Events: November 1

Brown Bag Book Club

This discussion of The Pale Blue Eye is led by Sandi Bandieri. When a suicide victim's body disappears from the West Point Military Academy, detective Gus Landor gets called in to investigate. When a new cadet, Edgar Allan Poe, approaches Landor with his theory that the man they are looking for is a poet, the duo begins to narrow down suspects all the while dealing with their own personal demons. In partnership with Keene Public Library.

Event Location: Keene Senior Center, Keene, NH 03431

Date: Thu, Nov 1, 2012, Time: 12:00pm – 1:00pm

Book Discussion with Suzanne Brown

Humanities scholar Suzanne Brown will lead a discussion of 4 Poe short stories: The imp of the perverse, The purloined letter, The black cat, and The tell-tale heart.

Event Location: Dunbar Free Library, Grantham, NH 03753

Date: Thu, Nov 1, 2012, Time: 7:00pm – 9:00pm

  For a list of all the upcoming events visit our events listing. 

Cancellations!

Because of the approaching hurricane, several of our Big Read events scheduled for the next few days have been cancelled.

Even if the event you are thinking of attending over the next few days isn't listed here, I would strongly suggest that you contact the site hosting the event to be sure it is happening before you head out. Our list of partner sites includes links to contact info.

In some cases events may be rescheduled, after the storm we will have a better idea about that and will post new information here.

Why Poetry is Important Cancelled

Event Location: Keene Public Library, Keene, NH 03431

Date: Mon, Oct 29, 2012, Time: 6:30pm – 7:30pm

"Poe"-try Slam Cancelled

Event Location: Baker Free Library in conjunction with Bow High School, Bow, NH 03304

Date: Wed, Oct 31, 2012, Time: 12:00pm – 12:00pm

If you were hosting a Big Read event that has had to be cancelled, please add a comment to this post telling people about the cancellation.

Tales: The Gold-bug

“The Gold-Bug” 

(originally published June 1843 in Dollar Newspaper)

A friend of the narrator's, William Legard, gets bitten by a mysterious gold-colored bug. He becomes obsessed with it, as well as with a curious piece of parchment found in the sand near it at the time (which his servant Jupiter used to carry it home in). Investigation into the parchment eventually leads Legard to embark on a quest in search of buried treasure, and he drags Jupiter and the narrator along with him. Legard's bizarre actions, coupled with his feverish state, cause the narrator to believe he has gone mad. Has he?

 

Summary written by Taylor Colegrove, May 2011. Title links to the full text of the story.

Partner: William D. Weeks Memorial Library

Lancaster Public Library was created in the late 1800s after a series of small reading groups and subscription libraries.  In 1906 John W. Weeks gave the town a new building in memory of his father William Dennis Weeks to house the growing library's collections, and at that point the library's name was officially changed to the William D. Weeks Memorial Library.  An addition tripled the space of the library in 1998, and the present collection is now greater than 60,000 items.  The mission of the library has three parts: (1) to celebrate and foster recreational learning through activities, technology, and programs for persons of all ages, (2) to serve as a public warehouse (repository) of ideas, a place where information can be shared from print, audio-visual, and on-line sources with the help of trained specialists who organize and make these resources accessible, and (3) to be the hub of our community where information, knowledge, culture, and history interface with people.  The library's current membership is approximately 3000 persons and includes not only residents from the town of Lancaster but also individuals from a thirty mile radius in New Hampshire and neighboring Vermont.  Of particular notice is the library's large and growing New Hampshire and genealogical collections. They are partners with White Mountains Regional High School and Lancaster Elementary School on this year's Big Read.

Events: October 31

Live Poe at Rivier University

Dramatic readings of Poe's work.

Event Location: Regina Library at Rivier University, Nashua, NH 03060

Date: Wed, Oct 31, 2012, Time: 12:00pm – 12:00pm

A Spooky Night with Poe

Children will read and discuss several Poe works, assisted by local theatre members. Children will act out favorite parts of works. We are hoping for an especially dark scary fall evening.

Event Location: Walpole Town Library, Walpole, NH 03608

Date: Wed, Oct 31, 2012, Time: 12:00pm – 12:00pm

"Poe"-try Slam

Poetry slam throughout one day in October featuring the poems of Edgar Allan Poe. Public invited to participate later in day at specified time; otherwise students allowed to come during certain periods to participate.

Event Location: Baker Free Library in conjunction with Bow High School, Bow, NH 03304

Date: Wed, Oct 31, 2012, Time: 12:00pm – 12:00pm

Raven and Gold Bug Scavenger Hunt Party

A party will be held to announce the winners of the Raven and Gold Bug Scavenger Hunt held Oct. 27th - 30th around the town of Wilton. Prizes will be given to participants finding all the icons. Refreshments will be served.

Event Location: Wilton Public and Gregg Free Library, Wilton, NH 03086

Date: Wed, Oct 31, 2012, Time: 5:00pm – 6:00pm

Masque of the Red Death Costume Party

We will view "The Masque of the Red Death" with Vincent Price, learn to waltz, play a game of Mafia/Werewolf (with title changed to relate to Red Death), present a Poe reader's theater and have a costume contest.

Event Location: Wadleigh Memorial Library, Milford, NH 03055

Date: Wed, Oct 31, 2012, Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm

Halloween Pass-the-Book

Bring the family for an adventure of the mind. Edgar Allan Poe Short Stories read out loud and in dramatic fashion by neighbors you know in the warm, friendly atmosphere of the Canaan Town Library. Come read, listen and enjoy. All ages are welcome.

Event Location: Canaan Town Library, Canaan, NH 03741

Date: Wed, Oct 31, 2012, Time: 6:00pm – 7:00pm

Peterborough Town Library Book Discussion

Regular monthly book discussion featuring Poe this month to coincide with Big Read.

Event Location: Peterborough Town Library, Peterborough, NH 03458

Date: Wed, Oct 31, 2012, Time: 7:00pm – 8:00pm

Do You Dare? Halloween with Edgar Allan Poe

Spend Halloween at the library exploring Poe's macabre stories. Refreshments will be served, if you dare.

Event Location: Somersworth Public Library, Somersworth, NH 03878

Date: Wed, Oct 31, 2012, Time: 7:00pm – 8:30pm

Poe Page to Screen Film Series Week 4

Enjoy a free refreshments and a screening of a classic Poe film. Call the library at 603-352-0157 for details on featured film.

Event Location: Keene Public Library, Keene, NH 03431

Date: Wed, Oct 31, 2012, Time: 7:00pm – 9:00pm

Scary Stories Contest Entries Due

Write a scary story of 500 words or less (there is no minimum number of words required, but your story should be equal to or less than 500 words). You must use one of these phrases to begin or end your story: It was many and many a year ago, . . . I felt a hand grab me and pull me back into the darkness… The phone rang and rang, but no one could answer it… The tree had been watered with blood and hungered for more… If I’d known vampires were real, I never would have dressed up like one for Halloween…. The story must be your original creation and, if possible, typed. Turn in your story with a completed entry form before 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday October 31. Stories will be judged in three categories: 3rd through 5th grade, 6th through 8th grade, and grade 9 and up. The top three stories in each age group will be recognized with certificates and gift certificates to the Toadstool Bookshop. Entries will be judged on originality, creativity, quality of writing and adherence to contest guidelines. Entries will not be returned—please make a copy before you turn in your story.

Event Location: Keene Public Library, Keene, NH 03431

Date: Wed, Oct 31, 2012, Time: 9:00pm – 9:00pm

  For a list of all the upcoming events visit our events listing. 

Tale: The Black Cat

“The Black Cat”

(originally published August 1843 in United States Saturday Post)

An alcoholic kills his cat – which he had formerly loved – and the cat comes back to haunt him. A particularly chilling tale.

 

Summary written by Taylor Colegrove, May 2011. Title links to the full text of the story.

Partner: Effingham Public Library

The Effingham Public Library is located at 30 Town House Road, in a section of the town historically known as Drake’s Corner. Effingham is a small, rural community with a population of around 1400, surrounded by the towns of Freedom, Ossipee and Wakefield, NH, and Parsonsfield, ME. The mission of the Effingham Public Library to provide a center for the community that promotes education, leisure and creative pursuits by providing a means to access information and resources.     “In the early 1800's, inhabitants of Effingham on Lord's Hill pooled their resources and started a library. Books could be borrowed and were to be returned the first Monday in September, December, March and June. In the 1860s a library was kept in the home of Josiah Dearborn.  “Books in these libraries were primarily non-fiction, serious books, which were popular in those years, such as history, essays, commentaries, and the like.  “In the town meeting of March, 1893, it was voted to have a town library and $30.00 was raised to start it. The state library had offered to help if some conditions were met and this offer was accepted.... A board of trustees was set up, consisting of twelve members; John L. Demeritt, R.M. Fulton, John M. Drake, James M. Leavitt, John P. Glidden, James M. Champion, J.N. Marston, O.J. Avery, Josephus L. Drake, Cyrus P.Keay, Charles L. Miles, and Francisco Barker.... What was ... the recitation room of the Charitable Masonic Institute was papered and painted, fitted with shelves, and adapted for the library.  “Dr. Albert N. Gould was the first librarian. He served until his death about 1916.... The library has grown over the years. The report for 1896 showed 761 volumes....” (Source; "Tales of Effingham,", by Lawrence P. Hall, 1988, Freedom, NH  From that modest beginning, the Effingham Public Library has expanded to fill the entire first floor of the historic Masonic building, and boasts a collection of over 11,000 items. The Board of Trustees now consists of five members. The library has a paid staff of three, assisted by a team of energetic and dedicated volunteers, and is open 24 hours per week.

Events: October 30

Poe Live(s)

A dramatic reading of various works by Poe, performed and written by members of the Rivier University Community. Additionally, short exerpts of student work written in the style of Poe will be read.

Event Location: Rivier University, Nashua, NH 03060

Date: Tue, Oct 30, 2012, Time: 12:00pm – 12:00pm

Make a Poe-cket Shrines

Inspired by Mexico's Day of the Dead and Poe's macabre stories, drop by the library to make a pocket shrine in honor of a loved one. Ages 12-16 are welcome to attend. All supplies will be provided by the library.

Event Location: Somersworth Public Library, Somersworth, NH 03878

Date: Tue, Oct 30, 2012, Time: 3:30pm – 4:30pm

Discover Poe's Greatest Horror Stories

Just in time for Halloween, Plymouth State University professor Matthew Cheney will lead a discussion of Edgar Allan Poe's most famous horror stories, including "The Fall of the House of Usher", "The Masque of the Red Death", "The Pit and the Pendulum", "The Tell-Tale Heart", "The Black Cat", and "The Cask of Amontillado". Discover new ways of reading these classics, and discuss what makes them still so effective even now, more than 150 years after they were written.

Event Location: Pease Public Library, Plymouth, NH 03264

Date: Tue, Oct 30, 2012, Time: 7:00pm – 8:00pm

For a list of all the upcoming events visit our events listing. 

Tales: The Sphinx

“The Sphinx”  

(originally published January 1846 in Arthur’s Ladies Magazine)

While visiting a friend, a man looks out a window and thinks he sees a strange monster off in the distance. What is it?

 

Summary written by Taylor Colegrove, May 2011. Title links to the full text of the story.