WORDS
People in the Berkshires love books and the writers who create them. For more than 25 years, The New Marlborough Meeting House has offered Berkshire audiences the opportunity to meet and hear from the authors whose works inform, inspire and give joy to our lives. Our Award-Winning Authors series, hosted for 20 years by New York Times senior editor Mitchel Levitas and currently hosted by author Simon Winchester, has welcomed Paul Auster, Siri Hustvedt, Calvin Trillin, Elizabeth Kolbert, William Kennedy, Mary Gordon, Roy Blount, Jr., Madhur Jaffrey, Tracey Kidder, Vivian Gornick, Nicholson Baker, Linda Greenhouse, and many others.
SUMMER EVENT 2024
ONE TOWN, ONE READ
The Meeting House will host our first ONE TOWN, ONE READ, on June 22, 2024, in partnership with The Mount and Friends of the New Marlborough Library. Our book selection for this community book club is Edith Wharton's novel, Summer, which is set in the Berkshire area. The themes of the novel--class divisions, female empowerment, desire and rejection--are as relevant today as they were when it was published in 1917. Wharton expert Alan Price will provide an introduction to her work. The event is free but you must pre-register. Registrants will receive background material.
WORDS EVENTS 2023
KAREN ALLEN
Multi-award winning actor and director Karen Allen joined us for a fast moving, interactive afternoon, sharing highlights of her exciting career. Interviewed by Barry R. Shapiro.
ALISON LARKIN
Award-winning audiobook narrator and bestselling novelist Alison Larkin joined us for a joyful sneak preview of excerpts from her new solo show Grief… a Comedy. Accompanied by composer Gary Schreiner.
TASTING THE WORLD: MELISSA CLARK & MADHUR JAFFREY
Two of today’s great cookbook writers come to New Marlborough to discuss food, cooking, and their careers crafting delicious recipes.
A WRITER AND A ROBOT WALK INTO A BAR: Writing in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
Simon Winchester, Chandra Prasad, Francine Prose and Timothy Bent
Simon Winchester, acclaimed author, most recently of Knowing What We Know, returns to The Meeting House to lead a discussion on the future of writing in the age of AI with three distinguished figures in the world of letters: Francine Prose, writer of fiction and nonfiction and critic, is the author of twenty-one novels, including Blue Angel, which was a finalist for the National Book Award; Timothy Bent, Executive Editor of Trade Books for Oxford University Press; and Chandra Prasad, author of adult and young adult fiction, whose forthcoming novel focuses on the intersection between artificial intelligence, identity and environmental ethics.
Tickets were made available through Eventbrite, by mail, by phone, or at the door subject to availability (shows may sell out in advance).
Mailing address: NM Meeting House, 154 Hartsville New Marlborough Road, New Marlborough, MA 01230 Phone: 413-229-5045
ESSEX FARM EVENT: WE ARE WHAT WE EAT
The Kimballs discussed their farm, food and diet and the rising awareness of the benefits of organic food and sustainable farming.
JOHN DOUGLAS THOMPSON, ACTOR
Renowned and multiple award-winning actor, John Douglas Thompson, joined us for an interactive afternoon.
SIMON WINCHESTER WITH ALICE SEDGWICK WOHL
Simon Winchester talked to art historian Alice Sedgwick Wohl about her new book - As It Turns Out: Thinking About Edie and Andy.
WORDS EVENTS 2021
ARCHIVE OF GUEST SPEAKERS
“So many books, so little time.”