Books Sandwiched In: “The Ministry of Time”

Each year in January and February, the The Friends of the Southeast Steuben County Library present Books Sandwiched In (BSI), a lunchtime book series featuring local speakers reviewing notable works of fiction and nonfiction. Additional support for Books Sandwiched In comes from Card Carrying Books & Gifts.
In 2026, as in recent years, the program will take place on Wednesdays, from January 7 through February 11, at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, 171 W. Pulteney Street in Corning. The presentations will start promptly at noon.
Presenters usually speak for 30 minutes or so, and allow 15-20 minutes for questions.

This year’s first book presentation will be The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley, and is presented by Dr. Jennifer O’Hara.
From the publisher: An exquisitely original and feverishly fun fusion of genres and ideas, The Ministry of Time asks: What does it mean to defy history, when history is living in your house? Kaliane Bradley’s answer is a blazing, unforgettable testament to what we owe each other in a changing world.
The book has won and been nominated for several awards, and was named a “book of the year” by the New York Times, Guardian, Independent, Evening Standard, NPR, Vanity Fair, Slate, Advocate, Goodreads, and Smithsonian Magazine. This is the author’s first novel.

About the presenter: Dr. Jennifer O’Hara earned a BA in Philosophy and BA in Law & Society from Binghamton University, a JD from Western New England Law School, and an EdD from Vanderbilt. For 23 years she has been a Professor at Corning Community College; she also teaches at the Elmira Correctional Facility.