The Big Read has returned to the Caldwells! Get Ready!

With the hanging of The Big Read banners on our Carnegie Library exterior, and now the unveiling of the poster proclaiming four of our hallmark events this afternoon, we are READY! As to the poster, let us first express our never-ending gratitude to Mount Saint Dominic Academy art teacher, artist and friend extraordinaire, Linda Picini Stewart, for creating the art - and to our friends at Caldwell LIVE for assisting us in the production. (Linda does NOT usually use her maiden name, but, we like to give credit to her mom and dad - the PICINIS - in addition to her lovely husband, Michael, whenever we are able.)
Anyway, please add our list of events to your favorites right now - and join us next Friday, February 12, 2010 at 7 p.m. as we celebrate Abraham's Lincoln's birthday in a very special way - as a "preview" to The Big Read of Longfellow. Seton Hall Prep educator, and West Caldwell resident, John Pascal will be sharing with us stories about "the man who made Lincoln laugh" - Artemus Ward. His program will be enjoyable - and the birthday treats created by the culinary students at Essex Vo-Tech, West Caldwell campus, will be delicious as well! See you on the 12th, if not before.

Author Brad Parks on The Power of Storytelling

On Tuesday, January 26, author Brad Parks will be speaking at Caldwell College's Werner Hall at 7pm. This presentation by the former Washington Post and Star Ledger reporter is part of an ongoing collaboration among the Caldwell Public Library, Caldwell College and Mount St. Dominic Academy.

Parks, the author of a new mystery series set in New Jersey, will give a talk entitled “The Power of Storytelling: A Writer’s Journey from Journalist to Novelist,” that will touch on both his fiction and non-fiction work.

A book-signing of his new book, “Faces of The Gone” will immediately follow the talk. Copies will be available for purchase that evening.

The program is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Karen Kleppe-Lembo at (973) 226-2837.

About the Author: Brad Parks’ debut novel, a mystery/thriller titled FACES OF THE GONE, was released from St. Martin’s Press on December 8, 2009. A reformed newspaper reporter, Brad spent a dozen years covering news and sports for The Star-Ledger and The Washington Post. His work has been recognized by the Associated Press Sports Editors, the National Headliner Awards, the National Association of Black Journalists and others. Most recently, he won the New Jersey Press Association's enterprise award for a four-part series on the 40th Anniversary of the Newark Riots.

A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Dartmouth College, he lives with his wife, Melissa, and two young children and is currently at work on the next Carter Ross adventure. www.bradparksbooks.com.