Children's author Mo Willems in a St. Louis County Library photo.

The St. Louis County Library is currently one of the most successful St. Louis venues for hosting author events. Hundreds of St. Louisans have turned out to meet Dave Barry, Ridley Pearson, Rick Riordan, Doris Kearns Goodwin and others.

One of the reasons for its success is the central location in West County on South Lindbergh Boulevard, where an educated population clearly values books and authors. The library also leans toward big name authors, including children’s authors, and suburban parents seem eager to bring their offspring to hear their favorite writers. 

In addition, the library Foundation seeks corporate sponsors whose financial support allow them private parties with a popular author, such as Lincoln historian Goodwin. Yet another factor had been its cooperation with Left Bank Books, which has had decades of experience in bringing authors to St. Louis and planned some of its own events at the library because of the library’s greater space. (To see some of the authors Left Bank is hosting this fall, go to earlier blog post. Most of its events are at one of its stores, the city library or a couple of other places. The county library is using Borders and Barnes & Noble as book vendors at most of this fall’s events.)

Over the next few months, the library will bring in several popular authors, including Taylor Branch, Wally Lamb, Julia Glass, Richard Paul Evans, David Wroblewski and Melissa de la Cruz. On Oct. 2 it hosts Sue Monk Kidd and Ann Kidd Taylor, whose new book was reviewed Sunday. Some of the authors are on paperback tours of books originally published last year. Others have new books.

Here is the list for fall author events at the library headquarters, but Carrie Robb (adult programming coordinator for the St. Louis County Library) also has a new blog to list events.

Descriptions of these books and writers are from the library:

September

Monday, September 14, 7:00 pm (Authors’ Nook)

Robert Ellis and Marianna Riley, “Caring for Victor: A US Army Nurse and Saddam Hussein”

St. Louisan and former Army nurse at Camp Cropper near Baghdad, Robert Ellis was responsible for the health and well-being of the high value detainees, including Saddam Hussein—code name Victor. “Caring for Victor” depicts Ellis’s complicated relationship with Hussein and presents an exclusive look at the everyday life of a soldier in Iraq.

 Wednesday, September 17, 7:00 pm (Auditorium)

Stefan Merrill Block, “The Story of Forgetting”

2009 Read St. Louis Contemporary Fiction Selection

In Stefan Merrill Block’s extraordinary novel, two men, generations apart, try to unravel the strands of their shared genetic history and understand the mystery of Alzheimer’s Disease. “The Story of Forgetting” has been widely reviewed as one of the most promising debut novels in recent years.

 Tuesday, September 22, 7:00 pm (Main Reading Room)

A Special Performance by the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and Artist Billyo O’Donnell

Listen to an ensemble from the world renowned St. Louis Symphony while acclaimed artist Billy O’Donnell creates a masterpiece portrait of the musicians. Free tickets are required and are available at Library Headquarters.

The library will close for general use during this event.

Tuesday, September 29, 7:00 pm (Auditorium)

William Ouchi, “The Secret of TSL: The Revolutionary Discovery That Raises School Performance”

Presented by the Pacesetter Author Series

In this follow-up to his groundbreaking book “Making Schools Work,” William Ouchi explains how schools that control their own budgets can reduce teachers’ TSL—Total Student Load—allowing them to develop a stronger relationship with students and substantially raise the performance level of their classrooms.

Co-sponsored by the Cooperating School Districts of Greater St. Louis, the Booksource, and Focus St. Louis

October

Friday, October 2, 7:00 pm (Main Reading Room)

Sue Monk Kidd & Ann Kidd Taylor, “Traveling with Pomegranates: A Mother-Daughter Story”

In this intimate dual memoir about their travels through Greece and France, beloved novelist Sue Monk Kidd and her daughter, Ann, offer distinct perspectives as a fifty-something and a twenty-something, each on a quest to redefine herself and rediscover each other.

Tuesday, October 6, 7:00 pm (Auditorium)

Melissa de la Cruz, “The Van Alen Legacy”

Presented by the Reading Garden Event Series

Young, fanged, and fabulous! Teen fans of Melissa de la Cruz’s popular Blue Bloods vampire series are invited to the US Book Release celebration with the author! The event will be a “Blue Bloods Ball” featuring music, dancing, trivia contests, and refreshments.

Wednesday, October 14, 7:00 pm (Auditorium)

Julia Glass, “I See You Everywhere”

From the author of the National Book Award-winning novel “Three Junes,” comes an intimate new work of fiction: a tale of two sisters told in their alternating voices over twenty-five years.

The format of this event will be an onstage interview moderated by KMOX’s Total Information AM host Debbie Monterrey.

Saturday, October 24, 7:00 pm (Auditorium)

Trenton Lee Stewart, “The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner’s Dilemma”

Presented by the Reading Garden Event Series

The Mysterious Benedict Society is back with a new mission. Mr. Benedict has stepped right into a trap orchestrated by his evil twin Mr. Curtain. With only one week to find Mr. Benedict, the gang faces their greatest challenge of all.

Friday, October 30, 7:00 pm (Main Reading Room)

Taylor Branch, “The Clinton Tapes: Wrestling History with the President”

Presented by the ‘Buzz’ Westfall Favorite Author Series and the KMOX/Fontbonne University Book Club

For this highly-anticipated biography, Pulitzer-Prize winning author Taylor Branch was invited to record and report on highly candid and personal interviews with President Clinton throughout his time in office.

The format of this event will be an onstage interview moderated by KMOX 1120’s Charles Brennan.

November

Wednesday, November 4, 7:00 pm (Auditorium)

David Wroblewski, “The Story of Edgar Sawtelle”

David Wroblewski’s riveting family saga explores the deep alliance between humans and dogs and is an inspired retelling of Hamlet set on a remote farm in Northern Wisconsin. “The Story of Edgar Sawtelle” was an Oprah Book Club Selection and has been reviewed as an “instant modern classic.”

Thursday, November 12, 7:00 pm (Main Reading Room)

Dave Barry & Ridley Pearson, “Peter and the Sword of Mercy”

2009 Family Read Night co-sponsored by Commerce Bank and Delta Dental

The side-splitting authors of the bestselling Starcatchers series return to the library with “Peter and the Sword of Mercy.” Picking up 23 years after their last book left off, Peter must enlist the help of Wendy Darling and save the world from an evil plot by the Shadow Creatures.

The library will close for general use during this event.

Monday, November 16, 7:00 pm (Auditorium)

Robert Merry, “A Country of Vast Designs: James K. Polk, the Mexican War, and the Conquest of the American Continent”

Presented by the ‘Buzz’ Westfall Favorite Author Series

In a one term presidency, James K. Polk completed America’s Manifest Destiny—extending its territory across the continent by manufacturing a controversial

two-year war with Mexico. Journalist and historian Robert Merry fills in this crucial epoch in American history through the story of a towering personality.

Wednesday, November 18, 7:00 pm (Auditorium)

Richard Paul Evans, “The Christmas List”

The New York Times bestselling author of “The Christmas Box” returns with a holiday novel of hope, love, and redemption. Richard Paul Evans’s inspirational stories of faith, family, and love have broken publishing records, regularly topped bestseller lists, and won the author countless devoted followers throughout the world.

Friday, November 20, 7:00 pm (Main Reading Room)

David Plouffe, “The Audacity to Win: The Inside Story and Lessons of Barak Obama’s Historic Victory”

Presented by the ‘Buzz’ Westfall Favorite Author Series

Campaign manager David Plouffe led the effort that put Barack Obama in the White House. In “The Audacity to Win,” he chronicles the exciting possibilities revealed by a campaign that combined digital technology and grassroots organization and in many ways functioned as a $1 billion start-up with laser-like focus and discipline.

December

Wednesday, December 3, 7:00 pm – (Auditorium)

Wally Lamb, “Wishin’ and Hopin’: A Christmas Story”

The beloved bestselling author of “The Hour I First Believed” and “I Know This Much Is True” delivers a holiday treat—an unforgettable novella that captures the warmth and joy of the season.