Dog scientist Alexandra Horowitz talks ‘Our Dogs, Ourselves’
The Mark My Words series at The Mark Twain House & Museum, 351 Farmington Ave., Hartford, will continue Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. with a talk by Alexandra Horowitz about her book, “Our Dogs, Ourselves.” Horowitz is head of the Dog Cognition Lab at Barnard College. Lori Gruen, an author, coordinator of Wesleyan Animal Studies and philosophy professor, will moderate. Cost: $20.
Information and registration: marktwainhouse.com. 768 Boston Post Road, Madison, author Jennifer Thermes will give a free talk about “Manhattan: Mapping the Story of an Island,” a history told through illustrations, maps and sidebars. Thermes is a map illustrator and the author-illustrator of books for children.
On Oct. 2 at 7 p.m., James R. Benn will discuss his 14th Billy Boyle mystery, “When Hell Struck Twelve,” in which the World War II Army detective must make sure a French Resistance traitor unknowingly carries out a highstakes deception campaign. Benn has won many honors for his mystery series.
On Oct. 3 at 7 p.m., Jeanne McWilliams Blasberg, author of “The Nine” and Deborah Burns, author of “Saturday’s Child: A Daughter’s Memoir” will speak. In Blasberg’s novel, “The Nine,” a mother enrolls her son at a prestigious school, but finds a corrupt and dangerous underworld. Burns’ memoir is about growing up with a charismatic mother hiding secrets and a troubled past. Burns is a media industry consultant and author.
Reservations required: 203-345-3959 or rjjulia.com.
At Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore, 413 Main St., Middletown, the Well-Read Black Girl Book Club will meet Sept. 29 at 3 p.m. to discuss “Dear Haiti, Love Alaine” by Maika Moulite & Maritza Moulite, The nationwide club’s goal is to introduce diverse writers and highlight the work of black women authors.
On Oct. 3 at 7 p.m., NPR’s Silicon
Valley correspondent and former community organizer Aarti Namdev
Shahani will discuss her memoir of being an immigrant,
“Here We Are:
American Dreams,
American Nightmares.” Her family immigrated to Queens from India, experiencing successes and problems.
Information: 860-685-3939 or wesleyanrjjulia.com. Danielle Pieratti, James Finnegan and Rockville High School senior Emily Fisher on Sept. 29 at 3 p.m. at Arts Center East, 709 Hartford Turnpike, Vernon.
Pieratti’s debut collection, “Fugitives,” won the 2017 Connecticut Book Award for Poetry. She teaches English at South Windsor
High School. Finnegan, president of the Friends and Enemies of Wallace Stevens, has published in literary journals. 860-8718222 or pegideitzshea@aol.com.
Connecticut authors Elissa Altman and Dani Shapiro will be in conversation Oct. 5 at 4 p.m. at The Hickory Stick Bookshop, 2 Green Hill Road, Washington Depot. They will discuss Altman’s memoir, “Motherland,” about her difficult relationship with her flamboyant mother, who became injured and completely dependent on her. Shapiro is an essayist, journalist and memoirist. 860-86-0525 or hickorystickbookshop.com.
Book Club on the Go will host a program with Connecticut author
Beth Caruso, whose latest historical novel is “The Salty Rose: Alchemists, Witches & A Tapper in New Amsterdam ” on Oct. 5 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Labyrinth Brewing Co., 148 Forest St,, Manchester. 860265-6077.
Avon Free Public Library, 281 Country Club Road, Avon, will continue its free North Korea Book Discussion Series on Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. “Escape from Camp 14” by Blaine Harden will be discussed. Copies are available at the library.
On Oct. 2 at 3 p.m., Ronald C. Rosbottom, a professor at Amherst College, will discuss his book, “Sudden Courage: Youth in France confront the Germans, 19401945,” about the youngest members of the French Resistance in World War II.
Information: 860-673-9712 or avonctlibrary.info.
The Storyteller’s Cottage, 750 Hopmeadow st., Simsbury, will host a talk on Sept. 29 at 3 p.m. by local author James M. Chesbro about his book of essays, “A Lion in the Snow.” Cost: $5. Pre-registration: StorytellersCottage.com/book-online.
On Oct. 5 from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., the Storyteller’s Cottage will host workshops for aspiring travel writers taught by five professionals, Steve Jermanok, Mike Urban, Bob Curley, Karen Berger and Kim Knox Beckius, covering how to break in, find assignments, develop a niche, cope with rejection and balance work and life. The $125 cost includes lunch.
Registration: storytellerscottage.com/ book-online/travel-writing-retreat. Information: 860-877-6099.
Burgundy Books, 1391 Boston Post Road, Old Saybrook, will present a workshop on mindfulness and meditation on Sept. 29 at 2 p.m. by Bruce James, author of “Thinking Beyond Habitual Thinking.” Tickets are $10. 860-391-9525 or burgundybooks.com.