Writers & Books’ Community-wide Rochester Reads Program

From 2014 – 2022, FFRPL collaborated with the Library and Rochester’s non-profit literary center, Writers & Books, to bring Rochester Reads authors to Central Library.

FFRPL’s sponsorship had helped cover the cost of bringing the featured speakers to the Library for readings, talks, and book-signings, which were offered to the public for free.

In 2023, Writers & Books changed their program model from a city-wide schedule of events — including Central Library — to one public keynote address by the visiting author, which was held at the Strong National Museum of Play.

Jason Mott (left); Robin Wall Kimmerer (right)

Watch the live stream of Jason Mott’s presentation at Central Library.

In 2021 we hosted a reading with botanist Robin Wall Kimmerer, author of Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants.

Watch Kimmerer’s reading at Central Library.

Omar El Akkad (left), Reyna Grande (center), Rene Denfeld (right)

(Due to COVID restrictions, Rochester Reads 2020 was not held).

In 2019 we hosted an event with award-winning journalist Omar El Akkad, author of the critically acclaimed debut novel, American War. 

In 2018 we hosted novelist and memoirist Reyna Grande (The Distance Between Us).

In 2017 we hosted Rene Denfeld, author of the critically acclaimed novel The Enchanted

Sonja Livingston (left; photo credit: Gregory Gerard), Karen Thompson Walker (center), Eowyn Ivey (right)

In 2016 we hosted author Sonja Livingston, author of Queen of the Fall.

In 2015 we hosted Karen Thompson Walker for a talk about her NYT bestselling debut novel, The Age of Miracles.

In 2014 we hosted Pulitzer Prize finalist Eowyn Ivey for a talk about her debut novel The Snow Child.