BLANK SLATE MEDIA September 7, 2018
PHOTO COURTESY OF WWW.MADISONTHEATRENY.ORG
Molloy to kick off Literary Tea BY G R AC E M CQ UA D E
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hen book publishing executive Carol Hoenig came up with the idea to open a bookstore on Long Island, she decided to combine two things that go well together — books and
wine. Joining forces with one of her former colleagues, Peggy Zieran, the two followed their dreams and opened Turn of the Corkscrew Books and Wine in 2015. Since then, the store has been a welcome haven in the village of Rockville Centre, providing locals with a cozy place to enjoy the latest bestseller or a literary classic, as well as a glass of Pinot in the back room bar or on the outdoor patio on a balmy evening. The store has also become a popular destination for many of today’s leading authors who have paid visits to talk about and autograph their latest works while on their busy book tours. Now, three years since opening the business, Hoenig has created another fine pairing to please book lovers and their palates with Turn of the Corkscrew’s Inaugural Literary Tea that will take place at the Madison Theatre at Molloy College on Sunday, Sept. 16 at 2 p.m. “I recall years ago when Newsday sponsored a literary lunch or tea at the Cresthollow Country Club and I always made it a point to attend,” Hoenig said when asked how she came up with the idea. “It was fun to be with like-minded readers and enjoy hearing the authors talk about their books. When the program ended, for whatever reason, I was heartbroken. I kept thinking there has to be a way to do this again and I took a leap of faith in hopes that people would want to attend something similar on a Sunday afternoon.” The leap was worth it because her latest endeavor has drawn three of today’s literary stars who will be the featured authors at the event: Min Jin Lee, a 2017 National Book Award nominee for her novel “Pachinko”; Marie Benedict, the bestselling author of “The Other Einstein” and “Carnegie’s Maid”; and George Peleca-
nos, the bestselling author of 20 novels, including his have spurred Andrew Carnegie toward philanthropy. A graduate of Boston College and the Boston Uniforthcoming September release, “The Man Who Came versity School of Law, Benedict currently resides in Uptown.” “I pitched the tea to all the publicists I’ve worked Pittsburgh with her family. Her upcoming novel, “The with and told them what we were looking for and was Only Woman in the Room,” will be published in Janugrateful for the response,” Hoenig said. “We wanted ary of 2019. Since 1992, Washington-DC based novelist Pelecato keep the panel down to three people, otherwise it would be too much, but we had a lot of requests from nos has delivered a steady stream of detective fiction, publicists to include their authors — perhaps next from his early Nick Stefanos private-eye stories and time. We are also pleased to get Larry Davidson to be other popular crime-solving series, to his six standthe moderator for this. He always has such a great in- alone novels, which includes “The Man Who Came Uptown,” a story about an ex-offender terview style so it should be fun.” who must choose between his crimiDavidson will have much to dise wanted to nal past and a woman who shows him cuss with these authors. Born in Seoul, Korea, Lee was support another local a new path that will be published on Sept. 4. raised not far from Long Island in In addition to his novels, PelecaElmhurst, Queens. She attended the business so we asked nos has written multiple episodes of Bronx High School of Science and the Flour Shoppe to HBO’s “The Wire” and “Treme,” and then studied history at Yale and law at Georgetown University Law Cen- cater the tea. We want is co-creator of the HBO series “The Deuce.” ter. She worked as a corporate lawTurn of the Corkscrew’s Inauguyer in New York City before becom- our guests to feel like ing a writer. Her debut novel, “Free they are experiencing ral Literary Tea not only includes the crème de la crème of the book world. Food for Millionaires,” was a New York Times Editor’s Choice pick and an actual ‘tea’ while The event will also feature specialty named a USA Today and NPR book of being entertained by a teas and baked goods. “We wanted to support another the year. In 2017, Lee released “Pachinko,” fascinating discussion. local business so we asked the Flour Shoppe to cater the tea,” Hoenig said. a page-turning saga about a poor Carol Hoenig “We want our guests to feel like they Korean family who migrate to 20thBOOK PUBLISHING EXECUTIVE are experiencing an actual ‘tea’ while century Japan and the first novel for English speaking readers about Japanese-Korean cul- being entertained by a fascinating discussion.” Fans of sweet treats can find the Flour Shoppe Café ture. The novel received strong reviews and went on to become a 2017 finalist for the National Book Award at 486 Sunrise Highway in Rockville Centre. Readers can visit Turn of the Corkscrew Books and Wine at 110 for Fiction. Also a former lawyer, Benedict long dreamed N. Park Ave. in Rockville Centre. Those who love books and sweet delights can about having a fantastical job unraveling the larger mysteries of the past as an archaeologist or historian. purchase tickets to Turn of the Corkscrew’s Inaugural She realized she could pursue this passion as a writer Literary Tea by going to the venue website, www.madiand did so in her novels, “The Other Einstein,” the sontheatreny.org. The Madison Theatre at Molloy College is located story of Albert Einstein’s first wife, Mileva Maric, and “Carnegie’s Maid,” about a brilliant woman who may at 1000 Hempstead Ave. in Rockville Centre.
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