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Image for event: Book Portals and Journeys of Literary Magic with Kate Quinn

Book Portals and Journeys of Literary Magic with Kate Quinn

A Friends Speaker Series Virtual Author Talk

2026-03-12 19:00:00 2026-03-12 20:00:00 America/New_York Book Portals and Journeys of Literary Magic with Kate Quinn Have you ever wished you could live inside a book? Welcome to the Astral Library, where books are not just objects, but doors to new worlds, new lives, and new futures. Join Kate Quinn's discussion! Reading Public Library -

Thursday, March 12
7:00pm - 8:00pm

Add to Calendar 2026-03-12 19:00:00 2026-03-12 20:00:00 America/New_York Book Portals and Journeys of Literary Magic with Kate Quinn Have you ever wished you could live inside a book? Welcome to the Astral Library, where books are not just objects, but doors to new worlds, new lives, and new futures. Join Kate Quinn's discussion! Reading Public Library -

Have you ever wished you could live inside a book? Welcome to the Astral Library, where books are not just objects, but doors to new worlds, new lives, and new futures. Join Kate Quinn's discussion!

You’re invited to join us for a virtual conversation with acclaimed author Kate Quinn about her latest fantastical work, The Astral Library.

Alexandria “Alix” Watson has learned one lesson from her childhood in the foster-care system: unlike people, books will never let you down. Working three dead-end jobs to make ends meet and knowing college is a pipe dream, Alix takes nightly refuge in the high-vaulted reading room at the Boston Public Library, escaping into her favorite fantasy novels and dreaming of far-off lands. Until the day she stumbles through a hidden door and meets the Librarian: the ageless guardian of a hidden library where the desperate and the lost escape to new lives...inside their favorite books.

The Librarian takes Alix under her wing, but before she can escape into the pages of her new life, a shadowy enemy emerges to threaten everyone the Astral Library has ever helped protect. Alix and the Librarian flee through the Regency drawing rooms of Jane Austen to the back alleys of Sherlock Holmes and the parties of The Great Gatsby as danger draws closer. But who does their enemy really wish to destroy—Alix, the Librarian, or the Library itself?

Register now to attend and ask the author questions!

About the Author: Kate Quinn is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of historical fiction. A native of Southern California, she attended Boston University, where she earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in classical voice. A lifelong history buff, she has written four novels in the Empress of Rome Saga and two books set in the Italian Renaissance before turning to the 20th century with The Alice Network, The Huntress, The Rose Code, The Diamond Eye, and The Briar Club. The Astral Library is her first foray into magic realism. She and her husband now live in Maryland with their rescue dogs.

This program is brought to you through the generosity of the Friends of the Reading Public Library. Thank you, Friends!


Check out more upcoming virtual author talks and enjoy recordings from past events by exploring our Friends Speaker Series page.

Reading Public Library

rdg@noblenet.org
Phone: 781-944-0840

Hours
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We're closed Sunday April 05 due to Easter
Mon, Mar 30 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Tue, Mar 31 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Wed, Apr 01 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Thu, Apr 02 1:00PM to 9:00PM
Fri, Apr 03 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, Apr 04 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Apr 05 Closed
(Easter)


About the Library

We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals to engage fully. To ask questions about accessibility or request accommodations, please contact the library at rdgadmin@noblenet.org.

If the Reading Public schools are closed due to snow, all Children's programming will be canceled.

Upcoming Events

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Fri, Apr 03, 9:00am - 5:00pm
Reading Public Library

Fri, Apr 03, 10:00am - 10:35am
Reading Public Library - Community Room (A & B)

Fri, Apr 03, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Reading Public Library - Outdoor Patio
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Sat, Apr 04, 9:00am - 5:00pm
Reading Public Library

Sat, Apr 04, 10:00am - 10:30am
Reading Public Library - Community Room (A & B)

Sat, Apr 04, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Reading Public Library - Community Room (A & B)

Sat, Apr 04, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Reading Public Library - Conference Room

Mon, Apr 06, 9:00am - 9:00pm
Reading Public Library

Mon, Apr 06, 9:15am - 9:30am
Reading Public Library - Community Room (A & B)

Mon, Apr 06, 10:00am - 11:30am
Reading Public Library - Studio

Mon, Apr 06, 10:00am - 11:00am
Reading Public Library - Local History Room
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Mon, Apr 06, 10:00am - 10:45am
Reading Public Library - Community Room (A & B)

Mon, Apr 06, 11:15am - 12:15pm
Reading Public Library - Community Room (A & B)

Mon, Apr 06, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Reading Public Library - Conference Room
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Mon, Apr 06, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Reading Public Library - Children's Program Room
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Tue, Apr 07, 9:00am - 9:00pm
Reading Public Library

Tue, Apr 07, 10:00am - 10:30am
Reading Public Library - Children's Program Room

Tue, Apr 07, 3:30pm - 4:00pm
Reading Public Library - Children's Program Room
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Tue, Apr 07, 4:00pm - 4:30pm
Reading Public Library - Children's Program Room
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Tue, Apr 07, 5:00pm - 7:30pm
Reading Public Library - Conference Room

Tue, Apr 07, 6:30pm - 7:00pm
Reading Public Library - Children's Program Room

Tue, Apr 07, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Reading Public Library - Studio

Wed, Apr 08, 9:00am - 2:00pm
Reading Public Library - Conference Room

Wed, Apr 08, 9:00am - 9:00pm
Reading Public Library

Wed, Apr 08, 10:00am - 10:30am
Reading Public Library - Children's Program Room

Wed, Apr 08, 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Reading Public Library - Community Room (A & B)

Wed, Apr 08, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Reading Public Library - Teen Space

Wed, Apr 08, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Reading Public Library - Studio

Wed, Apr 08, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Reading Public Library - Conference Room
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Thu, Apr 09, 1:00pm - 9:00pm
Reading Public Library

Thu, Apr 09, 3:30pm - 4:15pm
Reading Public Library - Children's Program Room

Thu, Apr 09, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Reading Public Library - Teen Space

Thu, Apr 09, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Reading Public Library - Local History Room

Fri, Apr 10, 9:00am - 5:00pm
Reading Public Library

Fri, Apr 10, 10:00am - 10:40am
Reading Public Library - Community Room (A & B)

Fri, Apr 10, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Reading Public Library - Conference Room
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Fri, Apr 10, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Reading Public Library - Children's Program Room

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Sat, Apr 11, 10:00am - 10:30am
New date Saturday, April 18, 10:00am - 10:30am
Reading Public Library

Sat, Apr 11, 12:00pm - 3:00pm
Reading Public Library - Community Room (A & B),Community Room A

Mon, Apr 13, 9:15am - 9:30am
Reading Public Library - Community Room (A & B)

Mon, Apr 13, 10:00am - 11:30am
Reading Public Library - Studio

Mon, Apr 13, 10:00am - 10:45am
Reading Public Library - Community Room (A & B)

Mon, Apr 13, 11:15am - 12:15pm
Reading Public Library - Community Room (A & B)

Mon, Apr 13, 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Reading Public Library - Conference Room

Mon, Apr 13, 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Reading Public Library - Community Room (A & B)

Tue, Apr 14, 10:00am - 10:30am
Reading Public Library - Children's Program Room

Tue, Apr 14, 3:30pm - 4:00pm
Reading Public Library - Children's Program Room
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Tue, Apr 14, 4:00pm - 4:30pm
Reading Public Library - Children's Program Room
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Tue, Apr 14, 5:00pm - 7:30pm
Reading Public Library - Conference Room

Tue, Apr 14, 6:30pm - 7:00pm
Reading Public Library - Children's Program Room

Wed, Apr 15, 9:00am - 2:00pm
Reading Public Library - Conference Room

Wed, Apr 15, 10:00am - 10:30am
Reading Public Library - Children's Program Room

Wed, Apr 15, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Reading Public Library - Community Room (A & B)

Wed, Apr 15, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Reading Public Library - Community Room (A & B)

Wed, Apr 15, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Reading Public Library
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Thu, Apr 16, 3:30pm - 4:15pm
Reading Public Library - Children's Program Room

Thu, Apr 16, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Reading Public Library - Studio

Thu, Apr 16, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Reading Public Library - Community Room (A & B)

Fri, Apr 17, 10:00am - 10:45am
Reading Public Library - Community Room (A & B)

Fri, Apr 17, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Reading Public Library - Children's Program Room

Sat, Apr 18, 10:00am - 10:30am
Reading Public Library - Community Room (A & B)

Sat, Apr 18, 11:30am - 12:30pm
Reading Public Library - Community Room (A & B)

Tue, Apr 21, 5:00pm - 7:30pm
Reading Public Library - Studio

Tue, Apr 21, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Reading Public Library - Community Room (A & B)

Tue, Apr 21, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Reading Public Library - Conference Room

Wed, Apr 22, 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Reading Public Library - Community Room (A & B)

Wed, Apr 22, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Reading Public Library - Community Room (A & B)

Thu, Apr 23, 5:00pm - 8:45pm
Reading Public Library - Community Room (A & B),Conference Room

Thu, Apr 23, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Reading Public Library - Studio

Fri, Apr 24, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Reading Public Library - Studio

Fri, Apr 24, 12:00pm - 3:00pm
Reading Public Library - Teen Space

Fri, Apr 24, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Reading Public Library - Children's Program Room

Sat, Apr 25, 9:00am - 11:00am
Reading Public Library
Registration opens Monday, April 6 2026 at 9:00am

Sat, Apr 25, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Reading Public Library
Registration opens Monday, April 6 2026 at 9:00am

Sat, Apr 25, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Reading Public Library - Community Room (A & B)

Sat, Apr 25, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Reading Public Library
Registration opens Monday, April 6 2026 at 9:00am

Mon, Apr 27, 9:15am - 9:30am
Reading Public Library - Community Room (A & B)

Mon, Apr 27, 10:00am - 11:30am
Reading Public Library - Studio

Mon, Apr 27, 10:00am - 10:45am
Reading Public Library - Community Room (A & B)

Mon, Apr 27, 11:15am - 12:15pm
Reading Public Library - Community Room (A & B)

Mon, Apr 27, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Reading Public Library - Local History Room

Mon, Apr 27, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Reading Public Library - Health Nook

Mon, Apr 27, 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Reading Public Library - Conference Room

Tue, Apr 28, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Reading Public Library - Conference Room

Tue, Apr 28, 3:30pm - 4:00pm
Reading Public Library - Children's Program Room
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Tue, Apr 28, 4:00pm - 4:30pm
Reading Public Library - Children's Program Room
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Tue, Apr 28, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Reading Public Library - Conference Room
This event is full

Tue, Apr 28, 6:30pm - 7:00pm
Reading Public Library - Library Lawn

Wed, Apr 29, 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Reading Public Library - Community Room (A & B)

Wed, Apr 29, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Reading Public Library - Conference Room

Wed, Apr 29, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Reading Public Library - Children's Program Room
Registration opens Wednesday, April 15 2026 at 3:30pm

Wed, Apr 29, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Reading Public Library - Community Room (A & B)

Thu, Apr 30, 10:00am - 10:30am
Reading Public Library - Library Lawn

Thu, Apr 30, 3:30pm - 4:15pm
Reading Public Library - Children's Program Room

Thu, Apr 30, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Reading Public Library - Studio

Fri, May 01, 10:00am - 10:35am
Reading Public Library - Community Room (A & B)

Fri, May 01, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Reading Public Library - Local History Room

Fri, May 01, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Reading Public Library - Children's Program Room

Sat, May 02, 10:00am - 11:00am
Reading Public Library - Community Room (A & B),Library Lawn

Sat, May 02, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Reading Public Library - Library Parking Lot