Catch the Letters of a Reclusive Author at the Morgan Library

Some of the personal letters of iconic author J.D. Salinger, who died last month, will be on view for the first time at New York’s Morgan Library and Museum.
The letters were written to his Connecticut neighbor and friend Mike Mitchell, who was also the illustrator of the image on the cover (a carousel horse—fervent readers will immediately understand the allusion) of the first edition of Salinger’s “Catcher in the Rye.”
Although the library was given the letters more than 10 years ago, the decision to let the public view them was not made until after Salinger’s death on January 27. They deal with such seemingly mundane issues as parenthood and marriage, but also touch on writing, middle age, and issues with his publisher. They’re revealing because Salinger was so deeply private that not much is known about the everyday details of his life. (The letters were not previously put on view out of respect for his deep need for privacy.) One set of letters will be on view from March 16-April 11. A second set of letters goes on view from April 1-May 9.
Salinger was known as much for his reclusive behavior as he was for “Catcher in the Rye,” a novel that all but defined the coming-of-age story and is now rightly considered a classic. His other works include another classic, the dark “Nine Stories.”
The Morgan Library and Museum is at 225 Madison Avenue and 36th Street (212 685-0008.)

Let the Wild Rumpus Begin: It's Wild Things Week in New York

Stop gnashing your terrible teeth--the wait is almost over, and the filmed version of what is perhaps the most iconic children’s picture book of all time opens this Friday, October 16. In preparation for the Spike Jonze-directed version of Maurice Sendak’s “Where the Wild Things Are,” New York is going a little wild itself with a "Where the Wild Things Are” week to celebrate Max and his nighttime adventures.
Events are happening all over the city—museums in particular are creating a rumpus. You can start off with a look at Sendak’s original artwork at the Morgan Library and Museum, on view through November 1. The exhibition includes early drafts of the book, as well as a preliminary sketch for the cover. (225 Madison Avenue; 212 685-0008).
Over at MOMA, you can see “Spike Jonze: The First 80 Years,” the first retrospective of the director’s career. The series runs through October 18, and includes a look at his earlier work (skateboard videos—who knew?) as well as films like ”Being John Malkovich.” (11 w. 53rd Street. 212 708-9400).
Oh, right—kids like the book, too. So take them to the Children’s Museum of the Arts, where they can take a stop-motion animation workshop and bring wild things to life (182 Lafayette Street; 212-274-1776).
Finally, you can get into the action—literally—with the Kodak photo booth, which allows families to superimpose themselves into scenes with the Wild Things. Booths are located at The New York Public Library’s Children's Center (42nd Street and Fifth Avenue; 212-621-0208) on Oct. 14 and 17; and at the Official NYC Information Center (810 7th Avenue; 212 484-1222) through October 16.
And when you get home, if you’re very lucky, your supper will still be hot.