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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260929T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260929T190000
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UID:10000737-1790704800-1790708400@curiousiguana.com
SUMMARY:Susan Coll: Word Salad
DESCRIPTION:Join Curious Iguana at C. Burr Artz Public Library for a fun evening with bestselling author Susan Coll on Tuesday\, September 29 from 6:00-7:00 pm to celebrate her latest release\, Word Salad! The story follows Matilda as she returns home to D.C. to care for her ailing mother\, takes on a new job at a local bookstore\, and finds herself in the middle of a surprising turn of bookish events. Susan will be in-conversation with Holly Smith\, editor-in-chief of the Washington Independent Review of Books. Following the discussion\, Susan will answer questions and sign books. Copies of Word Salad will be available for purchase at the event. \nLocation: C. Burr Artz Public Library\, 110 E. Patrick Street\, Frederick\, 21701 \nThis event is free and open to the public. We are proud to partner with Frederick County Public Libraries for this event. \nFor accessibility requests\, email events@curiousiguana.com at least two (2) weeks prior to the event. \nAbout the book: Matilda loves logic and order\, and now her structured world is falling apart—in a bookstore. \nFormer economics major Matilda is moving back to her hometown of Washington D.C. to care for her ailing mother\, and she’s desperate for money. She takes a job at her neighborhood bookstore and tries\, in vain\, to make sense of illogical business of books. To make things worse\, she’s forced to team up with a new hire—the enigmatic\, flaky\, larger-than-life\, Sage—who shows up on her first day of work with zero administrative skills and her tiny\, puffy\, incessantly urinating dog that resembles an underfed rat. \nSomething in the chaos begins to remind Matilda of her long-neglected creative side\, and she starts to rediscover the person she once was before so much got in the way. But things get even more unmanageable when Matilda and Sage are tasked with putting together an event for the reclusive and controversial Dr. Jordan Rutabaga\, a windbag of a public intellectual with a cult following that includes a number of people who would like to literally and figuratively see him dead. Rutabaga has a long list of alleged misdeeds\, from plagiarism to failure to pay child support to stiffing the nanny. \nAs the event date approaches\, Matilda and Sage discover that Sage and Rutabaga have their own not uncomplicated past\, adding yet another person to list of people who do not wish him well. Add in a lawsuit and an impending snowstorm along with the potentially sinister presence of Rutabaga himself\, and Matilda is about to come undone. \nAbout the author: USA Today and Washington Post bestselling writer Susan Coll is the author of eight previous novels\, including The Literati\, Real Life & Other Fictions\, and Bookish People. Her other books include The Stager\, Acceptance\, Rockville Pike\, and Karlmarx.com. Her work has appeared in The Washington Post\, The New York Times\, NPR.org \, The Atlantic.com\, The Millions\, and other publications. Her novel\, Acceptance\, was made into a television movie starring Joan Cusack. Susan is the recipient of multiple grants from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. She works as an event consultant at Politics and Prose Bookstore and was the president of the PEN/Faulkner Foundation for five years. Coll teaches workshops at The Writer’s Center in Bethesda\, Maryland. Her new novel\, WORD SALAD\, will be published by Harper Muse in September 2026. \nAbout the moderator: Holly Smith is editor-in-chief of the Washington Independent Review of Books\, as well as a college lecturer\, longtime freelance writer\, and proud “Jeopardy!” bronze medalist. Prior to joining the Independent\, she was managing editor of Maryland Life magazine. Her work has appeared in the Washington Post\, CNBC.com \, Salon\, and elsewhere. She also co-authored the travel guide Seafood Lover’s Chesapeake Bay\, which is ironic since she doesn’t eat fish. Find her on Bluesky at @‌HSmithWrites.
URL:https://curiousiguana.com/event/susan-coll-word-salad/
LOCATION:C. Burr Artz Public Library\, 110 E Patrick St\, Frederick\, MD\, United States
CATEGORIES:Author Talk / Signing,Author Talk / Signing|Join Us!
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ORGANIZER;CN="Curious Iguana":MAILTO:info@curiousiguana.com
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260924T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260924T190000
DTSTAMP:20260604T161627Z
CREATED:20260604T161627Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260604T161627Z
UID:10000739-1790272800-1790276400@curiousiguana.com
SUMMARY:Huda Al-Marashi: Hail Mariam
DESCRIPTION:Join Curious Iguana on Thursday\, September 24 from 6:00-7:00 pm at C. Burr Artz Public Library to celebrate the new release from middle-grade author Huda Al-Marashi\, Hail Mariam. Starting middle school is challenging enough\, but when young Muslim Mariam’s sister is diagnosed with a serious lung condition\, Mariam wonders if she’ll have to tackle her concerns about playing Mother Mary in a Christian play on her own. Huda will be in-conversation with fellow middle-grade author Hena Khan. Following their conversation\, Huda will answer questions and sign books. Copies of Hail Mariam will be available for purchase at the event.  \nLocation: C. Burr Artz Public Library\, 110 E. Patrick Street\, Frederick\, MD 21701 \nThis event is free and open to the public. We are proud to partner with Frederick County Public Libraries for this event.  \nFor accessibility requests\, email events@curiousiguana.com at least two (2) weeks prior to the event. \nAbout the book: Hail Mariam is an interfaith Muslim take on Are You There God? It’s Me\, Margaret drawn from the author’s own experiences in Catholic school. \nSixth grade wasn’t supposed to be this complicated. \nIraqi American Mariam Hassan transfers to a local Catholic school and before her first day her parents remind her that she might be the first Muslim her classmates have ever met. No big deal\, right? Just represent an entire religion while making new friends\, keeping up with schoolwork\, and figuring out who she is. \nWhen Mariam’s younger sister\, Salma\, is diagnosed with a serious lung condition\, her family faces endless doctor visits and sleepless nights. Mariam tries to lighten their burden and keep her own problems to herself—including the fact that she’s just been cast as Mary in the school’s Christmas nativity play. \nMariam wants to honor her faith and her new community\, but she’s terrified of crossing a religious line. Can a Muslim girl be the lead in a Christian story? What will her family think? And why does she feel like every decision she makes represents all Muslims? \nMariam discovers that faith\, much like friendships\, isn’t about perfection—it’s about connection. As she leans on her family\, friends\, and school community\, she begins to see the power of interfaith cooperation and learns she doesn’t have to carry the weight of the world on her shoulders. \nHail Mariam is a celebration of the beauty of finding common ground. \nAbout the author: Huda Al-Marashi writes for both children and adults. She is the author of the middle grade novel Hail Mariam and a co-author of the Walter Dean Myers Honors award-winning novel Grounded. In addition to her memoir First Comes Marriage: My Not-So-Typical American Love Story\, she has contributed essays and op-eds to various anthologies and news outlets\, such as the New York Times\, Washington Post\, LA Times\, and al Jazeera. She is a fellow and mentor with the Muslim Storytellers Program at Boyds Mill\, formerly known as the Highlights Foundation\, and she lives in San Diego\, California. \nAbout the moderator: Hena Khan has been publishing books for children for over two decades. She writes award-winning picture books\, middle grade fiction\, pick-your-path adventures\, and graphic novels. Her stories are often centered around her culture\, community\, friendship\, and family. Hena’s bestselling novels include Amina’s Voice and More to the Story. She is also the author of the Zayd Saleem Chasing the Dream\, Zara’s Rules\, and Super You! series. Hena’s picture books include Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns and Under My Hijab\, and We Are Big Time is her first graphic novel. Hena lives in her hometown of Rockville\, Maryland.
URL:https://curiousiguana.com/event/huda-al-marashi/
LOCATION:C. Burr Artz Public Library\, 110 E Patrick St\, Frederick\, MD\, United States
CATEGORIES:Author Talk / Signing,Author Talk / Signing|Join Us!
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ORGANIZER;CN="Curious Iguana":MAILTO:info@curiousiguana.com
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260915T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260915T190000
DTSTAMP:20260716T163338Z
CREATED:20260427T183151Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260716T163338Z
UID:10000732-1789495200-1789498800@curiousiguana.com
SUMMARY:Shannon Hale and Marcela Cespedes: Dream Big
DESCRIPTION:Calling all our young dreamers! Curious Iguana is excited to welcome bestselling author Shannon Hale and illustrator Marcela Cespedes to Frederick on Tuesday\, September 15 from 6:00-7:00 pm at C. Burr Artz Public Library. Shannon and Mace will be discussing their latest middle-grade graphic novel Dream Big\, the sequel to Dream On. The story focuses on Cassie\, who’s been cast as an extra in a scary movie being filmed in her neighborhood; will she overcome her fears to nail her role and achieve her dream? Following their talk\, Shannon and Mace will answer questions and sign books. Copies of Dream Big will be available for purchase at the event.  \nLocation: C. Burr Artz Public Library\, 110 E. Patrick St. Frederick\, MD 21701 \nThis free\, public event is presented in partnership with Frederick County Public Libraries. For accessibility requests\, email info@curiousiguana.com at least two (2) weeks prior to the event. \nAbout the book: A movie is being filmed right in Cassie’s neighborhood! Is this her chance to be a star? Dreams come true when she and her best friend Vali get hired as extras. Plus\, she’ll get paid\, which will help her parents with their money troubles. But when Vali drops out of the movie\, Cassie is stuck with the mean kid actors. Even worse\, it turns out she’s in a horror movie\, and the monster in it scares her. Will she get called a “baby” or “scaredy-cat”? Can Cassie make it through the movie without her fears driving her away? \nJoin Cassie as she finds the courage to face her fears and dream big! \nWith bright and charming illustrations by Marcela Cespedes\, Dream Big is a joyful story filled with imagination\, fun dreams\, and wonder. This book is perfect for readers who want to enjoy a gentle and accessible friendship story\, as well as anyone looking for SEL themes about empathy\, kindness\, compassion\, and forgiveness. \nAbout the author: Shannon Hale is the New York Times best-selling author of fifty books for preschoolers\, kids\, teens\, and adults\, including multiple award winners The Goose Girl\, Book of a Thousand Days\, and Newbery Honor recipient Princess Academy. One of her novels for the adult crowd\, Austenland\, was made into movie starring Keri Russell and Jennifer Coolidge. With LeUyen Pham\, she created her best-selling graphic novel memoirs Real Friends\, Best Friends\, and Friends Forever\, and the Itty-Bitty Kitty-Corn picture books. She co-writes books with her husband Dean Hale\, like the Eisner-nominated graphic novel Rapunzel’s Revenge (with Nathan Hale)\, books for DC Comics about young Wonder Woman (with Victoria Ying)\, and best-selling chapter book series The Princess in Black (with LeUyen Pham). She lives in Utah with their four children and two ridiculous cats. \nAbout the illustrator: Marcela Cespedes\, or Mace\, as her friends call her\, began stapling together sheets of paper to draw stories on them\, from a very early age. Growing up\, her love for comics never ceased to exist even when reading on road trips with her family would make her carsick. Her degree in Graphic Design and a subsequent Masters in Illustration have taken her to work in many creative industries such as advertising\, animation\, film\, and most recently\, publishing\, where she finally brought together all her professional experiences with her love for books and graphic novels. Originally from Cali\, Colombia\, she currently resides between California and Wellington\, New Zealand\, getting the best of both hemispheres. marcelacespedes.com
URL:https://curiousiguana.com/event/dream-big/
LOCATION:C. Burr Artz Public Library\, 110 E Patrick St\, Frederick\, MD\, United States
CATEGORIES:Author Talk / Signing,Author Talk / Signing|Join Us!
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ORGANIZER;CN="Curious Iguana":MAILTO:info@curiousiguana.com
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260901T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260901T190000
DTSTAMP:20260427T181153Z
CREATED:20260320T214910Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260427T181153Z
UID:10000723-1788285600-1788289200@curiousiguana.com
SUMMARY:Irene W. Leigh: Hiding the Holocaust
DESCRIPTION:We are delighted to celebrate local author Irene W. Leigh and her new memoir\, Hiding the Holocaust. Join us at C. Burr Artz Library on Tuesday\, September 1 from 6 pm-7 pm to learn the astounding story of her Jewish parents’ experiences escaping Nazi Germany and the Holocaust. Irene will be in conversation with Sofia Seitchik. Following their talk\, Irene will answer questions and sign books. Copies of Hiding the Holocaust will be available for purchase at the event. \nPlease note: An ASL interpreter will be on hand to provide services as needed. \nThis event is free and open to the public\, presented in partnership with the Frederick County Public Library. For additional accessibility requests\, email info@curiousiguana.com at least two (2) weeks prior to the event. \nAbout the book: From her parents\, deaf psychologist Irene W. Leigh learned how quickly safety could be yanked away. Her parents\, Jews who barely escaped Nazi Germany on the eve of World War II\, tried to shield Leigh from harm\, never talking about the horrors they endured\, and it was not until recently that she began to discover the truth by uncovering a shocking document. Having rebuilt their lives from scratch\, first in England and then in America\, Leigh’s parents passed down a legacy of ambition\, persistence\, and achievement\, shaping her resilience in response to bias and discrimination. In this deeply personal memoir\, Hiding the Holocaust\, Leigh explores how this unspoken history and inherited trauma has informed her personal\, familial\, academic\, and career experiences. Using a lifespan narrative structure focusing on memories\, reflections\, and recreated dialogue\, Leigh narrates the subtle ways in which Holocaust trauma and loss affected not only her parents but also herself as a deaf child\, teen\, adult\, and parent. \nAbout the author: Irene W. Leigh is a clinical psychologist with a distinguished career in research and teaching\, focusing on deaf identity\, parenting\, attachment\, cochlear implants\, assessment\, psychotherapy and counseling.  Leigh is a fellow of the American Psychological Association. She taught in the clinical psychology doctoral program and chaired the Department of Psychology at Gallaudet University\, where she holds the title of Professor Emerita and was selected as a distinguished faculty member. \nAbout the moderator: Sofia Seitchik is a Jewish Deaf entrepreneur\, transformational coach\, and community leader dedicated to creating spaces where people feel seen and connected. She founded Global Deaf Women and is the author of the award-winning book The Light of Deaf Women\, which amplifies the success stories of Deaf women. Sofia serves as Program Director for Hillel at Gallaudet University\, where she strengthens Jewish life and belonging through collaborations and signature events. She is also co-founder of Matanah\, where she guides strategy and relationships to ensure every experience feels intentional\, welcoming\, and culturally grounded.
URL:https://curiousiguana.com/event/irene-w-leigh/
LOCATION:C. Burr Artz Public Library\, 110 E Patrick St\, Frederick\, MD\, United States
CATEGORIES:Author Talk / Signing,Author Talk / Signing|Join Us!
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ORGANIZER;CN="Curious Iguana":MAILTO:info@curiousiguana.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260812T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260812T190000
DTSTAMP:20260618T173723Z
CREATED:20260618T173723Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260618T173723Z
UID:10000743-1786557600-1786561200@curiousiguana.com
SUMMARY:W.H. Chizmar: Them
DESCRIPTION:Join Curious Iguana on Wednesday\, August 12\, from 6:00-7:00 pm at Frederick Book Arts Center to celebrate bestselling thriller author W.H. Chizmar and his solo debut novel\, Them! This post-apocalyptic novel centers on a man trying to preserve his humanity while surviving in a changed America. W.H. Chizmar will discuss his writing process and solo debut\, then answer questions and sign books. Copies of Them will be available for purchase at the event.  \nLocation: Frederick Book Arts Center\, 127 S. Carroll Street\, Frederick\, MD 21701 \nThis event is free and open to the public. We are proud to partner with Frederick Book Arts Center for this event. \nFor accessibility requests\, email events@curiousiguana.com at least two (2) weeks prior to the event. \nAbout the book: The solo debut from the New York Times bestselling coauthor of Widow’s Point: The Complete Haunting\, a post-apocalyptic/survival horror novel written in the bestselling traditions of Stephen King’s The Mist and Josh Malerman’s Bird Box. \nA top-secret government project hits upon a revolutionary idea for transporting matter across the vast reaches of the universe\, and it succeeds in bringing something back. Something alive. Soon\, mankind’s reign comes to an abrupt halt when a truck hauling a very special shipping container overturns and rolls off the highway\, unleashing an otherworldly horror upon an unsuspecting New England countryside\, where it cannot be contained… \nSeveral years later\, an unidentified man emerges from the rubble of humanity\, seeking other survivors and a shred of hope amid an eerie and lonely landscape. He travels by night up the rural East Coast\, discovering Americana ruins and encountering monsters the likes of which no one has survived. Scarred and molded by the cruel horrors of this new natural order\, he must face his own dwindling humanity and pray that any others out there have not become monsters themselves… \nAbout the author: W. H. Chizmar is the New York Times bestselling coauthor (with Richard Chizmar) of Widow’s Point: The Complete Haunting\, as well as numerous short stories and essays. He lives in Maryland with his Bernese Mountain Dog\, J.J. (short for James Joyce).
URL:https://curiousiguana.com/event/w-h-chizmar-them/
LOCATION:Frederick Book Arts Center\, 127 S Carroll St\, Frederick\, MD\, 21701\, United States
CATEGORIES:Author Talk / Signing,Author Talk / Signing|Join Us!
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://curiousiguana.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/CI-Facebook-Event-Cover-2026-06-18T133545.881.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Curious Iguana":MAILTO:info@curiousiguana.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260731T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260731T190000
DTSTAMP:20260417T181547Z
CREATED:20260417T181547Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260417T181547Z
UID:10000730-1785520800-1785524400@curiousiguana.com
SUMMARY:Aggie Blum Thompson: The Neighbors Are Watching
DESCRIPTION:Join Curious Iguana on Friday\, July 31 at Frederick Book Arts Center from 6:00-7:00 pm for a thrilling evening with author Aggie Blum Thompson to celebrate her latest release\, The Neighbors Are Watching. This story focuses on the “perfect” neighbors in the idyllic suburb of Eastbrook\, Bethesda as they work together to expose a killer in their midst. Aggie will be joined in conversation by fellow thriller writer K.T. Nguyen. Following their discussion\, Aggie will answer questions and sign books. Copies of The Neighbors Are Watching will be available for purchase at the event. \nThis event is free and open to the public. For accessibility requests\, email info@curiousiguana.com at least two (2) weeks prior to the event. \nAbout the book: From the “master of suburban scandal” (Samantha M. Bailey) comes a scandalous twisty thriller about obsession\, betrayal\, and the price of perfection. \nJust outside Washington\, DC\, sits Eastbrook\, Bethesda—a leafy suburb with top schools\, pristine landscapes\, and perfect neighbors. It’s not the kind of place where nannies are shot during robberies gone wrong. And in this picture-perfect neighborhood\, someone is desperate to plaster over the cracks in that façade. \nA year after the unsolved neighborhood murder\, Caren\, nearing fifty and staring down an empty nest\, has one too many drinks at a graduation party and blacks out on her way home. At least\, that’s what everyone says happened. Caren suspects she was drugged by someone. But who? \nWhen Caren teams up with a new neighbor who is desperate to figure out who murdered his best friend last year\, they start to uncover what Eastbrook has tried to forget. But in a place where appearances are everything\, their search for the truth means not only shattering carefully curated perfection — but putting themselves squarely in the crosshairs of a killer. \nAbout the author: Before turning to fiction\, Aggie Blum Thompson covered real-life crime as a newspaper reporter for a number of papers\, including The Boston Globe and The Washington Post. Aggie is a member of Mystery Writers of America. She lives with her husband and two children in the suburbs of Washington DC. \nAbout the moderator: K.T. Nguyen is a former editor at Glamour magazine. Her psychological thriller YOU KNOW WHAT YOU DID received the Agatha Award and the Anthony Award for Best First Novel. In a starred review\, Booklist described Nguyen’s novel as “a twisty horror-filled thriller” and an “incredibly compelling debut.” When she’s not writing\, you’ll find K.T. practicing Krav Maga\, watching the Mets\, or playing with her terrier Alice. A graduate of Brown University\, K.T. lives just outside Washington\, D.C.
URL:https://curiousiguana.com/event/aggie-blum-thompson/
LOCATION:Frederick Book Arts Center\, 127 S Carroll St\, Frederick\, MD\, 21701\, United States
CATEGORIES:Author Talk / Signing,Author Talk / Signing|Join Us!,Join Us!
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ORGANIZER;CN="Curious Iguana":MAILTO:info@curiousiguana.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260727T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260727T190000
DTSTAMP:20260727T153136Z
CREATED:20260420T165256Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260727T153136Z
UID:10000729-1785175200-1785178800@curiousiguana.com
SUMMARY:SOLD OUT! Book Release Party with Sarah Adler and Leslie René (TICKETS REQUIRED)
DESCRIPTION:This event is sold out and at capacity!\n  \n  \nThere’s summer romance in the air\, and we are here for it! Join us on Monday\, July 27 at Tenth Ward Distilling Company from 6:00-7:00 pm for a special evening celebrating the latest releases from romance authors Sarah Adler\, Wild Goose Chase\, and Leslie René\, Maggie and Arthur’s Magic Moment. Sarah and Leslie will discuss all things romance\, answer questions\, and sign books. Copies of Wild Good Chase and Maggie & Arthur’s Magic Moment will be available for purchase at this event. Tickets are required and can only be purchased on our website by clicking here. (1) One ticket equals admission for (1) one person to attend Curious Iguana’s book release party for Sarah Adler and Leslie René on Monday\, July 27 at Tenth Ward Distilling Company. Books are not included with the ticket. You can preorder both titles and select ‘pickup’ at checkout to get your book at the event. Preorders will close on July 12.  \nLocation: Tenth Ward Distilling Company\, 55 E Patrick St\, Frederick\, MD 21701 \nAbout the books:  \nWild Goose Chase \nAn antique dealer and his inconvenient(ly irresistible) new colleague must contend with an illicit stuffed goose and their sizzling attraction\, from USA Today bestselling author Sarah Adler. \nAntique store owner Callahan Leitner has an illegal taxidermy goose in his living room. \nWhy? It’s…complicated. \nBut it may end his career unless he finds a legitimate way to dispose of the bird ASAP. Unfortunately\, there’s an unexpected wrench in his plans—the frustrating\, effervescent Annie O’Neill. \nAnnie is happy to fill in for her uncle at his antique store; it’s the perfect opportunity to gain more experience before opening a shop of her own\, and to finally meet his handsome young business partner. Unfortunately\, Cal is nothing like the charming man she expected. She’s tempted to take his apparent dislike personally\, until she stumbles upon the source of his moods: the contraband waterfowl hiding upstairs. \nWhen the goose goes missing\, it puts both of their professional reputations on the line. As Cal and Annie attempt to track down the bird before it can be traced back to the store\, their tentative alliance turns into something much deeper. Will the hunt for their felonious fowl lead to true love\, or end in ruin? \n  \nMaggie & Arthur’s Magic Moment \nA dangerous spell gone wrong forces the passionate professor of incantations to share tight quarters with her magical college’s leading—and most brooding—alchemist. \nDespite the college’s budget cuts that slashed her syllabus\, Linguistics and Incantation Translation professor Maggie Linden has almost made it to the end of the spring semester. To celebrate\, Maggie attends a magical masquerade on Beltane. Maybe the end-of-year frenzy explains why she kissed a masked stranger at the festival\, though her celebration may have come too soon…. \nAn accident in the lab of famous (and famously broody) alchemist Arthur Taliesin sets loose a dangerous\, haunting magic called a pall that renders the nicer parts of their academic building uninhabitable. Maggie is assigned to share her tiny basement office with none other than Taliesin himself. With his insufferable attitude and unfortunate good looks\, Arthur makes it impossible for Maggie to concentrate on anything—her research\, her students’ final exams\, or tracking down her mysterious Beltane suitor. \nShe’ll do anything to get Arthur out of her office\, including offering to help him reverse the magic that threatens the school. But Maggie is starting to realize her officemate may not be the conceited grump he pretends to be. In fact\, much of what she thinks is true about Arthur is merely a mask…. \nAbout the authors:  \nUSA Today bestselling author Sarah Adler writes romantic comedies about lovable weirdos finding their happily ever afters. She lives in Maryland with her husband\, daughter\, and very mischievous cat. When not working\, you can find her attempting to course-correct an ill-advised late afternoon nap with an equally ill-advised late afternoon coffee\, as she is incapable of ever learning a lesson. \nLeslie René is a Virginia-based writer who weaves stories full of magic and yearning. During the day\, she is a science writer and editor. When she isn’t writing\, you can find her going to concerts\, turning yarn and thread into something pretty\, and playing in the garden with her family. \n 
URL:https://curiousiguana.com/event/sarah-leslie/
LOCATION:Tenth Ward Distilling Company\, 55 E Patrick St\, Frederick\, MD\, 21701\, United States
CATEGORIES:Author Talk / Signing,Author Talk / Signing|Join Us!
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://curiousiguana.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/CI-Facebook-Event-Cover-92.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Curious Iguana":MAILTO:info@curiousiguana.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260722T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260722T190000
DTSTAMP:20260504T153101Z
CREATED:20260504T153047Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260504T153101Z
UID:10000735-1784743200-1784746800@curiousiguana.com
SUMMARY:Derek Baxter: The Forgotten World War
DESCRIPTION:In light of America’s 250th anniversary\, Curious Iguana is excited to welcome historian and author Derek Baxter to Frederick on Wednesday\, July 22 from 6:00-7:00 pm to speak about his new book\, The Forgotten World War. Focusing on the broader impacts of the American Revolution\, Derek invites readers to consider how this infamous war spanned beyond American soil across the globe. Following his talk\, Derek will answer questions and sign books. Copies of The Forgotten World War will be available for purchase at the event.  \nLocation: C. Burr Artz Public Library\, 110 E. Patrick Street\, Frederick\, MD 21701 \nThis event is free and open to the public. We are proud to partner with Frederick County Public Libraries for this event. \nFor accessibility requests\, email events@curiousiguana.com at least two (2) weeks prior to the event. \nAbout the book: How well do you truly know the American Revolution? On the 250th anniversary of the establishment of the United States\, author Derek Baxter reveals just how global an effort it was to create a new country. \nForget the Liberty Bell: if you want to truly understand the American Revolution\, get a passport and visit the hills of Andalucia\, the lagoons of the Yucatan\, and the palaces of south India. In The Forgotten World War\, Derek Baxter embarks on an adventure-filled quest across four continents to uncover the story of how Americans really won our independence. He discovers how the fighting in the U.S. was only one theater of a much broader conflict\, in which an unlikely group of nations banded together to take on the mighty British Empire. \nOn the windswept island of Jersey in the English Channel\, he finds out how France attempted a full-scale invasion. At an unlikely Fourth of July party in Spain\, he helps the descendent of a renowned Spanish general make a giant paella. In India\, he investigates one of the greatest victories of the Revolutionary War\, when an army five times as large as any that Washington ever put in the field (and with considerably more elephants) annihilated the Redcoats. Baxter finds the human stories behind this long-ago conflict—sometimes with surprising results.  \nThe Forgotten World War delivers a powerful message\, right in time for our nation’s 250th anniversary. America began only when peoples of different races\, languages\, and religions overcame mistrust and came together.   \nAbout the author: Derek Baxter is a historian\, writer\, and travel storyteller whose work explores the intersection of place\, history\, and personal journey. He is the author of The Forgotten World War: Exploring the Secret History of the American Revolution\, from Spain to India and Back Again and In Pursuit of Jefferson: Traveling through Europe with the Most Perplexing Founding Father\, in which he recounts his journeys through six countries\, armed with a guide written by Jefferson in 1788. He lives with his family in northern Virginia. \n 
URL:https://curiousiguana.com/event/derek-baxter/
LOCATION:C. Burr Artz Public Library\, 110 E Patrick St\, Frederick\, MD\, United States
CATEGORIES:Author Talk / Signing,Author Talk / Signing|Join Us!
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ORGANIZER;CN="Curious Iguana":MAILTO:info@curiousiguana.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260715T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260715T190000
DTSTAMP:20260706T211826Z
CREATED:20260521T171445Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260706T211826Z
UID:10000734-1784138400-1784142000@curiousiguana.com
SUMMARY:SOLD OUT: Jennifer Lynn Barnes: The Gilded Blade (Tickets Required)
DESCRIPTION:It’s official! Our event with Jennifer Lynn Barnes and Jenni Howell is sold out and at capacity! You can join the waitlist (here )on our Eventbrite page in case any spots open up.\n  \n  \n  \n  \nJoin Curious Iguana at ERUCC’s Downtown Community Room on Wednesday\, July 15 from 6:00-7:00 pm (doors will open at 5:15 pm) for an exciting evening with NYT bestselling YA author Jennifer Lynn Barnes to celebrate the release of the final book in the Inheritance Games Saga\, The Gilded Blade!  \nTickets are required for this event and can be purchased on Eventbrite only here. There are 2 ticket options\, each including a copy of The Gilded Blade with admission. Books purchased as part of a ticketed bundle and books purchased at events are non-returnable. \nJennifer will be in conversation with Jenni Howell\, NYT bestselling author of Boys With Sharp Teeth. Following their discussion\, Jennifer will answer questions and sign books. Copies of The Gilded Blade will be available for purchase at the event.  \nLocation: Downtown Community Room at ERUCC\, 15 W Church St\, Frederick\, MD 21701 \nNote on book signing: The author will sign + personalize one copy per customer of The Gilded Blade. Additionally\, she will only sign her signature (no personalization) for up to three additional titles (purchased at the event or brought from home). \nFor accessibility requests\, email events@curiousiguana.com at least two (2) weeks prior to the event. \nAbout the book: In the stunning finale to the global phenomenon of the Inheritance Games Saga (over 6 million copies sold!)\, discover danger\, riches\, romance—and the staggering answers to long-brewing mysteries. \nEveryone is a player. \nIn the grandest of games\, there is everything to win—money\, love\, power\, revenge—and even more to lose. From Texas to Prague to London and beyond\, the Hawthorne family\, the players from the Grandest Game\, and allies old and new are drawn into a web of centuries-old secrets and mind-bending puzzles. Every clue pulls them deeper; every answer demands a price. \nTo survive\, they must unravel the mysteries that bind them together…but some truths are deadly. \nDiscover danger\, riches\, romance—and the long-awaited revelations at the heart of Jennifer Lynn Barnes’s most intricate and explosive puzzle yet. \nAll games must come to an end.  \nAbout the author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty-five acclaimed young adult novels\, including the Inheritance Games Saga\, the Debutantes series\, The Lovely and the Lost\, and the Naturals series. Jen is also a Fulbright Scholar with advanced degrees in psychology\, psychiatry\, and cognitive science. She received her PhD from Yale University in 2012 and was a professor of psychology and professional writing for many years. She invites you to visit her online at jenniferlynnbarnes.com or follow her on Instagram @‌authorjenlynnbarnes. \nAbout the moderator: Jenni Howell is the Instant New York Times bestselling author of Boys With Sharp Teeth and Teach Me to Prey (Coming Dec. 2026). She tried out archaeology\, linguistics\, mongoose herding (known to some as “teaching”)\, finance\, and espionage\, but always got bored. Now she writes books\, so her entire world changes every six months—and she will never be bored again.
URL:https://curiousiguana.com/event/jennifer-lynn-barnes/
LOCATION:Downtown Community Room at ERUCC\, 15 W Church St\, Frederick\, MD\, United States
CATEGORIES:Author Talk / Signing,Author Talk / Signing|Join Us!
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://curiousiguana.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/CI-Facebook-Event-Cover-100.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Curious Iguana":MAILTO:info@curiousiguana.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260709T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260709T190000
DTSTAMP:20260608T165549Z
CREATED:20260604T155551Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260608T165549Z
UID:10000738-1783620000-1783623600@curiousiguana.com
SUMMARY:Shannon Sanders: The Great Wherever
DESCRIPTION:Join us at Frederick Book Arts Center on Thursday\, July 9 from 6:00-7:00 pm to celebrate author Shannon Sanders and her latest release\, The Great Wherever. Shannon will be in-conversation with book influencer Morgan Menzies. Following their conversation\, Shannon will answer questions and sign books. Copies of The Great Wherever will be available for purchase at the event.  \nLocation: Frederick Book Arts Center\, 127 S. Carroll Street\, Frederick MD\, 21701 \nThis event is free and open to the public. We are proud to partner with Frederick Book Arts Center for this event. \nFor accessibility requests\, email events@curiousiguana.com at least two (2) weeks prior to the event. \nAbout the book: The dead are relentless gossips\, or at least these dead are. \nAn impulsive and heartbroken woman inherits her father’s share of a Tennessee farm that is rich in family secrets and occupied with busybody ghosts in this sweeping family portrait. \nAt thirty-two\, Aubrey Lamb is stumbling through adulthood. An underpaid gig worker in Washington\, DC\, she’s grieving the end of a serious relationship and the recent loss of her father. When Aubrey learns she has inherited his stake in a sizable Tennessee farm she sees an opportunity to get out of the city—and to erase a mounting pile of debt. \nWatching her arrival with great interest are four ghosts—Aubrey’s ancestors\, who’ve staked their own claims to the farm and who never hesitate to pass judgment on the mistakes made by the living\, whether romantic\, financial\, or sartorial. As Aubrey reconnects with her living family\, another story unfolds in parallel: the history of the land\, beginning with its purchase by Thomas\, Aubrey’s great-grandfather and one of the first Black landowners in his community. Though Thomas hopes to give his children a homestead on which they could flourish\, the land proves to be a burdensome inheritance. Over the years\, it turns the Lambs against one another\, culminating in a catastrophic tragedy that splinters the family and echoes through the decades. \nNow\, as the clock ticks on a potential sale of the farm\, the ghosts fear expulsion from the home they’ve made\, and Aubrey must weigh the hopes and burdens of her forebears with the very real needs of her future. \nAbout the author: Shannon Sanders is the author of the linked short story collection Company\, which won the 2024 Los Angeles Times Book Prizes’ Art Seidenbaum Award for First Fiction\, was named one of the best books of 2023 by Publishers Weekly and Debutiful\, and was shortlisted for the 2024 William Saroyan International Prize for Writing. Her short fiction has appeared in numerous publications\, including One Story\, The Sewanee Review\, Virginia Quarterly Review\, and Electric Literature\, and has received a PEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize for Emerging Writers. She lives in Silver Spring\, Maryland\, with her husband and three sons. \nAbout the moderator: Morgan Menzies is a literary event curator and community builder who turns reading into impact. She has interviewed powerhouse authors who are shaping today’s literary landscape and curates literary events that bring stories to life. Featured in The Washington Post\, Elle and Essence. Morgan is based in the Washington\, D.C. area.
URL:https://curiousiguana.com/event/shannon-sanders-the-great-wherever/
LOCATION:Frederick Book Arts Center\, 127 S Carroll St\, Frederick\, MD\, 21701\, United States
CATEGORIES:Author Talk / Signing,Author Talk / Signing|Join Us!
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://curiousiguana.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/CI-Facebook-Event-Cover-2026-06-08T125452.890.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Curious Iguana":MAILTO:info@curiousiguana.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260625T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260625T190000
DTSTAMP:20260413T150548Z
CREATED:20260413T150348Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260413T150548Z
UID:10000728-1782410400-1782414000@curiousiguana.com
SUMMARY:Michelle L. Cullen:  A Field Guide to Murder
DESCRIPTION:Join Curious Iguana on Thursday\, June 25 at Frederick Book Arts Center from 6:00-7:00 pm for an evening of mystery with author Michelle L. Cullen and her new release\, A Field Guide to Murder. The story follows Harry Lancaster\, a retired anthropologist who now spends his days as a nosy neighbor with his binoculars and young caretaker Emma in tow. Michelle will be joined in conversation by fellow mystery writer Melinda Mullet\, author of A Ghostwriter’s Guide to Murder. Following their discussion\, Michelle will answer questions and sign books. \nThis event is free and open to the public. For accessibility requests\, email info@curiousiguana.com at least two (2) weeks prior to the event. \nAbout the book: A cranky widower and his spirited caregiver team up to solve his neighbor’s murder in this charming and original mystery\, perfect for fans of Richard Osman and Benjamin Stevenson. \nOnce a globe-trotting anthropologist\, Harry Lancaster is now certain that all his grand adventures are behind him. Recently widowed and suffering from a fractured hip\, Harry spends his days and nights behind a pair of binoculars\, nose-deep in his neighbors’ affairs. His millennial caregiver\, Emma\, is determined to get him out of his armchair and back into the world. \nFate intervenes when Harry’s mysterious neighbor\, Sue\, phones\, pleading for help. But instead of rescuing her\, Harry and Emma find Sue dead: poisoned\, days after a break-in at Sue’s house. Harry resolves to find out what happened\, and Emma insists on going along for the ride. Together\, they discover motives and suspects abound in Harry’s quaint condominium community—putting them both in the crosshairs of a cold-blooded killer. \nAbout the author: Michelle L. Cullen has lived and traveled all over the world\, from working as a bilingual secretary in Paris to backpacking around Europe\, Central America\, and Southern Africa to helping rebuild communities after war throughout Africa\, East Asia\, South Asia\, and the Pacific. She obtained her PhD from the London School of Economics’ Sociology Department and her master’s degree in anthropology from Melbourne University in Australia. A fan of adventure\, she has a black belt in Taekwondo\, has summited 900 feet rock climbing\, snorkeled the Great Barrier Reef\, and hiked up an active volcano. She currently lives in Annapolis\, Maryland\, where she’s either doing yoga\, playing outside\, or plotting murder. \nAbout the moderator: Melinda Mullet is the author of the Whisky Business Mysteries\, a six-part series of traditional mysteries set in and around a boutique single malt whisky distillery in Scotland. Her new traditional series begins with\, A Ghostwriter’s Guide to Murder\, set on a houseboat along the Regent’s Canal in London. Melinda is a travel junkie and a life-long advocate for children’s literacy causes both domestic and international. When she is not in the UK\, she lives just outside of Washington\, DC with her whisky-collecting husband and two wild Covid canines named Bailey and Captain Jack. Find her at http://MelindaMullet.com or on Facebook and Insta @‌melindamullet.
URL:https://curiousiguana.com/event/michelle-l-cullen/
LOCATION:Frederick Book Arts Center\, 127 S Carroll St\, Frederick\, MD\, 21701\, United States
CATEGORIES:Author Talk / Signing,Author Talk / Signing|Join Us!,Join Us!
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://curiousiguana.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/CI-Facebook-Event-Cover-91.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Curious Iguana":MAILTO:info@curiousiguana.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260616T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260616T190000
DTSTAMP:20260427T180048Z
CREATED:20260427T180048Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260427T180048Z
UID:10000731-1781632800-1781636400@curiousiguana.com
SUMMARY:David O. Stewart: The Democracy We Must Keep
DESCRIPTION:In light of America’s 250th birthday this year\, Curious Iguana is eager to welcome historian and author David O. Stewart to Frederick at C. Burr Artz Public Library on Tuesday\, June 16 from 6:00-7:00 pm. David will discuss his latest book\, The Democracy We Must Keep with Holly Smith\, editor-in-chief of the Washington Independent Review of Books. Following their discussion\, David will answer questions and sign books. Copies of The Democracy We Must Keep will be available for purchase at the event.  \nLocation: C. Burr Artz Public Library\, 110 E. Patrick Street\, Frederick\, MD 21701 \nThis event is free and open to the public\, hosted in partnership with the Frederick County Public Library. For accessibility requests\, email info@curiousiguana.com at least two (2) weeks prior to the event. \nAbout the book: “A great scholar of the American past\, David O. Stewart has brilliantly mined what has come before to guide us in our own\, all-too-urgent American present. An important and timely volume.” ~ Jon Meacham\, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The American Struggle \nWhat did America’s founders say about democracy—and can we remain true to their vision for America? \nTwo hundred fifty years ago\, passionate men attempted to create something the world had never seen before: a nation built not on kings or armies\, but on ideas where the people ruled. \nIn The Democracy We Must Keep\, historian David O. Stewart takes readers inside the nine key documents that shaped the formation of the United States—from Patrick Henry’s thunderous cry for liberty to the carefully crafted design of a government chosen by the people\, with limits on all officials holding power under the Constitution. \nThrough the words of seven visionary founders—Washington\, Jefferson\, Madison\, Hamilton\, Gouverneur Morris\, and others—Stewart shows how a fragile experiment in self-government took shape. \nThese men were not saints. They argued passionately. They worried that the new nation might fall apart. Yet together\, they forged the principles that must still define American democracy. \n\nThat power must be limited.\nThat leaders must answer to the people.\nThat individual rights must be protected by law.\n\nAs the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary\, The Democracy We Must Keep urges readers to rediscover core ideas that built the nation—and to consider what it will take to protect them. \nAbout the author: A trial and appellate lawyer for many years\, David O. Stewart now writes history and historical novels. His five narrative histories have won seven awards from literary organizations\, and his five historical novels include best-sellers. In 2023\, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Washington Independent Review of Books\, of which he is the founding president. \nAbout the moderator: Holly Smith is editor-in-chief of the Washington Independent Review of Books\, as well as a college lecturer\, longtime freelance writer\, and proud “Jeopardy!” bronze medalist. Prior to joining the Independent\, she was managing editor of Maryland Life magazine. Her work has appeared in the Washington Post\, CNBC.com \, Salon\, and elsewhere. She also co-authored the travel guide Seafood Lover’s Chesapeake Bay\, which is ironic since she doesn’t eat fish. Find her on Bluesky at @‌HSmithWrites.
URL:https://curiousiguana.com/event/david-o-stewart/
LOCATION:C. Burr Artz Public Library\, 110 E Patrick St\, Frederick\, MD\, United States
CATEGORIES:Author Talk / Signing,Author Talk / Signing|Join Us!
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://curiousiguana.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/CI-Facebook-Event-Cover-97.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Curious Iguana":MAILTO:info@curiousiguana.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260613T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260613T150000
DTSTAMP:20260413T143707Z
CREATED:20260413T143655Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260413T143707Z
UID:10000727-1781359200-1781362800@curiousiguana.com
SUMMARY:Celeste Dador: Stars\, Stripes\, & Summer Nights
DESCRIPTION:Join Curious Iguana on Saturday\, June 13 at C. Burr Artz Public Library from 2:00-3:00 pm to celebrate YA author Celeste Dador’s debut romance\, Stars\, Stripes\, & Summer Nights. A summer romance is on the horizon for First Daughter Abby Alzona\, who (along with her little sister) has been sent to a countryside inn after unintentionally catching the media’s spotlight. Celeste will be joined in conversation by local YA author Charlene Thomas. After their discussion\, Celeste will answer questions and sign books. Copies of Stars\, Stripes\, & Summer Nights will be available for purchase at the event.\n\n\nThis free\, public event is presented in partnership with Frederick County Public Libraries. For accessibility requests\, email info@curiousiguana.com at least two (2) weeks prior to the event. \nAbout the book: A swoony\, patriotic romance with Gilmore Girls charm—follow First Daughter Abby as she dives into a summer of surprises\, small-town magic\, and sparks with the boy who shakes up her world. \nWhat if the person who turns your world upside down is exactly who you’re meant to find? \nAll First Daughter Abby Alzona wanted was one normal night. But one impulsive pizza order later\, she’s front-page news—and officially exiled to a Wi-Fi-free country inn for the summer\, along with her little sister Elle. \nThe inn belongs to Gabriel Calabrese’s family: he’s sarcastic\, camera-obsessed\, and definitely not dazzled by presidential perks (also\, kind of the reason for the whole pizza fiasco). But Abby’s determined to make the most of her time away from the White House—with a summer bucket list full of things real teens get to do. Pool parties. Picnics. Maybe even a first kiss. \nAs she and Elle dive into small-town life\, Abby starts to see what makes Gabriel tick. And maybe\, just maybe\, she’s falling for him. . . . \nAbout the author: Celeste Dador writes cozy rom-coms with festive flair. A former reality TV show finalist on America’s Next Great Author\, Celeste lives in the D.C.-area\, where she blends her love of romance and public service into her stories. Stars\, Stripes & Summer Nights is her Young Adult debut. Celeste also serves as an advisor with SCBWI\, a children’s literature community dedicated to helping writers and illustrators bring their stories to the young readers who need them. Like many of her characters\, she’s proudly Filipino American and passionate about inclusive\, joy-filled love stories. When writing adult romance\, which includes a dash of spice\, she uses the pen name C.C. Dador\, including her New Adult romance debut Merry Ex-mas (Requited\, 09/29/26). She can be found in coffee shops and Instagram: @‌celestedador \nAbout the moderator: Charlene Thomas is a critically acclaimed author and writing coach with a passion for helping writers find their voice and create the stories they were meant to tell. Her books have been published by Penguin Random House and Scholastic Press (with more novels forthcoming)\, and have been featured in Parade Magazine\, Book Riot\, Buzz Feed\, Pop Sugar\, Bustle\, The Root\, Kirkus Reviews\, and more. Her work has also received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly. She frequently leads writing workshops\, offers author-talks\, and provides mentorship for aspiring authors. She’s an advocate for democratizing publishing knowledge and is passionate about helping underrepresented perspectives see themselves on bookshelves. IT’S YOU EVERY TIME\, a young adult romance\, is her latest novel.
URL:https://curiousiguana.com/event/celeste-dador/
LOCATION:C. Burr Artz Public Library\, 110 E Patrick St\, Frederick\, MD\, United States
CATEGORIES:Author Talk / Signing,Author Talk / Signing|Join Us!
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://curiousiguana.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/CI-Facebook-Event-Cover-90.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Curious Iguana":MAILTO:info@curiousiguana.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260610T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260610T190000
DTSTAMP:20260504T135700Z
CREATED:20260504T135700Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260504T135700Z
UID:10000733-1781114400-1781118000@curiousiguana.com
SUMMARY:Ray Nayler: Palaces of the Crow + Where the Axe Is Buried
DESCRIPTION:Join Curious Iguana for an exciting evening with science fiction author Ray Nayler on Wednesday\, June 10 from 6:00-7:00 pm at Frederick Book Arts Center. Ray will be discussing his new release\, Palaces of the Crow\, and celebrating the paperback release of Where the Axe Is Buried. His new book follows four children fighting for survival during World War II with the aid of an intelligent group of crows. Following the discussion\, Ray will answer questions and sign books. Copies of Palaces of the Crow and Where the Axe Is Buried will be available for purchase at the event.  \nLocation: Frederick Book Arts Center\, 127 S. Carroll Street\, Frederick\, MD 21701 \nThis event is free and open to the public. We are proud to partner with Frederick Book Arts Center for this event. \nFor accessibility requests\, email events@curiousiguana.com at least two (2) weeks prior to the event. \nAbout Palaces of the Crow: In Ray Nayler’s speculative novel of the recent past\, four young teens caught between Nazis and the Red Army survive winter in the woods with the help of a flock of highly intelligent crows with a magnificent secret of their own to protect. \nNeriya\, a young Jewish girl who dreams of becoming a biologist\, has befriended a local flock of crows in her shtetl. Czeslaw is an underage Polish soldier who deserts the Red Army and runs into the freezing Lithuanian woods. Kezia is a Roma horse trader whose family is on the run from Soviet collectivization. As the German blitzkrieg crashes across the border in June 1941\, all three are caught up in the onslaught. Along with Innokentiy\, an abandoned boy who cannot speak\, they are driven into the primeval forest\, where they survive by forming an unbreakable bond with one another—and with Neriya’s intelligent crows\, who for years have been bringing her intricate gifts suggesting they are no ordinary corvids. \nAs the war goes on\, the crows warn the children of danger and help them hide from the human threats of the forest—not only the Germans but also Russian deserters\, Polish partisans\, fascist Lithuanian police\, and the other bandits and outcasts wandering the benighted landscape. \nAbout Where the Axe Is Buried: “Roll over\, George Orwell: This post-apocalyptic dystopia makes Airstrip One look like a summer camp . . . A richly detailed evocation of a grim future that is\, sadly\, absolutely believable.” \n—Kirkus Reviews (starred review) \nAll systems fail. All societies crumble. All worlds end. \nIn the authoritarian Federation\, there is a plot to assassinate the President\, a man who has downloaded his mind to a succession of new bodies to maintain his grip on power. Meanwhile\, on the fringes of a Western Europe that has renounced human governance in favor of ostensibly more efficient and peaceful AI Prime Ministers\, an artificial mind is malfunctioning\, threatening to set off a chain of events that may spell the end of the Western world. \nAs the Federation and the West both start to crumble\, Lilia\, the brilliant scientist whose invention may be central to bringing down the seemingly immortal President\, goes on the run\, trying to break out of the vast web of Federation surveillance. Her fate is bound up with those of others fighting the status quo around the world: Palmer\, the man Lilia left behind in London; Zoya\, a veteran activist imprisoned in the taiga\, whose book has inspired a revolutionary movement; Nikolai\, the President’s personal physician\, forced to navigate the Federation’s harrowing palace politics; and Nurlan\, the parliamentary staffer whose attempt to save his Republic goes terribly awry. And Krotov\, head of the Federation’s security services\, whose plots\, agents\, and assassins are everywhere. \nAbout the author: Ray Nayler is the author of the Locus Award-winning novel The Mountain in the Sea and the Hugo Award-winning novella The Tusks of Extinction. Born in Quebec and raised in California\, Ray lived and worked abroad for two decades in Russia\, Central Asia\, the Caucasus\, and the Balkans. \nRay most recently served as international advisor to the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration\, and as visiting scholar at the George Washington University’s Institute for International Science and Technology Policy. He lives in Washington\, DC.
URL:https://curiousiguana.com/event/ray-nayler/
LOCATION:Frederick Book Arts Center\, 127 S Carroll St\, Frederick\, MD\, 21701\, United States
CATEGORIES:Author Talk / Signing,Author Talk / Signing|Join Us!
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://curiousiguana.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/CI-Facebook-Event-Cover-99.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Curious Iguana":MAILTO:info@curiousiguana.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260606T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260606T120000
DTSTAMP:20260602T140455Z
CREATED:20260413T141659Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260602T140455Z
UID:10000726-1780743600-1780747200@curiousiguana.com
SUMMARY:POSTPONED Vicki Johnson: Mac Wears a Hat
DESCRIPTION:This event has been postponed. Stay tuned for a rescheduled date!\n  \nJoin us at Curious Iguana from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm on Saturday\, June 6 for an in-store meet & greet with children’s author Vicki Johnson as she promotes her new book\, Mac Wears a Hat. Celebrating the positivity of differences and the impact of kindness\, this story shares young Mac’s passion for all kinds of hats. Copies of Mac Wears a Hat will be available for purchase at the signing.  \nThis event is free and open to the public. For accessibility requests\, email info@curiousiguana.com at least two (2) weeks prior to the event. \nAbout the book: Mac has a hat for every mood in this infectiously positive book by the author and illustrator team behind Molly’s Tuxedo! \nThere’s a thing \nthat makes my heart go zing. \nHats. \nMac loves to wear hats. She has one for every occasion\, and they help her feel joyful\, confident\, and adventurous. Not everyone understands her style\, but kind words from strangers encourage Mac to be herself. \nAbout the author: Vicki Johnson is an award-winning children’s book author. She mines her own experiences of childhood and parenthood to write heartfelt and inclusive stories\, exploring big ideas like kindness and bravery\, and always centering the child’s inner compass. Her debut picture book Molly’s Tuxedo (Little Bee Books\, 2023) illustrated by Gillian Reid\, received multiple accolades\, including an NCTE Charlotte Huck Award Recommendation and inclusion on the ALA Rainbow Book List and the top ten K-2 CBC Teacher Favorites list. Her next book\, Mac Wears a Hat\, arrives April 28\, 2026 from the same creative team. Johnson is a Southern writer who lives in western MA\, where she tends to several rescue animals and one college kid.
URL:https://curiousiguana.com/event/vicki-johnson/
LOCATION:Curious Iguana\, 12 N Market St\, Frederick\, Maryland\, 21701
CATEGORIES:Author Talk / Signing,Author Talk / Signing|Join Us!,Join Us!
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://curiousiguana.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/CI-Facebook-Event-Cover-89.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Curious Iguana":MAILTO:info@curiousiguana.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260528T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260528T190000
DTSTAMP:20260320T220014Z
CREATED:20260320T220014Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260320T220014Z
UID:10000724-1779991200-1779994800@curiousiguana.com
SUMMARY:Laura Zigman: The Author Weekend
DESCRIPTION:Join Curious Iguana on Thursday\, May 28 at Frederick Book Arts Center from 6:00-7:00 pm for an exciting event with author Laura Zigman to celebrate her latest release\, The Author Weekend. This fresh murder mystery focuses on Faye Wader\, an author hosting a weekend retreat on a secluded island for her most loyal fans; what could go wrong? Laura will discuss her novel\, then answer questions and sign books. Copies of The Author Weekend will be available for purchase at the event.  \nThis event is free and open to the public. For accessibility requests\, email info@curiousiguana.com at least two (2) weeks prior to the event. \nAbout the book: The Devil Wears Prada meets White Lotus in a story of colliding egos and shocking betrayal\, as intoxicatingly ice-cold as the pink Prosecco that flows all weekend. \nEverything needs to be just right for bestselling mystery writer Faye Wader’s first ever fan weekend. Her sales might be slipping—only a little!—but her readers still love her enough to pony up for three days and two nights on Great Misery Island. The retreat is precisely planned\, from the small batch artisanal donuts to the perimenopausal Mermaid Meditation\, by Faye and her beleaguered assistant Jade—an aspiring author who can’t seem to finish her own novel. \nFaye’s long-time agent and editor will be there\, as well as Faye’s number one fan\, Peggy Mercer\, who has been first in line at every one of Faye’s events. When news comes that the weekend will be crashed by glamorous\, charismatic\, rival novelist Abby Schuss\, Faye thinks things can’t get worse … until one of the attendees is found dead in her room\, setting off an unexpectedly murderous chain of events that make pre-pub anxiety seem like a day at the beach. How far is Faye willing to go to get exactly what she wants from her author weekend? \nThe Author Weekend is a thrilling and hilarious dive into the dark heart of envy\, and a glorious exploration of a woman of a certain age desperate to survive the dog-eat-dog world of publishing and control her own narrative. \nAbout the author: Laura Zigman is the author of Small World (a New York Times Group Text pick and Editor’s Choice)\, Separation Anxiety\, Animal Husbandry (which was made into the movie “Someone Like You\,” starring Hugh Jackman and Ashley Judd)\, Dating Big Bird\, Her\, and Piece of Work. She has collaborated on several works of non-fiction–including Eddie Izzard’s New York Times bestseller\, Believe Me–and has been a contributor to the New York Times and other publications. She lives in Cambridge\, Massachusetts.
URL:https://curiousiguana.com/event/laura-zigman-the-author-weekend/
LOCATION:Frederick Book Arts Center\, 127 S Carroll St\, Frederick\, MD\, 21701\, United States
CATEGORIES:Author Talk / Signing,Author Talk / Signing|Join Us!
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://curiousiguana.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/CI-Facebook-Event-Cover-86-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260504T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260504T190000
DTSTAMP:20260128T202737Z
CREATED:20260128T202727Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260128T202737Z
UID:10000712-1777917600-1777921200@curiousiguana.com
SUMMARY:Michelle Jabès Corpora: She Knows All the Names
DESCRIPTION:Travel back to Ancient Egypt with us at Urbana Regional Library on Monday\, May 4 from 6:00- 7:00 pm to celebrate the release of Michelle Jabès Corpora’s YA novel She Knows All the Names\, the sequel to her bestselling novel His Face Is the Sun. Michelle will discuss her work with local author Jenni Howell. Following the events of the first book\, this riveting sequel picks up with our four protagonists as they grapple with the changes wrought on their world. After the discussion\, Michelle will answer questions and sign books.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nYou can preorder a signed and personalized copy of She Knows All the Names by clicking here. Copies of She Knows All the Names and His Face Is the Sun will be also available for purchase at the event. \nThis event will be held at Urbana Regional Library in partnership with Frederick County Public Libraries and is free and open to the public. For accessibility requests\, email info@curiousiguana.com at least two (2) weeks prior to the event. \nAbout the book: The sequel to the instant New York Times bestseller\, His Face Is the Sun. Magic\, adventure\, romance\, and horror collide in this lush\, epic\, Ancient Egyptian inspired trilogy perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo\, Tahereh Mafi\, and Sabaa Tahir. \nFresh to the throne\, the cunning new pharaoh schemes to bring unprecedented power to the Kingdom of Khetara. He commands absolute allegiance\, leaving bloodshed in his wake as he searches for the missing Princess Sitamun\, and at his side\, the young priestess Nefermaat serves as divine counsel. Having witnessed the king’s merciless acts\, Neff furtively plots to free the kingdom from his grip\, though she knows the heavy price of treason. \nMeanwhile\, the rebellion in Low Khetara grows\, and Raetawy\, a courageous farm girl\, leads the resistance. Her quest is clear: infiltrate the capital and free the imprisoned rebels—including her beloved father. Yet in her desperation\, Rae agrees to a plan that could destroy all she is fighting for…. \nIn the Red Lands\, the thief Karim grapples with the new life he’s been given. Is it a blessing or a curse? He fears what lurks within him\, yet he and his unlikely companion\, Princess Sita\, grow ever closer as they search for a lost city believed to harbor the secret to saving Khetara from destruction. \nThe ancient oracle that once whispered to these four strangers now speaks with an urgency as powerful as the mighty Iteru. The current of destiny is strengthening\, but will it bring redemption…or annihilation? \nAbout the author: Michelle Jabès Corpora is the New York Times and Indie bestselling author of His Face is the Sun\, the first novel in the Throne of Khetara trilogy. She is also the author of many other books for young readers. Find out more about Michelle at http://michellejcorpora.com . \nAbout the moderator: Jenni Howell is the Instant New York Times bestselling author of Boys With Sharp Teeth and Teach Me to Pray (Coming Dec. 2026). She tried out archaeology\, linguistics\, mongoose herding (known to some as “teaching”)\, finance\, and espionage\, but always got bored. Now she writes books\, so her entire world changes every six months—and she will never be bored again. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n 
URL:https://curiousiguana.com/event/michelle-jabes-corpora-3/
LOCATION:Urbana Regional Library\, 9020 Amelung St\, Frederick\, Maryland\, 21704\, United States
CATEGORIES:Author Talk / Signing,Author Talk / Signing|Join Us!
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://curiousiguana.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/CI-Facebook-Event-Cover-84.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Curious Iguana":MAILTO:info@curiousiguana.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260418T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260418T150000
DTSTAMP:20260204T224027Z
CREATED:20260128T200532Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260204T224027Z
UID:10000711-1776520800-1776524400@curiousiguana.com
SUMMARY:Steven Gellman: Somewhere in Nowhere
DESCRIPTION:Navigating a new school is hard\, but what if you’re also worried that there might be an alien in your stomach? Join us at The Frederick Center on Saturday\, April 18\, from 2:00-3:00 pm with author Steven Gellman as we celebrate his new coming-of-age novel Somewhere in Nowhere. This story follows teenager Simon as he’s unexpectedly spending his senior year at a new school with new friends and (maybe) a new crush while also trying to sort out the strange “attacks” he’s experiencing every night. Steven will be in-conversation with Venessa Vida Kelley\, bestselling author of When the Tides Held the Moon. Following their conversation\, Steven will answer questions and sign books. Copies of Somewhere in Nowhere will be available for purchase at the event.\n\n\nLocation: The Frederick Center – 5 E 2nd St\, Frederick\, MD 21701 \nThis event is free and open to the public\, presented in partnership with The Frederick Center. For accessibility requests\, email info@curiousiguana.com at least two (2) weeks prior to the event. \nAbout the book: Coming out is hard\, especially when you have two gay moms. At least it is for Simon Bugg. He doesn’t want the world to think that having gay parents has turned him gay. And he certainly doesn’t want anyone to know about the alien in his stomach that’s trying to kill him. \nIt’s Simon’s senior year and his world just turned upside down. When his mom scores a dream job\, Simon lands at a new school away from the only friends he has ever known. Now\, his mom is overworked and chronically stressed\, and his dead beat dad is back on the scene. Navigating a new school and new friends is a challenge for a neurotic overthinker\, and Simon finds himself turning to his rescue cat and a local barista for support. But when Simon meets the handsome PJ in drama class\, he gets talked into a date that he derails in spectacular fashion. \nWith a little help from his friends — new and old — Simon finds his way back to PJ. But how can he have a real relationship with the boy of his dreams when he’s convinced he’s going to die? No one knows about the nightly alien attacks at 11:22. Why then\, and why do they keep getting worse? Simon must face a dark secret inside before he loses his chance with the boy he loves. \nAbout the author: Steven Gellman is an award-winning songwriter turned author. Inspired by his early reading of Judy Blume’s groundbreaking stories\, Steven has found his passion for writing coming-of-age fiction that centers LGBTQ+ voices and the real-life challenges of navigating adolescence in an ever-changing world. His debut novel Somewhere in Nowhere will be published by NineStar Press in 2026. When he’s not writing\, Steven can be found sipping a cup of Dark Rose tea and plotting new adventures for his book club\, Tea & Peril. Steven lives in Maryland’s Piedmont region with his husband and a houseful of rescued companion animals. Steven can be found online at https://hiddenpoet.com. \nAbout the moderator: Venessa Vida Kelley is a Nuyorican illustrator\, sequential artist\, and USA Today bestselling author of When the Tides Held the Moon\, a Goodreads Choice Awards Finalist and Readers Digest Top 10 Books of the Year. Their work focuses on magical realism\, fantasy\, and romance in a culturally diverse world\, and has been featured in The New York Times\, Discovery Girls Magazine\, Buzzfeed\, and in board games and activism campaigns for Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez\, creator of the La Borinqueña comic series. They hold a BA and MA in English Literature with concentrations in film from the University of Delaware and George Washington University.​​ They live in Washington\, DC with their spouse and two sons\, and can be found online at http://VenessaKelley.com .
URL:https://curiousiguana.com/event/steven-gellman/
LOCATION:The Frederick Center\, 5 E 2nd St\, Frederick\, MD\, 21701\, United States
CATEGORIES:Author Talk / Signing,Author Talk / Signing|Join Us!
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://curiousiguana.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/CI-Facebook-Event-Cover-83.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260326T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260326T170000
DTSTAMP:20260320T210909Z
CREATED:20260128T192608Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260320T210909Z
UID:10000709-1774540800-1774544400@curiousiguana.com
SUMMARY:Amy S. Hansen: Wanda Hears the Stars
DESCRIPTION:Join Curious Iguana at C. Burr Artz Library on Thursday\, March 26 from 4:00-5:00 pm for an event with children’s author Amy S. Hansen. Amy will read her book Wanda Hears the Stars and perform a fun science demonstration! Following her reading\, Amy will answer questions and sign books. Copies of Wanda Hears the Stars will be available for purchase at the event. \nThis event is free and open to the public\, presented in partnership with the Frederick County Public Library. For accessibility requests\, email info@curiousiguana.com at least two (2) weeks prior to the event. \nAbout the book: A nonfiction picture book biography of astrophysicist Wanda Díaz Merced and how losing her sight didn’t stop her from studying the stars. \nGrowing up in Puerto Rico\, Wanda Díaz Merced wanted to learn everything she could about the stars. But in college she started losing her sight. How could she study what she couldn’t see? \nWanda found a way. She learned to hear the stars using sonification\, which converts data into sounds. Listening to those chimes and drumbeats\, she made new discoveries about the universe. \nToday Wanda is a leading advocate for inclusive science. She and her friend Amy S. Hansen collaborated on this book to inspire children to follow their curiosity no matter the challenges. As Wanda urges\, “Never give up!” \nAbout the author: Amy S. Hansen is an award-winning author of more than than thirty-five books\, most of them about science. She and Wanda met when Wanda first arrived at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Amy was astounded when she tried listening to Wanda’s data! The two friends decided to write a book together to inspire all readers to find a path to success. Amy lives with her family in Maryland.
URL:https://curiousiguana.com/event/amy-s-hansen/
LOCATION:C. Burr Artz Public Library\, 110 E Patrick St\, Frederick\, MD\, United States
CATEGORIES:Author Talk / Signing,Author Talk / Signing|Join Us!
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://curiousiguana.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/CI-Facebook-Event-Cover-81.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Curious Iguana":MAILTO:info@curiousiguana.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260314T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260314T150000
DTSTAMP:20260128T191208Z
CREATED:20260128T191208Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260128T191208Z
UID:10000708-1773496800-1773500400@curiousiguana.com
SUMMARY:L.S. Stratton: Sundown Girls
DESCRIPTION:Calling all young thriller readers! Curious Iguana is excited to welcome bestselling author L.S. Stratton to Urbana Regional Library on Saturday\, March 14 from 2:00-3:00 pm (doors will open at 1:30 pm) to discuss her new YA release\, Sundown Girls! This thrilling story follows Naomi\, a young teen who moves to a small town in Virginia with her family\, only to find that the trauma of the past doesn’t stay hidden forever. L.S. Stratton will discuss her work with local author Charlene Thomas\, then answer questions and sign books. Copies of Sundown Girls will be available for purchase at the event.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis event is free and open to the public\, presented in partnership with the Frederick County Public Library. For accessibility requests\, email info@curiousiguana.com at least two (2) weeks prior to the event. \nAbout the book: In the tradition of Jordan Peele and Tiffany Jackson’s The Weight of Blood\, a YA thriller about a Black teen whose fight for survival forces a small southern vacation town to face its dark history of racial violence. \nWhen sixteen-year-old Naomi Ward and her family head to a secluded cabin in the Shenandoah Valley for summer vacation they don’t know the small\, mountain town of Sparksburg\, Virginia has a dark and twisted past. But when they arrive\, Naomi can’t shake the feeling that something about Sparksburg just isn’t right—and it smells god awful\, but for some reason Naomi is the only one who can smell the town’s stench. When she learns Sparksburg had once been a Sundown Town—a town where Black people weren’t allowed after sunset lest they be murdered—Naomi’s unease starts to make sense. \nAs Naomi digs more into Sparksburg’s violent origins\, she finds herself haunted by the ghost of a girl\, appearing nightly outside her window. Then she learns of two girls who’ve recently gone missing and suspects the past may still be present in Sparksburg and beneath the quaint façade of this tourist town is a palpable danger. \nWhen Naomi decides to track the disappearance of the two girls herself\, she becomes suspicious of a local man who has kindled fear in Naomi more than once. She soon learns he has a connection to one of the missing girls\, and Naomi is certain he’s responsible for the disappearances. \nWhen no one believes her\, Naomi takes matters into her own hands. But to save the missing girls\, she’ll have to finally face her own past trauma as a “missing girl” as she finds herself in a fight for survival. \nGripping and triumphant\, L.S. Stratton tells an important and unforgettable story of racial reckoning inspired by historical events. \nAbout the author: L.S Stratton is an NAACP-Image Award-nominated author and former newspaper crime reporter who has written more than thirty books under different pen names in just about every genre from thrillers to romance to historical fiction. She currently lives in Maryland with her husband\, their daughter\, and their tuxedo cat. \nAbout the moderator: Charlene Thomas started writing when she was a little girl because she has a tendency to love telling stories just as much as she loves living them. She was sixteen when she wrote a manuscript that won the National Novel Silver Award from Scholastic Books\, and went on to minor in creative writing at North Carolina State University. Charlene’s debut novel\, Seton Girls\, received a starred review from Publishers Weekly and was deemed “a timely examination of consent\, power\, and who owns the rights to the truth” by Kirkus Reviews. Her sophomore novel\, Streetlight People\, released November 2024 and was deemed “Ray Bradbury-esque” in Publishers Weekly’s starred review. Her third novel\, It’s You Every Time\, released May 2025 and has been featured in Kirkus Reviews and praised by Booklist and School Library Journal. When Charlene isn’t writing\, she’s a marketer – having worked on brands at PepsiCo\, Diageo\, and Danone. She earned her MBA from Emory University\, a Certificate in Digital Marketing from Cornell University\, and a Certificate in Teaching Creative Writing from The University of Cambridge.
URL:https://curiousiguana.com/event/stratton/
LOCATION:Urbana Regional Library\, 9020 Amelung St\, Frederick\, Maryland\, 21704\, United States
CATEGORIES:Author Talk / Signing,Author Talk / Signing|Join Us!
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://curiousiguana.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/CI-Facebook-Event-Cover-80.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Curious Iguana":MAILTO:info@curiousiguana.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260306T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260306T193000
DTSTAMP:20260123T191516Z
CREATED:20251218T221535Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260123T191516Z
UID:10000663-1772821800-1772825400@curiousiguana.com
SUMMARY:Jennifer van der Kleut: The Better Mother
DESCRIPTION:Join us at Frederick Book Arts Center on Friday\, March 6\, from 6:30-7:30 pm for a thrilling evening with author Jennifer van der Kleut as she discusses her debut novel The Better Mother with fellow author Kathleen Barber. Following a surprise pregnancy after a fling with Max\, Savannah decides to reach out to him and his girlfriend\, Madison\, about co-parenting; however\, Madison’s initial excitement turns into obsessive control\, challenging Savannah’s own life plans. Following the discussion\, Jennifer will answer questions and sign books. Copies of The Better Mother will be available for purchase at the event. \nLocation: Frederick Book Arts Center – 127 S Carroll St\, Frederick\, MD 21701 \nThis event is free and open to the public\, presented in partnership with the Frederick Book Arts Center. For accessibility requests\, email info@curiousiguana.com at least two (2) weeks prior to the event. \nAbout the book: A modern spin on Fatal Attraction meets The Hand that Rocks the Cradle\, perfect for fans of The Last Mrs. Parrish. \nStill recovering from a devastating breakup\, 34-year-old Savannah Mitchell has finally managed to put her life back together when she gets the shock of her life—after a brief fling with a man named Max\, she is pregnant. \nWhen she gets in touch to tell him\, he reveals that he’s just gotten back together with his ex\, Madison\, and he will need time to break it to her. Surprisingly\, Madison isn’t upset—in fact\, she’s excited\, and wants to help. \nMax insists Madison has the best of intentions\, but Savannah finds her efforts—popping by uninvited\, demanding lifestyle changes\, and pretty much trying to take over the pregnancy—anything but helpful. When Savannah finally stands up for herself\, Madison’s treatment of her goes from casually cruel to downright dangerous. \nAll Savannah wanted to do was form a friendly co-parenting relationship with the father of her child—but his new girlfriend obviously has much more sinister plans in mind. \nShe has no plans to co-parent at all. \nAbout the author: Jennifer van der Kleut (née McBride) is an award-winning former journalist of both print and digital publications\, including the D.C. affiliate of ABC7 News. A graduate of San Jose State University\, she spent most of her life in the San Francisco Bay Area before moving to the Northern Virginia suburbs of D.C.\, where she currently lives with her husband and two sons. For nearly a decade\, she was the lead singer of the Bay Area-based band SweetDuration\, and performed with artists like Jason Mraz\, Big Country\, Chantal Kreviazuk\, and Stabbing Westward. When she’s not writing\, she loves going to the beach with her family\, going to concerts with her girlfriends\, and getting lost in the pages of a book. Jennifer is also an enthusiastic book reviewer on Bookstagram as @‌jennvdk. \nAbout the moderator: Kathleen Barber is the author of Truth Be Told\, which was adapted by Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine as an award-winning series on AppleTV+\, Follow Me\, and the forthcoming Both Things Are True and Sisterhood Above All\, and a certified book coach. A graduate of the University of Illinois and Northwestern University School of Law\, she now lives and writes in Washington\, DC\, with her husband and children.
URL:https://curiousiguana.com/event/the-better-mother/
LOCATION:Frederick Book Arts Center\, 127 S Carroll St\, Frederick\, MD\, 21701\, United States
CATEGORIES:Author Talk / Signing,Author Talk / Signing|Join Us!
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://curiousiguana.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/CI-Facebook-Event-Cover-75-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260304T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260304T190000
DTSTAMP:20260226T151219Z
CREATED:20260121T214000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260226T151219Z
UID:10000706-1772647200-1772650800@curiousiguana.com
SUMMARY:Oliver James: Unread (NEW DATE)
DESCRIPTION:NEW DATE! Originally scheduled for February 22 but postponed due to weather. \nIf you know BookTok\, then you’ve probably heard of this author! Curious Iguana is excited to host TikTok inspiration Oliver James on Wednesday\, March 4 from 6:00-7:00 pm (doors open at 5:30 pm) at Frederick Book Arts Center to discuss his new memoir Unread. Oliver’s book details his journey of learning to read\, which he boldly shared on TikTok; his story continues to inspire many readers and proves the power of reading is invaluable. Oliver will be in-conversation with Andrew West\, a director at the Literacy Council of Frederick County. Following their conversation\, Oliver will answer questions and sign books. Copies of Unread will be available for purchase at this event. Doors open at 5:30 pm.  \nPlease note: A portion of all book sales at this event will be donated to the Literacy Council of Frederick County. We deeply appreciate all the work they do to provide adults with pathways to essential literacy skills! You can find out more about the Literacy Council’s resources and local impact on their website. \nThis free\, public event is presented in partnership with the Literacy Council of Frederick County and Frederick Book Arts Center. For accessibility requests\, email info@curiousiguana.com at least two (2) weeks prior to the event.  \nAbout the book: As a result of childhood learning disabilities and educational neglect\, Oliver James graduated from high school and became one of approximately 45 million functionally illiterate Americans. However\, at age 32\, with big dreams and few tools to actualize them\, he dedicated himself to learning the key skill that had evaded him his entire life: reading. \nOliver has become a TikTok/BookTok sensation for the way he’s candidly documented his decision to learn to read as an adult\, and his struggles and triumphs along the way. Here\, he tells the full story behind his journey for the first time through the 21 key books that shaped and informed his experience. His story reveals the ways in which reading can teach each of us how to be better\, more empathetic people. \nIn just 365 days\, Oliver went from barely being able to read a restaurant menu to closing in on his goal of finishing 100 books in a year. Unread is a moving reminder to all of us that words and stories have power\, and that\, no matter our past\, it’s never too late to grow. \nAbout the author: Oliver James is a California-based personal trainer\, motivational speaker\, literacy activist\, and influencer. He has been featured in or on Today\, NPR\, Jennifer Hudson Show\, Los Angeles Times\, Newsweek\, Rachael Ray\, and ABC News\, among many others. Additionally\, he is the recent recipient of the 2023 Barbara Bush National Literacy Award. He lives in Costa Mesa\, California. \nAbout the moderator: Andrew West is the Development & Outreach Coordinator for the Literacy Council of Frederick County. He had originally become involved with the Literacy Council in the spring of 2024 as a volunteer tutor and was hired as a full-time staff member in March of 2025. Andrew is passionate about education and literacy\, considers himself a life-long learner and teacher\, and also works as an Instructor for the Literacy Council’s Workplace Literacy program. He supports LCFC’s work of Lifting Lives Through Literacy in the Greater Frederick area by bringing in funds to support the organization and attending community events to raise awareness of their mission in the community.
URL:https://curiousiguana.com/event/oliver-james-unread/
LOCATION:Frederick Book Arts Center\, 127 S Carroll St\, Frederick\, MD\, 21701\, United States
CATEGORIES:Author Talk / Signing,Author Talk / Signing|Join Us!
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://curiousiguana.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/CI-Facebook-Event-Cover-79.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Curious Iguana":MAILTO:info@curiousiguana.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260209T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260209T193000
DTSTAMP:20251218T211027Z
CREATED:20251218T211000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251218T211027Z
UID:10000661-1770661800-1770665400@curiousiguana.com
SUMMARY:Bethany C. Morrow: The Body
DESCRIPTION:On Monday\, February 9\, join us at C. Burr Artz Library from 6:30-7:30 pm to celebrate author Bethany C. Morrow’s latest release\, The Body. This chilling thriller follows Mavis\, a woman struggling to recover from her religious past while facing unearthly attacks aimed to destroy her too-good-to-be-true marriage. Bethany will be in-conversation with local author Hailey Piper. Following their discussion\, Bethany will answer questions and sign books. Copies of The Body will be available for purchase at the event. \nThis event is free and open to the public\, presented in partnership with Frederick County Public Libraries. For accessibility requests\, email info@curiousiguana.com at least two (2) weeks prior to the event. \nAbout the book: It Follows meets My Sister\, the Serial Killer in The Body\, a pulse-pounding supernatural horror story from bestselling author Bethany C. Morrow\, where one woman must survive a series of bizarre and escalating attacks on her marriage. \nMavis broke from her parents’ congregation years ago\, but she still hasn’t recovered. Their impossible expectations and soul-shredding critiques have dug deep into her mind\, and she’s taunted by the knowledge that even when she’s done nothing wrong\, she’ll never be right. \nNow Mavis is afraid she’s about to lose the only thing she has: her husband\, Jerrod. The man she’s always known was too good to be true. No one thinks she deserves him—not even after surviving the serial cheater they wanted her to stick by—and soon they’ll all find out they were right. \nMavis is already unraveling when a brush with death shows her what real fear looks like. Soon\, she’s under constant attack from all directions. As the assaults turn increasingly vicious and bizarre\, Mavis realizes that Hell isn’t reserved for the afterlife. \nAnd sinner or not\, no one is coming to save her. \nAbout the author: Bethany C. Morrow is a national bestselling author. Her young adult novels include A Song Below Water\, A Chorus Rises\, and the Little Women remix\, So Many Beginnings\, and she is editor/contributor to the young adult anthology Take The Mic\, which won the 2020 ILA Social Justice in Literature award. Her adult novels include Mem\, Cherish Farrah\, and The Body. Her work has been featured in The LA Times\, Forbes\, Bustle\, Buzzfeed\, and more. She is included on USA Today‘s list of 100 Black novelists and fiction writers you should read. \nAbout the  moderator: Hailey Piper is the Bram Stoker Award-winning author of Queen of Teeth\, A Game in Yellow\, All the Hearts You Eat\, and other books of dark fiction. She’s also the author of over 100 short stories appearing in Weird Tales\, The End of the World As We Know It\, and elsewhere\, with non-fiction appearing in Writer’s Digest\, Library Journal\, and more. She lives with her wife in Maryland and can be found at http://www.haileypiper.com .
URL:https://curiousiguana.com/event/bethany-c-morrow-the-body/
LOCATION:C. Burr Artz Public Library\, 110 E Patrick St\, Frederick\, MD\, United States
CATEGORIES:Author Talk / Signing,Author Talk / Signing|Join Us!
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://curiousiguana.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/CI-Facebook-Event-Cover-72.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260205T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260205T190000
DTSTAMP:20260128T161835Z
CREATED:20251230T161115Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260128T161835Z
UID:10000662-1770314400-1770318000@curiousiguana.com
SUMMARY:Kwame Alexander: The Mighty Macy
DESCRIPTION:We are excited to welcome bestselling author Kwame Alexander to Frederick on Thursday\, February 5! Kwame will be speaking about his latest children’s chapter book\, The Mighty Macy\, at C. Burr Artz Library from 6:00-7:00 pm (doors open at 5:30 pm). This story follows a young girl’s quest to speak up for her and her community’s rights when her school library’s hours are suddenly decreased. Following his talk\, Kwame will answer questions and sign books. Please note: Kwame will sign but not personalize copies of his newest book as well as his previous titles. Copies of The Mighty Macy will be available for purchase at the event. \nPresented in partnership with the Frederick County Public Library\, this event is free and open to the public. For accessibility requests\, email info@curiousiguana.com at least two (2) weeks prior to the event. \nAbout the book: A young girl finds her voice—and discovers the power of speaking up for herself and her community—in this sweet and humorous chapter book by award-winning and #1 bestselling author Kwame Alexander\, perfect for fans of Ivy + Bean and Ruby and the Booker Boys. \nWhen Macy gets book one of The Mighty Zora series for her birthday\, she stays up until 11:34pm finishing the book. But the next day\, when Macy gets to her school library\, eager to check out book two\, she finds the door locked with a sign explaining that the library will now only be open a few days a week due to budget cuts. Even worse\, she finds out her father won’t be home to help her figure out what to do\, as he will be traveling to a museum in Montgomery\, Alabama to read a poem about civil rights. With help from her fellow third graders\, support from her mom\, and encouragement from poems written and hidden for her by her father\, Macy must find her voice and learn the power of advocating for herself and her community. \nCan Macy learn to be Mighty? \nAbout the author: Kwame Alexander is an Emmy Award–winning producer\, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of over forty books\, including the Newbery Medal–winning novel The Crossover; the Caldecott Medal- and Newbery Honor winning picture book The Undefeated; The Door of No Return; and J vs. K\, which he co-wrote with Jerry Craft. He invites you to visit him at kwamealexander.com and @‌kwamealexander.
URL:https://curiousiguana.com/event/kwame-alexander/
LOCATION:C. Burr Artz Public Library\, 110 E Patrick St\, Frederick\, MD\, United States
CATEGORIES:Author Talk / Signing,Author Talk / Signing|Join Us!
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260201T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260201T150000
DTSTAMP:20251201T195138Z
CREATED:20251201T194852Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251201T195138Z
UID:10000660-1769954400-1769958000@curiousiguana.com
SUMMARY:Isabelle Engel: Most Eligible
DESCRIPTION:Join us at Curious Iguana from 2:00 pm-3:00 pm on Sunday\, February 1 for a meet-and-greet and signing with author Isabelle Engel as she promotes her debut novel\, Most Eligible. Seeking a story that’ll launch her journalism career\, Georgia goes on a reality dating show only to find the host is her dreamy one-night-stand from the year before. Copies of Most Eligible will be available for purchase at the signing. \nThis event is free and open to the public. For accessibility requests\, email info@curiousiguana.com at least two (2) weeks prior to the event. \nAbout the book: The Bachelor meets Funny You Should Ask in this laugh-out-loud rom-com debut about a journalist who goes on reality TV only to find her country music star one-night stand is the host. \nGeorgia Rose is not going on the hit reality dating show Love Shack to find love. She’s there to write a killer exposé on the producers\, which will guarantee the journalism job of her dreams. But when Georgia’s unforgettable one-night stand from the year before\, country singer Rhett Auburn\, steps into the Malibu mansion as the season’s new host\, all of her carefully crafted plans unravel. \nCaught up in the drama of backstabbing contestants\, producer blackmail\, and death-defying dates\, Georgia must keep her identity—and history with Rhett—a secret. Despite the lies between them\, it isn’t long before Georgia and Rhett’s heated behind-the-scenes moments start to feel more genuine than the romance Georgia’s faking for the cameras. But with her assignment unfinished and the executive producer on her tail\, a second chance with Rhett could be her riskiest move of all. \nAbout the author: Originally from New England\, Isabelle Engel (she/her) now lives and works in Washington\, D.C. She has an MA in English literature from George Washington University. When she’s not imagining ways to make reality TV even more dramatic\, she can be found reading\, doing dance fitness\, and petting other people’s dogs. Most Eligible is her debut novel.
URL:https://curiousiguana.com/event/isabelle-engel/
LOCATION:Curious Iguana\, 12 N Market St\, Frederick\, Maryland\, 21701
CATEGORIES:Author Talk / Signing,Author Talk / Signing|Join Us!,Join Us!
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://curiousiguana.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/CI-Facebook-Event-Cover-68.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260124T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260124T150000
DTSTAMP:20251218T204611Z
CREATED:20251201T190335Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251218T204611Z
UID:10000659-1769263200-1769266800@curiousiguana.com
SUMMARY:Cordelia Jensen: Lilac and the Switchback
DESCRIPTION:Calling all young poets: this one is for you! Join us on Saturday\, January 24 from 2:00 pm-3:00 pm for an afternoon with author Cordelia Jensen as she discusses her new middle grade novel Lilac and the Switchback\, with fellow author Laura Shovan. This story (written entirely in verse!) follows Lilac\, a girl feeling like the “extra” kid in her aunt and uncle’s soon-to-be fuller house; however\, after receiving a check from her estranged father\, Lilac wonders if it’s worth the risk to find him. Following the conversation\, Cordelia will answer questions and sign books. Copies of Lilac and the Switchback will be available for purchase at the event. \nLocation: Urbana Regional Library – 9020 Amelung St\, Frederick\, MD 21704 \nThis free\, public event is presented in partnership with Frederick County Public Libraries. For accessibility requests\, email _info@curiousiguana.com at least two (2) weeks prior to the event. \nAbout the book: A riveting middle grade novel in verse for any kid who has ever felt unwanted\, uncomfortable\, or unsure of where they fit in. \nLilac has lived with her aunt\, uncle\, and cousin ever since her mom died. She already feels like an “extra” member of a family that doesn’t have enough money or space. \nThen she finds out her aunt is pregnant with twins\, due soon after Lilac turns thirteen. How could they possibly want her around when they’ll have two more kids in their crowded home? As she struggles to process her feelings about the pregnancy\, Lilac drifts apart from her best friend Callie\, leaving Lilac lonelier than ever. \nIn a timely twist of fate\, Lilac discovers a check sent by her estranged father. Maybe he is the family she’s been looking for… and maybe it’s worth risking everything to find him. After all\, how much does the “extra” kid really have to lose? \nAbout the author: Cordelia Jensen has an MFA in Writing for Children & Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts and has published four verse novels: Lilac and the Switchback\, Skyscraping\, The Way the Light Bends\, and Every Shiny Thing\, co-authored with Laurie Morrison. Her books have received starred reviews\, state award list nominations\, and NCTE Notable Verse Novel recognition. Along with being a certified book coach\, Cordelia has taught creative writing in a variety of settings\, including Bryn Mawr College\, Germantown Friends School\, The Writing Barn and The Kelly Yang Project\, and currently teaches verse novel classes for The Highlights Foundation. \nAbout the moderator: Laura Shovan is a novelist\, educator\, and Pushcart Prize-nominated poet. Her award-winning children’s books include The Last Fifth Grade of Emerson Elementary\, Takedown\, and the Sydney Taylor Notable A Place at the Table\, written with Saadia Faruqi. She is a longtime poet-in-the-schools for the Maryland State Arts Council and teaches for Vermont College of Fine Arts’ MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults. Her latest poetry collection for kids is Welcome to Monsterville.
URL:https://curiousiguana.com/event/cordelia-jensen/
LOCATION:Urbana Regional Library\, 9020 Amelung St\, Frederick\, Maryland\, 21704\, United States
CATEGORIES:Author Talk / Signing,Author Talk / Signing|Join Us!,Join Us!
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://curiousiguana.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/CI-Facebook-Event-Cover-69.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260122T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260122T193000
DTSTAMP:20251201T184101Z
CREATED:20251201T184101Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251201T184101Z
UID:10000658-1769106600-1769110200@curiousiguana.com
SUMMARY:Richard Bell: The American Revolution and the Fate of the World
DESCRIPTION:With America’s 250th birthday on the horizon\, come join us on Thursday\, January 22\, from 6:30 pm-7:30 pm for a fascinating look into the past with author Richard Bell as he discusses his new book The American Revolution and the Fate of the World. Following his talk\, Richard will answer questions and sign books. Copies of The American Revolution and the Fate of the World will be available for purchase at the event. \nLocation: C. Burr Artz Public Library – 110 E Patrick St\, Frederick\, MD 21701 \nThis free\, public event is presented in partnership with Frederick County Public Libraries. For accessibility requests\, email info@curiousiguana.com at least two (2) weeks prior to the event. \n\nAbout the book: A prize-winning historian’s fascinating and unfamiliar recasting of America’s war of independence as a transformative international event \nIn this revelatory and enthralling book\, award-winning historian Richard Bell reveals the full breadth and depth of America’s founding event. The American Revolution was not only the colonies’ triumphant liberation from the rule of an overbearing England; it was also a cataclysm that pulled in participants from around the globe and threw the entire world order into chaos. Repositioning the Revolution at the center of an international web\, Bell’s narrative ranges as far afield as India\, Africa\, Central America\, and Australia. As his lens widens\, the “War of Independence” manifests itself as a sprawling struggle that upended the lives of millions of people on every continent and fundamentally transformed the way the world works\, disrupting trade\, restructuring penal systems\, stirring famine\, and creating the first global refugee crisis. Bell conveys the impact of these developments at home and abroad by grounding the narrative in the gripping stories of individuals—including women\, minorities\, and other disenfranchised people. The result is an unforgettable and unexpected work of American history that shifts everything we thought we knew about our creation story. \nAbout the author: Richard Bell is Professor of History at the University of Maryland and author of the book Stolen: Five Free Boys Kidnapped into Slavery and their Astonishing Odyssey Home which was a finalist for the George Washington Prize and the Harriet Tubman Prize. He has held major research fellowships at Yale\, Cambridge\, and the Library of Congress and is the recipient of the National Endowment of the Humanities Public Scholar award and the Andrew Carnegie Fellowship. His new book\, The American Revolution and the Fate of the World\, was published by Penguin in November 2025.
URL:https://curiousiguana.com/event/richard-bell/
LOCATION:C. Burr Artz Public Library\, 110 E Patrick St\, Frederick\, MD\, United States
CATEGORIES:Author Talk / Signing,Author Talk / Signing|Join Us!,Join Us!
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://curiousiguana.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/CI_Facebook_Event_Cover_65.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260112T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260112T193000
DTSTAMP:20251106T160209Z
CREATED:20251105T205611Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251106T160209Z
UID:10000632-1768242600-1768246200@curiousiguana.com
SUMMARY:Emily Austin: Is This a Cry For Help?
DESCRIPTION:Join us at Frederick Book Arts Center on Monday\, January 12 from 6:30-7:30 pm for a delightful evening with bestselling author Emily Austin! We’ll be celebrating her latest release\, Is This a Cry For Help?\, a day early! Emily will be in-conversation with local author Andie Burke. This story is about a librarian who\, after experiencing a mental breakdown\, returns to work just as her community’s frustrations over book bans reaches its boiling point. Following her talk\, Emily will answer questions and sign books. Copies of Is This a Cry For Help? will be available for purchase at the event. \nLocation: Frederick Book Arts Center (127 S Carroll St\, Frederick\, MD 21701) \nThis event is free and open to the public. For accessibility requests\, email info@curiousiguana.com at least two (2) weeks prior to the event. \nAbout the book: The bestselling “queen of darkly quirky\, endearingly flawed heroines” (Sarah Haywood\, author of The Cactus)\, returns with a luminous new novel following a librarian who comes back to work after a mental breakdown only to confront book-banning crusaders in an empowering story of grief\, love\, and the power of libraries. \nDarcy’s life turned out better than she could have ever imagined. She is a librarian at the local branch\, while her wife Joy runs a book binding service. Between the two of them\, there is no more room on their shelves with their ample book collections\, various knickknacks and bobbles\, and dried bouquets. Rounding out their ideal life is two cats and a sun-soaked house by the lake. \nBut when Darcy receives the news that her ex-boyfriend\, Ben\, has passed away\, she spirals into a pit of guilt and regret\, resulting in a mental breakdown and medical leave from the library. When she returns to work\, she is met by unrest in her community and protests surrounding intellectual freedom\, resulting in a call for book bans and a second look at the branch’s upcoming DEI programs. \nThrough the support of her community\, colleagues\, and the personal growth that results from examining her previous relationships\, Darcy comes into her own agency and the truest version of herself. Is This a Cry for Help? not only offers a moving portrait of queer life after coming of age but also powerfully explores questions about sexuality\, community\, and the importance of libraries. \nAbout the author: Emily Austin is the author of We Could Be Rats\, Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead\, Interesting Facts About Space\, and the poetry collection Gay Girl Prayers. She was born in Ontario\, Canada\, and received two writing grants from the Canadian Council for the Arts. She studied English literature and library science at Western University. She currently lives in Ottawa\, in the territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin Nation. \nAbout the moderator: Andie Burke specializes in big-hearted queer romcoms that kick-off with meet-disasters rather than meet-cutes. When not writing\, she works as a pediatric radiology nurse. She lives with two small but hilarious humans in a Maryland home filled with an alarming number of books\, ultra-fine point pens\, and dehydrated houseplants. She is the author of Fall for Him as well as Fly with Me\, one of Autostraddle’s Best Queer Books of the Year.
URL:https://curiousiguana.com/event/emily-austin/
LOCATION:Frederick Book Arts Center\, 127 S Carroll St\, Frederick\, MD\, 21701\, United States
CATEGORIES:Author Talk / Signing,Author Talk / Signing|Join Us!
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ORGANIZER;CN="Curious Iguana":MAILTO:info@curiousiguana.com
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251119T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251119T190000
DTSTAMP:20250925T002426Z
CREATED:20250925T002426Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250925T002426Z
UID:10000630-1763575200-1763578800@curiousiguana.com
SUMMARY:Nilah Magruder: Creaky Acres
DESCRIPTION:Join us at Curious Iguana at 6:00 pm on Wednesday\, November 19 for a meet-and-greet with author and illustrator Nilah Magruder as she promotes her latest book\, Creaky Acres. After spending the day visiting schools\, Nilah will be at the Iguana in the evening to meet fans and sign books! \nThis event is free and open to the public. Books will be available for purchase and signing at the event. \nAbout the book: A heartwarming graphic novel about being the new kid in middle school\, making new friends\, and learning to trust yourself through the power of horseback riding—perfect for fans of Victoria Jamieson’s Roller Girl. \nNora is a prize-winning horseback rider in a suburban area\, with a tight-knit circle of best friends. But when her mom gets a prestigious new job in a poor\, rural area\, she has to adjust to a lot of change: to being the only Black kid in a new class and to a new barn called Creaky Acres\, where her beloved horse\, Hay Fever\, will make his new home. \nIt’s there she meets sweet and geeky Laura\, goofy and fun-loving Wilson\, and fearless Dolores (aka Dizzy). With her ragtag team of equestrians\, Nora learns it’s okay to stand out and steps into her power as a leader\, realizing that being a rider isn’t just about winning—or maybe that winning just might look different than what she’d thought. \n“Readers will fall in love with Nora and her quirky crew\, the world of Creaky Acres\, and all the horses . . . and cows . . . and possums!” —Varian Johnson\, award-winning author of Twins \nAbout the illustrator: Nilah Magruder is the author of M.F.K.\, How to Find a Fox\, and Wutaryoo. She has written comics\, illustrated children’s books\, and worked as a writer and storyboard artist for animation. Nilah lives in Maryland and spends her free time baking\, gardening\, and wrangling her dogs\, cats\, and chickens. Find her at http://NilahMagruder.com.
URL:https://curiousiguana.com/event/nilah-magruder-creaky-acres-2/
LOCATION:Curious Iguana\, 12 N Market St\, Frederick\, Maryland\, 21701
CATEGORIES:Author Talk / Signing,Author Talk / Signing|Join Us!
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://curiousiguana.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/CI-Facebook-Event-Cover-60.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251116T153000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251116T163000
DTSTAMP:20251023T165535Z
CREATED:20251017T144158Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251023T165535Z
UID:10000631-1763307000-1763310600@curiousiguana.com
SUMMARY:Matt Tavares: Dasher and the Polar Bear
DESCRIPTION:Join us at Curious Iguana at 3:30 pm on Sunday\, November 16 for a meet-and-greet with author Matt Tavares as he promotes his new book\, Dasher and the Polar Bear. Matt will be at the Iguana till 4:30 pm to meet fans and sign books; a personalized book will make a great holiday gift! \nThis event is free and open to the public. Books will be available for purchase and signing at the event. \nAbout the book: One bright night just before Christmas\, Dasher the reindeer is out admiring the stunning colors of the northern lights when she meets George\, a sweet polar bear. Astounded to see that Dasher can fly\, George confides that he has dreamed of soaring through the sky himself. Dasher would like nothing more than to bestow some Christmas magic on her new friend\, but their flying lesson turns out to be a disappointing failure. Even Dasher\, an intrepid reindeer in the habit of giving—not giving up—begins to wonder if anyone can make George’s dream take flight. \nIn this sparkling new Christmas story\, Matt Tavares\, New York Times best-selling author of Dasher and its sequel\, Dasher Can’t Wait for Christmas\, is back to remind us that sometimes the best gift we can receive is simply to bear witness to wonder—and that not all presents fit inside Santa’s bag. \nAbout the author: Matt Tavares is the author-illustrator of the New York Times best-selling picture book Dasher and its sequel Dasher Can’t Wait for Christmas\, Red and Lulu\, the graphic novel Hoops\, and several sports biographies\, including Becoming Babe Ruth and Growing Up Pedro. He is also the illustrator of Twenty-One Steps: Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by Jeff Gottesfeld\, The Gingerbread Pirates by Kristin Kladstrup\, ’Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore\, and Over the River and Through the Wood by L. Maria Child\, among many other picture books. Matt Tavares lives in Ogunquit\, Maine.
URL:https://curiousiguana.com/event/matt-tavares/
LOCATION:Curious Iguana\, 12 N Market St\, Frederick\, Maryland\, 21701
CATEGORIES:Author Talk / Signing,Author Talk / Signing|Join Us!,Join Us!
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://curiousiguana.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/CI-Facebook-Event-Cover-62.png
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END:VCALENDAR