Join author John Happ as he recounts the discovery of an aged and glossy leather briefcase in his family house. Learn how the contents of that case revealed the true-life saga of his father’s participation in fascinating but deadly cadet training and violent air missions in New Guinea! Happ’s book, The Navigation Case, reveals the drama…

Authors Joseph L. Graves Jr. and Alan H. Goodman will discuss their book Racism, Not Race: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions. The science on race is clear. Common categories like “Black,” “White,” and “Asian” do not represent genetic differences among groups. But if race is a pernicious fiction according to natural science, it is all too…

Join the Newton Free Library for an evening with Jerald Walker.  He will read excerpts from and discuss his new book titled How to Make a Slave and Other Essays, which was a finalist for the 2020 National Book Award in nonfiction and winner of the 2020 Massachusetts Book Award in nonfiction. A Q and…

Robin O’Herin will perform Blues and the Poetry of the Harlem Renaissance. Robin specializes in historically rich, often interactive concerts that include original and traditional American music, for schools, libraries and small listening rooms. Her concerts are warm, affirming experiences she shares with the audience. Robin has appeared with Paul Geremia, Andy Cohen and Roy Bookbinder…

In honor of Women’s History Month, bestselling author, Dr. Kate Clifford Larson, will speak about her book, Walk with Me: A Biography of Fannie Lou Hamer. Born into the poverty and racism of the Mississippi Delta, Fannie Lou Hamer went on to become a civil rights leader, women's rights activist, and the voice of the unheard.…

The 19th-century grand tour of Italy is present at the library in three marbles by Zocchi, Adams, and Benzoni - unfamiliar names that will come to life with a discussion of sculptures of Michelangelo as a boy, a south Italian shepherd boy, and Diana, presented by Amy Golahny. This is the final session of this…

Join Erika Reitshamer for a lecture that examines the extraordinary rise, fall – and posthumous rehabilitation – of the most controversial tenor of the 20th century – Mario Lanza. The name Mario Lanza did not belong in the hallowed halls of great opera singers. He owed his popularity to second-rate Hollywood movies and sang classical…

Michelangelo's sculptures Moses and Lorenzo de'Medici belong to the library in replicas. Join  Amy Golahny for the first in this two-part series on the library's permanent collection of art. The discussion will place these pieces in their original context, and demonstrate Michelangelo's powerful influence on younger sculptors in Florence such as Giambologna and his Mercury. Amy Golahny, PhD Columbia University, is…

In honor of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, all are welcome to join us for a panel discussion with some of Newton's Asian American residents. This program is part of the Overdue: Confronting Race and Racism in Newton series.