For the third year, the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center and Mark Twain House & Museum will partner with Capital Community College to offer a class on the work of Hartford’s most famous authors.
The Hartford Heritage Project course, “English 220, Studies in American Literature: Stowe & Twain,” will begin Aug. 30 and run through Dec. 18, with alternating sessions online and at the historic Twain House, 351 Farmington Ave., Hartford, on Wednesdays from 2 to 4:42 p.m. It can be taken for college credit or audited for personal enrichment with optional papers and assignments. Either way, the cost is $599.
Registration must be completed by Aug. 30 (and no later than Sept. 5, the last day to add a class). capitalcc.edu/hhp/courses. Audit information: Amy Lemire at 860-906-5185 or alemire@capitalcc.edu.
Sunday Poetry Series
The Clinton Art Gallery, 20 E. Main St., Clinton, will continue its free monthly poetry readings on Sunday, Aug. 20, from 2 to 4 p.m., with readings by Kate Rushin, Jan Blencowe and Mary Volk. 203-627-4148.
Avon Local Authors Festival
The free Local Authors Festival hosted by Avon Free Public Library, 281 Country Club Road, Avon, whose theme is “Conversations,” will conclude with a panel discussion by writers of historical fiction on Thursday, Aug. 24, at 6:30 p.m. Panelists Diana Ross McCain, Beth Caruso and Barbara Oberle will discuss stories set in Connecticut. 860-673-9712, ext. 4, or avonctlibrary.info.
‘Dieting Can Be Murder’
Connecticut native Susan Santangelo will discuss her seventh Baby Boomer mystery, “Dieting Can Be Murder,” (Suspense Publishing, $12.99) on Thursday, Aug. 24, at 6:30 p.m. at Acton Library, 60 Old Boston Post Road, Old Saybrook. Santangelo’s humorous mystery series features Carol Andrews, who gets involved in solving murders while adjusting to her husband Jim’s retirement. Seeking to lose some weight after a second honeymoon trip, Carol joins Tummy Trimmers and soon finds that as usual, she has bitten off far more than she expected. ssantangelo@aol.com or 860-395-3184.
Connecticut Authors Trail
The Ninth Annual Connecticut Authors Trail, a series of free author talks presented by Eastern Connecticut libraries, will continue with three programs. The trail will end Sept. 14, at 6:15 p.m., at Mohegan Sun Casino’s Cabaret Theatre, with a program with Connecticut novelist Beatriz Williams.
On Monday, Aug. 21, at 6:30 p.m. at Otis Library, 261 Main St., Norwich, Abby Stokes, author of “Is This Thing On?” (Workman, $17.95), will discuss her guide for newbies confused about going online or fearful of technology. Her revised and updated book explains the digital landscape, tablets, apps, video streaming, social media and more. 860-889-2365.
On Tuesday, Aug. 22, at 6:30 p.m., at Saxton B. Little Free Library, 319 Route 87, Columbia, Cuyler Overholt, an author from Litchfield County, will discuss her book, “A Promise of Ruin” (Sourcebooks, $15.99), the latest in her Dr. Genevieve Summerford mystery series. In it, the doctor investigates the disappearance of a young Italian immigrant woman and becomes entangled in New York’s underworld. 860-228-0350
On Thursday, Aug. 24, at 6 p.m. at Cragin Memorial Library, 8 Linwood Ave., Colchester, Romance Writers of America Honor Roll author Jamie Beck will talk about her latest novel, “Before I Knew” (Montlake Romance, $9.99) in which old secrets test old friends who are hoping for a second chance. 860-537-5752. Trail information: 860-642-6207 or connecticutauthorstrail.org.
Authors At R.J. Julia
R.J. Julia Booksellers, 768 Boston Post Road, Madison, will present free talks by authors. Each will begin at 7 p.m. and reservations are required: 203-245-3959 or rjjulia.com.
On Tuesday, Aug. 22, Fiona Davis will discuss her novel, “The Address” (Dutton, $26). In it, a British hotel housekeeper comes to New York in the 19th century to manage the legendary Dakota apartment building and continue her relationship with one of its architects. A century later, his granddaughter discovers many family secrets. Davis, a former Broadway and regional actress and now an editor and writer, lives in New York City.
On Wednesday, Aug. 23, Alexandra Silber, a Grammy-nominated actress and singer who starred as Tzeitel in the Broadway revival of “Fiddler on the Roof” and earlier played the role of Hodel, will discuss her debut book, “After Anatevka: A Novel Inspired by “Fiddler on the Roof” (Pegasus Books, $25.95). In it, she imagines what happens to the characters after the play ends, as Hodel and her Socialist-leaning fiancé Perchik try to survive in a Siberian work camp.
On Thursday, Aug. 24, R. P. Eddy, co-author with Richard A. Clarke of the nonfiction book, “Warnings: Finding Cassandras to Stop Catastrophes” (Ecco Press, $29.99), will speak. Cassandra, in Greek myth, was fated to see upcoming calamities but have her predictions ignored. This book explores warnings about scientific and political disasters and how to assess whether they are correct. Eddy, of Greenwich, is CEO of Ergo, an intelligence firm, and was director at the White House National Security Council and a senior U.S. and United Nations diplomat.
On Tuesday, Aug. 22, at 7 p.m. at Wesleyan R.J. Julia Bookstore 413 Main St., Middletown, Adam Greenberg, author of the inspirational book, “Get Up: The Art of Perseverance” (Mackenzie Daniel, $20), will give a free talk. In 2005, the former Chicago Cubs player, an All-State native of Connecticut, was seriously injured by a 92 mile-an-hour fastball in his first at-bat with the Cubs, which effectively ended his career, yet he overcame this adversity. 860-685-3939 or wesleyan.edu/rjjuliabookstore.
Bank Square Books
Bank Square Books, 53 W. Main St., Mystic, will host authors of a family saga novel and a history of Connecticut rock and roll.
On Sunday, Aug. 20, from 1 to 3 p.m., David Adams Cleveland will sign copies of “Time’s Betrayal” (Fomite Press, $24.95), a multigenerational saga from the Civil War to the fall of the Berlin Wall that details a son’s search for his missing CIA agent father.
On Saturday, Aug. 26, from 1 to 3 p.m., Tony Renzoni will sign copies of “Connecticut Rock ‘n’ Roll: A History” (The History Press, $21.99). The book explores Connecticut connections to the world of rock, including information on The Five Satins, Gene Pitney and Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz of the Talking Heads and others, as well memorable concerts and appearances. 860-536-3795 or banksquarebks@msn.com.
Inspirational Pets
Connecticut authors Connie Bombaci and Shawn Flynn will appear Friday, Aug. 25, at 7 p.m., at Barnes & Noble, 25 Hazard Ave., Enfield
Bombaci’s book, “Hogan’s Hope: A Deaf Hero’s Inspirational Quest for Love and Acceptance” (True Directions Publishing, $13.99) is about a rescued deaf dog who learned to respond to American Sign Language. Flynn’s book is “The Kitty Who Rescued Me After I Rescued Him” (ABBE Road Publishing, $9.95)” about the pet who helped him through personal difficulties. 860-745-7315.
Travels With Olivia
Book Club Bookstore, 869 Sullivan Ave., South Windsor, will present a free story time with 9-year-old author Olivia Lauren on Wednesday, Aug. 23, from 11 a.m. to noon. Written with her mother, her book is “Olivia Travels: A Guide to Modes of Transportation” (Lauren Simone Publishing, $10), it uses rhymes to describe types of transportation popular in various places.860-432-7411 or bookclubct.com.
.galleries:after {
content: ”;
display: block;
background-color: #c52026;
margin: 16px auto 0;
height: 5px;
width: 100px;
}
.galleries:before {
content: “Local Entertainment Videos”;
display: block;
font: 700 23px/25px Belizio,Georgia,’Droid Serif’,serif;
text-align: center;
color: #1e1e1e;
}
