CHESTERTON |Westchester Public Library has several upcoming programs for book lovers:
Linda Wells will review "Matchmaker of Kenmare: A Novel of Ireland" by Frank Delaney at Bookmarks at the Museum at 2 p.m. Thursday, at the Westchester Township History Museum, 700 W. Porter Ave.
Kate Begley, the Matchmaker of Kenmare, believes the legend that couples who are meant to marry are connected by an invisible cord around their ankles at birth which is drawn tighter to draw the couples together until they meet.
In this sequel, Kate is sent on a dangerous mission by American intelligence officer Charles Miller, whom she marries.
Delaney's story is full of intrigue and romance. Tense as a thriller, the novel is sometimes hilarious and sometimes heartbreaking.
Bookmarks takes place at the museum on the third Thursday of the month, and the third Friday of the month at Michigan City Public Library. It is not necessary to have read the books in advance to enjoy the presentation.
Both Thomas and Hageman Library have copies of the books reviewed in the series. For more information, call the museum at (219) 983-9715.
Bookmarks will continue Oct. 20 when Dennis Norman will review "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins.
The museum, an educational and cultural service of Westchester Public Library, is open free of charge to the public from 1 to 5 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday, or by appointment.
Library sponsors contest
Westchester Public Library will sponsor a contest for local aspiring writers to showcase the best of their worst work. Entrants are invited to submit the first sentence of their worst novel - a novel that doesn't actually exist.
A Dark and Stormy Contest will begin Thursday and run through Oct. 31. Winners will be announced Nov. 4.
Entrants are asked to imagine they have the chance to write their own perfectly awful novel and to submit the first sentence of that novel. Each entry must be a single, original and unpublished sentence, not to exceed 50-60 words. There is no limit to the number of submissions per person.
Prizes will be awarded for the top entries in the following genres: mystery, horror, sci-fi, action/adventure, romance, western, and general fiction. There will be a grand prize for the best overall sentence.
A Dark and Stormy Contest is a spin-off of the annual Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest, which began in 1982 and was named after Edward George Bulwer-Lytton, whose opening line of the novel Paul Clifford is still quoted today: "It was a dark and stormy night; the rain fell in torrents, except at occasional intervals, when it was checked by a violent gust of wind which swept up the streets (for it is in London that our scene lies), rattling along the housetops, and fiercely agitating the scanty flame of lamps that struggled against the darkness."
For examples, visit www.bulwer-lytton.com/ or www.bulwer-lytton.com/2011.htm.
For more information, call Thomas Library, 200 W. Indiana Ave., at (219) 926-7696, or Hageman Library at (219) 926-9080, or pick up an entry form at either location.
Go mad for mysteries
Join Sue Helm on Wednesday or Saturday for Mad About Mysteries. Both free sessions will take place at the Westchester Township History Museum.
Helm will introduce the works of Susan Wittig Albert, who writes nonfiction as well as four popular mystery series. The China Bayles Herbal Mysteries feature former lawyer turned herbalist China Bayles. Herbs are featured prominently throughout the books.
The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter take illustrator and author Beatrix Potter out of London and into the country where mysteries abound and animals communicate with each other.
Written by Susan Wittig Albert and her husband, Bill as Robin Paige, the Victorian/Edwardian mystery series is a set of 12 books that range in time from the 1890's through 1903.
A general discussion will follow the presentation. Refreshments will be served.
Pat Mitchell will present paranormal mysteries on Oct. 12 and 15.
For more information, call the museum at (219) 983-9715.
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