We welcome local author Mike Conklin to Lake Forest Book Store to discuss his newest book.
Mike Conklin is a story teller. Mike's gathered stories in a media career that started on a small-town weekly, graduated to local dailies, and made a long stop at The Chicago Tribune. There, he was a beat reporter, daily columnist, and feature writer with his work nationally syndicated. He's also written for the New York Times, a variety of magazines, reviewed books, and, after leaving The Tribune, taught communications and writing full-time at DePaul University.
Lake Forest Book Store welcomes Chicago Bears Co-Owner/Vice President and author Patrick McCaskey as he celebrates the publication of the fourth book in his Sports and Faith Series.
Worthwhile Struggle is the fourth book in the popular Sports and Faith Series. Each chapter is titled after one of the author’s 10 Commandments of Football – principles based on McCaskey’s life with the Chicago Bears, the Halas-McCaskey household, and his own distinctive sense of humor. Struggle is a theme that is clearly seen and understood in sports, which serves as a metaphor and lesson plan for life in the Series. Our Sports and Faith books courageously offer a wide variety of topics for readers. Like the first three books in the Series, Worthwhile Struggle includes stories of athletes and others who lead exemplary lives. Much of it comes from the personal experiences of the author who has been working for the Chicago Bears for over 40 years. McCaskey attended Catholic Schools, and he has been privileged to keep company with many outstanding people from all faiths – both on and off the field. At the back end of each chapter, we include the life of a saint. This offering is an enhancement to our faith coverage for our readers. In addition, we have also included 10 quiz questions in each chapter to test our readers – sports knowledge or their patience! We also have photos from international photographer Father Lawrence Lew in the book. We include a chapter of Biblical poems that McCaskey has read in churches in Lake Forest after Mass. Many poems have a humorous twist to them.
Patrick McCaskey, born in Evanston, IL,. is the grandson of famed Chicago Bears founder George Halas. Currently he is a Co-Owner, Board Member and a Vice President with the Chicago Bears. He has authored five books: Bear with Me: A Family History of George Halas and the Chicago Bears, Sports and Faith: Stories of the Devoted and the Devout, Pillars of the NFL: Coaches Who Have Won Three or More Championships, Sports and Faith: More Stories of the Devoted and the Devout, and Pilgrimage: A Sports and Faith Series Book. Patrick and his wife, Gretchen, have three sons: Ed (married to Elizabeth), Tom, and Jim. They also have a granddaughter, Grace, and a grandson, Pat.
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Light We Lost comes a tender and moving new novel about a woman at a crossroads after the death of her father, and caught between the love of two men. Nina has always known who she's supposed to be. But is that who she truly is? Nina Gregory has always been a good daughter. Raised by her father, owner of New York City's glamorous Gregory Hotels, Nina was taught that family, reputation, and legacy are what matter most. And Tim--her devoted boyfriend and best friend since childhood--feels the same. But when Nina's father dies, he leaves behind a secret that shocks Nina to her core. As her world falls apart, Nina begins to see the men in her life--her father, her boyfriend, and unexpectedly, her boss, Rafael--in a new light. Soon Nina finds herself caught between the world she loves, and a passion that could upend everything. More Than Words is a heartbreaking and romantic novel about grief, loss, love, and self-discovery, and how we choose which life we are meant to live.
A missing person, a grieving family, a curious clue: a half-finished manuscript set in Paris. When eccentric novelist Robert Eady abruptly vanishes, he leaves behind his wife, Leah, their daughters, and, hidden in an unexpected spot, plane tickets to Paris. Hoping to uncover clues--and her husband--Leah sets off for France with her girls. Upon their arrival, she discovers an unfinished manuscript, one Robert had been writing without her knowledge . . . and that he had set in Paris. The Eady girls follow the path of the manuscript to a small, floundering English-language bookstore whose weary proprietor is eager to sell. Leah finds herself accepting the offer on the spot. As the family settles into their new Parisian life, they trace the literary paths of some beloved Parisian classics, including Madeline and The Red Balloon, hoping more clues arise. But a series of startling discoveries forces Leah to consider that she may not be ready for what solving this mystery might do to her family--and the Paris she thought she knew. Charming, haunting, and triumphant, Paris by the Book follows one woman's journey as she writes her own story, exploring the power of family and the magic that hides within the pages of a book.
Join author Renee Rosen for lunch at The Deer Path Inn as she presents her newest book release.
Lisa See is the New York Times bestselling author of The Island of Sea Women, The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, Peony in Love, Shanghai Girls, China Dolls, and Dreams of Joy, which debuted at #1. She is also the author of On Gold Mountain, which tells the story of her Chinese American family's settlement in Los Angeles. See was the recipient of the Golden Spike Award from the Chinese Historical Association of Southern California and the History Maker's Award from the Chinese American Museum. She was also named National Woman of the Year by the Organization of Chinese American Women.
Charles Dickens is not feeling the Christmas spirit. His newest book is an utter flop, the critics have turned against him, relatives near and far hound him for money. While his wife plans a lavish holiday party for their ever-expanding family and circle of friends, Dickens has visions of the poor house. But when his publishers try to blackmail him into writing a Christmas book to save them all from financial ruin, he refuses. And a serious bout of writer's block sets in. Frazzled and filled with self-doubt, Dickens seeks solace in his great palace of thinking, the city of London itself. On one of his long night walks, in a once-beloved square, he meets the mysterious Eleanor Lovejoy, who might be just the muse he needs. As Dickens' deadlines close in, Eleanor propels him on a Scrooge-like journey that tests everything he believes about generosity, friendship, ambition, and love. The story he writes will change Christmas forever. Laced with humor, rich historical detail from Charles Dickens' life, and clever winks to his work, Samantha Silva's Mr. Dickens and His Carol is an irresistible new take on a cherished classic.
Samantha Silva is a writer and screenwriter based in Idaho. Mr. Dickens and His Carol is her debut novel. Over her career she's sold projects to Paramount, Universal, New Line Cinema, and TNT. A film adaptation of her short story, The Big Burn, won the 1 Potato Short Screenplay Competition at the 2017 Sun Valley Film Festival. Silva will direct, her first time at the helm. A graduate of Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies, she's lived in London, Bologna, and Rome, is an avid Italophile and a forever Dickens devotee.
Join us at Lake Forest Book Store as we host local food writer, photographer and author Wendy Franzen for a Pop-Up entertainment event.
Tastings will include wine braised short rib crostini, parmesan polenta cakes with wild mushroom ragu, autumn spiced pear cakelettes, and chocolate hazelnut tassies.
Seating is limited, so please register early at 847-234-4420.
From crafting a cohesive menu and curating a playlist to creating a beautiful tablescape and a warm, welcoming atmosphere, it will be an evening of tastings, tips, and recipes for a late autumn/fireside cocktail party.
Tables will be set for hors d’oeuvres, small bite desserts and a signature cocktail (featuring a cocktail base that can be enjoyed with an added spirit or enjoyed alcohol-free), and participants will have the opportunity for take-home goodies, as well as individually packaged and printed booklets with the evening’s menu and recipes.
Wendy Franzen is a Lake Forest based food writer and photographer and the author of Fletcher + Fork, a cooking and entertaining blog. From hosting a twenty guest dinner for Ragdale’s Novel Affair to entertaining the fashion set in honor of Carolina Herrera creative director Wes Gordon, Wendy is known for her relaxed yet elegant hospitality. The former food and cocktail columnist for Sheridan Road Magazine is currently penning a book of seasonal menus and ideas for warm and gracious gatherings.