Join our community-wide reading initiative!
IMPORTANT UPDATE: New location and more seat availability for the author visit.
Author Visit
Featuring Kristin Hannah and special guest Megan Chance, author of The Vermilion Sea
Free registration is available now:
Tuesday, June 9, 6:30 PM
Van Andel Arena
130 West Fulton St.
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Submit a Question for the Speakers
What do you hope the speakers will talk about at the June 9 event? Share your questions here!
In this beautiful and moving novel about war, nursing and friendship, Kristin Hannah once again proves herself as one of America’s favorite writers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Please print the registration confirmation email that you received for the event. This email serves as your ticket, and it notes how many spots you have registered for the event. You can also pull this email up on your phone, but you must have the email ready on your phone when you reach the doors. If you do not have the email ready on your phone, you will be asked to step out of the line while you pull it up.
If you registered using only your phone number, you will not have this email. You can call 616.784.2007 if you would like to adjust your phone registration to an email registration in order to receive this email. Otherwise, KDL staff at the doors will have a list of the registered attendees. You can provide your name at the door, and they will mark you off against their list.
We’re thrilled by the overwhelming enthusiasm for this event! As soon as we saw the level of interest, we explored options to expand capacity and identified Van Andel Arena as the best way to include thousands of more attendees.
This move reflects our commitment to making this experience free and accessible to as many people in our community as possible.
Helpful information for attendees can be found on the Van Andel Arena FAQs page.
Please see the Van Andel Arena Directions and Parking web page for information on parking. Unfortunately, the venue change does mean that attendees will most likely have to pay for parking. We are sorry about this. Alternatively, see if Grand Rapid’s Rapid bus line will be able to get you to the event or Grand Rapid’s Dash line.
Seating for this event will be General Admission. When you arrive, you can pick your own seat. We request that people not leave any empty seats in their row.
Please email programming@kdl.org if you require accessible seating or if you require ASL interpretation. ASL interpretation must be requested a minimum of two weeks prior to the event. T-coil is available throughout the venue. For accessibility concerns related directly to the Van Andel Arena, please see their ADA Accessibility web page.
If you register with a second email address, you can get an additional two tickets. However, you cannot increase the number of tickets you already have registered.
Unfortunately, no, we cannot update your original registration. You will need to use an alternative email address to make an additional registration. Alternatively, if there are many seats left, you can unregister and reregister for the event, this time with two spots.
The event will not be livestreamed. We cannot say at this time whether there will be a recording.
No, but a limited number of signed books will be for sale at the venue. KDL staff at the event will be able to direct you to the book sale.
For further assistance, please reach out to KDL’s Patron Services team at 616-784-2007. Also, about 24 hours before the event, reminder details will be emailed to all registrants. We’re happy to help and appreciate your excitement and support for this special event.
Book Clubs: Join the Conversation
Book Discussions
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Special Events
Book Discussions
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Jun9
Previous Author Visits

Join us in exploring two profound works that delve into themes of identity, belonging and the search for family roots. These books offer rich perspectives on the ways we navigate our ties to the past and how they shape our present.
Get the Books


For more information about booking Kaveh Akbar, please visit tuesdayagency.com/speakers.
Join our community-wide reading initiative!
For our inaugural event, we'll be reading a book described as both "quiet and reassuring" (New York Times) and "poignant and reflective" (Kirkus Reviews): Tom Lake by internationally bestselling author Ann Patchett.
We're excited for all of Kent District Library to read Tom Lake together, enjoy programs in March and April that are connected to the themes of the book, and then come together to enjoy an author talk.
It's the book everyone is reading.
Check out your copy now: Tom Lake, by Ann Patchett
Meet the Author: Ann Patchett
Wednesday, April 24, 2024, 6:30 PM
Covenant Fine Arts Center at Calvin University

Featuring special guest Kevin Wilson, author of Now Is Not the Time to Panic.

In this beautiful and moving novel about family, love and growing up, Ann Patchett once again proves herself one of America's finest writers.
"A fascinating story beautifully told." — New York Journal of Books
"A masterly family drama." — Publishers Weekly
"A gorgeously told and quietly devastating story of family, love, and identity." — Bookmarks
Offered in partnership with Calvin University's January Series.


