Ligonier Valley Library

Virtual Author Talk with Smithsonian Curator Emeritus Tom Crouch
2026-02-24 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Tom D. Crouch, a Smithsonian veteran of almost 45 years, paints a robust picture of a unique American establishment and its lasting legacies in his book Smithson’s Gamble.
Follow the fascinating growth and development of the world’s largest museum and research complex during its first 60 years. Told in rich detail, Smithson’s Gamble reveals how, as it defined a role rooted in curiosity and exploration, the Smithsonian helped to shape the nation’s developing identity.
Take part in our conversation with Tom Crouch about the trials, errors, and incredible legacy of the Smithsonian’s foundation. Tuesday, February 24th at 2 PM ET via digital live-stream or on-demand after the event.
Register and submit questions for the author here: https://libraryc.org/ligonierlibrary/upcoming

Virtual Author Talk with Michael Perry
2026-03-04 14:00 - 15:00
Join us in conversation with bestselling author and humorist Michael Perry, whose collection of genre-spanning works encapsulates the experiences–and the magic–of rural town communities and the everyday people who reside in them. In his memoir, Population: 485, Perry tells a frequently comic tale leavened with moments of heartbreaking delicacy and searing tragedy. Jesus Cow, Perry’s fiction debut, is a hilarious yet sincere exploration of faith and the foibles of modern life. Wednesday, March 4th at 2 PM ET via digital live-stream or watch on demand after the event premieres.
Register and ask questions of the author here: https://libraryc.org/ligonierlibrary/115407

Virtual Author Talk with Kate Quinn
2026-03-12 19:00 - 20:00
You’re invited to join us for a conversation with acclaimed author Kate Quinn about her latest fantastical work, The Astral Library, which poses the question: Have you ever wished you could live inside a book? Welcome to the Astral Library, where books are not just objects, but doors to new worlds, new lives, and new futures. Thursday, March 12th at 7 PM ET via digital live-stream or watch on-demand after the event premieres.
Register and ask questions of the author here: https://libraryc.org/ligonierlibrary/114221

Virtual Author Talk with Shoshana Walter
2026-03-24 14:00 - 15:00
Join us for a special conversation between award-winning journalist Shoshana Walter and bestselling and award-winning author Barbara Kingsolver as they chat about Walter’s book Rehab: An American Scandal. In this work, Walter, a Pulitzer finalist, exposes the country’s failed response to the opioid crisis, and the malfeasance, corruption, and snake oil which blight the drug rehabilitation industry. Tuesday, March 24th at 2 PM ET via digital live-stream or watch on-demand after the event premieres.
Register and ask questions of the author here: https://libraryc.org/ligonierlibrary/117186

Virtual Author Talk with the Smithsonian
2026-04-02 14:00 - 15:00
Join us for an exhilarating journey through the history of US women astronauts with Valerie Neal, emerita curator from the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum and expert on human spaceflight. Thursday, April 2nd at 2 PM ET or video-on-demand after the talk premieres.
Register and ask questions of the author here: https://libraryc.org/ligonierlibrary/145335

Virtual Author Talk with Brad Taylor
2026-04-14 19:00 - 20:00
Join us in conversation with acclaimed author Brad Taylor on his latest work, Shadow Strike, book 20 of the bestselling Pike Logan series. Tuesday, April 14th at 7 PM ET via digital live-stream or video-on-demand after the event.
To register or ask questions or ask questions of the author, visit https://libraryc.org/ligonierlibrary/145959

Virtual Author Talk with Miranda Cowley Heller
2026-04-22 14:00 - 15:00
Award-winning and bestselling author Miranda Cowley Heller takes us on an intimate journey through the life stages of a woman in her new poetry collection, What the Deep Water Knows. Wednesday, April 22nd at 2 PM ET via digital live stream or video-on-demand after the event.
To register and ask questions of the author, visit https://libraryc.org/ligonierlibrary/147207.

Virtual Author Talk with Jason Reynolds
2026-04-30 07:00 - 20:00
Join us in conversation with bestselling author Jason Reynolds as we discuss his latest work, Coach, the fifth, and last, entry in the highly popular Track series. Following the immersive stories of Ghost, Lu, Patina, and Sunny, it’s finally time for Coach to shine in his own book as we discover: Who was Coach before he became an inspiring leader? ONLINE Thursday, April 30th at 7 PM ET via digital live stream or video-on-demand after the event.
To register and ask questions of the author, visit https://libraryc.org/ligonierlibrary/147831.

Virtual Author Talk with Marjan Kamali
2026-05-07 19:00 - 20:00
Join us for an exciting conversation with internationally acclaimed author Marjan Kamali as we delve into the timeless wonder of her New York Times bestselling novel, The Lion Women of Tehran on Thursday, May 7th at 7 PM ET via digital live-stream or video-on-demand after the talk premieres.
Register and ask questions of the author here: https://libraryc.org/ligonierlibrary/upcoming

Virtual Author Talk with Dr. Vivienne Ming
2026-05-12 14:00 - 15:00
Join us for a timely conversation on AI, humanity, and the next steps towards building a better future with self-proclaimed “mad scientist” Dr. Vivienne Ming as we discuss her new book, Robot-Proof: When Machines Have All the Answers, Build Better People on Tuesday, May 12th at 2 PM ET via digital live-stream or video-on-demand after the talk premieres.
Register and ask questions of the author here: https://libraryc.org/ligonierlibrary/upcoming

Virtual Author Talk with Nir Eyal
2026-05-19 14:00 - 15:00
What if the only thing standing between you and the seemingly impossible… was belief? This is the question posed by bestselling author Nir Eyal in his new work, Beyond Belief. Join us Tuesday, May 19th at 2 PM ET via digital live-stream in or video-on-demand after the talk premieres.
Register and ask questions of the author here: https://libraryc.org/ligonierlibrary/upcoming

Virtual Author Talk with the Smithsonian: State Fairs
2026-06-03 14:00 - 15:00
Join us for a fascinating discussion with Smithsonian Curator Mary Savig on the history and significance of craft at state fairs—from blue-ribbon quilts to sculpted butter cows, and so much more, on Wednesday, June 3rd at 2 PM ET via digital live stream or video-on-demand after the talk.
Register and ask questions of the author here: https://libraryc.org/ligonierlibrary/161069

Virtual Author Talk with Matt Dinniman
2026-06-11 19:00 - 20:00
Hold onto your heart-patterned boxers! Matt Dinniman, New York Times bestselling author of the wildly popular (and just plain wild) Dungeon Crawler Carl series, joins us to chat about his latest book, A Parade of Horribles, on Thursday, June 11th at 7 PM ET via digital live-stream or video-on-demand after the talk.
Register and ask questions of the author here: https://libraryc.org/ligonierlibrary/161687

Virtual Author Talk with Ted Page
2026-06-18 14:00 - 15:00
Join us in conversation with storyteller and popular blogger Ted Page as we chat about his journey to bring together the stories and wisdom of grandfathers from all walks of life—all with a mission to nurture the next great generation, on Thursday, June 18th at 2 PM ET via digital live-stream or video-on-demand after the talk.
Register and ask questions of the author here: https://libraryc.org/ligonierlibrary/162305

Virtual Author Talk: The Diaspora Spice Co. Cookbook
2026-06-23 14:00 - 15:00
Join us as we chat with Sana Javeri Kadri and Asha Loupy about The Diaspora Spice Co. Cookbook, which celebrates beautiful, simple, and seasonal cooking with 85 recipes adapted from India and Sri Lanka’s best family spice farms, on Tuesday, June 23rd at 2 PM ET via digital live-stream or video-on-demand after the talk.
Register and ask questions of the authors here: https://libraryc.org/ligonierlibrary/164159
Watch LIVE for a chance to win a copy of The Diaspora Spice Co. Cookbook!

Virtual Author Talk With Karin Slaughter
2026-07-14 19:00 - 20:00
Join us for a thrilling evening with acclaimed author Karin Slaughter as we chat about her North Falls series, consisting of We Are All Guilty Here, in which two teenage girls vanish in rural Georgia, and her upcoming sequel, The Secrets We Hide. Tuesday, July 14th at 7 PM ET via digital live-stream or on demand after the event.
Register and ask questions of the author here: https://libraryc.org/ligonierlibrary/176750

Virtual Author Talk with Reyna Grande
2026-07-16 14:00 - 15:00
In her ambitious new memoir, Migrant Heart: Essays About Things I Can’t Forget, beloved bestselling author Reyna Grande illuminates the hidden cost of the American Dream and the complex journey of healing that follows survival. Join us Thursday, July 16th at 2 PM ET via digital live-stream or video on demand after the event.
Register and ask questions of the author here: https://libraryc.org/ligonierlibrary/177397

Virtual Author Talk with Dr. Marisa Franco
2026-07-28 14:00 - 15:00
Join us in conversation with bestselling author Dr. Marisa Franco, one of the world’s leading experts in human connection on Tuesday, July 28th at 2 PM ET via digital live-stream or video on demand after the event.
Register and ask questions of the author here: https://libraryc.org/ligonierlibrary/178044

Virtual Talk: Julia Child's Kitchen
2026-08-04 14:00 - 15:00
Join us for a conversation that’s sure to warm your heart (and make your stomach rumble), as we delve into the legacy of cooking icon Julia Child with Smithsonian curator and public historian Paula J. Johnson, author of Julia Child’s Kitchen: The Design, Tools, Stories, and Legacy of an Iconic Space on Tuesday, August 4th at 2 PM ET via digital live-stream or on demand after the event.
Register and submit questions for the author here: https://libraryc.org/ligonierlibrary/102286

Virtual Author Talk with Beronda Montgomery
2026-08-25 14:00 - 15:00
Join us for a riveting conversation with award-winning biologist Beronda Montgomery as we discuss her book, When Trees Testify: Science, Wisdom, History, and America’s Black Botanical Legacy on Tuesday, August 25th at 2 PM ET via digital live-stream or on demand after the event.
Register and ask questions of the author here: https://libraryc.org/ligonierlibrary/186040

Virtual Author Talk with Lucy Foley
2026-08-27 14:00 - 15:00
Join us for a thrilling conversation with acclaimed author Lucy Foley as we delve into her brand-new Miss Marple mystery, Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel on Thursday, August 27th at 2 PM ET via digital live-stream or on demand after the event.
Register and ask questions of the author here: https://libraryc.org/ligonierlibrary/186702
