Category: Books

The Christmas Tree Shops with Anthony Sammarco

Posted on by Jessica O'Connor

The Christmas Tree Shop was not just an icon of New England, it was a destination with stores that boasted a diverse assortment of merchandise from seasonal decorations, home decor, housewares, food, giftware and just about everything else that the public just had to have. These were items you never thought you needed before stepping through the door, but who could resist a bargain?

Interested in learning more about the history and local charm of the Christmas Tree Shop? Come join us on Saturday, January 25th at 1pm in the Hermann room as local author Anthony Sammarco presents an illustrated lecture on his newest book, The Christmas Tree Shops: Don’t You Just Love A Bargain? After the lecture, there will be a book signing with books available for purchase by Eight Cousins.

Referred to as the “Balzac of Boston History” by the Boston Globe, Anthony Mitchell Sammarco is a noted historian and author of many books on the history and development of Boston, and he lectures widely on the history and development of his native city. He commenced writing in 1995, and his 89th book, published in 2024, was The History of the Christmas Tree Shops. He received the Bulfinch Award from the Doric Dames of the Massachusetts State House, the Washington Medal from Freedom Foundation, a lifetime achievement from both the Victorian Society and the Gibson House Museum. He is president of the Osterville Village Library; past president of the Bay State Historical League and he served as a corporator of the New England Baptist Hospital for a decade. He lives in Boston and in Osterville on Cape Cod.

This event is free to the public and is sponsored by the Board of Library Trustees. Register to attend by CLICKING HERE or by visiting/calling the adult service desk at 508-457-2555 x7.

New Stories about Old Bells with author Ken Peal

Posted on by Sue

Neighborhood Falmouth and the Falmouth Public Library are jointly offering this program on Wednesday, October 16 at 1 pm, which is open to the public!

Author Ken Peal is continuing his investigations of bells in town that were not included in his book (Bells of Falmouth, 2023). This talk will add them to his inventory of town treasures. He is also following and participating in renovation projects. And you will hear about an important cache of artifacts that he was shown in a banker’s box in the basement of the school administration building. He will trace Teaticket elementary school and its bell through many different schoolhouses and locations – was the Zylinski house (demolished to make way for Town Fair Tire) originally one of those buildings? Copies of his book will be available to buy from Eight Cousins Books.

If you are planning to attend this event, please register with the Falmouth Public Library by going to falmouthpubliclibrary.org/events, or call the library at 508-457-2555 x 7. (note: our calendar is currently down, so call us or email us at info@falmouthpubliclibrary.org if you are unable to register online).

Neighborhood Falmouth is part of a growing national movement to promote continuing community residence for older Americans.  Neighborhood Falmouth members, staff, and volunteers work together to help older Falmouth residents continue to enjoy our multi-generational community from the comfort of their own homes .They partner with other organizations in Falmouth that provide services for seniors. Learn more about them at neighborhoodfalmouth.org or call 508-564-7543.

Reading and Writing Horror

Posted on by Kristin Nelson

Reading and Writing Horror with Corey Farrenkopf

Do you love the horror genre? Have you ever wondered how horror writers craft suspense, create memorable creatures or write fear all while avoiding clichés?  Join Corey Farrenkopf, author of Living in Cemeteries, in conversation about his love of reading and writing horror on Wednesday, October 23rd at 6:30 PM in the Hermann Room. Copies of his book will be available for purchase at the event from Eight Cousins Books.

Corey Farrenkopf is a Cape Cod based writer. His debut novel, Living in Cemeteries, was published by JournalStone in April of 2024.  He is the Fiction Editor for the Cape Cod Poetry Review. His work has appeared in The Southwest Review, SmokeLong Quarterly, Tiny Nightmares, Catapult, Three-Lobed Burning Eye, Bourbon Penn, Flash Fiction Online, Wigleaf, The Florida Review, Reckoning, and elsewhere. His work has been nominated for multiple Pushcart Prizes and a Best of the Net award. He has also been nominated for both the Year’s Best Horror Anthology and the Year’s Best Horror and Dark Fantasy Anthology. He is represented by Marie Lamba of the Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency. He currently resides in a house on a hill with his wife, Gabrielle, and their tiny dog, Ooli. He works as a librarian.

Praise for Living in Cemeteries:

“Does friendship/love or ghostly determinism rule the day? The spirits are alive on Cape Cod in Corey Farrenkopf’s Living Cemeteries. A strange, beguiling, ghostly romp that reads as though Wes Anderson novelized Peter Jackson’s The Frighteners. I’m here for it.”

–Paul Tremblay, the nationally best-selling author of The Cabin at the End of the World and A Head Full of Ghosts 

For more information about Corey Farrenkopf: https://www.coreyfarrenkopf.com/

This event is free to the public and registration is required as seating is limited. Register HERE or visit/call the adult services desk at 508-457-2555 x7.

 

Edward Gorey “Sinister Cozy”

Posted on by Clint Johnson

A Talk with the Director of the Edward Gorey House, Gregory Hischak

On Tuesday, October 22nd, we welcome Gregory Hischak, the Director of the Edward Gorey House and Museum to speak on Gorey’s achievements and his wonderfully amusing oddities. The presentation will run from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM in the reading room in front of the fireplace. He will be giving a presentation of Gorey’s natural creepy and hilarious artwork in his books, theater sets, and many other mediums.

Terrible things unfold in an Edward Gorey Book—children are swept out to sea, abducted by murderous insects, fall into unsavory company, or get carried off by giant birds. Sometimes they die of boredom. Edward writes, and draws, about everyday life and, for reasons that will likely come up in this presentation, his books are a delight and extremely funny. Mostly. Gorey’s work as a book artist, an illustrator, and designer is frequently categorized as Whimsically Macabre, though we prefer the term “Sinister Cozy”. His work looks a hundred and thirty years older than it is yet he consistently remains thirty years ahead of us at all times.

Please come join us on this spooky evening with “Sinister Cozy”. Registration is required.

Register here!

Hope to see you soon!

Halloween at the Library!

Posted on by Jessica O'Connor

Booooooo tooooo yooooooooo!!!!!

Through the month of October, we are offering some fun and interesting programming that is a little spookier than usual.  There are books, readings, writing, theatre and an Edward Gorey art and presentation (unfortunately, he won’t make it given the whole death thing).  We will even be screening double feature movies just like in the old days! October is one of our favorite months! See below for all of our events! 

 

Edward Gorey Gashlycrumb Tinies around the Library!
October, Anytime we are open!…..No registration needed

The Gashlycrumb Tinies: or, After the Outing is an alphabet book written by Edward Gorey that was first published in 1963 as the first of a collection of short stories called The Vinegar Works, the eleventh work by Gorey. The book tells the tale of 26 children (each representing a letter of the alphabet) and their untimely deaths. It is one of Edward best-known books and is the most notorious amongst his roughly half-dozen mock alphabets. It has been described as a “sarcastic rebellion against his childhood that is sunny, idyllic, and instructive.” The morbid humor of the book comes in part from the mundane ways in which the children in the story die, such as falling down the stairs or choking on a peach. Far from illustrating  and dramatic and fantastical childhood nightmares, these scenarios instead poke fun at the banal paranoids that come as a part of parenting.

Gorey has stated that the book to be inspired by “those 19th century cautionary tales, I guess, though my book is punishment without misbehavior”.

Each letter of the alphabet will be on display for all of October in the Library’s Adult Section. No need to register, come back and check it out!

Zoom Talk: A Journey into the Hidden World of Tropical Bats with Scientists from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
Wednesday, October 2nd, 2pm …… REGISTER HERE
Online via Zoom

For decades, scientists at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute have studied the remarkable biodiversity of bats on Barro Colorado Island in Panama, where an astonishing seventy-six species coexist. Now, for the first time, Smithsonian scientists’ expertise pairs with the stunning photography of National Geographic contributor Christian Ziegler for a captivating visual journey into the fascinating world of these elusive night creatures, to bring you the book Bat Island: A Rare Journey into the Hidden World of Tropical Bats.

Bats are unique among mammals: they have acquired true flight, they provide essential ecosystem services, and represent the ecologically most diverse group of mammals worldwide. Synthesizing decades-worth of intensive study, Drs. Rachel Page, Dina Dechmann, Teague O’Mara, and Marco Tschapka provide authoritative insight alongside 150 photographs that showcase bats’ extraordinary environmental adaptations and rich natural history.

This virtual presentation will cover topics from the book, such as the diverse sensory abilities of bats, their foraging strategies, roosting ecologies, and social systems. Bat Island presents decades of study of the hyper diverse bat population on Barro Colorado Island in addition to the most comprehensive and long-term datasets on tropical bats. The book and this presentation highlights how bats are threatened by habitat fragmentation and land degradation, and communicate the initiatives needed to ensure the survival of these animals, which are critical to maintaining healthy, balanced ecosystems.

Double Feature Movie: Hocus Pocus (1993)
Tuesday, October 8th, 5pm …… REGISTER HERE
Hermann Meeting Room

“After moving to Salem, Mass., teenager Max Dennison explores an abandoned house with his sister Dani and their new friend, Allison. After dismissing a story Allison tells as superstitious, Max accidentally frees a coven of evil witches who used to live in the house. Now, with the help of a magical cat, the kids must steal the witches’ book of spells to stop them from becoming immortal.” Rated: PG Running; Time: 1hr 36mins

Double Feature Movie: Hocus Pocus 2 (2022)
Tuesday, October 8th, 6:45pm …… REGISTER HERE
Hermann Meeting Room

“It’s been 29 years since someone lit the Black Flame Candle and resurrected the 17th-century Sanderson sisters, and they are looking for revenge. Now it is up to three high-school students to stop the ravenous witches from wreaking a new kind of havoc on Salem before dawn on All Hallow’s Eve.” Rated: PG; Running Time: 1hr 43mins


Don DeCristofaro Paranormal Activity Professional
Thursday, October 17th, 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM.

Register here!

Hermann Meeting Room

Don DeCristofaro, a professional ghost and paranormal activity investigator, will be joining us on October 17th at 4:30 in the Library’s Herman Meeting Room. He has worked in the Lizzie Bordon house, as well as the house that inspired the hit movie The Conjuring. 

His most recent investigation of paranormal activity is on the USS Salem. The USS Salem was a World War 2 Heavy Cruiser. He spends at the least once a week there using the technology that has been developed. 

The presentation will include showing the tools that they use to monitor possible “other worldly” guests. Since Don has been investigating the USS Salem, Don became to have “relationships” with those have who have passed on and left behind. 

At the end of the presentation, Don is offering his very own expertise and advice to any patrons who may have suspicion that there is another room mate who never pays their rent. All ages event! You can give us a call, email a request, or register online!

WatermelonAlligator Theatre Company Presents Spooky Stories for All Ages
Saturday, October 19th, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM …… Register here!
Hermann Meeting Room


On October 19th from 2-4 PM, enjoy some family friendly tales of ghosts, mysteries, and the supernatural performed by professional working actors. Maybe even outside if the weather is cooperating!

The tales are appropriate for all ages. Adults, children and everything in between will enjoy. Our horror and spooky fans in training will get a real kick with the whole family!

There will even be a cauldron for witches to make their brews!

 

Edward Gorey Talk with Gorey House Museum Director, Gregory Hischak
Tuesday, October 22nd, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM…..Register here!  
Hermann Meeting Room

Please join us for a talk and presentation of Edward Gorey’s work and its ties to Cape Cod and the community.

Terrible things unfold in an Edward Gorey Book – children are swept out to sea, abducted by murderous insects, fall into unsavory company, or get carried off by giant birds. Sometimes they die of boredom. Edward writes, and draws, about everyday life and, for reasons that will likely come up in this presentation, his books are a delight and extremely funny. Mostly, Gorey’s work as a book artist, an illustrator, and designer is frequently categorized as Whimsically Macabre, though we prefer the term Sinister Cozy. Hi works looks a hundred and thirty years older than it is yet he consistently remains thirty years ahead of us at all times. He also won a Tony award for best costume and scenic design for his work in the play Dracula. Edward is the perfect boss: open to endless interpretation and not prone to disagreement – as he is dead.

 

Reading and Writing Horror!
Wednesday, October 23rd, 6:30pm …… REGISTER HERE
Hermann Meeting Room

Do you love the horror genre? Have you ever wondered how horror writers craft suspense, create memorable creatures or write fear all while avoiding clichés? Join Corey Farrenkopf, author of Living in Cemeteries, in conversation about his love of reading and writing horror.  Copies of his book will be available for purchase at the event from Eight Cousins Books.

Zoom Talk: New England Ghost Stories, REGISTER HERE

There’s nothing quite like a New England ghost story. From Peter Rugg’s ghostly carriage ride to the haunting of the Sterling Opera House, there is a wealth of spooky tales that are told all over the northeast. Come hear the cases of the most famous hauntings from each New England state, and decide for yourself if you ought to sleep with the lights on. Led by Sarah Hodge-Wetherbe, a librarian by day and a frequent speaker at ComicCons, conferences, and libraries on nights and weekend. This has been shared with us by the Tewksbury Library! Please note that this is virtual only, and does not take place in the library. Click the above link to register, and you will receive the link, and the recording later.

Double Feature Movie: Curse of the Blair Witch (1999)
Tuesday, October 29th, 6pm …… REGISTER HERE
Hermann Meeting Room

“A documentary exploring the life of the Blair Witch and the three missing student filmmakers who disappeared in October of 1994 while investigating the legend of the Blair Witch.”  Rated: NR; Running Time: 44mins



Double Feature Movie: Blair Witch Project (1999)
Tuesday, October 29th, 6:55pm …… REGISTER HERE
Hermann Meeting Room

“In October of 1994, three student filmmakers disappeared in the forest near Burkittsville, Maryland while shooting a documentary about a legendary 18th-century witch.  A year later their footage was found.  This is their footage.”  Rated R for language (children under 17 require accompanying adult or adult guardian);  Running Time: 1hr 18mins


Writings of Carson McCullers with David Webb

Posted on by Sue

David Webb has taught many Joy of Learning classes at the library; this October, he will teach a class on beloved Southern writer Carson McCullers’ novella The Ballad of the Sad Café, and several short stories! She is also the author of The Heart is a Lonely Hunter and Member of the Wedding. Please note that our Joy of Learning program is being revised, and will continue in 2025!

It will meet on four Wednesday mornings from 10:30 am – noon starting on October 2nd. Please register, as space is limited. Please register once for the whole series by clicking this link. Copies of the book will be available to pick up at the reference desk. 

for October 2: read Ballad, pp. 3-37, stop at “So let the slow years pass…”
for October 9, conclude Ballad, from “So let the slow years pass” from p. 37 to the end, pp. 37-71
for October 16, read “The Jockey” (pp. 93-99) and “Madame Zilensky and the King of Finland” (pp. 103-112)
for October 23, read “The Sojourner” pp. (115-125) and “A Domestic Dilemma” (pp. 129-140)

We thank the Board of Library Trustees for sponsoring this program.

Author Talk with Lawrence Millman

Posted on by Kristin Nelson

Outsider: My Boyhood with Thoreau with Lawrence Millman

 

Join us at the Falmouth Public Library on Tuesday, October 1st at 6:30 PM in the Hermann Meeting Room for an author talk and book signing with mycologist and author Lawrence Millman!  He will be discussing his latest memoir Outside: My Boyhood with Thoreau.  Copies of the book will be available for purchase at the event from Eight Cousins Books.

Early on, Millman found in Thoreau a kindred spirit, far outside of the mainstream social, sporting, and educational interests he was expected to be cultivating. And like Thoreau, he would rather be out-of-doors — where he could socialize with mushrooms, insects, or earthworms — than stuck in any indoor locale.

“Lawrence Millman is my kind of guy–kind of like a cross between Henry David Thoreau and a badger (the Eurasian badger, as the American badger is sometimes considered ill-tempered). Like Larry, I am always happiest among the salamanders and caterpillars, but reading Larry’s vivid, honest, often hilarious accounts of how nature shaped his quirky, abundant life makes for excellent company. Everyone who loves animals and nature will love this.”

— Sy Montgomery, author of Of Time and Turtles: Mending the World, Shell by Shattered Shell

Writer, ethnographer, mycologist Lawrence Millman has made over forty trips and expeditions to the Arctic and Subarctic. His twenty-seven books include such titles as Last Places, Northern Latitudes, A Kayak Full of Ghosts, Our Like Will Not Be There Again, Hiking to Siberia, Lost in the Arctic, At the End of the World, The Book of Origins, Fungipedia, The Last Speaker of Bear, Foraging with Jeeves, and the Coyote Arts title Goodbye, Ice. He has written for Smithsonian, National Geographic, Outside, Atlantic Monthly, and The Sunday Times (London). He lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts. 

For more information about Lawrence Millman: https://lawrencemillman.com/This event is free to the public and registration is required as seating is limited. Register HERE or visit/call the adult services desk at 508-457-2555 x7.

Reference Book Bonanza!

Posted on by Kristin Nelson

 

Reference Book Bonanza

Join us for a daylong Reference Book Bonanza on Saturday, September 21st, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM in the Bay Meeting Room!

Celebrate the changing seasons and cozy up for long, chilly nights with fantastic additions to your home library. At the Reference Book Bonanza, you’re invited to take home as many reference books as you’d like from our collection of discards over the past year. Explore a wide range of topics—from bioethics and cartography to cryptozoology—there’s something for everyone!

Think you can name all the Dewey Decimal categories? If not, don’t worry—we’ll take you from the 001s to the 999s in no time!

Curious about philosophy? Wondering about the meaning of life? You just might find the answers here.

Don’t miss out!

This event is free to the public and registration is NOT required. Call the adult services desk at 508-457-2555 x7 or email them at info@falmouthpubliclibrary.org if you have questions. 

 

Maddie Day/Edith Maxwell Author Talk & Book Signing

Posted on by Jessica O'Connor

Join us at the Falmouth Public Library on Saturday, October 5th at 3pm in the Hermann meeting room for local author talk and book signing with Maddie Day – a.k.a. Edith Maxwell!  She will be discussing her new books A Case for the Ladies and Murder at the Rusty Anchor.  Copies of her books will be available for purchase at the event from Eight Cousins.

A Case for the Ladies: A Dot and Amelia Mystery

“This novel brings a pre-fame Amelia Earhart to life in 1926, when she lived in a Boston suburb and worked as a teacher and social worker at a settlement house founded to help immigrant women. After Amelia meets fictional lady PI Dot Henderson, and more than one young immigrant woman is found murdered, the two put their heads together to seek justice for the less powerful.”


Murder at the Rusty Anchor: A Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery

“A rainy July weekend in Westham means the beaches are empty and business is dead at Mac’s Bikes but couldn’t be livelier inside the Rusty Anchor Pub. But come Monday morning one patron is not so lively when the chef opens up and finds a body behind the bar. It’s last call for Bruce Byrne, an elderly high school teacher who’s been around so long it seems like he taught everybody.”

 

Maddie Day/Edith Maxwell is the Agatha Award and Macavity Award-winning author of the Cozy Capers Book Club Mystery series and the Country Store Mysteries, as well as other series. A member of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America, she is a regular contributor at Mystery Lovers’ Kitchen and belongs to The Wickeds, a group of six bestselling authors who blog at WickedAuthors.com. She lives with her beau north of Boston, though she knows both Indiana and Cape Cod intimately. She is a talented amateur chef and gardener and can be found online at edithmaxwell.com.

This event is free to the public. CLICK HERE to register online event calendar or visit/call the adult service desk at 508-457-2555 x7.

Back to School, Back to school, to Prove to Dad that I’m not a Fool

Posted on by Clint Johnson

Get geared up for success this coming year at Falmouth Public Library

                It’s that time of year again! But you aren’t alone. The library is a tool for academic success, free thinking, and somewhere to have fun! At the main branch we carry a vast collection of resources, have author talks, events of all kinds, and a great place to get that extra credit to start off the year!

                Falmouth Public Library devotes itself to serving our patrons (that’s you!) with the necessary materials that promote free thinking. We have newspapers, non-fiction, fiction (maybe more truth than non-fiction?), and reference materials ranging from local history to vehicle repair manuals. For the most part, if you need it, we will try our best to provide it. We are here to serve the community. This includes our English as a second language patrons. In the Young Adult room, we have been building up our own world language collection. We plan for the collection to expand and break down the language barrier which impedes on the inclusion we wish to provide. We also offer English as a second language classes which are available throughout the year.

                We also host author talks (usually followed by some book signing), movie viewing, Dungeons and Dragons Club, and a room full of manga and graphic novels.  Some big programs that we run are the CapeCon (ComiCon), spooky season talks and decorations, and films on Fridays!

                We are here to help everyone succeed. Inclusion is one of the corner stones. In order to achieve the goal of all inclusion, barriers must be broken down. Language, economic status, race, religion, and all that stuff you aren’t supposed to talk about, only separates the community further. Our services and programs are a breaking point of the Berlin Wall! Once we realize we are more alike than different, it’s exciting to spend time and learn with others who have the same interest. Another thing we offer is video games! Super Smash Brothers does not care what language you are yelling in. It may as well be listening to whales, filled with emotion that we can all understand.

                We warmly invite any one and any friends of the community to come and peruse our resources while you have a great time getting to know people. Many of which we very well may not have known!