For a weekday in late March on Island, it was a book launch of exceptional glamour: 46 avid fans showed up. The author lectured, read and fielded questions in a turret room flanked by a small amphitheater of seats. Even paparazzi were on hand, if you count the duo from the Gazette. The reception to the reading was rousing. The questions were intelligent and penetrating. The event ended with a round of applause and a platter of cupcakes.

Bargain With the Devil

Harvard University professor Robert Mnookin will discuss his new book, Bargaining with the Devil, in a 7:30 p.m. program on Thursday, July 1, at the Hebrew Center in Vineyard Haven.

Ever wonder what to do with the riches earned at the summer lemonade stand? S.L. Hudson has the answer in her new young adult novel, Strike Zone, the Games of Baseball and Money. The book is both a coming of age story and a financial seminar for young earners. Hudson will be reading from her book and leading a discussion at Edgartown Books on 44 Main street in Edgartown, this Friday, July 23 at 4 p.m.

One of the authors of America According to Connor Gifford, a book by a young Nantucket man who writes in the prologue how blessed he is to have Down syndrome, will be speaking at the Vineyard Haven Public Library next Friday, May 7, at 5:30 p.m. The event is free and all are welcome.

An Ohio native, he took many mainstream classes, and fell in love with history years before he graduated from high school is 2002. He now lives year-round on Nantucket.

Some years ago, as a fresh washashore, I made the mistake of honking my car horn.

It was at the blinker, coming from Vineyard Haven on an off-season day. There were but two cars: mine, and that of the woman in front who had been unaccountably stopped, for maybe a minute, maybe less. I didn’t lean aggressively on the horn, just a little beep, to say “I’m here.”

Poets Anthology

Cleaveland House Poets Anthology is among the books on display through tomorrow at the annual Poets House Showcase in New York city, today 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This is a display of all the poetry books published in the U.S. during the past year (2,164 titles), from micro-press chapbooks to CDs to volumes from major commercial publishers. Admission is free.

How to Find a Ghost

Island ghost-hunter Holly Nadler will be speaking about After Life Encounters, subtitled How to Invite Communication From the Spirit World; What to Look For; How Not to Be Afraid, at Vineyard Haven Public Library, Tuesday, May 11, at 7 p.m.

Two Island authors will speak at the Oak Bluffs Public Library this week.

On Thursday, July 8, at 6:30 p.m. Cynthia Riggs will read from her soon to be published book, The Bee Balm Murders.

On Friday, July 9, at 11 am, Tom Dresser will talk about his latest book, African Americans on Martha’s Vineyard: From Enslavement to Presidential Visit. He will answer questions and sign his book.

Anybody serving up a cocktail of vodka, Red Bull, Hydrocodone, birdseed and stool softener this weekend? No? Well, guess again, because Carl Hiaasen is coming to town and in his world, Miami of course, a drink like that is just for starters. In fact, his new novel Star Island begins with the sudden demise of just such an über inbiber. It’s anybody’s guess where the ride will go from there. What’s not up for debate, though, is that the journey will be hilarious.

American Story

Connor Gifford will read from and talk about his book, America According to Connor Gifford, tonight at 5:30 p.m. at the Vineyard Haven Public Library.

This Nantucketer’s book about the history of the United States covers 400 years of our nation trying to get it right. It also tells the author’s own story, a gift of hope and inspiration by an amazing young man who has Down Syndrome.