Skip to main content
Font size options
Increase or decrease the font size for this website by clicking on the 'A's.
Contrast options
Choose a color combination to give the most comfortable contrast.

Register 37 Seats Remaining

Courageous Lives, Timeless Lessons

A Storytelling Journey Through Today's Best Books
2026-11-19 14:00:00 2026-11-19 15:00:00 America/Chicago Courageous Lives, Timeless Lessons Book dramatist Jenny Riddle blends today’s most talked-about books with unforgettable historical figures to create an engaging, inspiring, and often humorous journey. Northbrook Public Library - Pollak Room AB - First Floor

Thursday, November 19
2:00pm - 3:00pm

Add to Calendar

Northbrook Public Library

Pollak Room AB - First Floor

Book dramatist Jenny Riddle blends today’s most talked-about books with unforgettable historical figures to create an engaging, inspiring, and often humorous journey.

From the stoic wisdom of a Roman emperor to the quiet defiance of medieval nuns, from ordinary citizens who stood up to tyranny to an octopus with the soul of a philosopher and a chef who built an empire from chocolate chip cookies—these stories span centuries and genres but speak powerfully to what it means to live with courage, curiosity, and heart.

Through storytelling and reflection, she explores how people—real and imagined—choose courage over comfort, creativity over fear, and joy over resignation.

You will leave inspired, entertained, and reminded that stories—serious and playful alike—help us make sense of our world and live more bravely in it.

AGE GROUP: | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | Adult Learning |

TAGS: | |

Northbrook Public Library
Phone: 847-272-6224
Hours
Skip Opening Hours widget
Mon, Oct 12 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Tue, Oct 13 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Wed, Oct 14 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Thu, Oct 15 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Fri, Oct 16 9:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat, Oct 17 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Oct 18 1:00PM to 5:00PM
previous
this week
next

Upcoming events

Skip EDI Programs widget
Ben Goluboff Book Discussion - Blue Angel by Francine Prose - Virtual
Wed, Oct 14, 10:00am - 11:30am
Zoom Room 2 - Fiction & Media
Registration is now closed
Babytime (Birth-24 Months) - Program limited to the first 15 babies
Wed, Oct 14, 10:00am - 10:45am
Youth Services Activity Room - Second Floor
Oakton Literacy Class - Fall 2026 (Afternoon)
Wed, Oct 14, 12:30pm - 3:30pm
Interactive Classroom - Second Floor,Study Room 2 - Second Floor
The Conductor (2021, Not Rated) - Classical Music Documentary Film Screening
Wed, Oct 14, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Auditorium - First Floor
Registration is now closed
Voter Information Table - Presented by the League of Women Voters
Wed, Oct 14, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Lobby - First Floor
Preschool Storytime (Ages 3-5) - Drop-In, with Caregiver
Wed, Oct 14, 4:00pm - 4:30pm
Youth Services Activity Room - Second Floor
Cursive Club (Grades 3-8) - Registration required
Wed, Oct 14, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Youth Services Activity Room - Second Floor
Craft Circle: Bobbin' Along (Age 13-Adult) - Card Required
Wed, Oct 14, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Collaboratory - Second Floor
Oakton Literacy Class - Fall 2026 (Evening)
Wed, Oct 14, 6:00pm - 8:45pm
Interactive Classroom - Second Floor,Study Room 2 - Second Floor
Storytime at the Library (All Ages) - Drop-In, with Caregiver
Thu, Oct 15, 10:00am - 10:30am
Story Corner - Second Floor
Meditation Class - in partnership with the Northbrook Park District
Thu, Oct 15, 10:00am - 11:00am
Pollak Room A - First Floor
Northbrook Symphony Preview - Sumptuous Strings
Thu, Oct 15, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Pollak Room AB - First Floor
Nintendo Switch: Super Mario Party Jamboree (Grades 3-9) - Drop-In
Thu, Oct 15, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Youth Services Activity Room - Second Floor
Introduction to the Collaboratory (Age 13-Adult)
Thu, Oct 15, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Interactive Classroom - Second Floor
This event is full
Board of Trustees - Board Meeting
Thu, Oct 15, 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Civic Room - First Floor
Chair Yoga with Olga Rudiak - Card Required
Fri, Oct 16, 10:00am - 11:00am
Pollak Room AB - First Floor
This event is full
Northern Illinois Lego Train Club Exhibit
Sat, Oct 17, 9:00am - 5:00pm
Pollak Room AB - First Floor
Jewelry: Galaxy Ring (Age 18+) - Card Required
Sat, Oct 17, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Civic Room - First Floor
This event is full
48 Hour Film Challenge Screening
Sat, Oct 17, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Auditorium - First Floor
Northern Illinois Lego Train Club Exhibit
Sun, Oct 18, 1:00pm - 5:00pm
Pollak Room AB - First Floor
Amateur Radio Exam
Sun, Oct 18, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Civic Room - First Floor
Classic Great Books with Robert Waterbury - As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner
Mon, Oct 19, 10:00am - 11:30am
Civic Room - First Floor
Oakton Literacy Class - Fall 2026 (Afternoon)
Mon, Oct 19, 12:30pm - 3:30pm
Interactive Classroom - Second Floor,Study Room 2 - Second Floor
Around the World: (Grades K-3) - Registration Required
Mon, Oct 19, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Youth Services Activity Room - Second Floor
Oakton Literacy Class - Fall 2026 (Evening)
Mon, Oct 19, 6:00pm - 8:45pm
Interactive Classroom - Second Floor,Study Room 2 - Second Floor
Chess Club (Grades K-6) - Registration Required
Mon, Oct 19, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Youth Services Activity Room - Second Floor
This event is full
How Northbrook Works and How You Can Shape It - in partnership with the League of Women Voters.
Mon, Oct 19, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Pollak Room AB - First Floor
Storytime at the Library (All Ages) - Drop-In, with Caregiver
Tue, Oct 20, 10:00am - 10:30am
Story Corner - Second Floor
Tech Tuesday
Tue, Oct 20, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Reference Area - Second Floor
Andertoons Drawing Workshops (Grades K-6) - Registration Required - Virtual
Tue, Oct 20, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Zoom Room 5 - Youth Services
Safety Net: Security Online - Hybrid
Tue, Oct 20, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Civic Room - First Floor
3D Printing: Simple Replacement Parts (Age 13-Adult) - Card Required
Tue, Oct 20, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Interactive Classroom - Second Floor
This event is full
You, Me & Tuscany (2026, PG-13) - Evening Film Screening
Tue, Oct 20, 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Auditorium - First Floor
Babytime (Birth-24 Months) - Program limited to the first 15 babies
Wed, Oct 21, 10:00am - 10:45am
Youth Services Activity Room - Second Floor
Merrily We Roll Along (2025, PG-13) - Friends Members-Only Exclusive Film & Reception
Wed, Oct 21, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Auditorium - First Floor
Preschool Storytime (Ages 3-5) - Drop-In, with Caregiver
Wed, Oct 21, 4:00pm - 4:30pm
Youth Services Activity Room - Second Floor
Sewing Machine Basics: Drawstring Backpack (Grade 3-6)
Wed, Oct 21, 4:15pm - 5:45pm
Civic Room - First Floor
This event is full
Cursive Club (Grades 3-8) - Registration required
Wed, Oct 21, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Youth Services Activity Room - Second Floor
This event is full
Oakton Literacy Class - Fall 2026 (Evening)
Wed, Oct 21, 6:00pm - 8:45pm
Interactive Classroom - Second Floor,Study Room 2 - Second Floor
Storytime at the Library (All Ages) - Drop-In, with Caregiver
Thu, Oct 22, 10:00am - 10:30am
Story Corner - Second Floor
Reima Ratti: Life & Art in the Great Depression
Thu, Oct 22, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Pollak Room AB - First Floor
Silly and Spooky Science (Grades 3-5) - Registration Required
Thu, Oct 22, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Youth Services Activity Room - Second Floor
This event is full
Glass Fusion: Night Lights (Age 13-Adult) - Card Required
Thu, Oct 22, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Pollak Room A - First Floor
This event is full
Chair Yoga with Olga Rudiak - Card Required
Fri, Oct 23, 10:00am - 11:00am
Pollak Room AB - First Floor
This event is full
Friends of the Library Book Sale - Used Book Sale
Fri, Oct 23, 10:00am - 4:00pm
Civic Room - First Floor
Halloween Storyfest (All Ages with Caregiver, Drop-In)
Fri, Oct 23, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Story Corner - Second Floor,Youth Services Activity Room - Second Floor,Youth Services Area - Second Floor
Friends of the Library Book Sale - Used Book Sale
Sat, Oct 24, 10:00am - 4:00pm
Civic Room - First Floor
Intro to the Serger (Age 13-Adult) - Card Required
Sat, Oct 24, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Interactive Classroom - Second Floor
This event is full
Live Theatre Screening: The Audience (2013)
Sat, Oct 24, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Auditorium - First Floor
Voter Information Table - Presented by the League of Women Voters
Sat, Oct 24, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Lobby - First Floor
Next Chapter Book Club
Sat, Oct 24, 1:30pm - 3:00pm
Interactive Classroom - Second Floor
EStrella Duo - Classical Concert
Sun, Oct 25, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Auditorium - First Floor
My First Yoga (Ages 3-5, with Caregiver) - Registration Required
Mon, Oct 26, 11:00am - 11:30am
Pollak Room AB - First Floor
Oakton Literacy Class - Fall 2026 (Afternoon)
Mon, Oct 26, 12:30pm - 3:30pm
Interactive Classroom - Second Floor,Study Room 2 - Second Floor
Pokemon Club (Grades 3-6) - Registration Required
Mon, Oct 26, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Youth Services Activity Room - Second Floor
Oakton Literacy Class - Fall 2026 (Evening)
Mon, Oct 26, 6:00pm - 8:45pm
Interactive Classroom - Second Floor,Study Room 2 - Second Floor
Environmental Wins in Illinois...And What Comes Next
Mon, Oct 26, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Pollak Room AB - First Floor
Northbrook Writes: Writing Styles - Sentences, Tone, and Refining Your Voice with Vince Francone
Mon, Oct 26, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Zoom Room 2 - Fiction & Media
Tech Tuesday
Tue, Oct 27, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Reference Area - Second Floor
All About: Halloween Candy (Grades 1-3) - Registration Required
Tue, Oct 27, 4:15pm - 5:00pm
Youth Services Activity Room - Second Floor
Password Management Apps
Tue, Oct 27, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Civic Room - First Floor
Music & Me with Teacher Dan (All Ages) - Drop-In, with Caregiver
Wed, Oct 28, 10:30am - 11:00am
Story Corner - Second Floor
Oakton Literacy Class - Fall 2026 (Afternoon)
Wed, Oct 28, 12:30pm - 3:30pm
Interactive Classroom - Second Floor,Study Room 2 - Second Floor
Snack Wars (Grades 5-9) - Registration Required
Wed, Oct 28, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Youth Services Activity Room - Second Floor
Oakton Literacy Class - Fall 2026 (Evening)
Wed, Oct 28, 6:00pm - 8:45pm
Interactive Classroom - Second Floor,Study Room 2 - Second Floor
Needle Felted Pumpkins (Age 13-Adult) - Card Required
Wed, Oct 28, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Civic Room - First Floor
This event is full
The Dead Zone (1983, R) - Film & Discussion
Wed, Oct 28, 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Auditorium - First Floor
Books & Bites: Sunrise on the Reaping - Registration Required
Thu, Oct 29, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Youth Services Activity Room - Second Floor
Embossed Metal Trinket Box (Age 13-Adult) - Card Required
Thu, Oct 29, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Interactive Classroom - Second Floor
This event is full
Chair Yoga with Olga Rudiak - Card Required
Fri, Oct 30, 10:00am - 11:00am
Pollak Room AB - First Floor
This event is full
Danny Lai - Classical Concert
Sun, Nov 01, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Auditorium - First Floor
Oakton Literacy Class - Fall 2026 (Afternoon)
Mon, Nov 02, 12:30pm - 3:30pm
Interactive Classroom - Second Floor,Study Room 2 - Second Floor
Art Pops!: Tape Art (Grades 2-5) - Registration Required
Mon, Nov 02, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Youth Services Activity Room - Second Floor
Oakton Literacy Class - Fall 2026 (Evening)
Mon, Nov 02, 6:00pm - 8:45pm
Interactive Classroom - Second Floor,Study Room 2 - Second Floor
Uncovering Ancient Egypt
Mon, Nov 02, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Pollak Room AB - First Floor
Craft Circle: Bobbin' Along (Age 13-Adult) - Card Required
Tue, Nov 03, 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Collaboratory - Second Floor
Tech Tuesday
Tue, Nov 03, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Reference Area - Second Floor
Cancelled
Noggin Builders (Grades K-2) - Registration Required
Tue, Nov 03, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Stamp Carving (Age 13-Adult) - Card Required
Tue, Nov 03, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Pollak Room A - First Floor
This event is full
Music & Me with Teacher Dan (All Ages) - Drop-In, with Caregiver
Wed, Nov 04, 10:30am - 11:00am
Story Corner - Second Floor
Oakton Literacy Class - Fall 2026 (Afternoon)
Wed, Nov 04, 12:30pm - 3:30pm
Interactive Classroom - Second Floor,Study Room 2 - Second Floor
Tótem (2023, Unrated) - World Cinema Film Series
Wed, Nov 04, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Auditorium - First Floor
Drop-In Genealogy - Courtesy of the North Suburban Genealogical Society
Wed, Nov 04, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Reference Area - Second Floor
Oakton Literacy Class - Fall 2026 (Evening)
Wed, Nov 04, 6:00pm - 8:45pm
Interactive Classroom - Second Floor,Study Room 2 - Second Floor
How Northbrook Became the Speed Skating Capital of the World
Wed, Nov 04, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Pollak Room AB - First Floor
Queer Meetup (Grades 9-12, Drop-In)
Thu, Nov 05, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Youth Services Activity Room - Second Floor
Glass Fusion: Lantern Panels (Age 13-Adult) - Card Required
Thu, Nov 05, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Pollak Room A - First Floor
This event is full
Chair Yoga with Olga Rudiak - Card Required
Fri, Nov 06, 10:00am - 11:00am
Pollak Room AB - First Floor
This event is full
Saturday Storytime (All Ages) - Drop-In, with Caregiver
Sat, Nov 07, 10:00am - 10:30am
Story Corner - Second Floor
Northbrook Repairs
Sat, Nov 07, 1:00pm - 3:30pm
Pollak Room AB - First Floor
Next Chapter Book Club
Sat, Nov 07, 1:30pm - 3:00pm
Interactive Classroom - Second Floor
Tango with Winnie - Classical Concert
Sun, Nov 08, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Auditorium - First Floor
Oakton Literacy Class - Fall 2026 (Afternoon)
Mon, Nov 09, 12:30pm - 3:30pm
Interactive Classroom - Second Floor,Study Room 2 - Second Floor
Top Secret: Codebreakers (Grades 3-5) - Registration Required
Mon, Nov 09, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Youth Services Activity Room - Second Floor
Oakton Literacy Class - Fall 2026 (Evening)
Mon, Nov 09, 6:00pm - 8:45pm
Interactive Classroom - Second Floor,Study Room 2 - Second Floor
Joe Policastro Trio - Jazz Concert
Mon, Nov 09, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Auditorium - First Floor
Tech Tuesday
Tue, Nov 10, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Reference Area - Second Floor
Andertoons Drawing Workshops (Grades K-6) - Registration Required - Virtual
Tue, Nov 10, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Zoom Room 5 - Youth Services
Teen Advisory Board (Grades 6-12) - Registration Required
Tue, Nov 10, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Pollak Room AB - First Floor
Leather Bell Key Holder (Age 13-Adult) - Card Required
Tue, Nov 10, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Interactive Classroom - Second Floor
This event is full
iPhone: Staying Connected
Tue, Nov 10, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Civic Room - First Floor
Ben Goluboff Book Discussion - The Bridge of San Luis Rey by Thornton Wilder - Virtual
Wed, Nov 11, 10:00am - 11:30am
Zoom Room 2 - Fiction & Media
A Private Life (2025, Rated R) - World Cinema Film Series
Wed, Nov 11, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Auditorium - First Floor
Sewing Machine Basics: Pillowcase (Grade 3-6)
Wed, Nov 11, 4:15pm - 5:45pm
Interactive Classroom - Second Floor
This event is full
Private Session with Financial Planner
Thu, Nov 12, 9:30am - 10:20am
Study Room 12 - Second Floor
This event is full
Brew & Books Club - The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek - Kim Michele Richardson
Thu, Nov 12, 10:00am - 11:00am
Civic Room - First Floor
Baby Wiggleworms (Birth-24 months) - Program limited to the first 15 babies.
Thu, Nov 12, 10:00am - 10:30am
Youth Services Activity Room - Second Floor
Private Session with Financial Planner
Thu, Nov 12, 10:30am - 11:20am
Study Room 12 - Second Floor
This event is full
Baby Wiggleworms (Birth-24 months) - Program limited to the first 15 babies.
Thu, Nov 12, 10:45am - 11:15am
Youth Services Activity Room - Second Floor
Private Session with Financial Planner
Thu, Nov 12, 11:30am - 12:20pm
Study Room 12 - Second Floor
Private Session with Financial Planner
Thu, Nov 12, 12:30pm - 1:20pm
Study Room 12 - Second Floor
This event is full
Board Game Group (Grades 3-8, Drop-In)
Thu, Nov 12, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Youth Services Activity Room - Second Floor
Starting a Podcast (Age 13-Adult) - Card Required
Thu, Nov 12, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Interactive Classroom - Second Floor
This event is full
Deb's Law: The Facts About Medical Aid in Dying - Hybrid
Thu, Nov 12, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Civic Room - First Floor
Chair Yoga with Olga Rudiak - Card Required
Fri, Nov 13, 10:00am - 11:00am
Pollak Room AB - First Floor
This event is full
Korean Storytime (All Ages) - Registration Required, with Caregiver
Fri, Nov 13, 10:00am - 10:30am
Youth Services Activity Room - Second Floor
Holiday Card Design in Canva
Fri, Nov 13, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Interactive Classroom - Second Floor
This event is full
See all events