(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- Join Veronica Roth, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Divergent series, for a virtual discussion on Thursday, October 1, 2026, presented by the Ocean County Library. Get a sneak peek at The Sixth Faction, the highly anticipated novel by one of the most iconic young adult authors of a generation. The event begins at 7:00pm.
Fifteen years after readers first stepped into dystopian Chicago alongside Tris Prior, the Divergent universe continues to captivate readers with its unflinching exploration of identity, courage, and sacrifice. In the alternate universe of The Sixth Faction, we revisit familiar characters in a completely new way…
Beatrice Prior stands on the brink of a decision every person in her world must make: five factions, five futures, five lives. She has a plan. She’s going to make the bravest choice and leave Abnegation to join Dauntless, even though it means abandoning her family. But when tragedy strikes at her choosing ceremony, everything changes – her world, her plans, and Beatrice herself.
Her decision will thrust her into the crosshairs of an underground rebellion, where a boy with secrets as dangerous as her own – a boy with only a number for a name – may be the only person she can trust. One choice will change everything.
Registration is required for this free program. To register, visit tinyurl.com/RothOCL, call 732-349-6200, or stop by your local OCL branch.
Ocean County Library cardholders can place requests now to borrow The Sixth Faction when it comes out on October 6. To place a request, visit tinyurl.com/FactionOCL or call or visit your local OCL branch.
“HOLY JOHN HUGHES THAT WAS SO MUCH FUN!!!”
Since bringing home the Gold and Silver medals at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, Laurie Hernandez has gone on to win the coveted Mirror Ball trophy on “Dancing with the Stars” Season 23 and her first book titled “I Got This: To Gold and Beyond” chronicling her journey thus far was published in 2017, hitting the New York Times Best Sellers list. In 2018, she released a children’s picture book “She’s Got This,” also a New York Times Best Seller, while serving as a Literary Champion to promote readership as a path to leadership, and Mattel created Laurie Hernandez “Shero” Barbie to honor her.
Grammy Award -winning producer and guitarist extraordinaire, John Pizzarelli salutes the legendary Tony Bennett celebrating over 60 years of unparalleled artistry. From Bennett’s ’50s pop hits like “Because of You” and “Rags to Riches” through his timeless classics of the ’60s such as “I Wanna Be Around” and “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” to his remarkable collaborations with Bill Evans, Pizzarelli’s trio will bring these iconic songs to life once again. The evening will also highlight Bennett’s incredible revival in the ‘90s while Pizzarelli weaves in personal anecdotes and stories that reveal the man behind the music.
Musician and historian Bobby Horton combines storytelling, musicianship, history, and a genuine love for the people who settled this nation, fought for our future, and created a new nation in Patriot Songs of the American Revolution.
Veronica Swift has established herself as one of her generation’s iconic voices in Jazz. Throughout her childhood, she toured nationally with her parents (Jazz musicians Hod O’Brien and Stephanie Nakasian), singing at renowned clubs and festivals such as Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, Jazz Standard (NYC), Jazz Showcase (Chicago), and Telluride Jazz Festival. She recorded her first album at age nine, and since then has had a career spanning two decades, which saw a 2nd place win at The 2015 Thelonious Monk Jazz Competition, a twice-a-year residency at Birdland Jazz Club, joining Chris Botti’s touring band, as well as touring with Wynton Marsalis and Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and recording with Jeff Goldblum. Her 2021 album This Bitter Earth received a 5-star review and the cover of DownBeat magazine, and in 2024, she was honored with a French knighthood as Chevalier in the Order of Arts and Letters.
