Thad Hartman and Lissa Staley host a roundtable discussion with our guests around an engaging and interesting topic — Great Summer Reads!

Listen now, download the mp3, or subscribe to “Hush: a podcast from your library” through iTunes.

Great Summer Reads

Our guests this episode include Kathy Jennings, Stephanie Hall, Kelli Smith, Brian Adams and Cadie Maas to share their recommendations for great summer reads.

Books mentioned

Check out these great books and more from http://catalog.tscpl.org

• Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger
• Paris by Edward Rutherford
• Mary Coin by Marisa Silver
• Bright Forever by Lee Martin
• Island of the Sequined Love Nun by Christopher Moore
• Pulp Detective Fiction like the Hard Case Crime series
• Downloading audiobooks from the library’s Overdrive service http://ebooks.tscpl.org
• Corralled by Lorelei James # 1 in the Blacktop Cowboys series
• Saddled and Spurred by Lorelei James #2 in the Blacktop Cowboys series
• Flat-Out Sexy by Erin McCarthy # 1 in the Fast Track Series
• Hard and Fast by Erin McCarthy # 2 in the Fast Track Series
• Audiobooks by Rachel Gibson
• The Reluctant Assassin by Eoin Colfer
• Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card

 Your turn to talk

If you have questions, comments or suggestions for future topics please comment on our blog post or send us an email at podcast@tscpl.org.

Read SpeakEasy Chapter 6 by A. M. Coffee and BlackRose or learn more about the Community Novel Project

An Interview with A. M. Coffee

A. M. Coffee

Why did you want to participate in the Community Novel Project?

I so enjoyed the opportunity to participate in such a project with my fellow NaNoWriMoers for the first time in 2012. After working with them for so many years on our own individual novels every November, I felt it would be a great experience to put our heads together once again and create a new world of imaginative writing in unity. It was great to see how one author could elaborate on the previous chapters of other authors and write from their mind-field of imagination to bring about a completed novel.

 What do you like about the premise and characters of this year’s Community Novel Project Speak Easy? What challenges you about them?

Actually when I first received the premise I snarled because of the unknown about Speakeasies and the Prohibition era but after researching (abundantly) I found it to be more interesting to attempt although it became my downfall because I became so interested in the research/resources that I struggled with time for writing my chapter. Every character sparked appeal with me whether they were positive or negative; they were well-written.

 What was your first reaction when you saw the chapter before yours?

My first reaction to the chapter(s) before me was exhilarating. I found myself wanting to continue on—curious as to what would happen next after reading each. I thought, “This one is going to be awesome!!!”

What is your favorite and least favorite addition that you contributed to this novel in your chapter?

My favorite addition was having the opportunity to begin telling Julia’s story (begin her secrets) yet at the same time it was a challenge to search, divide, and conquer the many directions being explored that tangled in my head. My least favorite but achieved addition was writing in particular “Point of View” – since the novel is being written this year in the third person limited to Ronni’s perspective

What do you hope happens or doesn’t happen in the chapters that come after yours?

My hope is that Pete & Ronni fall in love in the most romantic way. Charles is literally, “kicked to the curb” and discovered to be the villain. Most of all I hope that the relationship between Julia & Ronni creates growth & increase in wisdom for Julia along with restoration from guilt on Julia’s part somehow.

How did you write your chapter – in a burst of inspiration or carefully outlined?

Bursting all over the place is how I wrote this chapter. Outlines are challenges for me. Besides I enjoy letting my mind-field pop-up with variance which I’m allowed to do so without outlines.

Any memorable stories to share about your writing experience?

What will be memorable to me is the opportunity to co-write this chapter with my sister, Talisha Harden-Mallory who is a self-published author. I truly loved how we worked together to bring about this chapter. Because of my research, I had to incorporate her assistance. I read aloud the chapters prior in about 2 ½ – 3 hours while my sister and I wrote out our thoughts, which were many.

What have you learned about writing fiction from participating in this project?

Fiction is not always less challenging because it is creative writing. Although the writing is made up from your own imaginations you can come to some temporary critical stopping points to figure out your next step. I do love the battles in the mind of each character that steps forward and yells as if they want to be the center of attention…LOL!

What is your writing background? What do you usually write? How was this project different?

I started writing poetry at the age of 13. At age 15, my poem “Heartbroken” was published in a book after winning a contest. I then only wrote in my dairy and later journals about my life. They would be so detailed yet healing. It has been my dream to write and become a best-selling author since taking a creative writing class in early years of 2000 where I was informed by my instructor of my talent. I have made attempts at writing inspirational, spiritual/humorous, adventure, autobiographical/biographical, and dabbled in realistic fiction novel. In 2004 I then joined and attempted NaNoWriMo.org (50,000 words in 30 days) in 2005 where I have become a winner in 2011 & 2012.

Antonette Coffee has resided in Topeka for 23 years; married for 18 year to Don. Together they have six children and four grandchildren. Beginning her writing at the age of 14, inspired by her life experiences and faith, she won a poetry contest for “Heartbroken” at the age of 15 which gave her more inspiration. She has led teenage book reads at her local library; takes the opportunity to mentor to young people by volunteering at local community centers coaching volleyball; and teaches Youth Adult Sunday School at the church she attends. Antonette has participated in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) since 2005–winning in 2011 & 2012. Antonette also coauthored & participated in the 2012 Community Novel Project.

An Interview with BlackRose

BlackRose

Why did you want to participate in the Community Novel Project?

That answer is simple–I joined this year’s Community Novel Project because my sister A.M. Coffee participated last year. It was fun working together, our first sister girl project.

 What is your writing background? What do you usually write? How was this project different?

So, what is my writing background?So far I have published seven books under the BlackRose Presents: label. God is awesome if you ask me.

What do I usually write?  That is a doozy because I started off writing poetry, of course, and then I slowly but surely moved on to short stories. Before you knew it, my friends and family were pushing me to complete a book. I had started years ago when I entered NaNoWriMo, I just never completed the book in those thirty days, so I sat on it. Some years later I pulled it out of the notebook and completed it. That was the first book I published.  My genre is normaly urban fiction but I also write erotica. One thing I learned how to do while writing that I found to be awesome and that was writing emotion.

How was this project different?  This project for me was different in a way because I’ve never written anything as far back as the 1920’s. With doing research and learning new things it was fun, plus I got to do it with my sister. 

Writing I look at as a gift and like I tell everyone I run across “GOD Gave Us Gifts & How We Use Them Is Entirely Up 2 Us” –something I live by…

 BlackRose Have you ever felt like you were born to accomplish at least one goal in your life…? Have you ever felt like life was taking you nowhere fast…? Well, I’ve felt that way time and time again but God blessed me with a gift and that gift was to create images with a pen. Some people do it on canvases, some do it with scrap metal but I have been blessed to do it by pen. I thank God for my gift daily. With my gift I have created masterpieces…*Deception*, *Deception: The Other Side*, *Lesbian: Come Walk With Me* and *Sextasies*. Now I bring to you a different side to things with *Thug’s Intuition*. I enjoy writing because this is what I do best. I’ve even showcased some of my poetry in *The Poetic Lounge Volume 3* and just recently me and a friend attacked a huge project together *Looking For Love In All The Wrong Places* this one is brilliant I must say. Last but not least I just got a ban of friends together for my last release *Friends Of A Feather* which was released Dec. 25th of 2012. I spend all my leisure time either with my children and or spilling ink and when I’m not spilling ink I enjoy helping out family and friends. This is just a little something about me and if you wanna know more please visit my website at www.tmallory.webs.com.

About SpeakEasy

• SpeakEasy is the 2013 Community Novel Project of the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library. Read more about the project including the premise, behind the scenes, and the book launch party.
• Read online, download to your ereader or listen to the audiobook version.
• A new chapter by a new Topeka author each week at tscpl.org/community-novel.

Downloading SpeakEasy Chapter 6 by A. M. Coffee and BlackRose

Download the ebook to read in the format of your choice:

• PDF (best for iPad and for printing)
• ePub (best for Nook and other ereaders)
• Mobi (best for Kindle)

Instructions for downloading and transferring these files to your Kindle, nook, iPad or other ereader.

Listen now, download the mp3, or subscribe to “SpeakEasy: 2013 Community Novel Project” through iTunes.

Read Online: SpeakEasy Chapter 6 by A. M. Coffee and BlackRose

Ronni arrived in Topeka within the hour and rushed across the manor parking lot, through the door, and finally stood in front of the nurse’s station, breathing heavily. “Where can I find Nurse Lydia?” she wheezed.

The nurse looked up, eyes widening as she took in Ronni’s disheveled appearance. “I’ll page her for you.”

Before the nurse could lift the receiver, Lydia came around the corner, took one look at Ronni, and began to rant. “You know before you came around here Julia was just fine …”

Ronni looked up, shocked, and opened her mouth to speak.

Nurse Lydia folded her arms across her chest. “No. Just leave. I don’t want to hear it.”

“Just give me something to go on. Anything would help,” Ronni pleaded.

Lydia made a harrumph noise deep in her throat. “When the police brought her here to the Manor about fifteen years ago, they say they found her sitting on a bench in Holliday Park.”

Ronni turned abruptly, leaving Lydia’s rising voice behind her, and ran back to her car.

Inside the car, Ronni fished for her cell phone and called Pete’s number, but the standard, “Please leave a message … ” made her roll her eyes. She left him a simple voicemail: “I think I know where she is.”

Ronni slid her phone closed and headed for the highway. She didn’t want to top the speed limit, but even so Charles’ car leaned a bit as she swerved onto westbound Huntoon. Finally, she spotted Café Holliday and slowed down to scan the park across the street. Sure enough, she spotted Julia sitting on a park bench all alone.

She turned left onto Taylor, parked her car, and proceeded towards Julia with caution.

“Julia …?”

Julia looked up and smiled. “Hi Sweetie!”

Ronni swiped at a wet spot on the bench, sat down beside Julia, and smiled back.

“Julia, why did you leave the Manor?”

Julia looked down into her lap and shook her head slowly. “When I was younger I would have given anything for a sister, as my mother was working and my father was never around. I used to watch my mother leave every morning, and my dad used to spend all his time under the floor boards. I never knew what he was doing until I was much older.”

“Julia, are you ready to go home?” Ronni asked, but silently thumbed her recorder on just in case. She watched Julia’s face.

Julia leaned back and closed her eyes and hummed a few bars of “Get Happy”. She rocked back and forth and slapped at her knee as she smiled and hummed.

“Do you know right there?” She pointed across the street at Café Holliday “That used to be the one and only Mike’s Mirage.” Julia smiled as if she were recalling something beautiful. “I remember when I first left home. My father was mad at me. My mother was distraught over something that my father did – what exactly, I didn’t know at the time. My father simply told me that if I was going to work for Mike, I wasn’t welcome back home. I was disappointed, but I was old enough to make up my own mind. I think I was in my twenties when I first started workin’ for Mike. It was an easy job, if I must say so. I went from cleaning the saloon to actually getting up there with the party-goers and performing. I remember the first time I met Billy the Bootlegger. See – I used to go down to this old freight depot by the railroad, and there he was, loading those kegs onto the back of an old beat-up Model A pickup …” Julia threw back her head and laughed and then wiped her tears. “Girl, that pickup was a mess, let me tell you.” And she continued to laugh.

“I never really paid much attention to him until the night he showed up at the saloon. That’s when we first really laid eyes on one another. He was a strong, young-looking man with arms so large all of us women could hardly wait until he arrived. Between them arms and shoulders of his was the most wonderful chest to lay your head on. We could just imagine him keeping us warm at night. It would sho’ be much better than that ol’ furnace in that old storage room …”

A car drove south on Taylor, and Julia watched it until it disappeared. Finally, she smiled and said, “I’m ready to go home now.”

Ronni flicked off the recorder and helped Julia stand. As Julia straightened slowly, Ronni thought Julia must have been fairly tall in her day. Julia hummed her tune all the way to the car. Ronni secured her in the seat, closed the door carefully, and circled the car to the driver’s side door, glancing north towards Topeka High in the distance to make sure no traffic was coming her way.

* * *

Ronni pulled up in front of the manor and helped Julia stand. They walked in, Julia still smiling and humming the same tune. Nurse Lydia intercepted them and grasped Julia’s elbow firmly.

“Thanks for bringing her back, but you must leave.”

Ronni shook her head, but this time Julia spoke up. “Lydia, hush your mouth – this young lady was kind enough to bring me home. Now move outta the way.”

Leaving Lydia with her mouth open wide behind them, Ronnie escorted Julia to her room. “Let me take your coat. You can sit right there. Are you warm enough? Do you want that throw over your legs?”

Julia nodded and pulled the crocheted blanket up to her waist.

“Okay,” Ronni said, “I’ll be right back after I move my car. I can’t leave it in front of the main door to the Manor.”

Luckily, a parking spot close to the Manor was open, and she pulled into it and grabbed her recorder. Once back inside, Ronni walked down the hall to Julia’s apartment, but she suddenly stopped because she heard Lydia talking on her cell phone around the corner ahead of her.

“Look, I told you Ronni just came through the door with Julia. What do you mean?”

Someone was giving Lydia a good chewing, as Ronni could hear an agitated voice from the phone, but the sound decreased, and she could hear quick footsteps down the hallway away from her. She thought she could hear Lydia mention Charles’ name. Ronni frowned but continued to Julia’s apartment.

Ronni knocked on Julia’s door and pushed it open. “Julia, it’s me, Ronni …”

Julia wasn’t in the living room, so she walked to the bedroom and pushed the door open.

“Julia?” The woman stood bent over a bedside stand with the drawer open part-way.

“What’s wrong?” Ronni asked.

“I can’t find my key!”

“What key, Julia?”

Julia blew out a frustrated breath. “I wanted to show you the engagement ring I received the night Billy the Bootlegger proposed to me. Oh, did I mention that my Billy was a colored man?”

Ronni turned on her recorder at the words engagement ring. “Where did you have your key last?”

Julia pushed the drawer shut and turned towards the door. Ronni followed her back into the living room.

Julia walked to a writing desk, and Ronni suddenly noticed that it was a golden-toned antique 1940′s burled walnut lady’s desk. A matching leather-padded chair was turned away from the desk, and an unusual padded leather footrest that covered the center of the desk’s stretcher was underneath.

Julia pulled out the chair, sat slowly in it, and pulled open the desk drawer and stared inside. Ronni drew near to the desk. She reached out to finger the top of the desk, which also had three sections of black leather covering its top.

“How beautiful it is.”

Julia looked up from the desk. “What is, honey?”

Amazed at its beauty, Ronni rubbed her hand across a well-crafted piece of the desk. “I love this piece. I have always had a fascination for antiques and collectibles.”

“Oh, this old thing?” Julia returned to rummaging around in the desk drawer. “I cannot find that key. I know I put it in here.” Ronni could see that she was growing frantic. “I never take it out of this drawer. Even when I open the box I always place it back in here. Right here in this drawer on the right side. I always do.”

Ronni patted her shoulder to try to calm her down. “I’ll help you look for it, Julia. Why don’t I make you some tea first?”

Julia nodded. “All right. That would be nice. I need to warm up after my little trip outside.”

She stood, and Ronni led her to the nearest chair and helped her sit.

“Here’s your throw.” Julia nodded at Ronni, leaned back in the chair, and closed her eyes.

Ronni glanced at her and then stepped into the kitchen area. She rummaged in the cabinets until she found the carton of tea bags and then she ran some water into the cast-iron tea pot, turned on a burner on the electric range, and sat the pot on it. She walked back into the living room. Julia still had her eyes closed.

“Julia, would you mind telling me more about Billy?”

Julia stretched a little and sighed. Her face took on a faraway look. “Billy was a sweetheart, and it was forbidden for us to be together because he was a man of color. We used to sneak off and go places and sit under the stars and laugh. I use to love to hear that man laugh. On most nights he would come down to the Saloon just to enjoy some good ol’ moonshine. On some nights I use to sing and play my clarinet to my heart’s content, and he would be right there, keeping time by patting his knee with that big ol’ hand of his. Then one day my world came crashing down around me.” She leaned back and closed her eyes again.

The teapot whistled, and Ronni jumped up to tend to it. She found two teacups in the center cabinet. She added sugar to hers and a splash of cream to Julia’s, remembering how Julia took hers from the first visit. She headed back into the living room, placing Julia’s cup on the table in front of her.

“Oh, thank you.” She took a sip, smiled, and continued. “One night while I was up on the stage performing, a young lady walked in. She was beautiful. She had her hair pulled up into a bun. She walked in like she owned the place. Once my session was over, I walked over to the bar, and the bartender pushed a jar of moonshine in my direction. I took a sip and then approached this stranger. She had an air about her that was rather off. I smiled at her and introduced myself. She told me her name was Rosie. She went on to explain that she had just ridden the train in from Chicago, and she needed a place to stay. I told her I would talk to Mike and see what I could do. Rosie hung around all night and flirted with all the available men. I think she had a thing for Mike, but she never made it obvious.” She took a sip of her tea and continued.

“I’ll say, give or take a week, maybe even more, Rosie began to open up to me, saying she never really knew who her father was, but her mother was a well-known scarlet woman in Chicago. She said she left Chicago because she was tired of her mother’s reputation reflecting on her, and so she packed up and left. What made her come to Kansas is something you would have to ask her yourself, but she’s dead now. She died at the tender young age of 78. Later, I found out some years later, after Rosie’s disappearance that she was my sister, and how I found out was through my mother who told me before she passed over. My mother told me that my father would spend his time in Chicago every other weekend, holed up in some speakeasy with some whore named Adeline. Adeline had a daughter named Rosie. The reason my mother had never told me this story was because I never returned home. I didn’t even make it back home for my father’s funeral, but something pulled me to my mother’s bedside instead.” Julia took a last sip of tea, stood up and stretched. “Come on, baby, and help me find this key so I can open this here box.”

Ronni drained her cup and stood. “Where should I start looking?”

Julia waved her hand at Ronni. “Maybe I left it in the bedroom. Why not try there?”

Ronni walked into the bedroom and opened a jewelry chest, not touching any of the items inside but peering carefully at the contents.

She could see nothing but a variety of costume jewelry, mostly necklaces and bracelets that she might have expected to have seen around the neck of a ’20′s flapper, and as she closed the lid, she heard Julia say, “I know I ain’t got the Alzheimer’s. Oh, Ronni, I knew that my sister Rosie was in that room when she woke up so startled. It kind of makes me wonder now, were the men that killed my Billy there to kill me also? Was it my sister who stopped me from being killed that night? I always wondered where she had run off to. I have no idea. Maybe whoever it was ran off with my sister to get at me. Just maybe they were looking for the jewels Billy had given me just a few short weeks before.”

Ronni shook her head and pulled open the top drawer of the chest, lifted an embroidered hanky from the top of a pile of hankies, and there it was underneath – a key! She let out a little squeal and clapped her hand over her mouth. “Oh, Julia! I think I found it!” She raced into the living room and dropped it into Julia’s lap. “Is this the key?”

Julia squinted her eyes and said, “Thank you, God.” She picked up the key and held it to her bosom. “Ronni, you’re a lifesaver. Now help an old lady to her bedroom so I can show you what lies in the box.”

Ronni helped Julia to the bedroom and into a chair. “Now look over there in the closet on the top shelf, and get that hat box.” Ronni went to the closet as she was instructed. “Now be careful, because it is heavy.”

Ronni slid open the closet door and looked at the many hat boxes inside. “Which one?” Ronni asked.

Julia laughed. “Sorry. The third one from the left.”

Ronni counted and then carefully removed the large hat box, placing it on the bed where Julia could reach it. It tilted slightly, and Ronni steadied it. Julia removed the lid and pulled out a black flapper hat. Julia smiled and said, “I remember when we used to bob our hair and wear cloché caps …” Julia laughed and dug deeper into the hat box. She next pulled out a green crocodile-skin traveling jewelry case. She smiled in the direction of Ronni and then she inserted the key. Julia opened the jewelry box, and she picked up something small, handling it with delicacy. After looking up, she beckoned Ronni over. “The day before my Billy was killed he proposed to me. He told me he had the ring especially made just for me because I was his special girl.”

Julia handed the ring to Ronni, who gasped and held it gingerly in her outstretched palm. Embedded in the center was a deep-green emerald stone, flanked by two other triangular emerald stones surrounded by tiny diamonds.

“Is this real?” Ronni finally pulled her eyes away from the ring and looked at Julia, who smiled and shrugged her shoulders.

“Baby, I really don’t know. All I know is the man I loved and was looking to being my life-long husband presented it to me.” Ronni handed the ring back to Julia, and then she noticed the other jewelry in the box.

Ronni noticed a separate closed compartment at the bottom of the jewelry case, but before she could question Julia about it, she heard her cell phone chime. She did not want to answer. Hesitantly she turned, saying, “Please excuse me, Julia.”

Julia dismissed Ronni with a wave of her hand and closed and locked her jewelry box, and Ronni set it carefully on the bed before she walked into the living room.

“Hello?”

“Where are you?”

Ronni cleared her throat. “Charles?”

She could hear him suck his teeth. “Who else do you think it would be? Do you know how late it is?”

Ronni looked at the time on her phone. Well after six. “I’m so sorry. I got carried away talking to Mrs. Stanford.”

Charles’ voice interrupted her. “I need my car now. I had to catch a cab home.”

“I’m so sorry. I’ll be home in an hour.” The line went dead.

Ronni walked back into Julia’s bedroom, staring at the phone for a moment. Julia sat quietly, with her head bowed slightly forward, so Ronni spoke softly. “Julia, I’m sorry, but I have to leave now. There’s an emergency I must attend to.”

Julia slowly raised her head and peered at Ronni. “Well, before you leave can you place this-here box back on the shelf?”

“Of course. Thank you for showing me that beautiful, beautiful ring.” She placed the box on the shelf and turned to Julia. “You still have your key, right?”

Julia unfurled a wrinkled hand and smiled. The key was nestled safely in her palm.

* * *

Once at the car she glanced at her phone again and saw that she had a voicemail. She started the car and gave it time to warm up while she listened to the message. It was Pete wondering if she was still coming to the gig. He was also curious to know if she was bringing Julia along with her. Ronni did not make any attempt to return Pete’s call. She did not want to turn down his invitation, although she had to. Nor did she want to hear the disappointment in his voice over the phone.

Back at her apartment she found Charles sitting on the front stoop, his face a study in fury. Ronni adjusted her purse on her shoulder, sighed, and leaned in to kiss Charles on his lips. Charles pulled away and stood. “I absolutely requested that you return my car to me as soon as you were done.”

She stepped back and raised a finger in protest. “No, you did not request that I return your car as soon as I was done with it, but instead, and I quote, Charles, what you was said was when you are done, I would appreciate that you bring my car back in one piece, no dings, or scratches added.”  Ronni tossed the keys into his lap. She pushed her way up the stairs and opened the door to her apartment as Charles followed. “Now who’s being too smart for their own good?”

Charles placed his keys on the counter top, stepped into the kitchen, and pulled a small glass from the kitchen cabinet and a carton of orange juice from the refrigerator.

“I need to change. Be right back.” She headed for the bedroom.

“Would you care to join me in a drink of juice?” she heard him call through a partially-closed door.

Ronni returned from her bedroom where she had quickly changed into her pajamas. “If it’s not too much to ask, I would appreciate a glass of orange juice, Charles,” she replied.

“Okay, Veronica, I apologize. I was a little hard on you, and I usually am when it comes down to my vehicle.” Charles carried both glasses into the living room where Ronni sat and placed them on the coffee table in front of them.

She rolled her eyes. “I’m not sure how to take that, Charles. You’re being a tad bit unpredictable right now.” She flicked on the television to MTV, knowing that Charles felt any program on television that would not educate the mind was useless.

“So how was your visit with Mrs. Stanford?” Ronni prompted him. He grimaced at the screen.

Charles snapped his fingers. “Okay, how was your visit with Mrs. Stanford?”

“Do you really want to know, Charles, or are you playing around with me?”

“Yes, I want to know.”

“Great. First of all, I should let you know where she was when I found her.”

Charles’ eyebrows rose with curiosity. “Yes, where did you find her?”

“She was sitting on a bench in Holliday Park across from Café Holliday, which used to be the location of the speakeasy where she worked. Later she asked me to take her home.”

“Oh really?”

“Yes, and do you know what was most amazing? I was at her home the first time I interviewed her, and I hadn’t noticed the amazing antiques and collectibles she had acquired over the years. She also had this beautiful jewelry box in which she had stored the ring she had received from Billy the night before he died.”

Ronni could see that Charles had become more fidgety. “Billy gave Mrs. Stanford a ring? What type of ring was it?”

Ronni drew back from Charles. “What does it matter what type of ring it was? The fact is I found out who Billy was to Julia. He was her lover, the man she loved, and not only was he the man she loved, he was a black man, an African-American man.”

“I understand all of that, but what about the ring? What type of ring was it?”

“Oh, Charles it was lovely.” For a moment Ronni contemplated how Pete O’Neil had described both her and Julia as lovely, bringing a smile to her face.

Charles interrupted her thoughts. “And … ?”

“Oh, and the ring has three emerald stones surrounded by a host of diamonds. It was so beautiful.” Ronni hesitated. “You know I never asked where Billy got the ring from or, for that matter, how he would get such an expensive ring on the profits of a bootlegger, especially being of African American descent and during that time period. I wonder if the stones are real?”

Just then Charles sprang from the sofa, kissed Ronni quickly on the top of her head, and made a beeline for the front door. As he exited, he yelled back, “Sorry, Veronica, I forgot I have a late night study group I must attend right away. See you tomorrow.”

Ronni stared at the closed door. “Yeah, I’m sure you got study group, all right.”

Chapter 7 will be published next week at http://www.tscpl.org/community-novel

Discuss at the library on Monday, June 10, 2013, 1:30–3:00 pm in the Marvin Auditorium 101C.

“I never could have done what I have done, without the habits of punctuality, order, and diligence, without the determination to concentrate myself on one object at a time.”
-Chapter 42, David Copperfield

 David Copperfield Book Discussion Resources

• Download the free ebook from Project Guterberg
• Download the free audiobook from Librivox
• David Copperfield Discussion questions
• Classics Made Modern Book Discussion David Copperfield by Charles Dickens presentation – Get more out of your experience with a quick overview including: author bio, historical context, pop culture trivia, memorable characters, the critics’ take, and quotes
• Discuss the book at the Goodreads Classic Made Modern eBooks Discussion or in the comments below.

Classics Made Modern eBook Discussion Group

The Classics Made Modern eBook Discussion encourages participants to read and discuss free ebook editions of classic literature and meet to discuss and enrich their experience.

YES! You can still read the traditional book. Request a book, large print, audiobook or movie version at http://catalog.tscpl.org. Classics are more fun when you read them with friends! Discussions prepared and led by Lissa Staley estaley@tscpl.org.

About SpeakEasy

• SpeakEasy is the 2013 Community Novel Project of the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library. Read more about the project including the premise, behind the scenes, and the book launch party.
• Read online, download to your ereader or listen to the audiobook version.
• A new chapter by a new Topeka author each week at tscpl.org/community-novel.

Downloading SpeakEasy Chapter 5 by Nan Plum

Download the ebook to read in the format of your choice:

• PDF (best for iPad and for printing)
• ePub (best for Nook and other ereaders)
• Mobi (best for Kindle)

Instructions for downloading and transferring these files to your Kindle, nook, iPad or other ereader.

Listen now, download the mp3, or subscribe to “SpeakEasy: 2013 Community Novel Project” through iTunes.

Read Online: SpeakEasy Chapter 5 by Nan Plum

They entered the coffee shop, and Ronni made a beeline to the back while Charles ordered coffees.

Two steaming mugs in hand, Charles walked toward the table Ronni had chosen. He frowned at Ronni, and she smiled back at him.

“Veronica, you know how I feel about sitting with my back to people.” Charles glanced around and slowly placed the mugs on the table.

She giggled and took a sip of coffee. “You’re so silly. All this comes from a book you read when you were a kid. The one where that gunfighter always sat with his back against the wall so no one could sneak up on him, and then one time, he broke this rule and got shot in the back. That one, right? You’re no Wild Bill Hickok, you know.”

“I know that,” Charles retorted. “It’s the principle of the matter. I like to see everything going on in a room. It allows me to get the lay of the land and the people. That gives me ample opportunity to set the play up the way that will make me the most victorious.”

“You make it sound more like war than dining out, Charles.” She took a sip, frowned, and looked into the mug.

“Life is war,” Charles snapped back. “If anything, that is one truth Law School has taught me. To be successful in war, one must be an avid student of Sun Tzu’s Art of War. Which of course, I happen to be. Now be a good girl and give me my chair.”

Ronni pointed at the mug as she stood, circling around the end of the table without lifting the mug from it. “What’s this? I thought you were getting me coffee.”

“I saw how you were when I got to your apartment,” Charles answered as he slid into the chair that she had vacated. “You don’t need coffee. You need enlightenment. It’s peppermint chai with two sugars, your favorite non-coffee drink. Now drink up.”

She took another sip and nodded. “You’re right, as always. The chai hits the spot. Thanks.”

They sat quietly for a few minutes, sipping. She noticed that each of his sips was almost exactly thirteen seconds after the previous, by the clock on the wall above the bar. He was so meticulous.

“So your car … ”

He took a sip before finishing his statement, and Ronni finished the sentence for him. “… is fine now. It might be the starter and probably should be fixed, but I’ll deal with it later.”

Charles swallowed and raised his eyebrows. “No, Veronica, I was going to say your car was Donna’s lame attempt to hook you up with her brother. And you should make fixing your car a priority before you get stranded. That could happen somewhere worse than at a business during daylight hours.”

“Me and Pete?” she asked, going back to his first comment. “There is no me and Pete. He’s nice, but not my type. Pete was just helping me out of a jam.”

“Which Donna miraculously could not help you with at all. I’m no fool. Donna does not like me. She never did. I’m smarter than she is, and I can see right through her. And it’s ‘Pete and I,’ not ‘Pete and me.’”

“Sometimes you’re too smart for your own good.” Ronni emptied her mug and pushed it to the outside edge of the table. “Trust me. Nothing is going on between Pete and I.”

“I trust you,” Charles said. “I just don’t trust Donna. The total dislike is mutual between us. By the way, ‘me’ would be used as the object of the preposition ‘between’, not ‘I’.”

“Whatever, Charles. Can we please change the subject?”

“I concur completely,” he answered, emphasizing concur. “Do me a favor and stay away from Pete. He’s a loser. He’s never going anywhere with his life, and I don’t want him bringing you down with him.”

“What makes you think he’s a loser?” Ronni tapped a fingernail on the table and frowned at him. “After all, he is Donna’s brother.”

“Because I’m a winner,” Charles replied. “Twenty years from now, you and I will be living in a beautiful home in an upscale suburb of a major city, while Pete will be stuck somewhere in a small, dinky apartment in some nowhere town doing some nothing job. You know me – I can see twenty moves ahead. I am rarely ever wrong. Both of us will soon complete advanced degrees. Guys like him weigh down stars like us.”

He finished his chai and pushed the mug next to the other one at the edge of the table. “Tell me about your interview.”

Ronni recounted the event but skipped the details of the awkward moments with Pete. She did, however, relate her frustration at Pete taking over the interview. “I only got two real good tidbits: Julia confirmed that the news article on her was false, and she remembered the murder of a Bill the Bootlegger.”

Charles laughed. “What kind of idiot calls himself ‘Bill the Bootlegger’? They were already targets at the time, between the cops enforcing the prohibition laws and different mobsters of the era. Something smells fishy about that tale.”

“So what do you think about all of it, Charles?”

He leaned forward. “I can’t say for sure. She is 108. Her memories could be blending together. She could be misremembering. Maybe she has a repressed memory or two. She’s losing her mind. Or she’s leading you on because she’s lonely and needs someone to talk to. Possibly it could be all of the above, each to a greater or lesser degree.”

“You are such a lawyer.” She added an unladylike snort.

“I am at the top of my class right now,” Charles replied with a beam of confidence. “When I graduate, I will be one of the best and then THE best in the business. And I’m going to have you by my side all the way.”

“So what do you suggest I do?”

“If I was in charge, I’d go in with a string of hard-hitting questions and would not relent until I got my answers … but Veronica, you are not me. Not by any stretch. Be you. Talk to her as you would talk to your family. You’ll get what you want.”

“Only one problem. She’s disappeared.”

Charles sat back in his chair, his mouth sagging slightly. “That is not good, but not necessarily bad. Best case scenario: doctors signed her out, and the papers were misfiled.”

“But why would they call me?”

“They are covering their tails in case of a lawsuit,” he said. “They are just checking all their little boxes off to make sure they are safe. Unfortunately, the best is not the most likely or logical. The two of you only met yesterday. No lawyer could win that case.”

“What’s the worse case? No, wait. What’s the second-best case scenario?”

“It’s not likely, either. A family member picked her up. Remember, she is at the manor. From what you said, Julia is self-sufficient. Whoever put her there was trying to get rid of her without suffering any guilt. As long as she’s taken care of, I imagine they could live their life without the burden of guilt.”

Ronni twisted her mouth and shook her head. “Then why not leave her there?”

Charles shrugged. “Senior assisted living gets expensive … or maybe they just took her on an outing and didn’t go through the proper channels. ”

“No,” Ronni sighed. “That can’t be it. Her only relative lives hours away. So … what’s the worse-case scenario?”

“She was kidnapped,” Charles answered.

“That’s not funny.”

“I was not trying to be, Veronica. Again it is not likely because she is of no value, and kidnapping is all about value. Unless she had knowledge of something valuable, I doubt she would be worth anything. In fact, you’re probably the only person in the world who has any interest in this woman. Even then, it’s only because you’re desperate for the grade.”

Ronni bit her lip and stared at him. “So what do we do now?”

“We do nothing,” Charles said. “I have moot court and a study group to make, both of which I will be late getting to because of your drama.” He pulled out his keys and slid them towards her. “Take my car to Topeka and do some digging. When you are done, I would appreciate it if you bring back my car in one piece, no dings or scratches added.”

She sighed, stood, leaned over the table, and kissed his cheek. It was his way of being nice while also pouring on the guilt, and she was used to it. “Thank you. I’ll see you when I get back.”

His phone rang as she left the table, but she managed to hear most of what Charles said.

“It’s taken care of. Good! She’s on her way. Make sure you pick me up in five minutes. I do have a schedule to keep. You better find this jewel or there will be hell to pay.”

As she left the coffee shop she could hear him say, “It’s your move now.” For a brief moment, she wondered what he was talking about but decided to focus on the task at hand – where was Julia? Time to start digging.

Chapter 6 will be published next week at http://www.tscpl.org/community-novel

Read Elaine’s Chapter 4 online or learn more about the Community Novel Project

Why did you want to participate in the Community Novel Project?

I participated in a similar project once before and I like to make things up.

What do you like about the premise and characters of this year’s Community Novel Project Speak Easy? What challenges you about them?

I like Julia and am looking forward to learning more about her life. I’m curious about how things are going to fall out with Ronni and her two guys.

What was your first reaction when you saw the chapter before yours?

Thrilled! It sparked a lot of ideas.

How did you write your chapter – in a burst of inspiration or carefully outlined?

All at once. I’m a pantser. I love to let everything fall out of my head and on to the page.

Any memorable stories to share about your writing experience?

When I hit 42,000 words while writing my first novel, I wrapped a silk scarf around my head and chanted “Swami Bawami” for about 10 minutes. I have no idea where that came from. Who knows what would happen if I won the lottery?

What is your writing background? What do you usually write? How was this project different?

Mostly I’m self-trained. I usually write SciFi/Fantasy novels involving other planets and multiple space-time continuums. This project involves Kansas and linear time only. Intriguing.

What other question do you wish we had asked in this interview?

I’m so glad you didn’t ask about my favorite color. I don’t have one. I’m also glad you didn’t ask where I’m from because I’m not from around here. Ever.

Elaine Greywalker is a visual artist and writer. Her first published novel, “Uncle Tauber’s Trunk”, is available through Amazon.com. She writes SciFi/Fantasy novels with touches of time travel and mystery. She is an avid participant in National Novel Writing Month. Having multiple novel drafts has never prevented her from writing another. She sustains five blogs, one focused on creativity and the creative process. Sometimes she writes poetry and has published two chap books. She creates art in two categories: fantasy landscapes and abstract expressionism. Her published fine art is available through Fine Art America, Zazzle and Deviant Art. She tweets as “whooshing.” You can find out more than you ever wanted to know by visiting heartwind.com.

About SpeakEasy

• SpeakEasy is the 2013 Community Novel Project of the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library. Read more about the project including the premise, behind the scenes, and the book launch party.
• Read online, download to your ereader or listen to the audiobook version.
• A new chapter by a new Topeka author each week at tscpl.org/community-novel.

Downloading SpeakEasy Chapter 4 by Elaine Greywalker

Download the ebook to read in the format of your choice:

• PDF (best for iPad and for printing)
• ePub (best for Nook and other ereaders)
• Mobi (best for Kindle)

Instructions for downloading and transferring these files to your Kindle, nook, iPad or other ereader.

Listen now, download the mp3, or subscribe to “SpeakEasy: 2013 Community Novel Project” through iTunes.

Read Online: SpeakEasy Chapter 4 by Elaine Greywalker

Ronni woke up and gazed blearily at the ceiling. For a minute she wondered where she was and then remembered the drive home through the rain with Pete beside her. His constant grinning was definitely Cheshire Cat stuff. Although she could probably get used to it.

“Ow!” She put a finger gingerly on the top of her head. There was a tender spot. Then she remembered hitting her head on the car door frame as she got out. Through the bedroom door, she heard a clarinet softly running scales. Her cell rang. She sat up and plucked it from the bedside table. She looked at the number, didn’t recognize it, and answered it anyway.

“Hello.”

“This is Carl at Casey Oil and Lube. Wondering when you’re going to get your car. We’re kinda busy and need the space.”

“My car is in a public parking lot!”

“Uh, no. It’s not. I can call a tow for you. We’ve got a guy …”

“No! Don’t tow it! I’ll take care of it.”

“Okay. But if it isn’t out of here by 5, it’s off to the impound.”

Ronni thought about yelling some snide remark describing his compassion toward society and then caught herself. She needed time to figure out what to do, and yelling might make him change the deadline.

“Okay,” she muttered and hung up. She punched the keys for Charles.

She listened to ringing on the other end.

“This is Charles. Leave a message and I’ll get back to you …”

She hung up. As a boyfriend he was getting to be pretty useless. The clarinet playing from the next room got louder and more melodious. She recognized Get Happy from yesterday.

Clutching the phone with both hands, she leaned forward on the bed.

“Donna?” The clarinet playing stopped. She got up, opened the door, and moved through the living room between the low table and couch toward the kitchen. It was more of a kitchenette, fitted into a corner of the apartment with a counter overhang long enough for two bar stools. Pete was standing near the sink, a clarinet close to his lips. He lowered his hands slightly and smiled.

“Good morning, Sunshine!”

Pete was shaved and neatly dressed in a loose green tee over distressed black jeans. She became sharply aware of the thinness of her tee shirt and pajama pants. Should have slung on a sweater or something, she thought.

“Hi. Where’s Donna?”

“Class.” He stood the clarinet gently on its bell next to the sink. He picked up a tray she hadn’t noticed. It was filled with what looked like breakfast.

“Where’d you get that tray?”

“Waved a magic wand.” He smiled that blinding smile, and Ronni felt relaxed yet apprehensive.

“Breakfast in bed?” He waggled his eyebrows.

“Uh, no. The counter will be fine.”

He shrugged. “Your loss.” He placed the tray down on the bar end of the counter and adjusted the two bar stools. Then he gave a theatrical bow.

She laughed. What a charmer! She sat at the counter and looked down at the tray: coffee, grilled cheese, and frozen blueberries defrosting into a bed of milk.

“Wasn’t sure if you wanted lunch or breakfast, so I made both.”

“Great. Thanks. This is … lunch?”

“Yeah.” He sat beside her. “It’s nearly noon.”

She hopped off the stool, stood stiffly at attention. Then she noticed Pete and folded her arms over her chest.

“No wonder the repair guy called! I’ve got to get my car, talk to Julia, run to the library …”

“Whoa! Whoa! I’ve been to the library. We have another appointment with Julia in a few hours. And I don’t think there’s really anything wrong with your car.”

“It doesn’t run! … Where’s Donna?”

Pete stepped back, his face dropping into a smooth mask. “She’s at class.”

“Oh. Right. Sorry. I’m not really awake yet.”

Pete gave her his famous soft grin. “Drink your coffee. We’ve got time.”

“No. We don’t.” She picked up the mug of coffee and headed for her room. She turned. Pete was still watching.

“Wait.”

She hesitated.

“Just a second. I had a thought about your car. Did you get a bill yet?”

She thought a bit, taking a sip of coffee.

“I saw one on the desk, but he never gave it to me.”

“He wanted to charge you more. If the car was in the bay, how did it get there if it doesn’t start? It must start some times.”

She nodded and sipped again.

“Lube and oil places don’t do very complex work. My brother worked in a shop for awhile. Sells parts now. It’s probably your starter.”

“My starter?”

“Old Saturns – any old car, really – can have starter engine issues. The starter cranks the engine. If the battery is okay but the starter isn’t, the car will start sometimes. The easiest part to replace is the battery — something they’re good at in a lube and oil place. Starters not so much.”

She let this percolate through her brain while she sipped again.

“So my car might start?”

He nodded.

“But it might still be broken?”

He smiled.

“Okay. Let’s give it a shot and see if I can get my car without a tow. I tried Charles earlier, and he isn’t answering. Can you give me a ride?”

“No problem!”

As Pete drove along, Ronni munched the grilled cheese, wrapped in a paper towel.

“Thanks for the sandwich.”

Her cell rang.

“Ronni,” she said. Then listened, the sandwich on her lap. “Uh huh. What? How did … No! I don’t! I’ll be there in an hour.” She hung up and turned to Pete. “Julia’s missing. She wasn’t in her room at lunch, and they can’t find her anywhere. Asked if she was with me!”

“Maybe her son picked her up?”

Ronni shook her head. “She doesn’t have any living children in the area. The only relative is some great-nephew in Richmond, Virginia.” She took a bite of the sandwich.

“So, they called you?”

“To say they cancelled the appointment. I’m going anyway. There must be something I can do.”

“There probably isn’t. Anyway, they might accuse you of over-exciting her with all your questions,” Pete said.

“It’s not my fault she’s gone! Poor Julia! I hope she’s okay.”

“She’s a fighter. She’ll pull through.”

Pete pulled into the repair shop parking lot and switched off the car. Through the plate glass windows they could see Carl on the phone behind an old steel desk. The bay doors were up. One bay was empty. The other was filled with two repair guys, a car on a lift, and an older gentleman in gray suit pants, a white shirt, and blue tie. They were all looking at some greasy, unidentifiable part.

Ronni shoved the last bite into her mouth and mumbled something as she pointed at her car.

“Do you have keys?” said Pete.

Ronni nodded, grabbed her bag and files, and flung open the door.

Her first instinct was to yell at the repair guy. Her second to fling the paper towel at him. Instead, she stomped over to her car and tried the door. She turned her head.

“Hey! It’s not even locked!” she yelled at the big glass window. Carl ignored her, still talking on the phone. The men in the bay glanced over and then quickly went back to looking at the greasy part.

“Arrrgghh!” Ronni growled. She pulled open the door, flopped inside, and threw her bags and files onto the other seat. She put her key in the ignition. There was a strange grinding noise, and then the car started up. She smiled. A shadow appeared at her left. It was Pete. He stood with his hands in his pockets, grinning. He mouthed something.

She lowered the window.

“I don’t trust it,” she said. “I’m taking it straight home.”

Pete shrugged. “I’ll follow you.”

Ronni looked up at him for a minute, and then she, too, shrugged. She pulled out of the parking lot and into traffic, glanced in the rear view mirror, and saw Carl running out of the office. Ooops! She had forgotten to pay him. I’ll call in a credit card number when I get home, she thought. Too late now.

Back at the apartment they sat on barstools, each with a steaming cup of black tea. The coffee was gone. Outside it was gray and windy. The storm door rattled its catch.

She had called Carl. He wanted to charge her extra for storage. Pete had changed his mind.

They had been sitting silently for a few minutes, Pete texting while patiently waiting for Ronni to decide what she was going to do next.

Ronni took sips between rolling her shoulders and gazing dully into nothing.

“I’m sorry,” she said at last. Pete stopped texting.

“About what?”

“Being a little harsh. I’ve got a lot going on right now - what with the dissertation, the job, my mom …”

“That is a lot.” He slipped the phone into his pocket.

Ronni nodded. “It is. I can’t decide on a proposal for my dissertation. Even I am beginning to think it’ll never get done. My mom has some kind of strange high blood pressure. She keeps ending up in the emergency room.”

“That’s rough.”

She sighed. “I don’t find out about it unless I ask her directly or happen to drop by at the right time. I went in with her once. It was horrible. It was like she was dying, and I couldn’t do a thing to stop it.”

Suddenly Ronni’s eyes filled with tears and began running down her cheeks. Pete jumped up and snatched some tissues from a box. He held a tip close to the corner of one eye and gently blotted it. She took the remaining tissues from his hand and blew her nose.

“On top of all that, something’s not right at work. Strange conversations behind closed doors. The till coming up short. Weird deliveries after closing. I don’t know! I just don’t know.” She shook her head.

“What you need is a break. How about …”

The outside door flew open and Charles marched in. He stopped, staring at the scene of Ronni crying and Pete standing over her, his arm around her shoulders.

He put the stack of books he was carrying down carefully on the couch. Then he straightened up.

Ronni held the crumbled tissues in front of her face. Pete was somehow standing across the counter from her now. He stretched out a hand toward Charles.

“Hi, guy,” Pete said.

“Hello,” said Charles in a flat voice. Pete dropped his arm.

“Oh, Charles!” said Ronni. She got up and moved toward him, intending to rush into his arms. She tripped slightly just before getting there and slammed into him.

Charles was tall and solid. He caught her with barely an indication of movement. Ronni snuggled into him. He clasped her as if she were a Ming vase, keeping her off his perfectly-pressed shirt. He looked over at Pete.

“What’s going on?” Charles said.

“Just here for the night. Donna’s my sister. Leaving tomorrow. Got a gig tonight.”

“A gig?”

“Yeah. I play in a jazz band.”

Ronni sobbed loudly. “My car’s broken … I’ll never get my dissertation done … Mom’s dying!” It all came out in a crumpled rush as she pressed her face toward his chest. He pushed her out at arm’s length. Ronni was used to this. He let her slowly down onto the couch.

“I’m sure it’s not that bad! Got any coffee?”

Ronni shook her head.

“Thanks for lunch, Ron,” Pete said. “Gotta run. Band practice. Look-” He pulled two tickets out of a pocket and placed them on her lap. “Why don’t you and Charlie come by for the show tonight?” He glanced over at Charles. “If you can.”

Ronni looked down at the tickets.

“Thanks, uh …” Charles said.

“Pete.”

He nodded. “I can get it from here, ‘guy,’ and it’s Charles, not Charlie.”

“I’ll just get my things,” Pete said. He packed his clarinet carefully in its case and then picked up another one that Ronni had stumbled over. Charles held the door as Pete maneuvered his way out.

“Later.” Pete shot a look at Ronni. She shrugged.

“Bye,” said Charles as he closed the door. He glanced over at Ronni, still snuffling into the mess of tissues, as he headed for the kitchen.

He opened and shut cupboards. “Geez. You really are out of coffee. I was going to get some studying done, but I can see that won’t be possible now.”

Ronni crushed the tissues into a tight ball, dropping it and the tickets beside her on the couch.

“Sorry, Charles. I have a headache, and things just kind of built up, you know.”

“Yeah. I do. C’mon. I’ll buy you a cup of coffee. You can keep me company while I read. I’ve got to review before moot court and group.”

Ronni stood up.

“You’re going like that?” Charles said.

Ronni looked down. Her shirt was a bit rumpled but okay. Then she realized her face was probably a mess. She shook her head.

“Can you wait a minute? I’ll get cleaned up.”

“Hurry,” said Charles. Ronni dashed for the bathroom.

Keeping the Castle

This modern literary fairy tale has a beautiful young girl, a crumbling castle by the sea, several potential heroes, a little brother who must be protected, a widowed mother who needs help running her household, wicked stepsisters, and a fancy ball at the neighboring estate. With all of those great fairy tale conventions, it still delivers a great story!

Althea is trying to keep her family together and to marry herself off to the highest bidder. She’s not had the luxury of believing in true love matches. For most of her life, she has known that she’ll need to marry someone wealthy. Her goal is to save the family castle, which is currently owned by her little brother and managed mainly by Althea herself. She has almost no resources to support her family; her great grandfather foolishly sold the family lands to build the rambling castle along the coast of the cold North Sea, and anything that could be sold to raise funds is already gone.

When a fancy neighboring estate is inherited by a handsome young man, Althea and her stepsisters hope to draw the young man’s attentions and affections and make an advantageous match. Althea is distracted from her goal by the young man’s awkward friend from the city, Mr. Fredericks, who always seems to be causing trouble and starting arguments with her. She sets her sights on a financially sound marriage prospect, while mending tapestries, altering old clothing and helping in the kitchens so that her family can keep up appearances.

If you’ve ever read a Jane Austen novel or seen an Austen-themed movie, most of the plot lines in this adorable story will be predictable for you, but no less enjoyable. This light read is entertaining and satisfying – save it for a rainy day and then escape along with Althea and Keeping the Castle.

Listen now, download the mp3, or subscribe to “Hush: a podcast from your library” through iTunes.

Sylvia Plath

 Our guest this episode is Miranda Ericcson, who shares her knowledge and passion about Sylvia Plath’s life and works.

Books mentioned

Books discussed

• The Collected Poems of Sylvia Plath (Winner of a Pulitzer Prize, first poet to be awarded the prize posthumously).
• Ariel: The Restored Edition (Includes facsimiles of her actual handwritten drafts, and publishes the poems in the order that Plath had intended).
• The Bell Jar
• The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath, Edited by Karen V. Kukil
• American Isis by Carl Rollyson
• Mad Girl’s Love Song: Sylvia Plath and Life Before Ted by Andrew Wilson

 Other recommended titles

• Her Husband by Dianne Middlebrook.
• Johnny Panic and the Bible of Dreams, Collected short stories, essays, and journal excepts
• Letters Home, Edited by Aurelia Plath.
• Birthday Letters by Ted Hughes
• Lover of Unreason: Assia Wevill, Sylvia Plath’s Rival and Ted Hughes’s Doomed Love by Yehuda Koren

 Your turn to talk

If you have questions, comments or suggestions for future topics please comment on our blog post or send us an email at podcast@tscpl.org.

Our first Trivia Night was in March 2003 with 9 teams and 50 participants.

Comments from that first event included many things we have incorporated into our quarterly events:

• “Have this more often”
• “Provide more scratch paper”
• “Don’t give partial credit for two part answers”

And participants at that first event in March 2003 also gave us some suggestions that have continued to be popular but unfeasible:

• “Encourage side betting between teams”
• “Have Lissa sing the TV jingles”
• “Provide free liquor”

Due to the increasing popularity of this event over the past 10 years, we have expanded our original “Trivia Night” into a trivia weekend by offering the same event on Friday night at 6:30 pm and Saturday afternoon at 3pm. The Friday night event continues to be full with 30 teams and a waiting list, while the Saturday afternoon event draws around 12 teams. We offer the event once every few months.

At our April trivia weekend, our top trivia teams on Friday and Saturday BOTH correctly answers 75 questions correctly out of 100 possible.

Friday Night April 26, 2013 Library Trivia Champions

Saturday Afternoon April 27, 2013 Library Trivia Champions

The next trivia weekend at the library is Friday July 26, 2013 and Saturday July 27, 2013. Registration for teams begins on June 1, 2013 by calling 785-580-4540.