Posted 1/18/12 – “The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes”, containing the first twelve short stories about the famous detective by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, will be honored during February at the Sierra Madre Public Library as the City of Sierra Madre’s One Book, One City selection for 2012. All events are free and open to the public.
One Book, One City annually engages the community in reading the same notable book at the same time and encourages everyone to come together to explore the literature and join in public discourse. Doyle’s tales, along with stage, screen, radio and television adaptations, have made Sherlock Holmes a permanent part of our culture, appealing to readers and audiences of all ages. Copies of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes are available in a variety of formats—print, CD audiobook, e-book, electronic book—from the Sierra Madre Public Library.
A “Mystery Contest” drawing will kick off the month-long program on February 1. Everyone who reads the stories and is able to answer three questions will be entered in a drawing to be held at the Library on Wednesday, February 1. The winner will receive the elegant two-volume set of The New Annotated Sherlock Holmes: The Complete Short Stories, the most lavishly illustrated edition of the Holmes tales ever produced, edited by Leslie S. Klinger.
On Thursday, February 2, at 7:30 p.m., Leslie S. Klinger will present “An Evening with Sherlock Holmes, Hosted by Les Klinger.” Mr. Klinger, considered one of the world’s foremost authorities on Sherlock Holmes, is the editor of The New Annotated Sherlock Holmes, published by W. W. Norton in 2004 and 2005, winner of the Edgar Award for Best Critical/Biographical Work and nominated for every other major award in the mystery genre. Mr. Klinger, along with author Laurie R. King, also edited the recently released book A Study In Sherlock: Stories Inspired by the Holmes Canon, in which eighteen superstar modern mystery authors provide fascinating, thrilling, and original perspectives on Sherlock Holmes. This book will be available for purchase and autographing after the talk.
On Thursday, February 9, at 7:30 p.m., Sisters in Crime will present a panel discussion on “Holmes’ Influence on Detective Fiction.” The panel will include Amnon Kabatchnik, known for his books on crime drama for stage and screen; Michael Mallory, Sherlock Holmes expert and author; and Naomi Hirahara, prize-winning mystery writer. Tammy Kaehler, author of the Kate Reilly car racing mysteries, will moderate.
On Thursday, February 16, from 11:00 a.m. to 12 noon, the Sierra Madre Public Library will host a book discussion of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes at the Library during the Library’s monthly “Third Thursday” book group.
In the evening of Thursday, February 16, at 7:30, Catherine Addé will present “Sherlock Holmes’ London: An Illustrated Talk,” an armchair tour of London in the footsteps of the world’s greatest detective. Ms. Addé is a travel industry veteran and was thrilled to live in London while working on her Master’s in Tourism Management. She is a long-time Sierra Madre resident, an active community volunteer, and an avid reader. She serves on the Board of Trustees for the Sierra Madre Public Library.
On Saturday, February 25, at 5:00 p.m., a special screening of a classic Sherlock Holmes movie will take place at the Library. This will be the final event in Sierra Madre’s One Book, One City 2012 program.
One Book, One City 2012 is sponsored by the Sierra Madre Civic Club, the Sierra Madre Historical Preservation Society, and the Friends of the Sierra Madre Public Library.
For more information, please contact Catriona Shafer or Sophia Duran at (626) 355-7186 or visit the Library’s website at www.cityofsierramadre.lib.ca.us. The Sierra Madre Public Library is located at 440 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., in Sierra Madre, California.