The day after a hockey tournament is particularly challenging for a mom. A chilly rinkside weekend with early morning games made me extremely tired when the alarm went off on Monday morning. As I headed out the door to work, I thought about all the things I’d have to do before the evening came around.
A full day of teaching, department meeting, grab a quick bite to eat on the go, drop my daughter off at the rink, but before the day’s end, I would get to head to the Farmington Community Library for An Evening with Katherine Center. When I found out Houston-based New York Times bestselling author of twelve novels, Katherine Center was coming to the area, I knew that I would be there.
Table of contents
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A Promising Start
The stress of the traffic on the way to the event along with the exhaustion from a busy day completely dissipated when Center took the stage.
She began with a personal story. Her very first novel was not her published debut, but her sixth grade Duran Duran fiction piece, still safely tucked away in a storage bin in her home. It was at the age of twelve that Center realized how significantly books can change lives.
Sixth grade can be tough. As Center explained, this particular year in her life was punctuated with a mullet haircut and orthodontic headgear. Lucky for us as readers, Center and her gaggle of friends used writing as an outlet to escape and find joy through the page. They formed a sort of club. They would spend time writing, and then later share their work with each other.
Debut Dreams
Two children and twenty years later, at the age of thirty-two, Katherine Center published her debut novel, The Bright Side of Disaster.
That was only the beginning.
After years of waiting for her break into the publishing world, Center continued her writing career publishing the following books:
The Lost Husband (2013) Movie adaptation (2020)
Happiness for Beginners (2015) Movie adaptation (2023)
Things You Save in a Fire (2019)
Coming Soon!!! The Shippers (2026)
Michigan Ties
Katherine’s visit to Michigan was brief. Flying in from her hometown of Houston, Texas and heading back home the very next day. However, in my conversation with Katherine, I learned that Michigan is home to a dear friend.
Because of her friend here, she has spent time at Gull Lake enjoying Michigan’s beauty over the years.
In our brief interaction, I could see the meaningful nature of her time in Michigan and the cherished memories with her friend as she shared this connection to the Mitten State.
Join the Joy
During the event, Katherine mentioned her newsletter, Three Good Things, and offered her readers the chance to sign up. This “joy for your inbox” arrives quarterly and includes three positive things Center would like to share— everything from art to a tv show to a podcast recommendation. The topics are endless and unique in each edition.
Before answering a variety of questions from fans, Center concluded her speaking event by reading to the audience.
What an experience to hear her words aloud in her own voice!
Her message was joyful from start to finish.
Through the laughter and love Center shares in each word, every sentence, and on each page, she seeks to give light.
Keep shining bright, Katherine!
A special thanks to the Farmington Friends of the Library for generously sponsoring An Evening with Katherine Center. Local readers can support the Farmington Friends of the Library at their upcoming Book Sale this weekend.
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