Join us for our fourth season of The Dr. Audrey Lavin Speaking of Books Author Series at the Canton Palace Theatre. In keeping with our mission to foster community engagement, the Speaking of Books Author Series brings acclaimed writers to Stark County who inspire lively discussion and – at times – challenging conversation while exemplifying literary excellence. Each bestselling author will speak about their book, followed by a wide-ranging question and answer session. The evening will end with a book signing and Friends of the Library volunteers will have copies available for purchase if you don’t yet own a copy.
Join the conversation—discover more and register for these free one-of-a-kind evenings before space runs out.
Kwame Alexander
Poet and NYT Bestselling Author
Wednesday, March 18 | 6:30 pm
Canton Palace Theatre
NOTICE: Due to travel concerns regarding the COVID-19 virus, Kwame Alexander has cancelled his upcoming events – including the scheduled Speaking of Books event next Wednesday, March 18, and the school event on Thursday, March 19.
While we were saddened to learn this news, we understand his decision. The safety and well-being of our staff and patrons is of utmost importance to us. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your flexibility.
Previous Speakers
Romona Robinson
Emmy Award-Winning Anchor and Author
Thursday, February 20 | 6:30 pm
Canton Palace Theatre
Robinson shares her inspirational journey from a poverty-stricken town in Missouri to becoming one of the most respected and admired journalists in northeast Ohio in her memoir A Dirt Road To Somewhere.
Register for FREE Reserve the Book
Elizabeth Vargas
Emmy Award-winning journalist and Author
Thursday, September 12 | 6:30 pm
Canton Palace Theatre
In her memoir, Between Breaths, Vargas bravely discusses how alcoholism and an anxiety disorder have affected her life and career, and why she chose to publicly share her struggle with the disease and her ongoing recovery.
Presented in partnership with Stark County Mental Health & Addiction Recovery with Support from Child & Adolescent Behavioral Health, Comm Quest, Coleman Professional Services, Phoenix Rising, and Kent State University Stark.
Register for FREE Reserve the Book
David Sheff
Award-Winning Author
Wednesday, October 30 │ 6:30 pm
Canton Palace Theatre
Take a raw look into the world of addiction, relapse and recovery— through the eyes of a parent watching their child spiral out of control in Beautiful Boy. It is also this year’s One Book, One Community Stark selection.
Register for FREE Reserve the Book
Mike Massimino
American Astronaut and NYT Bestselling Author
Tuesday, April 2 | 6:30 pm
Canton Palace Theatre
Massimino chronicles his journey from a six-foot-three Long Island kid afraid of heights to a two-time veteran of NASA space flights on the final two Hubble Space Telescope servicing missions. Massimino and his crews traveled faster (Mach 26) and higher (350 miles) than any other astronauts in the 21st century.
Register for FREE Reserve your Copy eBook
Imbolo Mbue
Bestselling Author and 2017 PEN/Faulkner Award Winner
Thursday, February 7 | 6:30 pm
Canton Palace Theatre
Imbolo Mbue is the author of the New York Times bestseller, Behold the Dreamers, which shares the different experiences of two families during the 2008 financial crisis. Her debut novel was the winner of multiple awards, chosen as an Oprah's Book Club selection, and named Best Book of the Year by close to a dozen publications.
Register for FREE Reserve Your Copy
Ruth Reichl
Author, Food Critic and Top Chef Master Judge
Thursday, October 25 | 6:30 pm
Canton Palace Theatre
Ruth Reichl is one of the most recognizable voices in the culinary world. She’s an American chef, food writer, co-producer of PBS's Gourmet's Diary of a Foodie, culinary editor for the Modern Library, host of PBS's Gourmet's Adventures With Ruth, and was the last editor-in-chief of Gourmet magazine. She’s delighted readers with bestsellers like Tender at the Bone: Growing up at the Table and Comfort Me with Apples. She is also Stark County’s One Book, One Community selection for 2018.
Register for FREE Reserve Your Copy
Bernie Kosar
Legendary quarterback and author of Learning to Scramble
Wednesday, September 19 | 6:30 pm
Canton Palace Theatre
Bernie Kosar earned a Super Bowl ring with the Dallas Cowboys in 1993, after leading the Cleveland Browns to two AFC Championship games. His book is an unvarnished and completely authentic account of an extremely talented man’s ability to not only learn from his mistakes but to evolve and develop new ways of approaching life. It’s a distillation of what can be done with just a little more time and a little more opportunity – all you can accomplish when you learn to scramble.
Register for FREE Reserve Your Copy
Sam Quinones
Award-Winning Journalist Explores the Opiate Epidemic
Monday, April 2 | 6:30 pm
Canton Palace Theatre
Sam Quinones is a journalist, storyteller, former LA Times reporter, and author of three acclaimed narrative nonfiction books. His most recent book addresses America’s opiate epidemic. He was selected as a 2008 recipient of the Maria Moors Cabot prize and is a 1998 recipient of an Alicia Patterson Fellowship.
About the Event Reserve Your Copy
Debbie Macomber
NYT Bestselling Inspirational Novelist Visits for Valentine’s Day
Wednesday, February 14 | 6:30 pm
Canton Palace Theatre
#1 NYT bestselling author Debbie Macomber’s novels have spent over 990 weeks on the bestseller list with twelve hitting the #1 spot. She was the inaugural winner of the Quill Award for romance in 2005 and has been awarded both a RITA and a lifetime achievement award by the Romance Writers of America.
About The Event Reserve Your Copy
Jay Asher
Author of Netflix Original & NYT Bestseller Thirteen Reasons Why
Tuesday, November 14 | 6:30 pm
Canton Palace Theatre
Asher’s debut novel, Thirteen Reasons Why, became a #1 New York Times bestselling young-adult fiction novel. It won several awards, received five stars from Teen Book Review and in 2017, was released as a successful Netflix original series. He also wrote What Light and co-authored The Future of Us.
About The Event Reserve Your Copy
Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger
Inspiration for the 1993 Blockbuster Film RUDY
Tuesday, October 24 | 6:30 pm
Canton Palace Theatre
Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger defied the odds with 27 seconds of greatness in his story of fierce determination. In 1993, his story was immortalized in the hit movie RUDY. He is now a renowned motivational speaker and focused on strengthening communities by offering scholarships in education, sports and the arts. He is also Stark County’s One Book, One Community selection for 2017.
Garth Stein
Tuesday, April 11 | 6:30–8:30 pm
Canton Palace Theatre
Garth discusses his bestselling book The Art of Racing in the Rain, the writing process, and more. He’s the author of three other novels: including his latest, A Sudden Light. The Art of Racing in the Rain is the contemporary classic narrated by the beloved canine character, Enzo. It's sold 6 million copies, been translated into 35 languages, and spent more than three years on the New York Times bestseller list.
About The Event Reserve Your Copy
Terry McMillan
Wednesday, February 15 | 6:30–8:00 pm
Canton Palace Theatre
#1 New York Times bestselling author Terry McMillan fell in love with books as a teenager while working at the local library. She studied journalism at UC Berkeley and screenwriting at Columbia before making her fiction debut with Mama, which won both the Doubleday New Voices in Fiction Award and the American Book Award. She lives in Pasadena, California.
About The Event Reserve Your Copy
Forrest Pritchard
Tuesday, October 18, 2016 | 6:30–8:30 pm
Canton Palace Theatre
Forrest Pritchard is a seventh generation farmer and New York Times bestselling author. His book, Gaining Ground, A Story of Farmer's Markets, Local Food and Saving the Family Farm, was named a top read by Publishers Weekly, The Washington Post and NPR’s The Splendid Table. Forrest is also this Stark County’s One Book, One Community selection for 2016.
About The Event Reserve Your Copy
Michael Hingson
Wednesday, September 14, 2016 | 6:30–8:30 pm
Canton Palace Theatre
On September 11, 2001, a blind man escaped the World Trade Center by walking down 78 flights of stairs with his guide dog. America fell in love with Michael and his dog Roselle and the special bond that helped them both survive one of the country’s darkest days.
Michael Hingson is now a world renowned speaker, social advocate, and New York Times bestselling author.
About The Event Reserve Your Copy
Who is Dr. Audrey Lavin?
This series is named in honor of Dr. Audrey Lavin, our own local “celebrity” author, a globe-trotting academic, a champion of writers, and a tireless supporter of the Library.
She has shown unwavering support for the library mission as a Friends of the Library volunteer and by serving on the Library's foundation for many years. Her commitment to the Library, education, and the art of writing makes her the perfect inspiration for this collection of acclaimed authors.
