Short story, book, play, film, and television discussion classes are scattered throughout the year to give you ample time for pleasure reading and viewing between each one. Pick a course or two to suit your literary tastes and register today!

A pop up special event for October has just been added to the schedule!

Author Visit: Alexandra Lapierre

Belle Greene, A Novel of America's Most Famous Librarian (2023)

Tuesday, October 22 • 11:00am-12:15pm • Scarsdale Public Library •

Course 12897 • $0

(event is free but donations to SAS are much appreciated;

seating is limited so advanced registration is required)

Belle Greene by Alexandra Lapierre, translated from French by National Book Award finalist Tina Kover, tells the remarkable true story of the librarian Belle da Costa Greene. Though Black, Greene lived most of her life passing as white in furtherance of her education and career goals in a culturally segregated society. Flamboyant, brilliant, and stunningly beautiful, Greene became a sensation to both fashionable society and the male-dominated art world. Curator and collector of rare books and manuscripts for J.P. Morgan, Greene transformed the Morgan Library's exclusive private holdings into a public institution and served as its librarian and inaugural director until her retirement in 1948. Lapierre brings Greene's brilliant essence to life in her thoroughly researched tribute to an historical figure whose accomplishments, relationships, and singularity were as complex and fascinating as the collections she helped curate.

Books will be available for sale and signing at the event.

ALEXANDRA LAPIERRE is a bestselling French novelist, short story writer, and biographer. She graduated from Sorbonne University and the University of Southern California. Among her other works of fiction that illuminate the lives of great women neglected by history is the international bestseller Artemisia (Vintage 2012).

Also in today's news: Al Roker's new cookbook hit bookstores today. But don't run out to buy it!

Instead, register for Recipes to Live By: An Evening with Al Roker and Courtney Roker Laga in Conversation with Joy Bauer (Course 12819) so you can see Al Roker, his daughter Courtney Roker Laga, and health authority Joy Bauer in person on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, 7pm, at Temple Israel New Rochelle and receive your free copy of the cookbook there!

November also includes a very special literary event!

Author Visit: Alice Hoffman, When We Flew Away (2024)

Thursday, November 14 • 10:00am-11:15am • Zoom • Course 12893 • $35

In conversation with literary scholar Anna Katsavos, acclaimed author Alice Hoffman will discuss her latest fiction, When We Flew Away: A Novel of Anne Frank Before the Diary (2024). Through extensive research and in cooperation with the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, the book imagines and recreates Anne Frank's life in the Nazi-occupied Netherlands during the years before she went into hiding. Hoffman imbues Frank, a young child, with wit, mischief, creativity, and wisdom beyond her age, foreshadowing the literary talent reflected in her now famous diary.

Time will be reserved for audience Q&A.

The talk will be recorded and distributed to enrolled students for viewing post-event. Register in advance to receive the video, even if you are unable to attend the live online session.

ALICE HOFFMAN is the highly acclaimed author of more than thirty novels, three books of short fiction, and eight books for children and young adults. Her works include the Practical Magic book series (Practical Magic, The Rules of Magic, Magic Lessons, The Book of Magic), The World That We Knew (winner of the Dayton Literary Peace Prize), The Marriage of Opposites, The Red Garden, Here on Earth (Oprah's Book Club Choice), The Museum of Extraordinary Things, The Dovekeepers, Faithful, and Turtle Moon. Born in New York City, she currently lives near Boston.

ANNA KATSAVOS, PhD, is an experienced book group facilitator. A SUNY Professor Emerita of English Literature and Women’s Studies, she has received numerous awards for teaching, and her scholarship has been published in a variety of literary journals. She has interviewed many best-selling authors and has presented interactive programs focusing on a wide range of women’s issues. Additionally, she conducts writing, editing and publishing workshops.

Scarsdale Adult School | 914-723-2325 | P.O. Box 205, Scarsdale, NY 10583 | www.ScarsdaleAdultSchool.org

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