A Conversation with Author and Humorist Ann Leary

Enjoy an evening with New York Times bestselling author and humorist Ann Leary in conversation with New Canaan Library CEO Ellen Sullivan Crovatto. They discuss the literary feast of wisdom in her book I've Tried Being Nice, told from the perspective of a recovering people pleaser.

Having arrived at a certain age (her prime), Leary casts a wry backward glance at a life spent trying—and often failing—to be nice. With wit and surprising candor, Leary recounts the bedlam of home bat invasions, an obsession with online personality tests, and the mortification of taking ballroom dance lessons with her actor husband. She describes hilarious red-carpet fiascos and other observations from the sidelines of fame, while also touching upon her more poignant struggles with alcoholism, her love for her family, her dogs, and so much more. Elm Street Books will be on site for sales and signing of I've Tried Being Nice. 

Ann Leary is the bestselling author of a memoir and four novels including The Good House. Her work has been translated into eighteen languages, and she has written for The New York Times, Ploughshares, NPR, Redbook, and Real Simple, among other publications. Her essay, “Rallying to Keep the Game Alive,” was adapted for Prime Video’s television series, Modern Love. Her novel The Good House was adapted as a motion picture starring Sigourney Weaver and Kevin Kline. She lives with her husband in New York. 

Photo credit: Scott M. Lacy