The Wild Poets Bramble Ramble

On Saturday, I soaked in the syllables and sensuality of Natasha Oladokun, Pauletta Hansel, Anne M. Doe Overstreet, Brian Volck, and John Paul Davis during the The Wild Poets Bramble Ramble: Poets in the Round at Nowhere Else Festival.

Meeting Ananda Lima and Roger Reeves

I was pleased to attend this school year's last installation of the Jack Ridl Visiting Writers Series, featuring authors/poets Ananda Lima and Roger Reeves, at Hope College last night.

Hearing Cody Daigle-Orians

Last night, author Cody Daigle-Orians was the featured guest at my local book club.  He joined us virtually and spoke about his latest book, The Ace and Aro Relationship Guide.

Meeting Jeff Smith

This evening, I met author/activist/archivist Jeff Smith, who spoke at Out on the Lakeshore about his latest book, A People's History of Grand Rapids.

Hearing Tsering Yangzom Lama and Shane McCrae

Two nights ago, I attended the latest edition of  Hope College's Jack Ridl Visiting Writers Series, featuring novelist Tsering Yangzom Lama and poet/memoirist Shane McCrae.

Hearing Dana VanderLugt

Last night, I attended an event featuring author/educator Dana VanderLugt and poet/retired professor Jack Ridl at Hope College.  The two engaged in an on-stage conversation about VanderLugt's new book, Enemies in the Orchard.

Hearing MK Czewiec and Elizabeth Trembley

Last night, I had the pleasure of experiencing two authors/educators/graphic artists, MK Czerwiec and Elizabeth Trembley, speak at Hope College's first Jack Ridl Visiting Writers Series event of the school year.

Meeting Elizabeth A. Trembley

I enjoyed hearing and meeting author Elizabeth A. Trembley at Out on the Lakeshore tonight.  She spoke about her graphic memoir, Look Again, as well as the magic of making comics.

Hearing Nikole Hannah-Jones

Last night, I was pleased to attend Grand Rapids Community College's Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Diversity Lecture Series, featuring award-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones virtually, via Zoom.

Hearing Joy Harjo

On Oct. 25, I was pleased to watch Hope College professor emeritus and poet Jack Ridl host a conversation with the 23rd poet laureate of the United States, Joy Harjo, as a part of this year's NEA Big Read Lakeshore lineup.  I am currently reading the related book selection, Harjo's An American Sunrise: Poems.

Hearing Laurie Halse Anderson

Tonight, I attended Herrick District Library's virtual author event featuring the New York Times-bestselling author Laurie Halse Anderson.  I look forward to reading her poetic memoir, SHOUT, in the days ahead.

Hearing Kristin Kobes Du Mez

On Nov. 18, 2020, it was my pleasure to hear author/historian/professor Kristin Kobes Du Mez speak about her poignant, pivotal book Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation via Zoom for Calvin University's history department colloquium, "Jesus and John Wayne."

Hearing Michael Eric Dyson

I attended Grand Rapids Community College's Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Diversity Lecture Series featuring keynote speaker Michael Eric Dyson virtually, via Zoom, last night.  I have read two of Dyson's powerful, poignant books, Tears We Cannot Stop and What Truth Sounds Like, and am currently reading his latest release, Long Time Coming.

Meeting Lisa Lenzo

I was pleased to meet author Lisa Lenzo tonight at Uncommon Coffee Roasters during the launch event for her brand new book, Unblinking.  I was even lucky enough to win a jar of Lisa's homemade blueberry lemon jam during the party!

Hearing Fred L. Johnson

I was pleased to be able to hear Dr. Fred L. Johnson III speak last night at the Herrick District Library.  The Hope College history professor and author presented a talk entitled "The History of African Americans in West Michigan."

Hearing Joy DeGruy

I was pleased to be able to hear Dr. Joy DeGruy speak at the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Civil Rights Lecture at Hope College yesterday.  I am currently reading her book, Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome, and look forward to continuing to learn from her important work.

A Post for Posterity: Meeting Frank Schaeffer

Four years ago today, Oct. 10, 2014, I had the pleasure of hearing one of my favorite authors/speakers, Frank Schaeffer, at Vanderbilt University.  I was honored to meet him and hear him discuss his latest book (at that time), Why I Am an Atheist Who Believes in God: How to Give Love, Create Beauty and Find Peace.

Salt and Pepper

I was thrilled to hear one of my favorite "salty" authors/speakers, Frank Schaeffer, again last night, along with "peppery" pastor/writer John Pavlovitz, during the Vote Common Good event in Holland, Mich.

Meeting Anna-Lisa Cox

I had the honor of hearing award-winning historian, author and Harvard University fellow Anna-Lisa Cox speak last night at Uncommon Coffee Roasters about her groundbreaking new book, The Bone and Sinew of the Land.

Meeting Kate Moynihan

I had the pleasure of hearing artist/author Kate Moynihan speak last night at the Herrick District Library.  Having been a fan of Moynihan Gallery for many years, it was a treat to meet Kate and have her sign my copy of her new memoir, A Lone Birch: My Artistic Journey.