• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Valentine's Day Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Key Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Key Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Valentine's Day Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Harlan Coben leads with laughter at Love Our Libraries Luncheon


  • By Janet Combs
  • | 3:32 p.m. February 7, 2026
Harlan Coben and Emily Walsh
Harlan Coben and Emily Walsh
Janet Combs
  • Black Tie
  • Share
CAMERA READY

What: Love Our Libraries Luncheon

Benefiting: Library Foundation for Sarasota County

When: Feb. 6

Where: The Ora

Library Foundation President Kat Wingert with Harlan Coben and Executive Director Alisa Mitchell.
Library Foundation President Kat Wingert with Harlan Coben and Executive Director Alisa Mitchell.
Janet Combs
Bookstore 1 owner Georgia Court with Carolynn Michel.
Bookstore 1 owner Georgia Court with Carolynn Michel.
Janet Combs
Mary Ann Pearson, Peter Pearson, Bill Jervey, Sarabeth Kalajian and Scott Litherland
Mary Ann Pearson, Peter Pearson, Bill Jervey, Sarabeth Kalajian and Scott Litherland
Janet Combs
Renee DiPilato with David and Ilene Denton
Renee DiPilato with David and Ilene Denton
Janet Combs
Veronica Brady and Mark Steinwachs
Veronica Brady and Mark Steinwachs
Janet Combs
The Library Foundation for Sarasota County held its annual Love Our Libraries Author Luncheon on Feb. 6. The featured author, Harlan Coben, drew in 600 guests.
The Library Foundation for Sarasota County held its annual Love Our Libraries Author Luncheon on Feb. 6. The featured author, Harlan Coben, drew in 600 guests.
Janet Combs
This mini Duke University class of '74 reunion includes Laura Meyer Wellman, Sarah Hardesty Bray and Alison Gardner.
This mini Duke University class of '74 reunion includes Laura Meyer Wellman, Sarah Hardesty Bray and Alison Gardner.
Janet Combs
Ali and Gloria Bahaj attend the Love Our Libraries Luncheon Feb. 6.
Ali and Gloria Bahaj attend the Love Our Libraries Luncheon Feb. 6.
Janet Combs
Bookstore 1 owner Georgia Court welcomes guests to the VIP event.
Bookstore 1 owner Georgia Court welcomes guests to the VIP event.
Janet Combs
Harlan Coben and Georgia Court
Harlan Coben and Georgia Court
Janet Combs
Kat Wingert and Emily Walsh
Kat Wingert and Emily Walsh
Janet Combs
Andy Sulavik with Ann and Art Hardy
Andy Sulavik with Ann and Art Hardy
Janet Combs
Betty Wolfe, Diane Kremkow and Valerie Resh with their copy of Harlen Coben's latest book.
Betty Wolfe, Diane Kremkow and Valerie Resh with their copy of Harlen Coben's latest book.
Janet Combs
Roxie Jerde, Chris Gaylor and Laura Mattia
Roxie Jerde, Chris Gaylor and Laura Mattia
Janet Combs
Samantha Kelly, Susan Palmer and Heather Roberts
Samantha Kelly, Susan Palmer and Heather Roberts
Janet Combs
Ron Cutsinger and Phillip Lanham
Ron Cutsinger and Phillip Lanham
Janet Combs
Ray Clarke, Lisa Silvershein, Steve Slotnicic, Ellen Westerman and Maureen Clarke
Ray Clarke, Lisa Silvershein, Steve Slotnicic, Ellen Westerman and Maureen Clarke
Janet Combs
Nanette Crist and Fletcher Rush
Nanette Crist and Fletcher Rush
Janet Combs
Laura Steere with Jim and Gale Lew
Laura Steere with Jim and Gale Lew
Janet Combs
Margaret Levinson and Eleanor Odden pick up their copies of
Margaret Levinson and Eleanor Odden pick up their copies of "Gone Before Goodbye."
Janet Combs
Terry Brackett, Nanette Crist and Kathy Jordan
Terry Brackett, Nanette Crist and Kathy Jordan
Janet Combs
Barry Levinson and Pamela Akins
Barry Levinson and Pamela Akins
Janet Combs
Art and Kim Stadlin
Art and Kim Stadlin
Janet Combs
Bill and Betsy Johnston with Jan Sirota
Bill and Betsy Johnston with Jan Sirota
Janet Combs
Patricia Courtois, Neal Colton and Sharm Prizant
Patricia Courtois, Neal Colton and Sharm Prizant
Janet Combs
Faiza Kedir, Susie Bowie and Renee James-Gilmore
Faiza Kedir, Susie Bowie and Renee James-Gilmore
Janet Combs
Nancy Roucher looks forward to reading her copy of
Nancy Roucher looks forward to reading her copy of "Gone Before Goodbye" after lunch.
Janet Combs
Jim Wingert and Jo Shakon with Jim Grimes and Kat Wingert
Jim Wingert and Jo Shakon with Jim Grimes and Kat Wingert
Janet Combs
Tami Lanham and Stacey Corley
Tami Lanham and Stacey Corley
Janet Combs
Tom Edwards is ready to relax with a new book.
Tom Edwards is ready to relax with a new book.
Janet Combs
Pavel Kapic, Pam Horowitz, Alyssia Lazin Kapic and Paul Critchlow
Pavel Kapic, Pam Horowitz, Alyssia Lazin Kapic and Paul Critchlow
Janet Combs
Jay Handelman, Terry Brackett and Susie Bowie
Jay Handelman, Terry Brackett and Susie Bowie
Janet Combs
Pauline Wamsler, Tami Lanham and Lindsey Trammell
Pauline Wamsler, Tami Lanham and Lindsey Trammell
Janet Combs
Laura DeLeo and Paula Ippolito
Laura DeLeo and Paula Ippolito
Janet Combs
Mary Braxton Joseph is ready for lunch and a good book.
Mary Braxton Joseph is ready for lunch and a good book.
Janet Combs
We expect to see a lot more of Larry Thompson once he retires from Ringling College this summer!
We expect to see a lot more of Larry Thompson once he retires from Ringling College this summer!
Janet Combs
Kecia Carroll, Liz Smith, Vera Neumann, Julee Breehne, Jennifer Johnston and Sara Malone
Kecia Carroll, Liz Smith, Vera Neumann, Julee Breehne, Jennifer Johnston and Sara Malone
Janet Combs
Library Foundation President Kat Wingert
Library Foundation President Kat Wingert
Community Foundaton of Sarasota County President and CEO Jessica Muroff
Community Foundaton of Sarasota County President and CEO Jessica Muroff
Janet Combs
Observer President Emily Walsh begins the conversation with Harlan Coben.
Observer President Emily Walsh begins the conversation with Harlan Coben.
Janet Combs
Author Harlan Coben
Author Harlan Coben
Janet Combs

 

Latest News

Suncoast Waterkeepers regularly tests water quality at 12 sites in Sarasota Bay and its adjacent waters, including the Linley Street boat ramp on Longboat Key.
  • February 7, 2026
Sarasota, Manatee bayside beaches graded for water safety
Capt. A.J. Grande operates a "six pack" fishing charter business who often picks up and drops off customers at Nora Patterson Park.
  • February 5, 2026
Permits will be required for charter boat operators using county parks
District 2 Commissioner Penny Gold walks in a parade in 2021.
  • February 5, 2026
Longboat commissioner appointed to National League of Cities committee
The house at 3638 San Remo Terrace overlooks the north Siesta Key bridge.
  • February 5, 2026
Rock star sells Sarasota estate for $7.5 million

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Black Tie

Jeff and Lisa Silvershein with Natasha and Colin Reisner
  • February 2, 2026
Elon Gold headlines premiere of Catskills After Dark
Circus Arts Conservatory CEO and President Jennifer Mitchell and Terri Klauber with Sherry and Tom Koski
  • February 1, 2026
Circus Arts Gala sings through the rain
Lori Jaress, Dave Scott and Sarasota Police Foundation President Jeff Birnbach
  • February 1, 2026
SRQ Blue and White Gala honors those who serve
Barb Archbold, Matthew Glover and co-Chair Carla Koeffler
  • January 31, 2026
Sarasota Opera Gala entertains with Winter in Paris
Erica Cristea, Monica Palmer, Patricia Cullen and Morgana Robson
  • January 26, 2026
Good times uncorked at annual Forks & Corks Grand Tasting

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now