(Anne Griffin | Photos courtesy of Deschutes Public Library)
Pull up a stool and make a toast to a memorable book that has people around Central Oregon talking. Though recent events make it impossible to gather together like in years past, Deschutes Public Library will still celebrate A Novel Idea…Read Together in April, with Anne Griffin’s debut novel When All Is Said taking center stage.
“‘A Novel Idea’ has taken us to new places around the globe, and to different points in time,” said Deschutes Public Library Programs Supervisor Liz Goodrich. “With our previous selection we traveled back in time but stayed in the United States. This year, we’re headed across the Atlantic. When All Is Said is a tale told from the present that explores the past, and much of that past takes place in the main character’s home country of Ireland.”
This year, the library takes the entire A Novel Idea program to a new place as well — online. In past years, programming drew thousands of book lovers to lectures, musical performances, art workshops and more. But in light of recent developments, programming for A Novel Idea is moving online, where people stream lectures and performances that enrich various aspects of When All Is Said, and take part in online book clubs.
“Our team had a great time organizing lectures that will allow readers to experience the novel in a variety of ways,” said Goodrich. “We still plan to bring as much of that content to people as we can, albeit in a new format.”
The following programs will be available online only. Available beginning at the time listed, and will continue to be made available indefinitely thereafter.
Main Event: Author Anne Griffin
Deschutes Public Library hosts a presentation by Anne Griffin for the final event of A Novel Idea …Read Together. Tune in live for Griffin’s presentation 4pm on Sunday, May 3, by joining the event — visit deschuteslibrary.org/calendar/event/59512 after April 27 for a URL to view the event. An online Q&A will follow.
- Sunday, May 3 | 4pm | Follow link above after April 27 for a URL to view the event
Chris Sepic Performs Irish Music
Listen to traditional Irish reels and jigs on flute, bouzouki and bodhrán, and learn a bit about the music. Chris Sepic plays traditional Irish music in Central Oregon and the greater Pacific Northwest. He performs as Wood & Silver. Learn more about Chris and his music at woodandsilvermusic.com
- Sunday, April 5 | 3pm | Stream on YouTube and Facebook beginning at 3pm
Literary Trivia
Book geeks and homebodies unite in this literature trivia night brought to you by Deschutes Public Library online. Use the link zoom.us/j/182340365 to attend the Zoom event.
- Tuesday, April 7 | 5pm | Participate at 5pm at zoom.us/j/182340365
The Library Book Club
Join a library-led book club and discuss When All Is Said.
- Wednesday, April 8 | 10am | Participate at zoom.us/j/410484428
- Wednesday, April 9 | 12pm | Participate at zoom.us/j/444627795
- Wednesday, April 16 | 12pm | Participate at zoom.us/j/595922100
Travels in the Emerald Isle
Join us for an armchair exploration of Ireland’s countryside, towns and cities with librarian Julie Bowers. Julie traveled to Ireland last year. She will share her experiences and discuss getting around, lodging, historical sites and pubs. Éirinn go Brách!
- Follow this link after April 20 for a URL to view this presentation: deschuteslibrary.org/calendar/event/58729
History, Literature, and Memory in 20th-century Ireland
Twentieth-century politics and literature in Ireland were often so firmly intertwined that it can be a challenge, even now, to differentiate between the two. Dr. David Campion explores the intersection of history, literature and memory in Ireland from the first performance in 1902 of W.B. Yeats’ controversial play Cathleen ni Houlihan to the Good Friday Peace Agreement in Northern Ireland in 1998.
- Saturday, April 18 | 12pm | Stream on YouTube and Facebook
A Conversation About Memoir with Beth Alvarado and Ellen Santasiero
Join two memoirists in conversation. Hear about some of their favorite works, how you go about writing memoir, where to start, why memoir is important and what they are telling their students about writing memoir right now.
- Follow this link after April 22 for a URL to view this workshop: deschuteslibrary.org/calendar/event/59077
Irish Soda Bread Workshop
Learn the step-by-step process of making a delicious loaf of Irish Soda Bread as well as its history and importance. Led by Elizabeth Guerin, who teaches cheese- and bread-making for several community groups.
- Follow this link after April 23 for a URL to view this workshop: deschuteslibrary.org/calendar/event/59051
Demystifying Dyslexia
The narrator of When All Is Said is a successful farmer and businessman. But his struggles with dyslexia as a boy instilled a deep sense of shame that he worked to compensate for as an adult. Sharon Bellusci will provide an accurate, myth-free, understanding of dyslexia and talk about the experiences of people with dyslexia, parents of dyslexic kids, and educators who specialize in teaching children with dyslexia. Bellusci manages Decoding Dyslexia of Central Oregon.
- Follow this link after April 28 for a URL to view this presentation: deschuteslibrary.org/calendar/event/58729
About the Book: When All Is Said
At the bar of a grand hotel in a small Irish town sits 84-year-old Maurice Hannigan. He’s alone, as usual — though tonight is anything but usual. Pull up a stool and charge your glass, because Maurice is finally ready to tell his story. Over the course of this evening, he will raise five toasts to the five people who have meant the most to him. Through these stories — of unspoken joy and regret, a secret tragedy kept hidden, a fierce love that never found its voice — the life of one is poignantly laid bare. Beautifully heart-warming and powerfully felt, the voice of Maurice Hannigan will stay with you long after all is said and done.
About the Author: Anne Griffin
Anne Griffin was born in Dublin and now lives in the heart of Ireland’s midlands. An acclaimed short story writer, she is the recipient of the John McGahern award for emerging writers. She was shortlisted for the Hennessey New Irish Writing Award, The Sunday Business Post Short Story Competition and The Benedict
Kiely Short Story Competition. Her work has been published in The Irish Times, The Stinging Fly and others. A graduate of University College Dublin’s MA in Creative Writing Program, Griffin is a recipient of an Arts Grant from Westmeath County Council. When All Is Said is her first novel. It was a semifinalist for the Goodreads Choice Awards for Best Debut, has been a bestselling novel in Ireland and won the Irish Book Award for Sunday Independent Newcomer of the Year.