Discover local authors at Coventry Village Library

Located on both sides of the Coventry Village Library fireplace, in a position of honor, is a collection of books dedicated to local Heights authors. "We started by collecting the works of as many Heights writers and musicians as we could gather," says Coventry Village Library Branch Manager Pat Gray. "This collection showcases some of the talented people who offer programs here. Our collection is growing all the time, and we hope it will eventually be a very comprehensive representation of Heights authors."

Now, the Coventry Village Library has joined forces with Appletree Books, Mac's Backs and Saint Ann Church to create the "Cedar-Coventry Local Author Series," to highlight local writers. Launched last fall, the series resumes on Wednesday, Feb. 3, with a talk by Dr. Maria Siemionow, the Cleveland Clinic doctor who performed the first face transplant in the United States.

Dr. Siemionow has written about the face transplant procedure in her new book, Face to Face: My Quest to Perform the First Full Face Transplant. The book details Siemionow's years of study and research leading up to the operation.

Subsequent talks will feature novelist Dan Chaon, on Tuesday, March 2, and author and Case Western Reserve Florence Harkness Professor of Religion Tim Beal, on Wednesday, April 14. All sessions are free and open to the public, and will take place at 7 p.m. at Saint Ann Church, located at Coventry and Cedar Roads. For more information, and to register to attend any of the talks, please visit the Heights Library events calendar at www.heightslibrary.org or call the Coventry Village Library, 216-321-3400.

The Coventry Village Library welcomes input from local authors and others in the Heights community. Contact Pat Gray if you are interested in donating a book, or to discuss possible programs in support of their local authors collection.

Gray urges all Heights residents to visit the Coventry Village Library, where, she says, "You will discover your brilliant and creative neighbors, including Michael Ruhlman, Thrity Umrigar, Harvey Pekar, Sarah Willis, Joe Sestito, John Maxwell Taylor, Paula McLain, Sheila Schwartz, Christopher Miller, Richard Montanari, Kristin Ohlson, and many more!"

Tonya Gibson is an employee of the Heights Libraries who enjoys writing and photography in her free time.