series for Black History Month, see other events HERE. Visit Miller between February 20-28, to view the Afrofuturism Student Art Contest & Exhibit.
This session is part of HCLS' Black History Month series. Please click here for the complete schedule of classes and events.
Praise for The Getaway:
"With elements of adventure, science fiction, horror, and even a bit of romance in a broken world, Giles keeps readers wondering who can and cannot be trusted throughout this page-turning novel." — Horn Book
“The Getaway grabbed me from page one and didn’t let go. I was immediately fascinated and disturbed by the fictional Karloff Country. You too will be lured in and then horrified by the truth behind those perfect customer service smiles . .” —Malinda Lo, New York Times bestselling author of Last Night at the Telegraph Club
“Hold tight: You’ll want to stay on this nightmarish roller coaster till the end.” — Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)
About the author:
Lamar Giles is a well-published author and a founding member of We Need Diverse Books. His most recent novels include NOT SO PURE AND SIMPLE his first Contemporary Coming-of-Age Story (HarperTeen/HarperCollins) and Middle-Grade Fantasy THE LAST MIRROR ON THE LEFT (Versify/HMH), the sequel to his 2019 hit THE LAST LAST-DAY-OF-SUMMER.
Lamar is a three-time Edgar Award finalist in the YA category, for his debut YA thriller FAKE ID (HarperCollins, 2014), his second YA thriller, ENDANGERED (HarperCollins, 2015), and his MG fantasy, EPIC ELLISONS: COSMOS CAMP (Versify/HarperCollins, 2023). His third and fourth YA thrillers, OVERTURNED (Scholastic, 2017) and SPIN (Scholastic, 2019), as well as his middle-grade debut THE LAST LAST-DAY-OF-SUMMER received glowing New York Times reviews, and were named to multiple Best Of lists, including Time Magazine, Kirkus Reviews, and Amazon.
Lamar is the editor of the We Need Diverse Books YA short story anthology FRESH INK (Random House, 2018), and a contributor to many YA and middle-grade anthologies including THREE SIDES OF A HEART (HarperCollins, 2017), BLACK ENOUGH: STORIES OF BEING YOUNG & BLACK IN AMERICA (HarperCollins / Balzer & Bray, 2019), THE HERO NEXT DOOR (Random House, 2019), HIS HIDEOUS HEART (Flatiron Books, 2019) and SUPER PUZZLETASTIC MYSTERIES (HarperCollins, 2020). He has published several short stories for adults.
FAM: Fun at Miller
Author Works - BOUTWELL: Radical Republican and Champion of Democracy with Jeffrey Boutwell
Date: 02/24/25Time: 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: History & Genealogy
Description:
"Boutwell the man was a hero, and BOUTWELL the book is a revelation, a gripping tale of how Americans struggled to make the promise of equality into something more than mere words." - Kermit Roosevelt, Author of The Nation That Never Was: Reconstructing America’s Story
Jeffrey Boutwell discusses his new book, BOUTWELL: Radical Republican and Champion of Democracy (W.W. Norton, January 2025), a biography of family member George S. Boutwell, perhaps the most consequential American political figure you've never heard of. During his career from 1839 to 1905, George Boutwell was Governor of Massachusetts, served in the U.S. House and Senate, was Treasury Secretary for Ulysses Grant and Commissioner of Revenue for Abraham Lincoln, helped create the Republican Party in the 1850s and forty years later opposed Republican Presidents William McKinley and Teddy Roosevelt over their plans to annex the Philippines following the Spanish-American war. Boutwell was instrumental in framing the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments, initiating the impeachment of Andrew Johnson, and investigating white vigilante violence against Black people in Mississippi in the 1870s. For seven decades, George Boutwell sought to "redeem America's promise" through racial equality, economic equity, and the humane use of American power abroad.
About the Author
Jeffrey Boutwell is a writer and historian living in Columbia, Maryland, after a 40-year career in journalism, government, and international scientific policy. He has written and spoken widely on issues ranging from nuclear weapons arms control to Middle East peace to environmental degradation and conflict. He's passionate about Shakespeare, Alpine skiing, improving US-Cuba relations, and road trips in his Mini Cooper. Jeffrey and George share a common ancestor, the indentured servant James Boutwell who emigrated in 1632 from England to Salem, Mass. Learn more at jeffreyboutwell.com
Meet Michelle Coles, Author of Black Was the Ink (In Person or Online)
Date: 02/27/25Time: 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Branch: Off Site
Age group: Teens, Adults
Program type: Race, Equity & Inclusion
Description:
MD Libraries Together and Calvert Library are excited to present Michelle Coles to help celebrate Black History Month 2025.
Ms. Coles, a civil rights attorney, wrote the award-winning young adult book Black Was the Ink, a very readable story that brings history and contemporary issues to life in a very discussable way.
Due to limited space, please register if you will be attending in person to meet Ms. Coles. In person, books will be available for sale and signing. The event will also be streamed online on Calvert Library's YouTube channel.
The story features Malcolm, a Black teen from DC, whose mom is worried about his safety over the summer and sends him to stay with his father’s family on their farm in Mississippi. Part of the farm had been taken through eminent domain for a highway some years prior and now the state is threatening to take the rest of it even though there is an option to take some of the farm across the road. Malcolm isn’t all that worried about it until he is transported back in time to the Reconstruction Era as his ancestor Cedric, an aide to Senator Hiram Revels, one of the first Black members of Congress. Malcolm and readers learn about the Black heroes of the period and learn how to advocate in the present. This is an entertaining and inspiring read for both teens and adults and you’ll undoubtedly learn something new, too!
Borrow Black Was the Ink from HCLS, or borrow the ebook with no wait from Libby today!
Click here to register for the In Person Event.
Click here to stream the event on YouTube.
For accessibility accommodations, please contact Calvert Library at least 2 weeks before the event at 410-535-0291.
African American Read In Community Read-A-Thon
Date: 03/01/25Time: 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Branch: East Columbia Branch
Age group: Everyone
Program type: Race, Equity & Inclusion
Description:
Drop-in for a community read-a-thon that centers African American authors and books. Howard County Library System is proud to participate in the African American Read- In.
Participants can listen to stories shared by community partners and students, then engage in arts and crafts. Delicious soul food small plates served. Thanks to the generosity of our community partners, we will also have a book giveaway while supplies last.
The National Council of Teachers of English and its Black Caucus established the National African American Read -In in 1990 to encourage communities to read together, centering African American books and authors. More than six million people have participated worldwide since its inception.
Sponsors include: Howard County Library System, Continental Societies, Inc. Columbia and Southeastern Howard Laurel Chapters.
Partners include: African American Round Table, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Iota Lambda Omega Chapter Lake Elkhorn Middle School Emerging Young Leaders, Mount View Middle School, The Society Incorporated, Jack and Jill Columbia Maryland Chapter, National Council of Negro Women.
**Rescheduled Snow Date for February 8.
Veterans Book Group 2025 (Online)
Date: 03/02/25Time: 1:30pm - 3:00pm
Branch: Online Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: Race, Equity & Inclusion
Description:
Veterans, both active and retired military, are invited to this online discussion series. During five monthly facilitated sessions, discussions center on military experiences and a unique set of readings, which may include classics, fiction, memoirs, poetry, short stories, articles, and essays. The readings relate in some way to military experiences or offer a veteran’s perspective.
Participants are encouraged to attend all sessions. Registration is open to veterans/active duty only, please.
All reading materials are provided. Space is limited.
1st Sundays; February 2 - June 1 from 1:30 - 3:00 pm. Online.
The Veterans Book Group is moderated by David Owens. David Owens is a Navy veteran who served for six years onboard two U.S. Navy warships. Owens attended the U.S. Naval Academy and now runs a small media content production business based in the D.C. metropolitan area. Owens loves to read and, even more so, enjoys the discussions and camaraderie of the veteran book groups!
The Veterans Book Group is coordinated statewide by Maryland Humanities and is presented locally in partnership with Howard County Library System.
Reading Selections:
February 2: Red Platoon by Clinton Romesha
March 2: The Fine Art of Camouflage by Lauren Kay Johnson
April 6: The Special Prisoner by Jim Lehrer
May 4: Attack on the Liberty by James Scott
June 1: In Pharaoh’s Army by Tobias Wolff
Image credit: Generated using AI
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.
Questions? Please email [email protected].
Books Galore (Book Talk & Treats)
Date: 03/04/25Time: 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Branch: East Columbia Branch
Age group:
Program type: Culture & Language
Description:
Join us at the East Columbia 50+ Center for a delightful literary escape!
Immerse yourself in the world of books with an afternoon filled with engaging book recommendations and delicious treats. Whether you're drawn to the excitement of a gripping mystery or the charm of a heartwarming romance, our diverse collection has something for everyone. Feel free to share your favorite fiction and nonfiction titles, or simply find inspiration from others' recommendations to add to your reading list.
This event is presented by the Office of Aging and Independence in partnership with Howard County Library System.
Open to all ages 18 and up. You do not need to be a member of the 50+ Center to attend.
The UnBook Reading Group
Date: 03/12/25Time: 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]
What's On Your Shelf? Fiction and Nonfiction Book Chat
Date: 03/13/25Time: 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).
Dorothy Parker: Unique American Writer
Date: 03/13/25Time: 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Branch: Glenwood Branch
Age group: Adults, Everyone
Program type: Race, Equity & Inclusion
Description:
Historian Jack Burkert discusses famed writer, poet, screenwriter, playwright and essayist Dorothy Parker, who was known as the wittiest woman in America in the mid-20th Century. In an era when the printed word was powerful and readers voraciously consumed written comments, critiques, and opinions, her sharp writing appeared in the New Yorker, Vanity Fair, and more. Readers anxiously awaited her next words and her clever quotations became legendary, but her personal life was often troubling: alcohol, divorce, even suicide attempts continued through her entire life. Learn about the legacy of this unique contributor to the American literary tradition.
Battle of the Books 2025 Logistics Meeting (Online)
Date: 03/25/25Time: 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Branch: Online Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: Author & Literary Events
Description:
Howard County Library System and Howard County Public School System are excited to bring you a Battle of the Books event for 2025. We thank you in advance for your hard work and dedication to this year’s battle!
This is a mandatory meeting for the Battle of the Books coaches and will provide information about the final logistics of the battle and expectations of teams and coaches.
This meeting will be recorded and available on the Battle of the Books page of the website by April 1.
Lafayette: The Most Dangerous Man of All
Date: 03/27/25Time: 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: History & Genealogy
Description:
Over the last 250 years, Americans have named at least 600 towns, counties, parks, lakes, rivers, and schools for the Marquis de Lafayette, the proud French knight who helped their ancestors break from Britain.
However, beyond America, Lafayette’s name can be hard to find. That stark contrast informs the questions historian Richard Bell tackles in this talk about Lafayette and how we here in America, and others elsewhere, have chosen to remember him. Lafayette spent the vast majority of his political career in Europe and the struggle to earn a place in that continent’s pantheon of heroes was almost the death of him and still remains a work in progress.
Richard Bell is Professor of History at the University of Maryland and author of the book Stolen: Five Free Boys Kidnapped into Slavery and their Astonishing Odyssey Home which was a finalist for the George Washington Prize and the Harriet Tubman Prize. He has held major research fellowships at Yale, Cambridge, and the Library of Congress and is the recipient of the National Endowment of the Humanities Public Scholar award and the Andrew Carnegie Fellowship. He serves as a Trustee of the Maryland Center for History and Culture and as a fellow of the Royal Historical Society.
Please register with an email address to receive an immediate registration confirmation with a link to join the class/event. (Walk-ins welcome).
Veterans Book Group 2025 (Online)
Date: 04/06/25Time: 1:30pm - 3:00pm
Branch: Online Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: Race, Equity & Inclusion
Description:
Veterans, both active and retired military, are invited to this online discussion series. During five monthly facilitated sessions, discussions center on military experiences and a unique set of readings, which may include classics, fiction, memoirs, poetry, short stories, articles, and essays. The readings relate in some way to military experiences or offer a veteran’s perspective.
Participants are encouraged to attend all sessions. Registration is open to veterans/active duty only, please.
All reading materials are provided. Space is limited.
1st Sundays; February 2 - June 1 from 1:30 - 3:00 pm. Online.
The Veterans Book Group is moderated by David Owens. David Owens is a Navy veteran who served for six years onboard two U.S. Navy warships. Owens attended the U.S. Naval Academy and now runs a small media content production business based in the D.C. metropolitan area. Owens loves to read and, even more so, enjoys the discussions and camaraderie of the veteran book groups!
The Veterans Book Group is coordinated statewide by Maryland Humanities and is presented locally in partnership with Howard County Library System.
Reading Selections:
February 2: Red Platoon by Clinton Romesha
March 2: The Fine Art of Camouflage by Lauren Kay Johnson
April 6: The Special Prisoner by Jim Lehrer
May 4: Attack on the Liberty by James Scott
June 1: In Pharaoh’s Army by Tobias Wolff
Image credit: Generated using AI
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.
Questions? Please email [email protected].
Author Works: Paterson Joseph "The Secret Diaries of Charles Ignatius Sancho"
Date: 04/08/25Time: 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: Race, Equity & Inclusion
Description:
“A winning first novel…With the conjuring tricks of historical fiction, Joseph has taken an actual man and, two and a half centuries later, made him as thoroughly himself, and as fully present, as he was the first time round.” ― Thomas Mallon, New York Times Book Review
“[T]he rollicking fictionalized memoirs of a real-life Black British trailblazer . . . An entertaining portrait that also illuminates rare opportunities for Black people in 18th-century London.” ― Kirkus Reviews
The New York Public Library “Book of the Day”
Historical Writers’ Association Debut Historical Crown 2023 Winner
Royal Society of Literature’s Christopher Bland Prize Winner
Shortlisted for the Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction
Nibbie at the British Book Awards, 2023
Named one of NPR’s “Books We Love” for 2023
Paterson Joseph is a beloved British actor and writer. Recently seen on Vigil, Noughts + Crosses and Boat Story, he has also starred in The Leftovers and Law & Order UK and he also plays Arthur Slugworth in the Wonka movie. He has won the Royal Society of Literature’s Christopher Bland prize and the Historical Writers’ Association Debut Historical Crown 2023 award.
The Secret Diaries of Ignatius Sancho is his debut novel, and is a story that begins on a slave ship in the Atlantic and ends at the very center of London life. It is a lush and immersive tale of adventure, artistry, romance, and freedom set in eighteenth-century England and based on the true story of the first Black person to vote in Britain, who lead the fight to end slavery. Joseph channels the writing style of the day and draws on the real-life Sancho’s diaries to give voice to his hero’s interior life.
Books will be available for purchase and the author will be signing books post event.
Please register with an email address to receive an immediate registration confirmation.
The UnBook Reading Group
Date: 04/09/25Time: 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]
Author Works: A Conversation with Denise Williams
Date: 04/09/25Time: 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Branch: Elkridge Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: Author & Literary Events
Description:
Beloved romance author Denise Williams joins Alli Jessing, Head of Adult Curriculum at HCLS, for a lively conversation celebrating Williams' new book, Just Our Luck. This hotly anticipated new fake dating romance tells a story where a lottery ticket + donuts = love. The duo will also discuss Williams' writing career, how the romance genre has and continues to evolve, and how it empowers readers through representation and emotional honesty.
Books sales and signing follow the conversation.
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. Denise's work has been featured in The Washington Post, Cosmopolitan, the Today Show, Good Morning America, Oprah Magazine, Marie Claire, Women's World, and her mom's list of top topics of conversation with strangers. Her books have been listed as an Indie Next pick, Library Reads pick, and received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Library Journal. After growing up a military brat around the world and across the country, Denise now lives in Iowa with her husband, son, and an ornery shih-tzus who thinks she owns the house. She can usually be found reading, writing, or thinking about love stories.
Photo by Destri Andorf.
Author Works: Alka Joshi author of Six Days in Bombay
Date: 04/19/25Time: 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Branch: East Columbia Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: Race, Equity & Inclusion
Description:
Alka Joshi is the internationally bestselling author of the Jaipur Trilogy, which includes The Henna Artist, The Secret Keeper of Jaipur, and The Perfumist of Paris.
Her debut novel,The Henna Artist, became an instant New York Times Bestseller, a Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick, and an LA Times Bestseller, a Toronto Star Bestseller, an Indie Bookstores Bestseller, a Cosmopolitan Best Audiobook, and an Amazon and Goodreads favorite. It was longlisted for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize and has been translated into 29 languages. It is currently in development as an episodic series.
In 2023, Alka Joshi was honored by Forbes as one of their 50 Over 50 women, recognized for shattering age and gender norms.
Her fourth novel, Six Days in Bombay, will be released on April 15, 2025.
About the Author:
Alka was born in India and came to the United States with her family at the age of nine. She holds a BA from Stanford University and an MFA from California College of the Arts.
Books will be available for purchase at the event, and the author will be signing books post-event.
Please register with an email address to receive an immediate registration confirmation.
Veterans Book Group 2025 (Online)
Date: 05/04/25Time: 1:30pm - 3:00pm
Branch: Online Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: Race, Equity & Inclusion
Description:
Veterans, both active and retired military, are invited to this online discussion series. During five monthly facilitated sessions, discussions center on military experiences and a unique set of readings, which may include classics, fiction, memoirs, poetry, short stories, articles, and essays. The readings relate in some way to military experiences or offer a veteran’s perspective.
Participants are encouraged to attend all sessions. Registration is open to veterans/active duty only, please.
All reading materials are provided. Space is limited.
1st Sundays; February 2 - June 1 from 1:30 - 3:00 pm. Online.
The Veterans Book Group is moderated by David Owens. David Owens is a Navy veteran who served for six years onboard two U.S. Navy warships. Owens attended the U.S. Naval Academy and now runs a small media content production business based in the D.C. metropolitan area. Owens loves to read and, even more so, enjoys the discussions and camaraderie of the veteran book groups!
The Veterans Book Group is coordinated statewide by Maryland Humanities and is presented locally in partnership with Howard County Library System.
Reading Selections:
February 2: Red Platoon by Clinton Romesha
March 2: The Fine Art of Camouflage by Lauren Kay Johnson
April 6: The Special Prisoner by Jim Lehrer
May 4: Attack on the Liberty by James Scott
June 1: In Pharaoh’s Army by Tobias Wolff
Image credit: Generated using AI
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.
Questions? Please email [email protected].
Museum@The Library series: The Walters: If Books Could Kill
Date: 05/14/25Time: 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Branch: Online Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: History & Genealogy
Description:
This class is a part of the HCLS' Museum@The Library series.
The rich, jewel-like colors of manuscript illuminations can be dazzling—and dangerous. For centuries, highly toxic materials such as lead, arsenic, and mercury were used by scribes, artists, and bookbinders to create handmade books and to illuminate their pages. If Books Could Kill casts light on the hidden dangers of manuscripts within the Walters’ rich collection and reveals the delicate science behind recognizing those toxic materials and handling them safely today.
Presented by The Walters Art Gallery
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: 05/14/25Time: 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]
Veterans Book Group 2025 (Online)
Date: 06/01/25Time: 1:30pm - 3:00pm
Branch: Online Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: Race, Equity & Inclusion
Description:
Veterans, both active and retired military, are invited to this online discussion series. During five monthly facilitated sessions, discussions center on military experiences and a unique set of readings, which may include classics, fiction, memoirs, poetry, short stories, articles, and essays. The readings relate in some way to military experiences or offer a veteran’s perspective.
Participants are encouraged to attend all sessions. Registration is open to veterans/active duty only, please.
All reading materials are provided. Space is limited.
1st Sundays; February 2 - June 1 from 1:30 - 3:00 pm. Online.
The Veterans Book Group is moderated by David Owens. David Owens is a Navy veteran who served for six years onboard two U.S. Navy warships. Owens attended the U.S. Naval Academy and now runs a small media content production business based in the D.C. metropolitan area. Owens loves to read and, even more so, enjoys the discussions and camaraderie of the veteran book groups!
The Veterans Book Group is coordinated statewide by Maryland Humanities and is presented locally in partnership with Howard County Library System.
Reading Selections:
February 2: Red Platoon by Clinton Romesha
March 2: The Fine Art of Camouflage by Lauren Kay Johnson
April 6: The Special Prisoner by Jim Lehrer
May 4: Attack on the Liberty by James Scott
June 1: In Pharaoh’s Army by Tobias Wolff
Image credit: Generated using AI
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.
Questions? Please email [email protected].
The UnBook Reading Group
Date: 06/11/25Time: 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: 07/09/25Time: 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: 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]
