EVENT: NCCo Reads Evening with the Author/READ: "The First Ladies"
Details
Once again this year, we'll be hosting the New Castle County Reads Evening with the Author. This is always an informative and fun night as we hear directly from one of the authors of the book. We'll meet before the event at Timothy's to discuss this wonderful book. After dinner, we'll walk or drive over to the event. If you're not joining us at the restaurant, please meet in the lobby of the Chase Center around 6:50.
Event Description: The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray is the 2026 selection for New Castle County Reads. A novel about the extraordinary partnership between First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune—an unlikely friendship that changed the world.
Co-author Victoria Christopher Murray will join New Castle County Libraries for a discussion of the book. Victoria Christopher Murray is the New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of more than 30 novels, including the New York Times Instant Best Seller, The Personal Librarian, also co-written with Marie Benedict.
You must: Register for the Event.
DINNER/5:30: Timothy's on the Riverfront
930 Justison Street, Wilmington, DE
302.429.7427
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EVENT LOCATION/7:00: Chase Center on the Riverfront, Wilmington, DE
NOVEL: The First Ladies
Genre: Historical Fiction
From Amazon:
The daughter of formerly enslaved parents, Mary McLeod Bethune refuses to back down as white supremacists attempt to thwart her work. She marches on as an activist and an educator, and as her reputation grows she becomes a celebrity, revered by titans of business and recognized by U.S. Presidents. Eleanor Roosevelt herself is awestruck and eager to make her acquaintance. Initially drawn together because of their shared belief in women’s rights and the power of education, Mary and Eleanor become fast friends confiding their secrets, hopes and dreams—and holding each other’s hands through tragedy and triumph.
When Franklin Delano Roosevelt is elected president, the two women begin to collaborate more closely, particularly as Eleanor moves toward her own agenda separate from FDR, a consequence of the devastating discovery of her husband’s secret love affair. Eleanor becomes a controversial First Lady for her outspokenness, particularly on civil rights. And when she receives threats because of her strong ties to Mary, it only fuels the women’s desire to fight together for justice and equality.
This is the story of two different, yet equally formidable, passionate, and committed women, and the way in which their singular friendship helped form the foundation for the modern civil rights movement.
Happy Reading,
Diane and Kelly