This Lecture Is For Your Own Good
The other day I sat down at my computer to view/listen to Professor Randy Pausch’s now famous “last lecture,” delivered in 2007 at Carnegie Mellon University, from which he retired after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. A young man with a family and beloved by his students and faculty alike, Pausch entitled his lecture, “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams.” He spoke for 120 minutes with infectious, gleeful energy about his childhood, the achievement of his own dreams, and how to … Continue reading
Grendel Invades the Halls of Bernardsville Library!
Saturday Samplers, a book discussion group meeting at Bernardsville Public Library, will take on Grendel, a masterpiece of modern fiction by John Gardner, at its next meeting this Saturday, June 7th at 3:30 p.m. John Gardner was a medievalist, college professor, mentor to many authors, and a highly noted author himself. Some of his famous works include October Light, Nickel Mountain, The Sunlight Dialogues, and his last work, Mickelsson’s Ghosts, written just before he died in a motorcycle accident while … Continue reading
2008 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction
Junot Diaz’s debut novel, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, was recently awarded the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. A native of the Dominican Republic, Diaz is the recipient of numerous awards for his earlier collection of stories, entitled Drown. A graduate of Rutgers and having earned an MFA from Cornell, Junot Diaz is currently a professor at MIT. In awarding the prize, the Pulitzer Board states, “Diaz immerses us in the tumultuous life of Oscar and the history … Continue reading
ZZ Packer’s Short Stories To Be Discussed
The library’s book discussion group, Saturday Samplers, is now reading ZZ Packer’s short story collection, Drinking Coffee Elsewhere. ZZ Packer’s debut collection of short fiction has won numerous awards and international acclaim and is an enjoyable, thought-provoking read. Comprised of eight stories filled with lacerating wit, insight and memorable characters, this collection should inspire an interesting discussion when Saturday Samplers meets next Saturday, May 3rd, at 3:30 p.m. Copies of Drinking Coffee Elsewhere are available at the circulation desk, and … Continue reading
Philip Roth on Writing
To learn more about Philip Roth and The Plot Against America, watch this PBS video.
Born on This Day – Philip Roth
Bernardsville Public Library celebrates the 75th birthday of New Jersey-born author, Philip Roth, with a special book discussion of his 2004 novel, The Plot Against America. This event begins today right here on the Book News and More blog. Discussion topics will be posted by the library staff, and you are encouraged to share your comments and thoughts with us. Join New Jersey readers in the discussion of the “One Book New Jersey” title for 2008, The Plot Against America. … Continue reading
