Books Between Bites

	Thursday, September 20, 2007 Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life Author: Barbara Kingsolver Reviewer: Valerie Blaine We welcome back Kane County Forest Preserve District Naturalist Blaine to discuss this book about a family’s commitment to spend one year eating only food they had grown themselves or was locally grown.
	Thursday, October 18, 2007 Newbery Award Winning Books & Their Contribution to Value-Formation in Readers of All Ages Presenter: The Rev. Mr. William H. Lawser Lawser, a Presbyterian minister and church organizational development consultant, shares his observations as he discusses the books: Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson, The View from Saturday by E. L. Konigsburg, and The Tale of Despereaux by Kay Di Camillo.
	Thursday, November 15, 2007 The Congressman Who Got Away With Murder Author: Nat Brandt Reviewer: Marilyn Robinson In 1859, Congressman Daniel Fickles killed Philip Barton Key in a jealous rage. This story takes place in Washington D.C., where the vices, virtues, and violence of pre-Civil War society in America are best portrayed. Robinson, Batavia’s resident historian, discusses this fact-based novel by a noted journalist and author of historical books.
	Thursday, December 13, 2007(Note: this is one week early - 2nd Thursday) Newly Discovered Batavia Literary Highlights (Especially from the Eisenhower & Kennedy Eras) Presenter: Mayor Jeff Schielke Batavia’s mayor, an annual presenter, shares the many references to Batavia he has found in various literary sources, with a special focus on activities during the Eisenhower & Kennedy eras.
	Thursday, January 17, 2008 The Power to Transform: Leadership That Brings Learning and Schooling to Life Author/Presenter: Stepanie Pace Marshall, Ph.D. Founding President and President Emerita of the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, Marshall is internationally recognized as a pioneer and innovative leader, speaker, and writer. Her book received The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International 2007 Educator’s Award. Books available for sale & signing by the author
	Thursday, February 21, 2008 Ruffian by William Nack The Entitled by Frank Deford Reviewer: Lester Munson Nationally known commentator, writer, ESPN editor, and our go-to guy on sports topics, Munson shares his impressions of two new sports books. Nack tells the tragic story of the greatest filly in the history of horse racing. Deford’s novel addresses issues of celebrity and crime in baseball in a captivating way.
	Thursday, March 15, 2007 Doomsday Book Author/Presenter: Connie Willis This is the 2008 One Book, One Batavia selection. Through a fantastic story that alternates between the near future and the 14th century’s outbreak of the bubonic plague, Willis weaves the importance of human relationships and the successes and limitations of science and technology. This time-travel novel won the Hugo Award, Nebula Award, and Locus Award for best science fiction / fantasy novel of 1992-1993. Books available for sale & signing by the author
	Thursday, April 17, 2008 Sidewalks: Portraits of Chicago Authors/Presenters: Rick Kogan & Charles Osgood A big hit last year, Kogan, of the Chicago Tribune and WGN Radio, returns with his “sidewalks sidekick,” Tribune photographer Charles Osgood, sharing more of the fascinating stories and photos collected from their strolls along the sidewalks of Chicago. Books available for sale & signing by the authors
	Thursday, May 15, 2008 Mr. Gatling's Terrible Marvel: The Gun That Changed Everything and the Misunderstood Genius Who Invented It Author/Presenter: Julia Keller We welcome the Cultural Critic of the Chicago Tribune, who so beautifully writes about her observations of life, to discuss her newly published book. She shares how she, a mild-mannered writer, came to explore the cultural significance of the machine gun. Ms. Keller won the 2005 Pulitzer Prize in Feature Writing. Books available for sale & signing by the author
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