Cranford NJ is home to some of the best and the brightest, and author Joe Colicchio definitely falls into that category.  On Wednesday, August 13^th, at 7:30 PM, at the Cranford Community Center, Mr. Colicchio will talk about and read from his first novel, As Told by Monk.  This work was originally published in 1980, and was recently re-issued and marketed.

The story takes place in Jersey City, where Colicchio grew up, and continues to work today as an Associate Professor of English at Hudson County Community College.  Amazon summarizes the book as follows, “What’s it like to be a 9-year-old in 1960, in Jersey City? What’s it like to wear a hooded red sweatshirt and be known to adults and kids alike as Monk? What’s it like when your sort of girlfriend dies? What’s it like to encounter death — and to then encounter a truth informing you that someone you know may have killed the girl? What’s it like? Monk himself will tell you.”

Mr. Colicchio is the author of three novels, High Gate Health and Beauty, which was named a top-ten novel of the year by MostlyFiction.com, The Trouble with Mental Wellness, which was named a recommended book by Library Journal and As Told by Monk.   Colicchio, who has  completed two residencies at the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, received two Geraldine R. Dodge grants, and two New Jersey State Council on the Arts grants, including the Distinguished Artist Award, the highest the state bestows.   He will discuss and read from As Told by Monk,  and copies of all three of his books will be available for purchase and for signing. Admission to the presentation is free, and all are welcome to attend.

Come out and bump elbows with one of Cranford’s famous!