Author Presentations
Fairfax Prize
Novelist Michael Cunningham received the 2008 Fairfax Prize for Lifetime Achievement in the Literary Arts at the 10th annual Fall for the Book Festival. The award was funded by the Fairfax Library Foundation, a partner with the Fairfax County Public Library and George Mason University.
Fairfax Library Foundation Chair, Alvah Beander, presented the prize recognizing Cunningham as an award-winning novelist including the Pulitzer Prize for The Hours. The author of A Home at the End of the World, Flesh and Blood and Specimen Day, accepted the 2008 Fairfax Prize that celebrates an author whose works have contributed significantly to American or international culture.
Tuesdays with Morrie author, Mitch Albom was the recipient of the 2007 Fairfax Prize. Former Chair, Joan Kane presented the Fairfax Library Foundation sponsored award. Albom founded three charities in his hometown of Detroit and donated proceeds from his most recent novel, For One More Day, to promote literacy.
All Fairfax Reads
All Fairfax Reads is a “one book, one community” project that encourages Fairfax County residents to read and discuss the same book at the same time. The Fairfax Library Foundation is proud to sponsor this initiative, which was launched in 2004 with Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. The selections for years to follow include:
- 2005 - The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
- 2006 - Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie
- 2007 - His Excellency: George Washington by Joseph J. Ellis
In 2008, Gerald Connolly, chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, joined Tony Griffin, the County Executive to encourage all participants to read The Uncommon Reader by award-winning English playwright Alan Bennett.
"Her Majesty was interested to read about your Library's reading project, encouraging the residents of north Virginia to read and comment on The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett. Good wishes for the success of your project." - Miss Jennie Vine, Buckingham Palace Correspondence Officer for The Queen.
The Perspectives Series
The Perspectives Series, co-sponsored by Fairfax County Public Library's Center for the Book, McLean Community Center and George Mason University, has been made possible through funding from the Fairfax Library Foundation since 2003. Renowned author programs are free to the public on a first-come basis.
2008 Perspectives Series
All events in this series begin at 7:30 p.m. and will be held at the Alden Theatre of the McLean Community Center.
Tuesday, March 11, John Bolton, U. S. Ambassador to the United Nations from 2005 to 2006, presented “America, International Security and the Future.”
Bolton offered a candid survey of world trouble spots and discussed U.S. economic and security interests in these regions, as well as identifying new potential areas for concern.
Bolton is the author of Surrender Is Not an Option: Defending America at the U. N. and Abroad.
On Wednesday, April 2, Marjane Satrapi discusses her best-selling graphic novel, Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood.
Satrapi grew up in Tehran, but later moved to Paris and was introduced to many of France’s “new wave” comic book artists.
Persepolis is the compelling story of Satrapi’s youth in Iran in the 1970s, living through the Islamic Revolution and the war with Iraq. USA Today called it “A mighty achievement and inspiring coming-of-age story.” Satrapi worked on the film adaptation of the novel, which is to be released this year.
On Tuesday, May 6, Conservative Cal Thomas and liberal Bob Beckel, authors of the syndicated USA Today column, “Common Ground” talk about their latest book, Common Ground: How To Stop the Partisan War That Is Destroying America. Thomas is a veteran of both broadcast and print journalism and a panelist on the popular “Fox News Watch” show. Beckel is a veteran political consultant who appears regularly on CNN and “CBS This Morning.”
2007 Perspectives Series
Susan Orlean, author of The Orchid Thief, presented “My Encounters With Extraordinary People”. Orlean has been a staff writer for The New Yorker since 1992. The author of several books, Orlean has explored the lives of an enormous range of subjects from kids and kings to gospel choirs. Her piece about an orchid thief inspired the 2002 film “Adaptation,” in which Orlean was portrayed by Meryl Streep.
David Rakoff, a contributor to Public Radio International’s “This American Life,” is known for his raw and edgy humor and is the author of Don’t Get Too Comfortable, a critique of 21st-century American life. He also writes for The New York Times Magazine, Outside and GQ. Rakoff has worked with David and Amy Sedaris, directing and acting in their plays. He can also be seen in the 2005 films “Strangers With Candy” and “Capote.”
Julian Bond, author, educator and advocate for social change who served in the Georgia General Assembly for 20 years, presented “Crossing the Color Line From Rhythm ‘n Blues to Rock ‘n Roll”. His poetry and articles have appeared in numerous publications, and he has narrated a number of TV documentaries, including the critically acclaimed “Eyes on the Prize.” In 2002, he received the prestigious National Freedom Award. The Foundation hosted a reception prior to the program.
2006 Perspectives Series
Paul Rusesabagina (pictured right), subject of the award-winning film Hotel Rwanda discussed his book An Ordinary Man: The Story of Hotel Rwanda.
Sports Illustrated writer Frank Deford presented Sports: The Hype and the Hoopla.
Colonel Matthew Bogdanos presented Thieves of Baghdad: The Journey to Recover the World’s Greatest Stolen Treasures.
Bestselling author Sara Paretsky revolutionized the mystery world when she introduced private detective V.I. Warshawski, the strong female detective who still uses her wits and fists to solve crimes in Fire Sale.
2005 Perspectives Series
Jack Valenti, Former president of the Motion Picture Association of America, presented “Hollywood, Then and Now.”
CBS News Vetrean, Bob Schieffer discussed his book Face the Nation: My Favorite Stories from the First 50 Years.
Andrea Mitchell, NBC News Correspondent, presented “The View From Washington”.
2004 Perspectives Series
Pulitzer Prize Winner, David Maraniss, discussed the writing of his books They Marched Into Sunlight: War and Peace, Vietnam and America, October 1967.
Syndicated Columnist, Linda Chavez presented "Politics, Diversity and the Media".
Pulitzer Prize Winner, David Broder discussed "American Political Life".
2003 Perspectives Series
Judi Nardella Hershman introduced Newsweek Contributing Editor Eleanor Clift (pictured right) who presented "Women in Politics".
Ken Starr discussed his book First Among Equals: The Supreme Court in American Life.
Political analyst, James Carville presented “A look at American Politics”.
Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, discussed her book, Lazy B: Growing Up on a Cattle Ranch in the American Southwest.
The Capital Book Festival
Fairfax Library Foundation celebrated its 10th anniversary by hosting The Capital Book Festival: A Celebration of Notable Authors. The festival featured celebrity author presentations, writers' workshops, autographed book sales and special children's activities
Other Center for the Book Author Programs
The Fairfax County Public Library presented author Alexander McCall Smith, who presented "The Very Small Things of Life"; a talk on writing, creativity, Africa and the life of an author. McCall Smith has written more than 50 books, including academic titles, short story collections, children’s books and the internationally acclaimed The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series. The program was co-sponsored by the Fairfax Library Foundation.
Lynne Cheney, author and senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, presented a special event co-sponsored by Cox Communications. Her book, America: A Patriotic Primer, is an alphabet book that celebrates the ideas and ideals that are the foundations of America. Mrs. Cheney's net proceeds from America are being donated to charity.
During Constitution Week, Cheney spoke on the importance of teaching children about American history. "Time and again, we receive reports that young people are woefully lacking in knowledge of the past," Cheney has said. "Insuring the historical literacy of the next generation is not solely the responsibility of schools. Parents and grandparents and other adults should talk to children and young people about the American past."
James Patterson
James Patterson, best-selling author of the Alex Cross series, the Women's Murder Club series, and Beach House, discussed his work through a free program sponsored by the Fairfax County Public Library Center for the Book and funded by Fairfax Library Foundation. Patterson's books were available for sale and signing.