Go back to local TV's golden years when Tim discusses the history of this television genre. As the medium grew, thousands of Detroiters visited Channel 4 to see Milky the Clown or bombastic anchorman Bill Bonds. With the evaporation of local television, a piece of Detroit's character disappeared. Come re-capture this era.

Growing up the child of immigrants, Frances Kai-Hwa Wang was both part of and slightly outside of Chinese culture and mainstream American culture. What does it mean to be Chinese American? Ms. Wang's discussion will touch on issues raised by this year's theme, China and America: Bridging Two Worlds, and the selected book, The Eighth Promise: An American Son's Tribute To His Toisanese Mother, by William Poy Lee. As acting editor of IMDiversity.com Asian American Village, Ms. Wang has written extensively on issues of identity and culture as process rather than simply one moment in time. She will share the stories of the different ways she has wrestled with identity and culture through her life, including during childhood, as a young adult, and as a parent.

Since 1983, Jon Waterman has taken eighteen trips into the Arctic, trekking and paddling thousands of miles and encountering wolves, Inupiat hunters, and the oil-ravaged Prince William Sound. At this event, co-sponsored by the Alaska Coalition, he will blend historical narrative with vivid tales of his journeys, creating tension between past and present, science and politics, reflection and investigation.

Denny McLain's biography allows the former All-Star pitcher to share his cautionary tale with generations of baseball fans: older ones who witnessed his downfall and younger ones who can learn from McLain's multitude of mistakes. From being the only 30-game winner in more than 70 years, to touring the country as a popular musician playing on national TV, to spending nine years in jail -- Denny McLain has lived a bizarre and remarkable life. Co-authors McLain and Zaret will make this special Library appearance to discuss McLain's career.

AADL continues its celebration of National Library Week (something for everyone @ your library) with one of the bestselling authors of the thriller genre. Ridley Pearson discusses his new novel 'Cut and Run' and answers audience questions at this event. He will also sign copies of his books, which will be on sale at the event courtesy of Nicola's Books.Whether it's writing frighteningly real suspense fiction, playing bass guitar in a literary all-star garage band, or the inherent joys of new fatherhood, Ridley Pearson has mastered the art of keeping a lot of people up all night.

In his newly released book, Emmy Award-winning TV broadcaster Lee Thomas shares the physical and mental battle he is currently waging. In 1996, the African-American broadcaster was diagnosed with the skin pigment disorder vitiligo. In "Turning White: A Memoir of Change," Thomas shares his journey to help people understand vitiligo, and to help others cope with the psychological war that comes from this life-changing disease. Hear him discuss his career, his struggle with vitiligo, and his thought-provoking memoir at this special event.

Meet two of the country's leading writers in the mystery genre. C.J. Box will discuss "Blue Heaven" ("a suspenseful tour-de-force" -- Kirkus Reviews) and Loren Estleman will cover "Gas City" (a "razor-sharp tale of crime and corruption" -- Publisher's Weekly). Both books will be released in January. The authors will sign books and answer audience questions. Books will be for sale at the event, courtesy of Aunt Agatha's Mystery Bookshop.

Acclaimed author William Poy Lee will make a special appearance as part of Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads. His book, "The Eighth Promise: An American Son's Tribute To His Toisanese Mother," has been chosen as the focus of the 2008 Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads program. Mr. Poy will discuss his book and his perspective on the Chinese American experience. A book signing will follow, with books for sale at the event, courtesy of Borders.This appearance is a key event for the 2008 Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti reads program, which this year focuses on the theme China and America: Bridging Two Worlds.

This Chicago-based graphic novelist recently made a splash in the publishing world with his "Mail Order Ninja" graphic novel series and nationally-syndicated comic strip from TokyoPop. He has also written an upcoming issue of "The Batman Strikes" for DC Comics. Find out how Josh got his start and what it's like in the world of graphic novel authors when Josh visits the Library to discuss his craft. The event will include a book signing, with books available for purchase. This event will be taped for future broadcast on Community Television Network, Channel 18.A life-long comic book fan and graduate of Northwestern University with a degree in Film, Josh spent several years after graduation on the periphery of the comic book industry, first as a DC Comics intern and later as an associate editor for Wizard Magazine. In April 2005, his short story, "Mail Order Ninja," won the grand prize in TokyoPop's fifth Rising Stars of Manga contest. He scored a six-book deal as a result. Josh is now working on the third volume of "Mail Order Ninja." He also writes graphic novel reviews for the Chicago Sun-Times.

AADL and Shaman Drum Bookshop are pleased to host a special event featuring award-winning author Jonathan Lethem in a discussion of his latest novel. The author of six novels, including the bestsellers The Fortress of Solitude and Motherless Brooklyn (winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award), Lethem is also the author of two short story collections, Men and Cartoons and The Wall of the Sky, the Wall of the Eye, and a collection of essays, The Disappointment Artist. A book signing will follow, with books for sale courtesy of Shaman Drum Bookshop.You Don't Love Me Yet is a raucous romantic farce that explores the paradoxes of love and art. It is a funny and affectionate send-up of the alternative band scene, the city of Los Angeles, and the entire genre of romantic comedy.