New Castle County Reads

We are excited to announce the NCC Reads 2023 selection is Mary Roach's FUZZ: When Nature Breaks the Law; winner of several awards including the #1 Indie Hardcover Nonfiction Bestseller, being long-listed for the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Non-Fiction (2022), a Washington Post Notable Book of 2021, and an NPR 2021 Best Book of the Year.

We hope you will join us for An Evening with Mary Roach Thursday, April 20, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. at the Chase Center on the Riverfront, 815 Justison St, Wilmington, DE 19801. Free admission. Registration requested.

You can borrow a copy of the book by visiting any New Castle County Library.

For a summary FUZZ: When Nature Breaks the Law and additional information about Mary Roach, please visit https://maryroach.net/maryroach.html.

Related Programs:

Whaling on the High Seas: Thar She Blows!
Wednesday, April 5, 2023 @ 6:30 pm - Hockessin Library
In our nation’s history, whaling ships sailed around the world searching for whales. The whales were hunted primarily for oil to light lanterns and to make candles, corsets and perfume. In the 1830s and 40s, Delaware went whaling with the formation of the Wilmington Whaling Company. This presentation tells the story of whaling and the whales’ subsequent slow recovery from the brink of extinction. Presented by Steve Renzi with Delaware Humanities.

Delaware Nature Society's: Wildlife Mysteries & Myths
Tuesday, April 18, 2023 @ 1 pm - Brandywine Hundred Library
Tuesday, April 25, 2023 @ 7pm - Newark Free Library
“Have you seen any Eagles?” As someone who wears binoculars on a hike (usually looking for birds), this is the most common question I am asked when I am outside. What does it tell me? Eagles are big, well-known, noticeable, and impressive, and people want to talk about them! In this talk, we’ll look at the mammals, reptiles, birds, insects, and other wildlife that Delaware Nature Society naturalists are frequently asked about. We will dispel some common myths, explore their unique habits and natural history, and hear some interesting accounts about animal-human encounters. After 30 years of working at a nature center, Joe Sebastiani will share his experience with nature including some odd wildlife stories in this entertaining and educational program.

NCC Reads Film Series
Born in China (G) - Friday, March 31, 2023 @ 2pm - Route 9 Library
The Mustang (R) - Friday, April 14, 2023 @ 2pm - Route 9 Library
Grizzly Man (R) - Tuesday, April 18, 2023 @ 6:30 pm - Route 9 Library
This movie series is a supplement to New Castle County Reads. The movies will explore three major themes: birth, growth, and death.

The 2023 NCC Reads program is the 17th annual event in our series, which started in 2005. Beginning in 2010, the New Castle County Reads series began to feature an author talk at St. Mark's High School, so that a large number of community members could enjoy not only reading the book, but hearing the author. Each year since then, this highlight event has attracted more than 500 people to a free event presenting talented writers and an opportunity to meet the author during book signings. As participation has expanded, the author talk moved to the facilities at the Chase Center On The Riverfront, beginning in 2015.

The NCC Reads committee has also reached out to area book groups in an effort to create a true community reading event. To date, at least 50 area book clubs, with 560 members, have registered to be part of the NCC Reads experience.

Libraries have hosted book discussion programs as well, so that all readers have an opportunity to share their thoughts on each year's featured title. Additional programs relating to each title have added to the breadth and depth of understanding and sharing about the themes and ideas found therein.