Wicked Bugs: A Book Talk with Author Amy Stewart October 20, 2011

Free public lecture, limited seating; please RSVP (see link below).

In this darkly comical look at the sinister side of our relationship with the natural world, best-selling author Amy Stewart has tracked down over 100 of our worst entomological foes-creatures that infest, infect, and generally wreak havoc on human affairs. With wit, style, and exacting research, Stewart has uncovered the most terrifying and titillating stories of bugs gone wild. It's an A - Z of insect enemies, interspersed with sections that explore bugs with kinky sex lives ("She's Just Not That Into You"), creatures lurking in the cupboard ("Fear No Weevil"), insects eating your tomatoes ("Gardener's Dirty Dozen") and phobias that feed our (sometimes) irrational responses to bugs ("Have No Fear").

Intricate and strangely beautiful etchings and drawings by Briony Morrow-Cribbs capture diabolical bugs of all shapes and sizes in this mixture of history, science, murder and intrigue that begins-but doesn't end-in your own backyard.

Amy Stewart is a highly acclaimed author of books that combine investigative journalism, observations on the ‘perils and pleasures’ of the natural world, and old-fashioned story telling of a high order. GardenRant, her blog written with fellow authors Susan Harris, Elizabeth Licata, and Michele Owens, is one of the liveliest and most-visited gardening blogs, and was described as “edgy, entertaining and informative” by Horticulture magazine.

This event is not suitable for children under middle school age. Please see the notes at the end of this listing.

Please follow this link to register: http://www.lewisginter.org/events/event_detail.php?event_id=714

Reservations are not final until availability is confirmed by the Registrar's Office. Please note that you will receive an e-mail once your reservation is confirmed.

A special note about audiences/children: Wicked Bugs, and the lecture and slide show about the book, are aimed at an adult audience. While preteens and teenagers have certainly attended and enjoyed Amy Stewart’s events, they are not geared for a youth audience and small children in particular might simply be uninterested. Subject matter for Wicked Bugs includes graphic descriptions of cannibalism, parasitism, violent sexual behavior, and fatal diseases caused by insects.