When Jennifer Weiner makes her ninth Princeton Public Library-sponsored appearance to discuss her 20th novel for adults, "The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits," it will be something of a full-circle event for the author and the library. Weiner will appear 3 p.m. April 7 at the Nassau Club as part of the Beyond Words fundraising series hosted by the Friends and Foundation of Princeton Public Library.
Weiner, a New York Times bestselling author, and Janie Hermann, adult programming manager for the library, remember with fondness the author's first appearance at a library event, Jan. 30, 2002, at the library's temporary location at Princeton Shopping Center.
"Jen had just published her first book, 'Good in Bed,' and was looking to do an event in Princeton, as she is a grad of the university," Hermann said. "We did a panel of first-time novelists and she was on a panel with fellow authors Jenny McPhee and Kathleen Demarco. We must have made a good impression because she's appeared here and at other venues for special library events like the Book Lovers Luncheon and Summer Reading Soiree and a special covid event at the Princeton Shopping Center. She even made a surprise appearance when Curtis Sittenfeld was the author at the Book Lovers Luncheon. If you count that surprise pop-in, then Jen has been here 10 times, possibly the most times we've hosted any author."
For Weiner, a 1991 graduate of Princeton University, her latest appearance will be the continuation of a long love affair with libraries that began as a child in Connecticut. (Coincidentally, her appearance is part of the April 7 kickoff for Princeton Public Library's observance of Nationally Library Week, which begins with a community read-aloud of a novel by another university author, "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald.)
"Libraries have always played a big part in my life," Weiner said. "As a kid, the Simsbury Public Library was my favorite place to visit and bring home bags full of books. In college, I spent even more time reading at Firestone Library on Princeton's campus.
"When I became an author, the Princeton Public Library was one of the first places to host me. I remember doing a panel event for debut authors with Jenny McPhee — whose father John McPhee had been my professor — and Kathleen DeMarco. I was still in the pinch-me phase of being newly published and was thrilled to be attending a library event as a writer instead of as a reader! Since then, I've done eight events at the library and they are always some of the best events of my tours. I can't wait to visit the library again for 'The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits.' "
Jennifer Weiner's books have spent over five years on the New York Times bestseller list, including several times at No. 1, with more than 11 million copies in print in 36 countries. Her novel "In Her Shoes" was turned into a major motion picture starring Cameron Diaz, Toni Collette and Shirley MacLaine. Critics have lauded her books for their humor as well as their insight into the complex relationships and issues of contemporary life.
The author uses her social media presence to amplify women's voices and speak on topics including self-esteem, body positivity and the way books by women are reviewed and consumed.
Tickets for Weiner's April 7 appearance at the Nassau Club are $175 and include a signed copy of "The Griffin Sister's Greatest Hits" and afternoon refreshments. The club is at 6 Mercer Street in Princeton. The ticket price includes a tax-deductible donation to Princeton Public Library to expand collections and ensure access to valuable resources for all. For more information, please visit princetonlibrary.org/support.
Beyond Words is presented by the Friends and Foundation of Princeton Public Library. Support for the series comes from Glenmede, Princeton Global, Joshua Zinder Architecture + Design, the Wilton Group and Venue Sponsor Courtney Lederer. The Friends and Foundation Events Committee includes co-chairs Jane Fransson and Stephanie Sandberg and members Mary Brophy, Jessica Deutsch, Courtney Lederer, Jill Morrison and Stefanie Rossitto.
More from the publisher about the book:
" 'The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits' tells the story of Cassie and Zoe Grossberg, sisters who skyrocketed to pop stardom in the early 2000s as the Griffin Sisters. Zoe, blessed with charm and beauty, yearned for fame from the moment she could sing into a hairbrush. Cassie was a musical prodigy who never felt at home in her own skin and preferred the safety of the shadows.
"After a whirlwind year in the public eye, the band abruptly broke up. Two decades later, Zoe is a suburban housewife, Cassie has retreated from public life, and Zoe's teenage daughter, Cherry, is determined to become a star—despite her mother's warnings. As Cherry digs into the truth behind the band's breakup, long-buried secrets surface, forcing all three women to confront the choices that shaped their lives.
"Set against the backdrop of the music industry, the novel explores ambition, sisterhood, motherhood, and the price of fame. Set for release on April 8, 2025."
