TCCL News & Events

Art is smart, and smart is good. But is all art created equal? Find out as “Novel Talk: Smart Conversations for Serious Readers” examines Michael Chabon’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel “The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay” in November to complement the Tulsa Library Trust’s 2008 Peggy V. Helmerich Distinguished Author Award.

As a part of its popular “Novel Talk” series, Central Library’s Readers’ Library will explore the topic “Pop Quiz! Is Pop Culture for Mensa or Morons?” on Nov. 18 at 6:30 p.m. at Central Library, Aaronson Auditorium, Fourth Street and Denver Avenue. Join a distinguished panel of experts as they discuss high vs. low art, using Chabon’s epic novel of love, loss, betrayal … and comic books.

Scott Gregory, producer, KWGS 89.5 “Studio Tulsa” and host of “All This Jazz,” will moderate as panelists examine this topic and other culturally relevant issues related to the novel. Panelists are: Bridget Cowlishaw, associate professor of languages and literature, Northeastern State University; W. Anthony O’Seland, pop culture theorist; and Linda Reynolds, art therapist.

Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Circle Cinema, Dwelling Spaces, Garden Deva, Mammoth Comics and Urban Furnishings are co-sponsoring the free program.

While at the Central Library, view the exhibit “The Jewish Graphic Novel,” on display Nov. 1-30 on the second floor. On loan from the Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art, this exhibit features panels reproduced from graphic novels, along with text explaining the history and importance of comics and graphic novels as a means of expression.

After viewing the exhibit and participating in the enlightening “Novel Talk” discussion, make plans to meet Chabon, winner of the 2008 Peggy V. Helmerich Distinguished Author Award, at a free public presentation and book signing at 10:30 a.m. on Dec. 6 at Central Library.

Call 596-7977 or visit the library’s Web site at www.tulsalibrary.org for more details about “Novel Talk,” the exhibit or the Helmerich award.

Michael Chabon, best-selling novelist and author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel “The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay,” is coming to Tulsa Dec. 5 and 6 to receive the Tulsa Library Trust’s 2008 Peggy V. Helmerich Distinguished Author Award.

Hailed by many critics as one of the major literary authors of his generation, Chabon has written five novels, including “Wonder Boys” and “The Yiddish Policemen’s Union,” plus several screenplays and teleplays, including sharing story credit for “Spider-Man 2.”

Chabon will give a free public presentation on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 10:30 a.m. at Central Library, second floor, Fourth Street and Denver Avenue. He will speak about his life and works, answer questions from the audience and sign books. Copies of his books will be available for purchasing. He will receive the award at a black-tie dinner on Dec. 5 at Central Library.

To prepare the community for Chabon’s visit to Tulsa, Tulsa City-County Library is offering an exhibit, panel presentation and book discussion.

View the exhibit “The Jewish Graphic Novel” Nov. 1-30 on the second floor of Central Library. On loan from the Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art, this display features panels reproduced from graphic novels, along with text explaining the history and importance of comics and graphic novels as a means of expression. The exhibit ties in with Chabon’s visit as his novel “The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay” includes Jewish characters who create comics during the 1940s and ‘50s. The popularity of the book inspired the creation of real graphic novels based on “The Escapist,” the comic-book hero invented by characters Joe Kavalier and his cousin Sam Clay in Chabon’s novel.

As a part of its popular series “Novel Talk: Smart Conversations for Serious Readers,” Central Library’s Readers’ Library will present “Pop Quiz! Is Pop Culture for Mensa or Morons?” on Nov. 18 at 6:30 p.m. at Central Library in Aaronson Auditorium. A distinguished panel of experts will discuss high vs. low art, using Chabon’s “The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay,” an epic novel of love, loss, betrayal … and comic books. Scott Gregory, producer, KWGS 89.5 “Studio Tulsa” and host of “All This Jazz,” will moderate as panelists examine this topic and other culturally relevant issues related to the novel.

The Friends of the Tulsa City-County Libraries’ “Books Sandwiched In” series will feature “A Michael Chabon Sampler” on Dec. 1 from 12:10 to 12:50 p.m. at Central Library in Aaronson Auditorium. Mary Wheeler Brown, chair, Distinguished Author Selection Committee, will highlight several of Chabon’s works.

For more information about the Peggy V. Helmerich Distinguished Author Series, call 596-7977 or visit the library’s Web site at www.tulsalibrary.org.