a busy Tuesday

Lots going on tomorrow...Pick one:

Artist Panel and Gallery Talk @ 6pm:
Member Meredith Bergmann will be participating with fellow artists Stanley Greenberg, Nora Herting and Andrés Vera Martínez to discuss the Brooklyn Historical Society's new exhibit
Artist and Artifact: Re|Visioning Brooklyn's Past
Brooklyn Historical Society
128 Pierrepont Street


Books at the Bar Author Reading and Reception @ 6pm
Benjamin Hett, author of Crossing Hitler, examines the horrifying consequences to one principled Berlin lawyer who dared take on the Fuhrer in the courtroom on the eve of the Nazi rise to power. The Books at the Bar reading series is sponsored by the New York City Bar Association and chaired by NYSL member and NY State Judge Diane Kiesel.
Free and open to the public
New York City Bar Association
42 West 44th Street


Author Reading @ 6:30pm
Join Morris Dickstein at the Museum of the City of New York for a discussion of his award-winning book Dancing in the Dark and a conversation focusing on how Great Depression-era culture celebrated the “everyman” — from the music of Aaron Copland to the radio comedy “Amos and Andy” to the cartoons of Denys Wortman.
Reservations required: 917-492-3395 or e-mail programs@mcny.org.
$6 museum members; $8 seniors and students; $12 non-members
$6 when you mention The Writing Life blog
Museum of the City of New York
1220 Fifth Avenue at 103rd Street


Proust Society Lecture @ 7pm
NYSL member Anka Muhlstein takes a closer look at Baron de Charlus in this Proust Society Lecture at The Center for Fiction.
Proust Society Members Free, Center for Fiction Members $5, General Admission $8
The Center for Fiction
17 E. 47th Street

Constance Rosenblum at McNally Jackson

Member Constance Rosenblum, editor of the new anthology More New York Stories: Best of The City Section will be at McNally Jackson Books tonight along with contributors Helen Benedict, Carolin H. Dworin, Jake Mooney, Gregory Beyer, Saki Knaffo, and Katherine Bindley.

Constance is the author of The New York Society Library's 2009 New York City Book Award winning Boulevard of Dreams, a social history of the Grand Concourse in the Bronx.

McNally Jackson Books
Monday, November 15, 7 pm
Info

Jonathan Franzen at 92nd Street Y

Alas, the 92nd Street Y's website indicates that this event is SOLD OUT, but that they may release more seats closer to the event date.

Member Jonathan Franzen (Freedom) joins Lorrie Moore (A Gate at the Stairs) in conversation.

92nd Street Y (Lexington Avenue at 92nd Street)
Monday, November 15, 8pm
$27

Special invitation for readers of the blog!

Monday, November 15, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Louis Auchincloss Prize: Pete Hamill



In recognition of the enormous literary legacy of Louis Auchincloss, who died in January 2010, the Museum of the City of New York presents the Louis Auchincloss Prize this year to renowned man of letters Pete Hamill. In accepting the prize, Mr. Hamill will offer reflections on the life and art of Louis Auchincloss and on parallels between their literary lives.

A reception will follow Mr. Hamill’s talk.

Space is limited and reservations are required:
917-492-3395 or e-mail programs@mcny.org.
$20 general admission; $15 for Museum members
$15 when you mention The Writing Life blog

Roxana Robinson at The Center for Fiction TONIGHT

Member Roxana Robinson joins fellow writers (and book critics) Lev Grossman, and Jane Ciabattari in this intriguing talk Fiction Writers/Book Critics: What Happens When You Do Both?. Moderated by Noreen Tomassi, Director at The Center for Fiction.

The Center for Fiction
Thursday, November 11, 7pm
RSVP

Meredith Bergmann's Sculpture

Member Meredith Bergmann is a poet and sculptor whose newest work, self-described "pseudo-public art", is now on exhibit at the Brooklyn Historical Society.

For the new exhibition Artist and Artifact: Re|Visioning Brooklyn’s Past, the museum asked artists, musicians and writers to explore the Society's collection for inspiration for original art work. Meredith found inspiration (and puzzlement) in the terracotta busts of (non-Brooklynites) Michelangelo, Shakespeare, Mozart, and Gutenberg that adorn the BHS building and in turn, created a bust of Sally Maria Diggs, a 19th century Brooklyn slave freed with the help of Henry Ward Beecher.

The exhibition is on now through December 16, 2010
The Brooklyn Historical Society
128 Pierrepont Street at Clinton Street

Open Mic Night III

So, The New York Society Library's Open Mic Night III is now just a memory, but what a night it was!

Big thanks go to our fabulous host, member Betsy Carter, who just happened to be celebrating the release of the paperback edition of her latest novel, The Puzzle King on the very same day.

As I know from past Open Mics, there are always a few last minute changes, and last night was no exception. Toni Schlesinger, (who hosted our 2nd Open Mic last March) kicked off the evening's readings - and while she was planning on reading narrative non-fiction that featured "apprehension, romance, murder, and the sea", instead she gave us a mariner's fictional diary that remarkably also included apprehension, romance, murder, and the sea!

We had a number of poets on the program. The Library's Poetry group leader, Jan C. Grossman, read from a manuscript in progress that featured a beautiful and graceful poem that was inspired by and written in our Members' Room. Phoebe Hoss's poems were inspired by the hearbreaking story of her son's struggle with schizophrenia and Alison Tung gave us a lesson in the form and rules of T'ang Dynasty poetry when sharing her poem Conservatory Garden-October. The Library's own Alan Behler (our newest Systems Assistant) celebrated his sister's wedding and channeled a 3rd grade memory into two poems from a work in progress.

The evening featured strong fiction - Jack Buchanan's cold war thriller The Rise of Stefan Gregorovic; Cary Barbor's novel in progress about a bodega owning Queens family; the forthcoming final book in Chris Evan's Iron Elves trilogy; Diana Altman's In Theda Bara's Tent; Carrie Cooperider's funny and clever work in progress titled Figures of Speech; and Pink, Hot Summer, the forthcoming follow-up to Ellen Liberty's first novel Heat, Gin, Despair. I'm usually thrilled when our member writers make connections, but what to make of this? Alas, meeting fellow writer Carrie Cooperider triggered Jack Buchanan's unfortunate childhood memories of corporal punishment at the hands of an Ohio schoolmaster named Cooperider. Carrie did own up to having family in Ohio, but we wisely didn't pursue it any further.

Jack Levin read from his monologue Terrifying, a reference to a description once given of his voice that was tempered by a kind soul who actually liked that voice enough to ask him to record her voicemail message. And believe it or not, in a totally unexpected coincidence, that "kind soul", playwright and NYSL member Cynthia (C.S.) Hanson just happened to be in the audience last night. Cynthia and husband Kent staged a reading of her comic play "Stalk Me, Baby" at our very first Open Mic!

And other surprises were in store...prolific children's author Robert Quackenbush managed to read his entire book - the 30 year old recently reissued book for young readers First Grade Jitters.

Victoria Reiter once again (remember Salvador Dali at Open Mic Night I?) wowed the audience with her memory piece Hollywood Party about the strange pairing of Milton Berle and Carl Sandburg. Laura J. Snyder admitted to being nervous reading her soon to be released The Philosophical Breakfast Club despite the fact that her day job is a Professor of Philosophy at St. John's. Surprisingly, only one memoir was presented last evening: Mary Catherine Bolster, one of our Memoir writing group members, read from a work in progress that she started as part of a writing program.

In addition to our amazingly talented member writers, a huge thanks also goes out to the Library staffers who helped make the evening such a success: Conservator George Munoz and Children's Library Assistant Ana Chiu made sure there were no A/V mishaps; Sara Holliday, our Events Coordinator extraordinaire worked the door and made sure there was plenty of liquid courage on hand; and Harry Abarca, as always, working behind the scenes to set up and break down the Members' Room so we could get as close as possible to a downtown "poetry slam" ambience in such a rarefied setting. And I can't forget our Head Librarian Mark Bartlett, who is always supportive whenever I propose yet another Writer Services "experiment".

Stacy Schiff on Cleopatra

Member Stacy Schiff kicks off The New York Society Library/Channel 13 Author Series with Cleopatra: A Life, her new book which has been garnering rave reviews.
This event is for Library Members and their guests.



Wednesday, November 10, 6:30pm
Kaye Playhouse, 695 Park Ave
$10
Registration

Andrew McCarthy at Strand Bookstore TONIGHT

Member Andrew McCarthy will be reading tonight at the Strand Bookstore from the new Lonely Planet anthology A Moveable Feast; Life-Changing Food Adventures Around the World.


An actor turned writer, Andrew's travel writing has appeared in Bon Appetit, Travel + Leisure, National Geographic Travel, and Afar, among others. He has been named the Lowell Thomas 2010 Travel Journalist of the Year by the Society of American Travel Writers.

Strand Bookstore
828 Broadway at 12th St.
7pm, Free
Info

Adam Gopnik at the Met TONIGHT

Member Adam Gopnik discusses J.D. Salinger and the City at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.


Tuesday, November 9, 2010, 6:00 PM
Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium
$25.00
tickets

Ellen Feldman at NYPL

Member Ellen Feldman joins biographer Hazel Rowley in a talk at NYPL: FDR, Eleanor, Lucy: A Great President, A Brilliant Political Marriage, A Tragic Love Affair






Tuesday, November 9, 4pm
The New York Public Library
Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, South Court Auditorium
Free!

Susan Cheever on Louisa May Alcott TONIGHT at the Library

Bestselling author and Library member Susan Cheever will discuss the life and work of Louisa May Alcott, the subject of her latest book.

Wednesday, November 3, 6:30 pm
The New York Society Library, Members' Room
$10 with advance registration/$15 at the door
This event is open to the public.

Katharine Davis at The Center for Fiction Tonight

Those of you participating in The New York Society Library's writing groups know what a rich experience the support, encouragement, and feedback of your fellow writers can be.

Tonight, member Katharine Davis (pictured upper left, author of East Hope and A Slender Thread), along with Carolyn Parkhurst, Susan Coll, and Ann McLaughlin, will be discussing how their own long-running writing group has affected their work and their lives.

The Center for Fiction
17 E. 47th Street
TONIGHT, Tuesday, October 26, 7pm
Click here for more info and to RSVP

Michael Bergmann's Milk and Money

The New York Times calls it a "daffy enjoyable little film from 1996", a nonsensical story that centers on a medical-school dropout named David (Robert Petkoff), who seems to have a knack for standing on New York City sidewalks and having odd things involving gorgeous women happen to him. Member Michael Bergmann wrote and directed this treat which also features Calista Flockhart, Robert Vaughn, Olympia Dukakis, and Peter Boyle.


And Michael has arranged a special deal for Library members - if you mention The New York Society Library on Wednesday (10/27) or Thursday (10/28), you'll get $3 off the ticket price!

Big Cinemas Manhattan, 239 E. 59th Street
Today through Thursday, Oct 28, 8pm
$12 ($9 Wed, Thur if you mention the Library)
For tickets and theater information, click here.

Heller Levinson at Tillies's in Brooklyn Tonight

Member Heller Levinson and Carol Novack will be the featured readers for tonight's Brownstone Poets Reading Series at Tillie's of Brooklyn. The evening starts with an Open Mic (sign up starts at 6:45 pm).

The Brownstone Poets Reading Series
Tillie's of Brooklyn
248 DeKalb Avenue
Tuesday, October 19, 7 pm
$3
information here

Janet Elder at the Corner Bookstore

Member Janet Elder reads from her new book Huck: The Remarkable True Story of How One Lost Puppy Taught a Family--and a Whole Town--about Hope and Happy Endings tonight at the Corner Bookstore.

Oh, and did you catch her star turn on the David Letterman show? Watch it here.


The Corner Bookstore
1313 Madison Avenue
Tuesday, October 12, 6PM, Free
More information on Janet's website

and this is the adorable HUCK:

Shirley Hazzard TONIGHT at the Library

Our own incomparable member and trustee Shirley Hazzard will discuss her work, views, and travels with Robert Harrison tonight in the Members' Room.

Shirley Hazzard is one of the world's most gifted and acclaimed writers. Her eleven books include the 2004 National Book Award winning The Great Fire, The Transit of Venus, and The Bay of Noon.

The New York Society Library
53 E. 79th Street
Members' Room, 6:30PM
$10 advance registration/$15 at the door

Jan Grossman Poetry Reading TODAY

Member Jan Grossman will be reading from her poetry at the

New York Public Library
96th Street Branch (between Park and Lexington)
Thursday, Sept 30
5:30 PM, FREE
more information here

New art exhibit features poems by Esther Cohen

Member Esther Cohen's poems grace a new art exhibit at the Brooklyn Historical Society.

PAINTING BROOKLYN STORIES of IMMIGRATION AND SURVIVAL, curated by painter Nina Talbot, features paintings, oral histories, poetry and personal effects that tell the stories of individuals who have immigrated to Brooklyn.



Brooklyn Historical Society
128 Pierrepont Street
Sept 17, 2010 through Feb 27, 2011

Simon Van Booy Reading TONIGHT

Member Simon Van Booy will be presenting his new Philosophy series and reading from his new book Why Our Decisions Don't Matter.

McNally Jackson Books
52 Prince Street
TONIGHT, 7pm, Free.

Simon's author website here