Our Current Season
2023-24
Books Between Bites is held in the large Founders Room at Batavia Public Library
10 S. Batavia Avenue, Batavia, IL Noon - 1 PM Third Thursday/month September thru May Reservations NOT required
At the end of each presentation, there is always time for Q&A and discussion.
We will provide a link to YouTube when the video of each program becomes available there Thank you BATV!
10 S. Batavia Avenue, Batavia, IL Noon - 1 PM Third Thursday/month September thru May Reservations NOT required
At the end of each presentation, there is always time for Q&A and discussion.
We will provide a link to YouTube when the video of each program becomes available there Thank you BATV!
Our 2023-24 Season is complete.
Watch for news in August of our 2024-25 Season lineup
2023-24 Program Schedule
Thursday,
September 21, 2023
Kate Garrett
Over My Dead Body: Unearthing
the Hidden History of America’s Cemeteries
by Greg Melville
Journalist Greg Melville visits local cemeteries wherever he travels and in this book, he invites readers to join him. From colonists’ hasty burials to the leisure parks that inspired the Transcendentalists, Melville sees cemeteries as windows to understanding American history. Kate Garrett, Batavia resident and Director of the Batavia Depot Museum, is a lifelong learner who feels about libraries the way Melville feels about cemeteries.
Link to program video:
Thursday,
October 19, 2023Annie Hansen, Author
Get A Grip
Get A Grip
Local Cozy Mystery Author, Annie Hansen, is branching out from her award-winning Kelly Clark Mystery Series to release her first stand-alone mystery, Get a Grip, set in the wealthy, snow-filled suburbs of Chicago. Three desperate housewives team up to solve the disappearance of their neighbor, Carrie, who has gone inexplicably missing. Did she leave town to avoid the high Covid numbers?
Was she murdered? Is it possible that Covid is not the only killer stalking the neighborhood?
Annie's website: https://anniehansenauthor.com
Was she murdered? Is it possible that Covid is not the only killer stalking the neighborhood?
Annie's website: https://anniehansenauthor.com
Link to program video:
Thursday,
November 16, 2023
Pam Otto
We Took To the Woodsby Louise Dickinson Rich
Pam Otto is the outreach ambassador for the St. Charles Park District and creator of the weekly Good Natured newspaper column in the Kane County Chronicle and online in Kane County Connects. Her love of nature—and nature books—spans the decades. This book takes us back to 1942. A bestseller back in the day, Rich relates the ins and outs of life in the rugged backcountry of Middle Dam, Maine in exquisite and often hilarious detail.
Link to program video:
Thursday, December 14, 2023
Laura Newman
Madam Secretary and Hell and Other Destinations
autobiographies by Madeleine Albright
Laura Newman has been Batavia’s City Administrator since 2016. Before that she practiced labor and employment law and served as an executive for Mitutoyo America Corporation. Madeleine Albright was someone who Laura greatly admires and thinks of as a role model for women in traditionally male-dominated careers. Laura will be discussing her two autobiographies. The first, Madam Secretary, chronicles her life up to and including her service as Secretary of State. The second, Hell and Other Destinations, details her many post-service experiences and accomplishments.
Please note, this program was been moved up one week to the 2nd Thursday of the month.
Please note, this program was been moved up one week to the 2nd Thursday of the month.
Thursday, January 18, 2024
Mayor Jeff Schielke
The Back Story of Batavia History
Batavia’s Mayor Jeff Schielke was the very first speaker at the very first Books Between Bites in Batavia in 1987, when it was initially held at Batavia United Methodist Church. He is well known and appreciated as Batavia’s resident historian. Mayor Schielke has shared many programs about Batavia history and books and literature with a connection to our city. This visit, he shares what he has found to be the back story of Batavia history.
Link to Mayor Schielke's program video:
Thursday, February 15, 2024
Josephine Tucci
Scandinavian and British Mysteries
Josephine Tucci,
Batavia Public Library Executive Director since June 2023, is an avid
reader and viewer of Scandinavian and British mystery series. From
Scandinavian noir to British detective series, Jo shares
some of her favorites, including the Wallander series. She’ll highlight
mysteries that are available as book series, as well as book-to-TV
series to add to your queue.
Link to Josephine Tucci's program video:
Thursday, March 21, 2024
Lester Munson
The Tao of the Backup Catcher by Tim Brown & Erik Kratz
Lester Munson is a nationally known commentator, former ESPN senior writer and legal analyst, and WTTW’s Chicago Tonight guest. We’re delighted for his annual visit to Batavia to share his thoughts on this sport-related book. He promises to share more sports books, including those he recommends, and those he doesn’t!
Also discussed:
Also discussed:
Link to program video:
Thursday,
April 18, 2024
Marnie O. Mamminga, Author
The Woodpecker’s Song
Marnie O. Mamminga
is the award-winning author of Return to
Wake Robin: One Cabin in the Heyday of Northwoods Resorts and On a
Clear Night: Essays from the Heartland, both published by the Wisconsin
Historical Society Press. As a professional essayist, her
work has been featured on NPR and in numerous publications including the Chicago
Tribune, Reader’s Digest, The
Christian Science Monitor, the Midwest Prairie Review, and in several Chicken Soup
for the Soul books. Currently,
she writes a monthly perspective for NPR’s WNIJ.
Mary C. Parks,
Illustrator
Mary C. Parks
is both a state and nationally honored educator and has taught art in grades K
through the college level. She was featured in the Chicago Tribune for curriculum distinction
which led to her students’ artwork being showcased at the Art Institute of
Chicago. In addition, Parks was a
feature writer/illustrator for Instructor magazine for four years, receiving international recognition. Her
freelance artwork can be found year-round at invitational art galleries, art
shows, and at various educational and commercial sites.
Link to program video:
Thursday, May 16, 2024
Karl Bruhn,
Presenter
Sears Kit Houses in Batavia, Geneva & Beyond
Karl Bruhn, a Batavia resident, is a retired history teacher. He spent 40 years teaching in Wheaton. He’s been a guest presenter at Books Between Bites for for a number of years.
