Friends Foundation Welcomes Anna Quindlen

The Friends Foundation of the Ridgewood Public Library was delighted to host New York Times bestselling author and Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Anna Quindlen as the featured speaker at its 36th Annual Author Luncheon, held Thursday, April 9, 2026, at The Terrace in Paramus, NJ.

Anna Quindlen is the author of numerous bestselling books, including the #1 New York Times bestselling novel Rise and Shine, the #1 bestselling memoir Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake, and A Short Guide to a Happy Life. Her novels include Object Lessons, Blessings, One True Thing, the Oprah Book Club selection Black and Blue, Every Last One, Still Life with Bread Crumbs, Miller’s Valley, Alternate Side, and After Annie. She is the recipient of the Pulitzer Prize and has published two essay collections, Living Out Loud and Thinking Out Loud. Her Newsweek columns were collected in Loud and Clear.

During the event, Quindlen discussed her new novel More Than Enough, reflected on the vital role of libraries and reading, and engaged attendees in a lively moderated conversation followed by an audience Q&A on writing, family, and society. The luncheon welcomed a sold-out crowd of 415 guests. The afternoon included a meet-and-greet and book signing with the author, a cocktail hour, a seated three-course lunch, and an extensive silent auction with more than 90 items donated by 120 generous businesses and individuals, drawing hundreds of bids, along with a 50/50 raffle.

This successful event was made possible by the support of our two Platinum sponsors—Janis Fuhrman of Terry O’Connor Real Estate and Cara Murray of Huntington Learning Center—along with five Gold sponsors and two Silver sponsors, a dedicated team of 24 volunteers, and the staff, librarians, and trustees of the Ridgewood Public Library.

For more than three decades, the Author Luncheon has brought nationally recognized writers to Ridgewood for a celebration of books, ideas, and community. Past speakers have included National Book Award winners, bestselling novelists, and literary icons such as Mary Higgins Clark, Harlan Coben, Geraldine Brooks, Khaled Hosseini, Elizabeth Strout, Min Jin Lee, and Jeannette Walls. Each year, more than 400 local residents, business owners, and community leaders attend this much-loved event in support of the Ridgewood Public Library.

For more information on Anna Quindlen and her book tour, visit annaquindlen.net.