Northampton Forbes Library, All Hamptons Read

All Hamptons Read presents a multi-community reading program centered around Ross Gay’s poetry book, Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude, as part of the NEA Big Read in partnership with the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association (PVMA) and the Montague Public Libraries.

Throughout April, join us for poetry readings, book discussions, writing and art workshops, and more! The keynote event will be a virtual event featuring Ross Gay himself (see below). All of the programs are free and open to the public, although some require pre-registration due to attendance limits.

About All Hamptons Read

Spearheaded by the public libraries in Northampton, Florence, Easthampton, Southampton, Westhampton, and Williamsburg, All Hamptons Read is partnering to give readers throughout our region the opportunity to come together annually for discussion and exploration around the themes of a book.

Keynote Event: Virtual Event with Ross Gay

Click here to register online and receive the Zoom link.

Join us as Ross Gay discusses his Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude, a part of the NEA Big Read 2025.

Ross Gay is the author of four books of poetry: Against Which; Bringing the Shovel Down; Be Holding, winner of the PEN American Literary Jean Stein Award; and Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude, winner of the 2015 National Book Critics Circle Award and the 2016 Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award. In addition to his poetry, Ross has released three collections of essays—The Book of Delights was released in 2019 and was a New York Times bestseller; Inciting Joy was released in 2022, and his newest collection, The Book of (More) Delights was released in September of 2023.

Copies of Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude are available to borrow from the participating libraries in each community. E-books and e-audiobooks are also available through Libby.

APRIL EVENTS

Forbes Library (20 West St, Northampton):

• April 4, 4pm: Poetry in Times of Crisis – Panel discussion of four poets who will explore through their poetry, current and past events that have preoccupied us. This event will also be livestreamed on the Forbes YouTube channel and available to view afterward.
• April 9, 6pm: Peter Gizzi Poetry Reading – Join us for a reading and talk by poet Peter Gizzi, author of several collections of poetry, including Fierce Elegy (2023), winner of the Massachusetts Book Award. Presented in partnership with the Massachusetts Center for the Book.
• April 10, 6pm: Writing Workshop: Cataloging Poetic Gratitude– (Registration requested) This is a beginner-friendly guided session analyzing the poetry of Ross Gay. We will discuss and experiment through writing some of the most common ways of understanding poems.
• April 12, 1pm: Book Group Discussion
• April 16, 6:30pm: Where We Live: Sense of Place Story & Writing Workshop – (Registration required) Join us for an immersive workshop designed to deepen your connection to the places you cherish. Using simple, sensory-rich prompts, you’ll unlock vivid descriptions, authentic emotions, and compelling narratives that can shape stories, poems, songs, and more. Led by Erica Wheeler, award-winning singer-songwriter and TEDx speaker.
• April 18, 1pm: Book Group Discussion (Hybrid)
• April 26, 2pm: Voices of Poetry – Join us for an afternoon of great poetry, featuring distinguished poets Jen Jabaily-Blackburn, Shari Caplan, Charles Coe, Lee Desrosiers, Deborah Leipziger, and Ellen Doré Watson.

Westhampton Library (1 N Rd, Westhampton):

• April 10, 6pm: Homegrown Gratitude: Poetry & Collage – (Registration required) Led by local artist Mary Cleary, participants will create a collage on canvas on the theme of “where we live.” Please call 413-527-5386 or email [email protected] to sign up.
• April 22, 7pm: National Poetry Month Book Group
• May 31, 10:30am: Pick up the Pen: Start Your Writing Project – (Registration required) In this fun, supportive workshop with Lara Tupper, you’ll begin a writing habit you can stick with and enjoy. Please sign up in advance by contacting [email protected] or call 413-527-5386. Please contact the Westhampton Library with questions or to register: 413-527-5386.

Easthampton Library (52 Main St, Easthampton):

• April 16, 5:30-7:30pm: Plan Your Garden: A Coworking Event & Seed Swap – Presented in collaboration with the Easthampton BEES Committee. Create wildlife and pollinator habitat in your own garden! Feel free to bring a favorite garden book to share and seeds to swap! Drop-in, no registration is required.

Lilly Library (please note individual event locations):

• April 19, 2pm: Soundbath with Jess Frey – Jess Frey will lead a sound bath with a focus on gratitude. A sound bath is an immersive event where you will experience crystal bowls, chimes, and songs to evoke vibrational therapeutic healing. This event will be held at Bombyx Center for Arts & Equity: 130 Pine St, Florence. Please contact Lilly Library with questions: 413-587-1500.
• April 26, 2pm: Journeydance with Susan McNamara – Journeydance is a guided practice set to music. No dance experience necessary, just a willingness to move and be moved. This event will be held at Bombyx: 130 Pine St, Florence. Please contact Lilly Library with questions: 413-587-1500.
• April 27, 1:30pm: Gratitude Poetry Event – Join the Florence Poets Society for an afternoon poetry reading. Bring a poem to share (yours or another poet’s!) on the theme of gratitude. This event will be held at Lilly Library: 19 Meadow St, Northampton. Please contact Lilly Library with questions: 413-587-1500.

Edwards Library (30 East St, Southampton):

April 26, 10am: How to Maintain a Native Plant Garden – (Registration required) Learn the choices you have for managing the changes in your native plant garden. Presented by the Hampden Hampshire Conservation District at Edwards Public Library. Please register by emailing [email protected]. Please contact the Edwards Library with questions: 413-527-9480.

Learn about All Hamptons Read and view upcoming events on our website.