Acclaimed author Joyce Maynard visits RVC

Congregation B’nai Sholom-Beth David was buzzing with anticipation on Monday night, as more than 100 women filled the Rockville Centre synagogue for a discussion with New York Times best-selling author Joyce Maynard.

The event featured a conversation with Maynard about her latest book, “How the Light Gets In,” which was led by Carol Hoenig of On the Road Book Events. The former proprietor of Rockville Centre’s beloved bookstore, Turn of the Screw, Hoenig has hosted several interviews with many acclaimed authors across a number of venues, including the Madison Theatre at Molloy University.

Maynard, a New Hampshire native, began her writing career at a young age. In 1972, she gained national attention for her New York Times cover story, “An Eighteen Year Old Looks Back on Life,” which was written during her freshman year at Yale University.

Since then, she had a prolific career as a contributor to The New York Times, Vogue and NPR among others. Her “Domestic Affairs” column has also been syndicated in over 50 newspapers across the nation.

Through the years she has written 18 books, including bestsellers, “Labor Day,” and “To Die For,” which have both been adapted into major motion pictures. Some of her other works include “Count the Ways,” “The Bird Hotel,” and memoirs, “At Home in the World” and “The Best of Us.”

The book talk event was organized by the Sisterhood of Congregation B’nai Sholom-Beth David through the help of Renee Weingarten, a librarian from Atlantic Beach, who launched the popular Facebook group, Renee’s Reading Group, which currently boasts more than 55,000 members online.

Alyce Goodstein, past president of the Sisterhood, said she first reached out to Weingarten in March about hosting a Facebook Live event with author Matthew Daub. Following the success of that event, Weingarten contacted Goodstein to ask if she wanted to host an event with Maynard, who was looking for a Long Island venue for her book tour.

The evening provided an intimate setting for attendees to hear Maynard discuss her new book and share insights from her illustrious career.

Maynard’s catalog of work has continued to resonate with readers, providing deep reflections on life’s complexities through her uniquely engaging storytelling.

For more about Maynard, her expansive writing career and her collection of works, visit JoyceMaynard.com. Copies of her latest book, “How the Light Gets In,” are available now at all major online book retailers.