On Sunday, public libraries in the region are kicking off "SECT Libraries Celebrate Wally Lamb." 

Things begin at the Garde Arts Center's annual holiday showing of "Wishin' and Hopin,'" the movie adaptation of Lamb's book of the same name. At the screening, there will be information tables from the participating libraries and prizes. The doors open at 2 p.m. and the film begins at 3 p.m. 

Libraries in 11 area communities are participating: Groton Public Library, Stonington Free Library, East Lyme Public Library, Wheeler Library, Mystic & Noank Library, Waterford Public Library, Otis Library, Sprague Public Library, Janet Carlson Calvert Library, Public Library of New London and the Ledyard Libraries.

Libraries will sponsor book discussions of Lamb's books in December and January. In December, "Wishin' and Hopin'" will be featured. Back in his fictional town of Three Rivers, Connecticut, Lamb takes his readers into the halls of St. Aloysius Gonzaga Parochial School, where Felix Funicello (distant cousin of the iconic Annette ) is doing his best to navigate 5th grade. In January, library book groups will discuss Lamb's new book, "I'll Take You There." Check with individual libraries for dates and times.

"I'll Take You There" will be featured at a special event at the Garde on Dec. 18. The book features a grown-up Felix Funicello, now a film scholar who runs a movie club at the Garde, and the trio of women who have played a big part in his life. Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing.

"I'll Take You There," whose book version is available on Nov. 22, is also being released by Metabook as a multimedia app for the iPad and iPhone on Nov. 20. In addition to the text of the novel, it will include a full-cast audio dramatization of the book, an original soundtrack, short films, 360° galleries, shareable images and more. Metabook has donated a copy of the app for each library, so people can ask at the libraries for a look after Nov. 20.

At 3 p.m. Feb. 12, the Garde will host Lamb's local fans for a final celebration. Lamb will speak about his novels, meet his readers and sign books at this free event.

These events were made possible by a collaboration between the Garde and the libraries of southeastern Connecticut.