Bethlehem Library Notes for Tuesday, November 8, 2022

Fredrik Backman, whose new novel, “The Winners,” is the third installment of the Beartown series, will hold a virtual discussion through the Bethlehem Public Library on Dec. 10, at 2 p.m.

According to the Red Cross (www.redcrossblood.org/learn-about-blood/), someone in the United States needs blood every two seconds. You can do your part. The Bethlehem Public Library is once again hosting a Red Cross Blood Drive — on Tuesday, Nov. 15, from 1 to 6 p.m. in the Community Room. Donors must be at least 17 years old and in good general health. To make an appointment, call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit www.redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code: Bethlehemlibrary.

This year, the Red Cross is reminding donors that checking the box that indicates your race lets their laboratories know they should conduct additional screenings that can determine if you’re a match to help a patient with sickle cell disease or a rare blood type. A patient is more likely to find a compatible blood match from a donor of the same race or a similar ethnicity. To learn more, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Diversity

Author talk with

Fredrik Backman 

Save the date Saturday, Dec. 10, at 2 p.m. for a virtual discussion with bestselling author Fredrik Backman, whose new novel, “The Winners,” is the third installment of the Beartown series. Backman is also the author of the celebrated novel “A Man Called Ove,” which has been adapted into the English-language film “A Man Called Otto” starring Tom Hanks and scheduled for release at the end of December. 

The author’s “Beartown” — which inspired the HBO series of the same name — focuses on a small town obsessed with the local junior hockey team that is rocked by a shocking act of violence. The series continues and tensions rise when it’s rumored that the Beartown hockey team will be disbanded in “Us Against You.” The series comes to an evocative conclusion with “The Winners,” which returns to the close-knit, resilient community of Beartown for a story about first loves, second chances, and last goodbyes. Backman is also the author of “My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry,” “Britt-Marie Was Here” and “Anxious People.” 

This talk is offered to Bethlehem cardholders as part of the library’s partnership with the Library Speaker Consortium and will stream live to registered participants with an opportunity for questions. Visit libraryc.org/bethlehempubliclibrary/22313 to sign up. 

Get to know some of your favorite authors and enjoy Q&A opportunities with bestsellers through other virtual author talks through the Library Speakers Consortium. Recordings of past author events are also available. Visit libraryc.org/bethlehempubliclibrary for more information or to register for one or more upcoming talks. 

Santana in

the spotlight 

At our November Listening Party, we will hear the music of legendary guitarist Carlos Santana with insight from special guest host Hal Miller, a local resident and jazz expert, who has been associated with the Santana Band as a percussionist for more than 30 years. In 2015, Miller co-authored Carlos Santana’s biography, “The Universal Tone: Bringing My Story to Light.” 

Take part in the discussion in-person or online Thursday, Nov. 17, at 7 p.m. Visit our online calendar at bethlehem.librarycalendar.com to sign up.