Louise Erdrich Featured at Annual Ballinger Lecture

One of this country's most distinguished novelists who focuses much of her work on the Native American experience will be the speaker at this year's Barbara Ballinger Lecture.

Louise Erdrich will present the annual talk at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 23 at Unity Temple, 875 Lake St.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m., seating is first-come, first-served. Pre-event book sales will be hosted by The Book Table.

Following the talk, Erdrich will autograph her books just across the street at the Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake St. 

Both events are free and open to the public. The evening is sponsored by the Friends of the Oak Park Public Library.

The author of 13 novels as well as volumes of poetry Erdrich also has penned short stories, children's books and a memoir of early motherhood.

Her novel, "Love Medicine"won the National Book Critics Circle Award in 1984 and another, "The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse," was a finalist for the National Book Award in 2001. Most recently, "The Plague of Doves" won the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in 2009.

Her latest release, "The Round House," has just been named a finalist for this year's National Book Award.

"Round House" and other writings draw from the Ojibwe tribe of which she is a part. She currently resides in Minnesota and is the owner of Birchbark Books in Minneapolis.

Each year, the Barbara Ballinger Lecture brings an accomplished author to speak in Oak Park. Hosted by the Friends of the Oak Park Public Library, this public event honors Ballinger and her 32 years of service as a librarian in the Oak Park community.

Other distinguished authors who have lectured in the series include Scott Turow, Stephen Kinzer, plus local favorites Alex Kotlowitz and Elizabeth Berg.

Call the library at 708-383-8200 for more information.