Boswell Events: a speculative launch with Patrick Tomlinson, Jennifer Chiaverini inspired by Longfellow's holiday poem, Lisa Silverman on Holocaust representations, woodlands murder with Sharon Nagel and Jocelyn Koehler, John Garofolo on Dickey Chapelle.

Here's what's going on this week!

Tuesday, November 3, 7 pm, at the Harry and Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center, 6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd. in Whitefish Bay:
Lisa Silverman, co-author of Holocaust Representations in History, an Introduction.

Silverman, associate professor of history and Jewish studies at UW-Milwaukee, presents an evening discussing her recently published work on film drama, memoir, photography, visual arts, graphic novels, memorials, and museums. This event is cosponsored by the Sam and Helen Stahl Center for Jewish Studies at UWM and the Nathan and Esther Pelz Holocaust Education Research Center.

Wednesday, November 4, 7 pm, at Boswell:
Juneau Black (Sharon Nagel and Jocelyn Koehler), author(s) of Shady Hollow, a Murder Mystery.

At the start of NaNoWriMo, how fitting to celebrate the release of a book that was conceived of in a previous November. We're so excited to be welcoming current and former Boswellians Sharon and Jocelyn for the launch of Shady Hollow: A Murder Mystery.

We already have a great rec from Sarah Lange. "In the sleepy town of Shady Hollow, the woodland creatures mostly get along peacefully, thanks in part to their vegetarian diets. But the resident ornery toad, Otto, is now forever resting in peace. Will the police solve his murder, or will the town's amateur sleuths, news reporter Vera Vixen and her pal Lenore Lee, mystery lover and owner of the bookshop, find enough clues to nab the killer before another creature dies? Anyone who has enjoyed Agatha Christie's books or the quirky whodunits on Masterpiece Mystery! will find plenty to delight in in this charming tale perfect for an afternoon or evening escape. I'm already looking forward to the second installment of this bewitching series."

Thursday, November 5, 6:30 pm, at Greendale Cultural Center at Hose Tower, 5699 Parking St. in Greendale:
Jennifer Chiaverini, author of Christmas Bells.

Jennifer Chiaverini's newest novel, Christmas Bells is inspired by the Henry Wadsworth Longfellow poem, and weaves together Christmases past and present for this heartwarming story, a great kickoff to the holiday season.

Longfellow, the most popular poet of his day, penned the verse known as “Christmas Bells,” at Christmas 1863, bringing hope to a nation enduring the conflict of the Civil War, even as he suffered the sudden loss of his wife and worry for his son in service to a war-torn Union. In present-day Boston, a dedicated teacher is stunned by somber holiday tidings as she prepares for a holiday concert at the church where she volunteers - until she is inspired anew by the glory of Longfellow’s timeless words

We're always looking for an interesting venue and when our cosponsor, Greendale Public Library, proposed the new Greendale Cultural Center at Hose Tower, which just had its grand opening reception on October 25, as a space, it seemed like a perfect match. For more about this iconic structure, visit the Greendale website. Yes, it was a "hose" tower for the Greendale Fire Department, but it almost looks like a bell tower, doesn't it? How appropriate!

Thursday, November 5, 7 pm, at the Shorewood Village Hall, at below the Shorewood Public Library, 3920 N. Murray Ave. in Shorewood:
John Garofolo, author of Dickey Chapelle Under Fire: Photographs by the First American Female War Correspondent Killed in Action.

Dickey Chapelle was raised in Shorewood, Wisconsin, which is why the sponsor of this event is the Shorewood Historical Society. From the publisher: "Dickey Chapelle fought to be taken seriously as a war correspondent and broke down gender barriers for future generations of female journalists. She embedded herself with military units on front lines around the globe, including Iwo Jima and Okinawa, the Dominican Republic, and Vietnam. Dickey sometimes risked her life to tell the story - after smuggling aid to refugees fleeing Hungary, she spent almost two months in a Hungarian prison. For twenty-five years, Dickey's photographs graced the pages of National Geographic, Life, and other print publications. Her tenacity, courage, and compassion shine through in her work, highlighting the human impact of war while telling the bigger story beyond the battlefield."

There's so much going on about Dickey Chapelle this fall. This esteemed photographer, the first female war correspondent killed in action (as the subtitle on her book says) is being memorialized not just in a book, but in a Wisconsin Public Television documentary called Behind the Pearl Earrings, airing on Milwaukee Public Television's Channel 10 on November 3.

Friday, November 6, 7 pm, at Boswell:
Patrick Tomlinson, author of The Ark.

From the publisher: "Humankind has escaped a dying Earth and set out to find a new home among the stars aboard an immense generation spaceship, affectionately named the Ark. Bryan Benson is the Ark’s greatest living sports hero, enjoying retirement working as a detective in Avalon, his home module. The hours are good, the work is easy, and the perks can’t be beat. But when a crew member goes missing, Benson is thrust into the center of an ever-expanding web of deception, secrets, and violence that overturns everything he knows about living on the Ark and threatens everyone aboard. As the last remnants of humanity hurtle towards their salvation, Benson finds himself in a desperate race to unravel the conspiracy before a madman turns mankind’s home into its tomb."

Patrick Tomlinson has been working on The Ark, his first published science fiction novel (and yes, the first in the series) for a long time*, mostly at 42Lounge, the popular downtown bar and lounge that specializes, as they say, in all things geek. That's where the official after party is. Should be a fun time!

*when he hasn't been perfecting his comic skills. Like fellow author Christopher Buehlhman, Tomlinson juggles the speculative and the profane. You can read more about his work in this area here.