Paul Theroux is Lithgow Library's Choice for A Capital Read 2015

CELEBRATED AUTHOR PAUL THEROUX IS LITHGOW LIBRARY’S CHOICE FOR A CAPITAL READ 2015; VARIETY OF EVENTS SET FOR MAY

Augusta, Maine - Highly acclaimed travel writer and novelist Paul Theroux is Lithgow Public Library’s choice for A Capital Read 2015, which will feature several events in May celebrating the library’s community-wide reading project. Two books by Theroux are A Capital Read 2015 selections: The Lower River (fiction) and The Last Train to Zona Verde (nonfiction). The two books focus on the African continent and share similar themes.

     The author event and book signing with Theroux will take place Saturday, May 30 at 2 p.m. at the University of Maine at Augusta’s Jewett Hall.

      Other events for A Capital Read 2015 include a talk on Africa from a professor at Bates College, a family-friendly wildlife presentation by Sparks’ Ark, and a group discussion of the fiction and nonfiction book selections.

      “We are thrilled to have an author of Paul Theroux’s stature join us for A Capital Read 2015,”
said Lithgow Library Director Elizabeth Pohl. “Because Paul has written award-winning books in a variety of genres, we decided to offer readers a sampling of both his fiction and nonfiction work for this year’s selections.”

     

Theroux’s long career reflects a prodigious output -- more than 47 works of travel writing, short story collections, novels, criticism and children’s literature since he published his first book, the novel Waldo, in 1967.

      Many of Theroux’s novels are set in exotic locations around the world, and are inspired by his own prolific travels, which he also chronicles in his distinguished collection of nonfiction. His latest novel, The Lower River, is inspired by his chilling experience in Malawi while in the Peace Corps. In his travelogue The Last Train to Zona Verde, Theroux returns to the continent he knows and loves best. On an arduous 2,500 miles trek through the bush, he explores the little-traveled territory of western Africa.

     Theroux is a recipient of the American Academy and Institute of Arts & Letters Award for literature, the Whitbread Prize for his novel Picture Palace, and the James Tait Black Award for The Mosquito Coast.

      Events for A Capital Read 2015 will include:

Monday, May 11, 7-8:30 p.m., Holocaust and Human Rights Center, UMA.  Elizabeth Eames, Professor Anthropology at Bates College, will speak about African issues and culture.
Monday, May 18, 5-6 p.m., Viles Arboretum. Sparks’ Ark Animal Services will give a wildlife presentation, including animals native to Africa, along with animal rescue stories.
Tuesday, May 26, 6:30 p.m., Lithgow Library Program Room at the Ballard Center (Lithgow’s temporary home during the construction project). Lithgow staff will lead a book discussion of The Last Train to Zona Verde and The Lower River.
Saturday, May 30, 2 p.m., Jewett Hall, University of Maine at Augusta. Author event and book signing with Paul Theroux.

       A Capital Read is sponsored by Bangor Savings Bank and the Friends of Lithgow Library, in partnership with Viles Arboretum, the Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine, the University of Maine at Augusta, and the Kennebec Journal.

      Copies of The Lower River and The Last Train to Zona Verde will be available at Lithgow Library, Bangor Savings Bank (Senator Way location), Viles Arboretum, and The Holocaust and Human Rights Center at UMA, while supplies last.

     All events for A Capital Read 2015 are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Lithgow Library at 626-2415 or visit the library’s website at www.lithgow.lib.me.us.