2006 Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads Event: Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author Jonathan Weiner

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jonathan Weiner will make a special appearance at Washtenaw Community College (4800 Huron River Drive, Ann Arbor Township) as part of the 2006 Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads. He will discuss his book, "The Beak of the Finch: A Story of Evolution in Our Time," which was chosen as the focus of this year's Reads program. It is an examination of the groundbreaking scientific research of scientists Peter and Rosemary Grant, who spent years studying Darwin's finches in the Galapagos Islands and resulted in new ways to look at evolution.

Australian Adventurer Lincoln Hall Discusses His New Book 'Dead Lucky: Life After Death on Mount Everest'

Lincoln Hall likes to say that on the evening of May 25, 2006, he died on Everest. He was, in fact, pronounced dead that evening after collapsing from altitude sickness during a climbing expedition. But early the next morning an American guide found Hall, sitting cross-legged on the summit ridge. An unprecedented rescue effort saved his life. Lincoln Hall will make a special appearance at AADL to discuss his incredible story, chronicled in "Dead Lucky." The event will include a book signing, with books for sale courtesy of Shaman Drum Bookshop, cosponsors of this event.

Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads: Author Rachel DeWoskin Discusses Her Experiences In China and Her Memoir "Foreign Babes In Beijing"

In conjunction with Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads 2008, AADL is delighted to welcome Ann Arbor native and author Rachel DeWoskin in a discussion of her experiences as a foreigner in China, her popular memoir, and the progress in making her novel into a major motion picture from Paramount Pictures -- including updates on casting the film. DeWoskin, an award-winning poet, is the Associate Poetry Editor at Agni Magazine, and an artist-in-residence at Teachers & Writers. She teaches creative writing at New York University. The event will include a booksigning, with books available for purchase."Foreign Babes in Beijing: Behind the Scenes of a New China" (W.W. Norton, 2005) has been published in five countries. Her novel, "Aysha's English," is forthcoming in 2008. She has published poems in magazines including Ploughshares, Seneca Review, The New Delta Review, and Nerve Magazine, and non-fiction in the Sunday Times Magazine of London, Conde Nast Traveler, Departures, Teachers & Writers Magazine and Wanderlust, an anthology by Thundersmouth Press.

Amy R. Singer, Founder, Editor and Publisher of the Online Knitting Magazine Knitty.com, Leads a No Sheep/Knitty Knit-in!

Knitters unite: You know her from her knitty.com online magazine, and now Amy Singer will make a special AADL appearance! Amy will share knitting tips and tales from her infamous blogs and online musings. The event will include a booksigning (Amy's popular titles include "No Sheep For You" and "Knit Wit"), with books for sale, courtesy of Nicola's Books. Grab your yarn and arrive early for this one! Cosponsored by Busy Hands.In the fall of 2005, Knitty welcomed its ten-millionth visitor.

Mystery Writer Jon Jefferson of Jefferson Bass Discusses Forensic Science and His New Mystery "The Devil's Bones"

Interested in forensic science? CSI? Good mystery/thrillers? Jon Jefferson, of the mystery writing team Jefferson Bass, will discuss his forensic science, the world famous Body Farm and his new mystery, just published by William Morrow. A booksigning will follow, with books for sale courtesy of Aunt Agatha's Mystery Bookstore.A veteran journalist, science writer, and documentary filmmaker, Jefferson has written for the New York Times, Newsweek, and National Public Radio.

National Library Week Special Event: Yarn Harlot Stephanie Pearl-McPhee Discusses the Art of Knitting and Her New Book 'Things I Learned From Knitting ... whether I wanted to or not'

AADL kicks off National Libraray Week with the Yarn Harlot! Stephanie Pearl-McPhee made two spectacular visits to AADL last year, where over 300 knitters at each event heard her comments about knitting and life. She is the best-selling author of At Knit's End, Knitting Rules and other tongue-in-cheek meditations on this obsession with knitting. Stephanie returns to AADL to talk, knit, laugh, and discuss her new book. A book signing will follow, with books for sale courtesy of Borders. Not just for knitters, Stephanie Pearl-McPhee is a humorist for all world-weary parents, friends of knitters, adult children who haven't yet begun therapy to complain about their upbringing, and those who just like to look at lovely scarves in fuzzy wool. Her award-winning blog, Yarn Harlot (yarnharlot.ca/blog/), chronicles the daily travails of life as she parents, partners, knits... and writes.

National Library Week: Censorship with Banned Book Author Nancy Garden and ALA's Intellectual Freedom Committee Chair Kent Oliver

Are books and the right to read still under attack? This discussion of book and library material banning issues will feature Nancy Garden, winner of the Robert B. Downs Intellectual Freedom Award for her work defending her novel "Annie On My Mind" from an attempt to ban it from libraries in a Kansas school district, and Kent Oliver, Chair of the American Library Association's Intellectual Freedom Committee. A book signing will follow, with books for sale courtesy of Shaman Drum Bookshop.In 1993, Annie On My Mind was banned by the Olathe School District and burned in demonstrations.

Dr. Robert Bartlett, Surgeon and Inventor: Reflections On A Life In Medicine

Ann Arbor's own Dr. Robert Bartlett will reflect on his amazing career as a doctor, inventor and, most recently, a writer of fiction. For many years, Dr. Bartlett was professor of surgery at the U-M Medical School, director of critical care/general surgery, and director of surgical intensive care at the U-M Health System. One of his greatest achievements, however, is as a pioneer in the development of prolonged extracorporeal circulation, including development of the technique for respiratory failure in newborn infants and children.