On Saturday night, Kitchens of the Great Midwest author J. Ryan Stradal entertained a large audience at the conclusion of One Book, One Mesa County. A native Midwesterner, J. Ryan discussed his upbringing, touching on his early love of books and reading, as well as things he ate and enjoyed (or didn’t.) He shared an […]

We have so enjoyed all of the participation from our readers over the past month of One Book, and we’re greatly anticipating J Ryan’s talk at the end of the week. J Ryan will speak at the Avalon Theatre (645 Main St.) on Saturday, March 5th at 7pm. The doors will open at 6 pm, […]

Kitchens of the Great Midwest’s Pat Prager lovingly crafts her Peanut Butter Bars to compete at her local fair. After some success, friends convince her to apply for a more elite competition. When she arrives, she is greeted by perhaps the most negative stereotype of the foodie snob and uber locavores. Her competition seems obsessed […]

One of the enjoyable factors to Kitchens of the Great Midwest is the change in perspective and narrator that each chapter brings. In the only chapter that is from Eva’s point of view, she is a young girl, experimenting in the growth of chili peppers and breeding for the hottest possible. In her bedroom closet. […]

Location, location, location. In some books, the sense of place becomes its own character. The location provides a meaning and impact all its own, contributing to the actions of the characters as well as the readers’ understanding of them. Kitchens of the Great Midwest is one such book. The first giveaway, of course, is the […]

One Book 2015 wrapped up with our finale, a presentation by author Roz Chast, on Saturday night. Roz addressed nearly 400 audience members, who were certainly treated to an original, comical, and honest presentation. Roz shared with us insights about how she became interested in drawing, how she became involved with The New Yorker at […]

Our last One Book movie of the series takes place this Sunday, 1:30 pm, at the Avalon Theatre at 7th and Main St. Admission will cost $6.00. Mother, a 1996 film, stars Albert Brooks and Debbie Reynolds. Brooks plays a successful writer in the midst of his second divorce, who determines that in order to […]

The title of Roz Chast’s book and our One Book selection, Can’t We Talk about Something More Pleasant?, says it all. The topic of the end of our lives is naturally uncomfortable. Not only is it complicated and time consuming, to the point where it necessitates professionals–Roz consults a few for these affairs herself–it is […]