Readers’ Delight, East Hampton Library’s 18th Annual Authors Night

This week the East Hampton Library hosted its 18th annual Authors Night with a star-studded ensemble of authors and excited readers. The “Premier Literary Event of the Hamptons” has steadily become one of the country’s most accomplished celebrations of writing and writers. 

It would have been easy to get distracted by the sheer number of authors at the event, which included Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, Katie Couric, and Carl Bernstein. While the lines for the more recognizable names reflected their celebrity, everyone in attendance was able to get their new books signed by its author. 

As an unashamed NPR nerd, my most exciting celebrity encounter was with Gianna Volpe, host of Heart of East End on WLIW-FM. The station was on-site and provided live coverage with authors and event organizers from the East Hampton Library.

Tickets to the Authors Reception, where attendees met with authors and had them sign their books, cost $125. Tickets for $400 included private dinners hosted in honor of the authors. Delicious and complimentary hors d’oeuvres were provided and libations were served by Memory Motel. The funds raised at Authors Night enable the Library to provide our diverse community with essential programming and services throughout the year—all free of charge.

Mingling with other avid readers was refreshing and an exciting opportunity for attendees to make new friends who shared common interests. The event was sophisticated yet approachable and book lovers from across the East End showed off their summer styles.

With so many exciting authors to meet and books to buy, I quickly become over-encumbered. Luckily, the event organizers coordinated a Book Check station…Brilliant!

After meeting all the authors I could, I ate one more oyster for the road, slid my haul into a spiffy East Hampton Library Authors Night 2022 tote (courtesy of Saunders & Associates), and went home—ready to curl up with a good book.