Author Events

Please register to attend this virtual author event.

Step into Spring with us as we chat with the highly acclaimed New York Times bestselling author Jodi Picoult about her newest novel, By Any Other Name. 

In 1581, Emilia Bassano—like most young women of her day—is allowed no voice of her own. But as the Lord Chamberlain’s mistress, she has access to all theaters in England and finds a way to secretly bring her work to the stage. And yet, creating some of the world’s greatest dramatic masterpieces comes at great cost: by paying a man for the use of his name, she will write her own out of history.

In the present, playwright Melina Green has just written a new work inspired by the life of her Elizabethan ancestor Emilia Bassano. Although the challenges are different four hundred years later, the playing field is still not level for women in theater. Would Melina—like Emilia—be willing to forfeit her credit as author, just for a chance to see her work performed?

Told in intertwining narratives, By Any Other Name is a sweeping tale of ambition, courage, and desire that asks what price each woman is willing to pay to see their work live on—even if it means they will be forgotten. Register now to join the wondrous conversation! 

About the Author: Jodi Picoult is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of twenty-nine novels, including By Any Other Name, Mad Honey (co-authored with Jennifer Finney Boylan), Wish You Were Here, The Book of Two Ways, A Spark of Light, Small Great Things, Leaving Time, and My Sister’s Keeper, and, with daughter Samantha van Leer, two young adult novels, Between the Lines and Off the Page. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband.

This program is presented by the Library Speakers Consortium.

William Carlos Williams wrote, “It is difficult/to get the news from poems/though men die miserably every day/for lack/of what is found there.” What exactly do poets bring to the newsroom?

In this panel, four poets will explore through their poetry, current and past events that have preoccupied us including: war in the middle east, antisemitism and other forms of racism, the Covid epidemic, homophobia, global warming, and gun control. The panelists are all widely published poets: Richard Michelson and Lesléa Newman (both from Northampton), Jayne Benjulian (West Stockbridge), and Owen Lewis (Stockbridge).

About the poets:

• Jayne Benjulian's poems and essays appear widely in journals and anthologies. David Wojahn described her poetry collection Five Sextillion Atoms  as "a highly distinctive and gripping book notable for the ways in which it combines the stories of family history with larger matters of public history." She was a Teaching Fellow at Emory University, and a Fulbright scholar in Lyon, France and mentored poets and prose writers at the University of San Francisco and San Francisco State. She served as Director of New Play Development at Magic Theatre in San Francisco and Chief Speechwriter at Apple. In the Berkshires, she continues to mentor writers and guide their books from concept to publication. April 5th is her 12-year anniversary in West Stockbridge. 
• Owen Lewis is the author of four collections of poetry and three chapbooks, most recently Knock-knock. Field Light was a Distinguished Favorite, 2020 NYCBigBook Award and a 2021 “Must Read”, Mass Book Awards. best man was the recipient of the Jean Pedrick Chapbook Prize of the New England Poetry Club. Recent prizes include the 2023 Guernsey International Poetry Prize and the 2023 Rumi Prize for Poetry/Arts & Letters. He is also recipient of the International Hippocrates Prize for Poetry and Medicine. At Columbia University he is Professor of Psychiatry in the Department of Medical Humanities and Ethics and teaches Narrative Medicine. (www.owenlewispoet.com)
• Richard Michelson’s books have been listed among the Ten Best of the Year by the NY Times, Publishers Weekly, and The New Yorker; He’s received a National Jewish Book Award (plus twice finalist), two Gold Medals from the Association of Jewish Libraries, and two Massachusetts Cultural Council Fellowships. His collections include Sleeping as Fast as I Can (Slant), More Money than God (U Pittsburgh), Battles and Lullabies (U Illinois), and Tap Dancing for the Relatives (U Central Florida). Michelson’s work was chosen to represent the Commonwealth at the 2018 Library of Congress National Book Festival, and in 2019 he became the sixth recipient of the Samuel Minot Jones Award for Lifetime Literary Achievement. Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Michelson now lives in Western Massachusetts. He served two terms as Poet Laureate of Northampton, where he owns R. Michelson Galleries and hosts Northampton Poetry Radio.
• Lesléa Newman has created 87 books for readers of all ages including the memoirs-in-verse, I Carry My Mother and I Wish Father; the novel-in-verse, October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard; the poetry collection, Lovely; and the children’s books, Sparkle Boy, Heather Has Two Mommies, Welcoming Elijah: A Passover Tale with a Tail; and Joyful Song: A Naming Story. Her literary awards include a poetry fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Massachusetts Artists Foundation, two National Jewish Book Awards, two American Library Association Stonewall Honors, the Association for Jewish Libraries Sydney Taylor Body of Work Award, and the Massachusetts Book Award. She is a past poet laureate of Northampton, MA.

This event will also be livestreamed on our YouTube channel and available to view afterward. Click here to view. 

Please register to attend this virtual author event.

Join us as Smithsonian Horticulturalist Matthew Fleming, guides us through the secret world of trees as is revealed in the beautiful and absorbing guide to the giants of the plant world—The Tree Book: The Stories, Science, and History of Trees.

Trees occur naturally throughout the world and have been a part of human history for almost as long as humans have existed. Used for shelter, tools, fuel, and food, they also help supply the atmosphere with oxygen and form astonishingly diverse ecosystems, as well as some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes. Now the intricate world of leafy woodlands and abundant rainforests is revealed in this extensive visual guide to trees, exploring their key scientific traits and their ecological importance, as well as their enduring significance in human history and culture. From ancient oaks and great redwoods to lush banyans and imposing kapoks, The Tree Book reveals the anatomy, behaviors, and beauty of these incredible plants and habitats in detail. 

 About the Presenter: Matthew Fleming has been a horticulturist at the Smithsonian Gardens Greenhouse Facility in Suitland, Maryland since 2010. In addition to serving as a supervisory horticulturist, he manages three greenhouses with nearly a thousand tropical specimens that are displayed throughout the many Smithsonian gardens and landscapes along the National Mall during the warmer months. He has given talks on a wide variety of plant-related topics at the Smithsonian ranging from indoor pests to overwintering tropical plants.  Prior to coming to the Smithsonian, Matt was a purchasing agent and garden center assistant manager for a full-service landscaping firm.  He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Penn State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences where he studied Horticulture and Landscape Contracting. 

This program is presented by the Library Speakers Consortium.

In response to a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, Joan Cenedella, a courageous local woman, chose to end her life by voluntarily stopping eating and drinking (VSED) rather than slowly lose herself to the disease. Her partner, Fran Volkmann, and a small group of close friends, have written a book, Herself to the End, about Joan’s journey and about the VSED process.

Fran will be joined by co-author Carol Edelstein to present Joan’s and their experience and to read from the book. There will be ample time for questions and discussion.

This event will also be livestreamed on the Forbes Library YouTube channel, and the recording will be available to view afterward. Click here to view. 

Join us as Ross Gay discusses his Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude, a part of the NEA Big Read 2025. This is the keynote event for the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association and Montague Public Libraries NEA Big Read 2024/25, co-sponsored by the Springfield Public Forum, the All Hamptons Read, and The Care Center.

Please register online to receive the Zoom link: https://bit.ly/BigRead-RossGay

About the author: Ross Gay is the author of four books of poetry: Against Which; Bringing the Shovel Down; Be Holding, winner of the PEN American Literary Jean Stein Award; and Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude, winner of the 2015 National Book Critics Circle Award and the 2016 Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award. In addition to his poetry, Ross has released three collections of essays—The Book of Delights was released in 2019 and was a New York Times bestseller; Inciting Joy was released in 2022, and his newest collection, The Book of (More) Delights was released in September of 2023.

The NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.

Additional Big Read 2025 events can be found here: https://deerfield-ma.org/nea-big-read-2025-events/
and the All-Hamptons Read here: https://forbeslibrary.org/events/all-hamptons-read/

In an ever-changing world, our sense of place—our connection to the landscapes, communities, and histories that shape us—offers a foundation for well-being, belonging, and stewardship. Research shows that strong place connections enhance mental health, reduce stress, and foster a sense of meaning in our lives. Communities rooted in a shared sense of place are more resilient, fostering understanding, cooperation, and a deeper appreciation for cultural and natural heritage. When we feel connected to a place, we are more likely to care for it, ensuring its stories, landscapes, and ecosystems endure for future generations.

Join us for an immersive 90-minute writing workshop designed to ignite your creativity and deepen your connection to the places you cherish. Each session culminates in an optional opportunity to share your work at a community concert and open mic, celebrating local voices and stories.

Sense of Place Story & Writing is for everyone—whether you’re a seasoned writer or just beginning. Using simple, sensory-rich prompts, you’ll unlock vivid descriptions, authentic emotions, and compelling narratives that can shape stories, poems, songs, and more.

Guided by Erica Wheeler, you’ll follow a step-by-step process to tap into the power of place through writing. You’ll craft a touchstone story—one that captures meaningful moments from your past or present, deepening both personal and communal ties to the places you call home. Don't miss this chance to explore, create, and connect through the art of storytelling. 

About the facilitator: Erica Wheeler is an award-winning singer-songwriter and TEDx speaker and has worked extensively with the National Parks. She is experienced in facilitating creative writing workshops and retreats, using a “sense of place” as the gateway to creativity, curiosity, belonging, and identity. More at www.senseofplaceconsulting.com.

Where We Live: A Sense of Place Story & Writing Workshop is part of the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association (PVMA) and Montague Public Libraries NEA Big Read of Ross Gay's poetry collection, Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude. NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.

The PVMA is one of 62 programs in communities nationwide selected to participate in this year’s theme exploring “Where We Live.” This year, public libraries in Northampton, Florence, Easthampton, Southampton, Westhampton, and Williamsburg will be joining our All Hamptons Read program with our PVMA neighbors.

PVMA’s three-season program focuses on Ross Gay’s book of poetry, Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude. Gay’s poetry acknowledges both the painful aspects of life and our ability to find gratitude and joy—in nature and in ordinary moments of kindness and joy—is inspiring. Gay’s love of nature, especially orchards, inspired the kick-off during Franklin County Cider Days last Fall with an “Orchard Saunter” featuring Erica Wheeler.  

Learn more about the NEA Big Read and All Hamptons Read on our website.

Jess Frey will lead a sound bath with a focus on gratitude. A sound bath is an immersive event where you will experience crystal bowls, chimes, and songs to evoke vibrational therapeutic healing.

This event is part of the All Hamptons Read of Ross Gay's book of poetry, Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude and is presented by Lilly Library.

American Poetry Review writes that the poems "feel bold and wild and weird” and Ross exhorts us to never lose sight of gratitude no matter our immediate circumstances. This is clearly good medicine for us now but it's probably good medicine no matter the circumstance.

This event will be held at Bombyx (Florence): 130 Pine St, Florence, MA. Please contact Lilly Library with questions: 413-587-1500.

This event was rescheduled from February 25.

Join authors Pagan Kennedy and Karen Brown in conversation about Pagan's new book, The Secret History of the Rape Kit: A True Crime Story. 

About the book: Marty Goddard dreamed up a new crime-solving tool—a kit that could help rape survivors fight for justice. This thrilling investigation tells the story of the troubled, heroic woman who kicked off a feminist revolution in forensics, and then vanished into obscurity.

About the speakers:

• Pagan Kennedy is the author of eleven books. Her journalism has appeared in dozens of publications including The New Yorker and Atlantic Monthly; she has worked as a columnist for The New York Times Magazine, The Boston Globe Magazine, and The Village Voice.  Her awards include a Knight Science Journalism Fellowship at MIT, an NEA Fellowship, a Smithsonian Fellowship, and two Massachusetts Cultural Council fellowships.
• Karen Brown is a public radio science reporter and print journalist based in western Massachusetts, with a focus on mental health. In addition to 25 years at New England Public Radio, Karen has contributed to NPR, The New York Times, and other national outlets.  Recent projects have explored the biology of resilience, bipolar disorder in children, gambling health policy and addiction treatment – and she produced the NPR Network podcast, “The Secrets We Keep.” Her awards include the National Edward R. Murrow Award, The Daniel Schorr Journalism Prize, and the Erikson Prize for Mental Health Media. She’s been a MIT-Knight Science Journalism Fellow, a Logan Science Fellow at MBL, and a Rosalynn Carter Mental Health Journalism fellow. As a journalism educator, she was the founding director of the Dart Center’s Global Fellowship on Early Childhood Development and senior fellow for the USC Center for Health Journalism.

Books will be available to purchase onsite from Amherst Books. 

This event will be livestreamed on our YouTube channel. Click here to view. 

Join us to hear from author Jennifer Brunton, PhD, about her new book, The #ActuallyAutistic Guide to Building Independence: A Handbook for Teens, Young Adults, and Those Who Care About Them.

Transitioning into adulthood is already difficult, but being young and Autistic can make it so much harder. Leaving the protections and supports of childhood behind can feel daunting. In a world that often marginalises Autistic people, how do you begin to figure out and pursue your own goals and dreams, while also managing the new challenges of adulthood?

This empowering book is here to help you (and your Neurodiverse family and friends who love you) learn how to navigate these transitions on your own terms and timeline. It recognises that no matter where you are - home, school, college, work, out with friends - you have the right to be heard, to feel safe and comfortable, and to chart your own path to success. And it will give you the tools you need to make sure that happens.

About the presenter: Jennifer Brunton, Ph.D. is the co-author, with Jenna Gensic, M.A., of The #ActuallyAutistic Guide to Advocacy: Step-by-Step Advice on How to Ally and Speak Up
with Autistic People and the Autism Community and The #ActuallyAutistic Guide to Building Independence: A Handbook for Teens, Young Adults, and Those Who Care About Them. Every topic in these empowering, affirming books was chosen, shaped, and informed by perspectives and insights from more than 100 #ActuallyAutistic people. Brunton consults around neurodiversity inclusion, and regularly gives keynotes and other talks, workshops, and classes, based on these books.

Please register to attend this virtual author event.

Do you love action-packed adventure? Are you ready for the thrill? You’re invited to a riveting conversation with New York Times bestselling author Gregg Hurwitz as he chats with us about his Orphan X series and his life as a writer of suspenseful storytelling.

Now ten books in, fans cannot get enough of the Orphan X world and Hurwitz can’t wait to tell us all about it. Register now for a conversation you just cannot miss!

About the Author: GREGG HURWITZ is the New York Times #1 internationally bestselling author of 24 thrillers including the Orphan X series. His novels have won numerous literary awards and have been published in 33 languages. Gregg currently serves as the Co-President of International Thriller Writers (ITW). Additionally, he’s written screenplays and television scripts for many of the major studios and networks, comics for AWA (including the critically acclaimed anthology NewThink), DC, and Marvel, and poetry. Currently, Gregg is actively working against polarization in politics and culture. To that end, he's penned op-eds for The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, The Bulwark, Salon, and others, and has produced several hundred commercials and creative content which have gotten several hundred million views on digital TV platforms. He also helped write the opening ceremony of the 2022 World Cup.

This program is presented by the Library Speakers Consortium.

Journeydance is a guided practice set to music. A dance ceremony for your body and soul that has nothing to do with learning steps or being a “good” dancer, and everything to do with re-discovering your own natural and intuitive movement.

In this transformational dance form, freestyle and guided movement come together to help you get out of your mind and into your body. Journeydance moves you through a deep, personal exploration that brings you into a more loving and intimate relationship with yourself, and therefore the world.

No dance experience necessary. Just a willingness to move and be moved.

This event is part of the All Hamptons Read of Ross Gay's book of poetry, Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude and is presented by Lilly Library.

American Poetry Review writes that the poems "feel bold and wild and weird” and Ross exhorts us to never lose sight of gratitude no matter our immediate circumstances. This is clearly good medicine for us now but it's probably good medicine no matter the circumstance.

This event will be held at Bombyx (Florence): 130 Pine St, Florence, MA. Please contact Lilly Library with questions: 413-587-1500.

Join us at this beautiful library for an afternoon of great poetry, featuring these distinguished poets: 

• Jen Jabaily-Blackburn - Program & Outreach Coordinator, Boutelle-Day Poetry Center at Smith College
• Shari Caplan - Exhibitionist (Lily Poetry Review Books, 2024) was awarded the Paul Nemser Prize
• Charles Coe - selected by the Associates of the Boston Public Library as a Boston Literary Light in 2014
• Lee Desrosiers - editor, Naugatuck River Review
• Deborah Leipziger - co-founder of Soul-Lit, an on-line poetry magazine which features spiritual poetry, & co-founder of the New England Jewish Poetry Festival
• Ellen Doré Watson - Director Emerita, Boutelle-Day Poetry Center at Smith College

This new group is for writers and illustrators at any level of experience who are passionate about creating stories for kids and teens.

We meet on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of every month from 3-4:30 pm in the Watson Room at the library, BUT FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL WE ARE ONLY MEETING APRIL 26TH 3:00-4:30PM. Our focus is on building a supportive critique group where we can share work, offer constructive feedback, and grow as creators. While we lean toward picture book projects, writers and illustrators working on middle-grade and YA are welcome to join as well.

Our group welcomes SCBWI members and hopes to connect with others in the SCBWI community, though you don’t need to be a member to join us. New members are especially welcome as we grow this creative community. Bring your work-in-progress, your ideas, or just your enthusiasm!

For more information, please contact Emily: Ellisbrune (AT) ellisbrune.com

Jonathan Moldover, author of The Oxbow Since Thomas Cole: The Story of a Landscape, a Painting, and a Community, will talk about the community which has developed on the Oxbow since the late nineteenth century, accompanied by video clips from the oral history project which was the basis of the book. He will talk about how nature as well as political and business interests have changed the island, and the remarkable resilience of the Oxbow community. He will also explain why the island crossed the river and why the highway crossed the island.

This event has been rescheduled from the original March 26th date.

Live in the Coolidge Museum and on the Forbes Library YouTube channel. 

Since the Supreme Court overturned constitutional abortion rights in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization in 2022, abortion pills have become a lifeline for people living in states restricting abortion. Close to two dozen states now ban abortion, yet the official number of abortions in the U.S. has actually increased significantly since Dobbs, even in states banning abortion. This is due in large part to the development of telehealth abortion and providers in states like Massachusetts serving people in ban states via telehealth and mailing pills. The real number of abortions, however, is much higher because of the development of a robust underground abortion pill system in the U.S.

Smith College professor Carrie N. Baker, author of Abortion Pills: US History and Politics (Amherst College Press, 2024), will explain these developments, their backstory and what’s likely to happen next now that Trump is back in the White House.

Gallery of Readers presents a monthly reading. Free and open to the public.