To celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Jack Ridl Visiting Writers Series, this Cultural Affairs event will be held at Herrick District Library (300 S. River) in coordination with Hope's Women’s and Gender Studies Program, Sociology and Social Work, Nursing, Psychology, and English Departments. 

None other than Jack Ridl himself will host a literary conversation with Anne-Marie Oomen about her award-winning memoir, As Long As I Know You: the Mom Book. 

Oomen's memoir depicts a daughter's troubled relationship with and experiences caring for her elderly mother dealing with dementia leading up to the Covid-19 pandemic. This compelling true story offers a keen look into family relationships, elder care, and grief and bereavement during a global pandemic.

Selected by New York Times bestseller Aimee Nezhukumatathil for the Sue William Silverman Prize in Creative Nonfiction, Nezhukumatathil hails this memoir as one of "brave intimacy...Laced into these exquisite sentences is a lesson for us all on how to honor a life." 

The conversation with Ridl and Oomen will be followed by a Q&A and book signing. Cake and cookies will be served to commemorate 40 years of the series. Please join us!