Cheongun Literature Library
Seoul, South Korea

Veterans Day 2023 marks the 70th anniversary of the end of the Korean War. This issue of the Night Owl features the Cheongun Literature Library, which is surrounded by lush forest along the Inwangsan Mountain foothills that overlook the metropolitan city of Seoul. The setting is serene and atmospheric, and the traditional stone walls and greenery whisk away the feeling that the Library is in one of the world’s biggest cities. The staggered layout of the buildings combines a modern library on the lower slope of the hill and, on the upper level behind it, two reading and study spaces in traditional Korean houses known as hanoks, an architectural design of the 14th century Joseon Dynasty.

Classic Crawford Film Series: Sudden Fear (1952)
Friday, November 10, 7:00 p.m.

Robert Dance, author of Ferocious Ambition: Joan Crawford's March to Stardom, will introduce two Crawford films in this series: Sudden Fear (1952) on Nov. 10; and Whatever Happened to Baby Jane (1962) on Dec. 1. Come see these classics on the big screen! An astute, lavishly illustrated evaluation of one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, Ferocious Ambition will be available for sale and signing by the author. Visit here to find out more and to register.

Concert:  Dinuk Wijeratne Trio
Sunday, November 12, 4:30 p.m.

There are no seats left for this concert. If you reserved a spot and find you cannot attend, please let us know @860-542-5075 ext.2. Thank you!
Jazz/world music by the Dinuk Wijeratne Trio, including Dinuk Wijeratne on piano, Nick Halley on drums, and Jon Suters on bass. Dinuk Wijeratne is an award-winning Sri Lankan-born Canadian pianist, composer, and conductor. His boundary-crossing work has taken him to international venues as poles apart as the Berlin Philharmonie and the North Sea Jazz Festival. Based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Nick Halley is a drummer/percussionist, keyboardist, composer, and conductor, who grew up in Norfolk singing with Chorus Angelicus, founded by his father, Paul Halley. Jon Suters is a seasoned bassist, based in southwestern Massachusetts. 

Book Discussion: Killers of the Flower Moon
Monday, November 13, 6:00 p.m.

Between 1918 and 1931, sixty Osage Indians were reported murdered in Osage County, Oklahoma. The victims, all wealthy Osage Natives, owned or had headrights to land producing valuable oil discovered on the Osage Reservation in 1897. David Grann's 2017 book Killers of the Flower Moon details these murders, the investigation by the newly formed FBI, and the man behind the plot. A film rendition of the book was recently released. If you have not read the book or wish to reread it, we have additional library copies for check-out. Please call Front Desk Circulation 860-542-5075 ext. 2 to reserve your copy. Visit here to register for the discussion.

Poetry Café
Wednesday, November 15, 6:00 p.m

Join us for our next Poetry Café in the Great Hall. Bring a poem to read, either one you’ve read or written, and come ready to listen to and enjoy poetry. There will not be a formal discussion on the pieces, rather time to celebrate and share the poetry that we love. Each month will feature a different theme, and November’s theme is “hibernation.” Please register here.

Life Stories with Laurie Lisle
Thursday, November 16, 5:00 p.m.

Have you thought about writing personal and family stories, or memories of life experiences? Laurie Lisle will share with us her insights about writing a memoir. She is the author of six books that have won wide recognition in the media. A recipient of fellowships at the MacDowell Colony and other arts colonies, she has taught literature and lectured at art museums, colleges, libraries, and literary events in the United States and Canada. Laurie will sign copies of her latest book, Word for Word: A Writer’s Life (Artemis Editions, May 2021), available for sale at the program. Please visit here to find out more and to register.

Foreign Correspondents in Hong Kong Then and Now
Sunday, November 19, 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.

Please join us in welcoming Mark Erder back to Norfolk, after more than 40 years in Hong Kong. We have invited Mark and his fellow former foreign correspondent Keith Richburg to introduce the BBC documentary film "Of All the Gin Joints" (1999, 45  minutes), produced by Mark. The film portrays the men and women who frequented the Foreign Correspondent's Club of Hong Kong. The FCC was used as a base for China watchers and as a retreat from the Vietnam War for those on R&R in Hong Kong. Richburg was Director of The Journalism and Media Studies Centre of Hong Kong University where he taught from 2016 to 2023. He now teaches at Princeton and is a member of the Editorial Board of The Washington Post and a Post Global Opinions columnist, where he writes primarily about foreign policy issues. Following the film, Mark and Keith will discuss their experiences as foreign correspondents in Hong Kong and answer questions. Please visit here to register.

Mindfulness Series with Miranda Lee
Fridays in November, 9:15 - 10:00 a.m.

Mindfulness practitioner Miranda Lee continues her Mindfulness classes in November with the theme “The Benefits of Gratitude”. Sponsored by the Library, this course is offered via Zoom from 9:15-10:00 a.m. on Fridays. Anyone can join at any time. Please visit here to register for the Zoom link.

November is National Picture Book Month, an international literacy initiative that celebrates the print picture book in an increasingly digital age. We are taking a look back and have matched up sixteen classics for you to choose from. See who advanced to the next round and vote for your favorites! Round 2 voting takes place through Wednesday, November 15. Voting will close at 12am, midnight. The leading picture books will advance to the next tier of voting, and the four winners will be announced in the November 17 Night Owl, as well as through social media. The popularity contest will continue until the champion is announced on November 30. All voting participants will be entered into a drawing to win a gift certificate to Oblong Books. Click here to vote.

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