The Fairfax County Public Library and NOVEC encourage book and dog lovers to read The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein and meet the author at the Fairfax campus of George Mason University on Sept. 19, 2010, at 5 p.m. Stein is participating in the library’s All Fairfax Reads and Fall for the Book programs, which NOVEC co-sponsors.
All Fairfax Reads
Everyone who lives, works, or goes to school in Fairfax County is invited to participate in All Fairfax Read’s “one book, one community” project. All Fairfax Reads and more than 100 similar initiatives across the United States encourage people to read and discuss the same book.
Enzo, the narrator of The Art of Racing in the Rain, knows he is different from other dogs. As a philosopher, he has educated himself by watching television and listening closely to the words of his master, Denny Swift, an up-and-coming race car driver. Through Denny, Enzo sees that life, like racing, isn't simply about going fast. He deduces that techniques needed on the race track can help human beings successfully navigate through life's ordeals.
Fall for the Book
In addition to Stein, nearly 150 other book authors, poets, and commentators will join people of all ages throughout the Washington, D.C., area for the 2010 Fall for the Book festival, sponsored by George Mason University, Fairfax County Public Library and NOVEC. Events will be held at Mason’s Fairfax campus and more than 30 other area locations Sept. 19-24. Admission is free.
Participants will explore through book discussions, workshops, readings, and fun festival events topics ranging from three cups of tea to two kidnapped Virginia boys with a sleuth on their trail.
Ann Patchett, author of the best-selling book Run, will receive the Fairfax Prize for literary excellence from Fall for the Book on Monday, Sept. 20. Her other books include The Patron Saint of Liars, Taft, The Magician's Assistant, Bel Canto, and the multiple award-winning Truth & Beauty -- named one of the Best Books of the Year by the Chicago Tribune, the San Francisco Chronicle, and Entertainment Weekly. Patchett has written for numerous publications, including the New York Times Magazine, The Atlantic, Gourmet, and Vogue.
Greg Mortenson, winner of the Mason Prize and author of the number one New York Times best-seller Three Cups of Tea and best-seller Stones into Schools will speak about his life and work in the Middle East on Friday, September 24, at 7 p.m. in the Concert Hall on George Mason University’s Fairfax campus. Reservations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis (limit four tickets per person) and can be made beginning on Monday, August 16, at www.fallforthebook.org.
Kathryn Stockett, author of the best-seller, The Help, will discuss the social milieu of whites in Jackson, Miss., their African-American servants, and an aspiring writer who upsets old Southern ways. Stockett will appear Sept. 21 at 8 p.m. at the Reston CenterStage Theater. Reservations are accepted on a first-come first-served basis (limit two tickets per person) and can be made beginning Tuesday, September 7, in person at the CenterStage Box Office during regular hours (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 4-9 p.m., Saturday 1-5 p.m.) or over the phone by calling 703-476-4500, ext. 3.
When two teenage boys are inexplicably kidnapped from a Virginia residential school for children of incarcerated parents, a character in John Gilstrap’s latest thriller, Hostage Zero, gets on their trail. Meet Gilstrap, a former Fairfax County fire fighter and history major from William & Mary, when he discusses his string of books, including best seller The Copper Bracelet.
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1992 for her best-selling A Thousand Acres, Jane Smiley will discuss her long list of novels, non-fiction books, articles and essays. Her books include: Ten Days in the Hills, Horse Heaven, and most recently Private Life, released earlier this year.
George Mason University and the City of Fairfax organized Fall for the Book in 1999. It has expanded into a week-long, multi-venue festival. The festival is Northern Virginia’s oldest and largest celebration of literary arts. For a complete schedule of events and locations, visit www.fallforthebook.org.