Symposia Community Bookstore Events – October 2023

Symposia’s Writing Group held its first meeting on October 16, 2021 with five authors in attendance. The group has met monthly since then and has grown to eight members. We meet the second Saturday of the month and critique two submissions at each meeting.

Ours is an eclectic group, with some writing short fiction and others writing essays and plays. There’s always lively discussion about the works submitted, with our authors getting and giving valuable and constructive criticisms.

If you’re interested in joining us, you can contact the facilitator Marie Castronuovo at mcastronuovo@msn.com

Membership fee of $5 per meeting includes a free book of your choice, as well as a critique and feedback from the other members of your submitted work.

Open Mic Night – Tuesday, Oct. 10th 7:30 to 10 pm   

“Autumn music whispers of the bittersweet cycle of life, reminding us that even endings can be beautiful.” – Unknown

Join us for the OCTOBER edition of Open Mic Night! This month, our (optional) theme is “Autumn Vibes.” Interpret however you like

This inclusive, encouraging environment is the perfect place to practice what you’ve been working on at home. Original material and covers are welcome (songs, poems, readings, comedy). This event is open to all ages, therefore we ask that all material be clean and family-friendly.

*Suggested donation $5/attendee to support Symposia (non-profit bookstore)

*Some simple snacks will be provided but feel free to BYO drinks/snacks.

“The Best Hardcore Band in PA” – book reading/signing by Bill Elenbark Sunday Oct. 22nd at 5 pm

The Best Hardcore Band in PA (releasing October 24^thfrom Amphorae Publishing) is a YA LGBTQ story about two best friends who form a punk band in a part of central PA with churches on every corner but no music scene and definitely no hardcore or raging punk.

Cyrus plays drums and Jeff screams and plays guitar and the band becomes a place where Cy can be himself, not the quiet boy whose mother died three years ago. Nobody in high school knows is gay. Just Cyrus and Jeff, the friend he dreams about even though he knows he shouldn’t. Even after a kiss in Cy’s bedroom leaves him hoping for more. For Jeff, it’s a way to channel his rage into music—rage at the father who abandoned him, the mother who has chosen his stepfather over him, and the stepfather who has chosen the righteousness of the closed fist when trying to cleanse Jeff of his sins. But the band can’t last forever. And what happens when that refuge is taken away changes everything.

Bill Elenbark is the author of YA novel I Will Be Okay (June 2020) and this is his second book release.

It recently received a starred review from Kirkus Reviews: “This emotionally intelligent story centers Cyrus’ coming to terms with himself over the course of two years. The energetic plot is balanced by sweet and intimate moments and buoyed by well-drawn characters.”

Bill lived for over 10 years in Hoboken and currently resides in Jersey City with his partner Mike and their mini schnauzer Elie.

Light refreshments will be served.

For more info, contact Bill at bill.elenbark.author@gmail.com

“Roots: Unlocking the Potential and Discovering the Delicious in all Natural Ingredients” – book reading/signing by Chef Vincent Tropepe – Wednesday Oct. 25th at 7 pm

Award winning certified chef, Vincent Tropepe has been instrumental in the way the dining public thinks, views and dines.

“Roots: Unlocking the Potential and Discovering the Delicious in all Natural Ingredients” continues Chef Tropepe’s quest to have people view common and known all natural ingredients in a new way. In this chapter full color cookbook Chef Tropepe takes the reader on a culinary journey through at least six different types of cuisines that is sure to awaken and expand the reader’s palette.

For more info contact Randy at authorrelations.mep@gmail.com

La Leche – New Moms Support Group– Friday, Oct. 27th 10 am to 12 pm.  

Come join us for this support group where you can share and learn from other moms.

La Leche league is an international volunteer run support group open to all families interested in lactating or providing human milk to their babies.

La Leche League was founded over 60 years ago when the founders (a small group of mothers) found that families were most successful when supported by their peers and it has continued with the premises of providing non bias support to local families.

For more info contact Tiffany at lllofjc@gmail.com

Our family at Symposia wishes you a beautiful Fall and hopes that everyone is staying safe and well read!

We are looking for VOLUNTEERS to shelf books and/or help customers.

Flexible hours, great environment, free books!

Other ways to help Symposia:

DONATE YOUR BOOKS! Symposia stays in business by selling donated books online.

Donate your used shipping supplies: In an effort to stay environmentally friendly, Symposia Bookstore welcomes donations of used clean shipping materials like small bubble wrap and new bubble mailers/envelopes.

BUY FROM SYMPOSIA! Need new reading material? Peruse Symposia’s inventory with over 2,500 titles on Amazon at

https://www.amazon.com/s?me=A2K6ZNUTSJAUFX&marketplaceID=ATVPDKIKX0D

Any donation will help make an impact as this is a nonprofit organization that serves as the only used-bookstore in the area and community center for locals. Thank you so much in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to our community. It is our pleasure curating the best books for our customers thanks to your donations.