Author Kate Quinn Set for Sea Isle Library Appearance
What if “losing yourself” in a beloved book was not just a metaphor? What would happen if you could really jump inside the story and join the world within the pages?
Those are the questions posed in bestselling author Kate Quinn’s new book, “The Astral Library,” which she’ll be discussing at the Sea Isle City Library on June 6 from 1-2:30pm.
Beloved by readers around the world for page-turners like “The Alice Network” and “The Rose Code,” Quinn has a very special event planned for Sea Isle City. “There will be a presentation, Q&A period, and a book signing,” she says. “The library’s Summer Reading slogan is ‘Unearth a Story,’ so my presentation will theme around that and reference my more recent works.”
Rising to literary fame as an author of historical women’s fiction, Kate Quinn takes a departure into magical realism with “The Astral Library.”
Like the shift in genre, Quinn’s inspiration for this book was also a little different. “I had the title ‘The Astral Library,’ but no book to go with it, which is unusual for me,” Quinn has said. “Normally, I have the book first and then struggle to find the right title. But suddenly a question dropped in my head: ‘What if you could walk into the world of your favorite book and live there?’ And I knew I found my story for the title.”
Coming up with stories has been a near-lifelong journey for Quinn.
“My mother was a librarian with a degree in ancient and medieval history,” Quinn has explained. “That sparked my interest in both books and in the past. So, the past was where I gravitated, as soon as I began writing stories of my own. I wrote my first short story at age 7, which was all about the assassination of King Edward II of England, and my first novel at age 10, when I first learned to type.”
Raised in Southern California, Quinn never stopped writing. In fact, while she was a freshman at Boston University, where she studied classical voice, Quinn wrote a novel titled “Mistress of Rome.” This would become the first of four books in her “Empress of Rome” series.
With a signature blend of complex female heroines, fast-paced narrative, and gritty period details, Quinn found early success with the Rome series and the subsequent Borgia series. But she truly skyrocketed to literary fame when she began writing stories set during the World War II era.
First up was “The Alice Network,” published in 2017. This suspenseful story of intrigue and espionage featured two heroines and alternating timelines between 1915 and 1947.
When Reese Witherspoon chose “The Alice Network” for Reese’s Book Club, the book catapulted to the top of bestseller lists around the world. Also honored as one of NPR’s Best Books of the Year, the book was only the beginning of Quinn’s exploration into the critical yet unheralded roles that women filled during the war.
In fact, Quinn’s next three books, “The Huntress” (2019), “The Rose Code” (2021), and “The Diamond Eye” (2022) would delve into spellbinding tales of courageous, complicated female bomber pilots, code breakers, and snipers. In 2024, Quinn shifted her attention to McCarthy-era Washington with the release of “The Briar Club.” Each of these books was released to popular and critical acclaim, captivating readers around the world, and cementing Quinn’s status as a leader in women’s historical fiction.
Which made “The Astral Library” an interesting departure for the prolific writer. Recently released in February, “The Astral Library” is set in 1920s New York, and introduces Alix, a librarian who has a secret ability to “slip” into the worlds of classic literature. When she discovers a hidden Astral Library that houses every book ever written, she must confront an ancient evil, collaborate with a mysterious book collector, and save the library and reality itself.
No surprise, “The Astral Library” quickly climbed the bestseller lists, debuting at No. 2 on The New York Times list and No. 1 on Canada’s Globe & Mail list.
While maintaining her historical fiction perspective, Quinn unveils new universes and explores new depths of imagination and storytelling in “The Astral Library.” This was a fun challenge for the talented writer.
“Working in a brand-new genre is always surprising,” she has said. “When I write historical fiction, I certainly have a lot of world-building to do. But I don’t have to figure out what the rules of magic are, and whether I should include dragons!”
Still, within the fantastical world of “The Astral Library,” Quinn skillfully weaves a modern message. “I want this book to feel like a warm hug for bibliophiles,” she’s shared. “But I also think of it as my battle cry for how important libraries are.”
Creating the Astral Library universe required sheer imagination and careful planning. “I did a lot of outlining about the rules by which the library operates,” she has explained. “I knew one particular bookworm would jump through books to run from, and ultimately defend against, an enemy from the outside.”
With so much to discover from Quinn, Sea Isle City residents and visitors are lucky to have this unique opportunity to hear directly from the author at the Sea Isle City Library. The event is for adults only, and requires advanced registration (found on the Cape May County Libraries events page, see below).
Everyone in attendance is guaranteed an enlightening experience with this creative, engaging author, who had definitive goals in writing this mystical thriller.
“First, I hope the story entertains – that’s the goal of any storyteller,” she has explained. “Second, some lingering thoughts about the importance of libraries and how to support them. Third, a spirited discussion about which book they would choose to live in if they could!”
Kate Quinn Author Event
Who: Bestselling historical fiction author of “The Alice Network,” “The Rose Code,” and “The Astral Library”
When: Saturday, June 6, 1-2:30pm
Where: Sea Isle City Library
What: Quinn will give a presentation, followed by a Q&A, and book signing.
How: The event is free, but registration is required. Register online at cmcl.org/events.
