Three Contemporary Confessional Poets, With Mark Scarbrough
February 20 : Poet Ellen Bass, Indigo (2020)
March 20 : Poet Dorianne Laux, Life On Earth (2024)
April 17 : Poet Mark Doty, Deep Lane ( 2015)
Join us as we explore three contemporary U.S. poets who build upon and reshape the confessional form that Sylvia Plath and Robert Lowell pioneered. We will focus on the latest collections from Ellen Bass, Dorianne Laux, and Mark Doty and examine how these poets transform personal experiences through their craft.
We encourage you to read these collections thoughtfully, savoring a few poems at a time, and bring your copy to the discussion. Together, we’ll dive into the nuances of these outstanding poets and their evolving approach to the confessional style.
* Copies will be available for check out at the circulation desk or can be purchased through Hickory Stick Bookshop.
On Mark Scarbrough:
A former academic, Mark Scarbrough dropped out of seminary to do his doctoral work in nineteenth-century American literature at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He has given papers on medieval literature at the International Medieval Conference in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and American literature at MLA and regional MLA conferences. He has also written screenplays for various production companies and developed most of the original food content in the early 1990s for a small internet start-up called America Online. Mark Scarbrough is the co-author of thirty-five titles (and a thriving) cookbook career. In 2020, Mark published his memoir, “Bookmarked: How The Great Works Of Western Civilization F*cked Up My Life,” which Will Schwalbe called “equal parts charm, wit, and withering self-reflection.” Having left the classroom, Mark again finds himself enmeshed in literature, leading grant-sponsored book groups and six- to eight-week literary seminars across Litchfield County, Connecticut, and Berkshire County, Massachusetts.
Registration is required. Visit us at:
https://www.gunnlibrary.org/calendar/three-contemporary-confessional-poets-with-mark-scarbrough-3/
Gunn Memorial Library
5 Wykeham Road
Washington, CT 06793
https://www.gunnlibrary.org/calendar/three-contemporary-confessional-poets-with-mark-scarbrough-3/
Three Contemporary Confessional Poets, With Mark Scarbrough
February 20 : Poet Ellen Bass, Indigo (2020)
March 20 : Poet Dorianne Laux, Life On Earth (2024)
April 17 : Poet Mark Doty, Deep Lane ( 2015)
Join us as we explore three contemporary U.S. poets who build upon and reshape the confessional form that Sylvia Plath and Robert Lowell pioneered. We will focus on the latest collections from Ellen Bass, Dorianne Laux, and Mark Doty and examine how these poets transform personal experiences through their craft.
We encourage you to read these collections thoughtfully, savoring a few poems at a time, and bring your copy to the discussion. Together, we’ll dive into the nuances of these outstanding poets and their evolving approach to the confessional style.
* Copies will be available for check out at the circulation desk or can be purchased through Hickory Stick Bookshop.
On Mark Scarbrough:
A former academic, Mark Scarbrough dropped out of seminary to do his doctoral work in nineteenth-century American literature at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He has given papers on medieval literature at the International Medieval Conference in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and American literature at MLA and regional MLA conferences. He has also written screenplays for various production companies and developed most of the original food content in the early 1990s for a small internet start-up called America Online. Mark Scarbrough is the co-author of thirty-five titles (and a thriving) cookbook career. In 2020, Mark published his memoir, “Bookmarked: How The Great Works Of Western Civilization F*cked Up My Life,” which Will Schwalbe called “equal parts charm, wit, and withering self-reflection.” Having left the classroom, Mark again finds himself enmeshed in literature, leading grant-sponsored book groups and six- to eight-week literary seminars across Litchfield County, Connecticut, and Berkshire County, Massachusetts.
Registration is required. Visit us at: www.gunnlibrary.org/calendar/category/adultlib/2025-02/
Gunn Memorial Library
5 Wykeham Road
Washington, CT 06793
https://www.gunnlibrary.org/calendar/three-contemporary-confessional-poets-with-mark-scarbrough-4/
Three Contemporary Confessional Poets, With Mark Scarbrough
February 20 : Poet Ellen Bass, Indigo (2020)
March 20 : Poet Dorianne Laux, Life On Earth (2024)
April 17 : Poet Mark Doty, Deep Lane ( 2015)
Join us as we explore three contemporary U.S. poets who build upon and reshape the confessional form that Sylvia Plath and Robert Lowell pioneered. We will focus on the latest collections from Ellen Bass, Dorianne Laux, and Mark Doty and examine how these poets transform personal experiences through their craft.
We encourage you to read these collections thoughtfully, savoring a few poems at a time, and bring your copy to the discussion. Together, we’ll dive into the nuances of these outstanding poets and their evolving approach to the confessional style.
* Copies will be available for check out at the circulation desk or can be purchased through Hickory Stick Bookshop.
On Mark Scarbrough:
A former academic, Mark Scarbrough dropped out of seminary to do his doctoral work in nineteenth-century American literature at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He has given papers on medieval literature at the International Medieval Conference in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and American literature at MLA and regional MLA conferences. He has also written screenplays for various production companies and developed most of the original food content in the early 1990s for a small internet start-up called America Online. Mark Scarbrough is the co-author of thirty-five titles (and a thriving) cookbook career. In 2020, Mark published his memoir, “Bookmarked: How The Great Works Of Western Civilization F*cked Up My Life,” which Will Schwalbe called “equal parts charm, wit, and withering self-reflection.” Having left the classroom, Mark again finds himself enmeshed in literature, leading grant-sponsored book groups and six- to eight-week literary seminars across Litchfield County, Connecticut, and Berkshire County, Massachusetts.
Registration is required. Visit us at: www.gunnlibrary.org/calendar/category/adultlib/2025-02/
Gunn Memorial Library
5 Wykeham Road
Washington, CT 06793
https://www.gunnlibrary.org/calendar/three-contemporary-confessional-poets-with-mark-scarbrough-2/
The Gunn Memorial Library invites you to the February book discussion of Ta-Nehisi Coates’ groundbreaking work, Between the World and Me. Hailed as one of the 100 Best Books of the 21st Century, this powerful and poignant book is written as a letter from Coates to his teenage son, reflecting on the realities of race, identity, and the Black experience in America.
Between the World and Me is Ta-Nehisi Coates’s attempt to answer these questions in a letter to his adolescent son. Coates shares with his son—and readers—the story of his awakening to the truth about his place in the world through a series of revelatory experiences, from Howard University to Civil War battlefields, from the South Side of Chicago to Paris, from his childhood home to the living rooms of mothers whose children’s lives were taken as American plunder. Beautifully woven from personal narrative, reimagined history, and fresh, emotionally charged reportage, Between the World and Me illuminates the past, bracingly confronts our present, and offers a transcendent vision for a way forward.
Join us as we delve into this critically acclaimed work and its exploration of history, culture, and resilience.
To register, visit us at: https://www.gunnlibrary.org/calendar/gml-friday-book-club-between-the-world-and-me-by-ta-nehisi-coates/
Gunn Memorial Library
5 Wykeham Road
Washington, CT 06793
https://www.gunnlibrary.org/calendar/gml-friday-book-club-between-the-world-and-me-by-ta-nehisi-coates/
This February, in honor of Black History Month, the Gunn Library Book Club invites you to explore Britt Bennett’s The Vanishing Half. This compelling and thought-provoking novel delves into identity, race, and family themes, following the divergent paths of twin sisters who choose very different lives.
Weaving together multiple strands and generations of this family, from the Deep South to California, from the 1950s to the 1990s, Brit Bennett produces a story that is at once a riveting, emotional family story and a brilliant exploration of the American history of passing. Looking well beyond issues of race, The Vanishing Half considers the lasting influence of the past as it shapes a person’s decisions, desires, and expectations and explores some of the multiple reasons and realms in which people sometimes feel pulled to live as something other than their origins.
Brit Bennett offers an engrossing page-turner about family and relationships that is immersive, provocative, compassionate, and wise.
Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with fellow readers and reflect on the novel’s timely and impactful themes.
To register, visit: www.gunnlibrary.org/calendar/gml-thursday-book-club-the-vanishing-half-by-brit-bennett/
Gunn Memorial Library
5 Wykeham Road
Washington, CT 06793
https://www.gunnlibrary.org/calendar/gml-thursday-book-club-the-vanishing-half-by-brit-bennett/
Teen Workshop: Sew a Penguin Plushie | February 22, 1:00-2:00 pm
Create a cute and cuddly penguin plushie using the Makerspace’s sewing machines! No prior sewing experience is needed. We’ll review everything you need to know to complete your project, including how to thread the machine, select the right stitches, sew an accurate seam allowance, and add stuffing. Grades 6-12. Registration required.
https://www.gunnlibrary.org/calendar/teen-workshop-sew-a-penguin-plushie/
Gunn Memorial Library Makerspace
5 Wykeham Road
Washington, CT 06793
https://www.gunnlibrary.org/calendar/teen-workshop-sew-a-penguin-plushie/
Adult Workshop: Sew a Pillow Phone Stand | February 15, 10:00-11:30 am
Create your own pillow phone stand in this beginner-friendly sewing workshop. You’ll learn how to thread the Makerspace’s sewing machines, select the best stitch settings, sew an accurate seam allowance, and work with fiberfill as you create a practical project that’s also great for gifting! Ages 18+.
Registration required.
https://www.gunnlibrary.org/calendar/adult-workshop-sew-a-pillow-phone-stand/
Gunn Memorial Makerspace
5 Wykeham Road
Washington, CT 06793
https://www.gunnlibrary.org/calendar/adult-workshop-sew-a-pillow-phone-stand/
Tech Tuesday: Library Tech You’ll Love | February 11, 2:00-3:00 pm
Did you know that the library has its own app? Or can you watch movies and documentaries for free with your library card? Learn all this and more at this month’s Tech Tuesday workshop! We’ll explore the library’s digital resources and introduce several tools for managing your library account, borrowing ebooks and audiobooks, reading digital newspapers and magazines, exploring history, and learning a new language. Ages 18+.
Registration required
https://www.gunnlibrary.org/calendar/tech-tuesday-library-tech-youll-love/
Gunn Library Makerspace
5 Wykeham Road
Washington, CT 06793
https://www.gunnlibrary.org/calendar/tech-tuesday-library-tech-youll-love/
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, join us for an especially fun Friday night as we learn sensual chair dance moves and the art of creating an electrifying chair dance. We’ll walk you through our best tips and tricks for dancing on and around the chair! This is an all-levels workshop and will be tailored to your level.
Feel free to bring your favorite pair of heels (ideally ones you can walk in without holding on to something), an outfit that makes you feel amazing, and a song you’d really like to dance to!
6:30pm-8:30pm
$55 ($45 for members)
Dance Temple
A Dance Studio and Wellness Space for Women
22 East St, Unit 4
Bethlehem, CT
https://www.dancetemplect.com/events
Creative Family Fun: Storybook Art | February 8, 1:00-2:00 pm
It’s awards season at the American Library Association! Visit the Makerspace this month to learn more about the Caldecott Medal for picture book illustrators, discover some past winners, and make a project inspired by their award-winning art. Ages 5+ with a caregiver. Registration required.
https://www.gunnlibrary.org/calendar/creative-family-fun-storybook-art/
Gunn Library Makerspace
5 Wykeham Road
Washington, CT 06793
https://www.gunnlibrary.org/calendar/creative-family-fun-storybook-art/
