Join us for a special literary event featuring award-winning author and social justice documentary filmmaker Curtis Chin at the Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch on Saturday, April 11 from 3:00 to 4:00 PM. Chin will discuss his acclaimed memoir, Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant, which has been selected as the 2025–26 title for the Great Michigan Read. The memoir explores Chin’s experiences growing up Asian American in Detroit and the life lessons he learned while working in his family’s Chinese restaurant, offering a powerful story about identity, family and community.
"It's not every day that we get to celebrate the Great Michigan Read in this way," said Clare O'Tsuji, Branch Outreach and Programming Specialist at KDL. "This memoir touches and illustrates the stories of so many. It's really exciting to be able to hear from this author to really step inside this book's story. Even if you haven't read it, it's worthwhile to stop in and listen to a Detroit native's story."
The conversation will be moderated by Meena Ariagno, host of the Eavesdrop With Meena podcast and a conversation partner with the West Michigan Asian American Association. After the discussion, attendees will have the opportunity to meet the author during a book signing. This event is made possible in part by a grant from Michigan Humanities, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, and is presented in partnership with the West Michigan Asian American Association. This engaging program invites readers and community members to come together to celebrate storytelling, culture, and the shared experience of reading across Michigan.
For more information on Curtis Chin, we encourage you to listen to this podcast.
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