By Nancy Sanker, Special to The Paper

Happy New Year! Timing is everything. Just try to make an appointment before an office has moved to the right month or…. try to drive your car when the timing is off or… attempt to assemble a gingerbread turkey with a three-year old!

Guilty. I was caught trying to make a memory too soon and the wise little guy claimed victory as he dumped the box of instructions in the trash.

It’s not too soon to begin the New Year with a literary memory. Consider your timing as you read the following list of upcoming events. Is it time to learn something new with a friend? Hear a guest author? Get acquainted with your local library? Or is it time to join or start a book club?

The Newnan Carnegie Library – 1 Lagrange Street – Please register for all events at Eventbrite.

 • January 16, 2:30 – 4 p.m.
The Newnan Carnegie is pleased to host Christy Barker, M.A. as she lectures on the archaeology of Israel. She will focus on fascinating archaeological sites including: Masada, Herod’s palace fortress in the Judean desert, Caesarea Maritima, the lavish Roman capital of Judea, and Tel Dan, a center of ancient idol worship.
Christy Barker is the curator, and assistant director of Education and Programs at the Biblical History Center in LaGrange. She was part of the first archaeological team to find a Dead Sea Scroll in nearly 60 years.

• January 21, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
What makes a poem tick? It’s time to find out! The Carnegie presents a fascinating talk by University of West Georgia School of the Arts Director and Professor of English Dr. Chad Davidson. A reception with light refreshments will begin at 6 p.m. and the talk will start at 6:30 p.m.

Coweta Library Libraries – Please call to reserve your spot for a library activity at any of the four branches.

Are you Revved Up for Reading? If you’re between the age of 2-15 and you read five books you will receive a free kid’s ticket to Monster Jam on February 22 and 23 at Mercedes Benz Stadium.  Reading cards are available at Grantville, Senoia and Central Libraries.

• Central Library – 85 Literary Lane – 770-683-2052
January 9 – 11:30-12:30 p.m. – Gentle Reads Book club will discuss New Year’s Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini
January 16 – 6:30-7:30 p.m. – Page Turners Book Club will focus on Sunburn: A Novel by Laura Lippman

• Grantville Branch – 100 Park Drive – 770-683-0535
January 14 – 4-5 p.m. – Royal Tea Club
January 15 – 11-12 p.m. – Homeschool – Spanish for Beginners

• Powell Branch – 25 Hospital Road – 770-253-6235
Every Tuesday – 9:30-11:30 a.m. – Baby Time – Great for babies and their caregivers, especially in the winter.
January 18 – 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – AARP Smart Driver Course

• Senoia Branch – 148 Pylant Street – 770-599-3537
January 9 – 4:30-5:30 p.m.– Card Makers
January 13 – 4:30-5:30 p.m. – Social Club Craft n’ Creations

Hometown Novel Nights at Monarch House, 299 Bullsboro Dr. – 678-552-9867
January 26 at 2 p.m. – On the Fourth Sunday of each month you’re invited to hear one or more of our homegrown authors. You also might enjoy some cookies and maybe…you’ll win a door prize, just like yours truly!

The Nixon Centre for Performing Arts – 1523 Lower Fayetteville Road
• The Diary of Anne Frank – January 30 at 7 p.m. – With a multicultural cast, National Players bring this historic literary work to our stage. Tickets are $20 and $15 for Seniors. Visit the nixoncentre.tix.com to purchase.

• February 5 at 7 p.m. – Lisa Wingate, author of the New York Bestseller, Before We Were Yours will be lecturing and signing books. Tickets ($15) are limited. This compelling book is based on one of America’s real-life scandals in which Georgia Tann, director of an adoption organization, kidnapped and sold poor children to wealthy families.

Book Club Update
Speaking of book clubs, our Cottages group aka Wine & Words will discuss Pieces of Happiness by Anne Ostby.

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Nancy Carol Sanker landed in Newnan via Ohio, Colorado and California. The constants in her life are her love of family, friends, fundraising and books. Nine years ago, she created Lights for Linda to raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in memory of her sister. Now she looks forward to illuminating the literary opportunities and fundraisers our community offers readers of all ages. Nancy’s 11-year-old book club provides fresh, new titles while her two and eight-year-old grandchildren keep her aware of books for “littles.” Who knew a cow could type? Your contributions about book clubs, Little Free Libraries, events and fundraisers will lead the The Bookmark to success! To email Nancy … [email protected].