Category: Events

Coming Soon: Peter Abrahams aka Spencer Quinn!

Posted on by Jessica O'Connor

Local Author Talk & Book Signing

The Falmouth Public Library and Eight Cousins are excited to welcome Cape resident Peter Abrahams, also known as Spencer Quinn, author of the popular Chet and Bernie mysteries for a reading, talk, and book signing for his newest book Mrs. Plansky’s Revenge!  This event will take place at the Falmouth Public Library on Tuesday, August 22nd at 6:30pm in the Hermann room.   

Mrs. Plansky’s Revenge is the first novel in a new series since the meteoric launch of Chet and Bernie–introducing the irresistible and unforgettable Mrs. Plansky, in a story perfect for book clubs and commercial fiction readers.

“I absolutely adored this book. Really fun but with a few teeth, as well. Mrs. Plansky is a terrific character. The story ticks along like a good watch.” –Stephen King

“Mrs. Plansky is a wonderfully memorable heroine, full of wit and equally plausible as an ace tennis player and a motorcycle-driving detective with Romanian gangsters hot on her tail. Readers will be eager to see what Mrs. Plansky gets up to next.” — Publishers Weekly

Peter Abrahams is the Edgar-winning, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Chet and Bernie mystery series, as well as the #1 New York Times bestselling Bowser and Birdie series for middle-grade readers. He lives on the Cape with his wife Diana and dog Pearl.

Come and join us for this exciting author event that is free to the public.  Mrs. Plansky’s Revenge will be available for purchase and signing from Eight Cousins after the author talk and reading.  Registration to attend is required.  Please register by clicking here or visit/call the reference desk at 508-457-2555 x7.

Falmouth Reads: Graphic Novel Events

Posted on by Library User

Our 2023 Falmouth Reads book, Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel, is named for the graphic novel that is created by one character, and much loved and carried around by another. Did reading the book get you wondering more about graphic novels, where the medium came from, and maybe even how you make one yourself? Our day of graphic novel exploration is for you! Join a visiting graphic novelist and educator for a lecture and a hands-on workshop.

Visual Literacy & the Graphic Novel, Wednesday August 16, 10:30am in the Hermann Room.

From the Bayeux Tapestry to Maus, Hokusai to airplane safety cards, sequential visuals have long been used to entertain and inform. Unlike verbal literacy, visual literacy is not generally taught, yet an understanding of it is employed for comprehension and analysis on a daily basis. Via a brief history of comics and an overview of the rise of the graphic novel, we’ll explore the significance of visual literacy and how it features in literary culture today. If your interest in graphic novels was piqued by reading 2023’s Falmouth Reads Together title, Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel, this lecture will help you learn more about the medium’s history and current status. Please register.

Hands-on Graphic Novel Creation Workshop, Wednesday August 16, 2:00pm in the Hermann Room.

Have you ever wondered what it takes to create your own graphic novel? Join us for a hands-on workshop with experienced author-illustrator Marika McCoola that will get you brainstorming, storytelling, writing, and drawing – even if you’re a complete novice! If reading Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel, the 2023 Falmouth Reads Together title, got you inspired to explore your creativity in this format, join us for the Graphic Novel Workshop on Wednesday August 16 from 2-3:30 in the Hermann Room. This workshop is suitable for teen and adults, and we ask you to register as space is limited.

Marika McCoola is an illustrator, educator, and the New York Times bestselling author of Baba Yaga’s Assistant. She holds a MFA in Illustration from the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, Maryland and an MFA in Writing for Children from Simmons College.

Ulysses S. Grant: The Man and His Resting Place

Posted on by Library User

Join Falmouth resident Mamundi Subhas on Wednesday July 26 at 2:00pm in the Hermann Room for a lecture titled Ulysses S. Grant: The Man and His Resting Place.

Subhas has been a volunteer since 2017 at the Ulysses S. Grant National Monument (aka “Grant’s Tomb,” in New York City) and has developed a strong interest in the Union Army General and Eighteenth President. Join us to hear him share stories of this historic American’s life, and share life lessons he has learned from learning about Grant.

All are welcome; please register.

Falmouth Reads Book Discussions

Posted on by Library User

Join our Traveling Book Discussion Group to talk about Station Eleven, by Emily St. John Mandel, our 2023 Falmouth Reads title.

Come to the library-based discussion most convenient for you!

Want an extended deep-dive into Station Eleven? We’re planning a four-class series on the book as part of our October Joy of Learning – stay tuned!

Did you love Station Eleven? Join the Fiction Book Club on November 21st to read Emily St. John’s latest novel Sea of Tranquility! Register.

Alzheimer’s Fantasy in the Key of G

Posted on by Library User

Join Kirsten Levy, an author with deep local roots (her great-grandparents were married in St. Joseph’s Church!) reading from her book. This author talk will take place on Monday, July 10 at 11am in the Hermann Room. Eight Cousins will have copies of the book for sale.

Alzheimer’s Fantasy in the Key of G is a tale in which unmoored thoughts become their own voyages into the past and future, revealing a story of family history and Irish immigration. Fran, the author’s mother, whose health is declining, is only one of the intertwined points of view telling the story.

A creative, narrative tale where fantasy and personal witness speak up for the patient.

Please register using the events calendar or contact the library.

Aging With Pride Screening and Discussion

Posted on by Library User

Decades of legal and structural discrimination have affected the well-being and economic status of many LGBTQIA+ older adults. The unique social, economic and health challenges they face are explored in the documentary Aging Matters: Aging with Pride, produced by Nashville Public Television. Join us for the viewing of this half-hour film that sheds light on what many in the Stonewall Generation have had to endure and fight for in hopes of enacting positive change for the community in the ongoing pursuit of equality. 

This event will take place Friday June 2, 2023 at 3:30pm in the Hermann Room. All are welcome, and there will be light refreshments. We encourage you to Register.

Supported by Waquoit Church, Falmouth Jewish Congregation, Neighborhood Falmouth, Falmouth Senior Services, Falmouth Human Services, Falmouth Public Library and No Place for Hate.

 

Great Decisions 2023

Posted on by Jessica O'Connor

Great Decisions, America’s largest civic discussion program on world affairs, is coming back to the Falmouth Public Library.  On Wednesday nights starting on May 31st and ending on September 6th, we will meet bi-weekly to discuss one of eight critical foreign policy challenges facing Americans in a non-partisan, open environment.  Prior to each session, participants will read the relevant chapter in the Great Decisions Briefing Book and watch the corresponding Master Class on DVD, which are available for checkout to participants at the reference desk.  Participants are encouraged to attend all eight sessions but you may choose to attend only certain topics.  Registration is required for each session and will be limited to 20 participants.  This program is sponsored by the Library Support Fund.

Energy Geopolitics …… Register Here
Wednesday, May 31st from 7pm-8:30pm in the Hermann meeting room
How will changes in the energy industries impact relations between countries?  Access to oil and gas has long held an influence over the politics of individual nations and their relations with others. But as more countries move toward sustainable energy, and supply chain shortages affect the availability of oil and gas, how will this change the way in which the United States interacts with the outside world? By Carolyn Kissane
 
War Crimes …… Register Here
Wednesday, June 14th from 7pm-8:30pm in the Hermann meeting room
What is a war crime? How does this definition apply to recent events in Ukraine?  Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has resulted in widespread charges of war crimes and calls for justice. But what exactly are war crimes? Opinions of what constitutes a war crime have evolved, as have ways to identify and punish the perpetrators. How will the war crimes committed in Ukraine be dealt with? By Francine Hirsch
 
China and the U.S. …… Register Here
Wednesday, June 28th from 7pm-8:30pm in the Hermann meeting room
How will the United States respond to China’s growing global presence?  For the past ten years, the United States and China have been locked in a competition for who has the greatest global influence. One major point of contention is the status of Taiwanese sovereignty, which has become even more relevant recently with the possibility that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine may prompt China to take similar action regarding Taiwan. How will the United States engage a China which is increasingly seeking to expand its sphere of influence? By David Lampton
 
Economic Warfare …… Register Here
Wednesday, July 12th from 7:30pm-8:30pm in the Hermann meeting room
What comprises economic warfare? How have these measures been used recently against Russia?  Waging economic warfare consists of a variety of measures from implementing sanctions to fomenting labor strikes. Such tools are utilized by states to hinder their enemies, and in the case of the United States have been used as far back as the early 19th century. Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, economic warfare has been the main means for the west to challenge Russia. How effective will these sanctions be at convincing Russia to cease its war? By Jonathan Chanis
 
Politics in Latin America …… Register Here
Wednesday, July 26th from 7pm -8:30pm in the Hermann meeting room
What does the emergence of various left-wing governments mean for countries in Latin America? Electoral results in Latin America over the past four years have led many observers of the regional/political scene to discern a left-wing surge in the hemisphere, reminiscent of the so-called “Pink Tide” that swept the area some 20 years ago. But how much do these politicians actually have in common? What implication does their ascendency have for the region? By Jorge Castañeda
 
Global Famine …… Register Here
Wednesday, August 9th from 7pm-8:30pm in the Hermann meeting room
What causes famine? How can it be prevented in the future?  Fears of global food shortages have followed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has disrupted grain shipments from the major grain producer. But what about countries and regions that were suffering before this impending shortage? How is famine defined, and how is it different from simple food shortages? What if any remedies are there? By Daniel Maxwell
 
Iran at a Crossroads …… Register Here
Wednesday, August 23rd from 7pm-8:30pm in the Hermann meeting room
What is the future for relations between Iran and the U.S.?  By the fall of 2022, Iran was in a state of turmoil due to widespread protests against government-enforced wearing of the hijab, a failing economy, an ineffective new president, and the looming succession of the country’s leader, Ayatollah Khamenei. Abroad, renewal of the Iran nuclear deal seemed doubtful and tensions remain high between Iran, Israel, and Arab states. Many Iranians have lost hope of a better future, and the country seems at a crossroads. How should the United States deal with it? By Lawrence Potter
 
Climate Migration …… Register Here
Wednesday, September 6th from 7pm-8:30pm in the Hermann meeting room
How is climate change impacting human migration?  As climate change accelerates and drought and rising sea levels become more common, millions of people in affected regions must uproot themselves and seek safety elsewhere. Who are these affected individuals, and how might the United States aid them, and be affected by the migration? By Karen Jacobsen

Lecture: Montaigne’s Essays

Posted on by Library User

We are happy to welcome Falmouth resident Dr. Francis Baudry to give a lecture on the 16th century French essayist Michel de Montaigne. Montaigne, who is viewed as the inventor of the literary essay, wrote exploring the psychology of the self. In his search for sincerity he wrote that he was “undertaking an enterprise without precedent, a portrait in every way true to nature, and the man I will portray will be myself.” Montaigne’s essays also give a rich portrait of life in 16th century France, its religious struggles and class inequality.

Dr. Baudry is a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst affiliated with the Mt. Sinai Dept. of Psychiatry in New York, and is a member of The Soldier’s Project, an organization giving free mental health care to veterans and their families.

This event will occur at 11am on Friday March 24 in the Hermann Meeting Room. Please register.

An America Divided: Can we Live With One Another? with Emma Green (Virtual Program)

Posted on by Library User

Join Emma Green, a staff writer at The New Yorker, for a virtual program streaming online via Zoom on Tuesday March 14 at 7:30 pm. Emma will lead us in a difficult but essential discussion around the ways in which Americans are divided – politically, religiously, economically – within communities and even families. What has caused these ruptures and what are some ways for us to come back together?

This program is presented in cooperation with the Ashland Public Library and our participation is funded by the Friends of the Library. Register at the Ashland Public Library web site to receive the Zoom link.

Kanopy Movie Club

Posted on by Jessica O'Connor

A Book Club But For Movies!

The Falmouth Public Library has a new movie club!  It’s like a book club but for movies!  Watch the selected movie from the comfort of your own home prior to the movie discussion meeting using Kanopy which is free with your Falmouth Public Library card.  Then join us in-person at the library for an in-depth discussion of the movie.

The Kanopy Movie club meets on the last Thursday of the month from 3pm-4pm in the Bay meeting room.  This winter we will be discussing Award-Winning and Film Festival Nominees.  To register to attend a movie discussion, click on the registration links below or call Adult Services at 508-457-2555 ext. 7.

Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016/PG-13/1h 41m) …… Register Here

Our first movie discussion meeting will be on Thursday, January 26 at 3pm in the Bay meeting room where we will discuss Hunt for the Wilderpeople directed by Taike Waititi. Watch this movie prior to our meeting on Kanopy by clicking this link: https://www.kanopy.com/en/product/1490627.

Hunt for the Wilderpeople had 25 award nominations with 22 wins including 2016 Best Narrative Feature at the San Francisco Film Festival, 2016 Audience Award at the Edinburgh International Film Festival/Independent Film Festival of Boston and 2017 Best Film at the New Zealand Film and TV Awards.

Movie synopsis: “Raised on hip-hop and foster care, defiant city kid Ricky (Julian Dennison) gets a fresh start in the New Zealand countryside. He quickly finds himself at home with his new foster family: the loving Aunt Bella (Rima Te Wiata), the cantankerous Uncle Hec (Sam Neil), and dog Tupac. When a tragedy strikes that threatens to ship Ricky to another home, both he and Hec go on the run in the bush. As a national manhunt ensues, the newly branded outlaws are forced to put aside their differences and work together to face their options.”

The Farewell (2019/PG/1h 40m) …… Register Here

In February we will be discussing the movie The Farewell directed by Lulu Wang on Thursday, February 23rd at 3pm in the Bay meeting room.  Watch this movie prior to our meeting on Kanopy by clicking this link:  https://www.kanopy.com/en/falmouth/video/6440402.

The Farewell had 105 award nominations with 35 wins including 2020 Golden Globe Winner for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy, 2020 Best Independent Film from Hollywood Critics Association and 2019 Audience Favorite at the Sundance Film Festival (London).

Movie synopsis: “Chinese-born, U.S.-raised Billi (Awkwafina) reluctantly returns to Changchun to find that, although the whole family knows their beloved matriarch, Nai-Nai (Shuzhen Zhao), has been given mere weeks to live, everyone has decided not to tell Nai Nai herself. To assure her happiness, they gather under the joyful guise of an expedited wedding, uniting family members scattered among new homes abroad. As Billi navigates a minefield of family expectations and proprieties, she finds there’s a lot to celebrate.”

Columbus (2017/NR/1h 40m) …… Register Here

Then in March we will discuss the movie Columbus directed by Kogonada on Thursday, March 30th at 3pm in the Bay meeting room. Watch this movie prior to our meeting on Kanopy by clicking this link: https://www.kanopy.com/en/product/5480974.

Columbus had 33 nominations with 12 wins including 2017 Narrative Feature at the Independent Film Festival of Boston, 2017 Special Jury Award at the Pacific Meridian International Film Festival of Asia Pacific Countries and 2017 Best Cinematography in a Feature Film at the Rahway International Film Festival.

Movie synopsis: “When a renowned architecture scholar falls suddenly ill during a speaking tour, his son Jin (John Cho) finds himself stranded in Columbus, Indiana; a small Midwestern city celebrated for its many modernist buildings. Jin strikes up a friendship with Casey (Haley Lu Richardson), an architecture enthusiast who works at the local library. Burdened by the future, they explore both the town and their conflicted emotions and find respite in one another and the architecture that surrounds them.”