Batavia's Books Between Bites begins new season Sept. 20
Batavia's popular monthly noontime book program, "Books Between Bites," announces its 32nd season, to begin Thursday, Sept. 20.
The series is held from noon to 1 p.m. at the Batavia Public Library, 10 S. Batavia Ave. The public is invited to attend these free programs, presented September through May, on the third Thursday of the month. Reservations are not required.
The 2018-2019 season opens Thursday, Sept. 20, welcoming Kathryn Hubbard, retired Batavia elementary school teacher. A self-described bibliophile, she looks forward to enthusiastically reviewing the bestselling novel "The Rosie Project" by Graeme Simsion,
The season continues Oct.18 with George H. Scheetz, director of the Batavia Public Library, sharing his book "The Biggest Game of the Year: Batavia Bulldogs vs. Geneva Vikings," which includes years of research about this local football rivalry.
On Nov. 15, the featured book is "American Canopy: Trees, Forests, and the Making of a Nation" by Eric Rutkow. Valerie Blaine, manager of environmental education for the Kane County Forest Preserve, returns to the program for another insightful discussion, this time about the remarkable story of trees.
In December, the program is moved up one week to Dece. 13, when Batavia Mayor Jeff Schielke, who hasn't missed an annual presentation in the program's 32-year history, discusses more of his historical research with "Batavia Literary Footnotes".
The series starts 2019 off on Jan. 17 with best-selling author Jonathan Eig, discussing his new biography of Muhammad Ali, "Ali: A Life".
On Feb. 21, Jennifer Putzier, director of the Batavia Depot Museum, explores "The Madness of Mary Lincoln" by Jason Emerson.
Lester Munson of ESPN returns for his annual visit on March 21, reviewing two sports-related books: "Unbeaten" by Mike Stanton, about Rocky Marciano; and "Astroball: The New Way to Win It All" by Ben Reiter, recounting the Houston Astros' remarkable march to the World Series.
Another program regular, Rick Kogan of WGN and "The Chicago Tribune", returns on April 18 to share about his father, newspaperman and author Herman Kogan, and his father's idol, author, playwright and screenwriter, Ben Hecht.
The season finishes on May 16 with retired educator and Batavian Dan Hoefler discussing the Stephen Ambrose book "D-Day, June 6, 1944: The Climactic Battle". This program precedes the 75th anniversary of D-Day.
The program is held in the large Founders Room located on the main level of the Batavia Public Library. Parking is available in the lot just south and adjacent to the library.
People are invited to bring their lunch and eat as they enjoy the program and discussion. Lunch items, beverages and baked goods can be purchased at Chapters Coffee House & Café, located just inside the library and adjacent to the meeting room. To pre-order for pick-up just before the program, please call (630) 406-8005.
Books Between Bites was established in Batavia in 1987 by the late Lee C. Moorehead. The program has been continued by Moorehead's wife, Betty, and his daughter, Becky Hoag, in partnership and co-sponsorship with George H. Scheetz and Stacey Peterson of Batavia Public Library.
For more information about Books Between Bites, please call Becky Hoag at (630) 482-9157. The complete schedule and description of each program can be found at www.booksbetweenbites.com.
Printed season schedules are now available at Batavia Public Library.