SPEAK 2024
SPEAK 2024 is about intentional enjoyment, and our featured authors are known for helping readers escape into a great story or teaching about the importance of recreation.
EVPL’s annual reading challenge theme, Read – Discover – Play, reminds us of the pleasures of reading, the joy of discovery, and the value of play. SPEAK 2024 presenters will inspire audiences to embrace enjoyment as an essential part of life.
JUMP TO: KATE QUINN | ELIN HILDERBRAND | ANTHONY DEBENEDET | VICTORIA CHRISTOPHER MURRAY | EVPL PROGRAMS | MORE ABOUT SPEAK
Victoria Christopher Murray | Thursday, October 24
Victoria Christopher Murray is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author or co-author of more than 30 novels, including the New York Times Instant Best Sellers The Personal Librarian and The First Ladies. With almost three million books in print, Victoria is one of the country’s top African American contemporary authors.
A native New Yorker, Victoria Christopher Murray attended Hampton University where she majored in communication disorders. After graduating, Victoria attended New York University’s Stern Business School where she received her MBA in Marketing.
Victoria will discuss her works on Thursday, October 24 at 7:00 pm at Ivy Tech Evansville. Thanks to the generosity of the EVPL Foundation, this event is FREE and open to all.
Over her career, Victoria has received numerous awards including the Phyllis Wheatley Trailblazer Award, the Delta Sigma Theta Osceola Award for Excellence in the Arts, Go On Girl Book Club Author of the Year, eleven African American Literary Awards and five NAACP Image Award nominations. In 2016, she won the Image Award for Outstanding Literature for her social commentary novel, Stand Your Ground.
In addition to being a New York Times Bestseller, The Personal Librarian was a Good Morning America Book Club selection and named a Best Book of the Year by NPR. The First Ladies was Target’s 2023 Book of the Year.
She is also a Christian fiction writer, and five of her Seven Deadly Sins novels have become Lifetime movies produced by TD Jakes, Shaun Robinson, and Derrick Williams. The Personal Librarian has been optioned by Al Roker Entertainment to become a mini-series.
VIP Reception
Join us for a reception before author Victoria Christopher Murray’s SPEAK presentation. There will be light appetizers and an opportunity for autographs before the main presentation. Ticket holders will receive reserved seating at the event. Tickets cost $30 and proceeds benefit the EVPL Foundation.
Purchase VIP Reception Tickets
Victoria’s Titles
Learn more about Victoria Christopher Murray
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EVPL Programs
Before each SPEAK event, we will host several programs for library users of all ages to explore our theme of Read. Discover. Play.
Victoria Christopher Murray Programs
Victoria Christopher Murray Book Discussion
Saturdays, Sep. 14 & 28; Oct. 12 & 26 • 12:00 – 1:00 pm • EVPL East
Come enjoy a discussion of SPEAK author Victoria Christopher Murray’s works: The Personal Librarian, A Blessing & A Curse, Fortune & Fame, First Ladies.
Lunchtime Tea & Talk: The Personal Librarian
Saturday, October 5 • 12:30 – 1:30 pm • EVPL McCollough
Victoria Christopher Murray Book Discussion: The First Ladies
Tuesday, October 8 • 6:00 – 7:00 pm • EVPL Oaklyn
Come and enjoy a book discussion of the title The First Ladies by SPEAK author Victoria Christopher Murray.
Tea Blend Workshop: Inspired by The Personal Librarian
Wednesday, October 23 • 5:30 – 6:30 pm • EVPL West
Learn about and experiment with a variety of tea leaves and ingredients to create personalized blends. Inspired by The Personal Librarian by Victoria Christopher Murray!
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Read, Listen, Learn, and Dialogue Together
SPEAK is a lecture and discussion series that aims to bring in authors, thought leaders, and speakers each year.
Through the SPEAK initiative, EVPL hopes to further our vision of communities united through shared exploration and understanding by supporting and encouraging conversation. Empathy and compassion are grown through words, whether spoken or written. SPEAK encourages our community to speak up and speak together.
To financially support SPEAK, you can donate to the EVPL Foundation.
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Kate Quinn | Thursday, March 21
Kate Quinn is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of historical fiction. A native of southern California, she attended Boston University where she earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Classical Voice. She has written four novels in the Empress of Rome Saga, and two books in the Italian Renaissance, before turning to the 20th century with The Alice Network, The Huntress, The Rose Code, and The Diamond Eye. All have been translated into multiple languages.
Before her visit, EVPL will host a series of programs exploring Kate Quinn’s works and themes.
Kate will discuss her research and works on Thursday, March 21 at 7:00 pm in Old National Events Plaza Ballroom A. Thanks to the generosity of the EVPL Foundation, this event is FREE and open to all.
VIP Reception – SOLD OUT
Reception is sold out! Mingle with Kate Quinn, enjoy light refreshments, and receive VIP seating at the SPEAK presentation when you purchase a ticket to our VIP Reception. Tickets cost $30 and proceeds benefit the EVPL Foundation.
Kate’s Titles
Learn more about Kate Quinn
Kate Quinn Programs
Kate Quinn’s Diamond Eye: a novel based on Lady Death
Saturday, March 2 at 12:00 pm at EVPL Red Bank
Learn about Lyudmila Mikhailovna Pavlichenko, also known as Lady Death, the famed WW2 Russian sniper credited with 309 enemy kills. Discuss Quinn’s novelization of Pavlichenko’s story of the war, and of her publicity tour of the US to encourage the opening of a second front.
Kate Quinn Book Discussion: The Rose Code
Thursday, March 14 at 6:00 pm at EVPL Oaklyn
Meet Osla, Beth, and Mab, three codebreakers at Bletchley Park in England during WWII who work to uncover a spy in their midst.
Kate Quinn Book Discussion: The Huntress*
Monday, March 18 at 4:00 pm at EVPL East
Discuss the infamous Night Witches – an all-female bomber regiment – who operate on the icy edge of Soviet Russia. *Registration is required.
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Elin Hilderbrand is known as the “Queen of the Beach Read” and has written 33 novels, most of which are bestsellers set in the summertime of Nantucket. Her books have circulated more than 18,000 times among EVPL readers, and she is the 5th-highest circulating adult author at EVPL. Elin’s final Nantucket-based novel, Swan Song, is set for release this summer.
A year-round resident of Nantucket, Elin enjoys going to the beach, cooking for her young adult children, and occasionally dancing in the front row at the Chicken Box. She is a grateful nine-year breast cancer survivor.
Before her visit, EVPL will host a series of programs exploring Elin Hilderbrand’s works and themes.
Elin will discuss her works on Thursday, May 2 at 7:00 pm in the Aiken Theatre, Old National Events Plaza. Thanks to the generosity of the EVPL Foundation, this event is FREE and open to all.
VIP Reception – SOLD OUT
Enjoy an intimate reception with bestselling author Elin Hilderbrand. Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served and you will receive VIP seating at the SPEAK. The formal presentation begins at 7:00 pm in the Aiken Theater and is free. Tickets cost $50 and proceeds benefit the EVPL Foundation.
Elin’s Titles
Learn more about Elin Hilderband
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Elin Hilderbrand Programs
The Hotel Nantucket: Book Discussion
Wednesday, April 10 at 6:00 pm at EVPL West
Discuss this beach read about a summer of scandal at a storied Nantucket hotel.
Painting Night: Elin Hilderbrand Themed Art – With Painting With a Twist
Monday, April 15 at 5:00 pm at EVPL Oaklyn
In collaboration with Painting With a Twist, learn how to paint a Cape Code/beach-themed piece of art. *Space is limited and registration is required.
Build Your Own Beach Hat
Saturday, April 27 at 10:30 am at Washington Square – McCollough
Create your own Elin Hilderbrand-inspired beach hat! Hats and decorations will be supplied. *Registration is required.
Seashell Painting
Saturday, April 27 at 1:30 pm at EVPL North Park
Paint seashells to get ready for Elin Hilderbrand’s visit.
Elin Hilderbrand’s Golden Girl: Book Discussion
Saturday, April 17 at 5:00 pm at Bluestocking Social
Discuss Elin Hilderbrand’s Golden Girl, a less-typical Nantucket story about a driven woman’s chance to review and understand her life and her family after her death.
Contemporary Fiction Book Club: The Identicals by Elin Hilderbrand
Wednesday, May 1 at 2:00 pm at EVPL Stringtown
Discuss The Identicals, a novel about identical twin sisters who have been at odds for years and face a family crisis.
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Dr. Anthony DeBenedet | Tuesday, September 10
Anthony DeBenedet, M.D. is a practicing physician, writer, and behavioral-science enthusiast. He is the author of Playful Intelligence: The Power of Living Lightly in a Serious World, a book about the hidden ways that playfulness affects adulthood. He is also the co-author of The Art of Roughhousing: Good Old-Fashioned Horseplay and Why Every Kid Needs It, and Unplug and Play: The Ultimate Illustrated Guide to Roughhousing with Your Kids, parenting books focusing on the importance of parent-child physical play.
His interviews and writings have been featured in multiple media outlets, including the New York Times, TODAY, Washington Post, and TIME Ideas.
DeBenedet has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biomedical Engineering from the Duke University Pratt School of Engineering, a Master of Science Degree in Health and Healthcare Research from the University of Michigan Rackham Graduate School, and a Doctor of Medicine Degree from the University of Virginia School of Medicine. He completed his internal medicine residency and gastroenterology fellowship at the University of Michigan Health System.
DeBenedet lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he enjoys spending time with his family, connecting with friends, and playing a little basketball.
Dr. DeBenedet will discuss his research and works on Tuesday, September 10 at 7:00 pm at EVPL Central. Thanks to the generosity of the EVPL Foundation, this event is FREE and open to all.
About Dr. DeBenedet’s Books
- From Playful Intelligence: Today, we live in a taxing world. The endless pressure to keep up with our responsibilities and the daily headlines swarming around us can be overwhelming. DeBenedet’s work comes at a time when stress, uncertainty, and intensity levels are high. Playful Intelligence shows adults that there is a way to live lighter―and smarter―as we navigate the seriousness of adulthood. It’s not about taking life less seriously; it’s about taking ourselves less seriously.
- From The Art of Roughhousing: … (the authors) show how rough-and-tumble play can nurture close connections, solve behavior problems, boost confidence, and more. Drawing inspiration from gymnastics, martial arts, ballet, traditional sports, and even animal behavior, the authors present dozens of illustrated activities for children and parents to enjoy together—everything from the “Sumo Dead Lift” to the “Rogue Dumbo.” These delightful games are fun, free, and contain many surprising health benefits for parents. So put down those electronic games and get ready to rumble!
- From Unplug and Play: … Every kid needs horseplay! Roughhousing is an essential part of childhood development, but it is increasingly overshadowed by screens and structured activities. In Unplug and Play, a doctor and a child psychologist, both dads, introduce parents to the benefits of physical play for young children. Drawing from gymnastics, martial arts, ballet, team sports, and even animal behavior, the authors present fun full-contact activities for parents and children to enjoy together. With activities for everyone from toddlers to kids ages twelve and up, you’ll build a foundation for a lifetime of enriching physical play. Previously published as The Art of Roughhousing, this updated edition incorporates new child development research and addresses the changing role of screen time.
Anthony’s Titles
Learn more about Dr. Anthony DeBenedet
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Dr. Anthony DeBenedet Programs
LIfe-size Candyland for Teens
Tuesday, September 3 • 3:30 – 5:00 pm • EVPL Central
Join us as we play a life-size version of Candyland!
Coding for Grownups
Friday, September 6 • 5:00 – 6:00 pm • EVPL East
Celebrate play before the SPEAK event by learning to program robots.
Grow up Play & Learn*
Friday, September 6 • 6:00 – 8:00 pm • EVPL West
A Play & Learn just for grown-ups! In anticipation of Dr. Anthony Debenedet’s SPEAK visit we’re hosting an after hours event. Play board games with us, do crafts, or just hang out! *Registration required
Extended Conversation: Bingo & Donuts
Friday, September 13 • 10:00 – 11:00 am • EVPL Stringtown
Join us the second Friday of each month at EVPL Stringtown as we have donuts, coffee, and play Bingo!
Extended Conversation: Family Puzzle Race*
Saturday, September 14 • 2:00 – 4:00 pm • EVPL Oaklyn
Family Teams (up to 5 people) will compete to complete a 500 piece puzzle in 2 hours! *Registration required
Extended Conversation: Watercolor Painting
Monday, September 23 • 3:30 – 4:30 pm • EVPL Stringtown
Immerse yourself in the beauty of translucent paint by creating your very own watercolor masterpiece on specialized cotton paper.
