Previous Speaking of Books Events
Andrew McCarthy
May 11, 2024 | 6:30 pm | Canton Palace Theatre
Director, award-winning travel writer and actor Andrew McCarthy made his professional début at 19 in Class. He has appeared in dozens of films, including iconic Pretty in Pink, Less Than Zero, and classic favorites, Weekend at Bernie’s, and Mannequin.
Andrew’s latest book, Walking with Sam, features his 500-mile journey across Spain with his son as he takes his first steps into adulthood. During the course of the journey, the two had more honest discussions in five weeks than they had in the previous two decades. This story reflects the father and son's intimate, open, and hopeful journey across the country and toward each other.
Michelle Williams
March 7, 2024 | 6:30 pm | Canton Palace Theatre
Michelle Williams, Destiny's Child singer and songwriter tells her story of overcoming mental health challenges while under the spotlight of fame and success as a member of one of the biggest recording groups of all-time. In her book, Checking In: How Getting Real About Depression Saved My Life and Can Save Yours, she opens up about her life in the public eye and her ongoing battle and victory over depression.
Kate Biberdorf
February 13, 2024 | 6:30 pm | Canton Palace Theatre
She’s breathing fire, she’s breaking stereotypes, she’s—in heels? Kate the Chemist is fearless, focused, and on a mission, to make science fun and accessible for all ages in her book, The Big Book of Experiments.
The chemist, entertainer, and professor is committed to reaching students who are intimidated by science. Through her theatrical hands-on approach to teaching, she hopes to encourage them to explore the realm of STEM. In her fictional series, Kate the Chemist, she shows kids how science is everywhere. She’s well known for performing live science experiments such as, Elephant’s Toothpaste, Fireballs, Bubble Snakes and so much more! Join us for a fun night of science and ignite your inner scientist!
Sandra Brown
November 16, 2023 | 6:30 pm | Canton Palace Theatre
Stark Library presents Sandra Brown, author of the New York Times bestsellers, including Overkill, Thick as Thieves, Outfox, and Seeing Red. Sandra shares and highlights her personal journey to being a successful writer and author, finding inspiration, and bringing her ideas to life.
Sandra has been writing professionally since the early 1980s and since then, has published more than seventy novels. In 2008 she received the title “Thriller Master,” an award given by the International Thriller Writer’s Association. In her layered stories, she gradually builds suspense with twisting plots. Three television films have been created based on her novels and her work has been translated into thirty-four languages.
Sandra discusses her accomplishments and elaborate creative process, as well as advise for aspiring writers. As she states, “you cannot be successful in writing unless you’re avid reader.”
Stephanie Land
October 17, 2023 | 6:30 pm | Canton Palace Theatre
“Every single parent teetering on poverty does this. We work, we love, we do. And the stress of it all, the exhaustion, leaves us hollowed. Scraped out. Ghosts of our former selves.” – Stephanie Land
With the support of the Domestic Violence Project, Inc and United Way of Greater Stark County, Stark Library presents Stephanie Land, author of the New York Times bestseller, Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive.
Stephanie recounts her struggles living below the poverty line as a single mom, working minimum wage jobs, and navigating a bureaucratic nightmare. Her book became an instant success and inspired Netflix’s most-watched limited series ever, Maid, starring Andie MacDowell.
Stephanie sheds light on how domestic violence, unlivable minimum wages, and high housing costs worsened her plight – and how they impact people throughout the country. In Canton, 35% of children under the age of 18 live in poverty.
Dylan Dreyer
April 27, 2023 | 7:00 pm | Canton Palace Theatre
Dylan Dreyer is the host of “Earth Odyssey with Dylan Dreyer,” the winner of 3 Telly Awards, which airs Saturday mornings on NBC. In addition, she also co-hosts a weekly radio show “Off the Rails” on Sirius XM with fellow TODAY co-hosts Al Roker and Sheinelle Jones.
Throughout the years, Dreyer has reported live for NBC News from some of history’s worst storms, including Hurricane Harvey, Boston’s record-breaking snowfall in 2015 and the North American polar vortex of 2014. She was also a part of the network’s extensive coverage of the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang.
Dreyer joined Saturday TODAY in 2012 from WHDH-TV, the NBC affiliate in Boston, where she served as the weekday morning meteorologist on “Today in New England” since 2007. In 2008, she was named Boston’s Best Meteorologist by Improper Bostonian magazine. From 2005 to 2007, Dreyer was the weekend meteorologist at WJAR-TV, the NBC affiliate in Providence, Rhode Island and from 2003 to 2005 she was the weekend meteorologist at WICU-TV, the NBC
Danny Trejo
March 9, 2023 | 7:00 pm | Canton Palace Theatre
This next author’s name was once synonymous with Hollywood’s favorite “bad guy”. Over the years, Danny Trejo has portrayed villains in dozens of movies and TV series, from Heat, to the From Dusk till Dawn trilogy, to Desperado. His prolific career in the entertainment industry followed an atypical road to success, from years of imprisonment to helping troubled youth battle drug addictions, from acting to producing, and now on to restaurant ventures. Mr. Trejo joins us to discuss his new cookbook, Trejo’s Tacos, as well as his biography, Trejo – My Life of Crime, Redemption, and Hollywood. A Q&A and book signing will follow.
In Danny’s youth, he joked to his mom that he would one day open a restaurant, and a few arrests and over three-hundred movies later, that dream finally came true. Trejo’s expanding restaurant empire includes Trejo’s Tacos, Trejo’s Cantina and Trejo’s Coffee and Donuts. In his new cookbook, Trejo’s Tacos, Danny shares 75 of his favorite recipes – from his award-winning tacos to his signature donuts – along with behind-the-scenes snippets of his fascinating life.
Danni Washington
February 16, 2023 | 6:30 pm | Canton Palace Theatre
Danni, a woman who found her passion swimming with a shark, aptly tells the stories of women who risked much to change the world in her book, Bold Women in Science: 15 Women in History You Should Know.
The TV host and marine scientist is dedicated to ocean conversation AND encouraging kids to make an impact studying STEM. She is well-known for her on-screen work in projects such as Untamed Science, Xploration Nature Knows Best, and Mission Unstoppable. She cofounded the non-profit Big Blue & You as part of her mission to protect the oceans. Join us for an uplifting night. A Q & A and book signing will follow the discussion. Books will be available to buy.
2022
Nigella Lawson, Tyler Merritt, Black College Football Hall of Fame Speakers, Jamie Ford, Nicole Stott, Jason Reynolds
2021
R.L. Stine, Mark Bittman, Marc Brown
2020
Romona Robinson, Kwame Alexander
2019
Imbolo Mbue, Mike Massimino, David Sheff, Elizabeth Vargas
2018
Nigella Lawson, Tyler Merritt, Black College Football Hall of Fame Speakers, Jamie Ford, Nicole Stott, Jason Reynolds
2017
Terry McMillan, Garth Stein, Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger, Jay Asher
2016
Michael Hingson, Forrest Pritchard
Sign Up for our eNewsletter
Stay up-to-date with all library news and events by signing up for our eNewsletter.