Memoirs & Coffee Book Group to Discuss "Etched in Sand"

The next meeting of Bernardsville Public Library’s book discussion group, Memoirs and Coffee, will be held on Tuesday, January 27 at 10:30 am in the library’s Community Room. Manager Pat Kennedy-Grant will lead the discussion of “Etched in Sand: A True Story of Five Siblings Who Survived an Unspeakable Childhood on Long Island” (2013) by Regina Calcaterra. [The author will not be present.]

In this story of perseverance in the face of adversity, Ms. Calcaterra recounts her childhood in foster care and on the streets—and how she and her savvy crew of homeless siblings managed to survive years of homelessness, abandonment, and abuse. It is an emotionally powerful memoir which reveals how she rose above her past while fighting to keep her brother and three sisters together. An inspiring coming-of-age story, it is one of tenacity and triumph.

"Etched in Sand" appeared on the New York Times Best Sellers lists for 16 weeks during 2013-14 rising to #2 on the New York Times and Wall Street Journal’s Non-Fiction E-Books Best Sellers list and #6 on the New York Times Non-Fiction Combined Print & E-Books list. It was also selected for One Book/One College reads and integrated into college and high school curriculums. Kirkus Reviews called it "riveting from start to finish."

For the past twenty-six years, Ms. Calcaterra has spent her policy, managerial and legal career in both the private and public sector. She is presently an attorney working for the State of New York. She was appointed executive director of New York's Moreland Commission on Utility Storm Preparation and Response by Governor Andrew Cuomo after she assisted in the recovery of Superstorm Sandy in her capacity as chief deputy executive for Suffolk County.

There is no charge and no registration is needed to join the discussion. Call the library at 766-0118 for more information.