Lake-Geauga League of Libraries

06 23, 2021

Meet Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, the East Side Joan of Arc

By |2021-06-23T19:00:37-04:00June 23, 2021|

While still a teenager, Elizabeth Gurley Flynn teamed with the Industrial Workers of the World (Wobblies) to fight for free speech and improved conditions for workers in the culinary, mining, and garment industries.

Explore the life of this remarkable woman with Dr. Lara Vapnek. Vapnek literally wrote the book on Flynn, Elizabeth Gurley Flynn: Modern American Revolutionary. Stick around until the end of her talks for a very special guest.

This program is part of Lake County Reads – a countywide, summerlong series of book talks and online programs that concludes with a special evening with bestselling and celebrated author Jess Walter on Aug. 5.

Throughout the summer, the public and academic libraries in Lake County will host book-club discussions where all are invited to talk about Walter’s literary smash The Cold Millions. They’re also offering free online programs that take a deeper dive into the themes and historical context of Walter’s story. For example, you can learn about the suffragettes’ fight for women’s rights, discover some of the lesser-known but key figures in the early Labor Movement, or even enjoy a ragtime concert with The Ragged Blade Band.

The libraries have also teamed with Literary Cleveland for a series of writing workshops and author talks that explore the idea of writing about the working class. It crescendos with an author talk from Walter himself.

All of these programs and book-club discussions are free to attend. They will be hosted via Zoom, and registration is required to get the link. Get more information and sign up for any of these programs at www.leagueoflibraries.org.

10 26, 2018

‘Dopesick’ author Beth Macy recommends the best books on opioid epidemic

By |2018-10-26T06:00:47-04:00October 26, 2018|

Beth Macy – the writer of Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors & the Drug Company that Addicted America – visited Lake County earlier this month to discuss the opioid crisis that has wounded our nation.

Every day, more than 115 people die in the United States after overdosing on opioids. And Ohio has been disproportionately stricken. In 2017, it had the second-highest percentage of overdose deaths per population, second only to West Virginia.

However, there are resources available both to those suffering from addiction and their loved ones.

You can also deter people from abusing opioid medication by safely disposing of your excess prescription drugs. Mentor Public Library offers free Deterra bags, which do just that. The Deterra bags are available at the circulation desks of each of our branches. You can get one today.

In addition to speaking, Macy was kind enough to suggest other books (both fiction and nonfiction) that address the opioid epidemic. She recommends:

  • The Big Fix: Hope After Heroin by Tracey Helton Mitchell
  • Dreamland by Sam Quinones
  • Drug Dealer MD by Anna Lembke
  • What You Are Getting Wrong About Appalachia by Elizabeth Catte
  • Trampoline by Robert Gipe

By the way, Macy’s talk was organized by the Lake-Geauga League of Libraries, a partnership of all 10 public libraries in Lake and Geauga County. They combine resources to provide access to education and the arts in the region.

09 23, 2018

‘Ohio’ author Stephen Markley lists his favorite writers from Ohio

By |2018-09-23T06:00:17-04:00September 23, 2018|

Stephen Markley – author of the critically acclaimed novel Ohio – visited Lake County earlier this month. After his reading and author talk, he was kind enough to sit for an interview.

In fewer than four minutes, he discusses:

  • his favorite writers from his home state of Ohio
  • how his friends in the military helped make sure certain passages in Ohio felt authentic
  • who would be on the soundtrack for his debut novel
  • why He Got Game is his favorite Spike Lee film
  • who he’s reading now.

 

09 8, 2018

Karin Slaughter on libraries, Lee Child & her favorite Flannery O’Connor quote

By |2018-09-08T06:00:35-04:00September 8, 2018|

New-York Times bestselling author Karin Slaughter is as fun to listen to as she is to read.

She was kind enough to allow an interview when she visited us for a book signing this summer. She discussed:

  • her love of libraries. In addition to her work as a writer, Karin is founder of the Save the Libraries project—a nonprofit organization established to support libraries.
  • saving money to buy books when she worked for minimum wage.
  • her favorite quote from one of her favorite authors, Flannery O’Connor.
  • what books she’s reading now.
05 1, 2018

Christina Baker Kline on her writing, favorite books & who she’s reading now

By |2018-05-01T06:00:56-04:00May 1, 2018|

Orphan Train author Christina Baker Kline was our keynote speaker during the inaugural Northcoast Writers’ Showcase last week.

We had the opportunity to interview her, and she discussed:

 

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