The Library Foundation for Sarasota County is thrilled to announce award-winning author, Colson Whitehead, as the featured speaker at their 12th annual Love Our Libraries Author Luncheon, to be held on February 9, 2024 at the Municipal Auditorium in Sarasota. The Love Our Libraries Author Luncheon is the nonprofit Library Foundation’s signature fundraiser. To date, the annual sellout event has raised more than two million dollars to support Sarasota County public libraries. Since its founding in 2011, the Library Foundation has secured more than eight million dollars in private funds to help ensure a bright future for Sarasota’s libraries. Whitehead is a #1 New York Times bestselling author whose most recent novels include Crook Manifesto (2023) and Harlem Shuffle (2021). His book, The Underground Railroad, an Oprah’s book club selection, was awarded the 2016 National Book Award and the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. His New York Times bestseller The Nickel Boys won the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, making him the fourth author to win two Pulitzers in the Fiction category. The novel also won the 2019 Kirkus Prize for Fiction and the 2020 Orwell Prize for Political Fiction. This event is made possible by Presenting Sponsor the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Author Reception Sponsor Bookstore1 Sarasota, and by the generosity of numerous community partners. For sponsorship opportunities or to purchase tickets, visit www.sarasotalibraryfoundation.org or call 941-404-3139. Tickets start at $225.