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Great Michigan Read tour includes Northern Michigan, U.P. stops
The 2025–26 Great Michigan Read program will bring author tour events to multiple libraries in Northern Michigan and the U.P. this month.
According to the Michigan Humanities announcement, the tour features author Curtis Chin, whose book “Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant” was selected as the 10th Great Michigan Read.
Michigan Humanities describes “Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant” as “Chin’s story about growing up Asian American in Detroit, coming out in his working-class immigrant community and being a first-generation college student at the University of Michigan.”
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“Curtis Chin’s memoir provides opportunities for Michiganders to reflect, empathize and connect to memories of family and tradition,” said Jennifer Rupp, president and CEO of Michigan Humanities, in the announcement. “It also provides space to explore dynamics and themes that are relevant today. In a time when human connection and community are so critical, I look forward to our state coming together through the pages of this book and at the author tour events.”
Author tour events include a moderated conversation with Chin, audience questions and a book signing. Admission to the event is free, but pre-registration is required or recommended by several locations.
Upcoming events include:
Charlevoix: 6 p.m. on Monday, May 11 at the Charlevoix Public Library, 220 Clinton St.
Sault Ste. Marie: 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12 at the Bayliss Public Library, 541 Library Drive
Marquette: 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13 at the Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. Registration is required
West Branch: 7 p.m. on Friday, May 15 at the China Inn Restaurant, 601 W. Houghton Ave. Registration is required
Chin will also visit the St. Ignace Public Library at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 14 for a partner-organized event.
The Great Michigan Read program is intended to create a statewide discussion around a Michigan-themed book by offering free books and resources for libraries, schools, book clubs and other nonprofits. In the past five years, more than 50,000 books have been distributed statewide through the Great Michigan Read. For more information, visit michiganhumanities.org/great-michigan-read.
