The October/November 2010 edition of connectnow magazine is now available (printable pdf version). It’s jam-packed with information on how you can participate in The Big Read, a community-wide reading event we’re holding in October. We’re purchasing hundreds of copies of our 2010 Big Read Book, The Maltese Falcon. You can read with us, listen to the audiobook or watch the film adaptation. If you want to branch out, we have a story inside about how librarians can help customize a reading list to your needs.
Of course we want you to put down the book once in awhile so you don’t miss these signature Big Read programs (a complete listing available in connectnow magazine).
Birds of Prey [all ages]
The Maltese Falcon couldn’t fly, but these live, feathered predators can. Meet birds of prey from Stone Nature Center, and learn about the adaptations of eagles, owls, vultures, hawks and yes, even falcons.
■ Marvin Auditorium 101B
Thu Oct 7 3:45–4:30 pm
The Big Read Book Launch
First Friday Artwalk
Artists and bibliophiles unite to ramp up interest in literature during our community-wide reading event, The Big Read. You can win a copy of our Big Read book, The Maltese Falcon. Five copies of the book will be given away at each of the 10 participating galleries. A list of partnering galleries is available at bigread.tscpl.org or artsconnecttopeka.org.
■ Topeka First Friday Art Walk Venues
Fri Oct 1 5:30–8:30 pm
Big Read Music for a Sunday Afternoon
Angela Hagenbach
Kansas City jazz artist Angela Hagenbach introduces you to a voice of pure velvet and vivid intensity. Hagenbach enchants with offerings from the American Songbook of the1920s-1940s, when The Maltese Falcon was written.
■ Marvin Auditorium
Sun Oct 10 3:00–4:00 pm
The Maltese Falcon with Richard Layman
Hear from an expert on the father of the hard-boiled detective novel. Layman takes us through the evolution of Dashiell Hammett’s The Maltese Falcon, from its origin in Hammett’s early career as a detective through its adaptations in theater, radio and film.
■ Marvin Auditorium
Sun Oct 17 3:00–4:30 pm
Sunday Afternoon with Kansas Author
Sara Paretsky
Sara Paretsky, highly regarded author of the V.I. Warshawski novels and other popular titles, talks about our Big Read selection, Dashiell Hammett’s The Maltese Falcon. She discusses Hammett’s complex personality and the way her own work was influenced by him and other noir writers of the ‘20s and ‘30s.
■ Marvin Auditorium
Sun Oct 31 2:00–4:00 pm