originally published: 01/02/2025
Photo by Kaitlyn Mikayla
(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- Author-podcaster Amanda Montell's acute, wry perception of humanity's fine points and foibles has ever-growing audiences of listeners and readers clamoring for more. If the world at large is making ever-decreasing sense to you, join the New York Times bestselling writer for her Ocean County Library Virtual Author Talk on Thursday, January 23, 2025. The event begins at 2:00pm.
The Age of Magical Thinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality, available in print, audiobook and digital versions at the Ocean County Library, probes the upsides and downsides of the human mind’s cognitive biases. She builds on her premise of “magical thinking,” the belief that one’s inner thoughts can create positive impacts on the external world, suggesting that in the revved-up information age our brains are oversaturated, and irrationality has shifted into overdrive.
With empathy and hope, keen observations and cunning wit, Amanda explores the exaltation of celebrities through the “halo effect,” how the “sunk cost fallacy” detours failed relationships from their end points, and many more unexpected outgrowths of our reasoning processes.
The Californian’s previous works, Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism and Wordslut: A Feminist Guide to Taking Back the English Language, are also available at OCL. Amanda’s work has won plaudits from NPR and publications including The Atlantic, Kirkus Reviews and The Economist. Her podcast Sounds Like a Cult has earned awards from iHeart Radio, Marie Claire, Vulture and Esquire.
Please register at https://libraryc.org/theoceancountylibrary to attend this free program, to view the upcoming schedule, and to view previous talks. Registrants will receive links to the program by email and may submit questions for the author during signup.
OCL turns 100 this year and you’re why they’re celebrating! See details on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, Spotify, Pinterest and https://theoceancountylibrary.org.
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Joyfully Set Daily Rituals to Eat Freely and Live Radiantly with Author Radhi Devlukia-Shetty
(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- How can singing to your food and eating dessert before dinner improve your digestion, skin, and overall wellbeing? Bestselling author and entrepreneur Radhi Devlukia-Shetty will take you on a journey in a virtual discussion on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. The event presented by the Ocean County Library begins at 2:00pm.
Bestselling Author Marjan Kamali to Discuss Courage, Turmoil, and the Transformative Power of Love during Virtual Talk
(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- Be part of an exciting conversation with internationally acclaimed author Marjan Kamali on her New York Times bestselling novel, The Lion Women of Tehran, during a virtual author talk on Thursday, May 7, 2026. The event presented by the Ocean County Library begins at 7:00pm.
Rialto Spotlight Series Welcomes Bestselling Editor and Author Wendy Loggia
(WESTFIELD, NJ) -- The Rialto's Spotlight Series continues this spring with Publishing Prose and Pop Biographies: Wendy Loggia, an evening exploring the craft of writing, storytelling, and publishing. The program takes place on Thursday, May 14, 2026 at The Rialto Center for Creativity. The event begins at 7:00pm.
Reshape Your Beliefs and Unlock Your True Potential with Bestselling Author Nir Eyal
(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- What if the only thing standing between you and the seemingly impossible was belief? This is the question posed by bestselling author Nir Eyal in his newest book, Beyond Belief, which he will discuss on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 during a virtual discussion presented by the Ocean County Library. The event begins at 2:00pm.
MORE EVENTS
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George Street Playhouse presents "My Lord, What A Night"Sunday, May 03, 2026 @ 2:00pmNew Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC)
New Brunswick, NJ
Jeff Boyer’s Big Bubble Bonanza 2026 (Sensory-Friendly Performance)Sunday, May 03, 2026 @ 2:00pmUnion County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) - Main Stage
Rahway, NJ
