Shelf Life: Debbie De Louise on Mysteries, Cats, and Connecting

Long Island librarian and novelist Debbie De Louise integrates her passion for reading with a passion for writing. De Louise self-published her first book, Cloudy Rainbow, in 2008, and has since had seven books traditionally published. “I’ve written steadily since 2015,” the author said. “I’ve Read More …

Shelf Life: Huntington Book Club Approaches 20-Year Milestone

Huntington offers a wide range of library and business-sponsored book groups, and there are countless discussion groups that locals put together on their own. One enduring local book club is just shy of its 20-year milestone. “Some years ago we started referring to ourselves as Read More …

Shelf Life: Bonnie Grubman on the Value of Picture Books

Bonnie Grubman finds endless enthusiasm in writing for children. “I love kids, and I’ve always loved picture books,” she said. “I think they are the most important books written.”  Before moving to Long Island, and before becoming an author, Grubman grew up in Queens. She Read More …

Shelf Life: Kerriann Flanagan Brosky on Sharing Long Island History

Huntington resident Kerriann Flanagan Brosky is a many-titled woman. In addition to being an author, she is also a photographer, Long Island historian, foodie, and ghost investigator.  While studying for her BFA in photography from Long Island University, Brosky became a photo intern for Newsday. Read More …

Shelf Life: Ella Schwartz Aims to Educate, Empower, and Inspire

Science, curiosity, and fun: these are the key ingredients in Long Island author Ella Schwartz’s children’s books. Though her books tackle formidable subjects—from decoding ciphers to understanding stolen credit in science history—Schwartz believes there’s a way communicate complicated material to young people. “I think sometimes Read More …

Shelf Life: A Book Group Guide for the New Year

Searching for places to discuss your favorite books, or wondering where you can discover new favorites? Here’s your Huntington Now guide to local book clubs and discussion groups. Book Revue Book Revue hosts a book group every third Wednesday of the month at 7 PM Read More …

Shelf Life: Gae Polisner Perseveres at Storytelling

Huntington resident Gae Polisner’s young adult novels explore lives filled with challenges and perseverance; the author’s writing journey exemplifies the same. Polisner grew up adoring stories and words. “You’d find me with my head in a book or writing from the time I was 8 Read More …

Shelf Life: James A. Perez on Creating More Inclusive Stories

James A Perez is looking to rewrite fantasy and adventure narratives to transcend the limits of stories past. Perez grew up immersed in stories, taking a particular shining to the vivid worlds found in Norton Juster’s The Phantom Tollbooth and Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Read More …

Shelf Life: Amy Giles Uses Novels to Give Teens a Voice

Award-winning Huntington author, Amy Giles writes to validate, connect, and give voice to teen experiences.  Giles began her writer life first as an avid reader. Obsessed with Curious George and his many adventures, she often found herself roaming the stacks of her school library. “That Read More …

Shelf Life: Writing to Connect Future Generations to the Past

Half Hollow Hills High School East senior Jay Nagpal is passionate about history. His resume is filled with major achievements: he founded the Dix Hills-Melville Historical Association; his National History Day project took first place at regionals; and he received the 2019 Brown University Book Read More …

Shelf Life: Geneva Hagar Embraces Poetry

Melville resident Geneva Hagar is taking the Long Island poetry world by storm. She was accepted for inclusion in the 2019 editions of the Suffolk County Poetry Review, the Bard’s Annual, and the Long Island Quarterly, while also authoring three books: The Folk Art Poet, Read More …

Shelf Life: A Writer’s Guide to NaNoWriMo

 National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) got underway on Friday. What began 20 years ago as a nonprofit initiative—to support writing fluency, education, and social networking—is now a worldwide phenomenon. Those who participate undertake a simple, yet immense, challenge: write 50,000 words in the 30 days of Read More …