Barrington Library Hosts Spring Literary Festival
After several years of successful "One Book" community programs, staff at the Barrington Area Library wanted to explore a more creative approach to celebrating the powerful way in which books and stories have an impact on peoples' lives. The result is Barrington Books Week, a week-long literary festival that mixes contemporary storytelling with humankind's centuries-old fascination with the printed word. The festival will take place at the library from Friday, April 21 - Saturday, April 29, 2017. All events are free and open to the public, but registration is requested at balibrary.org - upcoming events.
Five up-and-coming Chicago-area authors will be speaking on, selling, and signing their books during Barrington Books Week. Also, on Saturday, April 22, the library will host its third annual Local Author Fair, featuring more than 40 writers from the Chicago suburbs.
Author Rebecca Makkai kicks off Barrington Books Week on Friday, April 21, with a discussion of her award-winning novel, The Hundred-Year House, set on Chicago's North Shore, and featuring the colorful, off-beat lives of artists. Popular author Raymond Benson appears on Sunday, April 23, sharing his experiences as the officially commissioned author of original James Bond novels. Benson will also speak about the life of Ian Fleming and the Bond films and novels.
From action to romance: the next author to appear during Barrington Books Week is buzzed-about romance author Sonali Dev, on Tuesday, April 25. Dev brings a Bollywood beat to her love stories, which explores issues faced by women around the world while still indulging in happily ever after.
It's no secret that people who love libraries also tend to love printed books, so don't miss A Brief History of Bookmaking, with Chicago book artist April Sheridan, on Wednesday, April 26. Sheridan will even provide hands-on workshop activities on the art of making books. For thrills of a different nature, be there on Thursday, April 27, as Chicago author Charlie Donlea launches his latest thriller, The Girl Who Was Taken. Donlea's first work, Summit Lake, was a classic page-turner, and he will discuss that project as well.
The festival wraps up on Saturday, April 29, with bestselling author and award-winning journalist Robert Kurson. Kurson will discuss his latest, Pirate Hunters: Treasure, Obsession, and the Search for a Legendary Pirate Ship, as well as previous works Shadow Divers and Crashing Through.
If you have a passion for books, reading, storytelling, thrills, chills, or romance, then don't miss Barrington Books Week! Books will be available for purchase and signing - a signed book makes a memorable gift. Registration and additional details available at the Barrington Area Library website, balibrary.org. The library is located at 505 N. Northwest Highway, Barrington, IL.