The Avalon Free Public Library is thrilled to announce that best-selling author Amor Towles (A Gentleman in Moscow, Rules of Civility) will be speaking as part of our Summer Author Series on July 10 at 7pm.

Born and raised in the Boston area, Towles graduated from Yale College and received a Master’s degree in English from Stanford University. He continued with a career as an investment professional for more than 20 years, and then devoted his time to writing.

His most recent novel, A Gentleman in Moscow, follows Count Rostov, an ex-member of Russia’s nobility who is sentenced by the Bolsheviks in 1922 to house arrest in the hotel Metropol. It’s been hailed as “marvelous,” by the Chicago Tribune, and the Kansas City Star said, “Take the nostalgia and whimsy of Wes Anderson’s Grand Budapest Hotel, the decorum of Downton Abbey, add a splash of the 19th-century comedies of manners (Dickens, Thackeray, et al.) and a twist of Russian existentialism, and you’ll arrive at something like this book.” You can read our rave review of the book here.

“Amor Towles’ stylish and evocative novels have captivated our patrons,” says Library Director Erin Brown. “We are delighted to connect our readers with Mr. Towles and provide the opportunity for them to learn more about his work and his writing process.”

In addition to Towles’ appearance, our Summer Author series will also feature Jamie Brenner, the return of Meg Donohue, and NPR Correspondent Frank Langfitt. A full schedule will be announced here.