Uploaded July 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
PBS Books is thrilled to partner with Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) to present exclusive live coverage from the 2025 Detroit Festival of Books at the historic Eastern Market. Join us on Sunday, July 20, for a day-long celebration of storytelling, identity, and community. This free virtual event is made possible through the generous support of the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM), with additional support from Michigan Humanities and the Detroit Festival of Books.
Throughout the day, tune in for live author interviews, cultural conversations, and behind-the-scenes festival coverage, streaming nationally on all PBS Books digital platforms. In-person attendees can visit the PBS Books booth—shared with Michigan Humanities—to meet PBS Books hosts Fred Nahhat and Lauren Smith, and connect with fellow book lovers from around the region.
Spotlight on Great Michigan Read Author Curtis Chin
PBS Books proudly features Curtis Chin, Detroit native and author of the acclaimed memoir Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant, selected as the 2025–2026 Great Michigan Read. Join us for a special on-site conversation with Curtis, where he’ll explore themes of family, identity, and community rooted in his experience growing up in Detroit’s Chinatown.
Festivalgoers can also meet Curtis Chin in person at the PBS Books booth for book signings and casual conversations throughout the day.
Don’t miss this vibrant celebration of books, voices, and the power of community.
Visit pbsbooks.org for livestream access, full schedule details, and more.
00:01:47 - Introduction
00:05:20 - Ryan Place, Founder of Detroit Festival of Books
00:14:04 - Break, Lineup, Viewer Comments
00:18:26 - Curtis Chin, Author
00:34:20 - Curtis Chin at Detroit Public Library
00:46:11 - Jamie DeKelaita, Author
01:05:01 - Replay: Curtis Chin at Detroit Public Library
01:16:04 - John King, Owner of King Books
01:21:35 - Esoterica Occult Books
01:50:12 - Break
02:05:02 - Jean Alicia Elster, Author
02:14:38 - Break
02:25:37 - Mark Crilley, Artist & Author
02:41:01 - Tony Green, Author & Musician
02:58:42 - The AstroTwins, Authors
03:27:02 - MJ Kuhn, Author
03:44:56 - Jennifer Rupp, President and CEO, Michigan Humanities
03:56:07 - Shonda Buchanan, Author
04:07:39 - Replay: Curtis Chin
04:25:58 - Bridget Kies, Author
04:48:15 - Close
-------------------
Featured Authors
Jennifer Rupp
Ryan M. Place @DetroitBookfest @Detroit Bookfest
Curtis Chin @CAAMCHANNEL
Jamie DeKelaita
Dr. Ricky Donnell Ross, a.k.a. "Freeway Rick"
Melina Hammer
John King
Dr. Morgan Meis @TheEsotericaChannel
Dr. Justin Sledge @TheEsotericaChannel
Jean Alicia Elster
Mark Crilley @markcrilley
Tony “T. Money” Green
The Astro Twins (Ophira & Tali Edut) @astrotwins-tv
M.J. Kuhn
Shonda Buchanan @ShondaTheWriter
Bridget Kies
Partners
This program is made possible thanks to our co-producer and co-presenter, CAAM—the Center for Asian American Media @CAAMCHANNEL — we are so grateful for their support in helping us celebrate diverse voices and incredible stories.
We also want to thank our fantastic partners: the Detroit Festival of Books @DetroitBookfest, and Michigan Humanities’ Great Michigan Read @MichiganHumanities2024 —bringing communities together through the power of one shared story.
Welcome to PBS Books!
Explore our website: pbsbooks.org
Subscribe to our newsletter: pbsbooks.org/subscribe
Join the Readers Club: facebook.com/groups/pbsbooksreadersclub
Support us: pbsbooks.org/donate
Find your next book: pbsbooks.org/bookshop
#pbsbooks #pbs #author #bookclub #books
PBS Books is thrilled to partner with Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) to present exclusive live coverage from the 2025 Detroit Festival of Books at the historic Eastern Market. Join us on Sunday, July 20, for a day-long celebration of storytelling, identity, and community. This free virtual event is made possible through the generous support of the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM), with additional support from Michigan Humanities and the Detroit Festival of Books.
Throughout the day, tune in for live author interviews, cultural conversations, and behind-the-scenes festival coverage, streaming nationally on all PBS Books digital platforms. In-person attendees can visit the PBS Books booth—shared with Michigan Humanities—to meet PBS Books hosts Fred Nahhat and Lauren Smith, and connect with fellow book lovers from around the region.
Spotlight on Great Michigan Read Author Curtis Chin
PBS Books proudly features Curtis Chin, Detroit native and author of the acclaimed memoir Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant, selected as the 2025–2026 Great Michigan Read. Join us for a special on-site conversation with Curtis, where he’ll explore themes of family, identity, and community rooted in his experience growing up in Detroit’s Chinatown.
Festivalgoers can also meet Curtis Chin in person at the PBS Books booth for book signings and casual conversations throughout the day.
Don’t miss this vibrant celebration of books, voices, and the power of community.
Visit pbsbooks.org for livestream access, full schedule details, and more.
00:01:47 - Introduction
00:05:20 - Ryan Place, Founder of Detroit Festival of Books
00:14:04 - Break, Lineup, Viewer Comments
00:18:26 - Curtis Chin, Author
00:34:20 - Curtis Chin at Detroit Public Library
00:46:11 - Jamie DeKelaita, Author
01:05:01 - Replay: Curtis Chin at Detroit Public Library
01:16:04 - John King, Owner of King Books
01:21:35 - Esoterica Occult Books
01:50:12 - Break
02:05:02 - Jean Alicia Elster, Author
02:14:38 - Break
02:25:37 - Mark Crilley, Artist & Author
02:41:01 - Tony Green, Author & Musician
02:58:42 - The AstroTwins, Authors
03:27:02 - MJ Kuhn, Author
03:44:56 - Jennifer Rupp, President and CEO, Michigan Humanities
03:56:07 - Shonda Buchanan, Author
04:07:39 - Replay: Curtis Chin
04:25:58 - Bridget Kies, Author
04:48:15 - Close
-------------------
Featured Authors
Jennifer Rupp
Ryan M. Place @DetroitBookfest @Detroit Bookfest
Curtis Chin @CAAMCHANNEL
Jamie DeKelaita
Dr. Ricky Donnell Ross, a.k.a. "Freeway Rick"
Melina Hammer
John King
Dr. Morgan Meis @TheEsotericaChannel
Dr. Justin Sledge @TheEsotericaChannel
Jean Alicia Elster
Mark Crilley @markcrilley
Tony “T. Money” Green
The Astro Twins (Ophira & Tali Edut) @astrotwins-tv
M.J. Kuhn
Shonda Buchanan @ShondaTheWriter
Bridget Kies
Partners
This program is made possible thanks to our co-producer and co-presenter, CAAM—the Center for Asian American Media @CAAMCHANNEL — we are so grateful for their support in helping us celebrate diverse voices and incredible stories.
We also want to thank our fantastic partners: the Detroit Festival of Books @DetroitBookfest, and Michigan Humanities’ Great Michigan Read @MichiganHumanities2024 —bringing communities together through the power of one shared story.
Welcome to PBS Books!
Explore our website: pbsbooks.org
Subscribe to our newsletter: pbsbooks.org/subscribe
Join the Readers Club: facebook.com/groups/pbsbooksreadersclub
Support us: pbsbooks.org/donate
Find your next book: pbsbooks.org/bookshop
#pbsbooks #pbs #author #bookclub #books
