Central Kansas Library System

One of the very few among the world's great novels which may be properly described as a wholly finished work of art. Universally acclaimed as the greatest novel about the heart, mind, soul of a woman.

Reverend John Ames is dying in 1956 in Gilead, Iowa. Glory Boughton has returned to care for her dying father and soon her brother, Jack, the prodigal son, comes home, too. As the Reverend John Ames approaches the hour of his own death, he writes a letter to his son chronicling three previous generations of his family, a story that stretches back to the Civil War and reveals uncomfortable family secrets. In 1956, toward the end of Reverend John Ames's...

Kaye Gibbons joins Elissa Schappell to discuss The Life All Around Me, the sequel to her novel Ellen Foster. Andrea Marcovicci reads an excerpt.

Michael Cunningham (The Hours) sits down with Stacey D'Erasmo to discuss his novel Specimen Days. Isaiah Sheffer reads an excerpt.

Brian Jacques joins Jon Scziezka (The Time Warp Trio) to discuss Eulalia!, the latest in the Redwall series of novels.

New York Times best-selling author Cornelia Funke makes a rare appearance to talk about the stunning conclusion to the beloved Inkheart trilogy, a thrilling adventure series. Co-presented with Bank Street Bookstore, Thalia Kids' Book Club events are lively talks between children's book authors and their fans (ages 9-12) plus one event for teens. Each event includes a creative writing project, a free-wheeling discussion with the audience, and a book...

Judith Jones and Alex Prud'homme discuss and read from their kitchen-based memoirs: Prud'homme's My Life in Food and Jones's My Life In Paris (co-authored by Prud'homme and Julia Child).

Richard Ford joins Isaiah Sheffer to discuss his novels The Sportswriter, Independence Day, and The Lay of the Land. David Strathairn (Good Night and Good Luck, Temple Grandin, Lincoln) reads excerpts from Ford's works.

Amy Bloom sits down with Isaiah Sheffer to discuss her book, Away. Jill Eikenberry reads an excerpt from the book.

Two-time Newbery Medal winner Gary Schmidt talks about the frequently comic mishaps and adventures of a 12-year-old Long Island boy in the Vietnam era. Actor Khris Lewin performs an excerpt from the book. Co-presented with Bank Street Bookstore. Thalia Kids' Book Club events are lively talks between children's book authors and their fans (ages 9-12), plus one event for teens. Each event includes a creative writing project, a free-wheeling discussion...