Book Events for Oct. 14

Louisiana Book Festival needs your help

The Louisiana Book Festival needs you! Join in the fun and experience the Louisiana Book Festival from within by volunteering.

Louisiana’s world-class celebration of readers, writers and their books is 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27. This nationally recognized literary event is free and will take place in the heart of Baton Rouge at the State Library of Louisiana, Louisiana State Capitol, Capitol Park Museum and in tents on neighboring streets.

Volunteers are essential to the festival’s success. Whether it is escorting the festival’s authors, serving as room monitors in the Capitol during panel discussions and author book talks or working with children in the Young Readers Pavilion, your help is needed. If you are interested in volunteering and would like more information about the Festival as well as volunteer opportunities, visit http://www.LouisianaBookFestival.org and scroll down to the volunteer section.

For more information or to sign up, please email [e-mail] or call [phone].

The Louisiana Book Festival, free and open to the public, is featuring more than 150 authors and panelists discussing their books; the Young Readers Pavilion, where children and parents will enjoy storytelling performances; and a wide variety of book-related activities, exhibitions and other performances.

Gaines winner named MacArthur fellow

Dinaw Mengestu, last year’s winner of the Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence, has been chosen by the MacArthur Foundation as one of its 23 Fellows for 2012, an honor that earns him $500,000 over five years to pursue his work as a writer, journalist and teacher.

Mengestu won the 2011 Gaines Award, an annual prize of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation to the best novel written by a rising African-American writer. The award encourages African-American writers and honors Ernest J. Gaines, a Louisiana native who is among the best writers of his generation.

Gaines, who is a resident of Oscar, is best known for The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman. His novel, A Lesson Before Dying, won the 1993 National Book Critics Circle Award for fiction. Gaines is a MacArthur Fellow as well.

Mengestu won the Gaines award for How to Read the Air. He accepted the award in January, when his week in Baton Rouge included teaching writing at local schools.

Martin to review
for Phi Beta Kappa

Academic Honor Society Phi Beta Kappa has named Katheryn J., Lewis C., and Benjamin Price Professor of History Benjamin Franklin Martin as a book critic for the “Life of the Mind” program in The Key Reporter, the organization’s national publication for members. Martin is the first professor from LSU to be selected for this prestigious honor by Phi Beta Kappa.

To be considered for the program, a reviewer must be a resident member of Phi Beta Kappa at a chapter-sheltering institution and is asked to submit samples of previously published reviews as part of our screening process. There are about 30 reviewers nationwide writing for the program.

Book reviews for the “Life of the Mind” program will be published by Phi Beta Kappa in The Key Reporter online, a new and expanded version of the national quarterly. The site is in development and will launch this fall.

The LSU chapter of Phi Beta Kappa’s was installed in 1977.

Martin was elected to Phi Beta Kappa in 1969 at Davidson College (Gamma of North Carolina), where he graduated in 1969. He earned his Ph.D. in European history in 1974 from the University of North Carolina.

Martin has reviewed books for a number of publications, including American Historical Review, The European Legacy: Toward New Paradigms, Business History Review, The Historian and The Advocate, among others.

Lunchtime Lagniappe

Author Anne Butler will talk about “Main Streets of Louisiana” during Lunchtime Lagniappe at noon Wednesday, Oct. 17, at Capitol Park Museum, 660 N. Fourth St. in downtown Baton Rouge. In this, Louisiana’s Bicentennial year, UL Press released a new book celebrating some of the state’s most historic and picturesque downtown areas. Butler speaks about these streets and her passion for preserving Louisiana’s vanishing landscapes. The program is free and open to public. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lunch and may come and go as their schedules require. The Louisiana State Museum Friends will have refreshments available for a small donation. The museum is wheelchair accessible. For more information, visit http://www.crt.state.la.us/museum.

EBR Parish Library

The fourth annual Community History Festival will be held 10 am.-2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, at the Pride-Chaneyville branch, 13600 Pride-Port Hudson Road in Pride. The Louisiana Country Store is the theme of this year’s festival.

Country stores were found in many Louisiana communities and were social gathering places from the late 1800s through the 1940s. Special events will include mini-omelets prepared by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture Poultry and Egg Division, a Louisiana foods cooking and tasting demonstration provided by Louisiana Culinary Institute, and live farm animals and livestock from the LSU AgCenter. Music will be provided by the Louisiana Dulcimer Society and the Greater Philadelphia Baptist Church VIP Singers. By popular demand, the “Old-Fashioned Cake Walk” will be there. Children will enjoy a special appearance by Smokey the Bear from the Louisiana Office of Forestry and The Little Red Hen puppet performance.

For more information, call [phone].

If you’re interested in genealogy and getting deeper with your research, join the staff at the Bluebonnet Regional branch, 9200 Bluebonnet Blvd., at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16, for a webinar focusing on Genealogy Orienteering. For more information, call [phone].

Learn how to search Ancestry.com and other Louisiana genealogy resources at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, at the Carver branch, 720 Terrace St. Get hands-on practice searching for your own family tree. For more information, call [phone].

Book clubs:

•  Book Bunch will meet at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16, at the Zachary branch, 1900 Church St. Members will try to solve crimes with their favorite mystery characters. Join them as they discuss their favorite mystery series and books. For more information or to register, call [phone].
•  Carver Book Club will meet at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16, at Carver branch, 720 Terrace St. Members will discuss Blink by Malcolm Gladwell.
•  JCR Book Club will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16, at Jones Creek Regional branch, 6222 Jones Creek Road. Members will discuss Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain.
•  Bluebonnet Book Club will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17, at Bluebonnet Regional branch, 9200 Bluebonnet Blvd. Members will discuss Welding with Children by Tim Gautreaux.
•  Delmont Book Club will meet at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, at Delmont Gardens branch, 3351 Lorraine St. members will discuss This Bitter Earth by Bernice McFadden.
•  Eden Park Book Club will meet at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, at Eden Park branch, 5131 Greenwell Springs Road. Members will discuss Don’t Blame the Devil by Pat G’Orge-Walker.

Livingston Parish Library

Young Writers Club will meet 5-6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16, at Denham Springs-Walker branch, 8101 U.S. 190 in Denham Springs. The club is open to anyone between the ages of 10 and 17. The goal of the club is to write for both publication and performance. Young writers are encouraged to explore their writing interests and develop their voice and style through collaborative activities.

For more information, call the Denham Springs-Walker branch at [phone].

Book club:

•  Eclectic Book Club will meet 6:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16, at Denham Springs-Walker branch, 8101 U.S. 190 in Denham Springs. Members will discuss The Gate To Women’s Country by Sheri S. Tepper.

Ascension Parish Library

Do you like spooky tales, shivers running down your spine? If the answer is yes, Ascension Parish Library has the program for you! The Creepy Carnival Goosebumps Party will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, at the Dutchtown branch, 13278 La. 73 in Geismar. Booths will include a witch hat ring toss, an eyeball toss, a photo booth and for the crafty, a design your own mummy pin. This program is intended for children in grades 2 through 5, but all interested children are welcome to attend. Register by calling [phone].

Have you ever wondered what is buried beneath those strange looking mounds on LSU’s campus? If so, then you will want to attend Rob Mann’s presentation, Recent Archaeological Excavations at the LSU Campus Mounds, at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18 at the Galvez branch, 40300 La. 42 in Prairieville. Mann is Louisiana’s Southeast Regional Archaeologist, and he will share the findings of his team’s most recent dig at the mounds. The LSU Mounds, which date back approximately 6,000 years, are some of the oldest Native American mounds found in the country, and they are located on the northwest corner of the LSU campus. Call [phone] to register for this program.

Iberville Parish Library

Book Club:

n Oak Tree Readers will meet at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, at the Plaquemine branch, 24605 J. Gerald Berret Blvd. in Plaquemine. Members will discuss Dixie City Jam by James Lee Burke.

Lafayette Public Library

Author Camilla (Molly) Hunt Cole, a Lafayette resident since the 1960s, will discuss her debut novel Mesquite and talk about her journey from English instructor to published novelist at a program 3-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14, at the Alexandre Mouton House/Lafayette Museum, 1122 Lafayette St. For information, call [phone].

David Palmer, the Regional Archaeologist for Southwestern Louisiana at UL Lafayette, directed an investigation of 16SL9 (Swayze Lake Mound) this past summer. He will discuss what was found at a presentation 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16, at North Regional branch, 5101 N. University Ave. in Carencro, and 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17, at South Regional branch, 6101 Johnston St. in Lafayette. Swayze Lake Mound is a small mound with associated midden (ancient trash deposits) on timber land in northeastern St. Landry Parish.

Book club:

•  SRL Sleuths Mystery Book Club will meet 6:30-7:45 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16, at South Regional branch, 6101 Johnston St. in Lafayette. Members will discuss Relic by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child.

Jefferson Parish Library

The Fiction Writers Group will meet 7-9 p.m. Monday, Oct. 15, at East Bank Regional branch, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie. The Fiction Writers Group is a weekly meeting for serious writers of fiction; those whose goal is to be published. Sessions involve critiques of group members who have made submissions, as well as presentations by local authors who are published. Call [phone]

Local genealogical groups and associations will hold a fair 9 a.m.-noon, Saturday, Oct. 20, at West Bank Regional branch, 2751 Manhattan Blvd., Harvey. Experts will offer advice to help patrons find their roots. The event is free and open to the public. No registration is required. Call [phone].

GNO Chapter of Louisiana Poetry Society will meet 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, at Old Metairie Branch 2350 Metairie Road, Metairie. There will be a poetry workshop, poetry readings and discussions for poetry lovers.

The monthly meeting of the Southern Louisiana Chapter of the Romance Writers of America will be 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Oct. 20, at East Bank Regional branch, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie. A guest speaker will discusses writing, editing and publishing. Call [phone].

Book club:

•  Great Books Discussion Club will meet 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18, at East Bank Regional branch, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie. Members will discuss Frankenstein by Mary Shelley.

New Orleans Public Library

The 3rd Annual New Orleans Children’s Book Festival will be held Friday and Saturday, Oct. 19-20, at Milton H Latter branch, 5120 St. Charles Ave. in New Orleans. The festival kicks off with Twinkle, Twinkle: A Night of Music Inspired by Children’s Literature 6:30-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19, with the Youth Orchestra playing music inspired by children’s literature.

The concert is on the lawn of the Latter branch. Bring picnic blankets and baskets for a night of music and magic under the stars. Beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, and lasting through 2 p.m., the free festival features storytelling, live music, food, and fun activities for kids of all ages. Contact [e-mail].

Author Night at Hubbell will feature Phil Sandusky, author of New Orleans Impressionist Cityscapes: The Allure of the Image. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16, at the Hubbell branch, 225 Morgan St. in New Orleans.

New Orleans Haiku Society meets 6-7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 15, at Milton H. Latter branch, 5120 St. Charles Ave. Everyone is welcome. Call [phone].

Writing Workshops Led by Youths (ages 12-17) meets 5:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18, at Norman Mayer Library, 3001 Gentilly Blvd. in New Orleans. The groups’ theme is “Think Outside the Box: Encouraging creative arts exploration through reading, engaging discussions, and group activities.” Call [phone].

Book clubs:

•  Share a Read Book Club will meet 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, at African American Resource Center, 219 Loyola Ave. in New Orleans. Members will discuss The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. Call [phone]
•  Booked for Murder Book Club will meet at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18, at Norman Mayer Library, 3001 Gentilly Blvd. Call [phone].

St. Charles Parish Library

Book club:

•  Book Discussion Group will meet 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16, at East Regional branch, 160 W. Campus Drive, Destrehan. Members will discuss Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See. Call [phone].

St. Tammany Parish Library

To celebrate Family History Month, the library is hosting a Genealogy Social 6-7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 15, at the Covington Branch Library, 310 W. 21st Ave., Covington. Ashley Biggs, Genealogy Librarian, is holding the gathering for anyone interested in genealogical research. A short tour of the Louisiana and Genealogy Room will introduce beginners to the genealogy collection and research tools. The event, which will include light refreshments, is free and open to the public, and registration is recommended. Call [phone].

Author R. T. Tulley combines beautiful photographs and detailed information about Louisiana’s Audubon Golf Trail in his new book Louisiana Golfer’s Paradise: The Audubon Golf Trail. The book covers all aspects of the Audubon Golf Trail, including information about each golf course, their architects, and descriptions of notable holes. Tulley will present his book and sign copies, 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16, at the Slidell branch, 555 Robert Blvd., Slidell. The event is free and open to the public, and registration is recommended. Seating space is limited to adults. Light refreshments will be available. Call [phone] to register.

Book clubs:

•  Lit Wits Book Club will meet 10:30 a.m.-noon, Monday, Oct. 15, at Abita Springs branch, 71683 Leveson St., Abita Springs. Call [phone].
•  Book Club for Ages 8-11 will meet at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17, at the Slidell branch, 555 Robert Blvd. in Slidell. Members will discuss All Star! Honus Wagner by Jane Yolen. Call [phone].
•  Dogeared Readers Book Club will meet 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17, at the Covington Branch, 310 W. 21st Ave., Covington. Call [phone].
•  Pizza & Pages Teen Book Club will meet at 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18, at the Bush branch, 81597 La. 41 in Bush. Call [phone].

Confessions Weekend

Confessions Weekend 2012 will bring Kiwan Fitch to Baton Rouge Friday-Saturday, Oct. 19-20. Fitch, author of Confessions of a Welfare Mom, will begin the weekend with a Meet and Greet at the Renaissance Hotel on Bluebonnet 7-9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19. On Saturday, a Mother/ Daughter Brunch will be held at the Perkins Road BREC, 7122 Perkins Road.

Signings

Randy Harelson and Brian Costello, authors of New Roads and Old Rivers: Louisiana’s Historic Point Coupee Parish, will sign copies of their book at 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14, at the Baton Rouge Gallery, 1442 City Park Ave.

Michael Allen Zell, author of Errata, will sign copies of his book at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16, at Octavia Books, 513 Octavia St. in New Orleans.

Dianne de Las Casas author of Beware, Beware of the Big Bad Bear, will sign copies of her book at book launch parties at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18, at Barnes & Noble Metairie, 3721 Veterans Blvd., Metairie, and 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, at Westbank Barnes & Noble, 1601B West Bank Expressway, Harvey.

Michael Allen Zell, author of Errata, will sign copies of his book 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17, at Maple Street Book Shop, 2372 St. Claude Ave. in New Orleans and at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19, at Maple Street Books Bayou St. John location, 3141 Ponce de Leon in New Orleans.

TaRhonda White, author of The Will to Carry On: Challenges of Young Athletes, will sign copies of her book at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, at Barnes & Noble, 2590 CitiPlace Court.

Allyn Stotz, author of The Pea in Peanut Butter, will sign copies of her book at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, at Barnes & Noble Premier Center II, 3414 U.S. 190 Suite 10, Mandeville.

Rebecca and Ed Emberley, authors and illustrators of The Ant And The Grasshopper, will sign copies of their book at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, at Octavia Books, 513 Octavia St.

Deborah Lynne, author of Testimony of Innocence, will sign copies of her book at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, at Barnes & Noble Premier Center II, 3414 U.S. 190, Suite 10, Mandeville.

Photographer Josephine Sacabo and poet Dalt Wonk, authors of Nocturnes, will sign copies of their book 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, at Crescent City Books, 230 Chartres St. in New Orleans.

Johnette Downing, author of Why the Possum has a Large Grin, will appear in concert at Boo at the Zoo at Audubon Zoo in New Orleans 6:45-7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19; 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, at Monster Mash, Covington; 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, at the Jr. Ranger CD Release Party at the Old U.S. Mint in New Orleans; and 7:45-8:30 p.m. at Boo at the Zoo at Audubon Zoo in New Orleans.

Items for Book Events were provided by the Louisiana Book Festival, Baton Rouge Area Foundation, LSU Media Relations, Louisiana State Museum, East Baton Rouge Parish Library, Livingston Parish Library, Ascension Parish Library, Iberville Parish Library, Lafayette Public Library, Jefferson Parish Library, New Orleans Public Library, St. Charles Parish Library, St. Tammany Parish Library and Barnes & Noble.