1. …it is reassuring that in a world of many bewildering changes, a little bit of one’s childhood will forever remain the same.

    — Ian Buruma, Fellow at the Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center for Scholars and Writers and celebrating a birthday today!

  2. http://www.wnyc.org/shows/lopate/ →

    Tune in today at noon, when NYPL’s own Jean Strouse talks with Leonard Lopate about the life of Alice James - the subject of Jean’s biography Alice James. The biography is a beautiful portrait of the sister of famed writers William and Henry, the only daughter in a family of brilliant and eccentric men.

    If you’re interested in learning more - tomorrow, Jean will be discussing this fascinating subject with Lorin Stein, editor of The Paris Review. Although, the program is full, there may be seats available on a first-come, first-served basis that evening, so we encourage you to stop by!

  3. Examining Pop Culture’s Heroes, and Himself →

    “‘Pulp­­head’ is the best, and most important, collection of magazine writing since [David Foster] Wallace’s ‘A Supposedly Fun Thing I’ll Never Do Again.’”  - says New York Times reviewer Gideon Lewis-Kraus. And you can hear about it for yourself at NYPL on December 15 when Pulphead’s author John Jeremiah Sullivan discusses his latest work with fellow acclaimed author Wells Tower (both were fellows at the Cullman Center for Scholars and Writers).  

  4. Karen Russell’s critically acclaimed novel, Swamplandia, is coming to your small screen! The witty, yet haunting tale of Ava Bigtree, which Karen began during her fellowship at the Cullman Center for Scholars and Writers, has been approved by HBO. Producer Scott Rudin will lead the half-hour comedy project.  

    Earlier this year, Karen spoke with fellow Fellow (that was fun to write) Wells Tower about her work, her process, and her sense of humor and you can listen to it right here!  Now… don’t miss another great opportunity to meet the illustrious fellows at the Cullman Center - sign up for Cullman Center news and events.

  5. Yay for the NBA!

    The 2011 National Book Award finalists have been announced, and we’re proud to shout a hearty congratulations to 2008-2009 Cullman Center Fellows Deborah Baker, author of THE CONVERT, and Lauren Redniss, creator of RADIOACTIVE, for their nominations in the non-fiction category. Both artists researched their books while at the Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center for Scholars and Writers, and we’re thrilled to share such wonderful news with everyone. 

    Even better news for all… Deborah Baker will be visiting the Library next Tuesday (10/18) to discuss her award-nominated book THE CONVERT with journalist Elizabeth Rubin. It’s a can’t-don’t-won’t miss event! 

  6. Cleopatra at NYPL →

    Did you know that Cleopatra wasn’t Egyptian? She was actually Mesopotamian, which makes her reign as Queen of Egypt all the more remarkable. Even better, all our Tumblr followers can get 20% off the the ticket cost of tomorrow night’s historical discussion with Cleopatra author (and Pulitzer Prize winner!) Stacy Schiff and acclaimed biographer Amanda Foreman, author of Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire. Just click the link, use the coupon code “CLEO” at purchase and watch history unfold. Trust us, you don’t want to miss it! 

  7. If you missed it, here’s your chance to watch last week’s discussion with Salon.com co-founder Laura Miller and Pulitzer Prize winner Jennifer Egan  about her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel A Visit from the Goon Squad at the Pulitzer Prize-loving New York Public Library. (We do get excited about the Pulitzer Prize!)

    (This event was brought to you by LIVE from the NYPL and Conversations from the Cullman Center, check out the events they have coming up!)

  8. For Your (Goony) Eyes Only… Win Two Free Tickets

    Have you seen the outstanding reviews for Jennifer Egan’s latest novel “A Visit From the Goon Squad”?

    Have you thought about buying a copy for your bookshelf, e-reader, upcoming flight to Africa?

    Have you wondered what it takes to write a critically-acclaimed novel?

    Have you considered what an actual goon squad would look like?

    If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions then you might be eligible to win two free tickets to next Thursday’s event featuring best-selling author Jennifer Egan (of the aforementioned “A Visit from the Goon Squad) and acclaimed reviewer, writer, and novelist Laura Miller of Slate.com.

    Reblog, repost, or respond. The winner will be selected at random and contacted via email.

    Everyone should be so lucky.

  9. Ping Pong, Puritans, Politics, and Prose

    Congratulations to the New York Public Library’s Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center for Scholars and Writers  2011-2012 Fellows! The Library recently announced its thirteenth class of Fellows, which features fifteen diverse and extraordinary creative writers, independent scholars, and academics. The Fellows were selected from a pool of 274 applicants from 22 countries and will be pursuing a wide array of book projects—ranging from the 1952 World Table Tennis Championships in Bombay to matters of race in 20th century New York to the British roots of American religious freedom. The fellows will have full access to the unparalleled research collections and online resources of The New York Public Library’s landmark Stephen A. Schwarzman Building at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street. 

    Pediatric oncologist and celebrated fiction writer Chris Adrian is one of the 15 writers and scholars in the 2011 class of Cullman Center fellows. The Cullman Center Class of 2011-2012 includes:

    • Acclaimed writers Álvaro Enrigue (from Mexico), Jonathan Safran Foer, Kate Walbert, and Chris Adrian
    • Cultural commentators Ian Burumaand Darryl Pinckney
    • The poets James Fenton and Elizabeth Spires
    • Professor Shamus Khan writing about social elites; Professor Susan Pedersen writing about the League of Nations
    • Peter Constantine translating stories by Chekhov
    • The illustrator, artist, and designer  Jacob Weinstein
    • A number of other distinguished writers and scholars.

  10. The Radioactive website is hot! →

    Check out the brand spankin’ new website for the Radioactive exhibition! It is a collaboration between The New York Public Library and Parsons the New School for Design. Fourteen Parsons students and their teacher, Lauren Redniss (author, artist, Former Cullman Center Fellow) worked with the NYPL to create this interactive, online exhibit in conjunction with the Radioactive exhibition now up at the Library on Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street. Animations about love and science; a Raidon Game, and a virtual way to make cyanotypes all await you!