Memoir and History at Haystack

Ideas about history—personal, biographical, national and natural—were explored in depth at the 2026 Haystack Book Festival on Oct. 2-4. Talks began at Infinity Hall where more than 200 people gathered to hear Belle Burden, right, in conversation with Roxanne Cody, owner of the legendary RJ Julia Bookseller. Burden is the author of “Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage,” a candid reflection on love, marriage, relationships and how two people can become strangers. Michael Selleck, one of the festival organizers, reported that author conversations held at the Norfolk Library “sold out” ahead of time, although no shows left some empty seats. Nonetheless, dozens flocked to participate in conversations that covered the experiences of Americans who sought new lives and causes in Europe between the world wars, how memory distorts the understanding of war, the mythology of the American Westand the ways in which trees shape the world. Onsite book sales were managed by the Norfolk Library Associates and benefited the library.