Mary Shelley was a young woman haunted by ghosts of her past who sparked life into her Creation with pen and paper—a book that has graced shelves and plagued nightmares for two centuries. LFPL will celebrate the 200th anniversary of the publishing of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein with several programs in the fall, starting with Mary’s 221st birthday. On Thursday, August 30 at 6:30 p.m. Whitney Thornberry will perform the one-woman show "Mary and Her Monsters." Experience a poignant portrayal of Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley's life before Frankenstein, her married life with Percy Bysshe Shelley, her inspirations for the book, and her life after publication. Birthday cake and tea will be served. RSVPs are requested: please call (502) 574-1623 to reserve your spot.

This “Mary and Her Monsters” birthday celebration kicks off two months of Frankenreads programs. In September, the Bernheim Gallery at the Main Library will host a “Modern Prometheus” gallery show featuring work from Louisville artists inspired by Mary Shelley’s book. The library will host book discussions at the Fern Creek and Fairdale Libraries; create Frankencrafts at Portland, Shawnee, and Bon Air Libraries; and have film screenings at Main, Middletown, and Bon Air Libraries.

The Frankenreads Film Series at the Main Library includes screenings of the original 1931 Universal classic starring Boris Karloff; the Hammer Studios Production of The Curse of Frankenstein; and Haunted Summer about the famous night that Mary Shelley conceived of Victor Frankenstein and his monster. The film series will conclude with a presentation from UofL bioethics professor Stephen Hanson titled How Young Frankenstein Got It Right and a screening of Mel Brooks classic comedy. The Frankenreads Film Series will be held at the Main Library on Thursdays in September at 6:30 p.m, starting September 6.

Learn more at www.lfpl.org/frankenreads