New Britain Public Library will hold its Literary Libations Vol. V fundraising event on Friday, Sept. 14, from 5 to 8 p.m. in Memorial Hall on the campus of CCSU.
The event, which includes food, drinks, themed gift baskets and music by the Hot Cat Jazz Band, will showcase local authors, including Okey Ndibe, Dan Blanchard, Leslie Bulion, Cindy Rodriguez, Stephen Balkaran, Brian Christopher Shea, Tom Hazuka, Kelly Dowling, Dawn Leger, Chuck Radda, Steve Liskow, Tre Brown, Don Hubbard, Sherry Winston and Greg Mangan, who will mingle with guests and sell and sign their books.
Tickets are $45 at New Britain Public Library or https://nbpl-literary-libations-v.eventbrite.com. There will be free parking in Vance Garage and a shuttle to Memorial Hall.
R.J. Julia
R.J. Julia Booksellers, 768 Boston Post Road, Madison, will host free readings by best-selling authors. Reservations are required: 203-245-3959 or rjjulia.com.
On Tuesday, Sept. 11, at 7 p.m., James Frey will discuss his novel, “Katerina,” a love story set in 1992 Paris and contemporary Los Angeles. Frey triggered controversy with his memoir, “A Million Little Pieces,” which mixed reality and fiction. He is also the author of “Bright Shiny Morning.”
On Wednesday, Sept. 12, at 6:30 p.m., Brad Meltzer and Chris Eliopoulos will talk about “I Am Neil Armstrong,” about the astronaut’s journey to the moon. It is the 15th picture book in a best-selling series of biographies of heroes written for young readers.
Meltzer is known for his suspense novels and hosts the History Channel TV shows “Brad Meltzer’s Decoded” and “Brad Meltzer’s Lost History.” Eliopoulos has illustrated thousands of comic books.
On Thursday, Sept. 13, at 7 p.m., Kate Walbert, the acclaimed author of novels and short fiction, will discuss “His Favorites,” about a tragic accident and its aftermath for a young woman who has caused the death of her best friend. Walbert’s books include “The Sunken Cathedral,” “A Short History of Women” and “The Gardens of Kyoto.”
On Wednesday, Sept. 12, at 6 p.m. at Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore, 413 Main St., Middletown, three co-authors will talk about their new historical and romantic novel. Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig and Karen White’s “The Glass Ocean” involves two women from the past, one in the present and the sinking of the passenger liner, the Lusitania.
Riverwood Poetry Series
The free Riverwood Poetry Series will move to Real Art Ways, 56 Arbor St., Hartford, on Tuesday, Sept. 11, at 7 p.m. and will continue on the second Tuesday of each month through May 2019.
Leslie McGrath, author of three poetry collections, including the recent “Feminists Are Passing from Our Lives,” will read following an open mike. Poets wishing to take part are limited to one page, on a First come, first served basis and can sign up at 6:45 p.m.
Mariani In West Hartford
Paul Mariani, author of “The Whole Harmonium: The Life of Wallace Stevens,” will visit West Hartford Public Library, 20 S. Main St., West Hartford, on Thursday, Sept. 13, at 7 p.m. to discuss his biography of Stevens, Hartford’s famous modernist poet. Mariani is university professor of English at Boston College and the author of 18 books, including biographies of prominent American poets.
The event is free, but registration is required. Books will not be for sale at the event, but attendees may bring copies for signing. The event is one of a series of West Hartford Reads! poetry events before poet Billy Collins appears Oct. 4 at West Hartford Town Hall.
For free parking in the Isham Garage, bypass its payment kiosks and go to the Library Meeting Room to validate parking using your license plate number. 860-561-6990.
Charter Oak Readings
On Sunday, Sept. 9, at 3 p.m., Charter Oak Readings will celebrate the publication of “Unlocking the Word: An Anthology of Found Poetry” at Charter Oak Cultural Center, 21 Charter Oak Ave. Hartford, following an open mike about found poetry and other topics. Editor Jonas Zdanys and others, including Vivian Shipley, David Leff, Laura Altshul, Thomasina Levy, Jennifer Glick, Sherri Bedingfield, Sharon Chace, Pamela Guinan and James Finnegan, will read excerpts from the book. charteroakreadings.blogspot.com or 860-508-2810.
Central Authors
Central Authors, a free series of talks about books by CCSU faculty, staff members or alumni, will begin its Fall season on Wednesday, Sept. 12, at 12:15 p.m., in the Student Center Bookstore, 1615 Stanley St., New Britain.
Steven Ostrowski of the English Department will discuss his book, “After the Tate Modern.” 860-832-2759 or gigliotti@ccsu.edu or bit.ly/2w5GKbt.
Bank Square Books
Bank Square Books, 53 W Main St., Mystic, will host book signings with two authors.
On Friday, Sept. 14, from 5 to 7 p.m., Connecticut author Beth Turley will sign copies of her debut middle-grade novel, “If This Were a Story,” about a 10-year-old girl dealing with bullies at school and troubles at home.
On Saturday, Sept. 15, from 1 to 3 p.m., Andrew Kahrl will sign copies of “Free the Beaches: The Story of Ned Coll and the Battle for America’s Most Exclusive Shoreline.” Kahrl is associate professor of history and African American studies at the University of Virginia. The book describes how Hartford-area anti-poverty activist Ned Coll made national news when he tried to open exclusive Connecticut beaches to minorities and the urban poor in the late 1960a and early 1970s. 860-536-3795 or banksquarebooks.com
Connecticut Authors Trail
The Tenth Annual Connecticut Authors Trail, a series of free talks by local authors presented by a group of Eastern Connecticut libraries, will continue Monday, Sept. 10 at 6 p.m. at the Public Library of New London, 63 Huntington St., New London (860-447-1411) with a talk by retired minister Richard Maule. His award-winning book, “Moonlight Helmsman,” tells the true story of Robert Smalls, a former slave who stole the Confederate flagship in 1862. His next novel, “The Witch’s Advocate,” tells the true story of Thomas Maule, a Quaker minister defended the accused witches in Salem. His trial was a precedent for the First Amendment freedoms of speech, press and religion.
On Wednesday, Sept. 12, at 6:30 p.m. at Canterbury Public Library, 1 Municipal Drive, Canterbury (860-546-9022) Connecticut myatery author Jane Haertel, who also writes as Sadie Hartwell and Susannah Hardy, will speak. In her novel, “A Knit Before Dying,” a knitting shop owner and blogger investigates a murder in a Connecticut town.
On Thursday, Sept. 13, at 6:30 p.m. at Raymond Library, 832 Raymond Hill Road, Oakdale (860-848-9943), Marc Youngquist will discuss “The 143rd in Iraq: Training the Iraqi Police, In Spite of It All.” He tells how a Connecticut National Guard Military Police Company made the difficult and dangerous attempt to recruit and train an Iraqi Police Force in 2003 and 2004.
The trail will end Sept. 20 at Mohegan Sun Casino’s Cabaret Theatre with a party and free talk by author Amy Bloom. connecticutauthorstrail.org
Dunlap At Hartford B&N
On Saturday, Sept. 15, at 2 p.m. at Barnes & Noble UConn Hartford Bookstore, 18 Front St., Hartford, Brianna Dunlap will sign copies of “Connecticut Valley Tobacco.” Dunlap’s book, illustrated with photos by Windsor native Dr. Leonard Hellerman, explores tobacco growing and the people who toiled at it, from East Haddam to Brattleboro, Vt. 860-263-2270 or Laurie.bompart@uconn.edu
Book Club Bookstore
Book Club Bookstore & More, 869 Sullivan Ave., South Windsor, will present best-selling author Kimberly McCreight in conversation with podcaster Chris Wolak on Saturday, Sept. 15 at 2 p.m.
McCreight is the author of “Reconstructing Amelia,” “Where They Found Her” and “The Outliers” trilogy. They will talk about “The Collide,” the final book in the Outliers series, Kim’s writing process and past and future works. 860-432-7411 or bookclubct.com
Ten Million Steps
On Tuesday, Sept. 11, at 6:30 p.m. at Whiton Library, 100 N. Main St., Manchester, author Joe Hurley will give a free talk about his book, “Ten Million Steps on Route 6: A fresh look at America and Americans from Cape Cod to California on Route 6,” a pictorial journey told through the eyes of ordinary people. 860-645-0821 or library.townofmanchester.org
Mystery Discussions
Carole Shmurak, a mystery writer from Farmington, will lead a free talk at Simsbury Public Library, 725 Hopmeadow St., on Monday, Sept. 10, at noon, for the Simsbury Mystery Group’s Don’t Bury the Lede series, Part 1. The book to be discussed is “Bones” by Jan Burke. 860-658-7663.
On Wednesday, Sept., 12, at 3 p.m. Shmurak will lead a free talk at Wallingford Public Library, 200 N Main St, Wallingford, for the Wallingford Mystery Group: Crime-Solving Clergy, Part 1. The book to be discussed is “Ash Wednesday” by Ralph McInerny. 203-265-6754.
