The Deschutes Public Library Foundation invites the public to join this year’s Novel Idea Kick-Off Event featuring a presentation by COCC professor Stacey Donohue and a display of Novel Idea themed quilts created by members of Quiltworks of Bend on Saturday, April 14^th at 2:00 p.m. in the Brooks Room of the Downtown Bend Public Library. This event is free and open to the public.

Stacey Donohue, COCC English Professor, will give a general overview of this year’s chosen title, The Rules of Civility by New York author Amor Towles, and says “Towles is as much a moralist as the writers he alludes to in this novel: like Fitzgerald, his novel critiques those who have forgotten the traditional definition of "character"; like Hemingway, his novel critiques those who can't hold their liquor and who can't find honor in work; and like Woody Allen, he admonishes those who can't see the beauty of urban Manhattan--from its skyline to its meat-packing district. Like Woody Allen's "Manhattan", the soundtrack to this book is Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue". Donohue will also specifically look at how the city of New York plays a central role not only in the Rules of Civility but in other novels and films as well.

For questions about this or other Novel Idea programs, or ADA information, please call Lisa McGean at 312-1034 or visit the library at http://www.dpls.lib.or.us/events/novelidea/. All Novel Idea programs are free and open to the public.