In celebration of national poetry month, there will be a reading of 17th century metaphysical poet John Donne at the Old Whaling Church at 4 p.m. on April 19. The program will also include the music of William Byrd and other composers from the English Renaissance. Donne’s work will be read by John Ortman and Elizabeth Villard, who will be joined by Matt Pelikan on recorder and violin, and Jan Hyer on cello.

The Vineyard may yet be the scene of another big fish film under the eye of Steven Spielberg: the Jaws director’s studio, DreamWorks, has just bought the film rights for a soon to be released book about the Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby.

The book, The Big One: An Island, an Obsession and the Furious Pursuit of a Great Fish, by David Kinney, published by Atlantic Monthly, will be released on April 8.

John Sundman is a Tisbury-based science fiction writer. He has recently self-published his third book, The Pains, a dark, satirical vision of 1984 America that blends George Orwell’s classic dystopia with a surreal version of the real-life Reagan-era. According to the author, it is a “story of faith in a world that appears to be falling apart. It tells the story of Norman Lux, a 24-year-old novitiate in a religious order, who becomes afflicted with something akin to stigmata.”

Mystery Reprint

Thomas Dresser is pleased to announce that his recent book, Mystery on the Vineyard, will be reprinted by the History Press. The initial run of Mystery on the Vineyard, which debuted in April of this year, has sold out; hence the reprint. More information is available at a new Web site Mr. Dresser recently launched, thomasdresser.com. E-mail comments or questions to tom@tomdresser.com.

British Author Talks

Renowned British author Dr. Brian A. Wren will discuss his new book, Advent, Christmas and Epiphany: Liturgies and Prayers for Public Worship, at Christ United Methodist Church chapel on the corner of Church and Williams streets in Vineyard Haven on Wednesday, Oct. 29, from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

Ghost Stories

Holly Mascott Nadler will read spooky excerpts from her new book Vineyard Supernatural: True Ghost Stories from America’s Most Haunted Island, tonight, Friday, Oct. 24, at the Farm Institute in Katama, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. All brave souls are invited to join for a ghostly party, though, due to the spine-tingling potential, this event is not recommended for kids under 10. Cider and cookies will be served.

Author Thomas Dresser will speak about his book Mystery on the Vineyard: Politics, Passion and Scandal on East Chop, a true story of the shocking 1940 murder of an elderly visitor to the Island, on Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 5:30 p.m. at the Chilmark Public Library.

Mr. Dresser has previously self-published five booklets featuring favorite New England haunts.

Author Marc Songini will return to the Island to speak about his book, The Lost Fleet: A Yankee Whaler’s Struggle Against the Confederate Navy and Arctic Disaster, at the Chilmark Public Library on Wednesday, Sept. 10 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The event is free and open to all.

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Tony Horwitz will discuss his latest book, A Voyage Long and Strange: Rediscovering the New World, at the Chilmark Public Library on Thursday, Sept. 11, 5 to 6 p.m.

The book recounts Mr. Horwitz’s journey of rediscovery, following in the footsteps of the many Europeans who preceded the Pilgrims to America. The talk is free and all are welcome.

Author Tom Dresser will discuss his book Mystery on Martha’s Vineyard: Politics, Passion and Scandal on East Chop, on Tuesday, Sept. 9, at 7 p.m. at the Vineyard Haven Public Library.