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Kate Quinn - Book Portals and Journeys of Literary Magic

Virtual event presented with Library Speakers Consortium

2026-03-12 18:00:00 2026-03-12 19:00:00 America/Chicago Kate Quinn - Book Portals and Journeys of Literary Magic Virtual -

Thursday, March 12
6:00pm - 7:00pm

Add to Calendar 2026-03-12 18:00:00 2026-03-12 19:00:00 America/Chicago Kate Quinn - Book Portals and Journeys of Literary Magic Join us for a virtual event as bestselling author Kate Quinn discusses her new book "The Astral Library." Virtual -

Join us for a virtual event as bestselling author Kate Quinn discusses her new book "The Astral Library."

Join us for a virtual conversation with acclaimed author Kate Quinn about her latest fantastical work, The Astral Library, which poses the question: 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.

Alexandria “Alix” Watson has learned one lesson from her barren 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, acerbic guardian of a hidden library where the desperate and the lost escape to new lives...inside their favorite books.

The Librarian takes a dazzled 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. Aided by a dashing costume-shop owner, Alix and the Librarian flee through the Regency drawing rooms of Jane Austen to the back alleys of Sherlock Holmes and the champagne-soaked parties of The Great Gatsby as danger draws inexorably closer. But who does their enemy really wish to destroy—Alix, the Librarian, or the Library itself?

Join us to hear more about The Astral Library, crafted for all bookworms and lovers of literature. 

About the Author:  Kate Quinn is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of historical fiction. 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 magical realism. 

Presented with Library Speakers Consortium.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

AGE GROUP: | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | Books & Authors |

TAGS: | |

Highland Park Public Library

Phone: 847-432-0216

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About the library

Opening doors to information and imagination.

 

 

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Fri, Apr 03, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Lobby
Meet the new Social Services Specialist for the City of Highland Park. Conozca a la nueva especialista en servicios sociales de la ciudad de Highland Park.

Sun, Apr 05, All day
Highland Park Public Library
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Mon, Apr 06, All day
Highland Park Public Library
Origami is the art of folding paper into amazing shapes. Join us for this month's origami challenge. Pick up your kit at the Youth Services desk while supplies last. For ages 5-14

Mon, Apr 06, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
New venue Highland Park Public Library - Activity Room
Love Graphic Novels? Come talk about them!
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Tue, Apr 07, All day
Highland Park Public Library
Origami is the art of folding paper into amazing shapes. Join us for this month's origami challenge. Pick up your kit at the Youth Services desk while supplies last. For ages 5-14

Wed, Apr 08, All day
Highland Park Public Library
Origami is the art of folding paper into amazing shapes. Join us for this month's origami challenge. Pick up your kit at the Youth Services desk while supplies last. For ages 5-14

Wed, Apr 08, 10:00am - 10:30am
Highland Park Public Library - Brenner Room
Registration not required but space is limited. Check in at the Youth Services desk up to 30 min. prior to start time. Ages 0 - 18 months.

Wed, Apr 08, 11:30am - 12:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Brenner Room
Registration not required but space is limited. Check in at the Youth Services desk up to 30 min. prior to start time. Ages 0 - 18 months.

Wed, Apr 08, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Highland Park Public Library - Meeting Room 8
Learn how to make a block print using Styrofoam and decorate a journal cover! Snacks provided! Drop ins welcome.

Thu, Apr 09, All day
Highland Park Public Library
Origami is the art of folding paper into amazing shapes. Join us for this month's origami challenge. Pick up your kit at the Youth Services desk while supplies last. For ages 5-14

Thu, Apr 09, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Lobby
Meet the new Social Services Specialist for the City of Highland Park. Conozca a la nueva especialista en servicios sociales de la ciudad de Highland Park.

Thu, Apr 09, 6:30pm - 7:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Brenner Room
Put on your jammies and join us for a fun family storytime featuring stories, songs, and more. Registration is not required, but space is limited. Check in at Youth Desk begins at 6 p.m.

Fri, Apr 10, All day
Highland Park Public Library
Origami is the art of folding paper into amazing shapes. Join us for this month's origami challenge. Pick up your kit at the Youth Services desk while supplies last. For ages 5-14

Fri, Apr 10, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Lobby
Meet the new Social Services Specialist for the City of Highland Park. Conozca a la nueva especialista en servicios sociales de la ciudad de Highland Park.

Fri, Apr 10, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Adult Services
Learn how to use our vinyl cutter and personalize your swag with our pre-cut designs.

Sat, Apr 11, All day
Highland Park Public Library
Origami is the art of folding paper into amazing shapes. Join us for this month's origami challenge. Pick up your kit at the Youth Services desk while supplies last. For ages 5-14

Sat, Apr 11, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Adult Services
Join us and play board games! Library staff will be available to help you choose a game and learn the rules!

Sun, Apr 12, All day
Highland Park Public Library
Origami is the art of folding paper into amazing shapes. Join us for this month's origami challenge. Pick up your kit at the Youth Services desk while supplies last. For ages 5-14

Mon, Apr 13, 10:30am - 11:00am
Highland Park Public Library - Brenner Room
Join Miss Kelly in the Activity Room for a musical storytime! For ages 18 months - 3 years. Check in at Youth desk starting 30 min prior to event. This event will take place in the Brenner Room.

Tue, Apr 14, 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Highland Park Public Library - Brenner Room
Registration Required. Join us in the Brenner Room for a discussion on "Isola" by Allegra Goodman, led by Judy Levin.

Tue, Apr 14, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
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Library Speakers Consortium presents a virtual event with bestselling author Brad Taylor. Taylor will discuss "Shadow Strike," his latest book.Register

Tue, Apr 14, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Highland Park Public Library - Executive Director's Office
The Building & Grounds Committee will meet from 7-8:30pm

Thu, Apr 16, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Lobby
Meet the new Social Services Specialist for the City of Highland Park. Conozca a la nueva especialista en servicios sociales de la ciudad de Highland Park.

Thu, Apr 16, 10:30am - 11:00am
Highland Park Public Library - Brenner Room
Join Miss Kelly in the Activity Room for a musical storytime! For ages 18 months - 3 years. Check in at Youth desk starting 30 min prior to event. This event will take place in the Brenner Room.

Thu, Apr 16, 11:30am - 12:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Brenner Room
Join Miss Kelly in the Activity Room for a musical storytime! For ages 18 months - 3 years. Check in at Youth desk starting 30 min prior to event. This event will take place in the Brenner Room.

Thu, Apr 16, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Virtual
Library Speakers Consortium presents a virtual event with Alex Hutchinson, author of "The Explorer's Gene: Why We Seek Big Challenges, New Flavors, and the Blank Spots on the Map."Register

Thu, Apr 16, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Highland Park Public Library
Join us for Memory Café, a welcoming and safe space for individuals with memory loss and mild cognitive impairment. Caregivers and loved ones are encouraged to attend.

Thu, Apr 16, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Highland Park Public Library - Brenner Room
Davis Schneiderman, Executive Director of the Krebs Center for the Humanities and Professor of English at Lake Forest College, leads the book discussion of Black Dogs by Ian McEwan.

Fri, Apr 17, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Lobby
Meet the new Social Services Specialist for the City of Highland Park. Conozca a la nueva especialista en servicios sociales de la ciudad de Highland Park.

Sat, Apr 18, 9:00am - 12:00pm
Curt's Cafe in Highland Park
Bring a craft project to work on and meet fellow crafters in your community. This program is suitable for adults.

Sat, Apr 18, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Brenner Room
Ven y decora cocinitas con Mi Madre Lo Hizo, una tiendita de arte situada en Chicago. Come decorate mini kitchens with Chicago-based artists from the small business, Mi Madre Lo Hizo.
This event is full

Mon, Apr 20, All day
Highland Park Public Library
Nothing says welcome Spring like birds nesting under a starlit sky.

Mon, Apr 20, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Highland Park Public Library - Meeting Room 8
Learn basic graphic design using Canva's free templates. Create social media graphics, posters, or invitations. No design experience needed.

Mon, Apr 20, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Brenner Room
350 pieces. One hour. Do you have what it takes to win? Register with a friend!/ 350 piezas. Una hora. ¿Tienes lo necesario para ganar? ¡Regístrate con un amigo!
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Tue, Apr 21, All day
Highland Park Public Library
Nothing says welcome Spring like birds nesting under a starlit sky.

Tue, Apr 21, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Highland Park Public Library - Brenner Room
The Library Board of Trustees regularly meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m., except where indicated otherwise.

Wed, Apr 22, All day
Highland Park Public Library
Nothing says welcome Spring like birds nesting under a starlit sky.

Wed, Apr 22, 10:00am - 10:30am
Highland Park Public Library - Brenner Room
Registration not required but space is limited. Check in at the Youth Services desk up to 30 min. prior to start time. Ages 0 - 18 months.

Wed, Apr 22, 11:30am - 12:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Brenner Room
Registration not required but space is limited. Check in at the Youth Services desk up to 30 min. prior to start time. Ages 0 - 18 months.

Wed, Apr 22, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Highland Park Public Library - Brenner Room
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Thu, Apr 23, All day
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Thu, Apr 23, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Brenner Room
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Thu, Apr 23, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Highland Park Public Library - Meeting Room 8
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Fri, Apr 24, All day
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Sat, Apr 25, All day
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Sat, Apr 25, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
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Sun, Apr 26, All day
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Mon, Apr 27, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
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Tue, Apr 28, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
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Thu, Apr 30, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Lobby
Meet the new Social Services Specialist for the City of Highland Park. Conozca a la nueva especialista en servicios sociales de la ciudad de Highland Park.

Thu, Apr 30, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
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Fri, May 01, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Lobby
Meet the new Social Services Specialist for the City of Highland Park. Conozca a la nueva especialista en servicios sociales de la ciudad de Highland Park.

Sat, May 02, 12:00pm - 2:00pm
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Sat, May 02, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Meeting Room 8
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Sat, May 02, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
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Venga a un taller de Aromaterapia Terapéutica con respiración guiada, experiencias de aromas terapéuticos y herramientas prácticas para el bienestar en cualquier lugar. Encuentre su calma.