Joplin Public Library hosts bestselling author Shelby Van Pelt

New York Times bestselling author Shelby Van Pelt will visit Joplin Public Library at 6 p.m. this Thursday, April 27 to speak about her debut novel, Remarkably Bright Creatures.

This fiction novel is a Read with Jenna pick and was a nominee for two Goodreads Choice Awards, and is Joplin Public Library’s featured book for Joplin Reads Together 2023.

Joplin Reads Together is the Library’s first Community Read, a community focused, month-long event centered upon a specific book.

Throughout the month of April, Library staff hosted nine special events at the Library, in partnership with Missouri Southern State University Spiva Library, Post Art Library, Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce, The Friends of the Joplin Public Library, and Joplin Convention and Visitors Bureau.

All programs were related to themes and topics in Remarkably Bright Creatures, with a visit from Springfield’s Wonders of Wildlife being the most popular, with over 260 attendees.

Shelby Van Pelt’s visit will be the final program of Joplin Reads Together.

During the event Van Pelt will speak about Remarkably Bright Creatures, answer audience questions, and sign copies of her book. Participants are welcome to bring their own copy of the book, or Books-A-Million will be on site during the event selling copies for $29.99.Books-A-Million memberships can be used for a discount on this price.

The event will be held in the library’s Community Room. Doors will open at 5:30 pm. Those interested in getting a book signed will be given a group number upon arrival. Registration is not required for this event, but greatly appreciated: Registration Information about the book, Van Pelt’s author visit, and more can be found at
joplinpubliclibrary.org/joplinreadstogether.

For more information about this program, please contact Sarah Turner-Hill at 417-623-7953 or sturnerhill@joplinpubliclibrary.org.