January 11th at 12:30 p.m. - LUNCH 'N BOOKS/AUTHOR EVENT: Hissing Cousins: The Untold Story of Eleanor Roosevelt and Alice Roosevelt Longworth by Marc Peyser and Timothy Dwyer. The authors will be present to discuss their work.

Join us on January 11 at 12:30 p.m. as authors Marc Peyser and Timothy Dwyer discuss Hissing Cousins, their critically acclaimed double biography of first cousins Eleanor Roosevelt and Alice Roosevelt Longworth. For more information, please call the Reader Services Department at 516-794-2570 ext. 236.

December 7th at 12:30 p.m. - Lunch 'N Books: Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf

Join us on December 7 at 12:30 p.m. as we discuss Kent Haruf's final novel, Our Souls at Night.  For more information, please call the Reader Services Department at 516-794-2570 ext. 236.

November 23 at 7:30 p.m. – Evening Book Discussion: The Songs of Willow Frost by Jamie Ford

Join us on November 23 at 7:30 p.m. as we discuss The Songs of Willow Frost by Jamie Ford.  This program usually meets monthly at 7:30 p.m. at the library and is led by the members of the group. The books are chosen by the participants and the whole session is discussion oriented. For more information, please call the Reader Services Department at 516-794-2570 ext. 236.

November 11th at 12:30 p.m. - Lunch 'N Books: Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee

Join us on November 11 at 12:30 p.m. as we discuss Harper Lee's newly discovered novel, Go Set a Watchman. Originally written in the mid-1950s, this work features many of the characters from To Kill a Mockingbird some twenty years later.  For more information, please call the Reader Services Department at 516-794-2570 ext. 236.

November 5th at 12:30 p.m. - Lunch 'N Books: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Join us on November 5 at 12:30 p.m. as we discuss Harper Lee's classic Pulitzer Prize winning novel, To Kill a Mockingbird.  For more information, please call the Reader Services Department at 516-794-2570 ext. 236.

October 21 at 7:30 p.m. – Evening Book Discussion: The Arsonist by Sue Miller

Join us on October 21 at 7:30 p.m. as we discuss Sue Miller's suspenseful novel, The Arsonist.  This program usually meets monthly at 7:30 p.m. at the library and is led by the members of the group. The books are chosen by the participants and the whole session is discussion oriented. For more information, please call the Reader Services Department at 516-794-2570 ext. 236.

October 13 at 7:00 p.m. - Meet Sasha Abramsky, author of The House of Twenty Thousand Books

Join us as Sasha Abramsky shares his family story as he presents his book, The House of Twenty Thousand Books. His grandfather, Chimen Abramsky, was an extraordinary bibliophile who amassed a vast collection of socialist literature and Jewish history, and had hosted epic gatherings in his house that brought together many of the age’s greatest thinkers. Sasha takes the reader on a wondrous journey, from the vanished worlds of Eastern European Jewry to the present.

September 30 at 7:30 p.m. – Evening Book Discussion: The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant

Join us on September 30th at 7:30 p.m. as we discuss Anita Diamant's latest work, The Boston Girl.  Told through the eyes of a young Jewish woman growing up in early twentieth century Boston, this historical novel explores such themes as family ties and values, feminism and friendship.

Art Therapy

Praised by both critics and readers, B.A. Shapiro's thrilling first novel, The Art Forger, focused on a young female artist embroiled in a forgery scheme.  In Shapiro's latest work, The Muralist, the focus is also on a young woman with artistic ambitions, but this time the stakes are even greater.  The main character in this story, Alizee Benoit, is fighting for her family and her sanity.

This historical novel begins with Alizee's great niece, Danielle, discovering paintings that are stylistically similar to her great aunt's work.  As Danielle attempts to prove the paintings are Alizee's, her research helps illuminate her hazy knowledge of her mysterious relation.  Alizee had disappeared during the years leading up to World War II and no one knows what had happened to her. Danielle undertakes the challenge which takes her through many twists and turns, and several startling discoveries.

The main focus of the book is on Alizee and her struggle to create her artwork and remaining sane while her family is trying to escape the powder keg of Europe as the Nazis rise to power.  She's already coping with anxieties and other mental issues due to a previous trauma, so this new responsibility of trying to help her family escape to the United States is pushing her over the edge.  The lines between reality and illusion are blurred, and there are times you don't know if something is really happening to Alizee or if she's delusional.

Even though Alizee's character is fictional, there are several historical individuals she interacts with such as groundbreaking artists such as Mark Rothko, Jackson Pollock, Lee Krasner, and Willem de Kooning.  She is portrayed as a pioneer of abstract expressionism, someone with great potential and talent who inspired and influenced these artists to create this new style of art.

This book is quite suspenseful as it builds momentum and heads towards what appears to be an ominous conclusion, up until the last minute one is unsure of Alizee's fate (I'm surely not telling!). Issues such as is creativity associated with mental illness and having to choose between one's career versus one's family are at the heart of this book.  It's got a different feel than the Art Forger but should appeal to readers who gravitate towards books with strong female characters.

August 11 at 7:00 p.m. - Evening Book Discussion: Help for the Haunted by John Searles - Meet the Author!

Join us on August 11 at 7:00 p.m as we welcome back last year's wonderful guest speaker, John Searles, who will lead us in a "spirited" discussion of his Alex award winning novel, Help for the Haunted.

January 20 at 7:00 p.m. - Evening Book Discussion: The Paris Architect by Charles Belfoure - Skype with Author!

Join us on January 20th at 7:00 p.m. as we skype with Charles Belfoure, author of The Paris Architect, his thrilling novel set in Paris during World War II.

July 7th at 7:30 p.m. - Extraordinary People - Honoring Our Local Celebrities

What does an Emmy winning Saturday Night Live cameraman, a prize winning photographer and a Cosmopolitan Magazine editor have in common?  They are all famous East Meadow residents!  Join us as we learn more about these fascinating people!  Click here for more information on this special program.

Jan Kasoff

Tony Barboza

Camille Perri

June 30th at 7:30 p.m. - Evening Book Discussion: All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

Join us on June 30 at 7:30 p.m. as we discuss All the Light We Cannot See.  From the highly acclaimed, multiple award-winning (Pulitzer Prize winner) Anthony Doerr, the beautiful, stunningly ambitious instant New York Times bestseller about a blind French girl and a German boy whose paths collide in occupied France as both try to survive the devastation of World War II.

June 18th at 12:30 p.m. - Lunch 'N Books: All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

Join us on June 18 at 12:30 p.m. as we discuss All the Light We Cannot See.  From the highly acclaimed, multiple award-winning Anthony Doerr, the beautiful, stunningly ambitious instant New York Times bestseller about a blind French girl and a German boy whose paths collide in occupied France as both try to survive the devastation of World War II.  This Pulitzer Prize winning novel will be moderated by Marion Wren.     

June 1st - 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. - Adult Summer Reading Club “Out of the Ordinary...Extraordinary” Kickoff

The East Meadow Public Library Reader Services Department is excited to announce our fourth annual Adult Summer Reading Club.  It is a great way to learn about new titles to read during the lazy days of summer and a chance to participate in fun book programs!  Just sign up and then submit any titles you have read during the summer months.

The first sign up day will be Monday, June 1st. Our kickoff party will be held in the library lobby from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.  Can't make it?  You can register anytime between June 1st and August 4th at the Reference Desk or online at our website: https://ny.evanced.info/eastmeadow/sr/homepage.asp?ProgramID=13. Please choose to either enroll and review online or to enroll and submit reviews at the Reference Desk.

May 19 at 7:30 p.m. – Evening Book Discussion: The Woman Upstairs by Claire Messud

Join us on May 19 at 7:30 p.m. as we discuss Claire Messud's intriguing novel, The Woman Upstairs.  This Washington Post Top Ten Book of the Year will be presented by Joy Brann.

April 21 at 7:30 p.m. - Evening Book Discussion: The Museum of Extraordinary Things by Alice Hoffman

  

2015 LONG ISLAND READS SELECTION

Join us on April 21 at 7:30 p.m. as we discuss the mesmerizing and illuminating, Alice Hoffman's The Museum of Extraordinary Things.  It is the story of an electric and impassioned love between two vastly different souls in New York during the volatile first decades of the 20th century.  Hoffman weaves her trademark magic and masterful storytelling to unite her characters in a sizzling, tender, and moving story of self-discovery in tumultuous times.  This Long Island Reads selection will be presented by Harriet Hagenbruch.

April 16 at 12:30 p.m. - Lunch 'N Books: The Museum of Extraordinary Things by Alice Hoffman

 
2015 LONG ISLAND READS SELECTION
Join us on April 16 at 12:30 p.m. as we discuss the mesmerizing and illuminating, Alice Hoffman's The Museum of Extraordinary Things.  It is the story of an electric and impassioned love between two vastly different souls in New York during the volatile first decades of the 20th century.  Hoffman weaves her trademark magic and masterful storytelling to unite her characters in a sizzling, tender, and moving story of self-discovery in tumultuous times.  This Long Island Reads selection will be moderated by Martin Haas, PhD.

March 31 at 7:00 p.m. - Evening Book Discussion: The Story Hour by Thrity Umrigar - Skype with Author!

Join us on March 31 at 7:00 p.m. as we skype with Thrity Umrigar, author of The Space Between Us, The Weight of Heaven, and The World We Found.  For this special presentation, Ms. Umrigar will discuss her latest work, The Story Hour, a heartbreakingly honest novel about friendship, family, secrets, forgiveness, and second chances.

Reader Services Has Some Books to Keep You Warm

It's winter with a vengeance and we're all stuck inside.  Instead of fretting (and freezing), may we suggest two good, long, page-turners to take you away. Curl up on the couch with a cup of chamomile, your favorite furry friend, and a good book to start feeling warm again.

Theodore Decker, a 13 year old NYC prep school student, is in trouble and may be suspended. On the way to the parent-teacher conference, he and his mother decide to stop in at the Metropolitan Museum of Art to view an exhibition.  While his mother looks at the paintings, Theo separates from her to follow a young girl who's with an older man.  An explosion occurs and he is thrown to the ground along with the other museum attendees. The old man, now dying, insists he take the painting by Fabritius, The Goldfinch, and a ring out of the museum, and gives him a name to contact.  When he gets back to his Greenwich Village apartment, he finds that his mother died in the explosion and that he is virtually an orphan; his father having left them without a contact many years ago.  Thus begins Donna Tartt's tour de force novel The Goldfinch, a compelling book that explores the themes of family, friendship, luck, atonement, redemption and fate.  As they follow Theo's life path, readers will be caught up in the twists and turns that destroy and remake him, and ultimately bring him to the place he needs to be.  This book deservedly won the Pulitzer Prize and the Andrew Carnegie Medal of Excellence.

What could be better than a murder mystery?  How about one that is somehow tied to a bio-terrorism plot on an international level.  If this sounds intriguing, you'll probably love Terry Hayes' I am Pilgrim, a novel that will leave you breathless.   "Saracen", a radicalized Saudi, patiently concocts a failure proof scheme to take America down and avenge the death of his father.  As ex-CIA operative Pilgrim attempts to unravel his plot, the reader moves with him from Britain to France, Saudi Arabia and  Afghanistan following the clues that will hopefully prevent a melt-down.  First time author Hayes is a screenwriter and his book reads like a James Bond movie.
 
Happy reading!

February 1st through February 14th - Blind Date with a Book

In honor of Valentine's Day, from February 1st through February 14th, we'd like to "fix you up" with a blind date!  We'll select a variety of library books, wrap them up in festive paper and you won't know the "identity" of your blind date till you get home.

Try it! You may end up having a great read with a book you never would have thought to choose.  With each book is a "Rate a Date" slip, simply say whatever you want about your date.  Return your slip to enter our raffle for a special prize, one entry per person.  For more information, please call the Reader Services Department at 516-794-2570 ext.236.

Evening Book Discussion: The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce

January 20, 2015 at 7:30 PM -  Evening Book Discussions -  The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce

This program usually meets monthly at 7:30 p.m. at the library in a casual atmosphere, and is led by the members of the group. The books are chosen by the participants, and the whole session is discussion oriented. For more information, please call the Reader Services Department at 516-794-2570 ext.236.