Happy 250th Birthday, Jane Austen!
Tuesday, December 16th at 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Join us for a lively exploration of the many adaptations of Jane Austen’s beloved works with writer Jennifer Rose, from the earliest mash-ups in 1913 to the wide array of modern film versions. We’ll take a closer look at the different creative approaches these adaptations have taken over the years, highlighting both faithful interpretations and imaginative reimaginings. The presentation will also include a brief overview of Austen’s life and novels to provide helpful background. To top it off, we’ll celebrate Jane’s birthday with cupcakes!
Jennifer Rose is the author of two books of poetry, The Old Direction of Heaven(Truman State University Press, 2000) and Hometown for an Hour (Ohio University Press, 2006), winner of the Hollis Summers Poetry Prize and the Audre Lorde Award for Lesbian Poetry. Excerpts from her coming-of-age prose memoir have appeared in Ploughshares and Fourth Genre.
A Jane Austen fan for many decades, she serves on the JASNA Massachusetts steering committee and is working on a contemporary version of Austen’s Persuasion. Her talk will include readings from that manuscript, as well as a discussion about how she has approached the task of adapting Austen’s story.
When not reading Austen or writing, Jennifer works in the field of downtown revitalization. She is also a life-cycle celebrant, officiating at weddings, funerals and other ceremonies. She lives in Waltham.
“You know how interesting the purchase of a sponge-cake is to me.” – Jane to her sister Cassandra in a letter dated June 17, 1808
Great Decisions, America’s largest civic discussion program on world affairs, is coming back to Falmouth Public Library in 2026! This program highlights the most thought-provoking foreign policy challenges facing Americans and works to engage citizens by learning about and discussing one of eight critical global issues identified by the Foreign Policy Association in a non-partisan, open environment.
This program will run for eight consecutive weeks starting the first week of March 2026 and ending the fourth week of April. All participants will read the relevant chapter in the Great Decisions Briefing Book and watch the corresponding Master Class on DVD or streaming, which will be provided by the library for free to registered participants prior to each topic discussion.
There will be two sessions to choose from. Tuesday night’s from 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm or Thursday’s afternoon’s from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Pick which session works best for your schedule.
Registration is required for each of the eight topic discussions and will be limited to 15 participants. Participants are encouraged to attend all eight sessions but you may choose to attend only certain topics. Starting on January 1, 2026, you will be able to register online using our library event calendar.
America and the World: Trump 2.0 Foreign Policy by G. John Ikenberry
“Trump’s return has marked a break from 80 years of U.S. foreign policy leadership, embracing an “America First” approach. This chapter explores the risks of isolation and diminished influence in relation to Trump 2.0 foreign policy.”
Trump Tariffs and the Future of the World Economy by Michael Mastanduno
“Trump’s aggressive trade and tariff policies have shaken global economic norms. What’s the rationale behind this radical shift in economic policy, and what are the implications for multilateral trade and geopolitics?”
U.S.-China Relations by Oriana Mastro
“Relations with China remain tense, with tariffs, military modernization, and pressure on Taiwan. Does Trump have a coherent China policy, and will his tariffs on Rare Earth minerals be effective? What are America’s strategic options?”
Ruptured Alliances and the Risk of Nuclear Proliferation by Gideon Rose
“U.S. alliance skepticism may drive countries like Japan and South Korea to reconsider nuclear options. What are the implications of the Trump administration’s rethinking of the U.S. alliance system for regional and global security? Will this new uncertainty alter the way allies and rivals in various regions make decisions about security and nuclear weapons?”
Ukraine and the Future of European Security by Thomas Wright
“With reduced U.S. support for NATO and Ukraine, Europe faces strategic uncertainty. The Trump administration has signaled an intention to reduce its security role in Europe. What are America’s stakes in NATO and Europe’s strategic dilemmas, and how might Europe respond?”
Multilateral Institutions in a Changing World Order by Scott Bessent (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
“Can multilateralism survive amid shifting global power and rising nationalism? This chapter examines the future of global cooperation across trade, health, and finance.”
U.S. Engagement of Africa by Jendayi E. Frazer
“Africa’s geopolitical role is growing. What lessons can the U.S. learn from China’s presence there, and how might it strengthen ties, especially with leading nations like Nigeria? What tools of statecraft might the U.S. bring to its engagement with Africa?”
The Future of Human Rights and International Law by Jose Enrique Alvarez
“As democracy and human rights retreat globally—and the U.S. pulls back—how can civil society and legal norms remain effective in a divided world? What is the role and force of international law in this era of impunity?”
If you have any questions about this program, please email us at info@falmouthpubliclibrary.org or call the Adult Service’s desk at 508-457-2555 x7 and ask for Jessica. We look forward to seeing you in 2026 for some great civic discussions!
The Falmouth Public Library is excited to welcome for the very first time, Dr. Marion Orr, political scientist and the inaugural Fredrick Lippitt Professor of Public Policy at Brown University for a reading, author talk and book signing for his newest Book, House of Diggs, on Tuesday, November 4th at 6:30pm in the library’s Hermann room.
House of Diggs is the first biography of Congressman Charles C. Diggs Jr., one of the most consequential Black federal legislators in US history whose unfortunate downfall punctuated his distinguished career and pushed him and his historic accomplishments out of sight. Come hear award-winning author Dr. Orr speak about how his biography, House of Diggs: The Rise and Fall of America’s Most Consequential Black Congressman, Charles C. Diggs Jr., restores Congressman Diggs to his much-deserved place in the history of American politics.
Copies of the book will be available for purchase at the event by Eight Cousins Books. All are welcome! To register to attend this free public event, CLICK HERE or visit/call the Adult Services desk at 508-457-2555 x7.
Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl album is dropping this Friday and we are celebrating with three virtual Taylor Swift programs in October! From appreciating the artist that is Taylor Swift through her fashion eras and insightful literary lyrics, these programs are sure to delight Taylor Swift fans.
Scroll down for more information on our Taylor Swift programs and to register!
Harvard professor Stephanie Burt will deliver a fascinating presentation based on her brand new book, Taylor’s Version: The Poetic and Musical Genius of Taylor Swift.
Burt, who is a poet and literary scholar, will offer an insightful and heartfelt critical appreciation of Taylor Swift, her body of work, and the community that her art has fostered. Drawing from her 2024 Harvard course, Taylor Swift and Her World, as well as from her years as a Swiftie, Burt will examine Swift’s particular form of genius – not the destructive genius of tortured poets, but the collaborative and joyful genius of an artist who has mastered her craft.
Burt is the Donald P. and Katherine B. Loker Professor of English at Harvard University. Her work appears in the New York Times Book Review, the New Yorker, and the London Review of Books, among others. Her other books of poetry and literary criticism — fourteen in all — include We Are Mermaids, Advice from the Lights, and Don’t Read Poetry: A Book About How to Read Poems.
Author Sarah Chapelle will deliver a fascinating presentation based on her recent bestselling book, Taylor Swift Style: Fashion Through the Eras.
For Taylor Swift, fashion and music go hand-in-hand — each playing a powerful role in shaping the narrative of this generation’s most prolific storyteller. From cowboy boots to teetering heels, fairytale dresses to bleach-tinged tresses, and the many memorable moments in between, learn the fashion story behind every single Taylor Swift album, tracing Swift’s musical evolution along with her ever-changing personal style.
Chapelle, creator of the successful Instagram and blog Taylor Swift Style, has spent more than a decade documenting Swift’s fashion choices and the intention behind each ensemble.
Authors Rachel Feder and Tiffany Tatreau will deliver a fascinating presentation based on their recent book, Taylor Swift by the Book: The Literature Behind the Lyrics, from Fairy Tales to Tortured Poets.
Taylor Swift’s lyrics are filled with literary connections. Learn about the novels, poems, and plays that influence her songwriting. Let a literature professor and a musical theater artist guide you through the Taylor Swift canon—from Shakespeare to the Brontë sisters to Daphne du Maurier!
Feder, the author of five books, is an associate professor of English and literary arts at the University of Denver. Tatreau is an actor, singer, and teaching artist who has starred in various musicals across the country and is best known for her portrayal of Ocean O’Connell Rosenberg in the musical and original cast album Ride the Cyclone.
Please note that these programs are online via Zoom only and may take place after library hours. These virtual programs will be recorded and all registrants will receive the recordings via email within 48 hours of the programs. These programs are sponsored by and are in collaboration with Tewksbury Public Library.
Join us in the Falmouth Public Library’s Hermann Room on Tuesday, October 7th at 6:30pm for a documentary screening of The Secret Apartment (2024) from Executive Producer Jesse Eisenberg and acclaimed Director Jeremy Workman! This documentary screening is free to the public and is supported by the Library Board of Trustees. To register to attend as seating is limited, CLICK HERE or call us at 508-457-2555 x7.
WINNER OF NINE FILM FESTIVAL AWARDS OFFICIAL SELECTION SXSW, HOTDOCS, IFFBoston, Cleveland Film Festival, Melbourne Film Festival, Vancouver Film Festival
“In 2003, eight young Rhode Islanders created a secret apartment in a hidden space inside the Providence Place Mall and lived in it for four years, filming everything along the way. They snuck in furniture, tapped into the mall’s electricity, and even secretly constructed a brick wall with a locking door, smuggling in over 2 tons of cinderblock. Far more than just a wild prank, the secret apartment became a deeply meaningful place for all its inhabitants – a personal expression of defiance against local gentrification, a boundary-pushing work of public/private art, and finally, a 750 square foot space that sticks it to the man! Featuring never-before-seen footage of the space and revealing the identities of all the participants for the first time, Secret Mall Apartment is more than just a bonkers true story.”
The Secret Apartment is rated Not Rated and has a running time of 1 hour and 31 minutes. English subtitles will be used if available.
“A hugely entertaining and insightful doc about issues/art that will force you to think while you laugh.” –Documentary filmmaker Ken Burns
“Secret Mall Apartment unspools a wild story full of relatable wish fulfillment and social commentary, making for a highly entertaining treatise on artistic expression.” RottenTomatoes “Critic Consensus”+
“Deliriously entertaining and moving… Watching Secret Mall Apartment, I was reminded at times of Man On Wire.”” –Bilge Ebiri, Vulture
“Can an apartment be art? Yes, the movie suggests — if you understand art to be fused with life, a way of existing rather than just something you make and sell.” -Alissa Wilkinson, New York Times
“Unexpectedly inspirational” –Los Angeles Times
“Delightful… Moving… Issues of urban renewal, the value of public art, the difficulty of being married to an obsessive artist and lots more run through Workman’s film. It’s consistently, thoughtfully engaging. And, yes, often very funny in its open-hearted embrace of the DIY spirit, legal or otherwise” -Michael Philips, Chicago Tribune
“Secret Mall Apartment is a true tall tale.” –Film Inquiry
“Fascinating.. A delightful, thought-provoking movie that’s about a lot of things at the same time. It’ll make you see the world with fresh eyes.” –Matt Zoller Seitz, RogerEbert.com
“Based on the vibrant true story of a young girl, chess prodigy Phiona Mutesi. In the slums of Katwe, Uganda where she is forced to abandon her schooling at the age of nine, Phiona is introduced to the game of chess at a youth-outreach program. A result of the support she receives from her family and community, Phiona is instilled with the confidence and determination she needs to pursue her dream of becoming an international chess champion.” Rated: PG; Running Time: 2hrs 4mins
“Beetlejuice is back! After an unexpected family tragedy, three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River. Still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydia’s life is turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter, Astrid, discovers the mysterious model of the town in the attic and the portal to the Afterlife is accidentally opened. With trouble brewing in both realms, it’s only a matter of time until someone says Beetlejuice’s name three times and the mischievous demon returns to unleash his very own brand of mayhem.” Rated: PG; Running Time: 1hr 44mins
Cosmic Dawn is the incredible true story of the James Webb Space Telescope – humanity’s largest and most powerful space telescope – on a mission to unveil the early universe, against all odds.
On Tuesday, September 23rd at 6:30pm in the library’s Hermann Room, come join us as we watch this NASA+ documentary that brings viewers on an unprecedented journey through Webb’s delicate assembly, rigorous testing, and triumphant launch, showcasing the sheer complexity and breathtaking risks involved in creating a telescope capable of peering billions of years into the past. Follow the telescope from an idea developed at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center all the way to the launchpad in French Guiana, with never-before-seen footage captured by the Webb film crew offering intimate access to the challenges and triumphs along the way.
This documentary screening is free to the public and all are welcome!
Cosmic Dawn is Not Rated and has a running time of 1 hour and 36 minutes. To register to attend, CLICK HERE or visit/call the Adult Service Desk at 508-457-2555 x7.
Consider this your invitation to read and discuss narrative nonfiction with us! In the Narrative Nonfiction Book Club we will be reading across the genres of nonfiction, from history to adventure, memoir/biography, and beyond with books that read like a novel.
Join us on Saturday, September 6th at 11am in the Hermann room as we discuss our latest book pick, 2024 National Book Award Finalist, Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder by Salman Rushdie.
This book club is free to the public and copies of the book are available at the circulation and adult service desks one month prior to our book club meeting. To register to attend, CLICK HERE.
“From internationally renowned writer and Booker Prize winner Salman Rushdie, a searing, deeply personal account of enduring a brutal attempt on his life, thirty years after the fatwa that was order against him.”
“On the morning of August 12, 2022, Salman Rushdie was standing onstage at the Chautauqua Institution, preparing to give a lecture on the importance of keeping writers safe from harm, when a man wearing black clothes and a black mask rushed down the aisle toward him, wielding a knife. His first thought: So it’s you. Here you are.
What followed was a horrific act of violence that shook the literary world and beyond. Now, for the first time, and in unforgettable detail, Rushdie relives the traumatic events of that day and its aftermath, as well as his journey toward physical recovery and the healing that was made possible by the love and support of his wife, Eliza, his family, his army of doctors and physical therapists, and his community of readers worldwide.
Knife is Rushdie at the peak of his powers, writing with urgency, with gravity, with unflinching honesty. It is also a deeply moving reminder of literatur’s capacity to make sense of the unthinkable, an intimate and life-affirming meditation on life, loss, love, art – and finding the strength to stand up again.”
“Salman Rushdie is the author of fifteen novels, including Midnight’s Children (for which he won the Booker Prize and the Best of the Booker), Shame, The Satanic Verses, The Moor’s Last Sigh, and Quichotte, all of which were shortlisted for the Booker Prize; a collection of stories, East, West; a memoir, Joseph Anton; a work of reportage, The Jaguar Smile; and three collections of essays, most recently Languages of Truth. His many awards include the Whitbread Prize for Best Novel, which he won twice; the PEN/Allen Foundation Literary Service Award; the National Arts Award; the French Prix du Meilleur Livre Etranger; the European Union’s Aristeion Prize for Literature; the Budapest Grand Prize for Literature; and the Italian Premio Grinzane Cavour. He is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, a Distinguished Writer in Residence at New York University, and a former president of PEN America. His books have been translated into over forty languages.”
Consider this your invitation to read and discuss narrative nonfiction with us! In the Narrative Nonfiction Book Club we will be reading across the genres of nonfiction, from history to adventure, memoir/biography, and beyond with books that read like a novel.
Join us on Saturday, August 2nd at 11am in the Hermann room as we discuss our latest book pick, 2025 Andrew Carnegie Finalist, Cue The Sun! The Invention of Reality TV by Emily Nussbaum.
This book club is free to the public and copies of the book are available at the adult service desk one month prior to our book club meeting. To register to attend, CLICK HERE.
“The rollicking saga of reality television – an ambitious cultural history of America’s most influential, most divisive artistic phenomenon, from the Pulitzer Prize – winning New Yorker writer.
Who invented reality television, the world’s most dangerous pop-culture genre? Any why can’t we look away? In this revelatory, deeply reported account of the rise of “dirty documentary” – from its contentions roots in radio to the ascent of Donald Trump – Emily Nussbaum unearths the origin story of the genre that ate the world, as told through the lively voices of the people who built it. At once gimlet-eyed and empathetic, Cue the Sun! explores the morally charged, funny, and sometimes tragic consequences of the hunt for something real inside something fake.
A shrewd observer who adores television, Nussbaum is the ideal voice for the first substantive history of the genre that, for better or worse, made America what it is today.”
“Emily Nussbaum is a staff writer at The New Yorker, where she’s worked since 2011, originally as the magazine’s television critic. In 2016, she won the Pulitzer Prize for criticism. Previously, she was the culture editor for New York, where she created the Approval Matrix. She is also the author of I Like to Watch: Arguing My Way Through the TV Revolution, which was a finalist for the PEN/Diamonstein-Spielvogel Award for the Art of the Essay. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband, Clive Thompson, and their two children.”