An evening with New York Times bestselling author Paula McClain
2026-02-09 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
The Coronado Public Library, in partnership with Warwicks Bookstore presents Paula McLain, New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Wife, Circling the Sun, and Love and Ruin. McLain will discuss and sign her new novel, Skylark. A mesmerizing tale of Paris above and below, where a woman’s pursuit of artistic freedom in 1664 intertwines with a doctor’s dangerous mission during the German occupation of the 1940s, it’s a story of courage and resistance that transcends time.
A book-signing will follow. This event is free and open to the public. Seating is first-come, first-served, subject to availability. Limited preferred seating is available with purchase of Skylark through Warwick’s bookstore. Please visit www.warwicks.com/mclain-2026-reserved-seat or call the store at 858-454-0347 for more information.

About the Author
Paula McLain is the author of the New York Times bestselling novels, The Paris Wife, Circling the Sun, and Love and Ruin. Her latest instant bestseller is When the Stars Go Dark.
Paula McLain was born in Fresno, California in 1965. After being abandoned by both parents, she and her two sisters became wards of the California Court System, moving in and out of various foster homes for the next fourteen years. When she aged out of the system, she supported herself by working as a nurse’s aide in a convalescent hospital, a pizza delivery girl, an auto-plant worker, a cocktail waitress — before discovering she could (and very much wanted to) write. She received her MFA in poetry from the University of Michigan in 1996.
McLain’s essays have appeared in Town & Country, Good Housekeeping, Real Simple, O the Oprah Magazine, Huffington Post, The Guardian, The New York Times and elsewhere. She is also the author of the memoir, Like Family: Growing up in Other People’s Houses, two collections of poetry, and the debut novel, A Ticket to Ride. She lives with her family in Cleveland.

About Skylark
1664: Alouette Voland is the daughter of a master dyer at the famed Gobelin Tapestry Works, who secretly dreams of escaping her circumstances and creating her own masterpiece. When her father is unjustly imprisoned, Alouette’s efforts to save him lead to her own confinement in the notorious Salpêtrière asylum, where thousands of women are held captive and cruelly treated. But within its grim walls, she discovers a small group of brave allies, and the possibility of a life bigger than she ever imagined.
1939: Kristof Larson is a medical student beginning his psychiatric residency in Paris, whose neighbors on the Rue de Gobelins are a Jewish family who have fled Poland. When Nazi forces descend on the city, Kristof becomes their only hope for survival, even as his work as a doctor is jeopardized.
A spellbinding and transportive look at a side of Paris known to very few — the underground city that is a mirror reflection of the glories above — Paula McLain’s unforgettable new novel chronicles two parallel journeys of defiance and rescue that connect in ways both surprising and deeply moving.

Learn the art of storytelling: Shaping Your Story
2026-02-10 18:00 - 19:30
Everyone has a story to tell—what’s yours?
The Storytellers of San Diego invite you to explore the art of sharing stories from your own life, your grandparents, your friends, or your imagination! Each workshop focuses on a different element of storytelling, helping you bring real experiences to life and connect with others through the power of story. Participants will have the chance to showcase their new skills at the San Diego Storytelling Festival on March 21, 2026.
Registration was requested for the February 3 introductory session. All other sessions are walk-in, no registration.

February 10: Shaping Your Story and Making it Yours with Emily Stamets
Explore fun, practical techniques for learning, remembering, and making a story your own—no matter your style or experience level.
Emily Stamets is a storyteller specializing in original fantasy with a modern feminist twist. A dynamic and theatrical storyteller, she brings over two decades of Theatre Arts experience to the stage. With over ten years of full-time teaching experience and five+ years 1:1 coaching experience, Emily is a highly effective teaching artist and coach.

Learn the art of storytelling: Crafting Worlds with Words
2026-02-17 18:00 - 19:30
Everyone has a story to tell—what’s yours?
The Storytellers of San Diego invite you to explore the art of sharing stories from your own life, your grandparents, your friends, or your imagination! Each workshop focuses on a different element of storytelling, helping you bring real experiences to life and connect with others through the power of story. Participants will have the chance to showcase their new skills at the San Diego Storytelling Festival on March 21, 2026.
Registration was requested for the February 3 introductory session. All other sessions are walk-in, no registration.

February 17: “Crafting Worlds with Words” with Mindy Donner
Learn how to “show, not tell” and transport your listeners into the vivid and unforgettable world of your story through rich imagery and sensory detail.
Mindy Donner folds her background in movement and puppetry arts into her storytelling repertoire, exploring myths, folktales and personal tales. She taught Learning Through the Arts at Cal State San Marcos for nine years, and produced original puppet plays for children and adults. She enjoys performing South of the Border Tales in Spanish and English with a musical partner.

Learn the art of storytelling: Creating & Connecting through Emotion
2026-02-24 18:00 - 19:30
Everyone has a story to tell—what’s yours?
The Storytellers of San Diego invite you to explore the art of sharing stories from your own life, your grandparents, your friends, or your imagination! Each workshop focuses on a different element of storytelling, helping you bring real experiences to life and connect with others through the power of story. Participants will have the chance to showcase their new skills at the San Diego Storytelling Festival on March 21, 2026.
Registration was requested for the February 3 introductory session. All other sessions are walk-in, no registration.

February 24: “Creating & Connecting through Emotion” with Almena Mozon
Learn how to craft stories that resonate in this interactive workshop on using the power of emotions in your storytelling. Explore techniques for creating vivid moments, building authentic connection, and shaping narratives that move audiences.
