Palatine library focuses on Frank Lloyd Wright
Take a powerful, ambitious man and an unconventional mother of two. Add a clandestine romance and a suburb-shaking scandal, top it all off with a shocking conclusion and you've got a great read. "Loving Frank," by Nancy Horan, is Palatine Public Library's selection for the annual One Book, One District reading program. This historical novel explores the scandalous love affair of architect Frank Lloyd Wright and Mamah Cheney. Copies will be available for checkout in the Popular Materials Department throughout January and February, at 700 N. North Court, Palatine.
The Library's One Book, One District began in 2002 as a way to engage the community in reading the same book at the same time. Since then, hundreds of library patrons have participated in book discussion groups, lectures, and events surrounding the books selected.
"The One Book, One District program is a unique opportunity for the community to read and experience a great book together," said Susan Strunk, library director.
This year's highly acclaimed novel has romance, intrigue, history, feminism and architecture. Horan artistically blends fact and fiction, illuminating Cheney's influence on one of the greatest architects of all time. Local connections abound, not only in the setting and characters but also with the author, who is a former Oak Park resident. This is Horan's first novel.
Horan is honored to have the book selected for the program. "There's no doubt in my mind that I am a Midwest writer to the bone," said Horan, "So the recognition of the book by fellow Midwesterners has special meaning to me."
'Loving Frank' eventsCall (847) 358-5881, ext. 132 to register for the following events.bull; The Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright: Multimedia presentation featuring the houses and buildings of Frank Lloyd Wright, 2-3:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6. Hosted by Richard G. Johnson, broadcast production manager of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University and member of the Rediscovering Wright Project - a team devoted to finding the missing Wright houses throughout the Chicago area.bull; Book Discussion: Join the conversation and share your thoughts about "Loving Frank," as we feature book discussions 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11 and 2-3:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14. Please register.bull; The Houses of Frank Lloyd Wright: Jan Kieckhefer, director of education at the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust of Oak Park, offers a multimedia presentation and virtual tour of the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio in Oak Park; 2-3:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27.bull; "Frank Lloyd Wright" - a film by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick: Join local readers for a riveting documentary by PBS that chronicles Wright's groundbreaking architectural triumphs and exposes the personal tragedies that shaped his legacy; 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 28.