The Aurora Public Library District (APLD) is joining libraries across Illinois to be host to Chicagoland authors Jessamine Chan and Emily Maloney. Together they will discuss the systems of power that impact our lives, our families, and our finances, through the lens of their acclaimed books, The School for Good Mothers and Cost of Living. The event will be held virtually 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 25.
Chan’s debut novel received critical acclaim and is on The New York Times best-seller list. A Library Journal Starred Review describes her novel as “leaving no stone unturned” in its allusion to the real-life legal assaults constraining women today. Part-dystopian, part-prescient, impossible to put down and impossible to forget.” A former reviews editor at Publishers Weekly, Jessamine (pronounced jas-min) holds an MFA (masters of fine arts) from Columbia University and resides in Chicago.
In addition to writing, Maloney’s work has ranged from dog-grooming to pastry chef to general contractor. She is an avid potter (and former ceramics teacher) who enjoys making clean, lightweight, utilitarian pots. Her essays have appeared in The Washington Post, Glamour, and The Atlantic. She holds an MFA from The University of Pittsburgh and lives in Evanston with her husband, Ori Fienberg, a poetry writer and professor at Northeastern University’s College of Professional Studies.
This event is presented in partnership with Illinois Libraries Present, a new collaborative effort designed to bring virtual events with bestselling, esteemed, and diverse, authors to library patrons across the State. More than 190 libraries have joined Illinois Libraries Present, which is funded in part by a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library, a Department of the Office of Secretary of State, using funds provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).
APLD event and program coordinator Ali Lanthrum is thrilled by the success of the ILP presentations it has served as host, so far. “Events made possible by Illinois Libraries Present bring library patrons across the state together to enjoy vibrant and exciting discussions with very well-known authors. These events are a great way to get to know some of our favorite authors! I can’t wait to see which additional authors we’ll be talking with this fall.”
Jessamine Chan and Emily Maloney will begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 25. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. To register, visit www.aurorapubliclibrary.org/events or call 630-264-4117.
Andrea Tiberi is the communications coordinator for the Aurora Public Library District.