See all posts in the Libraries series
(Note: Carver County Library branch managers are providing updates on programs and services for Carver County Local News. This month, Chaska location manager Kevin Spencer shares information on upcoming fall programs. Check the library Events Calendar for more details about dozens of options).
There’s something special about hearing an author talk about their work. Listeners don’t just learn what happens in the story—they learn why the author wrote it, where the ideas came from and how their own experiences shaped the pages. This fall, Carver County Library is bringing five remarkable authors to the community, each offering a unique perspective on life, history, humor and the world around everyone.
The season begins on Tuesday, Sept. 22 with bestselling humor writer Jenny Lawson, who will join readers online through Club Book. Known for her honesty, wit and openness about living with depression, anxiety and chronic pain, Lawson has inspired readers around the world through books including Furiously Happy and How to Be Okay When Nothing Is Okay. She’ll be joined in conversation by author and podcast host John Moe for what promises to be an insightful and entertaining evening.
Families with teenagers won’t want to miss Erin Walsh on Tuesday, Sept. 29 at the Chanhassen Library. In It’s Their World: Teens, Screens, and the Science of Adolescence, Walsh explores how today’s digital world shapes the developing teenage brain. With a blend of science, humor and practical advice, she’ll offer strategies to help parents navigate technology while building stronger connections with their teens. A companion Lunch Hour Parenting Book Club will also be offered at the Chaska Library starting Sept. 25.
On Saturday, Oct. 3, the Chanhassen Library welcomes Laurie Hertzel, former Star Tribune book reviewer and author of the new memoir Ghosts of Fourth Street. Hertzel will share stories from her decades in journalism and discuss the memories and experiences that inspired her latest work.
Local readers can meet Ron Rindo on Tuesday, Oct. 20. The Minnesota author will discuss his fifth novel, Life, and Death, and Giants, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the writing process and the ideas that shaped his newest book.
History enthusiasts can wrap up the series on Tuesday, Oct. 27 with Greg Gaut, finalist for the 2026 Minnesota Book Award. His presentation, The War at Home: Minnesota During the Great War, 1914–1920, explores how World War I transformed life here in Minnesota in ways that continue to resonate today.
Several of these programs will also be livestreamed on the Carver County Library Facebook page, making it easy to participate from home if you can’t attend in person.
Whether looking for a good laugh, parenting advice, local history, or a glimpse into the creative process, this fall’s author lineup offers something for every curious reader. Visit carverlib.org to learn more, register for programs, and discover even more opportunities to connect with books—and the people who write them.
