Noted author to speak at the Jewish center

Noted author to speak at the Jewish center

YOUNGSTOWN

The Schwartz Judaica Library at the Jewish Community Center of Youngstown will present author Maggie Anton from noon to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 30 in the multipurpose room.

Anton is the award-winning author of historical fiction series “Rashi’s Daughters” and “Rav Hisda’s Daughter.” She is a Talmud scholar, with expertise in Jewish women’s history.

Anton will discuss the research behind her new historical novel, “Enchantress: A Novel of Rav Hisda’s Daughter.” The novel weaves together Talmudic lore, ancient Jewish magic and a timeless love story set in fourth-century Babylonia.

Based on five years of research and populated with characters from the Talmud, Enchantress brings a pivotal era of Jewish and Christian history to life from the perspective of a courageous and passionate woman.

The advance cost to attend is $8 per member and $10 per nonmember. The cost after Oct. 2 will be $12. Lunch will be served.

To register for this program, contact the bursar’s office at 330-746-3250 ext. 195.

Spiritual Book Club open to new members

CANFIELD

Spiritual Book Club at The Ursuline Center, 4280 Shields Road, is accepting new members.

The group will meet from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Sept. 18 in Prato Hall at the center.

Members will read and discuss books that will help them grow in their relationship with God and others. Kathy Lattanzi is club facilitator.

Registration is appreciated. Call Lattanzi at 330-219-1821. Visit www.theursulines.org or information.

Publisher acquires Williams biography

NEW YORK

A New York Times cultural reporter who has written extensively about Robin Williams is working on a book about the late actor-comedian.

Henry Holt and Co. announced last week it had acquired a planned biography by the Times’ Dave Itzkoff.

The book is currently untitled.

No publication date has been set.

Williams was the manic superstar of the sitcom “Mork and Mindy” and later won an Oscar for his work in “Good Will Hunting.”

He committed suicide at age 63.

His body was found in his Northern California home on Aug. 11.

Jamaica Kincaid wins American Book Award

NEW YORK

Author Jamaica Kincaid and film critic Armond White are among the winners of the 35th annual American Book Awards, which celebrate multiculturalism and free expression.

The Before Columbus Foundation announced last week that Kincaid was cited for the novel “See Now Then.”

White received an “Anti-Censorship Award” because of his being “unfairly removed” from the New York Film Critics Circle. In January, he was expelled after allegedly heckling “12 Years a Slave” director Steve McQueen at the group’s annual awards banquet. White, known for his contrarian views, has called the allegations a “barrage of lies.”

Other winners include Andrew Bacevich’s nonfiction “Breach of Trust” and Alex Espinoza’s novel “The Five Acts of Diego Leon.”

The awards will be presented Oct. 26 in San Francisco.

Vindicator staff/wire reports