June 16: A Galapagos Journey with Dr. Scott Shalaway

Naturalist Dr. Scott Shalaway will share memories and photographs from his 2008 expedition to the Galapagos Islands. One of our most popular guests, Dr. Shalaway is a freelance newspaper and magazine columnist who writes a weekly nature column. He also has 3 radio shows: Talk of the Town, M-F noon-1 pm on AM on Talk Radio 1370 WVLY, The Wild Side, Saturdays 9-11 am, also on AM 1370, and Sundays noon to 2 pm on 1360 WMNY in Pittsburgh.

June 9: Sharkwater--Film Screening and Lecture

Film: 10 AM, Lecture: NOON

On Tuesday, June 9 at Lunch With Books at the Ohio County Public Library, view the documentary, Sharkwater at 10 AM and stay for a noon lecture on the plight of sharks by Jennifer Lewis, Aquarist at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium. In Sharkwater, filmmaker Rob Stewart debunks media stereotypes of sharks as man-eating monsters and exposes the exploitation and corruption surrounding the world's shark populations. Stewart discovers these magnificent creatures have gone from predator to prey, and how despite surviving the earth's history of mass extinctions, they could easily be wiped out within a few years due to human greed. Lunch With Books programs are free and open to the public. Patrons are invited to bring a bag lunch and free beverages are provided. Please call the library at 304-232-0244 for more information.

Harry Truman Still a Crowd Pleaser

Author and NPR journalist Matthew Algeo visited Lunch With Books on Tuesday, May 26th to talk about his latest book, Harry Truman's Excellent Adventure: The True Story of a Great American Road Trip.

The program drew an impressive 85 attendees, one of the highest totals in the 12 year history of Lunch With Books. Many thanks to Mr. Algeo for a superb presentation.

Here are a few photos from the event:

Tuesday, June 2 at noon: HUMAN RIGHTS

Rebecca King, a long time activist & member of Pittsburgh’s chapter of Amnesty International, will explain what the organization does and how to join. She will also present an overview of the status of human rights in the modern world.

Tuesday, May 26: Author Matthew Algeo on Harry Truman's Weird But True Road Trip

Author Matthew Algeo will join us at Lunch With Books to discuss his new book, Harry Truman’s Excellent Adventure: The True Story of a Great American Road Trip. In 1953, ex-president Harry Truman and his wife Bess took an unprecedented road trip, driving 2,500 miles from Independence, Missouri, to the East Coast and back again with no Secret Service protection. The Trumans spent a night at the McClure House Hotel in Wheeling, a stop featured in the book. All along the way, they ate in roadside diners and tried, unsuccessfully, to blend in. Algeo revisits the Trumans’ route, stays at the hotels where they stayed, and eats at the same diners. Along the way he takes readers on brief detours into relevant historical topics. Algeo will also discuss his first book, Last Team Standing: How the Steelers and the Eagles – “The Steagles” – Saved Pro Football During World War II .An award winning journalist, Algeo’s stories have appeared on radio shows like All Things Considered, Marketplace, and Morning Edition. His wife, Allyson, works for the U.S. government as a Foreign Service officer. They currently reside in Rome.

May 19 at Noon: Dr. Liberty Kovacs

Dr. Liberty Kovacs, former wife of Martins Ferry poet James Wright and mother of poet Franz Wright will discuss her memoir, Liberty’s Quest.

From the book jacket:

"(Eleutheria) Liberty (Kardules, Wright) Kovacs, Ph.D., MFT, MSN . . . is a self-actualized Greek-American octogenarian who grew up (and lived much of her adult life) between cultures. In spite of the drama and challenges, Libby led a life of admirable perseverance and courage to be all she could be. She not only changed generational patterns and went to nursing school and college at the price of being disowned by her father, but she went all the way to earn an MFT and MSN, and then at age 52, a Ph.D. She worked as a marriage and family therapist into her late seventies. On top of this, she raised three sons, sometimes single parenting, sometimes being caught in the middle with step-parent issues. And to feed her soul, for nineteen years she courageously went white-water rafting."

Tuesday, May 12 at NOON: Wheeling's Coal History

Coal historian William Kalb will be at Lunch With Books at the Ohio County Public Library on Tuesday, May 12 at noon to talk about the impact of Wheeling area coal production, including the famous #8 seam, on the development and history of the city. Lunch With Books programs are free and open to the public. Patrons are invited to bring a bag lunch and free beverages are provided. Please call the library at 304-232-0244 for more information.