Esteemed author\, journalist\, and New Yorker staff writer Susan Orlean will talk about her New York Times bestseller\, The Library Book\, on Saturday\, October 19\, at 2:00 p.m. at Wilmette Junior High School\, 620 Locust Road\, in a program sponsored by the Wilmette Public Library. \;
\n\nThe event is free and open to the public\, and tickets are not required. A book signing will follow\, with copies of The Library Book available for purchase courtesy of The Book Stall.
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\nIn The Library Book\, Ms. Orlean weaves her lifelong love of books and reading into an investigation of a devastating fire at the Los Angeles Public Library in 1986. Along the way\, she delivers an enthralling book that tells a broader story of libraries while revealing how these beloved institutions remain an essential part of our nation&rsquo\;s heart\, mind\, and soul. \;
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\nCalled a &ldquo\;national treasure&rdquo\; by The Washington Post\, Ms. Orlean displays her masterful hand and brilliant talent for deep research throughout The Library Book. Partly true crime and partly a valentine to libraries and librarians\, The Library Book serves as a powerful and exquisite tribute to books\, storytelling\, and humanity&rsquo\;s deep desire for connection.
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\nThe Library Book was nominated for the Andrew Carnegie Nonfiction Prize and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize and named a New York Times Notable Book of 2018 as well as a Washington Post Top 10 Book of the Year. It will be adapted by Ms. Orlean for a forthcoming television series with Paramount TV.
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\nErik Larson\, author of The Devil in the White City and Dead Wake\, wrote\, &ldquo\;After reading Susan Orlean&rsquo\;s The Library Book\, I&rsquo\;m quite sure I&rsquo\;ll never look at libraries\, or librarians\, the same way again. This is classic Orlean&mdash\;an exploration of a devastating fire becomes a journey through a world of infinite richness\, populated with unexpected characters doing unexpected things\, with unexpected passion.&rdquo\; \;
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\nWhile describing the book as &ldquo\;exquisitely written (and) consistently entertaining\,&rdquo\; The New York Times noted that &ldquo\;Susan Orlean has once again found rich material where no one else has bothered to look for it.&rdquo\; \; The National Book Review summed up its review of the book in its headline\, which reads&rdquo\; Susan Orlean Has Done it: A Can&rsquo\;t-Put-Down Book About...Libraries.&rdquo\; \;
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\nSusan Orlean began contributing to The New Yorker in 1987 and became a staff writer in 1992. Before joining The New Yorker\, she was a contributing editor at Rolling Stone and at Vogue\; she also has written for the Times Magazine\, Spy\, Esquire\, and Outside. In addition to The Library Book\, she has authored seven other books\, including The Orchid Thief\, which inspired the Academy Award-winning film Adaptation\; and Rin Tin Tin: The Life and the Legend. \;
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\nThe Library has copies of The Library Book in multiple formats\, including print\, audio\, and digital. For more information\, visit www.wilmettelibrary.info/meet-the-author or call (847) 256-6930.
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\n LOCATION:Wilmette Junior High School\, 620 Locust Road\, Wilmette IL 60091 UID:e.463.14855 SEQUENCE:3 DTSTAMP:20260501T052116Z URL:https://chambermaster.wilmettekenilworth.com/events/details/wilmette-public-library-to-host-susan-orlean-bestselling-author-of-the-library-book-14855 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR