Full Schedule: Celebration of the Book

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Don't miss a day jam-packed with awesome author visits! Find all the details below. If you're ready to make your plan of attack, download the schedule overview PDF of your choice (by time or by room) and make note of your personal can't-miss-that-one events.

10:00 AM

The Joy of Writing Difficult (or Downright Rotten) Characters

Gillian Flynn
10:00 am • Ryerson Auditorium • Level 3

It can be a tricky dance for a writer: a key character needs to be troubled, unpleasant, dislikable, or just nasty. But you don't want to alienate readers so much they flee from your book. Gillian Flynn - whose two literary mysteries, Sharp Objects and Dark Places were populated with people with whom you would not want to sit down to dinner - discusses the joys and challenges of letting characters be their very bad selves.

A book signing will immediately follow the presentation (not at 1:00 pm as advertised).

Buckets & Belts: Evolution of the Great Lakes Self-Unloader

Valerie van Heest
10:00 am • Vander Veen Center for the Book • Level 4

Travel back a century in time and hundreds of feet below Lake Michigan to explore the shipwrecks off the coast of West Michigan with local scuba diver and author Valerie van Heest, Buckets & Belts: Evolution of the Great Lakes Self-Unloader. She will explore the wreck of the Hennepin and take the audience on a video journey aboard the 604-foot freighter Maumee, the Great Lakes' oldest operating self-unloader.

The Dryden Code: A Language Conspiracy Unmasked

Michael Sheehan
10:00 am • Quiet Study Room • Lower Level

Journey to the 18th century and flickering candlelit pubs, whispered conversations, and shadows lurking in dark alleys. Return to a time when conspiracy was in the air, and even the English language was in jeopardy thanks to the machinations of a cunning cabal. Be prepared to shudder at secrets and to laugh at unintended consequences. Watch as surreptitiousness and slapstick vie for the upper hand. And gasp as you learn how you have been misled by those you once trusted most. Welcome to the Dryden Code.

11:00 AM

True Crime in Michigan

Arnie Bernstein and Mardi Link
11:00 am • Ryerson Auditorium • Level 3

Arnie Bernstein, author of Bath Massacre: America's First School Bombing and Mardi Link, author of When Evil Came to Good Hart, talk about their writing processes and the challenges and rewards of creating true crime narratives.

A Native American Journey with Debra Muller

Debra Muller, Potawatomi/Ottawa
11:00 am • Storytime Room • Level 2

Explore the culture of local American Indian tribes through the tradition of storytelling, crafts, music and games. A craft project is presented with the assistance of the Native American Education Program.

Race and Remembrance

Arthur L. Johnson
11:00 am • Vander Veen Center for the Book • Level 4

Race and Remembrance tells the remarkable life story of Arthur L. Johnson, a Detroit civil rights and community leader, educator, and administrator whose career spans much of the last century. In his own words, Johnson takes readers through the arc of his distinguished career, which includes his work with the Detroit branch of the NAACP, the Michigan Civil Rights Commission, and Wayne State University. In his intimate and engaging style, Johnson gives readers a look into his personal life, including his close relationship with his grandmother, his encounters with Morehouse classmate Martin Luther King, and the loss of his sons.

A Sense of Place in Fiction: Reading and Conversation with Kristina Riggle

Kristina Riggle
11:00 am • Quiet Study Room • Lower Level

Kristina set her debut novel, Real Life & Liars, in the picturesque northern Michigan town of Charlevoix. The family dynamics of the story could have been played out in any setting: urban or rural, heartland or the coast. Find out why she choose Charlevoix, how the setting and story influenced each other, and why she will likely always write about Michigan.

Roadie: The Making of a Notable Book

Jamie Smith
11:00 am • Adult Computer Training Lab • Lower Level

Jamie Smith, author of Roadie: The Misunderstood World of a Bike Racer, has been avoided at family reunions and company picnics since 1984, shortly after he became a bike racer. Ever a zealot, Smith has gotten fired for calling in sick to attend a bike race and slept in his car for four days to be able to volunteer for distant events. Putting all of his experiences together, he has written a book to help his family, friends, and co-workers understand the complex, quirky, demanding, and misunderstood sport of bike racing. Smith was recently named as a 2009 Michigan Notable Author by the Library of Michigan. Adept at describing cycling's most complex intricacies to normal people, he is still avoided at company picnics but has made considerable progress with his family.

Feeding Families of Today: Smart snacks, quick suppers and easy meals for teens to make

Kathleen Hanna
11:00 am • Reading Room • Level 3

Explore fun cooking tips and easy kitchen techniques that will help everyone in the kitchen - including teens. Experienced cooks will learn how to make dishes simple and still taste good. The novice cook will learn not to be afraid to work through any kind of recipe. Teens will see how much fun it is to cook in the kitchen and make some outstanding meals for themselves and the rest of the family.

12:00 Noon

Columbine

Dave Cullen
12:00 pm • Ryerson Auditorium • Level 3

Dave Cullen is the author of Columbine, an indelible portrait of the killers, the victims, and the community that suffered one of the greatest tragedies of the 20th century. He is a journalist who has contributed to Slate, Salon, and the New York Times.

Musical Folktales

The Storytellers
12:00 pm • Storytime Room • Level 2

Musical Folktales is an upbeat concert of interactive stories, beautiful music, full audience participation and hands-on fun with interesting musical instruments. Lively Caribbean melodies, familiar American songs, West African rhythms, Australian didgeridoo melodies, original compositions, and more!

1:00 PM

Book Signings

1:00 pm • The Bow (near new book area) • Level 1
Dave Cullen, Karen Dionne, Rose Hammond, Mardi Link, Arnie Bernstein, Kathleen Hanna

Purchase books from Schuler Books & Music and Pooh's Corner and meet the authors from the day's events. Twenty percent of all book sales benefit the Grand Rapids Public Library Foundation. Other local book sellers will also be present.

1:30 PM

Get Fired Up with Firefighters!

Grand Rapids Fire Department
1:30 . 2:00 pm • Outside of the Library

Future firefighters can come and meet the heroes of the Grand Rapids Fire Department and tour a fire truck.

Book Signings

1:30 pm • The Bow (near new book area) • Level 1
Valerie van Heest, Michael Sheehan, Mark Crilley, Arthur Johnson, Kristina Riggle, Jamie Smith

Purchase books from Schuler Books & Music and Pooh's Corner and meet the authors from the day's events. Twenty percent of all book sales benefit the Grand Rapids Public Library Foundation. Other local book sellers will also be present.

2:00 PM

Raising a Diverse Reader

Debra Muller, Native American Storyteller
Shay Kraley, Family Literacy Program Coordinator, Literacy Center of West Michigan
Mursalata Muhammad, Associate Professor of English, GRCC
Lori Owens, Literacy Training Coordinator, Schools of Hope, United Way
2:00 pm • Ryerson Auditorium • Level 3

In this panel discussion for educators, parents, and interested community members, a variety of experts talk about strategies for raising readers and present specific titles to consider when introducing children to cultural diversity.

Reclaiming My Life

Rose Hammond
2:00 pm • Vander Veen Center for the Book • Level 4

Rose Hammond is a recovering cocaine addict who used writing notes as part of her self-recovery when she returned home to Idlewild and Woodland Park with six suitcases of dirty clothing and a three-year old. She listened to the year-round and summer residents talking about the good old days and came up with the idea of writing a book using the residents' and resorters' own words. Hammond's book tells the true story of how Idlewild and Woodland Park, Michigan, came to be and have now been left behind.

Verbal Heaven: A Poetry Slam with Romeo Ray

Romeo Ray
2:00 pm • Quiet Study Room • Lower Level

Born Raynard Valentino Yentzer on Valentine's Day. Romeo Ray has done many poetry events, slams, and contests, winning most of them. Bring your original poetry for this fast-paced slam that will leave you perspired and inspired.

Mark Crilley, one of Comicdom's best storytellers

Mark Crilley
2:00 pm • Storytime Room • Level 2

Meet the author/illustrator of the Akiko and Miki Falls series. Between jokes and silly voices, learn the importance of putting conflict at the heart of a story and hear about his experiences as a writer/illustrator. Mark will also do live drawing demonstrations including the "Thirty Second Drawing."

The Audio Book Art Form

Fred Stella
2:00 pm • Reading Room • Level 3

Award-winning Audiobook narrator Fred Stella will discuss the process of how a book becomes an audiobook - from the selection of material to the manner in which it is recorded, edited, directed, and promoted.

3:00 PM

Connie Briscoe

Connie Briscoe
3:00 pm • Ryerson Auditorium • Level 3

Connie Briscoe has been a full-time published author for more than 10 years with six novels, one photo-essay book, and one novella published to date. Her work has hit many major best-seller lists, including the New York Times, Washington Post, Boston Globe, USA Today Weekend, and Essence magazine. Connie is joining us via Skype, an Internet-based video service.

Treasures from the Vault

Tim Gleisner
3:00 pm • Vander Veen Center for the Book • Level 4

Come and discover the treasures of your Grand Rapids Public Library! Whether it is maps from early American history or books that document the past of the region, this program offers the curious a glimpse into the historical archives of the Library.

Readers and the Online World

Bill Castanier, literary blogger, Mittenlit.com
Cory Grimminck, Director, Hillsdale Public Library, longtime blogger, former HarperCollins publicist Karen Dionne, author of Freezing Point and co-founder of Backspace.com
3:00 pm • Quiet Study Room • Lower Level

Do you use blogs, amazon.com, or websites such as Good Reads to find new books and connect with other readers? Or maybe you are just starting to explore what the Internet can do for you? Join us as three very different speakers talk about how the Internet has radically changed the worlds of readers and writers. Our speakers will share tips on navigating online as both a reader and a writer.

4:00 PM

C.J. Box

C.J. Box
4:00 pm • Ryerson Auditorium • Level 3

Edgar Award-winning author C.J. Box is the author of eleven novels including the Joe Pickett series. He's also won the Anthony Award, France's Prix Calibre 38, the Macavity Award, the Gumshoe Award, and the Barry Award. His short stories have been featured in America's Best Mystery Stories of 2006 and limited-edition printings. His novels have been best sellers and have been translated into 22 languages.