By KATHY McGILBERRY
Tomorrow, November begins. The night is sure to be dark. It may or may not be stormy. It could be the worst of times. Then again, it might be the best of times. We just don’t know.
We’re positive, however, that November 1 marks the beginning of National Novel Writing Month. You can learn more about it here, http://www.nanowrimo.org/, where “the world’s largest writing event and nonprofit literary crusade” is located.
Call me Ishmael. Call me Ishkabibble. Call me woefully unenlightened, but I learned that many successful novels, including “Water for Elephants,” got their start during this special month. So if you’ve ever wanted to write a novel, now might be the time. And if you’re looking for inspiration, come to McAlester Public Library to check out the latest bestselling novel, or a classic story by a master.
And when you decide to take a break from your storytelling, please attend any of these library programs. You just might gain the gift of laughter, or the sense that the world is mad. We guarantee you won’t be an invisible man or woman.
Here’s what’s happening this month:
*Thursday, Nov. 1—The Bookies will meet at 1 p.m. to discuss Susan Hill’s “The Woman in Black.” At 3:45 p.m., teens meet upstairs for the first of three Game Times this month. The others are Nov. 8 and 29.
Then at 6 p.m., Dr. Joshua Grasso of ECU in Ada, a speaker new to us here at the library, will deliver a scholarly presentation about Michael Pollan’s “In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto.” It’s part of the ongoing “Let’s Talk About It, Oklahoma” reading and discussion program sponsored by the Oklahoma Humanities Council. All are welcome to attend; reading the book is not a requirement. And we always have great refreshments.
*Friday, Nov. 2—Anthony Smart begins another month of free computer classes with a 3 p.m. session on Basic Computing. Other Friday classes this month will be on Facebook, Computer Maintenance and Computer Tips and Tricks. You must register to attend. Call 918-426-0930 to get your name on the list.
*Saturday, Nov. 3—Teen Librarian Erin Austin will lead the fifth annual International Games Day at the library. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., teens may participate in Mario Kart, Halo and Super Smash Bros. tournaments, or play other video and board games.
*Monday, Nov. 5—Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen co-star in a funny and heart-tugging movie about two friends dealing with a cancer diagnosis. The Arthouse Theater film is rated R, and there will be plenty of free popcorn as always.
*Tuesday, Nov. 6—The Teen Challenge will be “Percy Jackson Trivia.” See Erin for details.
*Thursday, Nov. 8—We continue our food-themed programs as part of the “Much Depends on Dinner” series with a Let’s Talk About It movie special at 6 p.m. Kerri Russell stars as a waitress with a dream and a talent for making delicious pies. This PG-13 movie also stars Nathan Fillion. Join us! You don’t have to participate in the book series to watch the related movies.
*Saturday, Nov. 10—Second Saturday Cinema at 2 p.m. is always a family-friendly film. This month we’ll enjoy a movie new to DVD release. This PG-rated film follows the story of Santa’s youngest son, as he undertakes an urgent, special mission. It’s a perfect movie for “Dear Santa Letter Week,” and the beginnings of the holiday season.
*Sunday and Monday, Nov. 11-12—The library will be closed in observance of Veterans Day.
*Tuesday, Nov. 13—Yu-Gi-Oh Club meets at 4 p.m. upstairs.
*Wednesday, Nov. 14—The Crafts Workshop will be dazzling and be-jeweled, when the group meets at 1 p.m. to use beautiful craft jewels to adorn projects brought from home. (I’ll be jazzing up an old bottle and some votive candle holders. What will you bring?) Call 918-426-0930 to register, since spaces are limited.
*Thursday, Nov. 15—The library will be closed as the staff meets for the annual In-Service Training Day. Then at 6 p.m., doors will open for the Let’s Talk About, It Oklahoma book discussion ONLY. Again, ONLY the book discussion will be held in the Whiteacre Room, when Dr. Doug Watson presents Molly Wizenburg’s “A Homemade Life” at 6 p.m.
*Monday, Nov. 19—We have two programs on this night. The Light Readers will meet in the Conference Room at 6 p.m. to discuss Gracia Burnham’s “In the Presence of My Enemies.” At the same time, over in the Whiteacre East, we’ll be showing another movie as part of our Let’s Talk series. Meryl Streep and Amy Adams star as Julia Child and blogger Julie Powell in this inventive PG-13 tale.
*Tuesday, Nov. 20—Why would a woman marry a man who has already been married eight times? Night Readers will discuss this question, and the book “The Ninth Wife” by Amy Stolls, when they meet at 6:30 p.m. in the Conference Room. Free refreshments, as always, at this and all our other book clubs.
*Thursday and Friday, Nov. 22-23—The library will be closed for the Thanksgiving Day holiday.
*Saturday, Nov. 24—Each fourth Saturday of the month, we show an interesting documentary film. Our PG movie on this day takes a look at the Star Trek fan phenomenon. You’ll want to join us as we enter Space: The Final Frontier, or at least the Whiteacre Room. Showtime is 2 p.m.
*Monday, Nov. 26—Film Movement films are independent artsy movies, often from other countries. This month’s unrated film is “Free Men,” the story of an Algerian man who joins the Resistance in World War II Paris. It’s presented in French, with English subtitles. Please join us at 6 p.m. for popcorn and a movie.
*Tuesday, Nov. 27—Socrates Café will meet from 10 a.m. to noon in the Conference Room. Join us as we learn how to speak to one another, challenge one another and learn from one another. There’s always a nice brunch, too.
*Wednesday, Nov. 28—The Teen Book Club will meet at 4 p.m. to discuss “The Running Dream” by Wendelin Van Draanen.
*Thursday, Nov. 29—Let’s Talk About It, Oklahoma concludes at 6 p.m. with Dr. Lewis Parkhill, who will present “Secrets of the Tsil Café” by Thomas Fox Averill. Don’t miss this final course of what has been a scrumptious literary banquet.
*Friday, Nov. 30—And don’t forget our newest group as we close out the month! The Friday Foodies, led by Ellen Barlow, will meet to share all things delicious and cookery. This recipe exchange and food enthusiast group will focus on cookies and candies, just in time for holiday baking and treat-making, and will commence at 4:30 p.m.
Children’s activities will follow their usual schedule. Check the website or pick up a calendar at the front desk for details.
Good luck to you during National Novel Writing Month. The first lines of novels we referenced at the beginning of this newsletter were: (1) It was a dark and stormy night…—Edward George Bulwer-Lytton, “Paul Clifford” (1830); (2) It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…—Charles Dickens, “A Tale of Two Cities” (1859); (3) Call me Ishmael. —Herman Melville, “Moby-Dick” (1851); (4) He was born with a gift of laughter and a sense that the world was mad. —Raphael Sabatini, “Scaramouche” (1921); and (5) I am an invisible man. —Ralph Ellison, “Invisible Man” (1952).
Hope to see you at the library!
McBook 