A prominent New England patriarch has died violently, exposing a nest of dark family secrets. That’s the plot of Richard North Patterson’s recently released family drama. The novel, Fall From Grace, set on Martha’s Vineyard, is the first in what is to be a series of three novels.
Mr. Patterson, a part-time Island resident, will discuss his work at a speakeasy on June 20 at 5:30 p.m. held at State Road Restaurant in West Tisbury. Hors d’oeuvres and light refreshments will be served.
Laura Wainwright, previously a teacher and children’s librarian, turned her senses toward the natural world to produce her first book, Home Bird: Four Seasons on Martha’s Vineyard (Vineyard Stories 2012). The book is composed of essays that adopt the voice of a home bird — someone who simply likes to be home and hear all the nuanced noises of what the world has to offer. A home bird appreciates the details that so often go unnoticed in even the smallest, simplest daily activities.
On Sunday, May 27, Pulitzer Prize winning author Richard Russo and his daughter, Kate, will give a reading at the Bunch of Grapes Bookstore in Vineyard Haven. This will be the first event to take place in the bookstore’s new space, across Main street in the old Bowl and Board building.
What a way to start a new era.
In a 1967 Life magazine story, the late William Stryon was quoted as saying: “Writing is a cruel and wracking pursuit. I hope none of my children follow in my path.”
Alexandra Styron has done just that, and in her book — Reading My Father — she has found a lifeline away from the scar tissue of her upbringing to a deep and compelling portrait of a complex person — father and writer.
Alexandra Styron, the daughter of William Styron, will be featured at the next Speakeasy series held at State Road Restaurant in West Tisbury on Wednesday, May 16 at 5:30 p.m.
Ms. Styron’s recent book is Reading My Father, a memoir about growing up with the legendary author of Sophie’s Choice, The Confessions of Nat Turner and Darkness Visible: A Memoir of Madness.
The New York Times called Ms. Styron’s book, “Ardent, sophisticated and entirely winning.”
In 1995, Sarah Ban Breathnach wrote a bestselling book called Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy. The book features 366 essays about how to live life with simplicity and grace, but most of all gratitude. Oprah Winfrey called it her “favorite book,” of the year.
The book sold seven million copies and counting.
