New York Times Frank Bruni - You didn’t get into Harvard, so what?

Join us at the Stamford Ferguson Library this Wednesday, April 15th @ 7PM for an author talk with NYTimes writer, Frank Bruni.

Over the last few decades, Americans have turned college admissions into a terrifying and occasionally devastating process, preceded by test prep, tutors, all sorts of stratagems, all kinds of rankings, and a conviction among too many young people that their futures will be determined and their worth established by which schools say yes and which say no.

That belief is wrong. It's cruel. And in WHERE YOU GO IS NOT WHO YOU'LL BE, Frank Bruni explains why, giving students and their parents a new perspective on this brutal, deeply flawed competition and a path out of the anxiety that it provokes.

Bruni, a bestselling author and a columnist for the New York Times, shows that the Ivy League has no monopoly on corner offices, governors' mansions, or the most prestigious academic and scientific grants. Through statistics, surveys, and the stories of hugely successful people who didn't attend the most exclusive schools, he demonstrates that many kinds of colleges-large public universities, tiny hideaways in the hinterlands-serve as ideal springboards. And he illuminates how to make the most of them. What matters in the end are a student's efforts in and out of the classroom, not the gleam of his or her diploma.

Another blog you'll enjoy

We partner with the New Canaan Library, The Wilton Library and the Stamford Ferguson Library. Each venue has its own terrific audiences and plenty of book enthusiasts. Laurie is the New Canaan Library Advisory Librarian and writes a book blog every other week. This link will take you right there. Books are available at Elm Street Books in person or on our website.
If you prefer head over to the NCLibrary.

Dog Eared

https://ncldogeared.wordpress.com/

Erik Larson is April 21st @ 7PM

Mistake in the last post.

Erik Larson at the Wilton Library is April 21st at 7PM. 137 Old Ridgefield Road
Register Now!

Such a terrific read.

Erik Larson @ The Wilton Library Association

Don't miss the chance to hear Erik Larson speak about his latest book, "Dead Wake" @ The Wilton Library Association on April 23 at 7PM. This is a ticketed event with each registration including a copy of the book as well as two seats to the event. What a great evening! 203-762-3950

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Lusitania on May 7, 1915. A tragedy that was riddled with many mistakes and the loss of 1200 people. Come hear an expert storyteller bring this poignant event to life.  Hope to see you there.

Wicked

Bestselling Author Gregory Maguire,
author of Wicked
March 13 @ the Stamford Ferguson Library

An evening of conversation with bestselling author Gregory Maguire,
Author of Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West

Your registration gives you a chance to win two tickets to the award-winning Broadway musical Wicked!

Tickets are $20, with proceeds to benefit the Library. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for a wine reception.
Appetizers generously provided by Bank Street Events, BarBQ Stamford and Layla's Falafel

REGISTER NOW

   Program at 7 p.m. Book sale and signing

Manager's Memo from Winter Institute

I am spending the week in Asheville, North Carolina at the annual Winter Institute, a book industry learning forum. It is a place where independent booksellers gather to share ideas with each other, publishers and authors.

One of the highlights of the last couple of days was a terrific presentation by the NYTimes bestselling author John Green. John is not only a hugely successful young adult author, but a big supporter of independent bookstores. Having published five big books which speak to young adults as well as adults he reminded the gathering of booksellers that had it not been for independent bookstores no one would have read his first book. (A bit of an exaggeration, but we like the sentiment.) His early success was deeply linked to the loyal following and word of mouth buzz that small independent bookstores offered.

Well lucky for us because John is a champion of independent bookstores.

As John so eloquently mentioned in his talk, it is all those knowledgeable and engaged booksellers that bring new reads to the lucky customers who walk through our doors. We see more than the algorithm that  Amazon uses to pick your books, we see a person with diverse interests, curious thoughts and a desire to discover more stories to carry them away from the  routine of the day. We actually read those books unlike Mr. Amazon.

Keep supporting Elm Street Books and all independent bookstores so they can keep supporting you in this wonderful world of books.

John Green’s books make wonderful parent child book club books.

Ages 12 and up.

Station Eleven

I recently mentioned "Station Eleven" by Emily St. John Mandel in my manager's picks and I need to tell all you bloggers as well. It will blow you away. Told from the moment a pandemic descends on the world as well as from the world twenty years in the future. It is not Sci-Fi, but a thought provoking study on humanity and how we begin and end. I truly couldn't put it down. It was my walking around the house with a book in my hand read!

Another terrific read is Ian McEwan's latest "The Children Act." A British judge appointed to the family court must rule on a decision to administer a blood transfusion to a Jehovah Witness young adult whose family is opposed. A spell binding story along with a plotline of the judge's personal life make for a very good read.

Last for now, if you haven't made it to the MOMA in NYC for the Matisse Cut-Outs exhibit make a point of scheduling it. The exhibit is filled with the fanciful colors and shapes that defined the later part of his career. Many actual photos of Matisse  along with a movie which add a sense of insight. We have the beautiful exhibit book. What a great holiday gift, the book and tickets to the exhibit.

"Henri Matisse The Cut-Outs"