Author Visit, featuring Matthew Pearl

Oct. 20, 7 p.m.
Irving Arts Center
Dupree Theater
3333 N. MacArthur Blvd.

Irving’s Big Read hosts a presentation and book signing with Matthew Pearl, New York Times bestselling author of The Poe Shadow, The Dante Club and his newest work, The Last Dickens.

Pearl’s second novel, The Poe Shadow, is a historical thriller about the death of Edgar Allan Poe and an international bestseller. He has also edited and introduced a new standalone volume of Poe's three stories featuring the detective Auguste Dupin, The Murders in Rue Morgue: The Dupin Tales, and wrote the cover essay for the London Saturday Telegraph books section, "Mysterious for Evermore," on the investigation of Poe's death.

Mr. Pearl is a graduate of Harvard University and Yale Law School. He has taught literature and creative writing at Harvard University and Emerson College, and has been a Visiting Lecturer in law and literature at Harvard Law School.

The presentation will be held at the Irving Arts Center, 3333 N. MacArthur Blvd., on October 20 at 7 p.m. Barnes and Noble will be on site to sell Mr. Pearl's books and copies of the work of Edgar Allan Poe. Mr. Pearl will be available following the speech to sign autographs. Light refreshments will be served.

Reception and Author Visit, featuring Dr. Scott Peeples

Oct 27, 7 p.m.
National Scouting Museum
1329 W. Walnut Hill Lane

Dr. Scott Peeples, noted Poe expert, will deliver a lecture on Poe’s life and the significance of his works followed by a reception sponsored by the Friends of the Irving Public Library.

Dr. Peeples is Professor of English at the College of Charleston, where he specializes in nineteenth-century American literature. He has published two books, Edgar Allan Poe Revisited and The Afterlife of Edgar Allan Poe, the latter of which received the Patrick F. Quinn Award for the outstanding book on Poe for 2004. He has also written numerous articles on American literature and culture. He is currently co-editor of the journal Poe Studies and editor of the book series Literary Criticism in Perspective, published by Boydell and Brewer.

The reception will be held at the National Scouting Museum, 1329 W. Walnut Hill Lane, on October 27 at 7 p.m. Museum admission is free, so come early to pay tribute to the rich history of the Boy Scouts of America and explore the Normal Rockwell art gallery. A meet and greet with Dr. Peeples will follow the speech.

Enter the drawing for a chance to win a special gift from the Four Seasons Hotel and Resort. Light refreshments will be served.

Other Book Discussion and Cinematic Events Opportunities:

Oct. 7, noon– Midweek Mysteries: Poe Discussion, Central Library, 801 W. Irving Blvd.

Oct. 8, 7 p.m.– Tea and Talk: Discussion of Murders at the Rue Morgue featuring Bill Fountain, Central Library, 801 W. Irving Blvd.

Oct. 15, 6 p.m.– Reel Reads: The Fall of the House of Usher, Valley Ranch Library, 401 Cimarron Trail

Oct. 15, 7 p.m.– Heritage Book Club, Poe’s Work, Heritage Senior Center, 200 S. Jefferson St.

Oct. 20, 4:30 p.m.– TeenScene: Horror Flick, Central Library, 801 W. Irving Blvd.

Oct. 22, 7 p.m.– Valley Ranch Reads!: The Fall of the House of Usher, Valley Ranch Library, 401 Cimarron Trail