For East Meadow readers, fall brings more than changing leaves — it brings new stories to discover, authors to meet and fresh reasons to talk about books. The East Meadow Public Library has two book-centered events planned for the season, including a festival celebrating Long Island authors and a discussion of a bestselling mystery narrated in part by a remarkably perceptive octopus. Readers can also use the library’s website to preview anticipated titles and reserve them before they reach the shelves.
Here are three things book lovers should know this fall.
The East Meadow Public Library will celebrate the region’s literary talent during its Long Island Author Festival on Nov. 14 from 1 to 4 p.m.
The festival will give readers an opportunity to meet local authors, discover their books and hear them discuss their work or read selections from it. Attendees will also be able to purchase books and have them signed following the presentations.
The event is intended to help connect writers with readers in an industry in which authors often face challenges promoting their work and finding an audience. The afternoon will bring authors and book lovers together for stories, conversation and a celebration of Long Island’s writing community.
Long Island authors interested in participating in the festival can email readerservices@eastmeadow.info for more information.
The Evening Book Discussion will turn its attention to Shelby Van Pelt’s “Remarkably Bright Creatures” on Oct. 27 at 7 p.m.
The novel follows Tova Sullivan, a widow who works the night shift cleaning the fictional Sowell Bay Aquarium. More than 30 years after her 18-year-old son, Erik, disappeared during a boat trip in Puget Sound, Tova continues to cope with the loss by keeping herself busy.
At the aquarium, she develops an unlikely friendship with Marcellus, an intelligent and curmudgeonly giant Pacific octopus. Marcellus knows more about Erik’s disappearance than anyone realizes and sets out to uncover the truth before his time runs out.
Van Pelt’s debut novel blends mystery, grief, friendship and hope, with portions of the story told from Marcellus’ perspective.
Registration opens Oct. 1 at 9:30 a.m. Readers can register online or call (516) 794-2570, option 3. The e-book and audiobook are available through Nassau Digital Doorway, and the e-book can also be borrowed through hoopla.
Readers who do not want to miss the next highly anticipated release can visit the library’s “Coming Soon to Our Library” webpage.
The regularly updated feature spotlights forthcoming books expected to join the library’s collection, with titles organized by release month. Readers can click on individual book covers to view reviews and learn more about each selection.
Many of the titles can be reserved before physical copies arrive, allowing patrons to join the waitlist early for books likely to be in high demand. The page currently includes releases expected in September, October and beyond, making it a helpful tool for planning a fall reading list — and ensuring another book is ready when it is time to turn the final page.
