Community Calendar

Tim Mulherin will be here to talk about his new book This Magnetic North: Candid Conversations on a Changing Northern Michigan, in which he explores the impact of the pandemic, climate change, and tourism on northwest lower Michigan.

The National Writers Series is delighted to welcome Angela Flournoy, National Book Award finalist and author of “The Turner House,” to the Milliken Auditorium on October 2 to discuss her eagerly anticipated second book, “The Wilderness,” a hilarious and emotionally moving foray into the enduring bonds of found family amidst a restless and often volatile America.

Spanning two decades in the lives of five Black women, “The Wilderness” traces their journeys through young adulthood and into midlife as they navigate motherhood, ambition, estrangement, viral fame, and building lives in rapidly shifting cities. With nuance and depth, Flournoy explores the complexities of contemporary womanhood and the connections that sustain us.

“These women, these friends—in their grief and loss, their dedication and their communion—are so achingly real it’s hard to let them go.” —Justin Torres, National Book Award-winning author of Blackouts

The event will begin at 7 PM and includes Q&A and an author signing.

Be sure to grab your in-person or virtual tickets for this unforgettable evening at nationalwritersseries.org today!

Tickets are General Admission and do not include a copy of the book. If you are interested in purchasing a copy, please visit nationalwritersseries.org. Each sale benefits our local partner Horizon Books in downtown Traverse City.

Word for Word: Copy the Constitution
What does it actually say? Michigan Writers, in partnership with Traverse Area District Library, invite the community to join us on October 4, 10-12:00, at the McGuire Room in Traverse Area District Library to help hand copy the constitution word for word, post it in our hand-written scrawls, and then to read it aloud.

Each participant will be given a section to copy. We will post all the sections and read this important rights document aloud. All are welcome to join or observe. This exercise hopes to raise awareness through reclamation of the language that holds the principles of our country. It refreshes our understanding of the core rights document of democracy, bypasses partisanship, puts us in kinship with those early writers and thinkers, and offers affirmation. Join us at the library.

Just show up. Your favorite writing implement would be helpful.

Come join the discussion about Tim O’Brien’s celebrated short story collection "The Things They Carried". Published in 1990, the book explores the experiences of soldiers who served in the Vietnam War. The book was also the target of censorship challenges, and has been selected as the Banned Books edition of our Leelanau Reads community book discussion. Copies of the book are available at the library and local booksellers.

Come join the discussion about Tim O’Brien’s celebrated short story collection "The Things They Carried". Published in 1990, the book explores the experiences of soldiers who served in the Vietnam War. The book was also the target of censorship challenges, and has been selected as the Banned Books edition of our Leelanau Reads community book discussion. Copies of the book are available at the library and local booksellers.

Come join the discussion about Tim O’Brien’s celebrated short story collection "The Things They Carried". Published in 1990, the book explores the experiences of soldiers who served in the Vietnam War. The book was also the target of censorship challenges, and has been selected as the Banned Books edition of our Leelanau Reads community book discussion. Copies of the book are available at the library and local booksellers.

Come join the discussion about Tim O’Brien’s celebrated short story collection "The Things They Carried". Published in 1990, the book explores the experiences of soldiers who served in the Vietnam War. The book was also the target of censorship challenges, and has been selected as the Banned Books edition of our Leelanau Reads community book discussion.

Copies of the book are available at the library and local booksellers. NOTE: a second discussion will take place later in the day at 2:00 pm.

Join us three times a year to discuss nonfiction books concerning mental and physical wellness. Facilitators for the discussions will be professional mental health providers courtesy of Head and Heart Therapeutic Services and Open Space Counseling.

This month's book is Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Glover Tawwab

Healthy boundaries. We all know we should have them--in order to achieve work/life balance, cope with toxic people, and enjoy rewarding relationships with partners, friends, and family. But what do "healthy boundaries" really mean--and how can we successfully express our needs, say "no," and be assertive without offending others?

Join us for Queer Tales Book Club where we chat about books that are by and/or about LGBTQIA+ people. Reading is not required, and everyone is welcome.

We meet on the third Tuesday of the month at 7pm in the Nelson Room.

October's book is Carmilla by J. Sheridan Le Fanu (bonus if it's edited by Carmen Maria Machado). You can get this book through MeLCat, Hoopla, or Libby.

The National Writers Series is thrilled to welcome Mitch Albom back to the City Opera House to share his newest novel, “Twice,” an unforgettable emotional journey through love, second chances, and the choices that define our lives.

Alfie Logan has an incredible gift—he gets a second chance at almost everything. The only catch? He doesn’t get a second chance at love. After he’s arrested for allegedly cheating and winning millions at a casino roulette wheel, Alfie’s incredible life and the choices he’s made (and made again) unfold for the curious detective interrogating him.

From America’s favorite storyteller comes a novel that’s more than a simple love story—it’s a probing and honest investigation into all matters of the human heart.

Albom will take the stage alongside #1 New York Times bestselling author and NWS co-founder Doug Stanton on October 22nd. The event will begin at 7 PM and includes Q&A and an author signing. Each ticket comes with a copy of “Twice,” or, opt for our two-ticket/one book package and share with a friend!

Grab your tickets for an enchanting evening with one of Traverse City’s favorite authors at nationalwritersseries.org!