Lunch for Libraries

press release: Celeste Ng, whose two novels quickly became New York Times best sellers, will be the featured author at Madison Public Library Foundation’s eighth annual Lunch for Libraries on Wednesday, May 15. Due to immense interest in Lunch for Libraries 2019 featuring novelist Celeste Ng on Wednesday, May 15, we have moved the event to Monona Terrace to accommodate more guests.

Madison native Chloe Benjamin, author of The Immortalists, will lead the conversation with Ng. The format will allow Benjamin to formulate and ask Ng questions about her books from another writer's perspective.

The luncheon starts at noon, with check-in preceding at 11:30 a.m. Businesses interested in sponsorship and those who wish to purchase a table may call 608.266.6318 or email events@mplfoundation.org. Each attendee will receive a pre-signed hardcover copy of Little Fires Everywhere.

Ng’s riveting novel, Little Fires Everywhere (2017), traces the intertwined fates of the picture-perfect Richardson family, and the enigmatic mother and daughter who upend their lives. It explores the weight of secrets, the nature of art and identity, the ferocious pull of motherhood and the danger of believing that following the rules can avert disaster. A Hulu series based on the book is in development. Ng’s first fiction book, Everything I Never Told You, was named Amazon’s 2014 Book of the Year, in addition to being named best book of the year by more than a dozen publications. She also wrote a short story titled Girls at Play, which earned a Pushcart Prize in 2012. Ng grew up in Pittsburgh, Penn., and later lived in Shaker Heights, Ohio. She is a Harvard University graduate and earned her MFA at the University of Michigan. She lives in Cambridge, Mass.

“The Wisconsin Book Festival is wholly committed to bringing high-profile authors who tell captivating stories for the entire Madison community to enjoy,” said Wisconsin Book Festival Director Conor Moran. “The reception to Ng’s first two novels has been incredible, and the fact that Little Fires Everywhere spent 48 weeks on the New York Times best seller list is truly remarkable. We’re honored to host her and appreciate her support as we raise funds for free, year-round author events.”

Lunch for Libraries is the largest fundraiser for the Wisconsin Book Festival, presented by Madison Public Library in partnership with the foundation. The event raises more than half of the festival’s privately raised dollars.

Madison Public Library cardholders can pick up copies of Ng’s books at any of the library’s nine locations throughout the city or place holds for them on LINKcat, accessible through the library website at madisonpubliclibrary.org.

About Madison Public Library Foundation: Madison Public Library Foundation promotes and supports Madison’s library facilities, services and programs. Established in 1993, the foundation provides annual project grants, raises funds for capital projects, and promotes awareness of the libraries and their programs. Learn how to support Madison’s libraries at mplfoundation.org, on the foundation’s Facebook page, on Instagram (mplfoundation) and on Twitter (@mplfoundation). For information about the Wisconsin Book Festival, visit wisconsinbookfestival.org.