FAQs for Guests
How do I get invited to Novel Night?
Everyone in Pelham is invited to Novel Night! You will receive a paper invitation in the mail this summer. If you prefer a digital invitation please sign up for our mailing list using the form in the “Contact” section of our website.
If for some reason you do not receive an invitation please email us friendsofpelhamlibrary@gmail.com.
Unlike years past, the invitation will not list the dinner party choices. The dinner party choices and information about each dinner will be listed on our website (www.pelhamnovelnight.com).
Please check the website frequently for newly added dinners. You will be able to choose your top five dinner choices when ticket sales go live at 8pm on August 17th.
Why the change with the invitation this year? Timing! The Covid pandemic shortened our planning season this year, so we are making a few changes in order to give our board members enough time to get all the Novel Night preparations in order.
Is it hard to get into the dinner of my choice?
Part of the excitement of NN is the intrigue and anonymity of the hosts and dinners. The dinners are unique because you may dine with neighbors that you’ve not yet had the pleasure of meeting. This happy mingling is at the heart of the original idea behind Novel Night. Let’s keep that magic alive!
Different dinners have different capacities. Some large dinners are easier to get into; smaller ones may fill up fast. Online ticket sales for Novel Night 2023 will go live in the August of 2023. When filling out the online ticketing form, indicate your first FIVE choices. Or indicate that you’re happy to attend any of our fabulous dinners! Dinner choices are not guaranteed, and are first come, first served, depending on availability. No refunds are provided. Novel Night tickets always sell-out, so guarantee your spot by buying your tickets as soon as online purchasing begins.
Still have questions? Contact us via email (friendsofpelhamlibrary@gmail.com).
What happens at the dinners?
Every dinner is unique. Most hosts start with cocktails and then serve a full meal. In 2021, we had the pleasure of more al fresco dinner parties that featured buffet-style dinners. Sometimes hosts opt to keep the entire party cocktail-style and feature heavy hors d'oeuvres in lieu of a sit-down meal. Look for meal information when you are selecting your dinner choices from the dinner party line-up. Some hosts provide entertainment or other special treats that are novel-related. Please note that photographers will be taking pictures at the dinners, as well as at the After Party, to be shared by the Friends to promote and commemorate Novel Night.
How can I find out who's hosting the dinner that I might want to go to?
You can't. Part of what makes Novel Night so magical is the element of surprise. Step outside your ordinary circle; meet and mingle, drink and dine with people who share your passion for that certain special book. Then spend time with your friends, old and new, at the After Party.
I have special dietary considerations; will these be taken into account?
Although most hosts try to provide a broadly appealing menu, keep in mind that these dinners feature a set menu. Depending on your dietary issue, some dinner parties may be more suitable than others. For example, a vegan might not want to choose a Texas cowboy-themed novel. All hosts would be happy for a guest to bring their own food, if necessary. We want to accommodate everyone, when possible.
What happens at the After Party?
After the dinners are over, all dinner guests, plus After Party-only guests, meet at for the Afterparty. There will be a DJ, dancing, desserts, an open bar, and a fabulous raffle. Come in your Novel Night costume or cocktail party attire. This year the music and dancing will take place outside.
Does everyone really wear a costume?
Yes and no. Some dinners don't require a costume per se, but do require evening dress. Past examples of these themed dress affairs include Casino (evening dress), Father of the Bride (wedding-guest attire), High Fidelity (slacker wear), James Bond (tuxedos and spy-tastic attire). Other dinners embrace more elaborate costumes, including historical dress, fantastical wear, elaborate make-up, and more. After Party-only guests usually wear evening attire. If you would prefer to wear cocktail-party attire to a dinner, feel free.
Where do people get their costumes?
Some people rent them from local rental shops, such as Beyond Costumes in Yonkers and Sophia’s Costume Rentals in Greenwich. Others get crafty and make their costumes. Some people buy costumes on sites like Etsy. Evening dress options can be rented from sites like Rent the Runway and The Black Tux. And, you may find that you have elements in your closet that can be mixed together to create the perfect ensemble.
Who chooses the novels?
The hosts choose the novels but we keep a list of suggestions. If you have ideas email us!
When will I find out what dinner I got into?
We realize that it takes time to plan and put together a costume, so we will try to let you know as quickly as we can. You will receive an email that notifies you of your dinner party assignment.
Do I need to bring money to the After Party?
Yourself! And your wallet. Although the desserts and open bar at the After Party are included in the ticket cost, we are planning an amazing raffle that you won’t want to miss. We will accept cash, personal checks, Venmo, and credit cards.
How is the money raised through Novel Night used by the Library?
Novel Night is the main fundraiser for the Friends of the Pelham Public Library. The Friends contribute a substantial amount to the Library's annual operating budget through this biennial event; each Novel Night must earn enough money to enable the Friends to support the Library for two years. Funds raised through Novel Night are used to support library programming for adults and children, to fund essential purchases like new furniture and computers, and to ensure patron access to electronic information and technology. Here are some examples of the programs and resources that the library provided to the community over the last year:
When you host a Novel Night dinner or purchase a ticket to Novel Night, you are giving to a great cause: the library.
Why did my invitation not arrive/arrive addressed only to the man in (or formerly in) the house/arrive addressed to someone who is deceased or has moved?
We apologize for these issues. Our printer mails the invitation directly, using a mailing list that it purchases from a third-party vendor. Since we do not own the mailing list, we cannot make any changes to it. Please open the invitation anyway! To make sure you receive a digital invitation please join our mailing list ASAP. If you did not get the invitation at all, you can visit pelhamnovelnight.com to read about the dinner party choices and buy your tickets.
Everyone in Pelham is invited to Novel Night! You will receive a paper invitation in the mail this summer. If you prefer a digital invitation please sign up for our mailing list using the form in the “Contact” section of our website.
If for some reason you do not receive an invitation please email us friendsofpelhamlibrary@gmail.com.
Unlike years past, the invitation will not list the dinner party choices. The dinner party choices and information about each dinner will be listed on our website (www.pelhamnovelnight.com).
Please check the website frequently for newly added dinners. You will be able to choose your top five dinner choices when ticket sales go live at 8pm on August 17th.
Why the change with the invitation this year? Timing! The Covid pandemic shortened our planning season this year, so we are making a few changes in order to give our board members enough time to get all the Novel Night preparations in order.
Is it hard to get into the dinner of my choice?
Part of the excitement of NN is the intrigue and anonymity of the hosts and dinners. The dinners are unique because you may dine with neighbors that you’ve not yet had the pleasure of meeting. This happy mingling is at the heart of the original idea behind Novel Night. Let’s keep that magic alive!
Different dinners have different capacities. Some large dinners are easier to get into; smaller ones may fill up fast. Online ticket sales for Novel Night 2023 will go live in the August of 2023. When filling out the online ticketing form, indicate your first FIVE choices. Or indicate that you’re happy to attend any of our fabulous dinners! Dinner choices are not guaranteed, and are first come, first served, depending on availability. No refunds are provided. Novel Night tickets always sell-out, so guarantee your spot by buying your tickets as soon as online purchasing begins.
Still have questions? Contact us via email (friendsofpelhamlibrary@gmail.com).
What happens at the dinners?
Every dinner is unique. Most hosts start with cocktails and then serve a full meal. In 2021, we had the pleasure of more al fresco dinner parties that featured buffet-style dinners. Sometimes hosts opt to keep the entire party cocktail-style and feature heavy hors d'oeuvres in lieu of a sit-down meal. Look for meal information when you are selecting your dinner choices from the dinner party line-up. Some hosts provide entertainment or other special treats that are novel-related. Please note that photographers will be taking pictures at the dinners, as well as at the After Party, to be shared by the Friends to promote and commemorate Novel Night.
How can I find out who's hosting the dinner that I might want to go to?
You can't. Part of what makes Novel Night so magical is the element of surprise. Step outside your ordinary circle; meet and mingle, drink and dine with people who share your passion for that certain special book. Then spend time with your friends, old and new, at the After Party.
I have special dietary considerations; will these be taken into account?
Although most hosts try to provide a broadly appealing menu, keep in mind that these dinners feature a set menu. Depending on your dietary issue, some dinner parties may be more suitable than others. For example, a vegan might not want to choose a Texas cowboy-themed novel. All hosts would be happy for a guest to bring their own food, if necessary. We want to accommodate everyone, when possible.
What happens at the After Party?
After the dinners are over, all dinner guests, plus After Party-only guests, meet at for the Afterparty. There will be a DJ, dancing, desserts, an open bar, and a fabulous raffle. Come in your Novel Night costume or cocktail party attire. This year the music and dancing will take place outside.
Does everyone really wear a costume?
Yes and no. Some dinners don't require a costume per se, but do require evening dress. Past examples of these themed dress affairs include Casino (evening dress), Father of the Bride (wedding-guest attire), High Fidelity (slacker wear), James Bond (tuxedos and spy-tastic attire). Other dinners embrace more elaborate costumes, including historical dress, fantastical wear, elaborate make-up, and more. After Party-only guests usually wear evening attire. If you would prefer to wear cocktail-party attire to a dinner, feel free.
Where do people get their costumes?
Some people rent them from local rental shops, such as Beyond Costumes in Yonkers and Sophia’s Costume Rentals in Greenwich. Others get crafty and make their costumes. Some people buy costumes on sites like Etsy. Evening dress options can be rented from sites like Rent the Runway and The Black Tux. And, you may find that you have elements in your closet that can be mixed together to create the perfect ensemble.
Who chooses the novels?
The hosts choose the novels but we keep a list of suggestions. If you have ideas email us!
When will I find out what dinner I got into?
We realize that it takes time to plan and put together a costume, so we will try to let you know as quickly as we can. You will receive an email that notifies you of your dinner party assignment.
Do I need to bring money to the After Party?
Yourself! And your wallet. Although the desserts and open bar at the After Party are included in the ticket cost, we are planning an amazing raffle that you won’t want to miss. We will accept cash, personal checks, Venmo, and credit cards.
How is the money raised through Novel Night used by the Library?
Novel Night is the main fundraiser for the Friends of the Pelham Public Library. The Friends contribute a substantial amount to the Library's annual operating budget through this biennial event; each Novel Night must earn enough money to enable the Friends to support the Library for two years. Funds raised through Novel Night are used to support library programming for adults and children, to fund essential purchases like new furniture and computers, and to ensure patron access to electronic information and technology. Here are some examples of the programs and resources that the library provided to the community over the last year:
- Summer Reading Program
- The Second-Friday Book Club
- Increased purchases of electronic materials on OverDrive
- The Wellness Program
- The Crafty Adults Sessions
- The Kids Cartooning Program
When you host a Novel Night dinner or purchase a ticket to Novel Night, you are giving to a great cause: the library.
Why did my invitation not arrive/arrive addressed only to the man in (or formerly in) the house/arrive addressed to someone who is deceased or has moved?
We apologize for these issues. Our printer mails the invitation directly, using a mailing list that it purchases from a third-party vendor. Since we do not own the mailing list, we cannot make any changes to it. Please open the invitation anyway! To make sure you receive a digital invitation please join our mailing list ASAP. If you did not get the invitation at all, you can visit pelhamnovelnight.com to read about the dinner party choices and buy your tickets.