Happy Holidays from HPL!

New & Noteworthy

Mothers and Sons

Adam Haslett

“Irresistible… Themes of guilt, new beginnings, survival, and violence permeate the excellent and subtle story of characters grappling with events beyond their control, and the author, himself an immigration lawyer, delivers a deeply personal portrait of Peter’s tenacious advocacy for his clients. This matches the heights of Haslett’s best work.”

—Publishers Weekly

"... both moving and deeply compelling, a story about the search for our own humanity, and the lengths we will go to maintain it...”

—Ann Patchett, New York Times bestselling author of Tom Lake and The Dutch House

Find it HERE in our catalog

(coming to circulation next week!)

The Book of George

Kate Greathead

The New Yorker and Washington Post

Best Book of 2024

“[A] deadpan, hilarious new novel... Greathead’s skewering of this 'specific kind of male arrogance' is deeply satisfying, but her finely layered portrait is not without pity—it’s strangely, unexpectedly humanizing.”

—Oprah Daily

“This book is a knockout. Mesmerizing from page one, it’s Stoner meets Mrs. Bridge meets George, the millennial male we can't look away from. Kate Greathead has gifted us with a character for the ages and a novel that is sure to be swooned over and endlessly discussed.”

—Maria Semple, New York Times bestselling author of Where'd You Go, Bernadette

Find it HERE in our catalog

Baby Grand Jazz

Baby Grand Jazz is back for its 21st season and starting strong with Chloe Madrak on Sunday, January 5.

At just 17 years old, this West Hartford tenor saxophonist has wowed audiences at the Monterey Jazz Festival, performed with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Youth Orchestra, and earned awards like YoungArts Winner 2024. With her talent and passion, Chloe is a rising star you don’t want to miss!

Baby Grand Jazz performances are free to the public. Can’t join us in person? Shows will be live-streamed on HPL’s YouTube and Facebook.

Sunday, January 5 | 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. (doors open at 2:00 p.m.)

Downtown Library

Center for Contemporary Culture

500 Main Street

Thanks to our 2025 presenting sponsor, The Kaman Foundation, for its continuing support and longtime partners The Hartford Jazz Society and WWUH 91.3 FM. 

Join us today!!

Hartford Public Library (HPL) is partnering with First Night Hartford to ring in 2025.

Celebrate the arrival of the New Year with an afternoon filled with warmth, fun, and creativity. Bring your family and friends to our hat decorating event, where you can craft your own festive headwear to ring in the New Year in style. It's the perfect way to enjoy quality time together and make lasting memories.

Tuesday, December 31 | 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Downtown Library

Main Floor

500 Main Street

A Place Like No Other

HPL offers engaging, educational, and fun programming for all ages.

Check out our full programming calendar HERE

Check out our Family Programming calendar!

Check out our Adult Programming calendar!

Check out our Youth & Teen Programming calendar!

"What the new year brings to you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the new year."



―Vern McLellan

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