During Big Read month, Miami Book Fair will present events that promote community togetherness, open literary discussion, and creative expression.
All events and activities will explore the themes found in the lauded memoir, Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant? by Roz Chast, famed New Yorker cartoonist. Through a varied array of media, including cartoons and family photographs, this book captures Chast’s complicated relationship with her aging parents as it becomes her turn to be the caregiver of the family.
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
Monday, March 2 | 7:30 p.m.
Miami Dade College, Koubek Center, 2705 SW 3rd St, Miami, FL 33135
Keynote Address: Roz Chast
Famed American cartoonist Roz Chast kicks off The Big Read 2020 with a discussion of her memoir, Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant?, at the beautiful MDC Koubek Center.
Free copies of Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant? will be given away while supplies last. Free and open to the public.
Click here for more information.
Friday, March 6 | 7 - 10 p.m.
Books & Books, 265 Aragon Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33134
Opening of Art Exhibit:
Linda Faneuf presents “Gladys and Friends”
In conjunction with Coral Gables Gallery Night
Based in Miami Beach for more than 30 years, Linda Faneuf paints and collages portraits of Gladys and her friends—fictional characters whose wit and fashion sense were inspired by the elderly ladies of South Beach years gone by. Faneuf’s work has been part of exhibitions throughout the U.S. and is collected by institutions and individuals all over the world. A former resident artist at the South Florida Art Center (now Oolite Arts), Faneuf’s paintings can be seen on Instagram @lindafan9
Presented in Partnership with Books & Books.
Click here for more information.
Saturday, March 14 | 1 - 4 p.m.
Miami Dade College, Koubek Center, 2705 SW 3rd St, Miami, FL 33135
Making Comics:
A Workshop for Teens with Jarod Roselló
Jarod Roselló is a Cuban-American writer, cartoonist, and teacher. He is the author of the middle-grade graphic novel Red Panda & Moon Bear, a Chicago Public Library and New York Public Library 2019 best book for young readers, and a 2019 Nerdy Award winner for graphic novels. He holds an MFA in Creative Writing and a PhD in Curriculum & Instruction from Pennsylvania State University.
All materials will be provided.
Click here for more information.
Wednesday, March 18, 7 p.m.
MDC’s Tower Theater Miami, 1508 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33135
Film Screening: The Oldies (Los viejos)
Directed by Rosana Matecki
A special screening of the award-winning documentary The Oldies, directed by Rosana Matecki and winner of the 2018 Miami Film Festival Knight Documentary Achievement Award. The Oldies follows Santa Clara, Cuba residents Zaida, Bringuez, and Cándido, as they struggle to stay passionately engaged in life and art at an age when simple tasks can be challenging.
In Spanish with English subtitles.
Presented in partnership with the Miami Film Festival and MDC’s Tower Theater.
Click here for more information.
Wednesday-Friday, March 18-22
Miami Dade College, Various Campuses
Visiting Author:
Lorene Carey Presents Ladysitting: My Year with Nana at the End of Her Century
Lorene Cary is the author of the memoir Black Ice, three novels, a book for young readers, and a play, My General Tubman. Her one-act opera and memoir, Ladysitting, explores the author’s relationship and time spent with her grandmother Nana, a fierce and independent woman who managed a business until she was 100 years old, and the stories of five generations of their African American family.
Click here for more information.
Thursday, March 19, 6:30 p.m.
Books & Books at The Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL 33132
First Draft: A Creative Writing Social with
Visiting Author Lorene Cary
Have a drink. Write a story. Have another drink. Write a better story.
You’re inspired. But you’re also thirsty. Swing by this First Draft event for a drink (the first one’s on the house) and a guided writing prompt with author Lorene Cary, then share your writing.
Theme: Memories
Free copies of Ladysitting and Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant? while supplies last.
Presented in partnership with Books & Books.
Click here for more information.
EVENT IN SPANISH!
Saturday, March 21, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Miami Dade College, Koubek Center, 2705 SW 3rd St, Miami, FL 33135
Passing Down Family Traditions:
Hands-on Art and Writing Activity for Grandparents & Grandchildren
Psychologist Carina Barón and illustrator Cristina Keller teach a hands-on workshop in Spanish for grandparents and their grandchildren to share memories and create a keepsake artwork to remind them of a special shared memory or family story.
All materials will be provided.
Presented in collaboration with The Miami Workshop.
Click here for more information.
ONGOING EVENTS
March 1 – 31
Your Story Matters!
Are you over 55? Or have a relative or friend who is over 55? Miami Book Fair is partnering with HistoryMiami Museum to gather life stories told by South Florida elders about their lives in our city for this year’s Big Read program, and we want to hear yours!
To learn more and submit your Miami story, visit miamibookfair.com and/or miamistories.org/miamistories. You can also email your story to
Some questions to guide your Miami story:
(These are just guidelines, so feel free to change them.)
How did you or your family get to Miami?
When do you feel like a Miamian?
What would you miss if you left Miami?
What makes Miami, Miami?
What do you see for Miami’s future?
Stories will be accepted in English, Spanish, Creole, and other languages.
If you are interested in working with us to record the Miami Stories of our communities’ elders by creating a school/class project; working with an assisted living facility or community center that serves elders; or in other ways, please email Lissette Mendez at
March 1 - 31
Various locations
Book Discussions at Public Libraries
Please visit miamibookfair.com for more information.
A minimum of 15 book discussions will take place at public libraries, independent bookstore, Books & Books, and MDC campuses.
Free books will be distributed to all participants. Educational and promotional materials provided by NEA will accompany the books to serve as springboards for discussion.
